Rabin Man Shakya
Boris N. Lissanevitch, a Russian national, was the pioneer of hotel industry in Nepal. In other words, the history of hotel industry in Nepal is inter related with the name of Boris.
Boris Lissanevitch launched Nepal's first tourist hotel -- Hotel Royal -- in 1951 in Kathmandu. Boris was born on Oct 4, 1904 in Odessa, Ukraine during the Czarist regime, but he was destined to die in Nepal. He passed away at the age of 80 in Kathmandu on Oct 20, 1985.
Well, I never got to see or talk to Boris Lissanevitch. But I happened to be in Boris' birth place -- Odessa -- for six months in 1979-1980. No doubt, Odessa is a beautiful European city situated on the banks of Black Sea.
Likewise, I was a member of the National Committee that was formed in Kathmandu to celebrate the Centennial Birth Anniversary of Boris Lissanevitch. Boris was buried on the cemetery of the British Embassy at Lazimpat in Kathmandu. On the centennial anniversary day, a condolence meeting was held at the cemetery to pay glowing tributes to late Lissanevitch. I also paid tribute to late Boris by offering flowers on his tomb at the cemetery. Present on the occasion were many dignitaries including the then Russian Ambassador Vladimir Ivanov.
By the way, on April 25, 1956, The New York Times published a news story with the headline: "Boris Lures Tourists to Land of Yak and Yeti". The news story said:"It was Mr Lissanevitch, a former ballet dancer and hunter, who persuaded the King of Nepal to begin granting visas to foreigners who just wanted to come have a look at the world's highest mountains."
The news story added:"He was still a teenager when the Communists took over Odessa, his hometown. As a cover, his aunt who happened to be ballet mistress of the Odessa opera house, enrolled him in its troupe. To his surprise, he enjoyed it, and even toured Europe for several years afterward with Diaghilev's Ballet Russe.
The news story went on to say:"When Queen Elizabeth paid a call in 1961, he flew in cavier from the Caspian Sea, and lined up 376 elephants to salute her with their trunks."
Boris N. Lissanevitch, a Russian national, was the pioneer of hotel industry in Nepal. In other words, the history of hotel industry in Nepal is inter related with the name of Boris.
Boris Lissanevitch launched Nepal's first tourist hotel -- Hotel Royal -- in 1951 in Kathmandu. Boris was born on Oct 4, 1904 in Odessa, Ukraine during the Czarist regime, but he was destined to die in Nepal. He passed away at the age of 80 in Kathmandu on Oct 20, 1985.
Well, I never got to see or talk to Boris Lissanevitch. But I happened to be in Boris' birth place -- Odessa -- for six months in 1979-1980. No doubt, Odessa is a beautiful European city situated on the banks of Black Sea.
Likewise, I was a member of the National Committee that was formed in Kathmandu to celebrate the Centennial Birth Anniversary of Boris Lissanevitch. Boris was buried on the cemetery of the British Embassy at Lazimpat in Kathmandu. On the centennial anniversary day, a condolence meeting was held at the cemetery to pay glowing tributes to late Lissanevitch. I also paid tribute to late Boris by offering flowers on his tomb at the cemetery. Present on the occasion were many dignitaries including the then Russian Ambassador Vladimir Ivanov.
By the way, on April 25, 1956, The New York Times published a news story with the headline: "Boris Lures Tourists to Land of Yak and Yeti". The news story said:"It was Mr Lissanevitch, a former ballet dancer and hunter, who persuaded the King of Nepal to begin granting visas to foreigners who just wanted to come have a look at the world's highest mountains."
The news story added:"He was still a teenager when the Communists took over Odessa, his hometown. As a cover, his aunt who happened to be ballet mistress of the Odessa opera house, enrolled him in its troupe. To his surprise, he enjoyed it, and even toured Europe for several years afterward with Diaghilev's Ballet Russe.
The news story went on to say:"When Queen Elizabeth paid a call in 1961, he flew in cavier from the Caspian Sea, and lined up 376 elephants to salute her with their trunks."
