Journalists Lamichhane, Kandel Arrested Following Pudashaini's Suicide

Rabin Man Shakya

The episode of journalist Shalik Ram Pudashaini's mysterious suicide and subsequent arrests of popular and powerful journalists Rabi Lamichhane and Yubraj Kandel and nurse Asmita Karki has raised a lot of controversies in Nepal.

The controversy revolves around a video that was purportedly shot by journalist Pudashaini before killing himself, he had named nurse Asmita Karki, journalists Lamichhane and Kandel as the persons leading him to commit suicide.

Journalist Pudashaini, who was associated  with Mountain Television, was found hanging in Kangaroo Hotel in Chitwan, Nepal on August 5, 2019. This whole episode of a journalist's suicide and subsequent arrest of the well-known journalists is a big setback for the Nepalese journalism.

Lamichhane and Kandel are under police custody for further investigation. Thousands of people have rallied around the government building in Chitwan -- where Lamichhane is kept in custody-- in support of journalist Lamichhane. 

Lamichhane has not been proved guilty by a court yet. And everybody is innocent until proven guilty by a court. But at the same time, there is no doubt that no one is above the law. Just because Lamichhane is a popular and powerful journalist does not mean that he has impunity and be exempted from punishment for wrongdoing. Let the court give the final verdict.

However, some observers are pointing out that Pudaishaini's death was not a suicide but a homicide. Further investigation of the law enforcement authorities and court verdict will throw light on this controversy.

There is no doubt that TV programs hosted by Rabi Lamichhane gave ordinary viewers an opportunity to make their voices heard.

Meanwhile, DC Nepal.com under the headline "Rabi Lamichhane speaks about his US passport", reported that "He (Rabi Lamichhane) clarified that he has been holding US passport during a show telecasted through News 24 Television."

According to the law of Nepal, holders of foreign passports are not eligible to work  and make money in Nepal. Rabi Lamichhane should again obtain Nepali citizenship in order to work in Nepal, otherwise whatever he is doing in Nepal is a violation of the Nepalese law.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a well-known Nepali journalist in USA)

Interaction with Nepali Lawmaker Khadka and Dr Bajracharya in Portland, America

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Aug 12 (Nepal Oregon News): An interaction program of  Nepalese Portlanders with lawmaker Bishal Khadka and Dr Kabindra Bajracharya was organized at the US West Coast Taekwondo School Hollywood in Portland on Sunday, August 11, 2019.



At the beginning of the interaction program, general secretary of International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championship (IOFTC) Karen Blackledge welcomed the guests from Nepal by wrapping Khata on them.



Bishal Khadka is the honorable member of Nepalese Parliament and strong advocate of inclusiveness and equality. Khadka is  the youngest parliamentarian in Nepal elected from Province 3, Dolakha 3, Dolakha 1 (A).

Before unification of Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and Unified Communist Party of Nepal -- Maoist (UCPN-M) into one single Nepal Communist Party, Khadka had also served as a central committee member of UCPN-M, and was Deputy in-charge of Dolakha District of UCPN-M. 

Dr Bajracharya is a well known eye doctor and Meditation Guru from Nepal. Currently, working as Associate Professor at Lumbini Eye Institute in Bhairahawa, Nepal, he is in the US visit for six weeks as an observer at the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health Science University.

The interaction with member of the House of Representatives of Nepal Khadka centered on current political situation in Nepal, dual citizenship for non-resident Nepalese, ethnic diversity, Guthi Bill, among others.

The period of insurgency is over, said MP Khadka who lost his brother during the conflict. He underlined the need for change in perception and way of thinking for stakeholders.

Addressing the Portland gathering, the youngest Member of Parliament from Nepal said that the political parties and political stalwarts should rise above the petty partisan interests and get down to real soul searching for finding ways to improve the life of the ordinary Nepalese people.

However, talk with Dr Bajracharya focused on development of eye treatment in Nepal.

Informing the audience that there are 300 ophthalmologists in Nepal today, Dr Bajracharya expressed satisfaction about the overall situation of eye treatment in Nepal. Percentage of blindness has substantially decreased  over past 30 years, he added.

Innovative medical procedures are being developed for eye treatment in Nepal. 200,000 eye patients are treated annually only at Lumbini Eye Hospital. (LEH). Thousands of people from India also come to LEH for eye treatment, Dr Bajracharya said.

At the end of the interaction,  legislator Khadka and Dr Bajracharya answered the questions raised by Bharat Banskota of Nepali Association of Oregon, Daya Shakya and Lax Darlamee of NRNA Oregon Chapter, Alex Minu of the Hollywood Taekwondo School and Rabin Man Shakya, a journalist from Nepal Oregon News.





The interaction program -- which was attended by office bearers of Nepali Association of Oregon, Nepa Chhen, NRNA USA Oregon Chapter, International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championship (IOFTC), Nritya Mandala Mahavihara and Nepal Oregon News (NON) -- was followed by a Nepali style dinner. The interaction program was conducted  by Daya Shakya, NRNA USA Oregon chapter president.

(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Talk by a Nepali Doctor on 'Mindfulness for Healthcare' Organized at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Aug 4 (Nepal Oregon News):Today more than ever, Lord Buddha's teachings are more relevant at a time when the world is mired  in  conflict, violence and wars. We remember and pray Buddha because of his teachings.

Dr Bajracharya conducting the meditation at the program.

Rev Dr Kabindra Bajracharya -- who is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist  and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Lumbini Eye Institute in Nepal -- said this at a two-part talk with meditation organized on Friday, Aug 2, 2019 at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA.

The first part of the talk was based on a brief presentation Dr Bajracharya had given at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland to fellow doctors on mindfulness for healthcare.

Likewise, Dr Bajracharya also shared his insights into the practice of mindfulness in order to be of true benefit in the healing of others.

The second part of the talk was on Saptavidhanapuja (The Seven Limb Prayer). This prayer of Mahayana Buddhism is widely practiced by Tibetans and Newahs alike.

Actually, anyone who wishes to purefy negative actions of body, speech and mind and create positive potential with inspiration towards mindfulness and an awakened mind benefits greatly from this regular practice.The talk also included the Sanskrit chanted practice and meditation.

Currently, Dr Kabindra Bajracharya is in Portland at Casey Eye Institute, OHSU, Pediatrics Ophthalmology for six weeks for on-the-spot observation.

Dr Bajracharya has been initiated in different meditation and deity yoga from Vajrayana Masters of Nepal.

During this period, Dr Bajracharya also gave a presentation on mindfulness to doctors at OHSU and led meditation moments with nurses.Living near Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, he practices Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery.

As a devoted practitioner of Buddha Dharma, he is a spiritual leader engaging in mass education and spiritual practices.

The Seven Limb Prayer (Saptavidhana Puja) is comprised of the first 12 verses of "The King of Aspiration Prayers" found in the finale of the Gandhavyuha Sutra. This Sutra tells the story of the journey of a young pilgrim - Sudhana - who meets and learns wisdom and skillful means from extraordinary and diverse Bodhisattvas of all walks of life along the way.

Prior to the beginning of the talk, Prajwal Vajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara gave a brief introduction of Dr Kabindra Bajracharya to the audience.At the end of the program, a letter of appreciation was handed over to Dr Bajracharya by Prajwal.

The letter says:" Even though Newar Buddhism is one of the oldest Buddhist traditions existing today, it is so rare to find Newar Dharma teachers and particularly teachers of your caliber."

The letter which was signed by Prajwal and Helen Appell was read out at the program by Helen Appell of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

The talk which was attended by about 30 Americans and Nepalese Portlanders was followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner.

Helen Appell of the Mahavihara reading out the Letter of Appreciation that was handed over to Dr Bajracharya by Prajwal.

The audience.

Group photo.

The audience.

The audience.








(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)

Non-resident Nepalese Association (NRNA)-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter's New Office Bearers Sworn In at Portland in America

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, July 29 (Nepal Oregon News): The swearing in ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of Non-resident Nepali Association-National Coordination Council USA (NRN-NCC-USA) Oregon chapter kicked off on Saturday, July 27 2019 amid a special function at the US West Coast Taekwondo Hollywood in Portland, Oregon with national anthems of the United States of America and Nepal. 

Mr. Pashupati Pandey, General Secretary of NRN-NCC-USA gave away certificates of election to the newly elected office bearers. On the occasion, Mr. Pandey also wrapped the traditional Nepali khata on the recipients of certificates of election. 

Certificates of election were issued by the National Election Commission, NRN-NCC-USA. 

Mr. Pandey threw light on the growing importance of NRNA. He said that the NRNA is the most effective and most organized international organization of the Nepalese abroad. 

Non-resident Nepali Association National Coordination Councils have been established in 80 countries of the world, Mr. Pandey added. He then congratulated the newly elected office bearers of the NRNA-Oregon chapter.

Mr. Daya Shakya was already sworn-in as the Oregon chapter's newly elected president at a recent NRN conference in Chicago. That is why NRNA Oregon chapter's newly elected President Shakya gave the oath of office to the newly elected office bearers in the august presence of NRNA-NCC's general secretary Mr. Pandey. 

Those who were given oath of office were newly elected officials of NRNA Oregon chapter: Niranjan Shrestha -- vice president, Laxman Darlamee -- secretary, Kamal Shrestha -- treasurer, and executive members Alisha Mitchell, Chandra Amgain, Padam J Thapa and Sonam Sherpa. 

Speaking on the occasion, outgoing president of NRN-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter and noted taekwondo guru Diwakar Maharjan said that NRN movement should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering. 

President of Nepali Association of Oregon Bharat Banskota said that number of Nepalese organizations are increasing in Oregon. Banskota also urged the need for opening up a Nepali official consular office in the West Coast too. 

NRN activist Nripendra Dhital said that Oregon is among a few states to have a chapter status, and also to have a chapter office.

Also, on the occasion, in their brief presentations, newly elected office bearers of the Oregon chapter Niranjan Shrestha, Laxman Darlamee, Alisha Mitchell, Chandra Amgain and Padam J Thapa shed light on how they were inspired to jump onto the NRN bandwagon.

Newly elected president of the chapter, Mr. Daya Shakya said "Necessity of Oregon Chapter was realized when the NRN NCC activities were shadowed in Oregon due to the lack of of mutual exchange of news and activities."

At that time, there was no reliable source for obtaining information and disseminating them to local community, Mr. Shakya went on to say.

The program, which was conducted by NRN member and journalist Rabin Man Shakya, was followed by potluck dinner.

Outgoing  NRNA Oregon Chapter president Diwakar Maharjan addressing the program.

NRNA-NCC-USA General Secretary Pashupati Pandey was the chief guest.

Newly elected NRNA Oregon Chapter officials being sworn in.

Oath of office continues.

Newly elected NRNA Oregon office bearers with their certificates.

Outgoing and incoming office bearers of NRNA Oregon Chapter pose for a group photo.




(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Nepal Govt Withdraws Controversial Guthi Bill

Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, USA.

The government of Nepal led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has decided to withdraw the controversial Guthi Bill.

Speaking at a  hastily organized press conference organized in Kathmandu, Minister for Land Reform, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Padma Kumari Aryal announced that the bill has been withdrawn as it was deemed necessary to hold further deliberations and consultations with the stakeholders.

The proposed controversial Guthi Bill was totally outrageous and unacceptable for the Newah community in the Kathmandu valley.

The Newah Guthi movement against the controversial Guthi Bill spread like wildfire across the Kathmandu Valley prompting the Oli government to yield to the powerful Newah voice by withdrawing from the controversial Bill.

The controversial Guthi Bill sought to nationalize private and public Guthis meant for running the cultural activities and temple affairs and regulate all religious sites under a powerful commission replacing Guthi Sansthan. The Newah protesters demanded withdrawal of the controversial bill which they claim has provisions in favor of land mafias and could jeopardize Newah culture, customs and traditions.

Among the thousands of Newah voices raised against the controversial Guthi Bill, the most influential and surprising was perhaps that of Shatabdi Purush Satya Mohan Joshi who defended the popular protests of the Newahs by saying:"It is good if the government could have worked to bring Melamchi water. In stead of doing that, was it necessary to poke nose on the Guthis?"

The role played by the Nepal Bhasa newspapers as well as different remarks posted in the social media sites also rallied support to the Guthi movement. One of the social media posts said:"You (communist leaders) first rented our houses in Kathmandu, then snatched our daughters, took donations from us and also got our votes during the elections and now you are eyeing at the ancestral properties and land of the Newah communities."

It is a good thing that clever prime minister K P Oli realized Newah people's disenchantment with the performance of his government.

However, in stead of admitting to the  grave mistakes in the Bill, the government statement read during the hastily organized press conference read:"Also efforts have been made to spread illusion among the public over the bill, instigate them and spoil the atmosphere."

The government yielded before the Newah people's intense protests, but was it necessary to pour venom again?

Stop Gun Violence

Rabin Man Shakya

Gun violence is violence committed with the use of firearms, for example, pistols, shotguns, assault rifles and machine guns etc. According to Amnesty International, more than 500 people die everyday from gun violence and 44% of all homicides globally involve gun violence. Amnesty adds that there were 1.4 million firearm-related deaths globally between 2012 and 2016.

United States is is one of the countries in the world worst hit by gun violence. Everyday, 100 Americans are killed with guns and hundreds more are shot and injured. 

According to a study, 40,000 people are killed every year in the USA thanks to the gun violence.

The impact of gun violence go far beyond these casualties - gun violence shapes the lives of millions of Americans who witness it, know someone who was shot, or live in fear of the next shooting.

Buddha Purnima Celebrated at Nepalese Temple in Portland, America with Various Programs

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, May 20 (Nepal Oregon News): Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is a very auspicious day for Buddhists all over the world. Twenty five sixty third (2563) Buddha Jayanti was celebrated at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA on Saturday May 18, 2019 amid various programs. 

A number of Nepalese community members from Portland and neighboring cities took part in the event. Also present at the Buddha Jayanti celebration were a number of American Buddhists as well as Americans interested in Buddhism.

Buddha Purnima celebrations started at the Mahavihara with the chanting of Naam Sangiti Tuta by Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya and other Nepalese and American participants. During the Naam Sangiti, everyone gave bath to Baby Buddha.

On the occasion, colorful Baby Buddha Procession was taken out around the temple at the Mahavihara accompanied by the music players who played various Newah music instruments.

Also, during the Buddha Jayanti festival, a Five Buddha (Pancha Buddha) play directed and conceptualized by Axi Tristan Codrescu was staged at the Mahavihara. The play was performed by seven children and five ladies. At the end of the play, Prajwal honored the participants by giving away Vajra Necklace. Guruju Prajwal also told stories to children about Siddhartha Gautam Buddha.

108 butter fed diyos (candle-like lights) were illuminated during the ceremony.

Likewise, Refuge Dance (a performance of Buddha Bandana Dance through Charya Nritya) was also performed 108 times continuously by American and Nepali devotees. Guruju Prajwal Vajracharya honored the dancers on the occasion  by wrapping Khata (traditional scarf) on them and by giving Eight Auspicious Symbols to them.

Refuge charya dance

At the end of the function, a talent show was held. Prajwal, Uppa Shakya and Anastasia Roderick performed the Pancha Buddha charya dance. Danish Lok Nath threw light on the importance of Buddhism. He played a classical musical instrument. Likewise, Jameela performed Bengali rituals along with a Bengali song, and Sarah sang an English song about peace and happiness. 

(Danish Lok Nath performing on a rare musical instrument.)

A group of Nepalese ladies and gentlemen also performed Sheel Prarthana and Tri-Ratna Bandana on the occasion. 

(From left to right: Gyani Maharjan, Devi Laxmi Maharjan, Padma Laxmi Manandhar, Naveena Shakya, Dina Shakya, Anjali Bajracharya, Ekamananda Bajracharya and Pradeep Bajracharya performing Sheel Prarthana and Tri-Ratna Bandana.)

The program was followed by a Kheer  dinner (rice cooked in milk with sugar, cashews, cloves, cardamoms, raisins, coconuts etc) along with Jeri-Swari, Maarpa, and other Newah delicacies. The celebration of Buddha Purnima in a number of countries across the world highlights the significance of Buddhism as a major religious force in the world with an estimated 480 million adherents. 

This is again a testimony that Shakya Muni Siddhartha Gautam Buddha who was born in Nepal is adored and respected worldwide as the apostle of peace and light of Asia, and his teachings about peace and non-violence are  relevant today more so than ever when so many nations are mired in violence and civil wars. 

The four noble truths and eightfold path are the most important teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddhism, in fact, is not just a religion, it is also a way of life, a realism of non-violence and peaceful co-existence. 

After all, why do Buddhists all over the world celebrate Buddha Purnima? As a matter of fact, Purnima means full moon day. For Buddhists, every full moon day of the month is sacred and pious. The full moon day in the month of Baisakh has an additional and special significance. On this particular day, Siddhartha Gautam was born, attained enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana. 

The four noble truths are the most basic formulation of the Buddha's teachings: All existence is Dukkha (suffering). The cause of Dukkha is cravings. The cessation of Dukkha comes with the cessation of craving. Noble eightfold path is the means to end the Dukkha.

(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)