Bau Ya Khwa Swayagu: Newah People's Father's Day

Rabin Man Shakya

Even though we celebrate Mothers Day and Fathers Day in the United States, these days are totally different in terms of dates and cultural value comparing to Bau Ya Khwa Swayagu and Maa Ya Khwa Swayagu in Nepal. Here, in America, we the people from Nepal celebrate Nepalese Fathers Day, Nepalese Mothers Day as well as American Fathers Day and American Mothers Day.

There is no doubt that Nepal is a land of nakha - chakha (festivals). A number of festivals are celebrated in Nepal regularly every year. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to say that more festivals are observed in Nepal than in any other countries.

Among many festivals, Bau Ya Khwa Swayagu (Day for looking at father's face - Father's Day) is also one of the important festivals of Nepal. This day which is celebrated  in Nepal on the day of Kushe Aunshi (late August - early September) is a testimony to the honor and respect the sons and daughters offer to their dads.

Beauty of Nepal lies in the fact  that Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country having more than 70 ethnic communities all of whom have their own festivals, culture, traditions and languages. Nepalese Fathers Day is celebrated by different Nepalese ethnic communities in their own way.

Home-cooked delicacies, sweets cakes and other delicious foods are offered to the fathers by daughters and sons. On this day, the narrow streets of Kathmandu are full of extended sweet meat shops. And also, married daughters are seen going to their father's home with goodies and sweet-meats.

The Nepalese Hindus - whose fathers have deceased - offer foods to them by doing Shraddha Puja, a traditional ritual to the deceased. Similarly, the Nepalese Hindus observe this festival by offering prayers to the Shiva temple at Gokarna while the Newah Buddhists go to Jana Bahal (Seto Machhindranath or White Tara) temple in down town Kathmandu.

Newar Buddhist Festival Gunla Dharma and Naam Sangiti Reciting in Portland, America

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, July 16 (Nepal Oregon News): If Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era) is one of the most unique calendar in the world because it is named after a nation, then the month of "Gunla" in the Nepal Sambat is equally the most unique month in the Nepal Sambat calendar especially for the Newar Buddhists.

There is no doubt that Gunla signifies a lot for Newar Buddhists. It goes without saying that the month of Gunla is very pious and sacred month for the Newar Buddhists in the Kathmandu valley.

Gunla is the ninth month in the Nepal Sambat, hence the name Gunla. Gun means ninth whereas La means month. This month is also known as Gunila which in turn means the month of a good quality.

A number of important festivals take place during the month of Gunla: Naag Panchami, Gunpunhi, Bahidyo Swowonegu, Saa Paru, Mataya Jatra, Panjaran and Nepalese Father's Day etc.

The historical significance of the month of Gunla is interrelated to the origin of the Kathmandu valley.

Photo courtesy: Gunla Instagram posts - Instazu.com

According to Swayambhu Purana, once upon a time, the Kathmandu valley was a huge lake. A Buddha called Vipaswi came there and sowed the seed of Lotus. When the Lotus blossomed, a ray emerged as the Dharma Dhatu Jyoti on the top of the Lotus.

According to Vajrayana beliefs, Lord Maha Manjushree together with his two spouses Varada and Mokshada went to Chovar hills. With the divine power Maha Manjushree possessed, the Lord struck the hill with his sword and released all the waters from the lake.

Later, Swayambhu Maha Chaitya was founded by Buddhist Mahayana Dharma Guru Shantikaracharya by covering the Dharma Dhatu inside the stupa.

And it is widely believed that the Gunla festival of making early morning pilgrimage to Swayambhu Chaitya dates back to the completion of founding of Swayambhu Chaitya.

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, co-founder of Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara says:"Gunla is a holy month for Newar Buddhists when they recite the scriptures particularly the Naam Sangiti, observes fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music."

Prajwal Gubhaju went on to say:"It is one of the most important times in Newar Buddhism."

"We have been celebrating a month-long Gunla Dharma at America's only one Newar Buddhist temple -- Nritya Mandala Mahavihara --for last several years by chanting the Naam Sangiti - names of Manjushree," Prajwal added.

At the end of the Gunla month, the Paru Bhoye is organized by each Gunla Bajan Khala at the periphery of Swayambhu in Kathmandu. Similarly, a potluck Paru Bhoye was also organized by the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara at Laurelhurst Park in Portland.  15 Americans and Nepalese were present at the Portland Paru Bhoye, according to Prajwal Vajracharya.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, Naam Sangiti is one of the most important preachings of Shakyamuni Tathagata. It consists of 160 verses and mantra sentences.

Our life is full of memories about different people, festivals and events. Even though we are in the US, we celebrate our Newar festivals as much as we can. For instance, on the day of Gunpunhi, Kwati is prepared at our home in Portland whereas Khir is made on the day of Panjaran.

There are a lot of unforgettable events in your life. During the time of Gunla Dharma, I nostalgically remember taking part in the Bahidyo Swowonegu tradition in Kathmandu every year in !960s-1970s. It was so fun, you can not describe it in writing.

I also can recollect  going to Swoyambhu early in the morning with the Gulan Bajan group of the Ratna Mandal Mahavihara at Naghal Tole, Kathmandu.

Photo courtesy: Nyata Gunla Bajan.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Likewise, in the evenings of the Gunla Dharma month, my late grandfather Sanu Bhai Shakya would call us: "Oh, Masta, Tuta Bwon Waa." ( Come on, kids, to recite the scriptures). And we used to attentively recite Nama Sangiti, Dus Paramita (Dana Balen) and Bandeshree etc with our grandfather.

Meanwhile,  traditional musical instruments are played at different places in Kathmandu to mark the month of Gunla Dharma. It is to be noted that there is a Buddhist Mahavihara at each Newar Buddhist locality in Kathmandu and each Mahavihara has its own Gulan Bajan team.

During the whole month of Gunla, the Buddhist communities of different localities of Kathmandu make daily pilgrimage to Swayambhu with the Gunla Bajan.

Gunla Bajan means "musical instruments" and "music playing team" during the month of "Gunla".

The musical instruments used in the Gunla Bajan are: Dhaa (a double sided drum), Taa (a small cymbal), Bhusya (a large cymbal), Naykhin (a small drum),  Chhusya and Payentah (a traditional long trumpet).

According  to  Dr  Subhash  Prajapati, a   Seattle- based  Newah music expert, Gunla Bajan is a tradition  which is as old as almost 800 years. 

The word "Gunla" may have been derived from the word "Gunila" mentioned in Gopal Rajvanshavali, says Dr Prajapati.

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

"The Asian Reporter": Portland's Newspaper with an Asian Focus

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, June 29 (Nepal Oregon News): While "The Oregonian" is the only daily newspaper in Portland for sale and subscription, there are a number of other newspapers which are available free of cost at every nook and corner of Portland. Most of them are alt weeklies and fortnightly newspapers.

Mercury weekly and Willamette weekly are prominent alt newspapers of Portland whereas  Portland Tribune is also a formidable weekly publication in Portland. These and a number of other newspapers are for free distribution but they leave no stone unturned in making adverse comments about local leaders, celebrities, city and state.

Copies of the Asian Reporter

 Rabin Man Shakya (a Nepali journalist in the USA) reading  the newspaper "The Asian Reporter"

The Asian Reporter is a fortnightly Pacific Northwest based newspaper in Portland, USA.  Even though it is not a daily or weekly newspaper and is only published twice monthly, it certainly is not an alt newspaper in the publication genre.

The newspaper with almost two decades of existence in Portland highlights international, regional and local Northwest news and events with an Asian focus. It defends the interests of Asian Americans but it is not as harsh as other alt newspapers in criticisms of the local authorities and the state.

The Asian Reporter which was launched in 1991 works as the voice of Asians and Asian Americans in Portland. There is no denying the fact that 'The Asian Reporter' is the community's premiere source for local and international news and information with focus on Asian matters. The only newspaper in English for broader Asian Portlanders is published on the first and third Monday of each month.

One of the remarkable aspects of 'The Asian Reporter' is: it publishes news about arts, culture, festivals and traditions of different Asian countries. Nepal's news about Himalayan expeditions and mountaineering  are generously published in The Asian Reporter.

Similarly, The Asian Reporter keeps publishing news about Nepalese culture and festivals, for example, a very comprehensive and detailed news about the living Goddess Kumari was also published in the Asian Reporter.  On March 2, 2020 it published a story about Shivratri festival headlined "Thousands light up joints during Hindu festival in Nepal".

Asian Americans of Portland do read the newspaper "The Asian Reporter" with great interest, so do the Nepalese Portlanders, as they are also the part of Asian demography of Portland.

Meanwhile, in what may be an insignificant flaw of The Asian Reporter, it has not covered or published news stories related to religion, culture, tradition, festivals, music, arts, heritage and Charya dance etc carried out by America's only one Nepalese Buddhist temple in Portland -- Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

Obviously, from the journalistic point of view, the Living Goddess Kumari, the shortest man in the world, the Sadhus -- Babajis and the Himalayan expeditions are not the only news features about news from Nepal. Actually, there are more interesting aspects of human interest news about Nepal than meets the eye.

While analyzing about the contents of The Asian Reporter, it publishes news in different categories: Asia/Pacific, USA, Sports, Community/ACE, Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Recipe etc. It publishes news in brief about events taking place in different Asian countries under the column "Around Asia & the Pacific."

Opinion page of The Asian Reporter is the most readable stuff. Polo (Ronault L S Catalani) is a regular contributor of articles under the column "Talking Story in Asian America", while Dmae Roberts and Wayne Chan also throw light on Asian American issues in their column "My Turn".

The source of international and regional news including news about Nepal is the Associated Press (AP) which is one of the most prominent news agencies of the world. AP's news from Nepal is usually bylined Binaj Gurubacharya who is the foreign correspondent of AP for Nepal.

A newspaper usually consists of news as well as views. Standard practice of newspapers is: 75 percent news and 25 percent views. Opinion or views section of The Asian Reporter is little more than five percent of entire contents. Freedom of expression must be respected in the 'real' and the 'digital' worlds, where news and views are increasingly produced and consumed. Likewise, some of the conspicuous absence in The Asian Reporter are: it does not publish editorials and letters to editor. It goes without saying that editorial and letters to editor are important components of newspaper journalism. A newspaper's role as a trail-blazer to the community are reflected by news, views, editorials and letters to editor etc.

In today's competitive media industry, things are changing rapidly. Asian Reporter also should embrace for innovations. The Asian Reporter should be real voice of Asians and Asian Americans in Oregon. Local coverage of Asian events taking place in Portland is very scant in the newspaper. Today, investigative reporting is an important part of the newspaper journalism. I think the editorial team of the newspaper should give a thought about it. The Asian Reporter should be able to run exposes about different issues and problems of various Asian communities.

There is no doubt that The Asian Reporter's presence is already strong and effective among the Asian communities of Portland. But the top priority of the newspaper should be to focus both on good and bad news of the local Asian communities.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Boris Lissanevitch: Pioneer of Hotel Industry in Nepal

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."

That's how I celebrated my birthday in Portland, America last year during coronavirus pandemic

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Birthday guy Rabin Man Shakya in front of the traditional Sukunda at his home in Portland.

Portland, April 28, (Nepal Oregon News): Birthday, which is a special occasion for everybody, comes once a year. 

"Sozhaleniyu Den Rozhdeniya Tolko Raz V Godu. Ya Igrayu Na Garmoshke," goes on an old popular Russian song. It means:"Unfortunately, a birthday only comes once a year and I am playing the accordion."

  Social media news stories and posts  about organizing virtual parties  and celebrating birthdays  by cutting big cakes and lightening candles with the participation of relatives and friends during the Covid - 19 crisis over the zoom are also inundating in the social media sites.

This year, amid ongoing coronavirus crisis, I celebrated my birthday here in Portland with Khen-Sagan (hard boiled egg, a small fish and a khola of ayla) handed over to me by my spouse Naveena. Then, my spouse Naveena Shakya, son Ranjan Shakya and daughter Palistha  wished me happy birthday.

A Puja Bha Dema consisting of Hyangu and Bhasugu Sinha, Dhau, Jaki, Dhup , flowers and Jajanka etc was prepared by my spouse.

Sukunda and other birthday items.

Sukunda, which is an auspicious traditional lamp used during a number of rituals of the Newah people, was also lit during my birthday. That is the way how we have been celebrating our birthdays here in Portland, USA for past several years. I believe in simplicity. Still, that day was a special day for me and our home in Portland felt more festive in a simple way: with the Sukunda lamp, candles and pleasant smelling incenses. And that was a modest celebration. Nevertheless, it was one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had.

My birthday in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic was special for me: my spouse and both my kids were present at the birthday ritual. For that matter, my daughter Palistha Shakya  was in Chicago in 2017 and my son Ranjan Shakya  was in South Africa in 2018. Also, many friends and relatives from Nepal, the US and from across the world wished me Happy Birthday through the social media sites.

By the way, immediately after passing the SLC examinations in 1973, I went to the English Language Center at the American Library (USIS) at New Road, Kathmandu for an advanced English language training course. Little did I know then that I will land up in the USA for good in 2002. Here you go: I have been living here in the country of Uncle Sam for almost two decades.

Before that I was in the former Soviet Union for ten years from 1979 to 1989 doing my Masters and Ph D in Journalism.


Speaking of a Sukunda,  a Newah birthday ritual is never complete without a Sukunda. In fact, Sukunda is an epitome of richness of Newah arts and culture. The Nagrajas are depicted above the Sukunda while Lord Ganesh (the God of good fortune) is depicted on the middle of Sukunda in which cotton wicks are kept lit in oil during auspicious rituals.

The word "Sukunda" reminds me of an annual students magazine in Nepal Bhasa published by students of Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus in Kathmandu. My article entitled "Mass Media in the USSR" was published in Sukunda magazine in Nepal Bhasa in 1983. That issue of Sukunda was edited by Siddhi Ratna Shakya, my high school and neighborhood friend. That was the time when I was studying journalism at the Faculty of Journalism at the Belarusian State University in Minsk, Belarus.

I am sure that different nationalities and different indigenous communities have their different ways of celebrating birthday. Newah people of Nepal have also a very unique way of celebrating birthday. Birthday guy sits cross-legged on a mat  and a round-circled figure is painted with syaucha (light brown colored soil).

Naugraha is also worshipped on that round figure. Usually a Gubhaju (Buddhist priest) also comes to the house for ritualizing a birthday of the male chief of the household in the family.

In fact, in Vajrayana Buddhism of Nepal, birthday of a human being is also considered to be a part of life-cycle rituals. Therefore, a birthday of a man or a woman has a religious as well as cultural significance in the Vajrayana Buddhism.

Lots of rituals are on the verge of extinction. Gone are the days when Dhau Baji was given away to the neighborhood kids on the occasion of a birthday. The female chief of the household used to call the neighborhood kids from the main entrance door: "Dhau Baji Ka Wa, Masta.".

Anyway, a birthday of a man or woman is the time for soul-searching about what you have done in the past in your life and what you gonna do in future for the good of family, community and the nation as a whole.

The global Covid - 19 pandemic has changed the lifestyle of the people all  over the world by drastically disrupting their daily life. Coronavirus pandemic is looming large in the minds of the people all over the world creating a lot of anxieties, confusions  and uncertainties.

People across the world are facing the coronavirus challenge in their own ways. We have to control ourselves with different coronavirus safety measures if we know what is good for us: like staying home as much as possible, wearing masks, washing hands as many times as possible, using hand sanitizers and maintaining social distancing quarantine. Definitely, it is not the time for fun, show off and exhibitionism. 

One of my friends during my long stay in the Soviet Union, Deepak Shrestha, who is a senior engineer and also treasurer of Mitra Kunja, said to me in a Facebook status:"Birthdays mean a fresh start; a time for looking back with gratitude at the blessings of another year."  Well, my friend, I cannot disagree with you. A very relevant and thought-provoking message in deed.

Meanwhile, coronavirus is hitting hard on the people all over the world. On the occasion of my birthday, I prayed to Lord Buddha and Lord Ganesh for the quick breakthrough of the novel coronavirus and for an end to the  problems and sufferings of the people caused by coronavirus.

We are all very common and simple people. But I have made a lot of friends in Nepal, the former Soviet Union and now in the United States. 

I am really, really overwhelmed by the happy birthday wishes from my friends and relatives in the Facebook, e-mails, the Messenger and through phone calls.

I just want to tell you guys: We are made to feel special by people who have some place in their hearts for us. I extend my heart-felt thankfulness to all of you for the birthday greetings.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Coronavirus in Oregon: Nobody from Nepal tested positive for COVID-19

Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, USA

I have interacted with a number of Oregonians face to face about the impact of the novel coronavirus. Usually, all of them reacted: "It is very scary." "But good thing we are in Oregon." "Human tolls are unimaginable." "Its economic fallout is beyond imagination."

Meanwhile, according to Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) sources, nobody from Nepal living in Portland and Oregon has been tested positive.

The Nepalese community population in this part of the US is estimated to be about 1,000 - 1,200 people.

As of April 21, Tuesday, 1956 people have tested positive and number of people who died of coronavirus in Oregon has reached 75. On Feb 28, 2020, the first case of coronavirus was announced in Oregon.

From what we know about the fatal consequences of the global terrorist disease from the news media as of April 21, Tuesday, 800,932 people have tested positive and 43,006 people have died of coronavirus in the US, whereas confirmed global cases are 2,501,156 and 171,810  have died in the world because of coronavirus.

Compared to other states of the US, the cases and deaths related to the deadly virus are lower in Oregon. Staying home, staying safe, wearing gloves and masks, social distancing measures are some of the good things that the Oregonians have been practicing.

According to a news report, the unprecedented disruptions affecting millions of Oregonians appear to be reducing the transmission of novel coronavirus between 50 to 70 percent. 

Right now, Oregon is isolated just like other states to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Schools, universities,  aviation, parks, recreation facilities, hotels, restaurants, eateries, gyms, barbers, gift shops, tattoo shops and so on are shut down.

Oregon's public school students will not return to their classrooms this academic year. Oregon's Governor Kate Brown on April 8, 2020 announced that her school closure order originally slated to end April 28, will now stretch into June in an endeavor to maintain the state's progress in stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus.

On March 22, 2020 Governor Brown banned residential eviction during the virus outbreak. Brown issued a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for failure to pay rent. 

The current coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout is beyond imagination. The Nepalese living in Oregon are also facing a lot of challenges. Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) has a big role to play in the community during such an unprecedented crisis. NAO's presence is already strong among the Nepalese community in Oregon.

The whole world is facing the worst crisis in its history and the situation may further deteriorate if an early solution is not figured out. The current coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout is very huge. 

The Nepalese living in Oregon are also facing a lot of challenges. Nepali Association of Oregon has a big role to play in the community during such an unprecedented crisis. NAO's presence is already strong among the Nepalese community in Oregon.

NAO's president Daya Shakya says that NAO has undertaken some steps to help the community members. NAO is checking and inquiring about the health of community people through the members of the executive committee of the NAO.

Similarly, NAO is sending out the e-mails to community Yahoo groups and posting in website, and Facebook pages in SM Fund Raising project is already started as of 4-20-20, adds NAO president Shakya.

Likewise, NAO has been trying to disseminate more information about COVID - 19.  Related information are posted in NAO website including relief related links: nepaloregon.com

Apart from  providing small business relief fund link in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro etc, NAO has also posted video on how to apply unemployment claim, says Shakya.

It is also heard that NAO and NRNA Oregon Chapter are planning fund raising among the community members for people hard-hit by coronavirus.

To tell you honestly, everybody is hard-hit by coronavirus crisis in the community except, maybe, some doctors and Intel employees.

NAO has a very good saving for educational projects. At this moment of crisis, it is obvious that coronavirus problem is more important than education. Why not transfer some of the funding from educational project to the worst-hit families by coronavirus, obviously with the kind consent of donors. Just a thought.

The focus of this kind of assistance should be to provide relief to genuinely needy community members. No doubt, NAO should always strive to meet the expectations of the Nepalese Oregonians who are in need of help because of the current coronavirus crisis.

* Also please read my article headlined "Eight Nepalese in the US succumb to coronavirus" (Published in Nepal Oregon News 4-8-20).

Number of Nepalese coronavirus deaths in the US reaches 15

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, USA

The number of Nepalese who have succumbed to death from deadly coronavirus has reached 15 in the United States.

Anil Limbu, 48 an Uber driver, died on March 24 and he was the first Nepali to die of coronavirus in the US.

Then, three Nepalese Sonam Lama, 40,  Thokme Bista, 48  and Ajaya Man Chhochoo, 56 breathed their last on April 5, 2020 because of coronavirus.

Similarly, Nima Temba Sherpa, 43  and Raj Kumar Thapa, 47  passed away on April 8 and April 11 respectively.

Likewise, Pawan Kumar Malla, 44   and Mahesh Amatya, 70  died of coronavirus on April 15 and April 16 respectively. Among 15 losses of lives, 12 succumbed to death in New York,  2  in Colorado and one in Virginia.

Most of  the deceased are the Nepalese living in New York which is the epicenter of coronavirus crisis in the USA. Rest in peace to the departed souls. 

Meanwhile, according to NRNA sources, a total of 54 Nepalese living in the US, the UK, UAE, Turkey, Ireland, the Netherlands and Japan have succumbed to death owing to coronavirus so far.

According to media reports, as of  the end of April, 2020, as many as 1,000 Nepalese   were feared to have contracted the coronavirus in the United States.

Meanwhile, according to NAO (Nepali Association of Oregon) sources, nobody from Nepal living in Portland and Oregon has been tested positive. The Nepalese community population in this part of the US is estimated to be about 1,000 - 1,200 people.

As of April 21, Tuesday, 1956 people have tested positive and number of people who died of coronavirus in Oregon has reached 75. On Feb 28, 2020, the first case of coronavirus was announced in Oregon.

From what we know about the fatal consequences of the global terrorist disease from the news media as of April 21, Wednesday, 800,932 people have tested positive and 43,006 people have died of coronavirus in the US, whereas confirmed global cases are 2,501,156 and 171,810 have died in the world because of novel coronavirus. 

America has been hard-hit and badly affected by coronavirus catastrophe. 

These statistics paint a more troubled portrait of the human losses.

We are still grappling for answers to explain the sudden rise of the coronavirus deaths in the world and there is still no breakthrough or solution in the near future. The coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout is beyond imagination.

But this is not the time for panicking and saber-rattling. The right move for the whole world is to make correct decision: stay home, stay safe, keep cleaning hands, wear safety masks and keep social distancing.

The massive human casualty has elicited soul-searching around the world even as it raised more basic questions about why the world leaders were unable to take basic safety measures at the very beginning of the eruption of corona volcano. 

As the world faces a catastrophe of apocalyptic coronavirus, nations are bogged down into deep economic problems.

Poor economy affected by corona tsunami is driving the people across the world to be disillusioned by myopic vision of the world leaders.

The whole world is facing the worst crisis in its history and the situation may further deteriorate if early solution is not figured out.


*Also please read my article headlined "Coronavirus in Oregon: Nobody from Nepal tested positive" (Published in Nepal Oregon News 4-20-20).