2015 ArunasNepalRelief Archives – ArunasNepalRelief, Inc.

kasthamandap- Heart of Kathmandu city! A moment of silence!

ArunasNepalRelief — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 17:21:07 +0000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kasthamandap (Sanskrit), Literally “Wodd-Covered Shelter”) was a three-storied temple situated at Maru, Kathmandu. It was one of the largest and most noted pagodas of Nepal.
The temple is built in pagoda style design. It was built in the early sixteenth century by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla. The whole temple is built from just wood of a single tree, and covered with the shrine. It is believed that it was made by artist named Biset. The name of capital city is named after this temple. Once a year a huge ceremony is performed in the temple. On that day people gather around the temple and they stay up all night. People share the legendary stories about the temple and enjoy different variety of food. The temple is one of the major tourist attractions as well. Everyone is allowed to visit the temple, but people are prohibited to take photographs when inside. The temple is open after mid day until midnight. The unique feature of Kasthamandap has made it the most noted pagoda of Nepal.
The earthquake on 25th April 2015 caused severe damage to this temple and its ultimate collapse.

Mythology It is believed that Gorakhnath, a disciple of Machhindranath (Nepal Bhasa: Janamaadya) visited Nepal during a chariot procession of Machhindranath morphing as a normal human. A tantrik spotted him and trapped him under a spell rendering him from leaving Kathmandu. Upon knowing that he is trapped, Gorakhnath asked the tantrik to make a wish so as to allow him to be freed from the spell. The tantrik asked for materials enough to make a temple. The very next season, a giant tree grew in the farm of the tantrik. Using this single tree, the tantrik constructed the temple of Kasthamandap.It is also believed that the term Kathmandu arises from Kasthamandap.

Kasthamandap Premises After Earthquake In April 2015 On 25 April 2015, Kasthamandap temple along with many others on the Kathmandu Durbar Square, was damaged and collapsed by the 2015 Nepal earthquake which had an estimated magnitude of 7.9(M_w)

Surreal!
Sitting in silence, 3 generations, mom & son and grandma. Just watching where once stood Kasthamandap in its glory and now nothing but rubble. We just took it in barely speaking, just watching in silence. This is the heart of where I was born!

July, 7th, 2015, after completion of some of our short term relief efforts, we finally get to venture off to the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal!
Keep in mind, there are places throughout Nepal that are 100% intact and places that are completely devastated! Would I travel to Nepal again? In a heartbeat! There is much to do, bask in the glory of the Majestic Himalayas, trekking, hiking, river rafting, paragliding, safari, mountain biking….you name it! Tourism has taken a big hit and one of the best ways you can donate is by visiting this beautiful country. I was just there. As long as you prepare and take precautionary measures, just like travelling to any country, I say it is safe to go visit and enjoy!

There is more than one way you can donate! You can visit!

Go to this page to see why you should and can visit Nepal to give its tourism a boost http://youhiketheyrise.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjepklBOgeU

Shock and awe at the devastating site of where once stood all the temples and Kasthamandav in all its glory. But, Nepal and its people are resilient and will rise! My prayers and heart will always be with them!

Touching the very heart of Kasthamandap and offering prayers!

13 year old son feeling the sights and sounds of the devastation of Nepal earthquake.

Shock and awe, so much devastation in “places” to a country that is so beautiful!

A trip he will never forget in his life! So much to soak in and a feeling of gratitude and a feeling of a new level of strength after seeing how Nepali people have risen despite what they have endured! Experiencing it all, the good, the bad the ugly which exists in every society of this world. There is a silver lining in every dark cloud. We chose to take in all the negatives and turn it into a positive because above all we learned so much from this trip. The memories are everlasting and we will be back again soon!

What is left of where a temple stood!

Much devastation to the surrounding of the heart of the city Kathmandu, Nepal.

Coincidentally, there was a guy letting people hold the giant Nepali flag and we did not miss this opportunity. A moment of pride!

They have endured a lot, yet amidst all the chaos, they have cleaned up, found a way to rise and go about their business. Coming here, buying relief materials and ordering school supplies straight from Kathmandu factories and also doing a little shopping puts money into the Nepalese economy. It puts money directly into the hands of the people. It feeds and helps support many families who have taken the initiative to rise, smile, wake up everyday and find a profound level of normalcy in their own way. I salute them!

Spice market amongst the ruins of the 2015 Nepal earthquake devastation. Bitter/sweet but we buy what we can get our hands on!

Offering prayers and lighting diyas as we went through the city. Learning about where he came from, learning from mom and grandma, going back straight to his roots. Soaking it all in, the culture, the sights and sounds and smell and a feeling of pride he has always had to be a part of Nepal!

The market place surrounding Kasthamandab. You almost want to buy everything and bring it back. We shopped a little and brought home some momentos. You buy, you support a family to feed their family. You put money into the Nepalese economy. The tourism industry has taken a big hit. The places we visited used to be full of tourists hustling and bustling. It does not feel unsafe, I would go again!

It is a sad sad sight but in my heart Nepal will rise again, stronger than ever!

One momento I had to bring back home! The Nepali Khukuri that the brave Gurkha’s carry! It may or may not be the real deal but I am content just to share the story with my family with pride!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, once stated that[6] “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
Naturally warlike and aggressive in battle; to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness; to be able to work hard for long periods of time; and to fight with tenacity and military strength.
Professor Sir Ralph Lilley Turner, MC, who served with the 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles in the First World War, wrote of Gurkhas:
“As I write these last words, my thoughts return to you who were my comrades, the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal. Once more I hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship. Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun. Uncomplaining you endure hunger and thirst and wounds; and at the last your unwavering lines disappear into the smoke and wrath of battle. Bravest of the brave most generous of the generous, never had country more faithful friends than you.”

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Blog continuation from Nepal earthquake relief trip

ArunasNepalRelief — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:20:47 +0000

Sometime in July I stopped posting, but now I can continue! I will try to post as much as I can the next week or so from where I left off in Nepal, as I try to get back my very own tennis business up and running simultaneously. It is time to get back to work, catch up and take a deep breath!

With so many hurdles I decided to just focus on completing hands on short term relief and accept all terms and conditions as is rather than try to stress over it.
Having dropped 12 pounds (no complaints there), and my blood pressure down 88/53 with heart rate at 99 mom was worried about me and it was time to just go with the flow! Mom’s always know best!

July 3rd, 2015
Once I came to terms with working with what was doable, I was able to take some time out. First order of business was to visit the house I grew up in that is now a restaurant and show my son. I was very happy to notice unlike all the other homes that had all been competing in “how high can you go” the house I grew up in was intact, exactly as I remembered it with a number of beautiful decorative additions.

Lakpa’s Chulo Restaurant/Home I grew up in

Brought back a lot of memories as I showed my son where I grew up and which was my room and how we used to be able to see part of the Himalayas from the top of our house. These are moments he will cherish. The owners were wonderful and gave us a big discount and thanks to Jayjeev and Nanu Hada for taking us out to eat at this very memorable place that will remain close to my heart. I got a little teary eyed as we eat dinner in the beautiful, lush garden with the sound of the waterfall and an almost canopy like setting of greenery.

Found memories that I shared with my son of the house I grew up in that my parents built with their hard work and sweat.

Why so famous? I used to hit tennis balls against these very walls which was the beginning of my tennis journey and professional tennis career today. This is where it all started growing up in Nepal!

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Back in Austin, TX! Stay tuned, will post more photos and videos!

ArunasNepalRelief — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 03:44:42 +0000

Arrived back in Austin, TX yesterday! What an experience it was this time around. I will be posting more photos and videos from our last week in Nepal and will do a recap! Thank you all for your kind donations, your service, your friendship, your help and most of all, thank you Nepal for showing me what resilience truly means! I salute the people of Nepal! Stay tuned for more!

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After Balkhu walked the streets and found this injured dog

ArunasNepalRelief — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:27:47 +0000

Amidst all the human tragedy and continuing chaos due to the earthquakes that hit Nepal and continued tremors….the animals are probably at the bottom of the priority list and understandably so, since the human death toll and casualties is massive. After going to Balkhu and handing out relief supplies to the children, I walked the roads with my mom’s maid’s help, took the local transportation and then walked again only to find a poor dog all cut up with open wounds on the side of the road just there in the mid afternoon heat right in front of my mom’s apt. gate. Noone is bothered and I am not surprised or upset why. I just know I need to help maybe just for my sake.

All this time I have spent in Nepal doing relief work for only human kind, any little help I can give with ofcourse the help of US donors, I come across the fate of this dog. This was top priority for me in the US, “Animal Rescue” here not so, given the circumstances, but I couldn’t turn a blind eye. There was a reason this dog was right in front of my mom’s gate in Bagdul, Lalitpur.

Dog probably hit by a car, injured with open wounds on the side of the road. Probably not of any importance to notice and understandably so with the current earthquakes in Nepal where the human devastation is just unfathomable, but I just couldn’t let it go!

I had just partnered with Animal Nepal last fall and donated to their wonderful cause of helping animals in Nepal and I immediately call them and they are quick to respond this morning. I have seen their work on FB but here is my chance to see with my own eyes, how hands on they are here in Nepal.

Dilemma: Do I feed the dog, give it water or do I just wait. I know its been sitting there scorching in the sun with open wounds. Possibly hit by a car!

Within half an hour Mohan Moarjan and Ram Chandra Shrestha show up after I call Mr. Uttam Kaphle jee. My friend from high school Pramada Shah runs Animal Nepal, I am to meet her tomorrow at 12:00pm. She hasn’t clue what has just transpired. I am pleasantly surprised how fast they show up. I debate for awhile, should I feed the dog, give it some water or will it bite me in self defense (wouldn’t blame it if it did given its dire condition). I pause as I know I possibly could get rabies, I wait and they show up, I am as happy as can be.

Animal Nepal to the rescue!

Mohan Maharjan jee and Ram Chandra Shrestha jee from Animal Nepal to the rescue!

I ride with Animal Nepal with the injured dog to Chobar Animal Rescue Sanctuary. I am happy I can visit the Sanctuary to see what it really is like and I am thrilled to see how organized they are.

The injured dog is now in good hands with Animal Nepal. If he survives we will call him “Lucky”

Animal Nepal Chobar Animal Santuary visit, July 1st 2015. I was impressed!

I walk back up the stairs from Chobar, Animal Nepal, which is at the bottom of Hatti Ban Resort, to hail a cab but I end up hitching a ride with a motor biker. You just have to adapt.

Looking at the view, mesmerized! How can such a beautiful country with beautiful people be so devastated by continuing earthquake. It lies still and picturesque and yet people are resilient and moving on with their day to day lives! I am in awe! A new found respect followed by a deep sense of humility despite a lot of turmoil and chaos that is still ongoing by nature and by humans together! My heart aches for Nepal, I am glad I came but very saddened and yet uplifted by the ongoing smiles that greet me everywhere I go!

I sign out tonight after a very productive day going around by myself doing what I can within my power, adapting, pushing forward, learning and observing. Hope to get an update of my “Lucky” hope he/she did get lucky and can survive.

Animal Nepal takes the strays of Kathmandu, spays/Neuters them and gives them rabies vaccines and then releases them where they found them. This to me in a place like Nepal is a big big deal! They cannot possibly foster and get every pet adopted as most likely humans themselves are suffering especially with the earthquakes, so, what they are able to do despite the situation for the animals is a big deal! Kudos to Animal Nepal. I look forward to meeting the staff and my friend Pramada Shah tomorrow after 30 plus years!

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Today, Balkhu relief work

ArunasNepalRelief — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:37:09 +0000

Went to Balkhu where 8 families were living outside in semi tarp shelters in a church yard, inside mosquito netted sleeping quarters. With the monsoon rain they have problems with leakage but they make do. Thank goodness for the church, these people have a place to call home, no matter what the conditions, they are happy to be alive!

8 families living outdoors in Tripal (makeshift tarp) shelters.

On the other side of the yard, the sister and family still living in the house that is cracked by the earthquake. When I asked why they still live and if the inspectors had come, they said no they have not but they take turns between families to sleep in or out because of the rain.

still living in earthquake ravaged homes to seek shelter from monsoon rain.

They still dress their children proper for school and they smile as I get there just in time before they leave for school at 8:00am.

Little people big smiles!

Beautiful children, strong children living under conditions their families do their best to provide, yet they are always smiling and moving on!

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Today June 23rd we help directly at school destroyed by earthquake !

ArunasNepalRelief — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:18:20 +0000

1. Distribution at Nanda Madhyamic bidyalaya, Naxal, Kathmandu June 23, 2015
These school children come from very poor families and their school is completely devastated by the earthquake, as you will see below on the photos and videos I post. They were so happy to receive the remaining backpacks from Dhading. Although we did not have exactly the same amount of supplies due to someone taking some of it in Dhading, the children smiled at whatever they recieved and were so appreciative, it was quite touching how little they were content with. We were short on backpacks at the end and we started just giving out notebooks and still they were so gracious and thankful. We were short again and started handing leftover sharpners and a few pencils….it went on but they kept smiling.

Helping school children who come from very poor families affected directly by the earthquake.

My son even asked their names in Nepali and was smiling with them.

We donated soap, toothpaste and toothbrush as well. These little one’s really know how to scrub like a surgeon! Despite what they have endured and continue to, their smiles are contagious! They teach us a big lesson about resilience! They come from very poor families, their school is destroyed yet they carry on like its just another day.

Nanda Madhyamic Bidyalaya school devastation by Nepal earthquake

School Devastation we saw with our own eyes.

2. Distribution of medical relief supplies at Nanda Samudayik Shahari Swastha Clinic, Naxal, Kathmandu. Thank you Murchison Middle School, Austin, TX and US donors!

We donated all Medical supplies to this clinic that helps the children of the devastated school directly and the local community.

At the clinic adjoining the school. This clinic helps the school children directly and the local community that has been devastated by the earthquake

June 23rd, 2015, ArunasNepalRelief,Inc. making sure that the medical supplies we donated will be utilized effectively!

Credits
Narendra uncle, my mom’s next door neighbor and long time family friend, let us borrow his SUV and driver Bhai to take the supplies and Bibeck helped coordinate and has been letting us camp out at their home to get work done on the computer. So grateful, thank you both and thank you to driver bhai!
Jayjeev Hada and his “Committed” NGO team you made this possible by coming to my aid immediately and within just one day coordinated the location and sent two of your staff to help us. Thank you bahini’s for accompanying us. Thank you for feeding us lunch at your office Jayjeev!

Jayjeev Hada and Committed NGO team members. They are an honest bunch and offered their help immediately and effectively. Thank you!

3. Jayjeev Hada’s NGO “Committed” signs off on water purification supplies with contract to deliver in September to the health post in Sindhupalchowk where they will be able to utilize it fully. Right now due to the Monsoon rainy season we are unable to go, road closures and landslides. You guys are commited, true to your name and we thank you!

Handed all the water purification supplies to Jayjeev at Committed who will utilize it at the village health center of Sindhupalchowk in September. The roads are closed right now due to monsoon season so we cannot go.

An unexpected welcome lunch by Jayjeev and committed was just what the doctor ordered right after distributing relief supplies at the school and clinic. Thanks guys, so sweet of you!

Thank you US donors again and Murchison Middle school for all the supplies.

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June 16th, 2015 second meeting with village school master

ArunasNepalRelief — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:54:37 +0000

We sit down at a café in Kathmandu and this time its Mr. Gautam ji the school master of Shree Sami Bhanjyang School in Dhading. HLF’s member Mr. Sitaram ji also attends meeting. My mom happens to be there as we have been walking all day for the past 3 days trying to resolve technical issues with phone unlock, SIM, USB Dongol, internet connection….etc. and time is very limited going from place to place then heading straight to meetings. She is my pillar of strength! Despite what she has endured she looks after my son and myself day in and day out, walks with us everywhere and makes sure we are safe because she does not want anyone to take advantage of us. She is our body guard, she knows all the whereabouts and the people very well, who means well and who doesn’t, who is there to sincerely help, because we have traveled so far to come help!

We’ve learned from Mr. Gautam ji and Sitaram ji that the top priority need is for the village school that has been devastated has students who simply need backpacks, school supplies and l hygiene kits. We can add to it by ArunasNepalRelief, Inc. donated supplies, raincoats during monsoon will be a very important addition.

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June 14th we meet with my NGO contact Reetu and team

ArunasNepalRelief — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:44:22 +0000

On June 14th I immediately setup meeting with my contact friend Reetu S B, to assess the needs of the village they had specifically picked in Dhading, one of the many rural places in Nepal. One of many places in Nepal, millions of tourists have enjoyed the beauty of Nepal and homes and hospitality of the Nepali people. These are the places that suffer the most as they are the hardest to reach in the mountains and hills but also the most beautiful places. We discuss how we can help and make a rough draft of list of items they have requested for their school and we can cover with ArunasNepalRelief, Inc. funds and relief supplies.

ArunasNepalRelief member meets with her Nepal contact

Thanks to team members: Reetu S Baral, Mukesh Kr. Goit, Sefr -ur-Rehmah, Dr. Ayeshna Guruy, Sitaram Bhatteri and Sharjoy Mani Dixit for helping with organizing meeting. We make plans to shop for supplies, organize a big 30 person bus, an open truck and a jeep and crew to accompany my son and myself to Dhading to accomplish our mission to deliver relief supplies directly, hands on. There are many concerns to be discussed and planned out meticulously: treacherous roads, safety, number of hours of travel time, whether its safe to stay overnight, how will we tackle the corrupt few on the way who will stop us once they know immediately we are bringing relief supplies “Rahat”. We discuss and we plan for more meetings.

By this end of the meeting, my phone is dead. I hope to get more photos from Reetu.

I will post more updates and photos as I have time and the means!

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5:57am NST just felt our first big aftershock

ArunasNepalRelief — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 03:13:09 +0000

5:48am son and I felt our first aftershock that was our first experience which was very scary! We were both on Viber talking to my husband in Austin, TX. The aftershock 4.4m we felt for the first time shook the building. I screamed and threw the chair that was blocking the table and pulled my son and we hid under it. Mom was out shopping. It only lasted a few seconds but it was very scary for us, only because we had never experienced anything like this. Mom took refuge at a neighbors and when she came back she said “this was small, no need to worry”. We were quite shocked and realized how much everyone in Nepal had really and truly endured, 7.8, 7.3 and 6.7 were the big ones that lasted much longer so for them what we experienced was small, not for us. But now we understand!It all depends on where the epicenter is and how long it lasts as far as how much you really feel the effects.

Total number of aftershocks in Nepal today, June 17th, 2015 per http://www.seismonepal.gov.np/ this is the link if you want to stay updated!
8am 5.1 Sindhupalchowk; 6:26am 4.0 Sindhupalchowk; 6:14 am 5.2 Sindhupalchowk; 5:48am 4.4 Kathmandu (this is why we felt the bldg. shake because the epicenter was here in Kathmandu)

I will post again soon with details on our mission which we hope to accomplish on Friday as we head out to the village. With mom, my Luther college friends in Nepal and Healthy Life Foundation NGO members by our side who have been extremely helpful in educating us on not just the earthquake but also getting down to the nitty gritty of how we can accomplish our short term and long term goals son and I are still very focused and moving forward very strong!

Thank you and will post soon again!

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Update from Nepal – between continuing aftershocks

ArunasNepalRelief — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:27:37 +0000

Update: June 14th, 2015

The 3 of us, my mother, my son and myself immediately start the next day.

This is the gate to my mom’s apartment. The quake partially destroyed it and took the whole clinic building in front of it and turned it to rubble!

We inspect the area around Kathmandu and look at all the damage in places, the earthquakes have taken a toll. The clinic in front of my mom’s apartment is in rubble. The heart of Kathmandu has sustained a lot of damage and ofcourse sadly taken many lives.

We pack emergency evacuation bags and tent and its

We tie a rope to the my mom’s balcony, in case we can’t use the stairs if a quake hits. The 3 of us together plan and prepare so we can carry on with our work daily.

Emergency evacuation bags and tent is ready to go. We plan and prepare for the worst as we go about our work daily!

ready to go any minute as we fear more aftershocks as they continue.

We walk almost everywhere, sometimes taking a taxi. Along the way we see a lot of damage! First order of business is to figure out the phone connections and get the technical side of things working so I can update our donors. It is not an easy task as there are many loopholes and lot of hurdles

Trying Ncell Connect USB Dongle, stuck with it since I bought it to be able to effectively post updates.

Inspecting Dharahara, the landmark that stood proud and tall.

I am optimistic and staying positive all will work out soon as one gentleman has decided to help from Ncell! The toughest part of the journey went very smooth but this part is problematic. Quite a learning process!

Please bear with me as I try to do my best to keep you all posted from here between technical difficulties,load-shedding and continuing aftershocks in Nepal. I have no time to edit, just get on my laptop when and if I can type as fast as I can, post photo’s and video’s when I can and get out immediately. I apologize for the ramblings, redandency and grammatical errors as that is the last thing on my mind as I try my best to see if I can even keep you all updated with all the challenges I am facing. I will do my best!
Having major issues with email and internet connection on again, off again. I expected this but never to this extent in Kathmandu.
Thank you!

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