Do Hindu Gods Discriminate Against Those Who Arrive Late to Heaven?

If I didn't know any better, based on the fervor with which Nepalis have been celebrating festivals during these times of the coronavirus pandemic, I would have concluded that there was some benefit to reaching heaven sooner than later.

Data in Bhaktapur's case, for example, show how Biska Jatra had contributed to, what I call, COVID-19 Jatra -- a massive spike in COVID-19 cases. No doubt that'll lead to deaths, if it hasn't already.

Continue ReadingDo Hindu Gods Discriminate Against Those Who Arrive Late to Heaven?

With Many Nepali Men, You Can Take Them Out of Nepal BUT You Can’t Take Nepal Out of Them

I avoided being part of Nepali associations and organizations all the years I lived abroad. Luckily, that wasn't too difficult most of the time because most places I lived in neither had any sizeable Nepali population nor organizations.

One reason behind the avoidance was a discovery I made about many Nepali men -- you can take them out of Nepal, but you can't take Nepal out of them!

Continue ReadingWith Many Nepali Men, You Can Take Them Out of Nepal BUT You Can’t Take Nepal Out of Them

Will MoHP’s Third COVID-19 Projection Go the Way of the Other Two? If Not, We Are F*cked

On April 13, Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal made another projection about COVID-19 cases in the country. If one were to go by their past projections, this should and can be written off too. However, there is at least one confounding factor this time around.

Continue ReadingWill MoHP’s Third COVID-19 Projection Go the Way of the Other Two? If Not, We Are F*cked

The Science of Sex

One of the many consequences of low science literacy and high level of religiosity and the attendant belief in superstitions in the highly patriarchal Brahmanic society of Nepal is unabashed cruelty to females. One way the cruelty is meted out is in the way they are blamed for a newborn's sex as it that were determined by gestation and birthing. Science says otherwise, of course!

Continue ReadingThe Science of Sex