Some More to Study

Masters-level students from the Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur are back again in Janabahaa, this time to conduct a detailed socio-economic survey of some random households in Janabahaa. The twenty-strong group is in the process of preparing their report about the significance of ancient Buddhist courtyard complexes (bahaa and bahi) of Kathmandu valley in modern-day urban planning and space management, and have chosen Janabahaa as their place of study.

Community leaders were interviewed at length, using digital recorders. It was obvious that the scholars were highly interested in what they were researching.

The students have even pooled in some cash amongst themselves and made a generous contribution to help in the ongoing cleaning efforts of Janabahaa.

Once the study is complete, the resulting documentation is expected to be extensive, and a very valuable reference for any researcher on the socio-economic development of urban Kathmandu.

Photos by Alok Tuladhar.

Global Demand for Nepalese Silver

Friedhelm Nunnemann, a retired engineer and environmental/quality management expert from Germany, is a great fan of Janabahaa and the ancient architectural heritage of Kathmandu Valley. He makes it a point to drop in at Janabahaa every time he comes to town. Through this blog, he found out about the silver souvenir production, and asked his friend Bikas Maharjan, who is on his way to Germany, to pick up a few units of the precious relic on his behalf.

A Russian tourist who had happened to drop in at Janabahaa had also picked up the memento, seeing it being sold by volunteers at a counter.

Similary, Scott Faiia, an American development worker presently based in Nepal, is also the proud owner of the glittering souvenir.

Photos by Alok Tuladhar.