We learned last year that Nepal’s PM had a grand birthday celebration, an extravaganza befitting the richest people in the world. Nepal is definitely one of the richest countries in the world, so that was appropriate and a matter of pride for all Nepalese. He cut the cake that was in the shape of Nepal, signifying the purpose of his rule, and he had it flown in a military helicopter. Nepalese got to celebrate it like nothing before, never before. The picture remains in my tiny brain.
Today happens to be my own birthday day, but no cakes or even a drone for me because I am a humble Nepali, almost retired, and living in self-quarantine long before the lockdown started, over a year. I had youth and children visiting me In our NGO that was established in 2011 to help the children from the worst school in my community. I had met them while managing a weeklong Explore Nepal program for the most expensive school in Nepal, Lincoln school.
When the kids showed their enthusiasm and stood out in my eyes, I invited them to come to me for English education, which later turned into full education with sponsorship and daily mentoring and various activities that won international acclaim for the kids and the organization. All those kids are now in colleges and abroad, doing their things. In the tail end, some kids found their way again so I just helped them. Last year I noticed, that these kids were from Kalikot, the mountain area, Makwanpur, the hill district, and Bara, the Tarai district. So, we had a birthday celebration to send them a message of “lighting a candle rather than curse the darkness.”
We had silver candles we had made ourselves, so we lighted one each, then placed all together I a swastika symbol. We did not have cake, no, because it is not a Nepali birthday celebration. I had ordered some sakkar (gud) and mixed it with various nuts from a mixed packet, like cashew, nuts, kismis, dry coconuts, etc., you know the masala. So, we all shared the birthday treat, and then we all had lemon sarbat, to cleanse the stomach. Then we did the regular fun activities that were educational.
This year, I sit alone doing my creative stuff, mostly researching and creating new designs for online teespring store that I discovered during the lockdown. I found this while searching opportunities for youth out here to have some online work for income generation. When I discovered it, I was elated because I love to shop online since my days in the US. Now I use Daraz so that I do not have to go out ever. We have started a process to register an online business where the youth can mobilize to sell stuff and start earning. The difference is that in Daraz, we actually need to have the physical items, while in teespring, only designs have to be uploaded. That is so much better.
During our past 10 years of work, funding has always been the main issue, like everything in life. We had sponsors, fundraising in crowdfunding, and even won an international proposal. But I was looking for something sustainable and make our work on more solid ground. Online store just happens to offer one such potential. So the past month, I have been designing, learning, correcting, and researching every day on marketing, and other aspects of the business.
The last project I have designed is related to the pandemic. As an admirer of Eastern culture and Vedic knowledge, I have always learned that all lives and non-living things on our planet form a unit of life. We are all connected, so in the past, we have saved many injured living beings, like a kitten, insects, birds, bees, and even puppies. We worked in orphanages for eight months and gave happiness to the children there. We worked with a homeless shelter and took care of street people rescued from abuse.
All these came together to create the last project called Divine Love Abode, where all the living beings with no home or injured can get care. We plan to start in a place that has a Himalayan view, so that tourists can come and live in the homestay and enjoy the organic Nepali cuisine, and pay for the service. Stray dogs, cows, and people can find shelter and live like a family, where a school will also run for the children in the abode and village close by.
I am inspired to do this work from my memorable story of Dadhichi rishi, who gave his life so that the Gods could build an arrow from his thigh bone to defeat the Asuras, and reclaim the heaven. One more story was added to this to consolidate my faith. It is from a spiritual discourse. This is how it goes: There is an Ashram with a Guru and some disciples. One day, the top disciple is summoned by his Guru and says, “I will give you a mantra since you are my best disciple. But there is a condition. You cannot share it with anyone. If you keep it to yourself, you will reach the heaven with this mantra. On the other hand, if you share it with others, they will go to heaven while you will have to go to hell.” The disciple agrees, so the Guru whispers in his ear the sacred mantra.
As soon as he receives the mantra, the top disciple goes out to his friends and then shares the mantra with them. The Guru finds out what he has done and summons him to ask why he did that. The disciple humbly answers: “Guruji, if all my friends can go to heaven with this mantra, hell means nothing to me.” Hearing this, the Guru is filled with tears. He knows he had found the disciple to transfer his responsibilities.
There is a bliss in this way of living only a few can relate to.
So, to my readers, I have a request. If you find this initiative worthy, Divine Love Abode can be a home to show all of living beings need love and share the same home. You can be in the US or Europe and support it by purchasing yourself a T-Shirt or two with positive words, humor and Nepal related items. I will share with you the links with the discounts offered for the purchase. But I urge you to send me the pictures of you wearing them so that I can use them for future promo.
It is more the merrier, but believers are the soul.
Nepal collection:
International Proverbs: https://teespring.com/stores/proverbs-store-2
Good vibes: https://teespring.com/stores/good-vibes-store-15
Discount codes: BUY4 (For 4 items or more 20% discount) till June 14.
3FREESHIP (for purchase of 3 items), till June 30
JUNE714 (for 1 or 2 items), till June 14
