Pokhara, Nov 20: U.S. Ambassador Dean Thompson on Thursday visited the pediatric ward of the Western Regional Hospital under the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences.

The ambassador’s visit was part of a monitoring trip to observe the progress, operation, and effectiveness of the neonatal health program, which the United States has been supporting continuously.

Professor Dr. Ram Chandra Bastola, head of the hospital’s pediatric department, welcomed Ambassador Thompson and guided him through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Pfro. Dr. Bastola expressed gratitude for the U.S. government’s continued support and partnership in strengthening Nepal’s health sector, particularly in neonatal and child care.

“We feel greatly honored by the visit of the U.S. Ambassador to our NICU today. His presence and encouragement mean a lot to us,” Dr. Bastola said. “We sincerely appreciate the recognition of our work and the support in our mission to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.”

Ambassador Thompson praised the hospital for delivering quality services and pledged continued cooperation. He also indicated that U.S. assistance may expand into additional areas in the future.

Dr. Bastola drew the ambassador’s attention to the growing patient pressure and inadequate physical infrastructure. “Due to the quality of services, this hospital is the first choice for maternity and child healthcare. However, the number of patients is high, and space is limited,” he said.

He informed that the NICU has 15 beds, 17 beds for mothers, and 8 additional beds outside, all of which are insufficient to meet the demand.

Dr. Bastola stated that Ambassador Thompson also expressed commitment to establishing a breast milk bank at the hospital.

Meanwhile, he shared that a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has recently been established. Of the hospital’s 40 beds, 2 isolation beds and now 8 PICU beds have been added. He also noted that additional human resources are required to operate the unit effectively and requested support for the same.

The pediatric department, under Dr. Bastola’s leadership, has been widely praised by the public for providing effective and quality services.

• Raj Kiran Chhatkuli

When people think of Mustang, images of Muktinath, Kagbeni, or Lo Manthang often come to mind. Yet nestled quietly near these popular destinations lies Marche — a serene village still untouched by mass tourism, blessed with natural beauty and heartfelt hospitality.

The Journey Begins: Three Bikes, Five Friends

On August 14, 2025 (2082 Saun 30 BS), five friends set out from Pokhara on three motorbikes, taking the route via Baglung to Marche. Along the way, they stopped at the Baglung Kalika Temple for blessings before continuing through Beni and Lete to reach Khanti village. After spending the night at a local home, the group began their trek to Marche the following morning.

A Challenging Yet Beautiful Trail

The path to Marche had no water sources, forcing the group to ration what little they carried. The monsoon had filled the trail with blooming flowers and fresh fragrances, though thick fog often obscured the route.

The group, known as the “Major Team” — also the name of Chhatkuli’s YouTube channel — comprised Roshan, Raj Kiran (author), Sudip, Santosh, and Bharat. After five hours of trekking, they finally arrived at Marche.

A Night in a Yak Shed

With no hotels or lodges in Marche, the travelers were welcomed into an old yak shed. The owner, preparing to leave for the pastures, kindly offered them shelter. Dinner was simple yet memorable — noodles mixed with vegetables, roasted potatoes, and later a stew of potatoes, soybeans, and cabbage cooked over a wood fire.

Sleeping arrangements were basic, with only woolen mats for bedding. Fortunately, the herder provided extra blankets, but the bitter cold made sleeping bags essential. Despite the hardships, the warmth of local kindness left a lasting impression.

Morning with the Herds

At dawn, the group was offered fresh yak milk before heading out to see the grazing sheep. The sight of green hills, herds dotting the slopes, and the golden glow of morning light created an unforgettable experience.

After a 2.5-hour walk back to Khanti, the group enjoyed a traditional meal of buckwheat porridge, tomato-coriander pickle, and fried potatoes — simple village food that tasted exceptionally delicious.

The Final Destination: Titi Lake

The journey concluded with a visit to Titi Lake, a small, pristine, and peaceful body of water surrounded by greenery. The serene environment washed away the group’s fatigue before they returned to Pokhara, drenched by rain but fulfilled by the experience.

Marche — The Soul of Mustang

Although it was his fifth trip to Mustang, Chhatkuli describes Marche as the most unique and heartfelt. The village offered glimpses of Himalayan life, natural beauty, and human kindness beyond words.

“What touched me most,” he writes, “was the herder’s quiet struggle and his small yet profound act of kindness — bringing us warm blankets for the freezing night. His compassion remains etched in my heart.”

• Kamal Thapa

Pokhara, Sept. 03 – With the aim of promoting major tourist destinations in Pokhara and attracting more visitors, the Lakeside Hoteliers Club has launched an interaction program with the management committees and stakeholders of respective tourist sites. The first program was held in the courtyard of Mahendra Cave.

Local participants and leaders stressed that Mahendra Cave, Chamero (Bat) Cave, and Seti River must be included as mandatory sites in sightseeing packages offered to tourists visiting Pokhara.

Although the provincial government has allocated a budget for cave preservation, locals expressed concern that the central government has mapped the Mid-Hill Highway directly through the cave area, endangering natural heritage. They lamented that despite a court-issued stay order, unnecessary political interference still poses risks to historical and natural treasures.

Mahendra Cave Management Committee Chairperson Mahendra Khadka expressed happiness over the interaction and committed to moving forward in collaboration with hoteliers for the overall promotion of tourism in Pokhara.

Lakeside Hoteliers Club President Sunil Poudel Sharma said the club has been working to promote Pokhara’s tourism since its establishment. He explained that the main objective of the interaction program is to ensure that tourists visiting Pokhara can experience all major sites under a “one-door system,” thereby encouraging longer stays.

“Many Indian religious tourists directly visit Muktinath and Pashupatinath through alternative routes without even setting foot in Pokhara. It is crucial that tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara become aware of this situation in time,” he said. He also emphasized the need to establish first-aid centers at natural tourist sites to provide a safe and reliable environment for visitors, while management committees should actively work to enhance the external beauty of such sites.

Amrit Sharma Timilsina, Ward Chairperson of Pokhara-16, expressed disappointment that Nepal, despite being a neighbor to two of the world’s most populous countries, has failed to attract enough tourists. He noted that while statistics show a large number of visitors, the proportion of quality tourists who contribute significantly to the economy is very low.

He added that unhealthy competition among local tourism entrepreneurs, even with a small tourist inflow, has further weakened businesses. He expressed dissatisfaction that although Pokhara has been declared the tourism capital and a Visit Year, both provincial and central governments have failed to provide adequate support. He stressed that all concerned institutions must take responsibility to revitalize the tourism sector.

At the program, Sandeep Thapa, Chairperson of Bindabasini Secondary School—operated with revenues from Mahendra and Chamero caves—said around 1,500 underprivileged and talented students are currently studying at the school.

He proudly noted that the school has achieved the second-best results among community schools nationwide. Recalling that the school was forced to heavily cut teaching and staff positions during the COVID-19 pandemic when tourism came to a halt, he complained that despite the sector’s revival, the expected number of tourists has still not been achieved.

Also present at the program were Anil Basnet, Coordinator of the Mahendra Cave Conservation and Community Development Organization, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Principal of Bindabasini Secondary School, along with locals and hoteliers.

Club Treasurer Sushil Parajuli pointed out that even ordinary sites abroad are heavily promoted to attract tourists, whereas naturally beautiful Pokhara has failed to establish itself as a strong brand. He stressed that international marketing should now be initiated through government mechanisms, with the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders.

The event was conducted by Club Secretary Jhalak Prasad Tiwari, while Program Coordinator Ishan Khadka informed that one outdoor dustbin each has been distributed at Mahendra Cave, Chamero Cave, and Seti River.