Photo Essays
2 MIN READ
Because the national strategy for tackling the virus has been all over the place, people remain scared and confused, but they have decided to get on with their lives anyway
When I was younger, I would always look forward to the changes autumn would usher in. Every year around late September, I’d start taking in the sights that signaled the coming of Dashain. The first thing I’d notice was the shortening days--the natural light getting dimmer, earlier and earlier, each evening. Darkness would start descending at around 7:45, then 7:30, then 7, and so on, as the shortening days got rapidly shorter. Starting a few years ago, by the first week of October, I’d find myself--a budding photographer--observing the darkness swallowing the gallis of Kathmandu by around 6. I’d also observe how the crowds in this city’s shopping districts would congeal into thicker and thicker masses as autumn wore on.
In this unfortunate year of the Covid pandemic, however, I was hoping against hope that I would not be witness to at least that last recurring pattern--of thickening crowds. I’d read enough media reports to know that my hope was misplaced. But last week, I decided to see for myself, and capture through my lens, the pre-Dashain activities in the larger Ason-Indrachowk-New Road area.
When I got to the shopping districts, I was immediately dismayed upon seeing shoppers readily cramming into already packed restaurants, families--overflowing bags in hand--flitting from shop to shop, and people milling around malls.
But later, as I pondered over what I had seen and as I thought about what some of the shoppers had told me, I could only conclude the following: The people are scared and confused, but because the national strategy for tackling the virus has been all over the place, they’ve decided to get on with their lives. Also, because our leaders and decision-makers have not been able to present to the public a coherent plan of action, we’re resorting, almost unconsciously, to finding hope and catharsis any which way we can--in these darkening days of autumn--by preparing for the upcoming festivals.
:::::
Deewash Shrestha Deewash Shrestha is a student of Media Studies and a freelancer He can be reached via email: deewash.shrestha@yahoo.com
Features
11 min read
Patterns of negligence, alleged abuse, and impunity in Nepal Police
COVID19
News
2 min read
At the current rate, confirmed Covid cases will almost double when the prohibitory order expires next week
Explainers
5 min read
By dissolving the House and pushing through an ordinance, Oli has twisted the law to place his own men in powerful constitutional positions.
Features
4 min read
An alarming rise in the number of deaths despite low Covid-related fatalities raises doubts over authentic reporting
COVID19
Features
10 min read
According to government data, nearly 12,000 Nepali deaths have been attributed to Covid-19 but poor data keeping and discrepancies call the number into question.
COVID19
Features
10 min read
To get on the path to sustained economic recovery, Nepal will need to develop trade mechanisms that have been re-calibrated to meet the needs of the changed global context
COVID19
Features
3 min read
A new set of rules enforced on the eve of the reopening appear designed to ensure Covid’s rapid spread rather than containment
COVID19
Explainers
6 min read
The Record explains how the Covishield vaccine works and how the government will roll out the first million doses