Monday, March 16, 2009

Rest in Peace !


My friend's father passed away this morning. He was only 60 and had surgery for his sinus problems few weeks ago. He should have rested well but he was always running around, trying to do something for the community. Street lights, neighborhood clean-ups, street maintenance ... the list goes on and on!

Few days ago, he had breathing problems and he was in the ICU for less than 48 hours and now he is gone.


My friend got married a month ago. At least his father lived to see his wedding. I went to Pashupati. As the funeral pyre was lighted, I looked around ... the Holy Bagmati river was now a dirty sewage. Street Kids were busy fishing for coins. Holy men were badgering the mourners.

Few of the Sadhus were drunk. We didn't know how to react. Some of my friends got into a shouting match. One of the Holy men looked at me and cursed. 'Tero pani palo chito aucha!'... Your time will come soon. What did I do?

Yes, we all have to die. When our number's up, it's up! But I don't know if it's a Nepali thing but the neighborhood is full of halla! There are people who blame my friend's wife. It's not her fault... why blame her for his death?

There are folks who are now spreading rumors that my friend's father was drinking heavily and he overdosed on medication or something.


Give him a break. He's dead... he's gone! He was a good man. I wish he had lived longer. He was very supportive of the idea of building a children's park in the neighborhood.

No open spaces left in KTM... but we will build a children's park ... it may take a while but we will have to do it for the children and for my friend's old man... to keep working to make the neighborhood beautiful even if people talk shit about us and try to ruin the good things we can do together!


May his soul rest in peace!

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