Kalu Maila

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Festival fun

Published On: November 2, 2018 08:02 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I like Tihar more than Dashain. Dashain is like a week-long break and you get bored after a day or two unless you decide to go to one of those ASEAN countries during the festive season. Then, even a week is not enough.

Dashain aayo (again)

Published On: October 12, 2018 08:30 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

A lot of folks seem to celebrate Dashain abroad these days. Half of the people I know have plans to go to Thailand this year too because the package deal is just too good to ignore. I had also taken my wife to Bangkok a few years ago but the usual four nights five days package is not a good deal for couples. My wife was not happy (and that’s never a good thing) because we had to rush everywhere from the shows to parks to boat rides and other tourist stuff that the package offered. So if you are planning to go abroad during Dashain then don’t try to save a few rupees by taking the cheapest package. Go for the week long vacation package and you will not be stressed out like we were on our first and only vacation so far.

Changing times

Published On: September 14, 2018 08:59 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

You know Teej is around the corner when you start hearing new Teej songs on radio, TV, and even YouTube. If you ask young people about Teej today, they will tell you that it is all about drinking, eating, dancing, and having a good time. Yes, our women also need a break now and then and they need to have fun as well.

The basics of business

Published On: August 31, 2018 10:20 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I think investors in this country should at least have a five-year plan instead of a five-month plan. Many folks invest in something and want a return on their investment from the next month. Any venture needs time to grow and my successful failures have taught me that you need to give at least two to three years before your venture begins to give you back some money.

The joys of fatherhood

Published On: August 3, 2018 09:23 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I became a father three months ago. Since then, my life has completely changed. Many years ago, when in college, I used to tell my professors that my goal in life was to be a good houseman, whatever that meant. One day, I would get married then after that I would be a stay-at-home dad, read newspapers and novels all day and work on my novel and screenplays while taking care of my children.

Welcome back (not)

Published On: July 20, 2018 07:53 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

A friend of mine is back home after a decade of living in the West. Some people do change. I too lived in the West for a decade and I’m one of those unlucky ones whose accent did not change at all. I still speak English with my Nepali accent while some of my friends became New Yorkers or a Geordie from Newcastle. Good for them but don't stretch it too far.

Game on!

Published On: July 6, 2018 07:54 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

My wife is a big fan of Messi like billions of folks around the world. She thinks that in her previous life she was an Argentinian. Now, it’s my turn to roll my eyes and look at her as if she is crazy. It’s funny that I have been a big fan of England since the 90s and my wife has to choose a country that doesn’t get along well with England. Both countries have been football rivals and have also been at war for Falkland Islands in the 80s. Even till this day, I have a towel of the English Football Team. My wife has tried to throw it away many a times but I have always managed to recover it from the trash. Yes, God save the Queen!

Everybody needs a Crown

Published On: March 23, 2018 07:50 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

The other day, I was at a café with a friend of mine talking politics. I guess that's what men do when they meet for coffee because nothing else is worth talking about when there are pressing matters of the state to discuss.

When I grow up

Published On: February 23, 2018 09:21 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

When I was a kid I used to go around the neighborhood trying to prick other kids with either stones or sticks. I was busy playing doctor at the age of four. The whole neighborhood thought that I would actually become a doctor someday.

The flaws of Facebook

Published On: February 9, 2018 12:00 PM NPT By: Kalu Maila

My wife loves Facebook. I don’t. My wife gets all the news from her Facebook links while I think most of the news links you click from Facebook pages are fake ones. Yes, that’s the only thing on which I agree with Trump but, of course, the Orange Man doesn’t like the mainstream media except a few that support his way of thinking.

The perfect gift

Published On: January 19, 2018 09:40 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

If you are invited to a wedding party, barta bandha, or other social functions, you don’t have to worry much about what gift to give to the guy who has come of age or the girl who is getting married to a fruit or the person who is finally getting married to another person with all the 32 great qualities present in a human being

What’s in a name

Published On: January 5, 2018 09:13 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

A friend of mine has started a ‘name my baby’ contest on Facebook. His wife is expected to deliver their baby sometime next month.

Whispers of winter

Published On: December 22, 2017 07:25 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I love winter because you get to wear thermals, sweaters, and jackets. People think you have put on weight and compliment you on your good looks. Yes, we are Nepalis. If you look a little overweight or chubby then you are healthy and doing good and if you look a little underweight or just normal then you must either be sick or worried about the next big earthquake.

Dummies guide to elections

Published On: December 15, 2017 08:42 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I stood up for election when I was in the sixth grade. The election for class captain was a three-way race and out of 40 students, I received only four votes.

With or without you

Published On: November 17, 2017 09:07 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I have been married for almost four years now and whenever there is a high school reunion my friends ask me if I am enjoying my married life or if I still long for the 'Single and Mingle' days!  I think it's not only me but all married guys face the same question from our 'single' friends.

Your own ‘Chakka Panja’

Published On: November 3, 2017 08:11 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

It seems that everyone wants to make movies in this town. Yes, Chakka Panja made a lot of money and the second one did bumper business as well but that doesn’t mean everyone will make money in the movie industry.

Dashain blues

Published On: September 22, 2017 08:54 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

When you were kids Dashain was all about flying kites, wearing new clothes, eating lots of food till your tummy hurt and not worrying about school for a few weeks.

Fake prophets

Published On: September 8, 2017 12:19 PM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I am not an expert on religious issues but I think people want to believe in something other than the higher being above when they stop believing in themselves.

Teej talks

Published On: August 18, 2017 07:42 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

Every year we know that the Teej festival is near when we get to read about the new 'Teej' songs in the newspapers or hear new 'Teej' songs on radio or watch the video on TV and YouTube.

The tablet generation

Published On: July 21, 2017 08:25 AM NPT By: Kalu Maila

I don’t really like attending weddings because all that women seem to do at these functions is show off their ‘golden’ stuff and expensive saris. I tell my wife that it is better to wear fake jewelries rather than breaking one’s neck (and the bank in the process) with tons of gold. And what’s the deal with saris and lehengas costing not just a few thousand rupees but more than half a lakh these days? Why do most women buy new saris every few months? And because of Facebook, you can’t be caught wearing the same sari at another wedding even if it’s after a few years because you will have pictures of the previous party wearing the same stuff somewhere out there.