"I give advice to myself, I believe in myself and not anyone else".

When one meets Durga Pokharel, there is a definite sense of positivity around. Pokharel, whose contribution was much felt in reestablishing democracy in 1990, has also been involved as a journalist and a university lecturer. After 16 years in the United States, Pokharel and her family returned to Nepal, where she became the Director of Nepal’s newly-formed Commission on Women. Since then, she has worked bravely, tirelessly, and passionately for peace and women’s Rights in Nepal. She is also the author of Shadows over Shangri-La. She had recently been involved in the making of the movie ‘Dharma’ where actress Manisha Koirala has made her come-back. The woman of high spirit shares her view on her Kathmandu:

Kathmandu is:
My home and the heart of Nepal, a beautiful city

How long have you been living in Kathmandu and what is your fondest memory?
I have been living on and off but I have spent almost half of my life in Kathmandu. I have always been fond of visiting spiritual places in Kathmandu. These places give me the exact same feeling of the time when I first arrived in Kathmandu in 1970.

One thing that you would want to change about Kathmandu.
I would want to move all houses and the entire city to a higher section of the valley and leave the entirety of it as a beautiful paddy field, garden where you can grow organic vegetables and such.

What do you miss most about Kathmandu when travelling?
The hubbub of positive energy that Kathmandu offers.

What advice would you give to a tourist visiting the city?
It is a big challenge for tourists at this time. If they are aware of negative aspects and take precautions, they can still enjoy what Kathmandu has to offer; the spirituality and purity. They need to have an insightful mind of seeing things differently.

Which part of Kathmandu do you think truly represents the spirit of the city?
If you are talking about the Kathmandu valley as a whole, I would say Natapol and the Bhaktapur Durbar square. However, if it’s only of the city then it would be Ram Mandir side, Kumari and Hanuman Dhoka. The aura of those places hasn’t changed throughout time.

Where will we usually find you in Kathmandu?
I don’t have a particular place; I go around in a given day where I feel like going. I go to Kumari sometimes, or Hanumandhoka. I also go to Asan; although it’s a crowded place, it helps you find your way through the crowd.

What is your take on the education system of the city?
If we had good public school system then the private education system would only be for those who are desperate to spend their excess money. The government needs to have a better education policy. First, we need to change the structure. We have been advocating for long time and finally I think the government is removing SLC. We need to have boards only on grade 12; we also need trained teachers and proper infrastructure in villages. The proximity to school is not easily accessible in these areas so we need to make schools the centre. Also, grade 1-12 should be free for all. Education is ‘the’ thing for any nation to progress—and sadly, we lack so much due to the sheer negligence.

How do you think the traffic of Kathmandu can be managed?
Nowadays roads are in the process of restructuring. That’s a good thing but people need to obey traffic rules—if not human polices, then at least the lights, so we have to manage the traffic lights. Also if there are four intersecting roads, there should be a little roundabout. Last but not the least, traffic polices should receive more training.

Where do you go for your daily shopping in Kathmandu?
I go to Bhatbhateni for my groceries, and I shop for vegetables locally. I believe in helping the local economy. Sometimes I go to Thamel to buy things for my sons. Shopping concept for me is therapeutic, so sometimes I like to just go for window shopping.

If not Kathmandu where would you be?
The US. My husband is a British man who left England at the age of 19, and my children were born in the US. I have been fighting for Nepali women’s Rights, since I don’t know when, but I have not been able to provide Nepali citizenship to my children—they are hence Americans, by default. Right now I’m in a dilemma whether I choose my country or my children. So my country has obligated me to prefer America more because it has accepted my children and provided them citizenship and their Rights.

How do you escape Kathmandu’s regular grind?
By being at Budhanilkantha, my home, which is so peaceful. Sometimes I take a hike to Shivapuri

The best piece of advice you have received so far?
I give advice to myself, I believe in myself and not anyone else. And I advised this to myself when I was a little girl, “I am a little girl from a village. I have dreams and I need to follow it”. I always told myself I can do it. My advice to people would be, you need to be determined in yourself and not get discouraged no matter what others say, and everything is your hand. Get advice from within your heart, not anywhere else.

How would you like to be remembered?
Everything is possible if you keep doing. I’m a doer and a fighter for good cause. For me there is no unsucess in life. That word is for someone who have excuses and it is not me. I am the name of positive energy and success. You need to try truthfully and you will achieve what you want—that is me!