National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

Building Dreams

The government's housing project in Bhainsepati spurs socio-economic development in the area

By PAWAN BISTA

It is amazing how small things lead to big ones. Less than two decades ago, Bhainsepati - a lowly hamlet located three kilometres to the south of Jawalakhel - was a place where people rested the herds of buffaloes they brought from Terai.

Kathmandu valley : Lack of planning

Now it is one of the most sought after residential district in the Kathmandu Valley. And a lot of credit to this sudden transformation goes to the government-initiated housing project in Sainbu-Bhainsepati area.

Home is where the heart is and where better than in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur. In the year 1975 the government bought 490 ropanis of land there to build a prison. In subsequent years the plan was aborted and the government took another decision in 1988 to turn the site into a housing project. Ever since, the project has been working to build a well-planned housing for the people. When it took over the land back then, the government had paid less than Rs. 4000 per ropani. Now, in 2004, one ropani of land fetches, on average, Rs 5 million.

Due to rapid urbanization people who wish for a home away from hustle and bustle of the city have started flocking to the outskirts. People with deep-pockets have come to Bhainsepati. Although this project took awfully long period of time in implementation, it has become one of the best residential areas in the Kathmandu valley.

Following this project, the whole Bhainsepati area has transformed for better. Neat and wide roads, swanky shops, restaurants have sprung up like mushrooms. The real estate value of the whole area surged beyond imagination. The tiny hamlet became one of the most sought-after residential districts where politicians, diplomats and other influential members of society live.

One of the major attractions of the Bhainsepati is that it is so near to the major city centre yet still untouched by its hustle and bustle. Perched atop a hillock, the scene from this area is enough to lure many people. What better temptation than to have the mighty Himalayas peek at your room whenever you open windows of your bedroom.

The project is also building residences for the sitting MPs. Around 250 houses are being made for the MPs in a section of the housing land sprawling 123 ropanis.

(Bista is an intern)

Tussle of Tuskers

In a sharp contrast to their daily routine of ferrying tourists into the jungles, the elephants of Chitwan are battling it out on ground.

The 23rd International Elephant Polo Tournament has begun in Chitwan on Nov 29. A total of eight teams from Nepal, England, Scotland, Thailand, India and Hong Kong are participating in the tournament.

On the first day of the tournament Nepal's ITNC beat Hong Kong's Doms Dragon by 3-2, Chivas Regal Thailand beat Scotland by 8-7 and Nepal's National Park Team beat the defending champion England's Tiger Tops Tusker team.

The tournament organized by International Elephant Polo Organization and sponsored by Tiger Tops Hotel and Lodge, lasts for six days. The program has been organized every year since 1982 in the last week of November in the airfield of Meghauli, Chitwan.

The game is played by tossing a ball by a bat from the back of an elephant. The game, which used to be played in Nepal only till recent past, is now also played in Thailand and Sri Lanka.