Friday's Fab Five: 17
As I make my comeback after months, I talk about a generational & national dream that is taking shape on the field, a library for youth, a bookstore find, an impactful quote and a book worth reading.
Hey there, everyone!
How's it going, folks? Man, it's been literally a long time no see, hasn't it? Hope I haven't slipped your minds just yet! I know, I know—ages have passed, and it's not even close to Friday.
But let's treat this like the comeback of a cricket player who's been struggling, only to step up and make a surprise impact–a cameo. Maybe this knock will be my turning point, propelling me back into my groove, ready to deliver every single week, just like I pledged when this year's season kicked off.
After being off the field, not just out of form, I knew I had to make a return, no matter how I perform on that pitch.
Smelling what I'm cooking up here? Wondering why I'm suddenly talking cricket? Well, my friends, the good news is—I'm back, and I'm planting my flag right here!
Let's dive into this edition's top five picks, shall we?
Friday’s Fab 1: Dream (come true)
Nepal playing in Asia Cup
Let's dive right in, people! This is the stuff dreams are made of, and believe me, I know quite a few people who are absolutely over the moon about this. It's not just a dream come true for them; it's a dream come true for my whole generation. Heck, it's a dream come true for our entire nation, where the love for cricket has taken over like nothing else in recent times.
The morning in Multan is about to kick off a whole new chapter for Nepali cricket and its ardent fans.
But hey, let's rewind the clock about 20 years. Picture this: my village, Marai, in the Mahottari district. In the Madhesh region and its districts, cricket was pretty much the undisputed champion of sports all year round. Only the monsoon and the subsequent havoc of floods could put a temporary halt to our cricketing battles and practice sessions. Cricket was more than a game; it was our daily ritual, our exercise, and probably the most and only entertaining thing we had. We’d pedal our cycles from one village to another for matches, sometimes riding pillion or even walking it if the neighbouring villages like Damhi, Mahottari, and Gonarpura were hosting the games. Some villages were known for their cricketing stars and their streaks of tournament victories. And you bet, every village had its own set of superhero players.
Back in the day, when my cousins, classmates, and buddies were still in the junior leagues, my village boasted superstars like Guddu Pandey (funnily enough, his real name didn't matter; everyone just knew him by Guddu Pandey and also pronounced his full name), Roshan Mandal (my older cousin), Santosh Pandey, and a bunch of others. Balwa had the Karmacharya brothers, while Pipara had a bunch of Mishras. Meanwhile, Jaleshwor had the Shrestha brothers—I think—leading their team. Pipra and Jaleshwar were quite the contenders in Mahottari. Balwa gave them a run for their money, and eventually, Marai started schooling them regularly. Damhi was a relatively easier match for Marai, though on a good day, Damhi could pull a win over Marai too. They had some remarkable players themselves.
Now, let’s talk about the whole region. Janakpur, the place that had the legendary Mahabir Yuva (Cricket) Club, which eventually split to give birth to Ramananda Yuva Club, was the toughest team to beat. Almost no local team could outshine them, thanks to the star players who participated in national-level tournaments. And yup, Guddu Pandey was part of that crew too. He only joined Marai’s ranks for those super critical matches or the final rounds of tournaments. While Marai's claim to fame was its tournament victories, it also had this sort of notorious reputation for winning matches and occasionally getting into scraps—somehow/anyhow winning tournaments and its brawls. Ah, who can forget that unforgettable incident at the Gonarpura field? Trust me, it's etched into the memories of everyone from my age group.
My childhood and school days are pretty much woven with cricket stories, whether it's watching the games or getting right into the action on the field. Those were the days, my friends!
And, one of the best memories of cricket was witnessing Nepal’s rise in international cricket.
Now, this was way before the days of ESPNCricinfo's constant updates or those live matches flashing across sports channels. Back in the day, my cousins were glued to those old FM radios, eagerly waiting for any snippet of news when Nepal was out on the field. And get this, those radios weren't exactly "FM radios" as we know them today. They were essentially music players that local stores used to play Hindi songs. And guess what? Kantipur FM was our knight in shining armour. See, Kantipur FM had these regular news broadcasts every three hours, and that's how we got our scorecard—our Kantipur Diary, you could say. The 3 PM bulletin was our lifeline for live scores, while the 6:30 PM announcement sealed the deal, giving us the final word. And that, my friends, is how we tracked the rise of Nepali cricket through the different age groups.
All those older players, most of whom have hung up their boots by now, were the U-19 champs back in those days. With every victory they secured, we dared to dream that one day, Nepal would lock horns with cricket giants like India and the other big guns. Now, India? Oh boy, that was the big deal. You see, in my village, you wouldn't—heck, you still wouldn't—find a soul who wasn't backing the Indian cricket team. We'd picture the Nepal squad taking on legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh—you know, all those superstars who once lit up our lives and became our role models. We had stars in our eyes, hoping that someday, we'd be there too.
With every tournament Nepal conquered, there was this collective anticipation that maybe, just maybe, we'd get a shot at the Asia Cup or even qualify for the World Cup in the upcoming year. We’d cook up these elaborate equations in our heads, drawing up scenarios that fuelled our hopes. “Nepal might just make it to the 2004 Asia Cup,” we'd speculate, and then it became “Maybe 2008 is our year,” and so on. And here we are, almost two decades later, watching that dream come true. It took the entire youthful phase of people like me to witness this moment.
The same tale unfolds with the One-Day World Cup. It all started back in 2007, and well, that particular dream is still a bit further down the road.
It's finally becoming a reality. And let me tell you, for fans like me, this is like hitting the jackpot. Nepal finds itself in a group alongside two cricket giants—India and Pakistan. Now, don't get me wrong, teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh definitely bring their A-game, but let's face it: without the presence of India and Pakistan, the Asia Cup might lose a bit of its spark. And yeah, I'm totally not trying to downplay their skills.
But come on, let's be honest here. Going head-to-head against Pakistan and India is the stuff every Nepali cricket aficionado has daydreamed about at some point. Though, okay, I’ll admit it. We won't get to witness Sachin's textbook-perfect straight drive, or Sehwag’s explosive innings in the first powerplay, or the magic of Wasim Akram’s reverse swing, or Shoaib Akhtar’s terrifyingly fast deliveries. Those are moments etched in cricket history.
But let's focus on the positive. What’s in store for us is the graceful cover drives of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam’s masterful strokes. Picture Rohit Sharma executing that picture-perfect pull shot or witnessing Surya Kumar Yadav’s utterly unconventional yet genius plays. Unplayable deliveries Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. The cricketing stage might have changed, but the thrill, the beauty, and the drama are still very much alive. Get ready, everyone—it's going to be a ride to remember.
Just imagine Nepal's young guns stepping up and claiming the wickets of cricketing giants like Kohli and Rohit—now that's a scene that's going to stay with us forever. And you know what's even more incredible? The image of Nepali cricketers sharing handshakes and conversations with legends like Rohit and Virat. It's like a dream within a dream, getting to interact with them and soaking in those precious cricketing tips.
On Multani mitti, Nepal has nothing to lose, but only lessons to learn. Nepal has nothing at stake, but everything to win. Nepal needs no recognition for now as it has already made its introduction to international cricket.
From this point onward, there's only one direction for Nepali cricket—upward and onward.
Let’s make this experience a historic one!
Friday’s Fab 2: Good News
Madhesh Library
I'm absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news: there are some incredible individuals back home who have taken the initiative to establish a library, all aimed at empowering and educating the youth of Madhesh. Opening of Madhesh Library is a development that's been long-awaited and I couldn't be happier that they've made it happen. And you know what's even more heart-warming? I personally know some of the brilliant minds behind this wonderful endeavour.
Madhesh is in dire need of intellect. It's calling out for young minds that can ponder, discuss, and ultimately step up as the future leaders of the region. Right now, the most crucial thing Madhesh requires is a generation of well-read, informed youths who can become the driving force behind the region's socio-political transformation. Given the social challenges that have plagued the area, it's truly a remarkable move to launch this movement from a library.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to them and offer my heartfelt congratulations for their remarkable efforts.
And hey, if you're in a position to help out, please consider supporting this library by contributing some great books or money. Let's make this endeavour a collective success!
Friday’s Fab 3: My favourite bookshop
Biblio Nepal
I have a strong feeling that if you're reading this post or subscribing to this newsletter, you're someone who's passionate about reading. And if, like me, you have a bit of a weakness for buying (let's be honest, hoarding) books, then I've got a stellar bookstore recommendation for you: my absolute favorite, Biblio Nepal.
Now, I know there's a sea of online bookstores out there, but for me, Biblio Nepal stands head and shoulders above the rest. I've been a loyal customer for quite a few years now, and let me tell you why. First off, their collection is top-notch—whether you're into the latest releases or treasure hunting for older gems, they've got you covered, all at prices that won't break the bank. But what truly sets them apart is their exceptional service and the fact that they're a bunch of genuinely wonderful people. I mean, we've built a friendship of sorts through our DMs, and it's pretty amazing.
Oh, and here's the kicker: even when I'm halfway across the world in London, I'm still ordering books from Biblio Nepal and raving about them to my friends. Just this month, I managed to snag seven incredible books from them. You can imagine how impressive they must be to win over a critic like me, who tends to dissect everything with a fine-tooth comb. I know, I'm laughing too—it's quite the endorsement coming from someone who's notoriously nit-picky. So, if you're on the lookout for your next literary treasure trove, give Biblio Nepal a whirl. You won't be disappointed!
Friday’s Fab 4: Quote
“If I am looking at the device more than I am looking into someone’s eyes, I am doing the wrong thing!”— Tim Cook
This quote right here is the reality check we’ve all been needing. It’s crazy how our phones have become such an integral part of our lives. It’s like there’s not a single moment that goes by without us messing around with it. Whether we’re glued to the screen or tapping away, it’s a constant presence. And the funny thing is, most of the time, we’re doing stuff that’s not nearly as important as we make it out to be.
I recently stumbled upon a short video featuring Tim Cook, the bigwig over at Apple Inc. Someone asked him why he was advocating for less phone usage. His response? Pure gold. He said, “I am saying we made the phone not so that you will use it all the time. . We made the phone to make your life better. But for me, my simple rule is if I am looking at the device more than I am looking into someone’s eyes, I am doing the wrong thing.”
It’s a good rule to live by, don't you think? Let’s try and cut down on the phone frenzy, people. Deep down, we all know it's a wise move!
Friday’s Fab 5: Book
Plains of Discontent: A Political History of Nepal’s Tarai (1743-2019) by Maximillian Morch
I wish I could spill the beans about this book right now, but I’m afraid I’m holding back on the details, even though I’m dying to share. This incredible, highly anticipated book has been my companion for quite a while, mainly because it’s diving headfirst into a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. I’ve managed to devour a few chapters, and let me tell you, it's shaping up exactly as I had hoped. That’s also the reason I can’t talk about this book in detail yet.
Right now, I can only offer a glimpse: the author is cutting through the fluff and laying out the facts in a straightforward manner. No beating around the bush here. Stay tuned, because once I’ve journeyed through more of its pages, I’ll be dishing out all the juicy details.
In the meantime, for those of you who have a genuine passion for political history, and are particularly intrigued by delving deep into the intricate political tapestry of Madhesh, this book is right up your alley. It’s a chance to explore this realm with a fresh perspective, free from the influence of the Nepali state or the media’s biased narratives. So, if you’re keen on gaining an unfiltered understanding, consider adding this to your reading list.
And you know what? I got this one too from Biblio Nepal.
This was a long-read for you and a long-write for me. I feel so relieved and happy to be back after months which otherwise might turn into something like Nepal’s elusive selection for the Asia Cup as I talked before.
I am eager to hear your thoughts on it. Did you love it? Did you absolutely hate it?
Until next week, my friend! Now, I’m off to catch some much-needed shut-eye, because tomorrow, a piece of my dream takes the field. But before that, I need to catch another kind of dream—sleep—on my bed.
And hey, if you enjoyed this, do show your love with likes, comments, and don't forget to share it with others.