yak-herders wanted

[yakyetiyak]

Creative positions up for grabs in Kathmandu. Up to it? PMs welcome.

[Paramvir]

Pardon me, but hows the political situation there. Hows the work scene there for non-nepalese? Quality of life etc? And of course the monies? You could give a general idea over the post . pMs welcome too.

[yakyetiyak]

I’m an Indian and I’ve lived in Kathmandu for the last 7 years. Prior to that, I killed time in a mountainous village up in the middle of nowhere for 4. The maoist insurgency has been around for a little less than the time I’ve spent in this country. Given what has been portrayed in the Indian media, people back home still wonder whether I’m out of my mind to be living in a country swept by such political upheaval - which has had its fair share of bloodshed. I will not claim that life’s been a walk in the park for me. I’ve been as tense as you probably were, in any Indian metropolis during riots or serial bomb blasts. But here and now, I will admit that the worst has passed.

Cut to now. The rebels have joined forces with the political parties and have put the king in exile. The UN has been called in and camps have been set up to contain the rebel militia for the process of disarmament to begin. The rebels have moved into those camps while their senior leadership are in talks with the government for the formation of a constituent assembly - ie. to rewrite the constitution for a “new” Nepal.

To the lay man on the street even this state of progressive limbo has spelt nothing but a long-awaited sense of security coupled with the hope for lasting peace and prosperity.

Throughout the most difficult times that this country has faced, products have been launched and ad campaigns have been run. The most frivolous print ads have shared space with reports rife with bloody violence and impending doom. Just like any other place in the world, here too newsbreaks have never mirrored the negativity spewed during the news. In fact, media has actually witnessed growth like never before. Take radio for example - 106 FM stations in operation. And ad agencies are popping out all over the place like rabbits on heat.

To the Indian working in Nepal, it’s heartwarming to know that peace has come about due to active behind-the-scenes spadework by the communist party of India. As was revealed by the rebel leader Prachanda, at a recent seminar organised by India Today, the maoist leadership is grateful to their Indian friends for sheltering them for so many years.

I guess all this just about scratches the surface of the political climate here but I hope it is sufficient for a desi creative (pickled pink by “breaking news from Nepal”) to cut through the clutter and begin to toy with the thought of moving to Kathmandu. In doing this, should one fail to fathom a sense of security one is free to pm me for more.

Monies. Not worth writing home about considering the fact that bigger, greener bucks are being made on pastures elsewhere across the world. But yes, it is equal to if not more than one would be able to make in a medium-sized outfit in India. If you’re able, the money’s negotiable.

Quality of life. Too relative, intricate and vast a topic for me to dare to address here. Personally, I enjoy life here. The climate is excellent. The people are friendly. The pubs are great. The grand outdoors are so within reach. And I’m making money. But that doesn’t qualify for an answer. This would be more effectively addressed in a person-to-person conversation. Interviews will be held in cities in India to allow this.

Hope this clears the air a bit. And pacifies the echoing “uh-ohs” that followed the Khukri visual.

Would love to hear from you.

Peace !

[Sourabh]

thanks for giving a behind the scene! i will pass on the info to my friends...

[Vikas Bhalla]

great recruitment ad, but some people might consider it racist where u say 'saab'.