Random hits on the keyboard

Fareed Zakaria is recognized as one of the most influential international relations thinkers of our time. He is an Indian migrant to the US. Zakaria is the weekly host of Global Public Square (GPS) on CNN, providing analysis of global headlines. The book, Age of Revolutions, is another milestone book from Fareed. The book provides a historical background of major political changes and revolutions from 1600 to the present. It begins with the Dutch financial empire and its growth, followed by a detailed narrative of British industrialisation and colonization in Africa and Asia, leading to a massive change in production and economic prosperity. A critical description of the French Revolution is interesting with a comparison to other European powers, focusing on the reasons for its failure, which are presented convincingly and logically. The book presents globalization and liberalization as positive forces for change, leading to a reduction in global poverty and advancements in technology....

I have a desire to achieve another milestone. I signed up for the Kantipur Half Marathon. I had never attempted that long run. 21.1 km is a long distance, and I am less excited and more nervous.  On 18 May, I got myself ready. I tied my running shoes and reached Thapathali. The Prime Minister shot into the air to start the run. I ran through the crowd. The runners of 5km and 7 km sprinted ahead of me. I monitored my Garmin to make sure that I wasn't running too fast. I had a long way to run. By 6 km, I was already tired. I used to run more than this without feeling fatigued. I continued slowly. By the time I crossed 8 km, I saw the real runners returning from the midpoint. Oh, they're like superhumans. I trudged through the vehicle exhaustions until I finally reached the midpoint. Pausing for a moment, I took a leisurely walk and replenished myself with some much-needed hydration. My journey from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur was difficult and a return trip was going to be more diffic...

As dawn breaks over Kathmandu, the city awakens to a symphony of contrasts. My Saturday morning journey begins from home to Indrachowk, weaving through Ason towards the vibrant heart of Thamel, and circling back home. Here, the ‘new’ Kathmandu and the ‘old’ Kathmandu coalesce into a mesmerizing mosaic. In one breath, you witness the devout, their prayers ascending with the morning incense, creating a sacred aura around the temples. In the next, a starkly different scene unfolds—a few steps away, the night owls emerge from the embrace of bars, their red eyes and smoky trails marking the end of their revelry. It’s a threshold where mornings are both started and ended, where the spiritual and the secular walk side by side, painting a vivid picture of a city that embraces all walks of life. Kathmandu, with its ever-shifting climate, is a haven for those who seek variety in the skies. A warm spell teases the senses, only to be swept away by a sudden downpour, leaving the air tinged with...