Bal Krishna Mainali, a resident of Balkhu in Kathmandu is a happy man these days. Anyone would be if you happen to hit the jackpot in a contest. But unlike other winners Mainali has won an unusual prize—a castrated goat called khasi in Nepali.
Bal Krishna Mainali, a resident of Balkhu in Kathmandu is a happy man these days. Anyone would be if you happen to hit the jackpot in a contest. But unlike other winners Mainali has won an unusual prize—a castrated goat called khasi in Nepali.
HT Image
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
It's the first prize given to winners in a daily contest asking people to answer questions that appear in newspapers using their mobile phones. The contest offers other prizes like microwave and iron as well, but the khasi is coveted prize.
Its Dashain time in Nepal and goats, buffaloes meant for sacrifice are sought after. The fortnight-long festival celebrated by Hindus to worship ‘tantrik' goddesses and the nine avatars of Durga began on Friday.
Millions of goats, buffaloes, pigs, ducks and chickens will be sacrificed in temples and homes for nine days with Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami—the two most auspicious days witnessing the largest amount of bloodshed.
Besides animals from within Nepal, thousands of goats and buffaloes are being brought from Tibet and India. According to reports, 20 truckloads of buffaloes are entering Nepal from Bihar daily.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Nepal has a population of 28.5 million of which 80 pc are Hindus. If each family offers even one animal for sacrifice during this time the figure would give animal lovers nightmares for weeks.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Nepal has a population of 28.5 million of which 80 pc are Hindus. If each family offers even one animal for sacrifice during this time the figure would give animal lovers nightmares for weeks.
{{/usCountry}}
"A goat can cost NRs 3,000 to 8,000 and a buffalo anywhere between NRs 15,000 to 25,000. But despite the steep prices, many poor families borrow money to buy them," says Santosh Khatiwada of Animal Welfare Network Nepal.
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
