Lawful Pursuit

Now,a final year student of the Indian Law School,Pune,Ghimire has tried to blend into the fabric of the city while keeping the memory of Nepal alive. She feels that the cultures of India and Nepal are entwined and that is what makes life in Pune a lot more easier.

“Nepal was,till recently,a Hindu country. Then we became secular and now other religions can co-exist peacefully. I welcome this change as now Buddhists,Tibetans and others can live and enjoy the same rights. It’s a blessing that religion has not hampered our country in a negative way and that is also one reason why I really appreciate the secularism movement,” she says,her positive approach towards life reflecting in her words.

For the lawyer-to-be,her country’s highlights are its religious landmarks and culture. “We are known for our temples,our religious centres. The Pashupati temple is very well-known. India is so much like Nepal. In the beginning,I found it a little difficult to cope here,but now I am very comfortable and at ease in this city. In fact,in the last five years of living here,I have been so overwhelmed with how people have welcomed me,that I have come to associate India with ‘Pune’,” she smiles.

Ghimire plans to go back to Kathmandu to practice law. “To begin work,I will have to appear for the Nepal bar exam. I really want to work there because I miss home.” Also,she longs to be a part of the positive transformation that Nepal is going through. “Rights of women are getting stronger. Our society is changing for the better and it will be great to be a part of this positive change,” she says.