Sabitra Bhandari and the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship Semi Final Victory

In the world of women's football, the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship has been a hot topic of discussion. The Nepal women's football team, led by the trailblazing striker Sabitra Bhandari, made headlines with their stunning victory in the semifinals, where they defeated India. This victory has brought the team into the limelight and highlighted the incredible talent and determination of players like Sabitra Bhandari, Priti Rai, and Rekha Poudel.

Sabitra Bhandari: The Trailblazing Striker

Sabitra Bhandari, affectionately known as , hails from the picturesque village of . At just 23, Bhandari has made headlines as the , netting an astonishing 49 goals and solidifying her status as the highest woman goal scorer in .Her journey began humbly, playing with boys in her village, where she first learned to hone her skills. “I never felt weaker than the boys,” she recalls, her voice tinged with pride. “Football was my passion, and I embraced every challenge that came my way.”

The Journey to the Top

Bhandari made her international debut at the tender age of 17 during the , where she scored just minutes after stepping onto the field against , helping her team clinch an impressive 8-0 victory. “That moment changed my life,” she reflects. “It was the start of something beautiful.”Her journey took her beyond Nepal's borders, leading her to the , where she played for and later . Here, Samba flourished, scoring at an incredible rate and leading her teams to championship victories. “I fell in love with the game all over again in India,” she admits, her eyes sparkling with the memories of her achievements. “The competition was fierce, and it pushed me to be better.”

Breaking Barriers

Bhandari's success is not just measured by goals; it is about breaking barriers. She has faced stereotypes and prejudice as a player who prefers a boyish haircut and attire. Yet, she wears her identity with pride. “People often called me ‘dai’ or ‘bhai’ because of my looks, but I never let it define me,” she says with a chuckle. “I am Sabitra, and I play football.”Her recent move to the French club marks another milestone in her career, making her the first Nepalese player to compete in a European league. “It’s surreal,” she exclaims, excitement bubbling over. “I hope to inspire young girls back home to dream big and chase those dreams relentlessly.”

The 2024 SAFF Women's Championship

As she prepares for the upcoming , Bhandari’s eyes are set on a new goal: leading Nepal to its first-ever championship title. “We’ve fought hard to be here,” she declares passionately. “This is our moment, and I believe we can achieve it together.”

With every match, goal, and challenge, Sabitra Bhandari continues to forge her legacy—one that transcends football. She inspires a generation to believe in their potential and, most importantly, to embrace their authentic selves. As she steps onto the pitch, the world will be watching, rooting for the girl who dared to dream beyond borders.

Snake like fish caught in Singtam River

The Indian mottled eel, locally known as Raj Bam, was recovered from the Singtam River at Golitar this early morning. The snake-like fish weighed around 7 kg and was four feet long. The local people said that they had never seen this species for so long. Such mysterious-looking marine fish are also sighted from time to time on the river banks, local people added.

Sikkim Mahinda Thero: A national hero of Sri Lanka

Sikkim Mahinda Thero BY SHITAL PRADHAN I first heard about S Mahinda Thero in 2005 while in Kolkata when I was asked by one of the stamp dealers whether I was interested in a 20 paisa stamp of S Mahinda Thero issued by the Sri Lankan Postal Department in the early 1970s. I collected philatelic items on Buddhism, but I never understood who he was talking about. He told me, as I was from Sikkim, I might be interested to know more about the person, and he went on to add it was Sikkim Mahinda Thero, a Buddhist monk who is regarded as a national hero, a famous poet in the Sinhalese language whose poetry promoted patriotism and the revival of Buddhism to this part of the Island. He promised to send me the stamp of S Mahinda Thero from Colombo through the mail, but I have never heard from him since then. However, regarding my limited concern, it was enough to know that such a person keeps the name Sikkim with honor and pride in Sri Lanka. I had the name...

Pandam Garhi and its surmise

--> RUINS OF PANDAM GARHI BY SHITAL PRADHAN The stories of the legendary ruined walls at Pandam, a 16 km uphill climb from Rangpo, as I had heard from old folks a few seasons back, had ever since excited me to visit this place. Never in the pages of a history book do we come across its talk about when it was built or how it was constructed at the top of the hill? Over the years, many theories have evolved regarding its origin. Some theorists associate the fort with some Lepcha legends, while few disagree with it and have their own adage. They make us believe one of the Chogyals constructed it to stop the approaching Bhutanese army from entering Sikkim. The last theory to add up, already baffling and controversial, says it was one of the Gurkha Generals from Nepal who constructed the fort along with the Kalika Mandir, also called Nishani Mandir, just below it. With each theory making questions over my mind, I decided to have my second trek to the Pandam Garhi. I had ...

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

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