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.

Those early man tools found in Sikkim!

--> Display of Neolithic tools recovered from Sajyong, 2003 (Weekend Review) BY SHITAL PRADHAN Not only is the Himalayan land of Sikkim old but it is also considered ancient. The archeological findings of different Neolithic tools in this part of the Himalayas over the last three decades speak of its antiquity. It may be of little importance to many. However, findings of various Neolithic tools from the remote pockets in Sikkim over the past five decades have still collected vivid interest in people beyond this region. On three separate occasions, Neolithic tools had been dug out from Sikkim, and that unfolded the age of this Himalayan mountain land much against the period we were supposed to. “The term Neolithic Period, or New Stone Age, defines the second period, at the beginning of which ground and usually polished rock tools, notably axes, came into widespread use after the adoption of a new technique of stone working. The beginning of the Neolithic...

History on Easter Sunday and Padari Ganga Prasad Pradhan

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Shapi of Sikkim: Our legacy -iii

A Sikkimese with a Shapi The two previous articles I wrote in my earlier edition on Shapi were wonderful to read for people around, and appreciation had been received from different corners of the state. I am thankful and find pleasure in people finding joy in my findings and research work. It was a bit surprising that very few had heard about Shapi, our rare legacy. Nevertheless, I am happy to be part of history for re-introducing Shapi to those sections of my readers who had never heard about this old and sacred mountain mammal, a native of Sikkim. I dedicate my writing on Shapi to Ongden Daju (RO), who has been very supportive of me ever since I first published its first part a few months back. It was he who wanted me to continue with the third part of Shapi since more findings were evolving after my two writings. I shall always remain grateful to JR Subba, Jt Director from the Forest Department, for providing me with a valuable census report of Shapi done by the Department...

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

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