http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2011/01/12/tavern_at_the_end_of_the_world_serves_a_touch_of_ireland_by_way_of_nepal/

A touch of Ireland, by way of Nepal

The area behind and below the Sullivan Square T station can look post-apocalyptic. Above, there’s a constant rumble from the soaring Interstate 93 and Route 26 overpasses. The proximity to water and the general desolation ensure a constant cold wind. And, for the odd pedestrian, crossing multi-lane Cambridge Street is a chancy affair.

The scattered businesses in the area are, to be charitable, neither flourishing nor inviting. Where elsewhere it would be kitsch, a sign outside one shack-like structure seems appropriate: “The Tavern at the End of the World.’’ And, as happens in mythical refuges, inside it’s inviting, impossibly spacious, and packed with music and laughter. The food is great, and the people are having a fine time.

Indian govt confers Nepali youth with high decorations for bravery

The Indian government has conferred three high level national awards to a Nepali youth for saving a girl from being raped and retrieving valuables of hundreds of passengers from dacoits in a train four months ago.

Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, 35, will be decorated with the Saurya Padak from the Indian ambassador on the upcoming Republic Day of India. Likewise, he will also be awarded with Highest Life Saving Medal and the Godfrey Philips Bravery Medal for his heroic deed.

Earlier, the Indian Army (IA) awarded him a purse of IRs 50,000 and a silver Khukuri.

Shrestha, who hails from Parbat and resides in Pokhara at present, was returning home on Maurya Express on September 2, 2010 after he retired from 7/8 Gurkha Regiment of the Indian Army from Ranchi when the train stopped suddenly in the middle of a jungle in West Bengal.

About 40 professional dacoits entered the train with household weapons and started looting the passengers.

The dacoits came to Shrestha’s boogie, too, and robbed him off his valuables. After robbing the passengers, the dacoits tried to rape a girl in front of her parents in the same boogie.

In what appeared like a cinema thriller, Shrestha jumped into action when the girl pleaded for rescue. He took out his Khukuri and started attacking the dacoits, killing three on the spot and injuring several others. The dacoits ran away leaving behind the valuables they had stolen.

Shrestha’s deed got a lot of media coverage and accolades. The Indian Army requested him to serve in the army for five more years even after retirement. Keeping in view Shrestha’s security and to honour him Shrestha has been provided two security guards from Indian border to the barracks coming and returning from home. nepalnews.com