Maghe Shakranti is celebrated in various ways in different parts of Nepal. By default, it is about eating various delicacies and enjoying the day in the best way possible. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s celebrations.
The following dance party organized to mark Maghe Shakranti is in full swing (photo credits Dilli Limbu):
In the following photo a huge crowd in Taruka, Nuwakot is waiting to witness a bull fight (Photo credits – Janak Raj Bhatta).
Although bull fight, popular in France is reticulated for brutality and inhuman killing of bulls, the Nepali version of bullfight doesn’t involve any blood-shed and is fun for people. People from all over Nepal (specially from Kathmandu) come to enjoy the event.
Following photos are the highlights of the celebration of the 14th Earthquake Safety Day held on Jan 16, 2012 in Kathmandu. The Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Deputy Prime Minister & Home Minister Mr. Bijaykumar Gachhadar and other distinguished guests took part in in the 14th ESD National Meeting held in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. In the program they also participated in an earthquake drill. Dr. Bhattarai also addressed the meet.
The 14th National Earthquake Safety Day is being marked by organizing various events starting January 16, 2012.
Young mountains and geotectonic has made Nepal susceptible to severe earthquakes. Historical data show that devastating earthquake have a 100 year return period, and the next such earthquake is expected to occur in the near future. A earthquake in September 2011 wasn’t that severe, and we can’t be lucky every time. Hence, earthquake awareness is very important in Nepal.
Some of the highlights of the January 16, 2012 event are:
ESD Memorial Meeting on January 16 at 10:00AM,at Bhugol Park, Newroad
Earthquake Safety Rally: to be held on January 16, starting from Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City at 11:30AM and assemble at Jawalakhel at 1:00PM walking all the way across inner city areas of Patan
Earthquake Safety Day National Meeting, to be held on January 16 at 1:30PM, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur (The Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is scheduled to address the ceremony).
Earthquake Safety Exhibition: January 16-19, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is scheduled to inaugurate the Exhibition.
A popular trade fair held in East Chitwan at Ratnanagar Municipality, Ratnanagar Mahotsav started on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. The event features various business organizations, social organizations and individuals showcasing their products and services. On the inauguration day, various rallies featuring people dressed in ethnic and traditional dresses were organized and vehicles were driven showcasing agricultural products. Here are some of the highlights of the event:
Sunita Dangol was crowned Miss Newa 2011 in the ‘7th Annual Miss Newa 2011′, a Cultural Talent Show that was held in Nepal Academy Hall, Kathmandu on December 31 and received Rs 25, 000 cash prize.
Pramila Manandhar became 1st Runner up and Anisha Prajapati 2nd Runner Up and received cash prize of Rs 15, 000 and Rs 10, 000 respectively.
There were 36 contestants from age group of 16 to 22 in the event organized by Nepalese Fashion, among which top 26 were selected in questions answer round and then top 10 contestants were to be chosen, but, due to tie between 2 contestants, top 11 were selected for the final round of written answer.
 Photo Credit: Photo uploaded by Raj Bhai Suwal in Facebook
Two minutes were given to contestants to write their answers for the question, “If you got a chance to be the minister for culture, what will be your first step to promote Newari culture?†The answer, “To educate the people about Newari culture and to be an example of 21st century by bringing in forth scientific reasons of age old traditions,†by Sunita Dangol helped her to win the title.
Other sub titles won by:
Miss Best Skin- Urusha Shrestha
Miss Best Hair and Miss Best Dress – Somee Awale
Miss Best Smile- Roshni Maharjan
Miss Discipline- Sonam Shahi
Miss Photogenic- Roja Maharjan
Miss Friendship- Riju Maharjan
Miss Popular- Samana Shrestha
Miss Charming- Puja Shrestha
Miss Personality- Rojina Shakya
Miss Talent- Rajita Maharjan
The judges were R. K. Manandhar, Chairperson of Image Channel, Bhai Raja Tuladhar, DGM of Prime Bank, Nirnaya Shrestha RJ/Singer, Sarjoo Baba Shrestha, Socialworker/Business person, Aakasha Bajracharya, Miss Newa 2008 and Prabesh Man Shakya, Singer.
Bibek Shrestha, Chief Co-ordinator of the event informed that the girls were trained for catwalk, poise, learning Nepal bhasa and more in training and grooming sessions for a month. He added, the main objective is to preserve Newari culture, language and tradition. (Photo Credit:Â missnewa.com.np)
Actress and model Sushma Karki dances in a cultural program held to mark the new year 2012 in Doha, Qatar on December 30, 2011. In the program, popular artist like Sushma Karki, Sitaram Kattle (Dhurmus), Kunjana (Suntali), Satya Raj Acharya among others presented their talents for the entertainment of the Doha resident Nepali.
Astha Shrestha, 19, from Balaju, won the title “10th Republica Miss Teen Nepal†on Wednesday beating 17 other contestants.
The technology student Astha has been appointed as the National Green Ambassador for Kathmandu Jaycees (KJC) and was also declared Miss Personality in the contest organized by KJC at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi.
The answer that helps Astha to win the title was “We need to rise and fight and make Nepal a symbol of peace and prosperityâ€.
Paridhi Sharma, 17, from Shantinagar, Kathmandu was declared the first runner-up, while Shristi Saud, 18 from Baneshwar became the second runner-up. Paridhi also won the Miss Talent and Miss Popular titles. She bagged the talent award for her rendition of Phoolko Ankhama, a song by Ani Choying Drolma.
Girls of age between 16 to 19 were participants of the contest, which is in its 10th year.
The judges were Pradeep Man Vaidya, CEO of Century Bank, Narayan Puri, CEO of Himalayan Television, Akhil Chapagain, president of Nepal-Turkey Chamber of Commerce, Miss Nepal 2011 Malina Joshi and Lily Thapa, associate professor of Tribhuwan University and founder president of Women for Human Rights.
Last year, Kriti Tamang Lama was crowned Miss Teen. (Photo credit: Republica)
Anusha Bhandari, 19, of Beni, Myagdi, won the title “Miss Airhostess- 2011†on Saturday in Kathmandu that was organized for the second time. She received cash prize of Rs 25,000.
Pradip Raj Onta, President of Season Media said that Anusha will be appointed in any airlines as air hostess.
Tulasa Singh Thakuri, 18, of Butwal, became first runner up and Lata Tilija, 19, of Pokhara became second runner up. Tulasa also won “Best Smile†title and Lata “Best Personality†title. First runner up received Rs 20,000 cash prize and second runner up received Rs 15,000 cash prize.
Along with cash prize, all top 3 winners of the beauty contest received scholarship of one year for bachelor degree in South Western State College, Basundhara.
 Other title winners are: –
Best Friendship- Sharmila Gurung
Best Catwalk and Best Dress- Shova KC
Best Photogenic- Sabita KC
Best Skin- Chija Gurung
Best Hair- Sujata Pun
Miss Popular- Sharmila Thapa
Viewer’s Choice- Anusha Bhandari
Best Figure- Shila Shilpakar
The contestants were those who have completed Air Hostess study or training. Earlier, Kajol Khadka became Miss Air Hostess. (Photo Credit: Season Media)
On the evening of Saturday, December 10, 2011, various artists including various singers and comedy artists of Bollywood presented various programs. The main attraction of the program was the singer Mamata Sharma and comedy artist Raju Srivastav.
A play on the issue of sexually harassing behaviors in schools, colleges and universities, Oleanna, was featured in Moksh Live, Jhamsikhel by One World Theatre in collaboration with Actors’ Studio. The first set of shows were featured on December 2, 3 and 4th and it will again be shown on 9-11 December. Based on the original play of playwright David Mamet, it is directed by Deborah Merola.
Kalpana Gurung, 21, became the winner of Miss Tamu-2011 title organized in Pokhara on Friday night. The beauty contest was organized by Tamu Student Committee.
Anuja Gurung became first runner up and Sushma Gurung became second runner up. Kalpana also won the title of Best Title and received cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 from Bindheshori Furniture and opportunity of being Brand Ambassador for one year. Similarly, Anuja received Rs 25,000 cash prize.
Sushma also won the title of ‘Photogenic’.  ‘Miss Talent’ title won by Bina Tamu and “Viewers’ choice†by Laxmi Gurung.
Anu Dhimal of Birtamod became the first one to be crowned with Miss Dhimal. The beauty contest of Miss Dhimal was organized for the first time in Dhulabari on Saturday by Dhimal Yuba Samaj Samiti. Anu also won the title of Best Personality and Best Figure.
Alisa Dhimal became the First Runner up and Sumitra Dhimal became the Second Runner up. Likewise, other titles and their winners are:
Best Discipline – Madina Dhimal,
Best Catwalk – Bhima Dhimal,
Best Performance – Bimala Dhimal
Best Photogenic – Sumitra Dhimal
Best Smile – Alisa Dhimal
Best hair – Sunita
Best Skill – Manisha
Best Talent – Bhima Dhimal
Sushil Babu Shrestha, Sunila Limbu, Neil David, Binod Basnet and Asim Jwel were in the judging committee. (Courtesy: Purbeli times)
World-renowned Danish pop-soft rock band Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) performed grand Musical presentation at Tundikhel in Kathmandu on Saturday.
Around 15 thousand audiences were present and Jeevan Bhattarai of the organizer, ODC Network and ENGAGE Entertainment Solutions, said, the concert has been organized to give message that peace process has been already started in Nepal and to make Nepal known in the world through music. Other performers were Mt. 8848, Kutumba, Sabin Rai.
(Photo credit: Kathmandu craze)
It is said that some funds collected will be provided to the organization working in the field of tumor disease prevention.
This  internationally acclaimed band, formed in 1988, has sold over 11 million records worldwide, mainly in Asia, and in addition, another 6 million or more paid downloads for their single “Take Me To Your Heart” which was awarded “Most downloaded single of the year 2006”.
The band is going to perform with their hit numbers at Tundikhel on Saturday. The band members are Jascha Ricther (Singer and keyboard player), KÃ¥re Wanscher (drummer) and Mikkel Lentz (guitarist). The popular hits of this band are ‘Sleeping Child’, ’25 Minutes’, ‘Out of the Blue’ and ‘Paint My Love’ from their second album Colours (1993) which sold over 1.1 million records.
The band is staying at Radisson Hotel in Lazimpat for the duration of their visit and is scheduled to return on Sunday.
After the concert of Canadian rocker Bryan Adams in February, this is going to be the second concert that is also in a year that Kathmandu is witnessing a concert from internationally acclaimed musicians.
Then Crown Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah and Crown Princess Aishwarya of Nepal wait in Frankfurt airport during their honeymoon tour of Europe in 1970.
Photo via – Babra Saheba
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, then Crown Prince of Nepal married Aishwarya in 1969 (Birendra and Aishwarya were second cousins). She became the crown princess of Nepal after marriage.
After King Mahendra died in 1972, Birendra became the new King and Aishwarya became the Queen of Nepal. They ruled the country until their death in 2001 in Royas Massacre. Aishwarya was told to be more active and dominant to the King.
