Tag: Kathmandu

Grand Music Festival 2011 gone bad

Posted on by Anand Nepal

This music festival was told to be grand in the history of Nepali music by the organizers.

  • First grand Music Festival with 16 artists in a single location
  • Two helicopters used to transport the artists
  • Ticket rate Rs. 150 and include a noodle, a juice, and a NTC discount of Rs. 50 (dirt cheap)

First, there weren’t many listeners. The area looked empty during the concert. The singers were also disappointed by the small number of people in the audience. Apart from less ticket sales, one another reason for the small crowd size is the relative size of Tundikhel area. I think, it is a huge area, only suitable for political meets where people can come and ‘have fun’ for free.

music-festival-ktm

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Anti-strike rally in Kathmandu

Posted on by Anand Nepal

Youths in Kathmandu have organized a anti-strike motorbike rally in Kathmandu. The event organized in part with the help of Facebook group named "DIE Nepal Bandh DIE" and through the exchange of SMS with message:

Enough is Enough. Nepalese want constitution NOT Bandhs. Come one. Come all, with your motorbikes & cycles and ask for Constitution & defy Bandhs. Rally starts at 10 am. May 13. Friday, from Tridevi Marg, Thamel. Alliance against Bandh. Please forward to all

Nepali director has uploaded the following photo of him in his Facebook profile from the rally:

We will post more photos of Nepali film personalities as we receive them.  Continue reading

When no leaders could lead – protest goes digital with Facebook

Posted on by Anand Nepal

Leaders need to lead people for their betterment. But in Nepal, the term ‘leader’ itself is redefined as a person who talks big, deceives public, runs after a post, and earns him/herself a fortune in a record time.

When leaders forgot to lead, people start to fight for themselves. Nepali users of Facebook and Twitter organized a leaderless strike in an effort to pressure the political leaders in doing the job they were elected for, to write the constitution in Maitighar, Kathmandu.

Some photos of the event (photo credits – Nagariknews and NepalDiary)

One of the participants read satirical poem that shows the frustration of Nepali youth against the failure of the political leaders to lead the country. The poetic representation of “the current state of ethical bankruptcy among Nepal’s top politicians” is simply hilarious.

 

Some more photos (credits – Nepaldiary)

UPDATE – Another video

 

More photos:

How polluted is Kathmandu – before and after rain

Posted on by Anand Nepal

Everybody knows the Kathmandu air is full of dust and smoke. Ankur Sharma has taken a photo before and after rain and superimposed to give a clear picture on how polluted Kathmandu is.

It is not only the dust and smoke, the sunlight is also rendered dim by cloud on the sky. So, the above photo might be slightly an exaggeration of actual level of pollution.

Bryan Adams Concert in Kathmandu Nepal – successful

Posted on by Anand Nepal

As excited were the Nepali people to witness one of the first western band to play in Nepali soil, Bryan Adams also seemed to be equally excited, according to his twitter post:

In the photo (above, by-Dipesh Shrestha, Nagarik ), Bryan smiles to the crowd at the airport.

After the concert, Bryan Adams, posted the following photo of the crowd in his twiterpic account with the title –

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Three schoolgirls on a scooter making fun of traffic rules

Posted on by Anand Nepal

It is not only a security nightmare but also against the law to transport three people on a two wheeler. Nagariknews published the following photo showing three schoolgirls in their school dress travelling on a scooter. The photo was taken in the heart of Kathmandu, Narayanhiti Palace. It is to be noted that the headquarter of Traffic Police is within a few minutes’ walk from the scene.

Photo credits Nagariknews

Final preparation of Bryan Adams concert

Posted on by Anand Nepal

Canadian singer Bryan Adams is going to perfrom for about two hours in Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu on February 19, 2011.

Three Nepali bands to perform before Bryan Adams 

Three Nepali bands will also perform at that time before Bryan arrives
. The event starts at 3:00 PM with DJ session. At 5:00 PM Nepali national anthem will be sung. The Nepali bands 1974 AD, Namaste and Mongolian Heart will perform, for about half an hours each, untill 6:45 PM. At 7:00 PM Bryan Adams will start his live performance. The event will be wrapped up at 9:00 PM.

Raju Lama of Mangolian Hearts is coming travelling back from US just to perform in the event. The band will perform three songs. Ishwor Gurung of Namaste band will perform with a Japanese artist in the event. 1974 AD is going to perform four songs including "Yo man ta mero Nepali ho..".

Security briefing at the stadium in preparation of the concert (photo source – Facebook).

The stupidest mistake in my life

Posted on by sunita

It was the time I started riding my scooter and I did not knew much of the street rules. It was the time, I didn’t even know I had flat tire and somebody else has to tell me about it. You can call me ’empty head.’ But, that was what I was in the beginning years of my scooter ride.

I am talking about an incident of the year 2004. I think, I was on the Lainchour area, when a micro-bus driver made a gesture with his five finger open and close twice and fast.

Okay, I have to admit it now, I misunderstood that gesture. Before I could even give him a damn look, he was off on the road. But, I didn’t want to let him go without teaching him a good lesson. So, I followed him as the it was going in the direction of my office.

At around Jamal area, near the Nabil Bank, the same micro-bus was stopped to let passenger get on it. When, I was close the the vehicle, the micro-bus driver made the same gesture, again. He opened and closed his five finger twice and fast!

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Miss Newa 2010 is Sugena Shakya

Posted on by Anand Nepal

In an event held on December 30, 2010, Sugena Shakya of Lalitpur, Jawalakhel was crowned the Miss Newa 2010 title.

Sugena had to compete with 36 participants from all over the country. In addition to the Miss Newa title she also won the title of "Miss Nepal Language". Sugena was awarded a gift hamper of Rs. 25,000.

The first runner-up of Miss Newa contest was Lashata Shrestha of Maharajgunj and second runner-up Nisha Shakya of Thahiti, Kathmandu. Lasala and Nisha each received gift hampers equivalent to Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively.

Among other title winners were: Miss Talent – Dipika Shrestha, Miss Personality – Sweta Bajracharya, Miss Charming – Arina Tuladhar, Best Skin – Urusha Tuladhar, Miss Friendship – Diya Byanjankar, Best Hair – Nisha Shrestha, Miss Photogenic – Sujana Prajapati, Miss Discipline – Sony Manandhar, Best Smile – Shreebha Joshi, and Viwers’ Choice award was awarded to Pravina Maharjan.

In addition to regular titles, five more beauties were awarded district ambassadors. District ambassadors of Shyangja was Puja Shrestha, Kaski – Manjin Ranjitkar, Dhulikhel – Deepa Sonju, Banepa – Subi Kayastha and Makawanpur – Meera Balami.

Shiva Linga – why worship the Shiva phallus?

Posted on by sunita

It really has not been that long, when I came to know, we Hindu worship a Shiva’s Linga (Shiva Lingam); Lord Shiva in the form of a phallus (penis). But, this knowledge made my skin crawl shiver in sheer disgust.

One of my friends, who is devoted to Shiva, tried to make me understand her side of story, a good side to that story. But I was so disgusted; my mind refused to understand the good-good things she was telling me. My mind simply rejected to hear her version of the worship culture. I am a Hindu by birth but, I have lost the respect for the religion due to absurd things like worshiping the Shiva Linga. Going temple every morning to worship somebody’s phallus (who cares even if belongs to a god) is just too much in the name of Dharma. Give me a break. I am not that type.
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Minister felicitates an illegal driver (Six year old drives school bus)

Posted on by Anand Nepal

A six-year-old drives an school bus in Kathmandu. And, a minister, Minendra Rijal, felicitates the kid for doing the "great job".  

What amazed me most is that nobody told the minister that it is illegal to drive under 18, according to the traffic law in Nepal.

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QFX Central Case Study – There is nothing for Nepali

Posted on by Raunak

Editor’s Note: This article is one of the fact-check analyses for the “Who loves Nepali Movies?” article series. Case study of Gopi Krishna Movies, case study of Guna Cinema and case study of Big Cinema were previously published.
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A new shopping mall, Civil Mall, was launched in the center of Kathmandu, Sundhara, in September of 2010. The mall is considered to be a luxurious shopping center similar to City Center. The main attraction of City Center was Big Cinemas, and the big attraction of Civil Mall is another big theatre. Probably, the most expensive theatre in Nepal is named QFX Central. Unlike Big Cinemas, QFX is financed by Nepali nationals and is also a part of Jai Nepal and Kumari theatre. But, that doesn’t mean QFX screens Nepali movies.

The motto of Civil Mall, “There is something for everyone,” is faulty. Sorry guys, you failed for majority of Nepali people, there is nothing for Nepali movie lovers.

Like Big Cinemas, QFX central also thinks Nepali don’t make quality movies and hence doesn’t screen any Nepali movies in it. All you can see in the new, luxurious theater are Hindi and English movies. They prefer flop Hindi movies like No Problem, Je Jyan Se Khelenge Hum to much better Nepali movies like Gorkha Paltan and Bato Muni Ko Phul.
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Ranjana Cinema Hall to be made a Rs. 3 billion Ranjana Trade Center

Posted on by Anand Nepal

The Ranjana Cinema Hall, one of the oldest cinema hall of Nepal, is was demolished earlier this year. Construction works for a new trade center, in the location, is going to start in the near future. The total cost of the Ranjana Trade Center is expected to reach Rs. 3 billion.

The trade center made a new record, in its planning stage, by selling all the business area on a single day. The trade center to be constructed on a 6 ropani land in one of the busiest area in K
athmandu, will have banks, insurance companies, wholesale and retail shops, restaurants, food court, and children’s play area.

The trade center is told to have free WiFi, CCTV, and 24 hours security arrangement in its premise. The investors plan to finish the construction and hand over the spaces to the respective owners within 30 month. It is told that the trade center will be a huge, 25 storey building, and connected internally with the nearby buildings.

The trade center will be one more addition to growing number of all-in-one retail and business locations in Kathmandu. The main competitor to the new market will be Bishal Bazar, R.B. Complex, People’s Plaza,  Kathmandu Mall, World Trade Center,Pashupati Plaza, and Ratna Plaza.

Yamaha Motorcycle Race 2010 held in Kathmandu

Posted on by Anand Nepal

Samar Manandhar and Manish Shrestha have won the Second Yamaha Motorcycle race organized by Morang Auto Works. The competition was held in the National Trading compound, Singadurbar. The organizer had specially made the racing track for the competition.

There were 46 contestants each in R-15 and FZ competition. Samar was the winner of R-15 competition and Manish won FZ competition. Benjamin Gautam and Prashant Timsina were placed the second respectively. The participants had to drive 4-5 laps to complete the race.

The winners each got a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 and they will represent Nepal in the race to be held in Chennai, India. The second place winners received cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each.

UPDATE by Suraj Krishna Mali: There were a total of 96 participants in both R15 and FZ catogies. In R15 and FZ catogory Mr. Samar Manandhar and Mr. Manish Shrestha was winner accordingly. As the winners they represented Nepal in Chhenai Championship, India, to be held in January of 2011. As the second place winners Mr. Benjamin Gautam and Karan Khatiwada got Rs. 20,000 cash prize each for R15 and FZ category and Mr. Prashant Timsina and Mr. Bibek Kumar Mandal got Rs. 10000 cash prize as a Third place in each category respectively.