Vote for Mount Everest!!!

whoever you are and wherever you live, if you love Nepal, please do vote for Sagarmatha National park (Mount Everest Area) as the one of the seven Natural wonder of the World! I truly believe that million people will love to see Mount Everest as one of the seven Natural wonders of the world!!!

Please nominate Sagarmatha National Park as the Seventh Natural Wonders of the world Please nominate Sagarmatha National Park as the Seventh Natural Wonders of the world. The closing date for nomination is Aug 8, 2008. For nomination please log on to :

http://www.natural7wonders.com/index.php?id=637

How to nominate?

Please follow the following instruction.

For Nomination Please type Sagarmatha Park, Nepal

For Categories Please choose Nature Conservation Park

For Country Please choose Nepal

Please note that you will receive an email with hyperlink to confirm your nomination. You just need to click on the hyperlink to confirm your voting. Note: You can submit up to a maximum of 7 nominations or just 1 nomination. Your vote can establish the glory and pride of Sagarmatha and create million dollar publicity for Nepal. Thank you vote your support. The nominations will continue through 08.08.08. Then a panel of experts will create a list of 21candidates from which voters worldwide will elect the 7 wonders of nature. (Source : www.welcomenepal.com)

Amazing Syafrubesi

Photo : Hem Khatiwada (Pic.1) and Cliff Clohessey

We had a great time while we were at Syafrubesi for trekking. Warm hospitality at Hotel Sky, Syafrubesi and amazing view from view tower Goljung made our trip wonderful. Lakpa Tamang of Hotel Sky became a perfect guide for us!! I love Syafrubesi!

Gosainkund Mela Begins

Gosainkund (also known as holy frozen lake) is going to be full of humans there year too. After next week, people from different part of the country will start pilgrimage trek of Gosainkund as that time will be the festival time for the Hindus and Buddhists.

These small cottages are called "Tharpu", as hotels are not enough to provide facility to more than 25000 people within a week. Devotees believe that if they dip once into the lake, they can get rid of all the sins and crimes they have ever committed in their life. Washing away sins means washing bad attitudes, washing bad intentions and bad thought....

Pain of the Landslide

Rasuwa has been highly suffering from landslide. There are several big landslide throughout the district. Development process has been interrupted due to natural disaster. Millions of rupee has been spent for the solution of this issue but still people have been suffering from the same problem. This is the landslide of Dhobi khola (near kalikasthan), which has seperated villages of south east of Rasuwa from the main market Kalikasthan. Thousands of people need to cross this landslide daily to carryout their day to day work. Students, farmers, Govt. employees and other people walk through this landslide every day. Ke garne????

Ramaailo!!

It was a great time at Sahid Smarak, Hetauda!!

Five Days in Hetauda

After jumping into a TATA SUMO, I realised that our training was completed. We never got chance to think about anything else except training and other related matters. Five days training was effective and I enjoyed it very much. Although it was my first time to be participated in such kind of training, I did not leave a single opportunity to unfold my capacity and my deep interest in learning.
We were 33 people from 11 districts, and most of the participants lived together in a same building. That's why within short period we became close friends and the best thing was all of us were from top level of each organisation. We shared our ideas, tried to get resolution of each other's issue and enjoyed whole time as we used to sleep only 3 hours a day!!!!

Global Warming, an emerging issue

ECWZ organized a speech competition on the occasion of World Environment Day 2007. Prizes were sponsored by Langtang National Park / WWF Nepal. Topic was “Melting Ice, a hot topic”

Destination Gosainkund

Although it was monsoon, we sucessfully managed a trekking to Gosainkund (Non-frozen frozen lake). It was full of Adventure and fun as I was with my uni friends.

ECWZ Sponsorship Programme 2007 at a glance

In the pictures, first picture is of Bishnu, one of the ECWZ supported student, who scored highest marks in exam. Second picture is of Budiman, whose mother has got paralysis and has 5 sister and one brother (altogether 7). He needed immediate support so ECWZ provided him sponsorship to keep him at school. Third one is of the children performing dance from NHCC and fourth one is of me, Dharma, Principal and one teacher from neighbour school in the program.

Sponorship project 2007

Sponorship project 2007
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

ECWZ started second year of its 5 year Educational Sponsorship project called SOCIAL AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION. ECWZ provided full scholarship for 70 children for the academic year 2007-2008.
Thanks to our well wishers and supporters. I hope this kind of support will remain in future days too.

Thanks to Ganesh-Himal Team

NHCC office painted by Ganesh-Himal
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is the one roomed office made by Village Development Commettee but not in use currently. We are trying to establish a children's library and a cultural centre here. Children can read books of their interest and they can learn ancestral culture also. Room is not very big but children can take advantages from it. Antoine and Sophie from Genesh-Himal Team from Belgeum (www.ganesh-himal.be) painted the wall of this building. Thanks to Antoine and Sophie.

Me and dad

Me and dad
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This picture was taken during New Year Celebration with NHCC. I was invited there as the Chief Guest (I am not their guest though) in the function. My dad (in white shirt and cap) and my brother (Gagan; wearing capnext to me) are in the stage as guest (dad is chairman of management committee of the village school and Gagan is teacher there).

Happy New Year 2064!

Baloon Dance
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

New Year celebration with NHCC was so amazing!! Kids danced in adult songs, parents played kid's games, kids performed their song, dance, poetry and jokes. Finally they managed to show their docu Drama (Blind Faith) and pictures of their previous shows. A full day show was very good and people liked it.
Happy New Year 2064!! In Nepali calendar, we are in 2064, 57 year ahead than English calendar. Lets hope New year will bring peace and harmony in the world.

Fear of GANDAK

It is quite strange that village people have unknown fear. They don't know what they are afraid of. When I visited there last time by the end of March, I was shocked to know that kids and even adults don't walk outside during evening and night. I wanted to show kids docu drama and pictures, so I borrowed a television and a DVD player from a neighbour. Iwanted all the kids and adults to come and watch TV at my parents home, but only about 50 people arrived. When I was small, my parents also used to frighten me saying these stuffs, so it would be biggest fear for us during monsoon, while there are bushes and crops everywhere. In fact parents wanted me to stay at home but I always used to go away. But now it is quite different, that people think this is real. They think there are some strange people who are either from India or from southern Nepal who come to hiils and take kids with them putting them into a big bag (either killing or alive) to sell themback to India. If they kill kids, they sell kidney and ohter body parts and if kids are aive, they are used in circus or they make kids handicapped after cutting their hands/legs and make them begger. This may happen but the fear of people is really strange. In my opinion,people should not have such fear because it is nearlyimpossible for the people of south to go to hills alone while there is strikes and fighting in south. Not only in few villages but in whole 3 districts, people are afraid of this GANDAK. BEWARE!!!!

Tourism for Overall Rural Development (TORD)

Village
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Village tourism/ rural tourism is attracting and serving tourists in villages through local skill, product and culture. Nepal has more than 103 ethnic groups and 93 spoken languages (source: - NTB). This native apartness of the communities can be attraction for several foreigners, as the result they can be a unique tourism product to receive thousands of tourists in villages, which finally can contribute to boost up local economy. Nepal has several indigenous ethnic groups, which have native and unique identities with their own culture, languages and customs. Villages can be best place for researchers, volunteers, project managers and anyone who wish to experience Nepalese culture and traditions plus real part of the country. In Nepal there is good scope of village tourism. Rural villages are to be emphasized to make them as tourists’ attraction and should be promoted as tourists’ destination. Rural villages have opportunities of development if more tourists visit. Promoting village tourism means promoting and protecting local customs and tradition to protect cultural identity and providing support to local people to improve their economy.

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Rural Development Issue

This landslide has separated villages from the modern part of rural district. Landslide has been biggest obstacles for people as they must cross this almost every day. There is a small hospital and they have got an ambulance from ADRA (An Australian Aid Agency) but that has been of no use since road to the hospital has been destroyed by landslide. Apart from that, rural people have to carry everything themselves. Price of market products has been increased whereas people have been facing other challenges too. Children have to walk hours through the landslide to reach school.
There is a famous development model successfully adopted by India, US and some other counties to develop their rural part called PUARA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) seems to be very effective to develop such remote places of Nepal. PUARA is decentralising urban facilities and infrastructures to rural areas for the overall development of the country. There should be good road in remote villages and other infrastructures of development e.g. school, modes of communication, hospitals, factories. This is not to make them city but to make them modern villages with urban facilities. This will not only stop mass migration to the cities, but provides education, health, employment and other opportunities to the villagers in village. It is very expensive and challenging for us to fully adopt this model but we can simply focus on most important part which could be effective to address several contemporary issues of the related areas. Currently population of Rasuwa is about 50000, whereas more are 3 million people live in Kathmandu. Rasuwa is more than two times bigger than Kathmandu.
We hear so many things in recent days about BUILDING NEW NEPAL, so this idea could be important and useful for our planners and policy makers to further develop their master plan. Despite landslides, floods, and other natural disasters, we can develop our villages. But it is not easy and a single effort alone is nothing for this when our leaders and intellectuals have not stopped fighting each other, so this idea is a just a theory at the moment. I wish there was a good teamwork and mutual cooperation among all people to develop our nation otherwise country will lose another thousand highly skilled and demanded people as they will leave the nation as always seeking security, employment and survival.

Native culture as a tourism product

Native culture as a tourism product
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

ECWZ with the help of NHCC is trying to promote village tourism. ECWZ want to convert traditional culture and costumes with the adventerous hillsite station, as the tourism product.

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Traditional Costume!!

Costume of Jhyanglanga
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is the costume of traditional Nepal. Cholo and Phariya with white Patuka identifies Nepalese lady. New generation are being forgotten of these costumes. ECWZ is encouraging them not to forget their unique culture.
NHCC is developing the feeling of responsibility among children and youth towards their culture and community.

Water grinding mill

Water grinding mill
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

About 30000 family in Nepal have this type of water grinding mill. This mill is just for winter. The most destructive landslide destryed their land but still they are trying to survive and feed their family with the help of these types of grinding mill.
14 years human disaster and violence in the name of "people's War" has destryed so many familes and children. Both the nature and humans have been killing people. Lets hope upcoming days will be for peace and brotherhood. Live and let live.

NHCC Drama

NHCC Drama
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

NHCC organised a drama about cultural practice to get rid of diseases. They use some ritual process and equippments. Theese practices are not scientifically proven hence are not to be followed but millions of people are just following it as part of their culture. Even educated people have not forgotten these stuffs which are not good for people. Tradition like these are to be avoided, more than culture, these are superstitions.

Grandson following Grandfather

Grandson following Grandfather
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Karsingi, one of the ECWZ sponsored Child is performing Tamang cultural and ancient dance in front og his Grandfather. Grandfather is happy because he is too old to do such dances and now Grandson is following his grandfather.
Karsingi, you are really making difference!!!

Dancing

Dancing
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Improved, inspired, self motivated and attractive Fourth Show by NHCC

Chhatra n Bhajan

Chhatra n Bhajan
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is Chhatra (made up of colourful clothes and bamboo through holy way). The dance people do in this occasion is called Balan dance. Organising Chhatra is like a festival but it is not compulsory to organise every year. This year it has been organised after five year. The culture almost forgotten by young generation and about to disappear from the country. I am proud of you my dears for what you doing. Kishan Dai will always there to support you.

Parents in Children's show

Parents in Children's show
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

A Campaign to increase awareness

A recent research done by one organisation in the ECWZ project area has shown shocking data. About 300 girls/women have been sold to brothels in many Indian cities and even to third countries to feed prostitution network. Southeast area of the district is badly affected by girls trafficking problem. After declaration of ceasefire by Maoist and Govt., that prostitution network has been more active. Poverty and lack of awareness are main cause of girls trafficking in rural villages. Girls are sold about 25000 Nepalese Currency, it means the price of a cheapest computer and a Buffalo is same as the value of the girls. In some cases even relatives and family have sent their own daughter/wife to make money. Don’t know how many of them are HIV positive and if they have HIV, it will be more disastrous because in Mongolian society, sexual freedom is seen. Some of the girls who have returned from brothels, have started like small restaurant in Kathmandu and other central cities. There is a maximum chance of their continuity of the same job. Prostitution in the name of Cabin Restaurant and Message Centre in Kathmandu is quite common. Sometime we hear that police arrest some sex workers.
In central jail, sundhara, more than 70 HIV positive found out of 150. Blood bank of Red Cross was going to organise blood donation programme and checked their blood in jail and got this data. Most of the facts have been hidden and Govt. and concerned organisations are also not unfolding this issue. In Nepal 1000000000 NC was brought to fight against HIV AIDS but still there is no difference. Expansion of HIV in this ration will make the country like Africa one day.
Law to stop prostitution and girls trafficking is very strict but still lots of girls are being sold. Agents pretend to arrange their (Girls) foreign employment from Delhi so girls and their family think its ok to fly from Delhi and their target is Gulf countries. But girls do not fly from Delhi. Anyone can guess those girls, who have not language and any other skills other than working in field and their own language, and go to those countries where their skill and qualification does not work. Recently parliament has passed another Foreign Employment Act to encourage females to go to foreign countries and work. This will increase HIV positives and prostitution. They make money and could be beneficial for country in terms of tax but can bring serious problem in future.
In Rasuwa NHCC, a children club formed with the guidance and support of ECWZ has started social awareness campaign to fight against this trend. Girls and their family should understand potential disaster which will destroy their family and eventually their society. Road drama and other social awareness activities will be organised to address these contemporary issues. ECWZ is always concentrating in the welfare of the children and people in remote Nepal. One campaign has been started as SOCIAL AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION.

New Horizon Children’s Club; following ECWZ

Established with 15 children from Jhyanglanga village, now New Horizon Children’s Club (NHCC) has more than 100 members from more than six villages. NHCC was established with the joint effort of ECWZ and children from some of the remote villages of Rasuwa. To ensure child welfare and social awareness, NHCC has been highly committed and motivated to follow ECWZ’s footsteps. They frequently organise cultural shows, informational dramas and other activities for their friends. NHCC is now working to protect native culture of Rasuwa which is about to disappear and is trying to promote village tourism. NHCC is organising a drama to address girls trafficking problem.

Rock The Deli, an adventerous rock to be climbed

Rock The Deli
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Rock climbing!!

Rock climbing!!
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Once you try to climb rocks which you find everywhere in the villages and in National park area in Rasuwa, you may feel you are in Rock Climbing Centre. There are a lot of Rocks of different types and size that you can try at any of them independently. “Rock The Deli” is about 20 meter high and there are some rocks which are just 2-3 meter which are easy to climb. Experience the native culture of Rural Nepal and have an adventure with the unclimbed and untouched Rocks of Rasuwa. You will forget Namche and Tenzin Rock once you experience on these rocks.

Typical culture with native apartness

Typical culture with native apartness
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

NHCC has started a campaign to protect native culture of the remote villages of Rasuwa. Since its formation, NHCC is highly committed and dedicated to ensure welfare of the people in the lap of remote Langtang. NHCC, through its member from more than seven villages at the moment, combines all the cultural heritages through its several cultural shows. Especially Tamang and Barmhin culture are found in remote villages. Young generation has accepted the challenge to protect tradition and native apartness of the culture of Rasuwa whereas people are being unknown from which culture and tradition they are.
Youth participation to make their own society is the central idea of the club. Currently NHCC has 100 members but there are a lot of children who wish to be the member of the club.

Pratik @ NHCC show

Pratik @ NHCC
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

NHCC to protect native culture of Rural Nepal

culture of Rasuwa @ NHCC
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

New Horizon Children’s Club (NHCC) organised a cultural programme few days ago as their first formal programme and step of a big campaign. Established with the aim of working to ensure cultural protection and to address other issues related to children in rural communities, NHCC organised a cultural night. Despite unavailability of the resources like musical instruments, proper cultural/traditional dresses, music systems and so on, NHCC had good night show. It performed a show between more than 100 villagers. Children have to work 6 hour a day except 6 hour at school. This is what they are doing in the rest of the day. It’s so hard because they don’t have enough time now for playing and doing other tasks that might be interesting for them. But still they look happy and highly motivated to do something for their community. They practice sometime up to midnight. The village where the NHCC formed and works is a mix community. One can experience the blend of Tamang and Brahmin culture.
Children borrowed the dresses from a school and instruments from a nearby village, they borrowed speakers from villagers and organised the programme. They had to start programme at 8 pm because they didn’t have time during they since they were supposed to work at their home and field. Parents were also busy during daytime. The night was perfect because kids and adults both had free time after dinner and all could enjoy the programme. Within two hours programme, members of NHCC performed different types of music and songs. It was first time we were dancing and organising such programme. Lets hope we will be doing this type of programmes and even more effective programme even in future.

Goodbye Nara!!

Nara with family
Originally uploaded by kriss214.

For all people who know me and ECWZ, are not unknown about Nara as she is the Director of ECWZ. Finally I had to say goodbye to her although I didn’t want to say. I have spent a year working with Nara and she has been a part of ECWZ and my family. Puja (Laura) is here to replace Nara. I have got someone to work with me. All the scholars supported from ECWZ and people from Rasuwa will never forget who Nara was. We all will be waiting see her again. She is married now and is going to have a baby soon.

Good bye Nara!!!!!!!!!!!

Victory Of People

Nepal is going through unique political situation. Autocratic king has got no power now and there is the key for the resolution of conflict and violence; which had been affecting the country since last 14 years. I was not convinced with Maoist because of gun and their dependency in the power of gun. I left the student union (Sister-concern of Maoist) 5 years ago because of the gun. Finally they (Maoist) have realised that nothing can be decided from the power of gun, but there is table for peace talk. Brotherhood and understanding are strongest and the best tool to win people’s faith. Once one Communist leader had given speech like this; consequently Communists divided into two parts principly. Maoists were bent towards the gun but I don’t mean to say that it was their mistake. The Gun and only Gun could create this political Equation. Maoists have done some big mistakes during their WAR which are unforgettable and will be remaining as black spot in their political history. We have lost around 14000 people during this war. It is actually PEOPLE’S WAR. People are nearby their victory. Still there are so many things to be made clear and detected. At least Nepal; THE LAND OF PEACE is not going through guns from now no matter how long the peace process takes. Maoist and seven party-alliances together are forming interim government. Maoist has got the place of second largest party. Constituent assembly is the destination and king has been another obstacle. People don’t want king but some political parties are interested to have “Ceremonial King”. I am going to vote for someone for the first time.
Finally we have overcome the stressful political environment (passed almost all the obstacles). Jaya Nepal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chitwan

Chitwan
Originally uploaded by kriss214.

We had jungle safari at Chitwan. I still think it was amazing although we couldn't see any dangerous animals.(What a shame!!)
The bush you see in picture is cut down every year during winter. These types of plants are very useful for making fibre things and Tharu people use this instead of wood to make typical house.