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Kumari of Patan taking SLC this year
School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam starts on March 25, 2010. This year, about 450,000 students are taking the exam and among them is Kumari, a girl worshipped as a Goddess in Nepali society.
The Kumari of Patan, Chanira Bajracharya, is only allowed to leave her room 19 times a year on certain festivals. That was the reason why the teachers from the local Vashara School have been visiting her to teach in her room for the last ten years. The SLC exam is also arranged such that she doesn’t need to go out of her house for the exam. The SLC exam controllers will go to her house to conduct exam of the single student.
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Wanna Bid for Puskar Shah’s stuffs?
Puskar travelled 150 countries on a bicycle and now the bicycle is on sale along with other stuffs like flags, soil, coins, post stamps, and beer caps. The auction of the stuffs he collected from different countries he visited will take place in United World Trade Centre, Tripureshwar.
Sept., 2009 file photoPuskar had promised to carry flags of all the countries he visited to the top of the World – for which he needs cash. He needs about Rs. 4 million to climb the highest peak, Mount Everest, towards the royalty and other costs.
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UN Panel regrets estimates on melting of Himalayan glaciers
An international scientific panel overseen by the United Nations had estimated the glaciers in the Himalayas to disappear by 2035. The estimate was included in a 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The group has now expressed “regret” (IPPC statement in PDF) for publishing an unsupported estimate of the speed at which Himalayan glaciers were melting. It is surprising that none of the 2,500 scientists who contributed to its 2007 report spotted the error that appeared in a sentence on page 493.
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Burj Dubai (Burj Khalifa) and records
The Burj Dubai (Burj Khalifa) tower officially opened its doors on January 4, 2010, six years after the commencement of construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The tower previously known as Burj Dubai was renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of the current President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa.
Some of the records made by the $4.1 billion, half-mile-high skyscraper are: - Tallest skyscraper to top of spire: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previous record: Taipei 101 – 509.2 m (1,671 ft))
- Tallest structure ever built: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previous record: Warsaw radio mast – 646.38 m (2,121 ft))
- Tallest extant structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previous record: KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m (2,063 ft))
- Tallest freestanding structure: 828 m (2,717 ft) (previous record: CN Tower – 553.3 m (1,815 ft))
- Building with most floors: 160 (previous record: both 1 and 2 World Trade Center – 110)
- World’s highest elevator installation
- World’s fastest elevators at speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s) (previous record: Taipei 101 – 16.83 m/s)
- Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previous record: Taipei 101 – 449.2 m (1,474 ft))
- Highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction): 606 m (1,988 ft) (previous record: Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant – 532 m (1,745 ft))
- The first world’s tallest structure in history to include residential space
- Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
- World’s highest mosque (located on the 158th floor)
- Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
- Tallest service elevator in the world
- World’s highest installation of an aluminum and glass façade, at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft)
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Flashback – Nepali Movies in 2009
In summary, the year 2009 wasn’t so good for Nepali film industry. Many of the movies screened in 2009 couldn’t profit due to lack of opportunity to get theater in time and low turn-up of viewers. In total 32 movies were released in 2009. It is told that only a couple out of the 32 movies could earn profit. Most of the film halls all over the country are now equipped with digital technology and are hence capable of showing new Hindi movies. As Hindi movies are more profitable than Nepali movies for the film halls, Nepali movies had to wait in long queue for screening them in cinema halls of their choice.
Most profitable movies of 2009 were ‘Kaha Bhetiyala’ by produced by actor Shri Krishna Shrestha and ‘Silsila’ by CP Poudel.
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Top 10 countries to travel in 2010 – Nepal
If you ask me, I would always say Nepal is the best place in earth. 
Well, I am a Nepali but I am not alone – there are many who think so.Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide-book and digital media publisher in the world, has prepared a list of top 10 countries to travel in 2010. It is good to know that Nepal is one of them.
It is not clear what ranking Nepal is in in the list but it sure is good to know people think Nepal one of the best places in the world. Some news sites like Nepalnews said Nepal was 6th in the ranking – which is not true. The countries are listed alphabetically and hence Nepal is sixth in the publication. That doesn’t mean Nepal is sixth in ranking. It can be first or can also be tenth.
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Nibiru myth, no need to prepare for 2012
Internet is filled with Niribu, a 1976 creation of an author of speculative fiction, Zecharia Sitchin. The washingtonpost says that the viral Internet rumor is actually being circulated by pseudo-scientists, hoaxers, and movie promoters. The imaginary planet sure looks more like a publicity stunt for an upcoming movie “2012” rather than a reality. But, it sure has created enough momentum to create uneasiness among people. If there were any Nibiru heading our way some of the thousands of astronomers would already have spotted it.
Sony has set up a fake Web site for something called the Institute for Human Continuity — http://www.instituteforhumancontinuity.org — which uses scientific-sounding language to detail the upcoming shredding, torching and obliterating of the world from so many directions it makes your head spin ("large amounts of solar radiation will bombard the Earth and heat up the molten, semi-liquid layers beneath the lithosphere, thus allowing the crust to shift more easily"). (washingtonpost)
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One-legged farmer, mason, carpenter …
The guy, Narsingh Bhandari Magar (right) doesn’t even know what this sign (left) means. But, he has lost one of his leg in childhood and has trained himself to earn his living, better than not so disabled people. A teacher, Dal Bahadur Gurung of Dovan M.V. School in Dovan village of Palpa, Ghodebas in Western Nepal, was extremely surprised by the way Narsingh did his daily chores. With Gurung’s effort a documentary is prepared on Narsingh’s life and is being screened in various parts of Nepal.
Narsingh doesn’t need any support to do his daily jobs, not even a walking stick. His jobs are anything from cutting grass for his cattle, plough field with traditional halo (Narsingh is carrying one in photo), cross rivers, climb trees, and occasionally work as carpenter and mason. He can even dance on his one leg.
Narsingh is a real-life example to encourage people on dedication to work and not to dwell upon their shortcomings.
(Source in Nepali)
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Namrata Shrestha video incident: Lesson to be learnt
It was a sad incident that an intimate video of Namrata Shrestha and Kichaa Man Chitrakaar (DJ Tantrik) was released to the general public. They were aspiring artists in Nepali film and music industries. That might be the reason they got overwhelming response from Nepali people at home and those living all around the world. After a similar incident involving singer Prakash Ojha this was the second biggest sex scandal in Nepal. I don’t know weather Namrata and Tantrik forgot about Prakash Ojha incident or choose to ignore it. 
Apart from these events there are many such videos being released from time to time in discussion forums. Those people, being unknown to general public, do not attract that much attention. But the person involved do not get less pain and frustration than the well known persons like Namrata or Ojha. It is not only the person who is seen in the video; there are whole lot of persons, like spouses, children, friends, and relatives, who are affected by such incidents. Our society is not that advanced to digest such acts released to public. So, care should be exercised while taking such photos or videos. Damage once done can not be reversed.Some suggestions, that I can think of now are:
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Lack of Educated Artists in Nepali Film Industry
The history of Nepali movies is not that long but it has grown a lot in recent days. Movie industry is one of the most creative industry and it demands the most creative crews to work for it. But to our disappointment, only a few Nepali involved in the industry have a university degree. A sad truth is that 60% of the Nepali film artists haven’t passed 10th grade.
It is seen that educated artists have succeeded in their fields as compared to uneducated artists. When we talk about education Rajesh Hamal, with a MA degree in English literature, comes the first due to his education and acting skills. There are many who don’t like him but it is undisputed that he is a super-hit actor of Nepali film industry. Some new actresses like Sanchita Luitel, Malvika Subba have master’s degree. Mithila Sharma, Arunima Lamsal, Sarita Lamichanne alos managed to get a bachelor’s degree.
There are some educated film directors and writers who are doing good works in Nepali movie industry. Some directors with a masters degree are Deepak Rayamajhi, Daya Ram Dahal, Naresh Poudel, Desh Bhakta Khanal, Dinesh DC, and BS Thapa. Writers and technicians like Javed Shah, Dr Bhola Rijal also have masters degree. Baikuntha Maskey(Bachelor,Photography), Tapa Nath Sukla (Sound Engineer), Pradeep Kumar Upadhaya(Sound Engineer) are other educated pioneer in the Nepali film industry.
Is that all?
I think so. If you know of somebody who has university degree in Nepali film industry please write in comment. I will edit the post accordingly.
The question remains. Why don’t educated people opt for the entertainment industry? Is the age old belief, acting in movies in not a decent job, a culprit?
Comments are welcome.
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Sarangi – the Nepali Musical Instrument
Sarangi is a stringed instrument played by traditional ‘Gaine’ or ‘Gandarbha’ community of Nepal. The Indo-Aryan ethnic group mainly from central hilly region of Nepal makes a living by singing a type of folk song and narrative tales commonly known as ‘Gaine Geet’ or ‘Gandarva Geet’. It is believed that Sarangi originated from Nepal. The simplistic design of the instrument made it easy to be manufactured and maintained locally. It is sad that search of sarangi in the internet lands us to Indian musical instrument which is quite different from the Nepali version. Encyclopedias and dictionaries like Britannica, Wikipedia (there is a page for Nepali sarangi however), Farlex, and Oxford Dictionary don’t mention Nepali Sarangi at all.
Unlike Classical Indian Sarangi, it has four strings and all of them are played. The neck and body of the instrument are made from a single piece of light wood, locally known as Khirro. The body is carved into a hollow frame with two openings. The lower opening is then covered up with dried sheep-skin. Traditionally the fine nerves from sheep’s intestine were woven to get the strings. Horse-tail hair was originally used for the bow string of the Sarangi. These days nylon strings are preferred to the sheep nerves and horse-tail hair. The instrument is placed vertically on the left knee, suspended in front of the body by means of a cord around the left shoulder, and is played with a bow.
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Pushkar Shah – the world, eleven years, and Mt. Everest
I have heard about Pushkar Shah in bits and pieces. He was travelling countries on bicycle and now it has summed up to be the World. Yes, he has finished his journey of eleven years to introduce Nepal … in bits and pieces.November 29, 1998 was the big day Puskar set out on an 11 year journey on a bicycle with NRs 100 (about $1.50) in his pocket. After travelling 150 countries in Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Middle East, and Europe now he has announced that he has completed his journey.
Now he has his ultimate dream :
I would like to climb Mount Everest in 2010 bringing the national flags of all the countries I will have visited by then to the summit.
Let’s wish him luck and we know he would do what he says he will.
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Shortest person in the world
I have been talking about records made or to be made on the highest mountain in my previous posts – Min Bahadur Sherchan, Appa Sherpa, Shailendra Kumar, cricket at highest altitude, and mobile coverage on Mt. Everest. This post again is about the height but it is not about the tallest mountain but a shortest guy. Looks like Guinness World Records book didn’t have a category for the record for a shortest person until a 20 years old and just 74.61 centimeters tall He Pingping got entry in it in the 2009 edition of the book and posed for its launch with the longest-legged Svetlana Pankratova. But our own Khagendra Thapa Magar was actually shorter than the guy and couldn’t get entry because of being underage at that time.
When he was seeking entry in the record book, Khagendra was only 50 centimeters(20 inches) tall and weighed 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) and only 14 years of age. Khagendra hasn’t gained any height till he was eleven years old. Soon (in about 4 months) he is turning 18 and he and his family are waiting that day for him to be registered in the World Record book. Let’s see some of his photos.
Record keeping is one thing but health and prosperity is far more important in one’s life. I hope he does get proper medical care and nutrition. Let’s wish him all the best throughout his life.
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2-years old ‘exceptional child’
I never took my IQ test and I am not planning to take one anytime soon. But, I am sure I won’t be able to beat a 2 year old toddler who recently became the youngest member of Mensa in Britain, the high-intelligence society. Yes, most of us won’t be able to beat the ‘exceptional child’ of Edmonton, north London. Elise Tan Roberts, 2 years and 4 months, took Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale test which showed she was in the top 0.2% in her age group in the UK. She has an IQ of 156 and can recite the English alphabet, count to 10 in English and Spanish and name types of triangle.
Unbelievable? Watch the BBC’s Daniel Boettcher testing Elise’s knowledge of capital cities. She is exceptional … don’t try testing unsuspecting poor little kids around you.
Before Elise the youngest member in the society was Ben Woods, who became a Mensa member in the 1990s at the age of two years and nine months (1,035 days old). In 2007 a little girl, Georgia Brown, from Aldershot, Hampshire, became the youngest female member with an IQ of 152, but she was still six days older (1,041 days old) than Ben Woods. Elise managed to beat them with a wide margin – she was just 845 days old when she joined Mensa.It is to be noted that the two-year-old’s IQ is just 4 points short of Einstein, the father of relativity, who had an IQ of 160. (Photos of Elise with her parents by Photo Agency and Georgia by dailymail)
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Nomadic Group of Nepal – Raute
Raute is the only nomadic group in Nepal living in the hilly districts of Mid and Far West. I had heard about them and their language which is unique in the community. They are very isolated and don’t want to mingle with other people. Hari Thapa send me information about a site set for the group some time back. He also sent some photos (posted below) of Raute. It is told that they don’t stay longer in a particular place. Some stay in one place for 3 months and others up to a couple of years. With people encroaching forests, their habitat, they are facing very difficult time in their nomadic life.
Nomadic group Raute
Recently, the first ever census of the endangered Raute community was carried out by the Dailekh District Development Committee. The population of the nomadic ethnic group is found to be 304 (kantipur). The census report showed that there are only 112 females, 96 children and two disabled in the Raute community. The number of Raute females of marriageable age is below one dozen while the number of eligible males is 36. The fact is causing increase in the case of child marriage according to Raute leader Mahin Bahadur Shahi.
Rautes are the only ethnic tribe of the country who are found in the hilly districts of Mid and Far West. As they move from place to place, they do not rely on farming and other everyday livelihoods.
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