PADT demands review of 99-year land lease

BISHNU PRASAD ARYAL
KATHMANDU: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has demanded review of the lease contract of its 1,162 ropanis (61.15 hectares) of land with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The PADT and CAAN signed the contract on January 7, 1983 for 99 years, according to the PADT documents. The CAAN agreed to pay 23 pathis (one pathi=3.2 kg) of paddy per ropani of land to the PADT each year. Interestingly, both the PADT and the CAAN are autonomous government bodies under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA). CAAN has dealt the PADT land with third parties on contracts, earning millions of rupees, said the PADT officials. “The CAAN has given our land to a golf club and private companies. However, we are paid very low compared to the present value,” they said. CAAN has used PADT land for domestic and international terminals of Tribhuvan International Airport, which occupies 3,020 hectares. Of the total airport area, 61.15 hectares is PADT’s.

Narottam Baidya, PADT treasurer, said PADT Council has recently decided to forward the procedure to review the contract. Joint-secretary Bharat Mani Subedi, chief of the Culture and Heritage Division at the MoCTCA, also said that the issue of reviewing the contract has been raised seriously. A meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha and held on May 28 discussed the issue of reviewing the contract. Minister Shrestha is chairman of both the PADT and CAAN as a sitting minister.

Baidya said Minister Shrestha was interested in reviewing the deal. “We will forward the decision to the MoCTCA asking to review it after a decision is minuted.”

Tilganga pays nothing
KATHMANDU: Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology has not paid anything to PADT for about two decades despite an agreement to pay 20 per cent of the hospital income, according to PADT. A lease contract on five ropanis of land between PADT and Tilganga Eye Care Hospital was signed on September 21, 1992, with the hospital agreeing to pay 20 per cent of its profit to PADT. The hospital has used five ropanis of land on lease for 20 years. “We have not got a penny from the hospital in about two decades,” said PADT treasurer Narottam Baidya. Dr Sanduk Ruit, executive director of the Tilganga Institute, said, “We are incurring losses and thus unable to pay the agreed amount.”

Baidya said the Office of Auditor General (OAG) questions about the deal every year. “It has asked us to review the contract rationally,” he claimed. “The OAG has also questioned about arrears of land given on contract to the Tilganga Institute of Opthalmology,” he added. “We want to help both of the institutions, but the contracts should be based on a win-win situation.”

Joint-secretary Suresh Acharya, chief of Aviation Industry Management Division at MoCTCA, said he has no idea about the deal. “If the PADT forwards e documents to the ministry, we will look into it.” “Then, we will forward files to the CAAN for further action. The PADT and the CAAN are the ones that should seal the final deal,” he added.

The 99-year deal was signed during the period of main priest Padam Naabh Shastry of the Pashupatinath Temple and Shiva Sharan Rajbhandari, chief of Pashupati Area Reformation and Development Committee.

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Remodeled TIA arch becomes an eyesore

 Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, November 19

The 15-year old entrance gate, erected to commemorate golden jubilee of then king Birendra's coronation, is being remodeled for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. If successful, one million foreign visitors will pass through the gate in the next year.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has invested Rs 15 million to reconstruct the arch.The gate built 15 years ago to commemorate the 25th year of then King Birendra’s coronation cost some Rs 3 million.

Visitors to the airport are confused and put off by the design. "It looks unpleasant and odd," said Prakash Pokhrel, a visitor from Naya Gaon in Gulmi. “It might surprise a stranger, but one who can appreciate a work of art will be shocked," he said.

The experience of local Raj Kumar Pradhan from Sinamangal, Kathmandu was not similar to Pokhrel. "This gate is uglier than the older one," he said. "It is unnatural an unaesthetic."

The arch of the 72 feet high structure designed of modern architecture using metal cladding blending with Stupa and Pagoda styles, designer of the gate Shesh Krishna Shrestha said.

Architect Prajwal Haada said it was entirely inappropriate to mix modern and traditional techniques. "Either it should be completely traditional or modern," he said. "It looks terrified due to lost proportion."

Metal cladding technique was completely horrible and disastrous for Nepal, said architect Varun Rana. "The wood carving, or brick or plaster technique must be used to represent the traditional culture," he said. "There may be vested interest of commission behind importing the metals instead of using local materials."

The designing of the arch was approved by the Civil Maintenance Division (CMD), the supervising and approving body under CAAN after the Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism okayed it.

The design seeks to represent eyes of Buddha (peace) on the main arch, and pagoda style Pashupatinath on the right and left pillars along with metal cladding pillars and wings. Yellow symbolises stupa, brick colour, the Nepali tradition, and golden colour seeks to give continuity to the old golden gate, according to the architect.

Narayan Giri, chief at CMD, admitted that the form of the arch looked odd. “We are discussing internally to modify the top of the arch but it is yet to be decided,” he said.

The contract was signed in 2009 with joint venture Biruwa-Azad-Uma and Pratima, Kathmandu to complete the work by mid July. “It was delayed as the architect provided us the design after seven months. The construction began only in May and will be completed within a month,” said Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, general manager at CAAN.

Designer Shrestha claimed he submitted the design within three months. “Their internal causes including budget row made the construction delay,” he said.

Giri said that 95 per cent work has been completed. “We will install two pagoda mini-temples and a brass pinnacle soon,” he said. “It will look beautiful after completion.”

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Tourist hubs into vehicle-free zone

KMC plans to declare Thamel and KDS vehicle restricted zones

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, May 19

With a big plan of developing parking system, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is planning to launch a substantial project to declare the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Thamel vehicle restricted zones.

“The KMC is all set to develop the Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu) Durbar Square and Thamel as tourist hub with artful stone paving for heritage walk route,” said Devendra Dongol, senior planner at the Physical Development and Construction Department, KMC. “For this purpose, we have a grand plan of setting up parking system in Kathmandu,” Dongol told this daily.

Dongol said the KMC and the Asian Development Bank are working together to materialise the concept. “The ADB has already approved the proposal to study on the plan. We are carrying out a feasible study on the project from August,” said Dongol. “The report will be submitted in six months,” he added.

According to the KMC, only the pedestrians will be allowed in the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square and Thamel. “All of these areas will be paved with artful stones linking to each other temples, palaces, heritage sites and historical monuments,” said Dongol.

The KDS is enlisted under the UNESCO world heritage site while Thamel is popularly known as the centre of tourists.

Making plan was not enough for developing the city, he said. “So we will work to develop the special parking areas near by these places.”

He said that three parking areas would be developed at Khulamancha, Mahankal to Shaheed Gate and the Social Welfare Council, Lainchaur. “Underground and surface parking lots will be constructed at Mahankal to Shaheed Gate and Lainchaur,” said Dongol.

The Ministry of Finance has responded positively about the land of the Social Welfare Council to build parking place while Army Headquarters is also positive about the side of Tundhikhel for using to develop parking station, according to Dongol.

The proposed project ‘Sustainable Transport Project (Parking/Pedestrians) will also include management of the hazardous parking spree everywhere in the valley. “We can see parking encroachment at New Road, Khichapokhari, and other commercial areas,” he said. “This will study on the whole parking system of the valley, identify the problems and recommend proper places for developing parking stations.”

Under-secretary Shaligram Rijal, assistant executive of the KMC, said, “We’re planning on it to approve in the annual budget and consulting with the donors.” “The report will recommend all plans including financial need. After the submission of study report, it will be forwarded for the implementation,” Rijal added.

This news article was published in THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, dated May 20, 2009.

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Canadian Karma Trekkers Team in KTM

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Canadian Karma Trekkers TV Show captures the Nepalese sites

NOV. 3: A very popular Karma Trekkers TV Show, culture and tourism oriented program, aired on different channels in 45 countries completed filming the most fascinating and cultural heritage sites of Nepal Monday/November 3.

According to the Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, the team comprising of three members--Kevin James Fox, director of photography and executive producer from Canada and host Damon Joseph, Canada and Chunyi Lin (New York), director of marketing from Taiwan—captured the scenes of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel in a week long visit. Explore Himalaya arranged the management for shooting the cultural and tourism sectors.

The team visited seven UNESCO world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley and Buddhist monasteries for filming the Nepalese history, culture, tradition, spirituality, mystical wonders and nature during their visit, said the TV team.

Fox, president and CEO of Resource Media Inc., Toronto, said that Nepal is very fascinating destination, which combines beautiful natural wonders, a fascinating history and friendly people of Nepal, the country of religious traditions and inspirations for visitors. “I appreciate Nepalese people and their cooperation for filming the fascinating scenes and heritages,” he said.

Fox added that their plan was to create one episode of Karma Trekkers, a global travel show aired and watched in over 45 countries all over the world. Fox, who has traveled in about 70 countries, further said that the objective of the program was to show world wide audience the unique culture and customs of the Nepalese people.

The film about the wonders of Nepal would be aired on within six months on the channels including Discovery Home and Discovery HD Theater, USA, Discovery UK, Discovery Italy, Discovery Latin America, Discovery Asia, CNBC World, FoxLifeHD in Japan and Korea, CTV Travel and Escape, Canada etc., according to the team.

British born Canadian Joseph, who has traveled around the world, felt that it was one of his most favorable visits for observing culture, food, beautiful scenes and hospitality and in terms of culture he phrased “tapestry of color and culture” for Nepal. “I like to come back again,” he added. Joseph is also an actor of plays like Larry Linville, Importance of Being Earnest and Romeo and Juliet.

Joseph expressed that the film would be very important for the rest of the world understanding the difference between the cultures of Nepal, India and Tibet. “It will certainly help to promote and develop the tourism industry of Nepal,” he said.

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Grandparents tied in nuptial-knot in Hindu custom

Everyone wants to make their marital life blissful and long lasting for the sense of love and dedication. However, the western life is criticized as fragmented and culture of divorce compared to the eastern spiritual Hindu marriages.

Because of such spiritual quest, Ross Nuttall, 63 and Diane Nuttall, 61 wedded again Thursday with all the rituals of Hindu marriage customs. They are from Brisbane of Australia and have three children, Kelly, 36, eldest among them and 7 grandchildren. Ross along with Diane visited Nepal as tourists 37 years ago. “We have noticed many changes here since then,” said Ross, retired insurance broker.

Both of them were enchanted by the charismatic spiritual culture of eastern marriage and its philosophy. “It’s wonderful and exciting,” said bride Diane. At a time Groom Ross also exclaimed that this was wonderful experience.

Priest Keshav Adhikari who made such 11 marriages said that the Hindu culture of marriage is committed for never-ending bond knotted with the performance witnessed by the seniors, society and fire.

“Such relationship of marriage is rarely broken as it is fully bonded by spirituality and sense of divinity,” said second priest Ramesh Adhikari, who played the role of father of 14 such marriages including this one. “That is why we should not worry about divorce in our marital life. There is understanding and guardianship in the relationship,” he said.

Such kind of mock marriages has been performed in Nepal for three years and has become very popular among the western tourists. According to the priest, such 14 marriages were held during the period. Recently, one ceremony took place here in Kathmandu.
Amid a grand function, groom Alan Bosher, 55, British and bride Barbara Bosher, 56, Australian were re-tied in a nuptial knot again in their life last Friday. Such marriage ceremonies were arranged and organized by the Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure.

Mock marriage was initiated so as to introduce the value of long lasting marital affair of Nepalese people to the rest of the world. Priest Keshav said that such marriages are the part of cultural exchanges. “We also want to introduce our culture of marriage to the western world and how the bond and relationship remains unending throughout the life,” added Ramesh.

The bride and groom were very excited by the ceremony and danced in tune with Nepalese wedding music of Naumati. “We wanted to experience the eastern marriage,” said Ross. “Moreover, we wanted to present special surprise at our 40th anniversary of wedding ceremony,” said Diane. “Now, it has come true.” There was a team of 26 visitors who participated in the ceremony. They were from Australia, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Britain and China.

Another such marriage ceremony is being held Wednesday in Kathmandu.

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Western couple remarry spiritually in eastern style

“Boys, play the Naumati (Nepalese wedding bands)! It is the good time to initiate the marriage rituals,” announced a priest at the premises of Nepal Scouts, Head Office at Lainchaur. It was quarter to four P.M. on October 17, Friday.

Elephant was decorated to carry the bridegroom to the wedding place. Bridegroom was dressed in Nepalese costumes and worn dhaka cap. He was robust and handsome though his beards were grey. Bride was in red sari and Nepalese marriage costumes with chura pote (bangle and beads). Her face was curtained with red transparent wedding veil. Her eyes and face gleamed as if she were in her early twenties. She smiled and looked at the bridegroom who was gentle with outstanding looks. His face was like red red rose.

They were captured in the frames of cameras. About one and half dozen foreign tourists, especially from Australia and Britain, and other two dozens of Nepalese invitees gathered at the moment. The bands played the Naumati and marriage rituals were launched. The boys in typical Nepalese costumes and girls in gunyu choli (sari and blouse) danced in tune with the wedding music. Two tourists were to be bonded in spiritual knots.

Bridegroom Alan Bosher, 55, British and Barbara Bosher, 56, Australian were tying in knot again in their life. The marriage was arranged by the Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, Kathmandu, and Travel Director, Australia. The couple chose to get married in the Nepalese way.

The wedding procession started heading towards Ciao Italian Restaurant, adjoining to the Explore Himalaya Office at Thamel, a tourist junction. Alan was on the elephant and Barbara was on a van. The wedding procession walked on the road as per the Nepalese tradition. The traffic jammed and onlookers were amazed by the marriage scene of Western couple in Eastern (Nepalese) style. After about five minutes walk, the procession reached to the marriage site, called Yagya.

Swyamber ceremony in which bridegroom puts ring of eternal and unending love on bride’s finger and dubo (holy grass) garland on her neck was performed and bride also put the garland on his neck. Every details of Nepalese wedding culture were performed. The fire was burning at the centre of Yagya. Alan and Barbara went round the fire, which was holy eyewitness of the marriage. “Oh! This is just too much,” one of the tourists said in jubilant joy.

The priest cited the mantra (chants) in Sanskrit and Alan put sindur (mix of red and orange powder), which is believed the initiation of marriage life, on head from forehead to centre of the head. The bride was smiling shyly and laughing. “I am celebrity,” the bride compared herself.

It was time to bid the bride good bye from the part of the parents. Father bid farewell to his daughter. Priest Ramesh Adhikari played the role of the bride’s father. The groom rode on horse and bride was carried on doli, a wooden carrier to take bless from Lord Ganesh. They visited the Ganesh temple at Thamel. And finally, the bride was taken to the groom’s house, the office of the Explore Himalaya.

The bride was welcomed in accordance with the marriage rituals. The invitees danced and enjoyed in the tune of wedding bands. Wendy Ronksley from South Australia danced in the music very well. “It’s beautiful. It has a lot of meaning relating to friendship, harmony and love. I like the Nepalese marriage culture,” Ronksley remarked cheering. “It is very different from our culture which is simply general. We don’t have elephant and horse. But it is very unique and grand ceremony,” said she who is visiting Tibet and Bhutan at this time.

Bride Barbara said that it was very exciting, intricate, wonderful and serene. “I felt excited after 34 years of my first marriage and am very happy,” She added. Groom Alan commented that he was quite pleased in having marriage in spiritual way. “It was really special and systematic.” “My bride is absolutely beautiful,” he expressed joy. “We have expected to live a good and decent life after this holy marriage as we have got reincarnation,” both of them who were father of three children said rhythmically at a time. Their first son is 34 year old.

Mock marriage was initiated 3 years ago so as to introduce the value of long lasting marital affair among Nepalese people to the rest of the world. Priest Adhikari, who became father of the bride in such 13 marriages, said that the Nepalese culture is bond of long lasting relationship that is made by the witnesses of seniors and society. “That is why we should not worry about divorce in our marital life. There is understanding and guardianship in the relationship,” he said. “We also want to introduce the culture of marriage and how the bond and relationship remains unending throughout the life.” Two such mock marriages would take place next week, he further said at the party of the marriage. It was 5:15 p.m.

All of them congratulated the newly married couple wished for their happy life. The couple was dreaming to have honeymoon in the Nepalese way. Can you imagine how they will celebrate their first night?

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Taking Interview with UK Cosmonaut Andy Elson

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Nepal Vacation

Nepal, multicultural land of unique carnivals and cultures proudly preserved, mind boggling adventure and fascinating, serene and panoramic beauty, is a land where foreign visitors can revitalize their mind, body and soul in the lap of nature.

It has geographical extremes from highest mountain to the deepest gorge of the world, and hot plains, mild hills and cold mountains in the same country. There are eight highest mountains above 8000 meters of the world, covering 800 miles of the Himalayan ranges.

Natural beauty and cultural identities are its lively and legendry phenomena that can make your destination holiday in Nepal spellbound and magically touched. See and touch it once and feel it forever. Those who have their hobby of visiting new places, they will feel that Nepal is one of the places that is to visit at least once before you die.

Anyone who reads about Nepal will find more than what one imagines as one treads on its thrilling trails, snowy slopes, mysterious dens and wonderful beauties of wildlife and flora and fauna such as yarchgumba ( Himalayan energetic herb known as half animal and half plant). Make your Nepal holidays memorable on finding fresh scents in air and more challenging paths on the lanes of trekking trails.

Nepal, country of Himalayas, is best known for the trekking and adventure travels. Adventure holidays will be more fascinating and mysterious into the terrain of high Himalayas, dense national parks, giant white rivers and the rocking scene of mountains which can be experienced as one goes on trekking, white water rafting, safari and climbing on its unsurpassable geographical features. In other words, trekking vacations in Nepal will be more amazing for walking up to Mt. Everest, highly dangerous Annapurna and many more.

On the other hand, its festivals are dynamic and enthralling, full of energy and life, and rich with unique excitement. In Nepal, each carnival traditionally begins with something spiritual, religious and moves with spontaneous spirit into a pleasant family feast, being the replica of the core of Nepali culture.

At the same time, the harmonious coexistence of multi-cultures is one of the most enchanting aspects of Nepal, where 70 ethnic groups having their own identity, system, beliefs, languages and life-styles live. It is said that "In Nepal, Every other building is a temple; every other day is a festival". Nepal’s wonderful cultural heritages, enlisted in world heritage sites, are invaluable resources, which are worthy of visiting once.

Whether you believe it or not Nepal is thought to be one of the best destinations of the world. So, you can have Nepal vacation rejoicing Nepalese cultures and nature, and meditative land throughout the year. However, the best season starts from September and lasts till May for all the holiday purposes.

Among many travel agencies in Nepal, Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure is solely dedicated to satisfy and please them who have undauntedly decided to trek into the mountains of the Himalayan country Nepal. Please, contact at www.explorehimalaya.com/ www.explore-himalaya.com for further details.

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