Beauty of Muktinath

Fewa Tal Pokhara

Muktinath is one of the sacred dhams of Hindu religion. It is believed that all miseries and sorrows are relieved once a person visits the temple. Mukti means "Nirvana" or emancipation, "Nath" means God. Both the Buddhists and Hindus hold the temple in high esteem. There are several pilgrimage sites bearing cultural and religious values. For western tourists, a trip to Muktinath not only provides a trek of a lifetime amidst the barren valley and lofty Himalayan Ranges, but also gives them an opportunity to see the homogeneity of Hinduism and Buddhists in the same place.

UWTC Mall to accommodate Bhat Bhateni Superstore

Wait for four months, and you’ll get to see UWTC in a new avatar,” Sandeep Hirachan, managing director of United World Trade Centre (UWTC) said on Friday. “Visitors will get to see a new ambience and structure inside the mall.”

Hirachan said the mall is in preparation to welcome Bhat Bhateni Superstore, the country’s most successful retail chain. To accommodate Bhat Bhateni and give a fresh feel to the overall ambiance, the mall management is currently busy in modifying the interiors.

Corridors in the front of the first and second floors have been demolished to turn the floors into a big store and avail space in the front for customers. The biggest shopping mall of the country with an area of around 150,000 sq ft is investing Rs 12 million for the purpose.

According to Hirachan, Bhat Bhateni will occupy one fourth (36,000 sq ft) of the total space of the mall. Bhat Bhateni will cover half of the spaces on the ground, first and second floors. “We expect the superstore to start operation here within the next four-five months,” said Hirachan.

The entry of Bhat Bhateni is expected to give UWTC a new boost, when the overall market of shopping malls in the Kathmandu valley is not in a good shape. “Bhat Bhateni is one of those companies, of which all the Nepalis should be proud of,” Hirachan said, adding the company is elated to announce its entry into the mall. “It will add up to the image of UWTC and footfalls will escalate significantly.”

At a time when shopping malls are holding promotional events and offering lucrative schemes to increase footfalls, Bhat Bhateni will be a trump card for UWTC to increase visitor numbers. Bhat Bhateni is Nepal’s largest retail chain with annual sales of over Rs 4.32 billion in 2011-12. Around 4,000-8,000 customers visit every outlet of the super store every day.

The arrival of the retail chain, according to Hirachan, will also help realise the dream of United Builders, the parent company of UWTC, to turn it into an out-an-out shopping destination.

While most of the malls in the Capital are banking on entertainment amenities like multiplexes and game zones, Hirachan feels a shopping mall should primarily be known for the availability of products and shopping experience. “We don’t want to gather mass by offering secondary business options like multiplex and game zones. It is shopping experience which should be at the focal point and Bhat Bhateni’s arrival will help us in our endeavour to make it a proper mall,” he said.

And that’s now all. UWTC will soon feature a jewellery store, furniture showroom Istikbal and a few other showrooms which will be big in size and have a world class appeal. “As we are yet to sign on the dotted line, I can’t reveal much about our new plans. But a lot of new stores are coming to match up to the level we have envisaged,” Hirachan said.

Furniture showroom Istikbal will be another major highlight complementing Bhat Bhateni at UWTC. Istikbal showroom, which covers an area of 5,000 sq ft in the front part of the first floor, is under construction and is expected to open very soon. Istikbal is among the world’s top five furniture manufacturers in terms of turnover and has 110 exclusive outlets in over 80 countries.

UWTC is also looking for an alternative parking space and is considering leasing some spaces around the building.

Nine The Korean Movie released in Korea this March

 Here’s another drama I’m waiting to watch. It released in Korea this March and it’s called ‘Nine: Nine Times Time Travel’ and the best part is, it’s been filmed in our very own Nepal. Needless to say, our country looks so beautiful in the teaser. For all the Korean Drama buffs who don’t know about it, here’s the teaser. 

Taken By http://www.texasnepal.com

Miss Nepal 2013 Ishani Shrestha Pics

Time lists Garden of Dreams

Internationally acclaimed weekly magazine Time has rated Garden of Dreams as one of the favourite places to visit in the Soul section of its Travel Special.

“If you find yourself in the frenetic Thamel tourist district of Kathmandu and are overcome with a need for tranquility, leave the Nepali capital’s snarling traffic and persistent hawkers behind you and make for this lush greensward across the street from the former Royal Palace,” writes reporter Karen Leigh.

Designed in the 1920s as a private garden, its wide lawns, surrounded by bamboo, fountains and exotic trees, are the perfect place to revive after a gruelling climbing adventure, Leigh writes, adding, “Walk its immaculately kept perimeter paths before you find a spot to lie on the grass and read a book, sounds of the city drifting overhead.”

“Coverage of Garden of Dreams in Time has put Nepal once again in the international tourism map,” said director and spokesperson at Nepal Tourism Board Aditya Baral. “The image of Nepal as a happening destination has been redeemed.”

Built by late field marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana as his private garden representing six seasons, it is a neo-classical historical garden renovated and restored from 2000 to 2007, and opened for the public in 2008.

Ishani Shrestha crowned Miss Nepal

 Ishani Shrestha was crowned as Miss Nepal 2013 in a glittering grand finale of the beauty pageant organised at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi in the Capital on Wednesday evening.

Twenty-one-year old Shrestha, selected from 17 finalists, was crowned by Miss Nepal 2012 Shristi Shrestha.

Miss Shrestha, a student of dentistry, has interests in dance art and travel.

Likewise, Shritishma Shah was announced as the Second Runner up while Rojisha Shahi was crowned as Miss Nepal Earth and First Runner up.

Along with the crown, Shrestha was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50, 000. She will represent Nepal in the upcoming Miss World Pageant. Shai received a cash prize of Rs 35,000, while Shah received Rs 25,000.

Winners of other categories:

Miss Photogenic: Shritisma Shah

Miss Best Walk: Ishani Shrestha

Miss Punctuality: Meghna Shrestha

Miss Talent: Sipora Gurung

Miss Personality: Shamikshya Shrestha

Miss Bubbly: Asmita Sitaula

Miss Beautiful: Riju Shrestha

Ishani Shrestha was crowned Miss Nepal 2013 in the grand finale of the beauty pageant.

Nepal Telecom to run customer centre to entertain complaints

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KHAJURA: Nepal Telecom customers using the CDMA and Skyphone in the Mid-western and Far-western regions are facing difficulty making phone calls due to the poor network in the region.

The customers are facing hassles while making calls on the CDMA and Skyphone line. They have complained that the connection is lost within a minute while talking on the phone.

The Nepal Telecom's regional office at Nepalgunj said that some problems have been seen in the phone network as works on installing new technology equipment is underway at the centre. The new equipment is being installed at the centre in a bid to improve the network

Samsung’s Galaxy Grand hits Nepali market

Samsung on Saturday launched Galaxy Grand in the Nepali market with an aim to further consolidate its position in the domestic smartphone market.

International Marketing Services (IMS), the sole authorised distributor of Samsung mobiles, has priced the phone at Rs 37,500. The handset has been a big hit in the Asian market where demand for dual SIM phones is high.
Addressing the launching ceremony, IMS Chairman Deepak Malhotra said that the device will help Samsung measure greater heights in the domestic mobile phone market. “The demand for smartphones is booming continuously in the Nepali market. This handset will help us increase people’s access to smartphones.”

Samsung’s latest offering, according to IMS, combines features of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note II. While the device’s exterior is quite identical to Galaxy S3, there are various software components featured by the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note. As well as Samsung’s innovative features like Smart Stay, Direct Call and Smart Alert, Grand is equipped with Androids v4.1.2 Jelly Bean Operating System (OS) which has been mated with a dual core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM.

As for the display, the device boasts a five-inch WVGA, TFT LDC screen, with a multi-window function that allows user to run two different applications simultaneously. It comes with an inbuilt memory of 8GB which can be expanded upto 64 GB through a SD card.

The phone’s eight-mega pixel camera can capture perfect shots even during nights using its inbuilt LED flash, according to the company. There is a two-mega pixel front facing camera for making video calls. Fitted with a sensor similar to that of the Galaxy S II, the phone’s camera lets users to choose settings such as panorama, face detection, flash, exposure value, scene mode, ISO and white balance, among others.
In addition, the Galaxy Grand comes with connectivity features like 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, S Voice and micro USB. The added features in the mobile set include direct call, smart alter, popup video and all here play.

IMS has stated that the handset will cater to the demand of the domestic tech enthusiasts, multimedia users, those who need to stay connected, business professionals and those who need to carry two different mobile handsets. The company further added that this device will enable mid segment users to enjoy unmatched facilities on its five inch screen.
Likewise, several lucrative schemes for the buyers of the latest Samsung device, IMS has announced. The company is offering a 12-month easy instalment package at zero percent interest to customers holding credit card of Nabil bank. Grand comes with a one-year free insurance offer, similar to the ones extended to Galaxy S3 and the Note II. The insurance covers water damage, cracked screens and other unfortunate incidents, the company said. Moreover, those customers who wish to use Grand through Ncell SIM will get 500MB free data per month, for the period of three months.

“With Samsung Grand, we aim to capture a market share of 75 percent in the smartphone segment,” said IMS CEO Bikash Acharya, adding that the company is looking forward to selling around 5,000 units of Grand a month. The company at present sells around 30,000 units of Samsung mobile phones each month, with smartphones accounting for more than 60-70 percent.

CAAN allocates Rs 821m for airport upgradation

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has allocated Rs 821 million budget for the upgradation of runways and other infrastructure, including installation of modern equipment in different domestic airport s.

This is the first time in several years that CAAN is injecting such a big amount to upgrade domestic airport s, most of  which lie in remote areas. Black-topping of runways has been started in Dolpa, Bajura, Khani Danda, Chaurjhari and Salle of Rukum, Faplu, Dang, Talchha at Mugu and Rumjhatar, according to the authority. Black-topping at airport s in Ramechhap, Bhojpur and Taplejung will begin soon.

“Although investment in remote airport s will not make an adequate return, it is the part of social responsibility,” said Suman Shrestha, deputy director general of CAAN.

Meanwhile, CAAN said upgradation works at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will begin soon. The country’s sole international airport is being upgraded under the Asian Development Bank’s assistance of $80million—$70 million in loans and $10 million in grants. The project has been lingering since 2010.

Likewise, works at the much-delayed two regional airport s—Gautam Buddha Regional International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara Regional International Airport—are likely to begin soon, CAAN said. The first phase of works at the Gautam Buddha Airport was originally planned to start in 2012.

However, officials said that lack of resource had been a major setback. Works at ADB-funded Gautam Buddha Airport project was halted following claims from a Korea-based consulting firm that the first phase of upgradation will cost $77 million, considerably higher than the CAAN’s initial estimates of $42 million.  

A previous study carried out by ADB four years ago had estimated $ 35 million for the first phase upgradation. “The ADB is positive to release additional fund. As soon as the fund is release, CAAN will revise the project commencement deadline,” Shrestha added.

Likewise, CAAN said that the government has given a go-ahead to continue with the old bidding process for the development of regional international airport in Pokhara and that it has

formally started necessary discussion with the project bidder.

CAAN has received a sum of $ 3.7 million from the aircraft operation fund of the defunct Air Transport Support Centre (ATSC).  A Cabinet meeting on Jan 25 had approved CAAN’s proposal to buy new aircraft for calibration purposes and to conduct inspections.

“We have received the amount and will begin process to procure aircraft for CAAN,” said CAAN Director  General Tri Ratna Manandhar. Meanwhile, the authority is planning to enforce passenger service fee on the air ticket from July 16.

At present, passengers are required to pay the service fee at theairport . “We have also planned to open aviation museum with the abandoned planes at TIA.” 

X-Cel Recreation Centre in Baluwatar

Always an audience ehh?

Location Location!

The very first team to play at the centre

Bringing the #action

Birds Eye ViewX-Cel Recreation Centre recently started operations in Baluwatar. The centre provides two fully equipped futsal courts. This is a great development for the young and active population of Kathmandu who are in desperate need for some green open space. After all, the novelty of spending the leisure time at a mall can quickly fade away. Such activity/outdoor centres should be opened up in more quantities and facilities targeting young children to working professionals. This recreation centre looks like it has nice future plans with swimming pool and a sauna in the offing.