Way to Thak Tatopani, Myagdi and Badhare Bhir near Ghansa, Mustang, Nepal

 

Getting there and around Seoul

Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online. An alternative to walking and the subway is provided by the Seoul City Tour Bus. Taxis are inexpensive and don’t expect a tip, but finding an available one can take time.

Local transport

Taxi

Regular taxis are a good deal and are cheaper than the bus or subway for three people making a short trip. Regular taxis (ilban) cost W1900 for the first 2km and then W100 for every 144m or 41 seconds afterwards. A 20% surcharge is payable between midnight and 4am. Deluxe taxis (mobeom) are black with a yellow stripe and cost W4500 for the first 3km and then W200 for every 205m or 50 seconds, and don’t have a late-night surcharge. There are plans to drop these fixed prices in 2006 and if this happens taxis will charge varying prices.
Few drivers can speak English, but some taxis have a free interpretation service - you speak on the phone in English to an interpreter who then talks to the taxi driver in Korean. Writing your destination down can help as most Koreans are better at understanding written rather than spoken English. Writing your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) would be even better. All taxis have meters, but on the Incheon airport route passengers must pay the road toll on top of the meter charge. Tipping is not a Korean custom and is not necessary.

 

Bus & tram

Local

It is easier and usually quicker to travel around Seoul by subway, but the city has a comprehensive and reasonably priced bus system (414 5005; www.bus.go.kr) that operates from 5.30am to midnight, although buses run on a few routes until 2am. Some bus stops have some bus route maps in English. Most buses have their major destinations written in English on the outside and they usually have a taped announcement of the names of each stop in English, but hardly any bus drivers understand English. What were they all doing during their English lessons at school?

Long-distance express red buses to the outer suburbs cost W1400, while green buses that link subways within a district and blue buses to outer suburbs cost W800, and yellow short-haul buses that circle small districts are W500. The bus number indicates which district or districts the bus travels around or between - thus blue bus No 261 starts in zone 2, and goes to zone 6 via Line 1. Pay with a T-money prepaid card (the card costs W1500 and can be bought, charged and recharged at any subway station ticket office) and tickets cost W100 less and transfers are free, or at least cheaper. Put your card to the screen as you exit as well as when you get on a bus.

Long distance

Reasonably priced long-distance buses speed to just about every small town in South Korea. Most major roads have a special bus lane that reduces delays due to heavy traffic. Buses are so frequent that it’s not necessary to buy a ticket in advance, except perhaps on holidays and weekends. Superior-class buses have more leg room but cost 50% more than ordinary buses. Night-time buses that travel after 10pm have a 10% surcharge and are generally superior class. Buses go to far more places than the trains, but are not as comfortable or safe, so trains are the better option for travelling long distances to major cities.

The Seoul Express Bus Terminal (www.kobus.co.kr; subway Line 3 or 7 to Express Bus Terminal, Exit 1 or 7) is in two separate buildings:

Gyeongbu-Gumi-Yeongdong Terminal (535 4151; subway Exit 1) serves mainly the eastern region and has a tourist information centre (535 4151; 9am-5pm), a pharmacy, a post office and lots of shops and restaurants. Downstairs are bars, more restaurants and a sauna. On the nine floors above are countless stalls selling fabrics, bedding and clothes as well as flowers (3rd floor; 1am-1pm). Sample express/deluxe bus fares include Busan (W19, 300/28, 800), Gyeongju (W16, 300/24, 200), Sokcho (W13, 900/20, 500), Daegu (W13, 600/20, 100), Daejeon (W7600/11, 200) and Gongju (W5800/6300).

Honam Terminal (6282 0600; subway Exit 7) This smart and new terminal serves the southwestern region. Sample express/deluxe fares include Mokpo (W16, 400/24, 400), Gwangju (W14, 100/20, 900) and Jeonju (W10, 200/15, 000). This terminal is linked to the popular Central City Mall.

Other bus terminals:

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (455 3161; subway Line 2 to Gangbyeon, Exit 3) Serves the eastern part of the country and big cities elsewhere. Sample fares include Everland (W2200), Icheon (W3500), Chuncheon (W7000), Daejeon (W8300), Danyang (W11, 700), Daegu (W13, 700), Gyeongju (W19, 000) and Busan (W19, 400).

Nambu Bus Terminal (521 8550; subway Line 3 to Nambu Bus Terminal, Exit 5) Has services south of Seoul such as Daecheon Beach (W8700).

Sinchon Bus Terminal (324 0611; subway Line 2 to Sinchon, Exit 7) Has services to Ganghwado, a historical island northwest of Seoul.


Read more:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea/seoul/transport/getting-there-around#ixzz2o6CV05Pc

While staying for years in Seoul, South Korea, there are few social etiquettes that are ingrained in people's mannerism. Here, I would like to share about social discipline that helps people be organized and above all cultured & civilized. So what is that social discipline? This is "queue" or simply "line up". I googled to get its definition. Here it is, " Queue is a line or sequence of people or sequence of people or vehicles awaiting their turn to be attended to or to proceed." Synonyms are many - line, row, column, file, chain, string. For many, this may not sound important or may seems a usual. However, I take it as reflection to social norms but have not recognized its long term implication or social value that it portrays.

About South Korea

I have decided from now onward, i am going to write a paragraph or so about what i observe and learn here in Sooth Korea. My focus would be socio - cultural and political landscape so we would in a position to learn how South Koreans developed their country from ashes to economic powerhouse.

Firse, let us try to go to roots of South Korea as a nation. I would like to therefore put forward some questions so we can get answers. The simple approach that i am going to utilize to get information or data would base on the mantra that "for every reason there should be another equally valid reason".

• What is the meaning of Korea?
• What does the colored Korean flag signify?

The word Korea is said to derive from the word "Goryeo". The Goryeo is the name from Goguryeo which was an old country in the North of Korean peninsula up to very North East Russia. Goguryeo has two parts. "Go" and "Gauriy" in Chinese means High, Top level, Heavenly. "Gauriy" or in nowadays Chinese "Gauli" means beautiful norhtern Country. The word Korea in an ancient language "Goryeo" means the beautiful country in the North.

Every Country designs a flag that holds special meaning for the people and the state. So is the case for South Korea. The South Korean flag is beautiful with a blue and red taegeuk in the center in the white background. A taegeuk looks similar to a ying and yang symbol. There are four trigrams evenly place around the taegeuk. each of these is black in color and represents a different aspect of the South Korean culture. It is a simple flag with a lot of meaning. The flag was given its official reign in january 25, 1950, though it was chosen as far as 1882.

Another sole intention of my writing would be to search for Cheap and Affordable Technology (in short CAT). Just yesterday, i happen to discuss with a colleague of mine, what does the word "innovation" mean, although we use this word very often and I think, this has become a catch word for this century of Inofrmation technology (IT) revolution.

So I googled this word and came very close to a very comprehensive definition through Wiki answers as  "the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulated needs, or existing market needs. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments and society" 

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation)

What most school does not teach you??

Horrorshow _ Rapper MC Solo and Adit Gauchan

 

http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-people/dl-entertainment/is-horrorshows-like-a-version-triple-js-best-ever-20131019-2vtdt.html

 

 

Mustang Broadcasting Station (MBS): A Gift from people of Korea

Wah.. this is such a great news. I just come to know of Mustang Broadcasting SCommunity (MBC), a joint collaboration of South Korea's second-largest public broadcaster, Korea, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Lafuma, an outdoor fashion brand of LG Fashion and local community. I take this as a great example of collaboration between Korean and Nepali people.

Myself who has root in Mustang would like to express appreciation to MBC, Korea, KOICA and Lafuma.

http://media.daum.net/foreign/others/newsview?newsid=20131005082713175

http://vimeo.com/75943455

MBC will "produce programs for Mustang residents as well as mountaineers coming to hike Annapurna, a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal" as reported by http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/09/30/41/0701000000AEN20130930005700315F.html

Dr. Sanduk Ruit

 

 

Dr. Sanduk Ruit, he is simply a great person. To  know more, watch this video.

Buddha land: Near and dear losing their life in Gulf countires

 

Silence ? and Buddha in Nepal is begging

si·lence (slns)

noun

1. The condition or quality of being or keeping still and silent.

2. The absence of sound; stillness.

3. A period of time without speech or noise.

4. Refusal or failure to speak out.

 

v.tr.si·lenced, si·lenc·ing, si·lenc·es

1. To make silent or bring to silence: silenced the crowd with a gesture.

2. To curtail the expression of; suppress: silencing all criticism; silenced their opponents.

---

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin silentium, from silns, silent-, present participle of silre, to be silent.]

 

The word "silence" has multi dimenstional meaning. In philosophical term, the word "silence" in awakened mind reflects a higher state of mind. However, when we use the same word in its verb form, then it can have a powerful meaning in its negative form. Like " to curtail the expression of; suppress: silencing all criticism; silence opposition", this can be either through the use of state mechanism (policing - hook and crook !!) or even without use of state force, "can it be just by neglect / avoidance or double standard or double talk", which we can see in the case of recent Kakre Bihar incident in Surkhet and " Lord Budhha was born in Nepal" kind of double standard double speak by some element of our society. I finding this trend in Nepal mischivious and like an act of proverbial "sly fox". By the way, who is that fox, this we have to figure out and act on it, through an academic exercise and through non violence means of dialogue.

 

Listen to this dialogue: Himalayan Talk with Dr. Kavita Ram Shrestha in London about new Zee TV Serial - "The Buddha" and his birth place controversy. He is very critical of Nepal Government's indifference towards, Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha.

 

 

 

On Ram Bomjon: Kishore Sherchan with Himalayan Talk

 

Dr. Kishore Sherchan having dialogue with Himalayan Talk on Ram Bomjan and his teaching.

• Who?
• Why?
• Where?
• What?
• When?
• How?

If you want to know more, listen to this talk. Believe me, you will get refreshed !!

My Child hood and Intro - Inspection into Education

Let me start with my personal story.

From where should I to start? Should I stick to rules of essay writing or just write? Just forget it, let me just write whatever comes in my mind.

My parents, friends and villagers call me “Babu”. The word “Babu” can be called a nickname that we call to a boy with love. Actually my name is ABC, which means a younger brother in Sanskrit. Though, our mother tongue is Thakali language which is of Tibeto – burman root. Nowadays, everything we talk and think is being influenced by Nepali language, which has Sankrit origin. This process of Sanskritization has affected our language and culture. Now, our language is at the verse of extinction. Me, i do not know my language. Sucha a pity !!

Our village is far away from Kathmandu, a capital city of Nepal. Remembering childhood. The nearest city that we could reach after 3 / 4 days walk from morning to evening was Pokhara, which was the place; we had to depend for everything. For good education, it was Pokhara. When you become sick, you had to be carried all the way to Pokhara. Everything from sugar to salt and rice used to be transported all the way from Pokhara in mule or by porter. Only fortunate and well to do family were able to afford their children in a better private boarding schoo in Pokhara. Rest of us had to study in government school, which used to be always sort of teachers and sometime, pens, papers and books were scarcity. Some of our friends, I remember, had to rely to small wooden plank, which were blackened with charcoal and write on it with “stone” chalk that we used to find in hills for free. Some of them had to walk for 1 to 2 hours to attend school downhill all the way from their village and uphill while returning back in the evening. On top of this, it used to be a daily routine to collect grass for cattle and woods for kitchen. For girls, it was even tougher to attend school and also assist family in daily household chores.

I remember those days in primary school - golden period of my life as for any other child. More than study, it used to be playing, fighting and sometime getting severe punishment. Our outdoor activities used to go for fishing, catching birds and chasing monkeys in the wild. Musical classes, gymnasium, swimming and other extracurricular activities were absent. In this climate, library (Nepali word: Pustakalaya) was only a word, we could hear in books or somebody talking about it, while "real" library that is required in any school, college, university and community was non - existent in its physical form even till now.  I heard then that there is an old box with books in a dilapidated house near a school. Some of us looked for it and found it, which was an attempt to open a library but later abandoned. Why was it abandoned? I can guess those who were trying to establish library tried their best but had other priorities; this initiative may have been found waste of time (?) or question of funding, ownership and sustainability. Since then, somewhere in my subconscious mind, I have always felt the need of library in our village. During this search, I do not know exactly, what was the deeper call within me; I began to look for book. At that time, I also heard of my uncle who died at tender age. My family member used to tell me his stories and love for books and learning.

I started my education with texts that was strictly based on curriculum. There was no consideration for what each of us (students) from different background has to say. Name it: language barrier, no positive environment for learning, too much of punishments and so on. Now, after 2 decades, I am reviewing what have I learnt and now, I feel I need to contribute tour school in whatsoever capacity. So library is an area, I am very interested to work and invest on. The library can be a magical place of learning and exploring the world of books, through which children can think, question and get answer for their inquiries. And, children's world of learning should not be limited to books. Instead, they should be given every opportunity for artistic expression and hidden talent. Who knows next Einstein or Leo Tolstoy may be there in a poor community looking for a right opportunity to learn and for your contribution.

Now over few years of exploration and self intro inspection, i have a fresh new insight into learning and at the same time has enriched with ideas and methods for innovative learning. The very first idea that struck my intellect was the story of a child approaching her school’s headmaster and bold enough to ask him, “Sir, what have you learn today?” This may seem just a simple anecdote but this is powerful in how I understand. If teachers interact with students sharing positive message utilizing some moment of his time, every week (at least), this has tremendous impact on student’s mind. Similar thing happened to me; a teacher said very nice words in a morning assembly and those words ever since has given me strength. “When going gets tough, only Tougher gets going". Having schooling in Village and then campus / universities, I have learnt an important role of a teacher as an ambassador to students’ world of learning. From the beginning if teacher or paprents can inculcate the culture of learning through "questioning mind" with 5 Ws + H, this will prepare students to face any challenges. I also liked the poem by T. S. Elliot

We shall not cease from exploration
But the end of all our exploring
Shall be to return to where we started
And know it for the first time

 

Somewhere inside me, I have always felt a kind of uneasiness losing childlike innocence. I was searching its meaning. Now, I found answers through T. S. Elliot's poem. The meaning that I got from this poem fits well with a saying, “The more you learn, the more you know, how less you understand !!” so learning is an open sky as there is no limit. Where ever you travel and each person you meet, you tend to learn something new. Another lesson that every child lives through a nested lives would guide me as a teacher. How this would help me? Well, this will definitely help me understand students better and realize how precious every child is. School is a place where children from various background meet and can share culture, language and opinions. My understanding of child will provide me with energy to create our schools be tolerant and open to every ideas and thoughts to flourish. It is only through listening and sharing to each other that we can make our community a better place to live and grow.

The socio - political environment that is looming over us this century has demanded teachers to be a leader of the society, replacing the role politician has played so far. More than ever, teachers have multiple roles to play for community. They need to connect themselves to the academic world so that they can update themselves, facilitate student’s learning and make students understand the key challenges we are facing. On the other side, teachers have to be in touch with family members, community and their leaders and policy makers / planners.  Why is so? This is a pressing question even important now than ever. As it is already said, children live nested lives. In developed countries or elite society in developing countries, it is observed that children have 3 nested worlds - home, school and virtual world. While in rural part of developing world or even in poor families in urban areas, this may not be so. Instead, children may live in home and community or may be even their home or community may have been disrupted.  However, one element is common that is peer effect and another that is also of importance is family effect. Therefore, I agree, teachers has role as a leader of the society to look into this aspect of the family, community and social events affecting them. Another important point that I learnt from this course is that, "every child is special". Only limiting factor is how well we provide them the learning environment that is encouraging and interactive and tries to understand his / her interests and build on it. Now, we are in need of an education system that is open and innovative, not authoritative. I repeat again that every child is special in his or her ability and capacity. I hope, i am not wrong when child’s brain is like a sponge. They can absorb anything. We as a teacher need to facilitate them so they can use different learning and teaching tools to enhance themselves and help each other. In a way, we can use an analogy, let them learn how to fish, what can be done with those fish is another aspect that they will figure out as they progress to explore the world.  

Finally, let me elaborate a little on anomaly that has developed in our society that has misguided in believing that it is only in school where learning and teaching happens as if, “Learning starts only here”. I was also of the same notion that learning happens only in confines of school or university. Now I realize that this is a traditional way of thinking, on whose foundation the whole system of education flourished in the west and spread to other parts of the globe in Africa, Asia and South America. However, the change is a universal fact, be it in nature or society. As we are living in magnificent period of time in history, we are fortunate enough to observe so much technological innovation. The most remarkable innovation of mankind is Information Technology (IT). Based on its flexibility, simplicity and enormous possibility, the very basic principles and methodology of traditional system of education has been challenged by people from various backgrounds: students, teachers, free thinkers, bloggers and activists. The arguments are equal opportunity and education being basic human right. Now, education has no boundary and open to everybody so each of us can personalize as per interest. No state syllabus or board of exam can dictate us, instead we can create a forum where minds from every corner of the globe of any color, creed or religion from college drop out to workers utilizing free time to experts working in Antarctica can learn from each other.

Kakrebihar Controversy, Surkhet, Nepal

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiKMUldkiQQ

"Himalayan Talk with Dr. Kavita Ram Shrestha in London about 'Kakrebihar Controversy' (काक्रेबिहारमा बुद्द मूर्ति स्थापना गर्ने सम्बन्धी विवाद ) in Nepal. We have also heard that District Court Surkhet has ordered the concerned people to not install the graven image of the Buddha. Now, Nepal Government seems not interested to resolve the issue and therefore protests in Kathmandu are being reported in social media almost everyday."

Building A New Nepal

NEW YORK, April 24, 2008 - Nepal’s Constituent Assembly election on April 10th has ushered in a new era in the country's political history. In what has been hailed as the "people’s mandate," the former insurgent Maoists who won a majority have been charged with leading "New Nepal's" transformation. Partnering with the Institute for State Effectiveness and the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA), the Asia Society hosted a panel of experts to discuss the implications of this groundbreaking election and offer suggestions for building an inclusive, democratic, and peaceful Nepal. The program was moderated by Sanjeev Man Sherchan, Senior Program Officer, Asia Society Policy Programs.

Despite the unexpected election results, the panelists concurred that the government must now move forward collectively to address the dual challenges of governance and rewriting Nepal's constitution. According to Rhoderick Chalmers, voters there have rejected politics as usual, and the new government must now respond to and reinvigorate its relations with the people at a grassroots level. Chhaya Jha argued for a new economic model that can overcome systemic barriers to benefit those historically marginalized. Citing grim statistics for women’s literacy, she urged the government to address lingering inequities based on gender, caste, ethnicity, and religion.

In one engaging highlight of the program, the panelists debated the role that an official Truth and Reconciliation Commission might play in beginning to heal the wounds left from decades of unresolved violence. Jha argued that such a process is necessary to bring any sense of justice and closure, while Raghav Raj Regmi expressed concern that a TRC not take the form of an externally-led effort, but rather draw from indigenous resources for conflict resolution. Deepak Thapa cautioned that the TRC clause was included in Nepal's recent Comprehensive Peace Agreement without public consultation, setting a disturbing precedent for facilitating the process in an open and inclusive way.

Panelists:

Rhoderick Chalmers, South Asia Deputy Project Director, International Crisis Group, (via teleconference)
Chhaya Jha, Director, Human Resource Development Centre (HURDEC), P. Ltd., Nepal
Raghav Raj Regmi, Sr. Consultant and MD of Development Consultancy Centre (DECC), Nepal, and Chair, Visioning New Nepal (VNN) process steering Committee
Deepak Thapa, Director, Social Science Baha, Kathmandu; and author, A Kingdom Under Siege—Nepal's Maoist Insurgency, 1996-2003 (via teleconference)

Link:

http://asiasociety.org/policy/governance/national/building-new-nepal

Champaran Blues by Roshan Sherchan

                      

 

This book is a collection of fascinating and interesting essays which are somewhere related to Nepalese society and Nepalese issues. In this book, the author has included the essays which reflect the problems commonly seen in the Nepalese society. The essays of this book show different aspects of life. They teach us that life is sometimes full of happiness, prosperity and sometimes full of sorrow and pain. The author aims to let the readers know and understand the value of own life as well as others. He also writes that we cannot live alone in this world. So we must have the feeling of cooperation and brotherhood and must live in harmony in a society. This book also highlights the different social problems which we have to solve ourselves. Basically, while reading this book we can find that the essays are based on Nepal and Nepali society. So, this book is very interesting to read and they help us know more about Nepali society.

 

1. http://www.pilgrimsonlineshop.com/xauthordetailsnew.php?mauthor=Roshan%20Sherchan

2. http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=23148

3. http://www.pandulipibooks.com/

Bhupi Sherchan: Our Treasure !!

Bhupi Sherchan (1937-1990) (1993 B.S. – 2046 B.S.) was a Nepalese poet. He was born in Mustang district of Nepal. He went to Banaras College. He was awarded with Sajha Puraskar in 1970 for his poem collection "Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manche" (Blind man on a Revolving Chair

Sherchan was the most successful poet to popularize free verse. He has analyzed humans and human life in different ways but his biggest contribution to Nepalese society is that he has tried to show the way to the new generation through his numerous poems. His Himalayan nationalism can be seen in his poem "Hami" ("Us"), where he claimed that Nepalese are brave, but foolish (because they are brave).

Sherchan produced several odes to the martyrs of Nepal, including "Sahid Ko Samjhana," "Main Batti Ko Sikha," and "Ghantaghar"."Ghumne Mechmathi Andho Manchhe," or "Blind Man on a Revolving Chair,"has undergone its 10th edition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhupi_Sherchan

Investment in Thakali and Thakkhola

By admin, http://thakalisamaj.org.uk/?p=1043#more-1043, February 18, 2013

THASANG HYUOL DDHIM

Note:

 

TSS is of the opinion that THD initiative has to be successful. If this becomes successful, this can be a role model for other initiatives in the future so Thakali youths can learn the same and apply for their upliftment at peronal and social sphere. TSS has refered this article from Thakali Welfare Society, Uk with an intention to disseminate this undertaking to wider audience through social media. TSS take this opportunity to post this article with an aim to atleast inject this concept to one youth. If that is done, the goal of this post would be considered success. 

 

INTRODUCTION

Any Thakali person around the world should have the ability to guess what Thasang Hyuol Ddhim (THD) is, if they understand the definition of those words. It is a popular word of our native language, Thakali, to mean “ Village home of Thakkhola”. Its location has been crucial to all Thakalis of Thakkhola in their respected village in order to carry out important cultural and social activities since the very beginning of Thakali generation and heritage. Through the concept of this model, now we can see well-established Thakali Samaj Ghar in almost every major city of Nepal where Thakali members are residing under clear leadership of Central Thakali Samaj Samiti, Nepal.

Currently, we are living in small world, from Thakkhola to UK, USA, Japan, Korea and other nations are easily accessible by any means let alone within Nepal. This is a change we are witnessing in our generation noticeably it arises with growing intellect and ambition of human nature, it only gets bigger and faster due to advanced developments in modern technology through the competition of rich companies from powerful and affluent nations.

 

Yet, we are also living in a world of freedom and liberty, therefore day by day it becomes easier for individuals to grow independent through ones own self-sufficiency and success with the help of international law of human rights. Human rights law varies widely among nations, sadly some have strict restrictions implemented, however this injustice will be eradicated eventually, with the knowledge and enlightenment that the basic right of any human being comes with him or her since their birth. It is innate, some rights we are just born with and no one can object.

As a consequent, if one can go anywhere he likes and do what he pleases then what will happen to our origin of Thakkhola and the future generation of Thakalis. The long-term implications of this have very serious and tragic effects. Although it is highly respectable that Thakali people have reached all areas around the world and are embarking on their bright future in search of a better quality of life, their identity and homeland can undoubtedly be forgotten in the midst of a westernized lifestyle. Thakkhola belongs to Thakali caste and if a handful of Thakalis (descendent of four brothers) is to disperse so rapidly outside of Thakkhola then inevitably a vacuum of emptiness is created. We are in real danger of losing our precious identity and control over our small and beautiful cultural heritage.

 

Keeping this in mind, our generation (living and breathing all Thakali Pariwar at present) have an obligation and a duty to do something to preserve our Thakali identity through investment in Thakali and Thakkhola so that our unique culture and tradition can go long way generation-to-generation.

THD is the initiative that has proven success within Thakali pariwar in UK and now this is likely to go global in an attempt to protect wider range of interest of Thakalis and Thakkhola.

 

Motto of this venture is “ THALO THHALO OUR VALO”

 

Purpose and objective of thasang hyoul ddhim

• Unite all Thakali members of the world through collective investment in Thakali and Thakkhola.
• Utilize and maximize business skills of Thakali members
• Encourage for higher education/vocational qualifications for younger generations
• Employment opportunities for Thakali members as per their qualifications
• Create plate form for Thakali entrepreneurship
• Protect and preserve Cultural heritage
• Safe guard of voting right to all Thakali members for Thakkhola
• Promote business skills at all level
• Create business forum at all level
• Establish self-sufficient community aid project where necessary
• Liaison with NGO, INGO and the Nepal Government for Development of the Thakkhola region
• Be able to fulfill role of the Trustees of Thakali and Thakkhola for longer term.

EXECUTION OF THD VENTURE

Consultation period

This initiative has been tried and tested in the United Kingdome and proved that it has ethic of good productivity without heavy burden to individual member or the organization. It is quietly flourishing without making any noise of discomfort of members or organization. It has been three years since THD UK is established.
 

Being important, personal (Thakali pariwar only) and collective venture as such consultation is initiated through secure media within Thakali member around the world. Series of Meeting are due to take place in Nepal under coordination of Central Thakali Samaj Samiti where all Thakali members are invited to attend.
 

This is open meeting however invitation will be sent to all head of organizations, head of khyu (Thhalo), businessman, investors, highly intellectual personal through academic, politics, civil service, business or personal experiences.
 

June 2013 is dateline for consultation period. By then, a conclusive report will be prepared, given this positive outcome, rough figures of investment, number of shares, potential directors and working committee may be able to included in this report.

 

Planning and Management period
 

On the basis of the consultation report, it is important to determine legal framework of THD Nepal over this period. Working committee under command of THD UK to be formed. A Committee will prepare and undertake all necessary activities to form an Official Board of Directors of THD Nepal. During this period record of shares and members will be recorded for certain but money will not be collected until Board of Directors are elected and company account is opened.

September 2013 is dateline for Planning and management period.

 

Final and Execution period of THD Nepal
 

At this stage, structure of THD Nepal is completed. This will have elected or selected (through consent of all members) Board of Directors, Chairman and Secretary of company.

Company will have legal recognition from Nepal government and other nations. Company will have clear directives, policy and detailed Terms and Conditions of any project that they will undertake.

With intensive planning preparation and commitment the Board of Directors of THD should be able to launch first project by Jan 2014 in the view of completion before LHA PHEWA (12 Bharse Mela).

 

POSSIBLE BUSINESS VENTURE OF THD

With consideration of local resources and god gifted natural beauty, these are the prospect of the Thakkhola

 

1. Tourism Sector – This is already popular destination of Tourism but in limited capacity. There is opportunity to explore this sector by creating European style holiday park, camping and caravan to attract bigger flow of tourism nationally and internationally.

European style holiday camping and caravan is designed to cater for whole range of holidaymakers normally from 3-14 days of booking. It is sophisticated holiday venue where all kinds of entertainment are included. It is considered low budget holiday in Europe so it is affordable to majority of them. In context to Nepal, this will be ideal for schools, family from city and tourists from India. Self-catering lodge is part of this business, at the same scheme shareholder can have a ownership the plot of land in order get voting rights and to be part of local community.

There are also prospect in sporting field, like golf course, ski resort, mountain bike, rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, skydiving, Horse/pony riding and high altitude running etc. This can be a part of Holiday Park.

2. Place of Holiness (DHARMIK CHHETRA) – This is another area where we can explore Thakkhola to the world. We have GHURSANGBE (a place where enlightenment of Guru Rhimmorchhe was taken place), NHARIJHYOWA LHA (Powerful goddess similar to Mankamana Mai for many followers) and ideal landscape to build Big Statue of Budhha (similar to one in Hong Kong). Being Muktinath is in close distance, this field certainly looks more appealing, however in business sense it has indirect profit and longer time for return.

3. Farming Business – This is main occupation of many local residents however it is proving hard work to what they earn. This is one of the reasons why local Thakalis are moving away day by day. Apple farming has already proved success, there are more to be done with introduction of modern technology in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry.

4. Elderly Residential home/ Care home – With growing pressure in modern life and with better professions of younger generation, culture of living together to look after parents and grand parents is gradually fading away and our society should come to understand this sooner than later. Given quality of fresh air, natural spring water and spectacular scenery this venture certainly demands further thoughts for investment.

5. Investment in Land – Without doubt this is the asset of Thakalis and Thakkhola. Time has reached upon us to secure, protect and develop the available land of Thakkhola in a such way so that our future generations do not have to suffer in 50 to100 years time. This is big issue and it requires greater discussion and greater cooperation within our Thakali pariwar to see it through to the end.

6. Investment in Renewable Energy – No nations can run without energy, energy always become short supply due to increase in urban lifestyle with demand of modern technology. On the other hand, the current technique of energy generation is heavily criticized by scientists and environmentalists as excessive carbon emissions is having a destructive effect in global climate and natural world. Fossil fuels are also running out if not now but certainly in years to some, understandably Renewable Energy is in high demand and we are in right place to take advantage of this situation.

Hydropower, wind turbine and solar panel, which are very appropriate options in our village but it depends on government policy and budgets we are prepared to make for this investment. Notably we will require professional opinions from experts on this field and should be able to obtained grant from overseas.

 

7. Use of natural resources – Sand, gravel, stone and timber can be best used to boost the economy of the Thakkhola. There is scope of finding oil mine and minerals with help of right agency, if not anything certainly scope for some kind of factory which will create wealth and job prospects for local and professional Thakali.

 

INTEREST OF THAKALI AND THAKKHOL

 

It definitely raises questions how an investment company fulfil an interest of Thakali and Thakkhola. Well, I will put it down as renewable energy. Thakali owns the company and company is investing in Thakkhola. By doing this investors are making profits by income generated by investment and local people not to mention Thakali professionals will have better job opportunities. This also helps to attract small business around and value of the land will increase as business grows. As owner of the land being Thakalis and THD we have control over any development in the area, we can put better planning and system in place so that our common interest (Culture, tradition and Heritage) are well secured and protected.

 

It is very important that company should be in position to generate handsome profits in regular basis so certain percentage of profits can be allocated to community aid and common interest. This believes in self-sustained method so that there should not be requirement of repeated one off donations amongst us.

INVESTMENT IN THAKALI AND THAKKHOLA
 

This simply means stand on your own two feet. You look after your own people and your assets and in return they look after you in the long term. It is all about protection of our identity by leading the right way to future generations. It is fundamental that we understand that Thakkhola belongs to Thakali people, so each and every individual of Thakali should be able to share the benefits that generate from Thakkhola, and at the same time we Thakali should be able to put some time and effort to generate such benefits in good time. It is a moral responsibility of all Thakali wherever we are living today.

SUMMARY
 

This is nothing more we can do but raise awareness of this problem and propose ideas at this stage. If we all open the door and find out what this opportunity embodies about then it is not rocket science at all. This is not about me or mine, it is about our and us. Time does not wait for anyone and this is our moment to unite and work together in restoring prosperity of our homeland, before it may well become too late.

My humble request to all Thakali pariwar around the world to join in this venture by any means possible to make it a grand success as envisioned, once and for all.

May Char Deuta, Lha Nharijhyowa and Pitra Deuta bless all Thakali pariwar wherever you are living today.

INTERPRETATION
 

Words and phrases used in this article defined as follows:

 

Thasang Hyoul Ddhim (THD) Nepal – Proposed Investment Company of Thakali of Char Chan.

Thakali – This only includes Gauchan, Tulachan, Sherchan and Bhattachan who must belong to one of the ghyuo of above Chan.

Thakkhola – This is area includes North Tukche, South Ghasa East Nilgiri Himal and West Dhaulagiri Himal.

Thakali Pariwar – All Thakali regardless of their gender and Chan as history confirms that Thakali are descended of four brothers.

Common interest of Thakali – Any assets that are not under private ownership, cultural activities, tradition, religion institute, education institute and any other matter that represent the identity of Thakali.

 

THD UK – Current board of Directors and Secretary

Are we practicing these TOXINS in our everyday practice?

 

On Learning - what we need to understand !!

Let us ask ourselves

 


Interesting - Let us ponder once !!!

How much time a child spends in home, school and in the virtual world?

Now, Nepal is a country where Budhha himself has to go to apex court

Please go through the article:

http://www.mysansar.com/2013/08/6223/#more-6223

A Way of Living in Harmony with Nature and Community is Religion

This picture was taken on the way to Lomanthang, Upper Mustang - 2009

Let us take the benefit: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

Dear all,
I would like to share the following link for online courses from the best universities around the globe for free.

These are user friendly sources for working staffs like us  in order to get continually updated and abridged with interesting subjects of interest.

I am of the opinion that MOOC can be great resource for your personal development. I highly recommend to take this course. Take one course at a time and once you complete it, you wll get addicted. What do you think?

 

Coursera	https://www.coursera.org/
Edex	https://www.edx.org/
Khan academy	https://www.khanacademy.org/

Beautiful flower from Mustang

A Sherpa Village

A Sherpa village, Solukhumbu

Thasang

Thakali people are indigenous toThasang area. So, anything related or attached to Thasang is near and dear to Thakali people. Thasang is synonymous for Thak- Khola valley, which is currently part of the Mustang district in Dhaulagiri Zone. From the heart of the valley, there flows the river - Kali Gandaki, which has created the deepest gorge of the world that lies between Mount Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri range. The gorge is in the south of Ghasa village. Thasang lies at an altitude of approximately 2500 meters above the sea level. In winter months, the temperature drops down below 0 °C (up to -18 °C). It is located between “Ghasa” in the south and “Tukche” in the North. It is also called Thak sat-se, which comprises13 villages - Tukuche, Khanti, Kobang, Larjung, Bhurjungkot, Nakhung, Naurakot, Titi, Dhumpu, Taglung, Kunjo, Lete and Ghasa. The current population of Thakali people is reported as12,000 (according to 2012 census). The religious path of Buddhism is an important element inThakali rituals, custom and culture. “Nari  Jhowa” is our deity for wellbeing and protection of Thakali community. There are main three Thakali  festivals: Toranhla,  Phalo and Lha Phewa. The Thakali comprise four clans: Chyoki, Salgi, Timchan and Bhurki, which is has been Sankritized into Gauchan, Sherchan, Tulachan and Bhattachan.

Buddhism

http://www.thebigview.com/contents.html

Geospatial Revolution

Interesting !!

Link for Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poMGRbfgp38

Link for Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXS0bsR0e7w

Link for Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePOK6nzcaY

Link for Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F7z9LLYxf8

CROSSROADS

 

 

 

Journey of a Red Fridge

This is a story of a Nepali boy, who has to work as a porter to support his family and studies. This touches your heart, in such a way that this is a story of all Youths from deprived community throughout Nepal. For all of us, who have enough to eat and have support from family to go to any schools within the country or abroad, but sometime forget our duty and tend to stray a bit away from what we supposed to do, this story is a lesson for us. Otherwise, it is time for us to seriously re - examine our values and attitude towards life.

Link:

http://www.digitalhimalaya.com/collections/films/redfridge/filmviewer.php

Thakali Song and Dance: Saima Daima Yas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lGcQpVoB4I&feature=youtu.be

B/W silent documentary of Thak Khola

A B/W silent documentary of Thak Khola. Date Unknown. We can guess, this must have been documented before 1950s.

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eor1Wqgs2zU

Thakalis and Thak Khola: Ducumentaries by Surendra Gauchan

A must see documentary on Thakali culture by Surendra B. Gauchan. This is a commendable work to preserve Thakali culture and these documentaries portray rich social customs that exist in our community.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB_bfJvm0nU

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=DjeobdTMIfU&NR=1

Thakali women, their dress and ornaments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOCCZVHiIfU

Thakali Youths

Ekdam man paryo, I recommend all to watch this youtube video. I can see one aspect of Thakali youths i.e. their organized activity during Toranla. This sort of energy and enthusiasm must prevail among us.

Links:

Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzm3YbFelb8&feature=youtu.be

Facebook forum: Youth Thakali Community ( till date - 712 members)

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/youthakali/?fref=ts

Movie named "Thakali" - Let us be skeptical

It is reported in Nagarik news that there is a Nepali movie titled "Thakali" being screened in Thak Khola. It is said that the movie will hit the show soon. The movie is reported to be based on Thakali culture that is related with marriage. I am of the opinion that the movie is a strong medium for educating as well as for portraying the good and bads of a community. So, I suggest that Thakali people be aware what the story is trying to depict and its the message to the mass. Otherwise, it may backlash our social values and mis - representation of culture that it will permanently tarnish causing irrevocable damage to our national image.

Note:

This is my personal opinion. If the intention of the movie is truely dedicated to local culture and its beauty, without ill intent, I am ok with it. Otherwise, I write to our community leaders to think about it and act upon it, if there are wrong intent.

Link:

http://www.nagariknews.com/entertainment/nepali-film/story/4038
 

Orange !!

Thak Tatopani is famous for its Orange

Orange !! wah, as the caption says Thak Tatopani and neighbouring villages are famous for orange. This is also one of the seasonal income for people in this locality. Now, people are encouraged to plant orange in their unused land, as they see market access due to Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani - Jomsom - Muktinath highway.



 

Thasang

Thasang

Tentative interview timeline

Mount Nilgiri, Bhurung Tatopani and Rupse Chahara

View of Mt. Nilgiri (7141 m) from Thak Tatopani

The panoromic view of Mt. Nilgiri is captured from Thak Tatopani, one of the famous villages in Myagdi for its reputation in trade and hospitality business. The neighbouring villages are namely Bhurung, Narchyang, Suwa, Phagam and Dana.  The major attractions around Thak Tatopani:

1.  Tatopani Bazaar and Tatopani Kunda:Tatopani bazaar is one of the thriving business centre in the region. The village is 6 to 7 hrs ride from Pokhara. This can be a night stop for a trip to visit Mustang. There are plenty of tourist hotels that serve good food and lodging. Another attraction is the hot spring, which is famous all over the globe for its healing as well as aesthetic importance.



Thak Tatopani Bazaar

Tatopani Kunda

2.  Dana and Rupse Chahara: Dana village has a historical importance in that this used to be the adminstrative point for business between the people from the Mustang and businesspeople from Myagdi, Baglung and Parbat that was based on barter system. We still can find beautiful stone roofed of memorable local architectural masterpiece with "Decorated Jhyal". This Jhyal reminds you of those that we can see in Kathmandu. A half and hour walk north would take you to a natural wonerland called Rupse Chahara. It is true to its name. This waterfall that carries with it cold water that directly comes from Himalayan glaciers at the foot of Mt. Dhaulagiri.

Rupse Chahara

Decorated Jhhyal

 

3. Beautiful Bhurung: This would take around 3 -5 hrs of uphill walk from Thak Tatopani. In the early morning hours, you can hike to Bhurung, Madal Dhunga and Kimla Kharka and then return back to Tatopani in the evening. The treasure of the trip would be gorgeous view of the Kaligandaki gorge, which is considered the world's deepest gorge and the of course, the Northern himalayan range.