Nepal's royal family owns shares of 18 big companies
ANI, 28-Aug-28-2006
The Government of Nepal has revealed that King Gyanendra and his family members have shares in at least 18 big companies and luxurious hotels at various locations in the country.
According to a report prepared by the Parliament's Natural Resources Committee, the King has invested in the nation's big hotels, cigarette and biscuit factories, tea garden estates, travel companies and hydroelectric projects, since he was declared a crown prince.
The king, however, handed over the companies and hotels to other members of the royal family after he took direct power, the Kantipur daily reported.
The Soaltee Hotel in the capital, formerly owned by the king, is under 11 other members of his family. The hotel is worth Rs. 550 million at present.
Most of the shares of the more than 210 million-rupee-worth Soaltee Enterprises have been tendered to crown princes Prerana, King Gyanendra's daughter.
Besides, the King's investments include Annapurna Hotel, Gorkha Travels Pvt Ltd, Surya Tobacco Pvt Ltd, Laxmi Banaspati Ghee Industry, Himalaya Tea Garden and Hotel Shansha Himal International, Sipradi Trading, Bhotekoshi Power Company, Himal International Energy Pvt Ltd, Himal International Power Corporation, Surya Enterprises, Laxmi Katha Industry Pvt Ltd, Gorkha Lurry Pvt Ltd, Nebico Pvt Ltd, and Laxmi Rozin and Terpentine Industry.
The committee said that it needs more work to come up with a detailed report on the king's property and has sought the help of Nepal Rastra Bank in acquiring information about the monarch's holdings.
Meanwhile, the report said that no official record was found regarding the selling of the Narayanhity Royal Palace to the government in 2026 B.S. In response to this, the committee held discussions on summoning the then prime minister Kirti Nidhi Bista for interrogation. (ANI)
Saturday, March 31, 2007
17.5 million voters eligible for CA polls
17.5 million voters eligible for CA polls
Nepalnews, 27-Mar-2007
A senior election commission official has informed that there will be around 17.5 million eligible voters in the forthcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.
Dr. Nilkantha Upreti, an election commissioner, informed that around 17,500 polling centres will have to be set up for the purpose of conducting CA polls.
He further informed that the task of registering voters is 95 percent complete till now.
Addressing a programme "Democracy and Election in Nepal" in the capital on Tuesday, Dr. Upreti said the EC will invite political parties to register for the elections purposes within the next few days.
The election commissioner said that the EC was still waiting for the enactment of three electoral legislations including the CA Members Election Bill, CA Court Bill, and the Bill on Political Parties.
Dr. Upreti said the EC was fully committed to hold the polls on stipulated time.
Nepalnews, 27-Mar-2007
A senior election commission official has informed that there will be around 17.5 million eligible voters in the forthcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.
Dr. Nilkantha Upreti, an election commissioner, informed that around 17,500 polling centres will have to be set up for the purpose of conducting CA polls.
He further informed that the task of registering voters is 95 percent complete till now.
Addressing a programme "Democracy and Election in Nepal" in the capital on Tuesday, Dr. Upreti said the EC will invite political parties to register for the elections purposes within the next few days.
The election commissioner said that the EC was still waiting for the enactment of three electoral legislations including the CA Members Election Bill, CA Court Bill, and the Bill on Political Parties.
Dr. Upreti said the EC was fully committed to hold the polls on stipulated time.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Jhumpa Lahiri: My Hyphenated Identity
Jhumpa Lahiri: My Hyphenated Identity
Newsweek , 6-Mar-2006
By Jhumpa Lahiri
The Pulitzer-winning writer felt intense pressure to be at once 'loyal to the old world and fluent in the new.'
I have lived in the United States for almost 37 years and anticipate growing old in this country. Therefore, with the exception of my first two years in London, "Indian-American" has been a constant way to describe me. Less constant is my relationship to the term. When I was growing up in Rhode Island in the 1970s I felt neither Indian nor American. Like many immigrant offspring I felt intense pressure to be two things, loyal to the old world and fluent in the new, approved of on either side of the hyphen. Looking back, I see that this was generally the case. But my perception as a young girl was that I fell short at both ends, shuttling between two dimensions that had nothing to do with one another.
At home I followed the customs of my parents, speaking Bengali and eating rice and dal with my fingers. These ordinary facts seemed part of a secret, utterly alien way of life, and I took pains to hide them from my American friends. For my parents, home was not our house in Rhode Island but Calcutta, where they were raised. I was aware that the things they lived for—the Nazrul songs they listened to on the reel-to-reel, the family they missed, the clothes my mother wore that were not available in any store in any mall—were at once as precious and as worthless as an outmoded currency.
I also entered a world my parents had little knowledge or control of: school, books, music, television, things that seeped in and became a fundamental aspect of who I am. I spoke English without an accent, comprehending the language in a way my parents still do not. And yet there was evidence that I was not entirely American. In addition to my distinguishing name and looks, I did not attend Sunday school, did not know how to ice-skate, and disappeared to India for months at a time. Many of these friends proudly called themselves Irish-American or Italian-American. But they were several generations removed from the frequently humiliating process of immigration, so that the ethnic roots they claimed had descended underground whereas mine were still tangled and green. According to my parents I was not American, nor would I ever be no matter how hard I tried. I felt doomed by their pronouncement, misunderstood and gradually defiant. In spite of the first lessons of arithmetic, one plus one did not equal two but zero, my conflicting selves always canceling each other out.
When I first started writing I was not conscious that my subject was the Indian-American experience. What drew me to my craft was the desire to force the two worlds I occupied to mingle on the page as I was not brave enough, or mature enough, to allow in life. My first book was published in 1999, and around then, on the cusp of a new century, the term "Indian-American" has become part of this country's vocabulary. I've heard it so often that these days, if asked about my background, I use the term myself, pleasantly surprised that I do not have to explain further. What a difference from my early life, when there was no such way to describe me, when the most I could do was to clumsily and ineffectually explain.
As I approach middle age, one plus one equals two, both in my work and in my daily existence. The traditions on either side of the hyphen dwell in me like siblings, still occasionally sparring, one outshining the other depending on the day. But like siblings they are intimately familiar with one another, forgiving and intertwined. When my husband and I were married five years ago in Calcutta we invited friends who had never been to India, and they came full of enthusiasm for a place I avoided talking about in my childhood, fearful of what people might say. Around non-Indian friends, I no longer feel compelled to hide the fact that I speak another language. I speak Bengali to my children, even though I lack the proficiency to teach them to read or write the language. As a child I sought perfection and so denied myself the claim to any identity. As an adult I accept that a bicultural upbringing is a rich but imperfect thing.
While I am American by virtue of the fact that I was raised in this country, I am Indian thanks to the efforts of two individuals. I feel Indian not because of the time I've spent in India or because of my genetic composition but rather because of my parents' steadfast presence in my life. They live three hours from my home; I speak to them daily and see them about once a month. Everything will change once they die. They will take certain things with them—conversations in another tongue, and perceptions about the difficulties of being foreign. Without them, the back-and-forth life my family leads, both literally and figuratively, will at last approach stillness. An anchor will drop, and a line of connection will be severed.
I have always believed that I lack the authority my parents bring to being Indian. But as long as they live they protect me from feeling like an impostor. Their passing will mark not only the loss of the people who created me but the loss of a singular way of life, a singular struggle. The immigrant's journey, no matter how ultimately rewarding, is founded on departure and deprivation, but it secures for the subsequent generation a sense of arrival and advantage. I can see a day coming when my American side, lacking the counterpoint India has until now maintained, begins to gain ascendancy and weight. It is in fiction that I will continue to interpret the term "Indian-American," calculating that shifting equation, whatever answers it may yield.
The Namesake: A Conversation Between Mira Nair and Jhumpa La
Mira Nair - Namesake Interview
Newsweek , 6-Mar-2006
By Jhumpa Lahiri
The Pulitzer-winning writer felt intense pressure to be at once 'loyal to the old world and fluent in the new.'
I have lived in the United States for almost 37 years and anticipate growing old in this country. Therefore, with the exception of my first two years in London, "Indian-American" has been a constant way to describe me. Less constant is my relationship to the term. When I was growing up in Rhode Island in the 1970s I felt neither Indian nor American. Like many immigrant offspring I felt intense pressure to be two things, loyal to the old world and fluent in the new, approved of on either side of the hyphen. Looking back, I see that this was generally the case. But my perception as a young girl was that I fell short at both ends, shuttling between two dimensions that had nothing to do with one another.
At home I followed the customs of my parents, speaking Bengali and eating rice and dal with my fingers. These ordinary facts seemed part of a secret, utterly alien way of life, and I took pains to hide them from my American friends. For my parents, home was not our house in Rhode Island but Calcutta, where they were raised. I was aware that the things they lived for—the Nazrul songs they listened to on the reel-to-reel, the family they missed, the clothes my mother wore that were not available in any store in any mall—were at once as precious and as worthless as an outmoded currency.
I also entered a world my parents had little knowledge or control of: school, books, music, television, things that seeped in and became a fundamental aspect of who I am. I spoke English without an accent, comprehending the language in a way my parents still do not. And yet there was evidence that I was not entirely American. In addition to my distinguishing name and looks, I did not attend Sunday school, did not know how to ice-skate, and disappeared to India for months at a time. Many of these friends proudly called themselves Irish-American or Italian-American. But they were several generations removed from the frequently humiliating process of immigration, so that the ethnic roots they claimed had descended underground whereas mine were still tangled and green. According to my parents I was not American, nor would I ever be no matter how hard I tried. I felt doomed by their pronouncement, misunderstood and gradually defiant. In spite of the first lessons of arithmetic, one plus one did not equal two but zero, my conflicting selves always canceling each other out.
When I first started writing I was not conscious that my subject was the Indian-American experience. What drew me to my craft was the desire to force the two worlds I occupied to mingle on the page as I was not brave enough, or mature enough, to allow in life. My first book was published in 1999, and around then, on the cusp of a new century, the term "Indian-American" has become part of this country's vocabulary. I've heard it so often that these days, if asked about my background, I use the term myself, pleasantly surprised that I do not have to explain further. What a difference from my early life, when there was no such way to describe me, when the most I could do was to clumsily and ineffectually explain.
As I approach middle age, one plus one equals two, both in my work and in my daily existence. The traditions on either side of the hyphen dwell in me like siblings, still occasionally sparring, one outshining the other depending on the day. But like siblings they are intimately familiar with one another, forgiving and intertwined. When my husband and I were married five years ago in Calcutta we invited friends who had never been to India, and they came full of enthusiasm for a place I avoided talking about in my childhood, fearful of what people might say. Around non-Indian friends, I no longer feel compelled to hide the fact that I speak another language. I speak Bengali to my children, even though I lack the proficiency to teach them to read or write the language. As a child I sought perfection and so denied myself the claim to any identity. As an adult I accept that a bicultural upbringing is a rich but imperfect thing.
While I am American by virtue of the fact that I was raised in this country, I am Indian thanks to the efforts of two individuals. I feel Indian not because of the time I've spent in India or because of my genetic composition but rather because of my parents' steadfast presence in my life. They live three hours from my home; I speak to them daily and see them about once a month. Everything will change once they die. They will take certain things with them—conversations in another tongue, and perceptions about the difficulties of being foreign. Without them, the back-and-forth life my family leads, both literally and figuratively, will at last approach stillness. An anchor will drop, and a line of connection will be severed.
I have always believed that I lack the authority my parents bring to being Indian. But as long as they live they protect me from feeling like an impostor. Their passing will mark not only the loss of the people who created me but the loss of a singular way of life, a singular struggle. The immigrant's journey, no matter how ultimately rewarding, is founded on departure and deprivation, but it secures for the subsequent generation a sense of arrival and advantage. I can see a day coming when my American side, lacking the counterpoint India has until now maintained, begins to gain ascendancy and weight. It is in fiction that I will continue to interpret the term "Indian-American," calculating that shifting equation, whatever answers it may yield.
The Namesake: A Conversation Between Mira Nair and Jhumpa La
Mira Nair - Namesake Interview
Sunday, March 25, 2007
How to Look Ravishing in the Bedroom!
How to Look Ravishing in the Bedroom!
extra, 19-Mar-2007
Ladies, are you tried of those Victoria’s Secret girls having all the fun? Well, now you can give those runway models a run for their money!
When it comes to lingerie, Linda Becker, of Linda’s in Manhattan, advises women to stick with a few titillating trends.
“This season we’re seeing more simplicity,” she told us.
With classic looks like basic black boy shorts and a camisole top, you can reveal a little or a lot in a ravishing robe, or instead, opt to slip into something silky like a luxurious chemise.
Linda also recommends going vintage with something like a corset.
“Vintage has always been a key look in lingerie,” she insisted.
Another hot look is fantasy. Lingerie has always been a way for a woman to create a more playful and sexy look, Linda reminded us.
Becker recommends looking no further than a modern yet flirty French maid set, complete with handcuffs and a tool belt that stores all of your amorous accessories like garters, stockings and lace.
Linda's lingerie store was featured in Chris Rock's latest movie, "I Think I Love My Wife"
extra, 19-Mar-2007
Ladies, are you tried of those Victoria’s Secret girls having all the fun? Well, now you can give those runway models a run for their money!
When it comes to lingerie, Linda Becker, of Linda’s in Manhattan, advises women to stick with a few titillating trends.
“This season we’re seeing more simplicity,” she told us.
With classic looks like basic black boy shorts and a camisole top, you can reveal a little or a lot in a ravishing robe, or instead, opt to slip into something silky like a luxurious chemise.
Linda also recommends going vintage with something like a corset.
“Vintage has always been a key look in lingerie,” she insisted.
Another hot look is fantasy. Lingerie has always been a way for a woman to create a more playful and sexy look, Linda reminded us.
Becker recommends looking no further than a modern yet flirty French maid set, complete with handcuffs and a tool belt that stores all of your amorous accessories like garters, stockings and lace.
Linda's lingerie store was featured in Chris Rock's latest movie, "I Think I Love My Wife"
Saturday, March 24, 2007
US changes visa rules
US changes visa rules
eKantipur.com, 13-Mar-2007
POST REPORT
The U.S. embassy will ease the non-immigrant visa application system effective from April 1, 2007.
A press statement, issued by the American embassy in Kathmandu, said the change will enable applicants outside Kathmandu to submit their applications from five Nabil Bank branches across Nepal, thus eliminating the need to travel to the capital.
Nabil Bank has branch offices in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal, Pokhara, and Nepalgunj.
"Applicants in Kathmandu, also using the new system, will continue to apply from the Nabil Bank, Maharajgunj," the statement said.
It further said applicants for non-immigrant visas (tourists, students, etc.) will be required to submit Electronic Visa Application Forms (EVAF) when applying for an interview appointment through Nabil Bank. "Typed or handwritten applications will no longer be accepted," it said.
While stating that the EVAF forms are available online at http://evisaforms.state.gov, it said they must be printed using a laser printer or a high quality ink jet printer and all printed pages must be included with the application.
"If the reader is not able to recognize the barcodes on the first and the third page of your application forms, the application can not be accepted," the statement said.
The U.S. embassy has urged all visa applicants other than students to apply at least 30-60 days before the planned travel.
"Based on increasing numbers of student visa applicants over the past year, the embassy expects a significant increase in applications in the summer of 2007," the statement said, adding, "The waiting time for all visa appointments will likely increase."
It also said students should apply as early as possible, up to 120 days ahead of the reporting date listed on the I-20. "Students must have an original I-20 to apply for a visa (fax or scanned copies will not be accepted)," it said.
While stating that the Consular Section, located in the Yak & Yeti Hotel complex will only provide emergency appointments when it is truly warranted, it said, "The Embassy cannot provide expedited appointments for non-emergencies, such as conferences, graduations, trade shows, or for students who apply at the last minute."
eKantipur.com, 13-Mar-2007
POST REPORT
The U.S. embassy will ease the non-immigrant visa application system effective from April 1, 2007.
A press statement, issued by the American embassy in Kathmandu, said the change will enable applicants outside Kathmandu to submit their applications from five Nabil Bank branches across Nepal, thus eliminating the need to travel to the capital.
Nabil Bank has branch offices in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal, Pokhara, and Nepalgunj.
"Applicants in Kathmandu, also using the new system, will continue to apply from the Nabil Bank, Maharajgunj," the statement said.
It further said applicants for non-immigrant visas (tourists, students, etc.) will be required to submit Electronic Visa Application Forms (EVAF) when applying for an interview appointment through Nabil Bank. "Typed or handwritten applications will no longer be accepted," it said.
While stating that the EVAF forms are available online at http://evisaforms.state.gov, it said they must be printed using a laser printer or a high quality ink jet printer and all printed pages must be included with the application.
"If the reader is not able to recognize the barcodes on the first and the third page of your application forms, the application can not be accepted," the statement said.
The U.S. embassy has urged all visa applicants other than students to apply at least 30-60 days before the planned travel.
"Based on increasing numbers of student visa applicants over the past year, the embassy expects a significant increase in applications in the summer of 2007," the statement said, adding, "The waiting time for all visa appointments will likely increase."
It also said students should apply as early as possible, up to 120 days ahead of the reporting date listed on the I-20. "Students must have an original I-20 to apply for a visa (fax or scanned copies will not be accepted)," it said.
While stating that the Consular Section, located in the Yak & Yeti Hotel complex will only provide emergency appointments when it is truly warranted, it said, "The Embassy cannot provide expedited appointments for non-emergencies, such as conferences, graduations, trade shows, or for students who apply at the last minute."
Devyani Gets Hitched
Devyani swayamvar sealed - Wedding on Friday
eKantipur.com
BY GOPAL KHANAL
KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - Devyani Rana, the heartthrob of late crown prince Dipendra, chose to make Ashwarya, a royal family member of Madhya Pradesh, India, her life partner by offering him a garland and a diamond ring, amidst a grand function held here on Thursday.
At the Swayamvar Ceremony organized a day before the wedding, Devyani and Ashwarya exchanged garlands and a set of diamond jewelry as token of their vow to live together for the rest of their lives.
Devyani was clad in a red saree, while Ashwarya wore Ajakan, a specially designed dress for the bridegroom during the Swayamvar ceremony. The duo received blessings from relatives and held informal talks with their friends after they exchanged rings.
Some 1,000 people, including Congress I leader Karan Singh, former British Ambassador to Nepal Keith George Bloomfield, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Basundhara Raje Scindia and officials of various diplomatic missions based in India were present on the Swayamvar ceremony.
Over 5,000 guests are expected to be present at the wedding ceremony to be held on Friday. "I am extremely happy," Devyani told the Post, after the Swayamvar ceremony. To avoid any untoward incident, security was beefed up and media persons were denied entry to the Swayamvar ceremony.
Devyani did not want to talk about her past. "I do not want to remember the past," she said for the first time to the media after the royal massacre in 2001. "I am happy with the marriage."
Asked if she wanted to comment on her future, Devyani said, "I have a job at the United Nations. I will continue with the job. Appearing frail, Devyani showed no sign of the pomp and arrogance generally associated with aristocracy and Royalty, contrary to her upbringing in an elite Rana family of Nepal as well as the royal family of Gwalior.
Family members had arranged the marriage after Devyani, the youngest daughter of Rastriya Prajantra Party chairman Pashupati SJB Rana and Ashwarya made their marital preferences clear.
Devyani wedding solemnized
eKantipur.com
BY GOPAL KHANAL
NEW DELHI, Feb 24 - The wedding ceremony of Devyani Rana, youngest daughter of Rastriya Prajatantra Party chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana, concluded here Saturday. She has married Ashwarya Singh, member of a royal family in Madhya Pradesh state of India.
Devyani, famous for her 'friendship' with then Crown Prince Dipendra, married her friend Aishwarya Singh in Rana-Rajput and Nepali tradition. Dignitaries from Nepal, India, the USA, UK, Sri Lanka and other countries were present at the grand wedding ceremony at Scindia House, New Delhi. All envoys at diplomatic missions in India were also present on the occasion.
The marriage procession arrived at 6:45 pm on Friday. The groom was with his grandfather Arjun Singh, Indian central minister, and other ministers, lawmakers and bollywood star Anil Kapur.
Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, opposition leader in the Indian parliament Lal Krishna Adbani, Bharatiya Janta Party president Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Shiva Raj Patil and Priyanka Gandhi were also present on the occasion. However, Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were absent.
Former prime minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wikramasinghe stayed till late with other diplomats. Most members of the Gwalior family and Rana family members living in India were present. But no political leaders from Nepal were to be seen.
In keeping with Rana-Rajput tradition, the bride wore her grandmother's wedding outfit.
eKantipur.com
BY GOPAL KHANAL
KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - Devyani Rana, the heartthrob of late crown prince Dipendra, chose to make Ashwarya, a royal family member of Madhya Pradesh, India, her life partner by offering him a garland and a diamond ring, amidst a grand function held here on Thursday.
At the Swayamvar Ceremony organized a day before the wedding, Devyani and Ashwarya exchanged garlands and a set of diamond jewelry as token of their vow to live together for the rest of their lives.
Devyani was clad in a red saree, while Ashwarya wore Ajakan, a specially designed dress for the bridegroom during the Swayamvar ceremony. The duo received blessings from relatives and held informal talks with their friends after they exchanged rings.
Some 1,000 people, including Congress I leader Karan Singh, former British Ambassador to Nepal Keith George Bloomfield, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Basundhara Raje Scindia and officials of various diplomatic missions based in India were present on the Swayamvar ceremony.
Over 5,000 guests are expected to be present at the wedding ceremony to be held on Friday. "I am extremely happy," Devyani told the Post, after the Swayamvar ceremony. To avoid any untoward incident, security was beefed up and media persons were denied entry to the Swayamvar ceremony.
Devyani did not want to talk about her past. "I do not want to remember the past," she said for the first time to the media after the royal massacre in 2001. "I am happy with the marriage."
Asked if she wanted to comment on her future, Devyani said, "I have a job at the United Nations. I will continue with the job. Appearing frail, Devyani showed no sign of the pomp and arrogance generally associated with aristocracy and Royalty, contrary to her upbringing in an elite Rana family of Nepal as well as the royal family of Gwalior.
Family members had arranged the marriage after Devyani, the youngest daughter of Rastriya Prajantra Party chairman Pashupati SJB Rana and Ashwarya made their marital preferences clear.
Devyani wedding solemnized
eKantipur.com
BY GOPAL KHANAL
NEW DELHI, Feb 24 - The wedding ceremony of Devyani Rana, youngest daughter of Rastriya Prajatantra Party chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana, concluded here Saturday. She has married Ashwarya Singh, member of a royal family in Madhya Pradesh state of India.
Devyani, famous for her 'friendship' with then Crown Prince Dipendra, married her friend Aishwarya Singh in Rana-Rajput and Nepali tradition. Dignitaries from Nepal, India, the USA, UK, Sri Lanka and other countries were present at the grand wedding ceremony at Scindia House, New Delhi. All envoys at diplomatic missions in India were also present on the occasion.
The marriage procession arrived at 6:45 pm on Friday. The groom was with his grandfather Arjun Singh, Indian central minister, and other ministers, lawmakers and bollywood star Anil Kapur.
Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, opposition leader in the Indian parliament Lal Krishna Adbani, Bharatiya Janta Party president Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Shiva Raj Patil and Priyanka Gandhi were also present on the occasion. However, Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were absent.
Former prime minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wikramasinghe stayed till late with other diplomats. Most members of the Gwalior family and Rana family members living in India were present. But no political leaders from Nepal were to be seen.
In keeping with Rana-Rajput tradition, the bride wore her grandmother's wedding outfit.
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