Creative Cropping for Better Picture

Photo By: Siddhi Lal Kayestha

Singing Nepal’s Anthem

Singing national anthem in morning assemblies is routine affair although it still remains to be ascertained whether it indeed contributes to firing up love for the country among the children. The picture shows pupils of Shree Kokar Singh Pancha Kanya Prathamik Viddyalaya in Bhotekoshi queued up in an encore singing anthem wholeheartedly. I clicked this picture during a hike to Pangnang, Bhotekoshi on May 2009 with family members in tow.

This Nepal’s new national anthem by Bykul Maila got approved by Nepal’s cabinet on 20th of April, 2007.

Transportation of Highland

This local mean of transportation which still is in use are getting extinct because of trek route being transformed into motorable road. Vehicles that cruise polluting the pure environment of our highland immensely robbed the charm of trekking from Muktinatha to Jomsom. It seriously disturbs the tourism industry in Annapurna Circuit.

The deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna Himal embrace a wide range of peoples and terrain, from subtropical jungle to a high, dry landscape resembling the Tibetan Plateau. This route is an exceptional way to discover all aspects of the Himalayas, and is the only low altitude passage between the northern and southern Himalayas.

This trek route within Annapurna region follow the old trade route of Nepal Tibet along the bank of the Kali Gandaki and reaches the Mustang border, via Kag Beni.

Combat Climate Change

The mountainous ranges of Nepal, which introduce from world’s highest Mt Everest to other eight peaks above 8000 meters among others, are gradually changing their appearance due to climate change which pose adverse affect on our magnificent Himalayas.

Environmental activists say rising temperatures are rapidly shrinking the Himalayan glaciers from which several Asian rivers originate, threatening the lives of millions of people who depend on them for water.

“Your planet needs you – Unite to combat Climate Change” is theme for this year’s World Environment Day. Seen in the picture: Annparuna Range ‘Mount Gangapurna’ 7,455m and Gangapurna Glacier Lake, Manang.

Chottu and his Catch

A local boy showing a bucket with some fish which he along with his brother (behind) were able to catch using fishhooks at Ghadiharwa Pokhari of Birgunj. As temperature scores up to 40 degree and above, these local boys try to beat the heat by fishing in pond the whole day.

This pond is popularly known as Ghadiarba Pokhari Udyan, with a walkway leading to a temple of Suryadev (Sun God) in the middle. It is one of the main tourist’s attraction of Birgunj and has beautiful musical fountain, boat-ride, green belt, walkway etc. Some local people also call this pond a love garden.

Love me Tender

Pigeons are peaceful bird and at times so romantic. They are monogamous, as mated pairs typically breed in successive seasons throughout their lives. A majority of the pairs will try to bring up about four to five broods every year.

A Keeping pigeon is ancient hobby cherish by many dwellers of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and many other old urban cities of Nepal. Took this picture one evening at my home and these are my pigeons.

Beauty of Rural Nepal

This lady I saw at Thaiba, Lalitpur seems all happy and content, which I think is the beauty of rural Nepal. Unfortunately many dwellers of big cities do lack such contentment in life while they pursue distant dreams of cosmopolitan life.

While going to Godavari, Lalitpur I saw this lady carrying a boy in ‘doko’ (Basket) on her back. ‘Kuto’ and ‘Kodalo’ in her hands suggest that she must be going to work in the field near by.

Postcard from Poonhill

Tourists from around the world enjoy taking snapshots at Poonhill. The year 2008 ended with whopping tourist arrival with a total of 8,13,561 tourists visited – an increase of 64.74 per cent – in comparison to 2007 when Nepal received 5,26,705 tourists.

Enticing view of sunrise from Poonhill is just like magic that your eye may not believe and tourist cherished such experience in lifetime. Poonhill is at 3210 meters and it commands spectacular views of, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna (8,091m) Fishtail (6997m) Annapurna South, Himchuli and other famous mountain.

Took this picture during my Annapurna Circuit trek few months back.
(Tourists data source: Internet)

Kanchi hey Kanchi!

The folk dances of Nepal are the visible rhythmic expressions of joys and beliefs of Nepalese rural folks. Most Nepali folk dance has the wonderful themes of love and courtship, everyday life, happiness and sadness, and often a lot of good-natured teasing.

Dancers, both men and women, wear traditional Himalayan costumes that are colorful and have elaborate jewelry and hair ornaments. And such folk dance gets even more pleasing when dancer are children. In the picture: Bunch of primary students performing folk dance on ‘Parents Day’.

Karma’s Karma

These are Karma Galzen’s hands from Pisang, Manang who asked me for a pen. Actually I didn’t have a spare pen but couldn’t decline his request so I gave him the only pen I had. Just to make sure he properly uses the pen, I asked him if he could write his name. He said, “Aauccha” (Yes I can) and you can see how he wrote his name in his left palm. Later I helped him to write his name correctly on his right hand then he flashed widest smile on his face and tucked the pen in his torn t-shirt and ran away.

It’s been more than a month ago when I had met him during my trek to the Annapurna Circuit but I still wonder about Karma’s karma. When will we be able to educate all our Karmas of remote regions of Nepal? When slogan like, “Every child has the right to education” could make a real sense? I feel bad not to find the answers.