Music Review

Namaste,

Nepal is full of wonders gifted by so many wonderful things. To add to that, Nepal also has so many talented musicians, who tirelessly create and recreate music from traditional instruments of Nepal. Such musicians are rare to find these days anywhere in the world.

Kutumba, a Nepali folk instrumental band comes into such category. Their music has won millions of Nepali's and Diaspora's heart. I have been fan of Kutumba (2004) since their first album called Kutumba which almost means relationship but can go further than that. These six member band plays, Sarangi (Traditional Nepali violin like), Madal (Nepali drum), Bamboo flute, Tungna (Mountain Tibetan Guitar), Tabla (Nepali Classical drum), Jhyamta (symbols) and more with different tracks as it unfolds. Its a complete music. When I was in Nepal, I was so close to seeing them in concert but again, there are things in life we cannot do, get or see when we want.
We must accept it and move on. That is what I did however, I came with their third album called Naulo Bihani, which means new kind of morning.

Before Naulo Bihani, they came up with another album called Folk Roots (2005), The album consist of total 10 tracks. All of them are just fantastic to jam with or just to listen to Nepali tune. I have featured Kutumba's music in my video as well that I created for my presentation and you may listen to them via my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D8DArpAIY0 just copy the link and paste on your browser.

And now they came with their third album and they are just getting better and better. Just to let you know all these CDs are available @ my shop. lamaprem@gmail.com

Himalayan Glaciers Monitoring!!!

Int’l workshop ends urging increased monitoring of Himalayan glaciers
Scientists from various countries who gathered in Kathmandu for an international workshop on the impact of climate change on the Himalaya glaciers have concluded that there is a major need for better long-term monitoring of glaciers in the Himalayas using direct observations in the field.
They said this was necessary “to complement remote sensing techniques, as well as for improved sharing of data among the different countries in the region”.
More than 70 international scientists met at the three-day workshop on ‘Cryosphere and Hazards for the Hindu Kush Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau’ from 31 March-2 April and discussed the problems of glaciers, glacial fluctuations, and loss of permafrost in the mountains and plateaus of the Himalayas.
The workshop came up with a six-point conclusion, urging the governments of the Himalayan countries to facilitate data generation and sharing, and to identify at least one model glacier in each country for long-term field-based study.
“A standard method should be developed and used for monitoring and assessing glaciers across the region to facilitate comparative analysis. Development of basin-wide water scenarios should be encouraged for all major water basins in the region,” the scientists at the workshop said.
The workshop also brought together the best geoscience expertise available for the region. Experts brainstormed on new ideas and procedures for obtaining information about the status and trends of snow and ice resources in this extended mountain area.
The meeting, held at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), was jointly organised by the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), Global Land Ice Measurements from Space Regional Centre for Southwest Asia (GLIMS), Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study (MAIRS), Institute for Development and Innovation (IDI), Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), and ICIMOD; with participants mainly from the USA, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and other Asian countries. The event was designed to engage scientists in cross-border scientific dialogue about the problems and possibilities associated with snow and ice in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. nepalnews.com ag Apr 03 08

Children of Nepal Video

Happy Losar Earth Mouse Year 2135

Namaste Everyone and Happy Losar Earth Mouse Year 2135

Its been a while since we updated our blog. Thought we wanted to let you know what we have been doing and what has been going on since we wrote last. Its been a real experience for both of us (Kim & I). Its been a while since I celebrated Losar (Buddhist Yolmo New Year) with my family & relatives. Also, this year has been something very different for me and for my family since Karma (my brother) who recently got his Kidney transplant. So, it is very important for all of us to celebrate for him and for all of us. In addition to that, it's been real special for my family because this year I introduced Kim to my family and this is her first Tibetan New Year with my family.

We finished our trek few days ago after spending 5 days with my relatives in the village of Ghopte Ghyang, in the Helambu area and enjoyed our time with the village school children. We hired a porter to bring our school supplies to the village school, where we distributed some portion of supplies and then the next day we made a day hike to another school and distributed all the supplies and taught the children. We also visited all of my villagers and introduced Kim to them. They all enjoyed her as well as our visit. We met my uncles, cousins and my grand parents who only live in the village. The village is located in a hill where it took us two days to get there. 7 hours on the bus and then the walk up the hill to get to the top of the hill where the village is located.

Anyway, I never felt so rejuvenated as I did in this trip. Kim & I were both happy and enjoyed every bit of our time in the mountains. It is so simple yet so close to the sky.
At last, when we were ready to leave for Kathmandu, my Grandpa insisted to stay and relax one more day so we did. We just basked in the sun and enjoyed the fresh Himalayan air for another day. So we were strolling around, then all of a sudden by such a beautiful coincidence we met these strangers from England who became good friends at the end. We talked and shared some of the stories why we were there and why they are in Nepal and so forth. And they all ate their lunch at my Grandpa's house on the hill. Soon they left after lunch promising to meet in Kathmandu.

Next day, we left around 10 in the morning. The hike I usually did to go to school in my early years of school in the mountain. By coincidence or luck, it happened to be the anniversary of the school that I went to all the way up to 5th grades. All the kids were gathered in the school and the parents as well. Soon we became the center attention of the school. Kim and I both were invited to join the function. I felt real honor to be the guest and I was asked to give speech. I reminded all of the audience how hard it was to go to school then. Then I went through my backpack once again to give some gifts to the children of that school. Soon, I gathered hand full of school supplies such as erasers, color pencils and other related children stuffs. They all were happy to receive such gifts.

After that, we headed down to a village called Gohare where I spent 5 years during my school, from where I used to go to other school from 6th grade on. The reason, I made this route is because I wanted to show Kim how & where my school route was. We spent the night at my host family's house. My memory was still fresh; however time seemed to have passed a little after having to see couple of kids from a buddy of mine who went to school with me they were 8 and 11. Both Kim & I had real good time at the village. Next day, we ate and left to take the bus to Kathmandu. We passed through hanging bridges and walked through green lush fields. It almost was unbelievable after knowing, how much snow could be in Wisconsin, where we came from.

Around 12 noon, we caught the bus to Kathmandu. Its a very enjoyable ride back to the city again. I sat on the roof of the bus and enjoyed the view as much as I could where as Kim sat inside the bus. I wasn't the only person on the bus there were many people and even a few goats. I first thought, this could be very dangerous then I thought, if bus were to fall, the top people seems to be more safer than the inside bus since there are more people inside. After, a while I got off from the roof top. Then we got home in the city that is where my parents live now.
Losar was on as soon as we got back to the city. After that we have no time to do anything but celebrate with the family and relatives. The party is still on since we got back to the city and its been almost a week. Everyday, we must visit to one of our relatives and get the blessings, in addition family from my mom's side comes to our house where we host a party which we did on Monday and then this Thursday we will host's my dad's side of the family. It is a lot of work to host these parties but it is a blast, Kim has done such a wonderful job helping out during my mom's families party she worked so hard and my family all loved her.

As we promised we met up with our friends from England, both Kim and I head to downtown, and met with all of them and enjoyed all night long visiting restaurants and pubs and having a really good time. Next day we invited to our house and celebrated Losar with them. It was such a relaxing afternoon, with some great company. My mom and sister cooked and it was so yummy! We really enjoyed meeting such a wonderful group of people. They were here for a wedding this week in Pokhara, we said it many times to each other how lucky we were to meet each other. We plan on getting together this weekend as well.

We are really having so much fun that I cannot finish everything in this blog. I must bring some stories with us back to the States.

Thank you for listening and being part of our trip. One day, you can visit here and see everything for yourself.

Until later
Prem & Kim

From Kathmandu

Yeti Foot Prints Near Mt. Everest, Nepal !!!

Yeti prints' found near Everest

By Charles Haviland BBC News, Kathmandu

There have been stories of Yetis in the Himalayas for many years

A US TV presenter says he and his team have found a series of footprints in the Everest region of Nepal resembling descriptions of the mysterious Yeti.

The presenter and his colleagues say they are "very excited", although they are not saying they definitely believe it is the mark of the Yeti.

Josh Gates and his crew work on a series called Destination Truth, which follows reports of fantastic creatures.

The footprints found on Wednesday have renewed Yeti excitement in Nepal.

Mr Gates said they had been searching by torchlight at night-time because, he said, alleged sightings of the yeti had usually taken place at night.

They did not see the so-called abominable snowman himself.

Three prints

But a Nepalese member of the team spotted three footprints and alerted Mr Gates, who told the BBC the first print was a "pristine" right paw mark, 33 cm (13 inches) long, with five toes in a wide spread of 25 cm.

There was also a heel print and another fainter one.

An excited Mr Gates described the main footprint as anthropomorphic, meaning it had human characteristics.

He said he did not believe the prints were man-made or that they came from a known animal such as a bear.

But he also said he was not sure he believed in the Yeti, and did not know what to make of it.

The team took castings of the three prints which will be examined by scientists in the US.

Scalp claim

Asked why there were only three prints, Mr Gates said the terrain, in a side valley about 2,800 metres (9,000 feet), was mainly rocky.

Reports of the mythical Yeti go back hundreds of years, and the creature is sometimes attributed with dangerous powers, sometimes protective ones.

One Buddhist monastery near Everest houses what some say is a Yeti skull or scalp; scientists who examined it declared that it was made from antelope skin, but other experts disagreed.

In the 1950s the British explorer Eric Shipton took photos of prints in the snow that some are convinced belong to the Yeti.

Destination Nepal

Destination Nepal
Big Time; Big Travel; Big Mountain; Big Moment; Big Work!!!!

It may not sound too easy to travel for a 4 days 3 nights trips to Las Vegas or quick Cancun trip for many but thinking about traveling for almost three months may freak one out. Lets do it! That was our theme a year ago and it is happening end of this December till late March. Kim (my wife) an Alumni of UWGB has never been to Nepal. She has never met my family. This is the biggest travel we will be making in the history of our time.

End of 2007, we and I are planning our trip via Germany to Nepal. This also will be our visit to Germany as well. The reason to visit Germany? While we were discussing about planning a trip to Nepal. Our friend Stefan Zindal a German exchange student, who also went to UWGB with me between 2001 & 2002. Stefan asked me if we could stop by on the way to Nepal. First I thought wow, I cannot say no to this Stefan, he is a good friend. After discussing with my wife, we said Yes to Stefan. Now, the work of policy that I have to go through. I have to have a visa to Germany. I had to go to Chicago to apply for visa, which I did. It almost felt like too much work but worth it. For that Stefan had to do some work as well from Germany.

Now, let me introduce Stefen, Stefan was a Foreign Exchange student from Germany, from where UWGB receives many students perhaps every year. We lived together in campus housing apartment # 104. Living on campus brought this unique experience for us. We became like brothers. He went to school for physical education and currently he is physical education teacher in Germany. He is married and blessed by a beautiful daughter. Therefore, when Stefan brought up the idea of visiting Germany, we really couldn’t pass. More on Stefan’s life will be when we get to Germany. We will be celebrating our New Year with Stefan and his family. Indeed, this is a journey of a life time.

Why are we going there for that long? Well, this came out to be the perfect time for both of us. As season winding down, our shop will be closed for the season. I travel to Nepal for many reasons. I buy my inventory in Nepal and meeting and working with the locals takes time. Also, I have been doing some educational work in Nepal as my help to Nepal and village children where I am from, which is two days away from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. In addition to that, my brother, who has been suffering from Kidney failure, will be in Nepal. He just received a Kidney transplant in 31st of October and slowing in the path of healing. I have not seen him in two years. This will first time we will be seeing my brother after his surgery. You can also check his site @ http://help4karma.terapad.com

I spent most of my childhood in the mountain. I went to school walking two hours down and more than two hours up hill. Seeing this struggle, my father through the help of Action Aid Nepal, a British non profit Organization, and help of villagers, was able to build a school in the village, where walking distance would be maximum 30 minutes for surrounding village children rather than two hours.

However, back in 1990s, I left for more education in the city. During this period, I invited my family to the city for my siblings to get better education because even though village school provides basic education it still is not enough. Therefore, for my siblings, I requested my family to come to the city. First five year of our time in the city became even harder than the village life. We knew very few people so the life became very strange for our family. We struggled to survive in the capital city. Because both of my parents not having been to school, it was even harder for them than we children.

Having said that, life continued for us in the city. It gave us life learning experiences. The city life nurtured us to be where we are right now. The struggle in the city to survive and get by day to day life was very difficult for my father and my mother. Their intension to move to the city was to have a better life, which one cannot imagine being in the village.

Looking back again, my father had a vision in his mind but without enough resources or without enough courage he could not continue with his effort in village. But now, his children are grown and finding the path he created to be followed, which is to continue educating village children because without education the light of truth cannot be truly felt or comprehended. I have been working with the villagers and teachers in the village how to brighten our village? I myself with the help of some of my friends in Japan, was able to bring some school supplies in the past.

Now having graduated from University of Wisconsin Green Bay. We found the path, that we want to be in. I graduated from Environmental degree and my wife Human Development. Our path became clear that our degree is a channel to help others. Therefore, Kim & I have decided to at least help the school that my father built by bringing school supplies for the children and teach some basic courses for few weeks in in the village. Kim & I have collected so much school supplies that it is almost very difficult for us to ship it to Nepal.

Having to graduate from University of Wisconsin Green Bay, was truly an experience. To be honest, if I would not have come to GB, neither I would not have met any of my friends, teachers, faculty members nor my wife. I feel I am truly blessed.

We believe, that a drop may sound small in a huge ocean, still it makes a difference. This is truly charitable work we like to contribute to Nepal. If you would like to help in our cause to educate these mountain children, you can do so @ my site http://premlama.terapad.com. Also, we will be updating this blog, while we are in Nepal. So, don’t forget to bookmark or save the link.


Prem

Chinese police clash with monks over Dalai Lama award

Jonathan Watts in Beijing
Tuesday October 23, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Chinese police and soldiers have clashed with Buddhist monks in several towns in Tibet during a crackdown on celebrations to mark the award of a US congressional gold medal to the Dalai Lama last week.

According to Tibetan activist groups and Hong Kong media, the security forces have attempted to suppress monasteries that tried to mark the prize-giving with special prayers or decorations.

Despite government efforts to remove satellite dishes, halt sales of celebratory fireworks and block websites such as YouTube, news has spread quickly about the accolade and the meeting last week between the Tibetan spiritual leader and US president George Bush.

Beijing is furious about the award for the Dalai Lama, who it accuses of being a 'splittist' intent upon challenging the territorial integrity of China. The Dalai Lama says he is not seeking independence, but wants autonomy for Tibetans inside China.

The Free Tibet campaign says clashes and crackdowns have been reported in the capital Lhasa, as well as in the Tibetan communities of Qinghai and Gansu.

Citing sources in Dharamsala - the Indian home of Tibetan exiles - it says there are unconfirmed rumours that one or two monks have been killed in Lhasa.

The confrontation is said to have begun on 17 October after celebrating monks repainted the walls of the Dalai Lama's residence in Drepung Monastery and held a special prayer meeting.

The Ming Pao newspaper said 3,000 armed police surrounded the monastery and refused to allow the 1,000 or so monks to leave.

Details of the crackdown are hard to ascertain because the Chinese authorities keep a tight lock on Tibet. In recent days the YouTube website has been difficult to access in Beijing, prompting speculation that it has been blocked to prevent people on the mainland from seeing video of the Dalai Lama receiving the congressional award.