Swiss geologist Toni Hagen first came to Nepal in 1950, crisscrossed the mountains and plains on foot to find out the kind of rocks the country was made of. His detailed stratigraphic cross sections of Nepal for the first time gave us an idea of what lay beneath our feet.
Along the way he also took thousands of photographs and film which have been carefully archived by his family in Switzerland. Toni Hagen died in 2003, but the images represent a time capsule of the land and people, and show us the way we were.
Some of these photographs were included in the multiple editions of Nepal, the classic book about the country first published in 1962 which introduced Nepal to the world, and through its Nepali language edition, to Nepalis themselves.
Now, the Nepal Heritage Society has published another collection of Toni Hagen’s photographs of Kathmandu Valley, some of which were included in an exhibition at the Nepal Art Council in 2015 on the centennial of Toni Hagen’s birth.
Vishnumati flowing clean and blue with Langtang peering over Shivapuri ridge. The Bagmati at Thapathali with a monsoon cumulus looming above Pulchoki.
Toni Hagen: Photos of Kathmandu Valley 1950-1960 is edited by his physician daughter, Katrin, with extended captions by history professor Poonam Rajya Laxmi Rana. The book contains photographs that have not yet been published combined with accompanying historical text. This is an important work that shows us Kathmandu in aerial photography 70 years ago, neighbourhoods and street scenes that have long gone, but there are also plenty of reminders of how the inner city bahals and squares have not changed much in the six decades since the photographs were taken.
‘The photos and films by my father have immense value not only for the archives but for the studies of glaciers, as many of them have changed due to climate change,’ write Katrin Hagen in her preface. ‘The pictures of the old days are somehow a cultural heritage … there was no water supply, no sanitation facilities. But the water of the Bagmati was clean, there was no plastic waste.”
Indeed, the book allows us to travel back in time to a Kathmandu where the Bagmati reflects the deep-blue monsoon sky, dark rain-heavy monsoon clouds draping the familiar outline of Pulchoki, the green paddy terraces encircling towns with earthy brown sloping tile roofs. And, possibly because he was from Switzerland, almost all of Hagen’s photographs have as their backdrop snow mountains in the background.
Buffaloes wallowing in Chapagain have Dorje Lakpa in the background. Oxen pull a plough with Ganesh Himal glistening on the horizon. Women in Not Danda carry firewood, with the entire panorama of the Central Himalaya on the horizon. In one photograph from Sanga on a clear day, you can see clear across Nepal to the Annapurnas.
Hagen chartered a six-seater Haviland biplane in Patna and flew it into Gauchar to take the first ever aerial photographs of Kathmandu Valley in 1950. One black-and-white photograph from above Hanuman Dhoka looking east towards Tundikhel shows just how much the city has changed and how much of it remains the same. There is Tundikhel with the khari tree in the middle, the temples of Kathmandu Darbar Square, Bhugol Park, the open space around Dharara and the two-storey buildings of Khichapokhari.
Ambica Shrestha, President of the Nepal Heritage Society that published the book, says in an introduction: ‘Sharing these photos reminds those who witnessed Kathmandu’s past, and those who did not have the good fortune to do so, to see and experience the scenes and atmosphere of the time.’
Rana’s explanatory text provide the background to the images, giving he historical context. The words accompanying the rare aerial photograph of Singha Darbar, for instance, traces the history of neo-classical Rana architecture. There is one anecdote about Jung Bahadur being asked by a foreign visitor why his palace did not have an indoor toilet. His answer: “We do not go to the toilet, the toilet comes to us.”
Toni Hagen: Photos of Kathmandu Valley 1950-1960
Edited by Katrin Hagen, Text by Poonam Rajya Laxmi Rana
Nepal Heritage Society
Vajra Books, 2019
176 pages Rs4,000
For more photographs from the book click this link to the 2015 exhibition of Toni Hagen’s photographs.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
ग्रेटर नेपाल द्वारा सिमा अतिक्रमणको विरोध
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ग्रेटर नेपाल द्वारा कंचनपुरमा भएको भारतीय सिमा अतिक्रमण विरूद्ध मंगलबार विरोध जुलुस गरिएको हो ।
भारतिय पक्ष बाट सिमामा एकतर्फि रूपमा बाटो बनाउने कार्य गरेको हो । विरोधमा ग्रेटर नेपालका कंचनपुरका संयोजक गजेन्द्र पाण्डेको संयोजकत्वमा
विरोध जुलुस गरिएको हो । सरकारले सिमा अतिक्रमण बारे कडा कदम चाल्न ग्रेटर नेपालले आग्रह गरेको छ ।
Sunday, August 5, 2018
भारतीयद्वारा नेपाली भूभागमा बाटो निर्माण
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भारतीयद्वारा नेपाली भूभागमा बाटो निर्माण
स्थानीय प्रशासनलाई समेत कुनै जानकारी छैन
कञ्चनपुर — माथिल्लो तहको सहमति भन्दै भारतीय पक्षले नेपाली भूभागसम्मै सडक निर्माणको काम सुरु गरेको छ । कञ्चनपुरको भीमदत्त नगरपालिका ९ ब्रह्मदेव बजार नजिक टनकपुर बाँधको छेउमा उक्त सडक निर्माण भइरहेको हो ।
भारतीय पक्षले ब्रह्मदेव बजारसम्मै सडक निर्माणको काम थालेको छ। साउन दोस्रो सातादेखि उक्त क्षेत्रमा डोजर लगाएर सडक सम्याउने काम सुरु गरिएको हो। टनकपुर ब्यारेजदेखि ब्रह्मदेव बजारसम्म १ हजार २५८ मिटर सडक निर्माणका लागि भारतको लोक निर्माण विभागले काम थालेको हो।
निर्माण कम्पनीका इन्जिनियर सिपि शर्माको टोलीले सडक सम्याउने र सर्भेको काम गरिरहेको छ। उनका अनुसार टनकपुर बाँधको माथिल्लो र फेदीको सडक दुवै कालोपत्रे हुनेछ। टोलीले करिब डेढ सय मिटर नेपाली भूभागसम्मै सडक निर्माणको काम गरिरहेको छ। ‘यो हाइ लेभलको सहमति हो’ शर्माले भने, ‘त्यही अनुसार हामीले काम गरिरहेका हौं।’
उक्त सडक निर्माणका लागि लोक निर्माण विभागले ५ करोड ८४ लाखमा ठेक्का दिएको भारतिय अखबार अमर उजालाले लेखेको छ। गत सातामात्रै भारत उत्तराखण्डको चम्पावत जिल्लाका डिएम सत्यनारायण पाण्डेयसहितको टोलीले निर्माणाधीन सडकको निरीक्षण गरेका थिए। ब्रह्मदेवका स्थानीयसमेत माथिल्लो सहमति भन्नेवित्तिक्कै अलमलमा परेका छन्। उनीहरु भारतीय सीमा सुरक्षा बल (एसएसबी)को गस्ती गर्ने बाटो बनाउने काम भइरहेको हुन सक्ने आशंकामा छन्।
नेपाली भूभागमै निर्माण भइरहेको सडकका विषयमा भने यहाँको स्थानीय प्रशासन र सुरक्षा निकायलाई भने कुनै जानकारी नै छैन। कुन सहमतिअनुसार कसले निर्माण गरिरहेको हो भन्ने विषयमा समेत जानकारी नभएको कञ्चनपुरका प्रमुख जिल्ला अधिकारी कुमारबहादुर खडाले बताए। उनले भारतीय पक्षले कुनै किसिमका समन्वय वा जानकारीबिना नै काम गरिरहेका बताए।
‘हामीले तत्काल उक्त क्षेत्रमा भइरहेको काम रोक्न भनेका छौं’ प्रजिअ खडाले भने, ‘कुन सहमति हो कसले काम गरिरहेको हो यस विषयमा जानकारी आएपछि मात्रै काम गर्न भनेका छौं।’ तर भारतीय पक्षले भने नियमित काम गरिरहेको स्थानीयले जनाएका छन्।
भीमदत्त नगरपालिका वडा नं. ९ का अध्यक्ष राम नाथका अनुसार भारतीय पक्षले पुरानो सहमति भन्दै धमाधम काम गरिरहेको छ। यस विषयमा नगर कार्यपालिकाको बैठकमा समेत आफूले कुरा राखेको उनले जानकारी दिए। ‘यो भारतको हेपाहा प्रवृत्ति हो’ उनले भने, ‘माथिल्लो तहमा सहमति भएको हो भने पनि स्थानीयस्तरमा समन्वय गरेर मात्रै काम सुरु गरिनुपर्थ्यो, तर कुन सहमति हो कहिले भएको हो त्यसको कुनै पनि जानकारी छैन।’
उक्त क्षेत्रमा भारतीय भूभागमा पर्ने टनकपुर लिंक रोड र महाकाली सिँचाई आयोजना तेस्रो चरणको नहर भारतीय पक्षले निर्माण गर्नुपर्ने महाकाली सन्धिमा उल्लेख छ। तर, अहिले निर्माण भइरहेको सडक भने लिंक रोडतर्फ नभई ब्रह्मदेव बजारतर्फ जोडिन्छ। उक्त क्षेत्रमा वर्षौंदेखिको सीमा विवादसमेत यथावत छ। ३ नम्बर सीमा स्तम्भ महाकाली नदीको बीच भागमा रहेको नेपाली पक्षको दाबी छ। भारतीय पक्षले ब्रह्मदेव बजारको आधा भाग सीमामा पर्ने दाबी गर्दै आएको छ।
‘यो विषय अव संयुक्त सर्भे टोलीले टुंग्याउने छ’ सशस्त्र प्रहरी बल ३५ नं. गण मझगाउँका गणपति एसपी विनोदराज श्रेष्ठले भने, ‘अहिले वर्षातको सिजन भएकाले सीमा सर्भेको काम रोकिएको छ, असोज/कार्तिकदेखि फेरि सुरु हुनेछ।’ ब्रह्मदेवमा निर्माण भइरहेको सडकका विषयमा सशस्त्र प्रहरीसँग पनि कुनै समन्वय र जानकारी नभएको एसपी श्रेष्ठले बताए।
प्रकाशित : श्रावण २०, २०७५ २१:४६Source :- Kantipur
Sunday, July 29, 2018
बाँके र बर्दियाका ११३ सीमास्तम्भ गायब
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नेपाल–भारत सीमाअन्तर्गत बाँके र बर्दियाको सिमानामा रहेका ५५२ मध्ये ११३ सीमास्तम्भ हराएका छन् ।
बाँकेमा १३ र बर्दियामा १ सय सीमास्तम्भ गायब भएको खबर आजको नयाँ पत्रिकामा छ ।
बाँकेस्थित ३२ मुख्य सीमास्तम्भमध्ये पूर्व कट्कुइँया र पश्चिम मानखोलासम्मको सीमाका पाँच जंगेपिल्लर राप्ती नदी र मानखोलाले बगाएको जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालयले जनाएको छ ।
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Rara Lake
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The Rara Lake is the biggest and deepest fresh water lake in the Nepal Himalayas. It is the main feature of the Rara National Park, located in the Jumla and Mugu Districts.In September 2007, the lake was declared a Ramsar site, covering 1,583 ha (6.11 sq mi) including the surrounding wetland
Rara lake has been a popular destination with a very rough route in Western Nepal for trekkers. The glimpses of culture and scenery on the way is quite different from the rest of Nepal. Situated in high altitude, you can find the lake surrounded by Rara National Park with pine, spruce and juniper forest. The view of snow-capped Himalayan peaks enhance the attraction of trekkers. The trek begins with flight to Jumla (over an hour flight from Kathmandu ) or from nearer Nepalgunj. Going along the mountain path and some villages one can reach the bank of Rara lake.
Rara lake has been a popular destination with a very rough route in Western Nepal for trekkers. The glimpses of culture and scenery on the way is quite different from the rest of Nepal. Situated in high altitude, you can find the lake surrounded by Rara National Park with pine, spruce and juniper forest. The view of snow-capped Himalayan peaks enhance the attraction of trekkers. The trek begins with flight to Jumla (over an hour flight from Kathmandu ) or from nearer Nepalgunj. Going along the mountain path and some villages one can reach the bank of Rara lake.
A travel writer describes his trek to Rara:
Rara Lake as described by GORP founder Bill Greer: "a shimmering blue jewel set in a ring of snowy peaks".
Trekkers are recommended to bring their own first aid kit due to the lack of health services around the area. Since there are no accommodation facilities they may need help from a travel agency. Trekkers need to be self-sufficient as the facilities are not adequate.
Rara Lake as described by Mark Drett:
"Since the interval of 10 years, I visited again. Before 10 years, we needed to walk 19 days to get there but that has been reduced to 10 hours of gravel road and 4 hours of walk. Not expected but great change. When you get there, you will get the reward for 4 hour long walk."
Rara can be the next major place for tourists to visit. During 1997–1998 the number of tourists visiting to this place was found to be 560, but in 2007 it decreased to 87 individuals. Rara Festival was conducted by the Nepal Tourism Board in early 2007 to promote domestic and international visit
Friday, October 7, 2016
Brief Info about Annapurna Circuit
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3:05 AM
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Brief Info about Annapurna Circuit:
First this route is not the original route 1 out of 1000 people travel this way. Most of the people do it the way around as that's easier and the right way.
Everyone should travel to Annapurna circuit as the real beauty of Nepal lies here. People sitting in home travelling around Kathmandu and city areas around luxury will know how beautiful our country actually is. Tilicho Lake being the highest lake in the world lies in the route. Foreigners pay rs 5000 each just to enter the route and we Nepali just have to walk spend a minimum amount. It's not even that hard and the view is just majestic. Eating a pizza at 4900m feels good and munching on a snickers at 5300m at Tho-Rong La Pass is very satisfying with the view surrounded my snow and mountains. Some parts will be difficulty Tilicho Lake would be your favorite place in the world as the water is so blue with snow capped mountains surrounding it. And you get Nepali discounts also at shops.
Route:
Day 1 Kathmandu to Pokhara: NRs 500 for bus lunch as choice 500 for room at night.
Day 2 Ticket in front of chilly bar, Pokhara to Jomsom: NRs. 1000
Lunch on choice.
Day 3 Jomsom to Muktinath: NRs 300 jeep/ bus or 6 hrs hike from there to Charmbu Duration: 1.5 hrs hike
Day 4 Charmbu to Thorong La Pass to height camp to Thorong La Fedi 12 hrs walk, There will be nothing on middle so take water and snickers.
Day 5 Thorong La Fedi to Shree Kharga: 6-7 hrs hike
Day 6 Shree Kharga to Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho and back yo Tilicho Base Camp
Day 7 Tilicho Base Camp to Manang
Day 8 Take a jeep cost: NRs. 2000 till last stop and take a bus to Pokhara or Kathmandu from there if found in time.
Day 1 Kathmandu to Pokhara: NRs 500 for bus lunch as choice 500 for room at night.
Day 2 Ticket in front of chilly bar, Pokhara to Jomsom: NRs. 1000
Lunch on choice.
Day 3 Jomsom to Muktinath: NRs 300 jeep/ bus or 6 hrs hike from there to Charmbu Duration: 1.5 hrs hike
Day 4 Charmbu to Thorong La Pass to height camp to Thorong La Fedi 12 hrs walk, There will be nothing on middle so take water and snickers.
Day 5 Thorong La Fedi to Shree Kharga: 6-7 hrs hike
Day 6 Shree Kharga to Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho and back yo Tilicho Base Camp
Day 7 Tilicho Base Camp to Manang
Day 8 Take a jeep cost: NRs. 2000 till last stop and take a bus to Pokhara or Kathmandu from there if found in time.
Total budget: NRs. 17,000
A snickers will cost: NRs. 100
A bottel of water will cost: NRs. 200
Rice between NRs. 300-700 (will be discounted)
Room will cost NRs. 100-200 below manag if you eat there they won't charge you.
A bottel of water will cost: NRs. 200
Rice between NRs. 300-700 (will be discounted)
Room will cost NRs. 100-200 below manag if you eat there they won't charge you.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Nepal – Britain Friendship Treaty 21 December 1923
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9:30 PM
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treaty of friendship among great britain and nepal signed at kathmandu, 21st december 1923, and be aware bearing the identical date respecting the importation of fingers and ammunition into nepal – 1923.
( change of ratifications happened at kathmandu at the 8th april 1925)
TREATY
Whereas space and friendship have now existed between the British Government and the Government of Nepal since the signing of the Treaty of Segowlie on the 2nd day of December 1815; and whereas since that date the Government of Nepal has ever displayed its true friendship for the British Government and the British Government has as constantly shown its good-will towards the Government of Nepal; and whereas the government of both the countries are now desirous of still further strengthening and cementing the good relations and friendship which have subsisted between them for more than a century; the two High Contracting Parties having resolved to conclude a new treaty of Friendship have agreed upon the following Article:-
Article I:
There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Governments of Great Britain and Nepal, and the two Governments agree mutually acknowledge and respect each other’s independence both internal and external.
Article II:
All previous treaties, agreements and engagements, since and including the Treaty of Segowlie of 1815, which have been concluded between the two Government are hereby conformed, except so far as they may be altered by the present Treaty.
Article III:
As the preservation of peace and friendly relations with the neighbouring States whose territories adjoin their common frontiers is to the mutual interests of both the High Contracting Parties, they hereby agree to inform each other of any rupture such friendly relations, and each to exert its good offices as far as may be possible to remove such friction and misunderstanding.
Article IV:
Each of the High Contracting Parties will use all such measure as it may deem practicable t prevent its territories being used for purpose inimical to the security of the other.
Article V:
In view of the longstanding friendship that has subsisted between the British Government and the Government of Nepal and for the sake of cordial neighbourly relations between them , the British Government agrees that the Nepal Government shall be free to import from or through British India into Nepal whatever arms, ammunition, machinery, warlike material or stores may be required or desired for the strength and welfare of Nepal, and that this arrangement shall hold good for all times as long as the British Government is satisfied that the intentions of the Nepal Government are friendly and that there is no immediate danger to India from such importations. The Nepal such arms, ammunition, etc., across the frontier of Nepal either by the Nepal Government or by private individuals.
If, however, any convention for the regulation of the Arms Traffic, to which the British Government may be a party, shall come into force, the right of importation of arms and ammunition by the Nepal Government shall be subject to the proviso that the Nepal Government shall first become a party to that Convention, and that such importation shall only be made in accordance with the provisions of that Convention.
Article VI:
No Customs duty shall be levied at British Indian ports on goods imported on behalf of the Nepal Government of immediate transport to that country provided that a certificate from such authority as may from time to time be determined by the two governments shall be presented at the time of importation to the Chief Customs Officer at the port of import setting forth that the goods are the property of the Nepal Government, are required for the public services of the Nepal Government are not for the purpose of any State monopoly or State trade, and are being to Nepal under orders of the Nepal Government, The British Government also agrees to the grant in respect of all trade goods, imported at British Indian ports for immediate transmission to Katmandu without breaking bulk en route, of a rebate of the full duty paid, provided that in accordance with arrangements already agreed to, between the two Governments, such goods may break bulk for repacking at the port of entry under Customs supervision in accordance with such rules as may from time to time be laid down in this behalf. The rebate may be claimed on the authority of a certificate signed by the said authority that the goods have arrive at Katmandu with Customs seals unbroken and otherwise untampered with.
Article VII:
This Treaty signed in the part of the British Government by Lieutenenat-Colonel W.F.T. O’Connor, C.I.E., C.V.O., British Envoy at the Court of Nepal and on the part of Nepal Government by General His Highness Maharaja Sir Chandra Shumsher Junga Bahadur Rana, G.C.B, G.C.S.I., G.D.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.C.I., Thong-lin Pimma Kokang- Wang-Syan, Prime Minister and Marshal of Nepal , shall be ratified and the ratification shall be exchanged at the Katmandu as soon as practicable.
Signed and sealed at Kathmandu this the twenty first day of December in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty three Anno Domini Corresponding with the Sixth Paush, Sambat Era one thousand nine hundred and eighty.
W.F.T O’Connor, LT.Col. ( Under Vernacular Translation of Treaty )
British Envoy at the Chandra Shumshere,
Court of Nepal Prime Minister and Marshal of Nepal.
Note:- From the Prime Minister of Nepal, to the British Envoy at the Court of Nepal.
Nepal, December 21, 1923
My dear Colonel O’Connor, Regarding the purchase of arms and ammunitions which the Government of Nepal busy from time to time for the strength and welfare of Nepal, and imports to its own territory from and through British India in accordance with Article V of the Treaty between the two Governments, the Government of Nepal hereby agrees that it will, from time to time before the importation of arms and ammunition at British Indian Ports, furnish detailed lists of such arms and ammunitions to the British Envoy at the Court of Nepal in order that the British Government may be in a position to issue instructions to the port authorities to afford the necessary facilities for their importation in accordance with Article VI of this Treaty.
I am, etc.Chandra
To
Lieutenant-Colonel W.F.T. O’Connor, C.I.E., CVO,.
British Envoy at the Court of Nepal.
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There is More reason why Greater Nepal is Possible. The sugauly treaty done by thereat not independently. And its not done by Authoress... -
Terms of Sugauli Treaty After the anglo-nepalese war, a treaty of peace and friendship turned into signed between the government of nepal... -
Kangchenjunga, Amazing mount one of the world kangchenjunga, once in a while spelled kanchenjunga, is the third highest mountain in... -
Brief Info about Annapurna Circuit: First this route is not the original route 1 out of 1000 people travel this way.... -
Kathmandu Durbar Square, The World Heritage Sites Of Nepal Kathmandu durbar rectangular in front of the vintage royal palac... -
Greater Nepal: A Quest At the same time as the relaxation people are sipping lattes, manoj pandit, subash adhikari and pals are possibly... -
Phewa Lake,Most Amazing place of Pokhara City Phewa Lake Reflection of the Annapurna Range on Phewa Lake Location Kask...
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