SPACES Nepal MAY 2014

May 2014 – Vol 10 No. 05

ART ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR

Promoting Creativity

Price: NRs.100/- IRs.100/- USD 5.95 EURO 5.95 GBP 4.95

Black Pepper Restaurant

Water solution for Better Living

Innovative Ecological Architecture Economic Impact of DISASTER

Women Water Seeds

May 2014 / 1

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Interior Schema Expo III

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April 2014 / 3

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Contents May 2014 Vol 10 No.05 SPACESNEPAL.COM

Architecture

22

Interior Schema Expo III Promoting Creativity The Interior Schema Expo III was held in April and was organised by students of IEC College for Art and Fashion. Twenty four senior students showcased their design ideas. Along with the Models’ Display, the Exhibition included a Product Design Competition, Paper Work Display and Interior Design Counselling. The main aim of the Interior Schema Expo III was to inform and educate the public on interior design principles and practices.

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54

Architecture

28

Black Pepper Restaurant Culture is a given in Nepal. We revel in it and it defines us. It is also mistakenly assumed that Nepali culture begins and ends with the renowned namaskar. As in the Italian idiom, the Nepali mode is layered, often hidden and subject to interpretation. Colours, products, food, festivals, fields of mustard and wheat - a complete picture of the Nepali way is ever present yet ever elusive.

Architecture

36

Economic Impact of Disaster The country has a long history of destructive earthquakes. Approximately ten earthquake incidences of greater than or equal to intensities MMI IX have been reported in Kathmandu in the past 750 years. Earthquake is among the most significant of these natural hazards - the country lies in a high earthquake intensity belt.

The Seismic Zoning Map of Nepal divides the country into three zones wherein the middle part of the country is slightly higher than the northern and the southern parts.

‘Women Water Seeds’ The Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre (KCAC) located at the Patan Museumrecently presented an exhibition of oil paintings by Australian artist Fern York entitled ‘Women Water Seeds’in May 2014. The exhibition was attended by many art enthusiasts from across the world who were moved by the artist’s emotional attachment to and love for Nepal, its culture, traditions, architec- ture, craftsmanship and paintings.

THE WORLD’S GREATEST ARCHITECTURE: PAST AND PRESENT This analysis of the world’s most celebrated buildings spans the earliest period to the 20th Century - beginning with an exploration of ancient worlds and structures such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Persepolis and the Machu Pichu. Author D. M. Field takes us back to the architecture of ancient worlds - Classical architecture, Medieval architecture and the architecture of South Asia - as he demonstrates the celebratory manifestations of architecture with over 600 photographs.

42

Water solution for Better Living: Innovative Ecological Architecture Though Nepal is well accredited for the abundance of natural water resources however the lack of proper infrastructure management still creates a disarray for clean water distribution particularly in the cities.

The solution for the accessibility of clean drinking is now being researched by people who have developed innovative methods that can help communities in the cities with lower capital cost and larger storage for water.

54 ARTSCAPE:Prashanta Memorial Society 70 Personality: Jon Gangdal 72 Market: Marvel Piping Systems 68 Open Space 8 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

April 2014 / 9

Zero Discharge

A smart alternative to Septic Tank

Editorial Spaces Celebrates it’s 10th.Anniversary with a special felicitation program combined with a musical evening this month at the Brick’s cafe.

We would like to say a Big Thank You to our team along all our writers, well wishers and supporters.

In this issue we highlight the design of the Black Pepper Restaurant at Kupondole Height which radiates a Nepali warmth and feel.

Besides this we also feature on Disaster preparedness and awareness in Nepal, which is rapidly gaining ground along with a a holistic review on it’s economic impact by NSET’s Kalyan Bista. Artist Fern York and photographer Sudendra Lawoti have given much needed impetus to their respective fields - their exhibitions are covered in this issue with the hope that the messages (and media) there in will resonate far beyond our own particular spheres of influence.

The Third Italian Film and Food Festival is reviewed and revisited - yet another element of culture and fusion, which often finds a willing space and environment in Kathmandu. The Indian Cultural Festival 2014 is highlighted through Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s artworks exhibited at the City Museum of Kathmandu.

The Open Spaces column travels to Chitwan and our book review section presents a fascinating opus - World’s Greatest Architecture: Past and Present. Finally, Kathmandu’s new bête noir, the polythene bag, is also foregrounded for both understanding and compassion!

Another highlight this past month, has been an unforgettable trek up in the Everest Area. Travelling to Lukla, and then walking upto Namche Bazaar, Syangboche and Khumjung Valley revealed the precise connection of the mind with nature. As the sky opened and the Mountains began to sore high....I couldn’t help but scribble these thoughts and hum these lines...

Silence of Nature....

In the noise of the city you loose yourself, In the silence of nature one finds oneself !

Mountain wind....

Where the wind blows without fear And nature is so near Into that valley of thought For peace and tranquility we sought.

Why dont’t you try ....and go for a trek !

Namaste !

Sarosh Pradhan

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Volume 10 NO. 05 | May

Contributors Mr. Kalyan Bista has over 20 years of experience working with I/NGOs and has professional expertise in project management aspect in forestry, energy, health and disaster risk management sector. He was in senior management level of National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) from 2003 – 2011 and had been responsible for the NSET Administration and overall coordination of projects being implemented by NSET. Mr. Bista is currently working as Consultant Public Private Partnership Specialist for NSET. He has also been providing his professional expertise as a board director of some of the private sector business companies.

Mr. Bista got his MBA from Nepal as well as EMBA and Post Graduate in Disaster Management from India (thru Distance Learning Mode).

Asha Dangol is a contemporary Nepali visual artist. He is the co-founder of Kasthamandap Art Studio and E-Arts Nepal. He holds Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Tribhuvan University. He has been creating and exhibiting his artworks since 1992. He has 10 solo art exhibitions to his credit.

He has taken part in numerous group shows in Nepal and has been exhibited in different foreign countries. He experimented with painting, mixed media, ceramics, installation, performance and video as well.

CEO Editor-in-Chief Creative Manager Editor-Features Senior Correspondent Contributing Art Editor

Contributing Editor

Photographer

Intl. Correspondent

Ashesh Rajbansh Sarosh Pradhan Deependra Bajracharya Veneeta Singha Pujan Joshi Madan Chitrakar Kasthamandap Art Studio President - Society of Nepalese Architects Ar. Jinisha Jain (Delhi) Ar. Chetan Raj Shrestha (Sikkim) Barun Roy (Darjeeling Hills) Pradip Ratna Tuladhar Hemant Kumar Shrestha Bansri Panday

Chief - Administration Marketing Officer Admin Officer Office Secretary Accounts Subscription Legal Advisor

Anu Rajbansh Debbie Rana Dangol Ashma Rauniyar Pramila Shrestha Sunil Man Baniya Suraj Chettri Yogendra Bhattarai

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NEWS

My Motherland

Nepal “M

y Motherland Nepal- Gloriously Stretched Amidst the Endless Sky”is the eighth solo exhibition by artist andpoet Sandhya Regmi held at the Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal on May 3, 2014. The exhibition was inaugurated by the chief guests Dr. Abhi Subedi and Prof. Tulasi Diwasa and chaired by prominent author and poet Mrs.Greta Rana.Special guests at the exhibition ceremony included the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Embassy of Thailand Mrs. Jiraporn Sudanich, the Chancellor of Nepal- Bhasha Academy, Chairman of Nepal Art Council, Dr. Satya Mohan Joshi, along with senior artists from the country.

Sandhya Regmi’s paintings represent Nepal as Shangri-La with pristine and immaculate landscapes,reveries, cascades and snow-capped peaks taking us toa spiritual world of supreme happiness and liberation from the ever-increasing anxiety and suffering of the material world. The artist is anenvironmental engineer as well as a poet, author and columnist. She has received much admiration and respect for her work in many countries around the world. Her exhibitionsentitled “Faces Embedded in The Heart - A Tribute to Ashish Koirala,” “Hope for Peace,”“Upon Mother Nature’s Lap,”“Sky Shower,”“Reincarnation of

In conscience and understanding Of men imbued with self -respect A nation lives.

In attitudinal bearings it is And not in geographical boundaries It is in blood that runs in veins that Our Motherland lives.

Buddha” and “Faces of Buddha” have also received recognition far and wide.

Sandhya is also a winner of many awards, scholarship and academic recognitions including fromthe Ministry of Construction, HCMC, Vietnam transport research and was awarded a Certificate of Honor by NAFA.“As an environmental engineer, I endeavored to create an awareness of environmental preservation and sustainability through my paintings - with the message that we must safeguardour natural blessings from the threats of global warming and the detrimental effects of climate change.

Unless we are to choose the path of self-destruction, we have an obligation to conserve nature so that future generations can continue to breathe and walk with ease in a clean, green and healthy earth,”says Sandhya.

Sandhya’schoice of medium,colors and techniques reflects her strong personality. “I have painted mountains,rock formations and crystal clear waters in serene cool colors of burnt umber, burnt sienna, viridian green, sap green, prussian blue, french ultramarine, violet, cerulean blue, grey and titanium white,” explains Sandhya who has partly adopted the styles and techniques of Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Sandhya derives inspiration from the Buddhawho spread the message of oneness and peace, harmony and happiness. Her paintings are also inspired by meditations in the forest and the experience of being at harmony with nature. An excerpt from her poem -‘Nepal! I love You’-echoes this experience. n

May 2014 / 15

NEWS

J

agdamba Steels Pvt. Ltd, company of Shanker Group amid a function titled Milestones at Kumari Hall, Hotel Annapurna presented the recent achievements and future prospects of the company.

Jagdamba Steels

Mr. Shanker Lal Golyan, Chairman of Shanker Group unveiled the ISI certification received for the Jagdamba TMT Rebars, Jagdamba RMS, Cut and Bend Products, the first and only of its kind of product in Nepal.

In the function, the company also announced the future launch of new range of TMT Rebars in the grade 500 D. The product being high ductile steel will be highly suitable for construction application, especially owing its strength of High Ductility which offers higher resistance to structure in case of an earthquake.

Jagdamba TMT Rebars have been awarded ISI Certification, IS:1786:2008

by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for TMT Rebars in grade Fe500 and Fe 500 D. The company says this a result of the commitment to adhering highest standards of its products in quality and make and represents the excellence the company aims to achieve both in product and Manufacturing Quality.

Jadgamba RMS, Ready Made Steel refers to cut and bend products made from rebars that are customized in length and bent at required angles in accordance with the given project’s requirement and specification. The solution caters to every kind of reinforcement requirement, redefines concepts of time and inventory management and reduces material wastage. The only of its kind of product launched by Jagdamba Steels also comes with the advantage of experience and assurance in quality from an Industry leader and pioneer in Steel products.

16 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

is done with precision in measurement for length and angle and ensures no wastage and hassle for storage and inventory of rebars. The product will be ideally suited to Nepal considering its proness to high seismic Risks.

Jagdamba Steels is set to revolutionize the market for cut and bend products, especially intended and useful for large turnkey infrastructure projects like Hydropower, Housing, Physical Infrastructure etc. To be initially available in size of 7mm and other sizes shall follow up to 12mm. The cut and bend can be made as per the requirement in length and angle of bend. This will be superior to manually bent rebars, as it

The event was concluded with the unveiling of Jagdamba Giants, a NPL Cricket team owned by the company and group.

The team, logo, jersey was unveiled jointly by Shakti Gauchan Captain of Jagdamba Giants, Navin Singh, Coach and Mr. Shahil Agrawal Joint MD Shanker Group and Mr. Sulav Agrawal, Executive Director, Shanker Group. The anthem video was jointly unveiled by Mr. Shakti Gauchan, popular singers Mr. Niruma Rumbha and Yamabuddha. The anthem video features feat by Popular Singers. Mr. Shahil Agrawal handed over the team flag to captain Shakti Gauchan and felicitated the team members; Coach Mr. Navin Singh. Captain Mr. Shakti Gauchan , Vice Captain Mahesh Chhetri, Naresh Budhayer, Sompal Kami, Nizamudeen Ansari, Haseem Ansari, Subendu Pandey, Amit Dahal, Ajay Raj Banshi, Pawan Shrestha, Prem Tamang, Amit Shrestha & Devendra Sumare.  n

NEWS

In Conversation with the Ambassador of Finland

His Excellency

Asko Juhani Luukkainen The ICT Branding Expo 2014 was inaugurated at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall – the Expo was supported by the Embassy of Finland to Nepal so as to help energize new technology businesses, brands and organizations for a more sustainable future for IT products, services and education. Spaces Magazine was honoured to hold an important conversation with His Excellency Asko Juhani Luukkainen on ICT development and cooperation between Finland and Nepal.

How does the Embassy of Finland perceive contemporary ICT development in Nepal?

“We can see the progress in the Education, Government and Business Sectors. There is a lot of optimism in Nepal’s IT Sector and this will definitely gain momentum as there are many capable individuals and companies who can contribute towards this movement.

Finland has advanced tremendously in the ICT sector - it is important for us to monitor and guide Nepal. I am extremely proud to say that Nepal is also heading towards the same direction step by step.”

Is there an ICT student assistance program for Nepali students from the Embassy of Finland?

“Currently, there are many Nepali people studying and working in Finland - Nepali students have a genuine aspiration to learn. The Government of Finland provides education free of cost up to the university level for Finnish citizens. However, universities charge a reasonable fee for foreign students.

All Finnish teachers hold a Master’s Degree - this is among the unique aspects of the Finnish Schooling System.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Finland was established in 2008 to help promote growth and competiveness by accelerating ideation thereby supporting competitive 18 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

products and encouraging innovators to join a new generation of entrepreneurs.

We are ready to assist anyone who can contribute to their own country – we equip students, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs with the skills needed for developing creativity and entrepreneurship.”

Please brief us the Embassy of Finland’s engagement at the recent ICT Expo 2014?

“ICT Expos are particularly significant for a country like Nepal for raising awareness of new technologies, product and services beneficial for small and large-scale industries and businesses.

The Embassy of Finland has collaborated with the ICT Association of Nepal and will continue to do so.”

Finland is reputed for ICT product and services - can you brief us about ICT operations in Finland?

“I would say functionality is at the core of Finnish thinking. I am sure everyone has heard of Nokia - Nokia is, in reality, the name of a place in Finland which started by making rubber boots or gum boots and turned to IT technology later. There are many major companies operating in Finland in various sectors Consumer goods, Financials, Industrials, the Media, Oil and Gas, Retail, Travel and Leisure, Telecommunications,

Technology and Utilities. Recently Huawei, a leading global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Solutions Provider, has established a Research and Development Centre in Helsinki due to the Finnish mobile technology expertise and ease of cooperation with Finnish research organizations. Similarly, Google has expanded its data centre in Southeastern Finland whereas Microsoft has announced plans to invest in a new Data Center in Finland. The Finnish Government has cut Corporate Tax Rate to 20 percent in the beginning of this year – this is the lowest in the Nordic countries.”

How are IT business education and strategic centers facilitating the ICT infrastructure in Finland. Are there any lessons for Nepal?

“ICT in Finland is best known for equipping students, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs with requisite skills. Recently, Strategic Centers have been established in Finland in Bio-Gas, Energy, Environment Metals, Engineering, Information and Telecommunications Centers.

There are Research Centers focusing on energy efficiency processes and operational models, competitive urban infrastructures and sustainable open spaces. This represents a new business concept in the Finnish innovation system which I believe is applicable here in Nepal too.” n

May 2014 / 19

NEWS

North Meets South IV

T

he open air musical festival North Meets South IV organized by Ashesh and Nekhvam was greeted with much optimism by the crowd.

Held at Thimi on 8th April 2014 it was a musical event focused specially for protecting the rights of children in Nepal.

The music festival featured performances by Ashesh & Nekhvam, Kjetil Flatland and students from Seljord folk High School, Norway and Thimi Bashuri Dhimey Pucha, a local Newari traditional band received much sanguinity as they primed their stage where a large number of audiences gathered for the free concert. The highlight of the show was the song titled Cosmic Vibe composed by Ashesh Dangol, featuring Thimi Bashuri Dhimey Pucha: and Kjetil Flatland on Saxophone.

The concept of North meets South was born when Ashesh and Nekhvam was in Tour in Norway with Jon Gangdal and Visited Seljord Folk High School for the workshop and Performance in 2010.

While the meeting with the former Principal Mr, Terje Heggernes, proposed Ashesh Dangol for the musical show while they come to Visit Nepal in 2011 and want to see the band Ashesh and Nekhvam.

The music festival, North Meets South theme was to bring North Musicians to South and collaborate in Nepal with

20 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

a motive to avoid keeping music in a box that needed an out of the box exposure. As Ashesh, the front man of the band, explains, “People look at this event as being involved as a part of an uprising, and are awaken to the musical fusion of various instruments and genre of the world, and this has helped the local Newari traditional band to research on various Newari instruments that can be fused with other instruments from the world over that gives a unique texture to music. North meets South concept would not be happen if we have not got chance to meet our Norwagain brother Mr Jon Gangdal.”

While passing by Thamel streets in Kathmandu in the year 2009 Mr. Jon Gangdal was inspired by listening to Ashesh and Nekhvam’s ‘In Search Towards Freedom’ in Dome Restaurant and Bar. As his twin brother who was a blues music fan had passed away on a boat mishap he felt a personal bond with the band and even composed lyrics for the band titled ‘In my Brother’s Blues’ dedicated to his twin brother. He felt a divine connection and after listening to their music he was determined to take them to Norway and started the process to arrange the paperwork.

Ashesh was presented as the title ‘Himalayan Hendrix’ during a music

festival at Blues and Balance 2010 in Husvaer, Norway and in Germany, during their Solo concert titled the “New Jimi Hendrix from Kathmandu in Fabrik (The most reputed Venue) in Hamburg, but the audiences and music critics clarified that he was the ‘New Hendrix’ and were invited to come to play during a blues festival in the year 2011 in Norway, Germany, Scotland and England. The Nepali based blues Rock band, Ashesh and Nekhvam are pioneers in presenting their musical talents to international audience in Europe and US and have unlocked a pride and bridge for Nepali Music artists to be recognized by international music communities.

Their growing international fan base and the band’s support for many charity projects in Nepal and abroad have had keen fan followers who agree that their performance and style is at such an international technical level which is simply unmatched by other bands today.

North meets South now has become one of the reputed music festival in Nepal which is Organized by Ashesh and Nekhvam in association with Seljord Folk High School, Norway, Heads Up’ Nepal, Thimi and Supported

by Spaces Magazine, Capital FM 92.4, Nekhvam Studio, SCC and CWIN. n

NEWS

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the City Museum of Kathmandu:

An Exhibition of Artworks

T

he Indian Cultural Festival 2014 graced Kathmandu with a seminal exhibition of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s art works. “Though not a complete survey of the poet’s creative repertoire, it is representative of the wide range of themes, subjects and techniques that he dabbled in as a fine artist.” Tagore’s “brief but remarkable journey as a fine artist” bears witness to diverse human experience and is a consummate expression of the human condition. n

Nepal Land and Housing Developers’ Association

N

epal Land and Housing Developers’ Association ( NLHDA) organized NLHDA Real Estate Expo,2014 from 8th – 10th May,2014 at Bhrikuti Mandap, Exhibition Hall, Kathmandu.

The association believes that organizing a real estate expo will be helpful to offer support for well planned, safe and organized urbanization. The expo also provided opportunity to the visitor and potential buyer to be educated about the scenario of real estate sector and the right choice and price of product.

Potential buyers also gained excellent knowledge in selecting the best alternatives throughout the expo while it also provided an opportunity to developers, construction, business person to showcase their product to large number of visitors under the same roof.

By creating pool between real estate and the potential customers, the expo hopes to build another milestone in the development of real estate and housing industry of Nepal.

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Expo

NLHDA is recognized to modernize the practice of land and housing development so as the sector becomes more contributing to the economy of the country by promoting and institutionalizing the practice of capital investment in the sector by protecting and promoting welfare of the investors, ensuring security and trustworthiness between the practitioners of land and housing developers and their clients and actively participating to find coordination between the government agencies and its policy formulation regarding land and housing development.

NLHDA was established in 1994 after receiving authorization from Government of Nepal. It aims to find liaison between the concerned departments of Government of Nepal and such practitioners thus finding a unique position in being able to influence policymakers for better land and housing regulations

while it also aims to standardize land and housing market of Nepal. The association is affiliated to organization such as International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). n

NEWS

Navin Distributors launches Hisense Exclusive Showroom at Sherpa Mall

N

avin Distributors Pvt. Ltd, the sole authorized distributer for Hisense products in Nepal inaugurated its Exclusive Hisense Showroom at Sherpa Mall Durbarmargh on May 5th 2014. Hisense is well known for manufacturing quality television sets e.g. Smart TV, 3D TVs, LED, LCD, Refrigerators, Chest Freezers, Air Conditioners, Wine Chiller Washing Machine, wireless PC cards and optical components for the telecommunications and data communications industries.

Hisense is currently the number one brand in China and has been rated as number four in the World in its respective market. The renowned Chine based company has won many awards like most consumer Satisfaction in Australia.

Hisesne entered 2008 entered into an

agreement with Melbourne & Olympic Parks allowing them six-year naming rights to Hisense Arena In July 2008, a Melbourne venue for spectator sports such as basketball, netball, dance sports, cycling, gymnastics and tennis. It is the first stadium in the world to be named after a Chinese company and since then the company’s profile has been well esteemed and renowned in the international market.

Currently Navin Distributors Pvt. Ltd will be catering Television, Refrigerators, AC’s and Washing Machines at the new Hisense Exclusive showroom at Sherpa mall, Durbarmarg to facilitate their customers without any setback .They are planning to add vacuum cleaners and other products in the new showroom. n

2013

FURNEX Nepal 2014 Nepal Furniture and Furnishing Association is organizing 3rd Furniture and Furnishing Expo FURNEX 2014 from 11th Bhadra – 15th Bhadra 2071 at Brikutimandap Exhibition Hall.

The expo will be held to facilitate the customers to find good alternatives worth spending and for business houses to showcase their quality products that relays their message. The expo will also help promote the domestic furniture and furnishing industries by providing a platform to compete and do better with the imported and expensive products.

Visitors can also participate on different workshops and seminars during the expo. The seminars and workshops will be conducted by experts to help understand the product and address the necessity in right way and economically. n

Press Release

Global Exposition & Management Services Pvt. Ltd. (GEMS Events) this year presents 18th edition of its most awaited event for education and literary developments, the 18th Nepal Education & Int’l Book Fair 2014. Organized in co-operation with National Booksellers & Publishers Association of Nepal (NBPAN), the

exhibition is scheduled for May 29 till June 5 at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall, Kathmandu. [Education section: 29 May - 1 June & Book Section: 29 May 5 June] The 18th Nepal Education & Int’l Book Fair 2014 aims to promote quality education, education awareness and to inculcate reading habit in the people.

For the visitors and book lovers, the Fair is an opportunity to find their subject of interest at one place and buy at special prices as well as to meet their favorite authors, eminent writers, celebrities and distinguished personalities. Students and career conscious people will find the Fair highly informative to align their interest and course of studies by exchanging information with academicians and education consultants.

Incorporating the diverse interests of the readers, the Fair will showcase books

on different subjects by national and international publishers. The variants of book include academics, IT, entertainment, agriculture, culinary, banking, sociology, philosophy, literature, health, medicine, engineering, tourism, management, children books, sports, law, fiction, non-fiction, development studies, religious, spiritual, humour, political, etc.

The eight days event is expected to benefit around one lakh visitors. The Fair will include different informative and interactive programs like seminars, talk programs, book releases, photo exhibition, children amusements, etc. The sponsors of the 18th Nepal Education & Int’l Book Fair 2014 are EKTA Books, Ankur Pre-School and Readmore.

This year’s theme: Moving away from ignorance. n

May 2014 / 23

Interior

Interior Schema Expo III

Promoting Creativity

By Pujan Joshi

The Interior Schema Expo III was held in April and was organized by students of IEC College for Art and Fashion. Twenty four senior students showcased their design ideas. The event was a showcase for the final year students (2011) of Interior Design and Paper works and the junior students of the College focusing on Product and Print Design. The Expo was inaugurated by His Excellency, W. M. Senevirathna, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal.

Along with the Models’ Display, the Exhibition included a Product Design Competition, Paper Work Display and Interior Design Counseling. The main aim of the Interior Schema Expo III was to inform and educate the public on interior design principles and practices. This field of study is relatively new in Nepal - events such as the Expo will help the younger generations in the field of Interior Design and diffuse information on interior design products currently available in Nepal.

The scale models on display covered diverse areas of Interior Design - residential and commercial buildings including the movie theatre, bank, café and library, Newari architecture, inn and motel, night club, jewelry store, boutique, resort, restaurant, beauty salon, spa and food courts which incorporate both traditional and modern design elements.

The Visitors’ Choice Vote for the best design model was won by Alisha Dangol, Anjil Awal and Sushovit Ranjitkar.

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A winning project description Alisha Dangol

Best model for Night and Day Club, String Lounge and Bar

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he String Lounge and Bar is divided into two zones – the day club and the night club. The Pool Area presents landscaping whereas the Bar and Lounge as well as the Reception is created with night life in mind. “As my theme is based on music, I have used different forms of musical instruments, musical notes as well as images of music personalities to make my design more interesting. All of my furniture was designed in musical shapes such as the piano and guitar. The walls also exhibit musical patterns. The false ceiling design has been created

in the shape of the guitar - my design is completely a musical journey where each and every element links with the other; nothing is created without having a link with my design concept,” says Alisha Dangol.

“Interior Design is a very interesting field. The scope is enormous and the things that we can do are limitless.

It has afforded me the opportunity to study different aspects of design such as materials, space, landscape, colours and lighting design. Interior design

comprises the arrangement of a living space to maximize functionality and the creation of an atmosphere. Interior Designers use facets of other disciplines such as architecture, product design, environmental psychology and decoration. It emphasizes and augments the essential characteristics of all design styles: color, concept, proportion, ergonomics, balance and function of design,” adds Alisha. “My project addresses challenges in the current day lifestyle.”

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Sushovit Ranjitkar

P Best model for movie theatre hall with wheelchair accommodation

resent context of Kathmandu valley with rapid growth in field of development, we can find entertainment being the prime demand of all generations especially youths. With this demand increasing day by day we can find that the area of entertainment zone occupying its space in broad spectrum, so the number of movie theater increasing as commercial field is growing at rapid speed. It has been a great need of local people as it plays a part in development of one’s moral characteristics, but in the context of ‘Differently able people’ we can find they are not being the part of the entertainment zone since there is no provision for them and no any space available in the movie theaters as they also have rights to get benefit from all those facilities that an able person has.

The project ‘Interior Design of Movie Theater’ is therefore aimed for providing space accompanied by general people where they can also be the part of Entertainment zone and enjoy the facilities at same rate.

This project deals with all the required facilities for the people in Wheel chair as the service is maintained in ground

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and 1st floor of the building. The area of Movie Theater is 1495 m2 located in land of CTC mall, Kathmandu. The plan is divided in 3 blocks (Block A is Administrative block with Ticket counter, Block B is Waiting area with Food zone and Block C is Hall area).

The concept is ‘lines’ as horizontal and vertical lines are endless in the similar way the relation between the people in Wheel chair and normal people must have endless co-ordination. The use of line throughout the design relates to the linkage of one space to another. The design in each area has its own significant meanings. For example the design in cloak room’s front part relates with ‘Buckle of belt’ as its tries to show the tight bounding we should have with differently able people as well. The design of waiting area’s flooring pattern tries to connect visually with raised area as one where differently able people in wheel chair cannot enter. The use of square boxes in the internal wall of hall represents the scattered thinking of people in the society as it seems to look similar as number of balls when dropped from a box falls up and down.

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Anjil Awal

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ewari building was constructed over long periods of time in different religious, social and cultural contexts. They were built during the reigns of different rulers and are illustrations of traditional architecture which shows their values as cultural heritage and examples of how the buildings were constructed during those periods. It is important not only to preserve old houses, but to preserve them using the traditional methods of construction, using as much of the authentic materials as possible. Generally people think that if an old house is demolished and then reconstructed in an old style, using some historical elements, it is still traditional architecture. They never realized once a building is dismantled it is unavoidable that it will lose most

of its historic value. There is a misconception that new houses built with some carvings are traditional architecture.

Contemporary Newari house is fusion of Newari and modern elements, form and technology. Famous in many aspects e.g. religious, cultural spiritual, main idea behind is conservation and proper management of Newari house through interior and good human circulation. Due to rapid population grown and demand of space, people are ignoring value of Newari house and its importance. Using the existing structure and modern materials for interior space designing single annex building it is so challenging yet interesting.   n

Best model for Newari architecture

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By Veneeta Singha

Black Pepper Restaurant

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3ifff

The first Italian Film and Food Festival found its beginnings at Jhamel’s original representative, the Moksh Restaurant. A ‘film first and then food event’, it paved the way for Gianantonio Candiani’s pathbreaking introduction to Italian cuisine and cinema. Culture is a given in Nepal. We revel in it and it defines us. It is also mistakenly assumed that Nepali culture begins and ends with the renowned namaskar. As in the Italian idiom, the Nepali mode is layered, often hidden and subject to interpretation.

Colours, products, food, festivals, fields of mustard and wheat - a complete picture of the Nepali way is ever present yet ever elusive.

Our host at 3ifff is Gianantonio Candiani - dressed in immaculate chef’s whites, he is the consummate medium. For a country which expresses hospitality as a critical norm, Kathmandu is fortunate to find such a kindred spirit and cultural outlook. Gianantonio proceeded, with characteristic Italian flair, to discuss the key themes and offerings of 3ifff.

Following the Moksh event, the main concerns were better service and more care on the menu and dishes.

The 3ifff menu begins with a slow starter that changes every week followed by the main course - pasta, of course! The fare at 3ifff is purely vegetarian this year. “We learned

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through experience and hope to give people here a very good food experience.” Pasta lovers will be happy to know that Gianantonio specializes in culinary delights such as pasta made with saffron and black ink squid; he also runs his own pasta business - Pastapur.

Each kilogram of homemade pasta is made with 30 egg yolks.

Now that the cuisine is firmly placed in context and detail, we move swiftly to cinema. Gianantonio is part of the “Naya Dante” group which promotes Italian language and culture abroad. “The idea for 3ifff is simple. We want people here to enjoy a full Italian night. There is Italian music to begin with followed by Italian food and, finally, Italian films. The festival is shorter this year, although we are showcasing the latest films (2012/ 2013) coming out of Italy.” ‘La Grande Bellezza’, the last film of the 3ifff series, won an Oscar.

Italian cinema saw its heydays in the 60s. Currently, a new conception of Italian cinema is starting to take root. “I wanted to show the real Italy as well,” says Gianantonio. “Italy is not a Garden of Eden.” The Kathmandu Film Society has played an important and pivotal role in negotiating with the Nepal Film Board

without which 3ifff would not have been possible. Films on the 3ifff schedule are certain to enthral and inform. “We have many returning guests this year.

Awareness of culture is a key goal of the festival. Italian culture has spread far and wide and, consequently, also been contaminated.” Every Wednesday during the festival, 40 guests are presented a delicious Italian dinner and a film by acclaimed filmmakers such as Bernardo Bertolucci and Paulo Sorrentino.

Delving deeper into the nature and origins of the Italian palette, Gianantonio describes regional Italian cuisine. “Every region has its characteristics,” he says, reminding us all of our own regional dynamics. “A chef is considered a chef in Italy only if s/he can cook Pasta alla Gricia to perfection.” He has borrowed from family successes too - the menu is designed with help from his sister’s restaurant. 3ifff brings for us an enticing two-hour evening of food and film from the heart of Italian life. Bernardo Bertolucci is also the famed filmmaker of ‘The Little Buddha’. Belisimmo! (The appetizer on April 23 was par excellence as was the Fettuccine Con Il Pesto Ciciliano. The film, on the other hand, was a stark reminder that violence has a pervasive and chilling social impact.)

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Black Pepper Restaurant

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The Black Pepper Restaurant at Kupondole Height is as much a design project as it is a warm, atmospheric restaurant. Deepak Shrestha, the restaurant’s proprietor describes its slow evolution as one that derives from historical Newari design and the wellknown personable culture of the Nepali people. Starting with 2 rooms and the restaurant, the guiding philosophy was, essentially, that of a quiet resting space for visitors in the area. Appreciation and demand led to four more rooms being added. The Restaurant and Guesthouse are now part of the proprietor’s compendium of guest houses, service

apartments and restaurants spread over Friend’s Colony and Kupondole.

Deepak started his hospitality career at Dwarika’s Hotel - Nepal’s famous luxury hotel built and maintained as a heritage building and fashioned with quintessential Newari architecture, wood craft and stone works. His experience and learning of 12 years at Dwarika’s were foundational, rewarding and to which he attributes his growing, if steady, success now. Travels in Europe and the enthusiasm of friends propelled the launch of the Black Pepper and

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a continuously growing guesthouse venture. The bed and breakfast concept was among his early successes and he recalls, with pride, how a warm, hospitable service style and Nepali authenticity have been crucial in sustaining his work. Close by the Black Pepper are the Baked and Fresh Coffee House and Tandoori Kitchen.

The interiors of the restaurant are based on Newari architecture. “We want the guests to feel like they are in Nepal,” he says. Jhamel’s rapid development in the adjacent area also contributed to the restaurant’s uniquely maintained style.

“A restaurant does not take full shape in one year. We struggled for three years to establish a niche. Our guest houses were doing very well then and we could afford to build the restaurant gradually.

Since last year, we began to present 3ifff and other special events. 3ifff has done exceptionally well this year.”

The key competitive strength of the restaurant is the idea of a quiet dinner with a sumptuous menu of continental fare. “We did not try to change the concept. Our largest and most loyal clientele are the international agencies and the British School.” The period of

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March to May presents the best season in Kathmandu. 3ifff has also gone a long way in bringing people from Kathmandu and all over to the restaurant. “We have our own identity and we aim to take it higher as we progress with additional plans for a new boutique hotel.”

Deepak’s singular focus for his enterprises remains the international professionals who live and work in Nepal. “Our competitive advantage is also that our businesses run year round and we cater to a niche market. Personal hospitality is very important in our work. We have been able to expand simply through our goodwill and word-of-mouth. The key to success, for us, is to work closely with the clients and the staff.” n

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Architecture

Economic Impact of

and the Need for Preparedness of Private Sector in Nepal

By Kalyan Bista

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An introduction Nepal faces a multiplicity of natural hazards within a range of frequency and intensity. The earthquake is among the most significant of these natural hazards - the country lies in a high earthquake intensity belt (See: Map 1). The Seismic Zoning Map of Nepal divides the country into three zones wherein the middle part of the country is slightly higher than the northern and the southern parts (See: Map 2).

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The country has a long history of destructive earthquakes. Approximately ten earthquake incidences of greater than or equal to intensities MMI IX have been reported in Kathmandu in the past 750 years. The 1934 earthquake (B.S. 1990) is considered the most devastating in Nepali history with a death toll of 8,519, destroying 20 percent of the Valley’s building stock and damaging 40 percent. The most recent earthquake to have badly hit Nepal was the moderate size 1988 earthquake (magnitude 6.6) that affected the Eastern part of Nepal - 721 people lost their lives. The most recent tremor of September 2011 has raised awareness of the need for more concerted efforts to promote earthquake safety in Nepal.

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is a relatively new concept in Nepal this approach promises to be one of the most effective in helping create a win-win situation through: a) increased cooperation between the public and private sectors in the roles in disaster risk management; b) harnessing local potential for contributing towards these roles not only as a responsibility but as ‘business as usual’; and c) contributing to disaster risk reduction, protection of the environment, raising the collective voice for better governance including ensuring that cities are safer through better enforcement of building codes and enhancing Governmental and business capacity to recover from earthquake losses.

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Economic Impact of Disasters Natural disasters can pose huge losses for businesses. Destroyed or damaged property and loss of revenue from disruption of critical services and customer bases in the aftermath of disasters cause great threats to the survival of businesses and economic well being in general. Many developing countries including Nepal suffer direct losses of billions of dollars each year due to natural disasters. It is estimated that Nepal suffers approximately 4 percent erosion of its annual GDP due to natural disasters - a remarkably high percentage

compared with other developing countries. Without a doubt, natural disasters pose a major threat to the economic development of the country.

Due to rising population growth, extensive climate change and environmental degradation, natural disasters are increasing at an alarming frequency. They are also becoming costlier and deadlier.

According to the World Bank, there are several factors that affect a country’s vulnerability to natural disasters – geographic size, type of disaster, strength

and structure of its economy and prevailing socio-economic conditions. In a globalized economy, all these factors as well as others determine how the world’s finances will and can be affected. With the recent earthquake in Japan, news agencies, economists and the general public have all begun to revisit and reconsider the economics of natural disasters and, importantly, what this bodes for the future.

The 1995 Kobe earthquake killed over 5,000 people and caused an estimated 100 billion dollars in damages - roughly 2.5 percent of Japan’s GDP.

Kobe 1995 earthquake photos (source: Google images)

Similarly, March 2011 earthquake and tsunami wiped out the parts supplier of Toyota Company in Northeast Japan which had severely disrupted the car production. Toyota’s quarterly profit gone down by more than 75% during that time. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami is among the deadliest disasters in recorded history. The death toll estimates have ranged from 230,000 to 300,000.

Entire communities were wiped out and whole families washed away. In some ways, it was also the first global disaster. Fourteen different countries were affected in Asia and Africa; victims were from all over the globe - popular tourist destinations were among those devastated by the waves.

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The financial impact of the tsunami varied from country to country fishing and tourist industries were the hardest hit. Smaller countries such as the Maldives and Sri Lanka, in particular, were dependent on tourist revenues. The devastating earthquake in the Azad-Jammu Kashmir Region of Pakistan in October 2005 incurred a massive loss of lives and property causing a grave impact on the national economy. Pakistan, the world’s biggest tent suppliers, faced a huge shortage of tents needed for temporary shelters in earthquakeaffected areas - most of the tent manufactures supplied tents to Indonesia during the 2004 Tsunami.

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The National Hurricane Center of USA estimated that 2005 Hurricane Katrina caused approximately 81 billion dollars in property damage alone.

The Journal of Economic Perspectives has estimated the total financial cost of Hurricane Katrina at approximately 156 billion dollars. The hurricane, besides devastating people all along the Gulf Coast, disrupted oil production and refinement thereby destroying several offshore oil platforms and pipelines. Gas prices across the world were temporarily driven up. Its effect on small business owners was also devastating, destroying almost 60 percent.

Over 18,000 businesses across Louisiana permanently closed their doors after the 2005 hurricane season.

When a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2010 struck 16 miles from the capital city of Haiti, Port-Au-Prince, the effects were devastating. The estimated death toll was 300,000, with over a million homeless, and hundreds of thousands of buildings destroyed. Similar to the 2004 tsunami, the global financial impact of this disaster was negligible although it devastated local Haitian economies.

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The Role of Private Sector The role of the Private Sector is vital in a country’s development. It can also play a critical role in disaster risk and emergency management. Increasingly, we believe and envision that the country’s vast network of businesses, industry, trade associations, academia and NGOs is an equally responsible partner in every phase of the Disaster Management Cycle – from preparedness to response and recovery to mitigation. We must create an enabling environment so as to increase the level of private sector collaboration at all levels of disaster risk management.

The Private Sector must not be viewed as a separate entity - it has become an indispensable part of the socio-economic and national life of the country.

necessary for safe and disaster risk free functioning, is a priority for systematically mainstreaming holistic earthquake and disaster risk management into the functioning of the Private Sector.

Keeping in mind seismic vulnerability and recurrence of hazards in Nepal, the Private/Corporate Sector including their representative organizations must become integral parts for the success of earthquake/disaster risk management initiatives. In most of the countries, the sector has always played a considerable role in post-disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in disaster affected areas. For example, FICCI, CII and other areaA partnership-based approach is the specific industry and manufacturers best way for creating and sustaining as well as trade associations were at a synergy among government the forefront of humanitarian and relief organizations, I/NGOs, the public and efforts in affected areas during the private/corporate sectors to work 1999 super cyclone in Orissa and the together for the development of the 2001 Bhuj/Gujarat earthquake in India. country - we must and can work together NSET has been working at the national for effective earthquake and disaster and international levels for the last 20 risk management. The involvement and years - it has also been honored with collaboration of the Private/Corporate prestigious national and international Sector in earthquake and disaster risk awards. The OFDA/USAID supports its reduction initiatives, with dissemination work with the Private Sector towards of appropriate and practical structural earthquake/disaster risk management and non-structural safety measures in Nepal.

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The Need for Disaster Preparedness Disaster recovery experts warn that Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning is among the most effective methods of minimizing losses caused by disasters. An increasing number of companies are taking heed of this fact and initiating disaster recovery planning to protect assets and ensure continuity of business operations in case a disaster occurs. The organizations that already have Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans on hand and implement it survive and return to business operations.

The Government of Nepal must encourage the Private Sector to facilitate disaster risk reduction processes and incentivize for a disaster resilient community. Nonprofit organizations such as the NSET are working in areas such as orientation programs on earthquake risk and safety measures; seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings; development of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans; contribution to manufacturing and placement of hoarding boards with earthquake awareness raising messages; development of earthquake awareness posters and leaflets as well as development of Television and Radio Public Service Announcements and documentaries - all as part of disaster preparedness efforts. n

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he National Society for Earthquake Technology- Nepal (NSET) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 25th 2014. The MOU was signed by Mr. Narendra Kumar Basnyat President of NSET, and Mr. Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang , President of CNI. Both CNI and NSET recognize the need to cooperate and Collaboration in areas of disaster risk management including advocacy and education for disaster risk reduction, and that the synergy thus derived will help develop wider understanding and collaboration among private sector businesses for participation in disaster risk reduction efforts in Nepal.

It is alleged that Nepal is located on an active seismic belt and the exponential growth of urbanization trend over the past decade without general regard of earthquake measures in building constructions is the cause of ever-increasing earthquake risk. Earthquake is a major potential hazard faced by Nepal.

A recent study by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bureau for Crisis Prevention

NSET and CNI signs MOU and Recovery (BCPR) in 2004 ranked Nepal, in terms of relative vulnerability to earthquakes, as the eleventh most at-risk country in the world and thirtieth with respect to floods. Another report (World Bank, 2005) classifies Nepal as one of the global ‘hot-spots’ for natural disasters.

Poor quality of construction of buildings and infrastructures is the main cause of structural vulnerability. Common practice of non-engineered construction, poor quality control of materials can lead to major disaster during earthquake catastrophe. However awareness information on earthquakes between various concerned organizations can mitigate the seismic risk of earthquakes.

The National Society for Earthquake Technology- Nepal (NSET), established in 1994, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on earthquake risk management. NSET has worked in close collaboration with

national and international government and bilateral agencies for raising awareness and enhanced capacities for disaster mitigation preparedness and emergency response. Its mission is to assist all communities of Nepal to become earthquake safer by developing and implementing organized approaches to manage and minimize earthquake risks. Joining hands with Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), established in 2000 by the leaders of Nepal’s Industrial and corporate sector which focus on the larger businesses from all sectors will approach the collaboration with NSET to enhance capacity for disaster risk reduction measures, conduct orientation program for house houseowners, business- house, contractors , artisans and training programs for different target groups on earthquake –resistant construction technology.

This joint synergy between NSET and CNI will also develop, print, distribute and evaluate earthquake awareness materials, media campaigns and a Free Earthquake Clinics (FEC) all over Nepal. NSET and CNI vows to work in consultation with each other to identify ways to implement the objectives of this memorandum of understanding. n

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Architecture

Water solution for Better Living

Innovative Ecological Architecture

By Pujan Joshi

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hough Nepal is well accredited for the abundance of natural water resources however the lack of proper infrastructure management still creates a disarray for clean water distribution particularly in the cities.

The setback of the accessibility of clean drinking water along with the contamination of the available water resources flowing in the capital and other developing cities is not an unfamiliar reality and the crisis is mounting vastly and has directly affected the quality of sanitation too. On the other hand, even though the Government is aware of the growing crisis, they seem to be helpless and unaided due to insufficient financial and human resources to organize the hitch that is frequently criticized by

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the citizens living in the cities. As safe drinking water is one the essential human needs and access to water and sanitation plays a vital role in the overall social and economic progress of a community.

Hence the sector should be given a significant priority for development in a sustainable and generally acceptable manner with the use of suitable and innovative technologies.

The solution for the accessibility of clean drinking is now being researched by people who have developed innovative methods that can help communities in the cities with lower capital cost and larger storage for water. So how is this possible? The simple answer to this complex question is ‘Rain Water

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Harvesting’, which is now being accepted as an alternative solution for water shortage crisis in the country. On average, the government data on rain water in a year is measured to be 1600 mm and on rainy seasons, the record is up to 7 mm to 45 mm per day, normally within two months of rainfall during monsoon season in Kathmandu. However we have experienced more rainfall prior to the monsoon season which is a benefit for rain water harvesting.

As ground water abstraction and dug wells have been used since earliest periods in Nepal, this has caused the ground water to dry up in an ominous manner creating concerns for present generation as well as the future generation of Nepal. Although the record suggests the average annual precipitation or rainfall in Kathmandu is about 1600mm, we haven’t been able to utilize it appropriately. The lack of comprehension by government bodies and the people has now had its dire consequences by discharging of waste water directly into the available water resources which has severely deteriorated the natural water resources.

As this issue needs a stern awareness and implementation it is immensely necessary for the people of Kathmandu and other cities to take a step for the proper utilization of the obtainable natural resources along with the proper sanitation.

Mr. Narendra Man Dongol, permanent resident of the Dallu Awas residential area is one of the role model of the Rain water harvesting system. He has installed the rain water harvesting system with waste water treatment in his building four years ago, which is effectively and successfully operating.

He is inspired by Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, a pioneer, entrepreneur and an enthusiast in designing, and forming creative concepts. Similarly Mr. Dongol’s design and concept project document motivated by Dr. Shrestha is presented to him and after receiving the confirmation, he initiates with the implementation of the approved

project. Mr. Dongol’s conception has inspired hundreds of people to install their own rain water harvesting system in their building. He is considered to be one of the foremost protagonist of the community as he completely depends upon the rain water, fulfilling the totality of requirement of the primary students and people living in his building. The total rain water collected from three catchments is sent in the storage tank of 15000 liter and overflowed water from the tank is recharged to the well. Spaces Magazine had an extensive research on his concept and design and is presented for awareness to the general public of Nepal.

The Rainwater collected from the roof is diverted into the dug well after the application of the first flush. The first flush diversion device helps in diverting the flow of dirt and other particulates from the roof. This diversion of water into the well not only helps in storing but also helps in the recharging of the ground water. The dug well can store nearly 10,000 litres of water. Recharging the groundwater has also improved water quality in the dug well especially in the reduction of nitrate level. The stored water from the well is then pumped out to the feeding tank at the roof. This eco-friendly house needs about 1200 litres of water a day of which 700 litres is supplied from the feeding tank and the remaining after the treatment of the grey-water”, explains Mr. Dongol.

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Drinking Water Treatment A Bio-sand filter is installed as a main treatment system for removal of pathogens and chemical contaminants.

Water dug from the well is pumped out and stored into the feeding tank at the roof. This water is then filtered through Bio-sand filter. The treated filter water is then collected into main storage tank at the roof top and is used for household purposes as clean water.

Water is poured in the top of the filter and microbial contamination is removed as it flows through sand media that forms at the sand-water interface. This innovative design is called the Bio-sand filter, which contains five-centimetres of standing water above the fine sand media which functions to preserve biological activity when the filter is not being used. The water obtained after the application of Bio-sand filter is used for performing all the household activities, while drinking water is again filtered by ceramic-carbon filter.

Grey Water and Black Water Treatment Grey-water is used to describe the leftover water from baths, showers, hand basins, kitchen sink and washing machines. Black water is used to describe wastewater containing fecal matter and urine. It is also known as

foul water, or sewage. It is distinct from grey water or sullage, the residues of washing processes. Most grey-water is easier to treat and recycle than black-water, because of lower levels of contaminants. While all grey-water contains micro-organisms, the health hazards associated with grey-water from a multiple-dwelling source should be considered differently from that of a single dwelling grey-water source. Black water contains pathogens that must decompose before they can be released safely into the environment. It is difficult to process black water if it contains a large quantity of excess water.

The grey-water is first passed through the grease trap and is then collected in a three chambered settling tanks for sedimentation of larger particles. From here, water passes to the vertical flow reed bed of the constructed wetland (Reed Bed Treatment System) for further treatment. The treated water is collected into storage tank. Even though the monthly water demand is about 30000 litres, it needs only 15000L of clean drinking water due to installation of grey water treatment unit. Treated grey-water is being used for toilet flushing, cleaning vehicles, laundry and gardening use and overall household use but is not for drinking water.

Project Area Decentralize Waste Water Treatment System, (DEWATS) for Private House (Project Background) Dallu House and Pre-Primary School , Kathmandu, NEPAL Mr. Dongol has constructed a DEWATS system in his home to manage natural rain on a small scale for his primary school and residence located at the same building. He has installed Rainwater pipe also known as rain water collection pipe, Black water pipe and grey water pipe. The water flows down to the reservoir tank and the overflow of the water from the reservoir tank is channeled to the ground water recharge dug well which is of 3.5 ft in diameter and depth up to 25 feet.

The water is pumped back to the roof’s holding tank for further filtering through Bio- Sand filter system where fine sand up to 50 cm is on top and gravel up to 10 cm is down. After the filtered water is collected in the reservoir tank at the roof top, it can be used as clean water purposes for household use. This grey water goes back to the Anaerobic Baffle Reactor (ABR) through grease trap.

The ABR system purified the water up to 40% by keeping the sludge in the bottom, the grease water on the top and the clean water in the middle portion, as the water goes to the reed bed also known as Constructed Wet Land Waste Water Treatment System where the gravel thickness of 20 cm and sand thickness of 20 cm helps remaining imputities to be treated and used for non-drinking purposes.

The purpose of the methodic system is to deal with growing water crisis in Kathmandu using household level

There had been several approaches concerning water management previously even from individual level. We are discussing a similar individual effort from a residential house situated in Dallu, Kathmandu which has adopted several approaches for sustainable water management. This house comprise of 4 family members along with a Kindergarten school consisting of about 14 staffs working 6 days a week and 50 children studying 6 days a week. The main concern is that this though the house has a drinking water supply line, the shortage of water has made it almost useless. The main objective of the process is the optimum utilization of the rain water and grey water recycling. The total area of the site is about 2800 sq.ft of which this eco friendly house is built in an area of about 1200 sq.ft ,� explains Mr. Narendra Man Dongol.

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Architecture

PROJECT AT DALLU AWAS Kind of project Funding agency Implementing Agency Construction Period Construction Cost

Small household Private Private 2010 NR 150,000 (including rainwater harvesting, bio-sand filter.

Salient features No. of treatment plants Source Design Capacity No. Users Peak flow

1 Greywater from sink, laundry, shower, wash-basin 14 staff, 50 students, 4 residents 0.7 m3/day

sustainable water management, maximizing the use of water, and demonstrating /showcasing water optimization options in an urban house. The quality of rain water is finer than any other sources of water but the turbidity and other contaminants have been found at some level which we cannot use without filter for drinking purpose. The system is operated manually by Mr. Dongol and his wife switching on the pump three times a day to spray water in the reed bed. As of yet, no clogging issues have been observed since installation for over 4 years. The system may need to be maintained only after 5 years.

The construction of these systems is not costly but rather convenient as the rainwater harvesting along with piping cost comes under 1,50,000 NRS whereas the cost for drinking water filter plant costs about 30,000 NRS. With these methodical system for rain water harvesting constructed, the water problem can be forever eliminated.

Water Demand Management The Table below is an example by Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, an approach to sustainable water resource management of water demand and supply at a model house in Kathmandu also termed as Eco Home with a family of 5 individuals. Eco Home is built in an area of 135m2 and is located at Dallu residential area.

Modules Adopted ABR – 1 Unit Area construction 3m2 Chambers 3 Depth 1.3m Planted Sand gravel filter – 1 vertical reed bed Surface Area 7m2 Total Depth 100 cm Filter material Coarse sand(50cm) & gravel(20cm) Plants used Phragmites karka (Reed), Canna (Sarpada) Storage Tank for Reuse Capacity 2000 liters Built Up Area 3 m2

Though it looks like any other ordinary house from outside, it is unique due to its innovative ecological architecture, the following components in this house have established it as a model house for sustainable water resource management, such as Ecosan toilet, wastewater treatment plant, rainwater harvesting and drinking water treatment and composing.

Artificial Wet Land System Artificial wetland system is a type of constructed wetland consisting of a rectangular bed (7 m2) filled with 20 cm of gravel (20 to 60 mm) at the bottom, 5 cm of small gravel (10 mm) in the middle and 50 cm of coarse sand on the top. The bed is planted with Phragmites karka (Reed), Canna (Sarpada) and water is distributed 3 times a day through a 50 mm diameter perforated pipe that is fixed above the surface level of the bed and connected

to the feeding tank. The countless network of roots of the plants planted in the bed helps trap water.

The waste water flowing through the bed gets treated through natural and mechanical filtration, chemical transformation without added chemicals, and biological consumption of potential pollutants in the wastewater stream. The plants grown in the wetland bed not only offer a root mass for filtration, but also provide oxygen for water treatment. They act like biological pups, converting sunlight into chemical energy and carrying oxygen from their leaves to their roots.

Pollutant digesting microbes colonize in the oxidized zone surrounding the root surface where it consumes the available oxygen in the process of breaking down pollutants while the plants themselves also take up pollutants.

Monthly Water Demand and Clean Water Requirement Type of water use and requirement

Liters/month

%

Drinking & cooking

900

7

Dishwashing, bathing, showering, & laundry

7500

55

Toilet flushing, cleaning vehicle & gardening

5250

38

Total Water Demand

13650

100

Reuse of Treated Grey water

5250

38

Clean Water Requirement

8400

62

May 2014 / 45

Architecture

Supply of inadequate and poor quality water and disposal of untreated sewer into river are major issues of all urban centres in Nepal. It is time for sustainable management of water resources that can be started from individual level. Even though rainwater harvesting is one of the best options to solve the current water crisis, it is not a complete solution due to the rainfall pattern in the country.

However, grey-water recycling with rainwater harvesting can be a complete solution for the current water crisis. The ecofriendly home has demonstrated an excellent example to demonstrate all

these options. It has also been noted that people’s attitude toward rainwater harvesting and grey-water recycling is extremely beneficial. Therefore, it is important to educate and make the children aware from a young age towards awareness on water and waste management.

Mr. Prakash Amatya , Technical Advisor for Hand Made Water and also an expert lecturer for rain water harvesting technology at the Schems School of Management and Sustainability Studies has been teaching young

students for regarding the topic for five years, where students have to present their thesis regarding RWH system.

“As many Housing development projects are under going, we want them to realize that the solution for water crisis can be surmounted by rain water harvesting system, as this is win–win situation and will help save a huge amount of budget regarding water bills. The government sector should also take into regard, and try to promote. However KMC have proposed 10% reduction in building permit tax if any building installs RWH system while cities in Dharan has 30% reduction in building permit tax, this has helped in awareness level and is now being implemented by many buildings in the urban and rural areas.

Even Melamchi water project cannot fulfil the needs of water in the city, as there is massive demand for water in the city and channelling of water form Melamchi through pipes will dry up before they even reach Houses of Kathmandu, hence the effective solution is rain water harvesting and grey water treatment”, says Mr. Amatya.

Cost Analysis Initial investment for the installation of rain water harvesting system for that building starts at Rs 50,000 only.

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Architecture

This initial investment includes plumbing and storage tank in which plumbing is required for water supply for building from other sources as well so, only the cost for storage tank is necessary for the Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) system. Another Rs 150,000/ is invested for waste water treatment. For the eco friendly building the RWH and water treatment system should be installed in proper way. The maintenance of the system is very inexpensive up to 4 - 5 years as the removal of dirt materials in the catchment, filter and storage tank without any cost can be managed by the house owner. After the installation, it can effectively reduce the annual estimated cost of Rs. 60000/- for the water. Hence the cost for the RWH is an investment with good return and not an expenditure as the rain water harvesting system is socially adequate, economically viable and technically sound. It is also found to be environmentally friendly because it helps maintaining the ground water level.

Conclusion The building with rain water harvestig and recharge system has no problem of water scarcity all over the year from the well and less or no water needed from the other sources. There are 751 household in the Dallu Awas residential area among them 60 households has already installed rain water harvesting system. It is a huge accomplishment for the community as they are able to install and use properly to fulfill their daily water demand. RWH is a very good technique to solve the water scarcity problems, and it can be implemented on private or commercial buildings. To increase the RWH installation, mass awareness, quality confidence, cost

Conclusion of the visit

benefit analysis, education, social empowerment and appropriate policy are most essential. As in many houses in the cities there are no proper city water supply lines, the answer to this crisis is on the knowledge and awareness of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) as there is no need of buying water from the tankers or from other sources. Rain water, ground water and treated water (waste water treatment) is sufficient for the users.  n

Narendra Man Dongol, Director, Niva Rain, is a construction contractor and water system entrepreneur with an experience of 20 years in the sector. He was a lead contractor to build the first constructed wetland in Nepal under the guidance of Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha.

He has installed more than 150 rainwater-harvesting systems Nepal. The wastewater treatment systems at SushmaKoirala Memorial Hospital, NyadoMonastryPharping and Kathmandu Metropolitan City are some of his landmark projects. He worked as construction manager to build the first constructed wetland system in Nawab Shah, Sindh, Pakistan in 2009. He is currently overseeing the total water management solution at Namo Buddha Resort owned by a German businessman. The resort is famous in promoting the organic farming in Nepal.

We visited the Dallu residential area and the five houses where rain water harvesting system has been installed. From the visit, we found that the rain water harvesting system is socially acceptable, economically viable and technically sound. People are using the rain water harvesting system effectively and they are content with it. We also found the concept and design to be environmentally friendly because it maintains the ground water level and avoids or minimizes the other sources of water. The building with rain water system and recharge system have no problem of water scarcity all over the year from the well and less or no water needed from the other sources.

Lack of awareness in the people about the rain water is found however it is changing with time. There are 751 household in the Dallu Awas residential area among them 60 households has already installed rain water harvesting system. It is a huge accomplishment for the community as they are able to install and use properly to fulfill their daily water demand. The only differences found between the two houses of rain water installed in new buildings and rain water installed in old buildings. The difference is that It is easy to construct the concept and design in newly designed building and quite difficult to install in old buildings.

RWH is a very good technique to solve the water scarcity problems, and anyone can implement on their building, or commercial offices. To increase the RWH installation, mass awareness, quality confidence, cost benefit analysis, subsidy, education social empowerment, and appropriate policy are most essential. As in many houses in the cities there are no proper city water supply lines, the answer to this crisis is on the knowledge and awareness of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) as there is no need of buying water from the tankers or from other sources. Rain water, ground water and treated water (waste water treatment) is sufficient for the users.

May 2014 / 47

Art

‘Women Water Seeds’ Artist Fern York

T

he Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre (KCAC)located at the Patan Museumrecently presented an exhibition of oil paintings by Australian artist Fern York entitled ‘Women Water Seeds’in May 2014. KCAC was established to support contemporary Nepali artists and international artistic exchange, and to play a catalytic role in promoting Nepali artabroad,by Mrs. Sangeeta Thapa and Mrs. Celia Washington.The exhibition was attended by many art enthusiasts from across the world who were moved by the artist’s emotional attachment to and love for Nepal, its culture, traditions, architecture, craftsmanship and paintings.

“I am very happy to discover that the wonderfully romantic Kathmandu I remember from 11 years ago is still to be found. I’m currently one month into my residency at the Patan Museum with the Kathmandu Contemporary

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see the restoration work of the bathing pool and original palace gardens. I have used the first weeks of the residency for watercolor studies of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures housed at the museum. I am also learning about the deities and their distinctive features, symbols and mythologies and have had the opportunity to spend a week visiting villages, temples and stupas. It is exciting to learn about Kathmandu Valley from a distance in the hilltops, to change pace and spend time in the surrounding mountains,” says Fern York.

Arts Centre. Mrs. Sangeeta Thapaand Mrs. Celia Washington, the Founder Directors of KCAC,and the entire team have been exceptionally supportive and helped contribute to the growth of contemporary artistic expression in Nepal. My studio is in the rooftop of the Patan Durbar (now the Patan Museum) and overlooks the Café and garden. I can

Fern’s artwork is interdisciplinary spanning sculpture, painting, printmaking, installation and video art. She exhibits regularly and is a resident artist at the Newcastle Community Art Center. Fern has exhibited at the Free Spirit Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mayfield New South Wales in Australia. She has studied film making and fine arts and also holds a degree in Sustainable Development and

Art

Film Making from Murdoch University in Western Australia. She received her Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts from the Newcastle Art Schoolin 2013. Fern is looking forward to completing her Masters Degree in Human Rights in Curtin University in 2014.

Fern has worked for over a decade as an advocate for social and environmental justice on a range of issues including permaculture design and community kitchens, forest and ecosystem preservation, Refugee Rights and Tribal Rightsand cultural preservation in Australia and India. She has worked with the Environics Trust in India to curate the first National Tribal Dance Festival in Khajuraho in February 2014.

The Environics Trustis a not-for-profit research and community development organization that conducts participatory research on issues of environmental and human behavior for innovative community development programmes. She has worked on research and evaluatory servicesfor international, national, state and local institutions and worked directly with marginalized communities such as those in mountain regions as well as tribal and communities adversely affected by unsustainable mining and industrialization.

Fern uses sustainable materials in her art work too, including found objects and handmade mulberry bark paper.

She exhibits regularly in galleries such as The Art Gallery of Western Australia, The Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, the Kurb Gallery in Western Australia, the Newcastle Art Space, The Sydney Fringe Festival, Tantrum Theatre Newcastle and The Australian Theatre for Young People Sydney. Fern was a recipient of the ArtStart Grant from the Australian Council for the Arts in 2012 and is currently a resident artist at Newcastle Community Arts Centre.

inspirational. The oldest temple in Nepal is an example of the Pagoda Style of architecture which has influenced the architectural styles of China, Japan and beyond. These living traditions have been passed down over thousands of years,” says York. Fern has conducted extensive researchon the symbolism of female deities. She hopesto facilitate conservation and understanding of Nepal’s heritage and creative identity.

The theme of ‘Women Water Seeds’ reveals this understanding.

Fern’s exhibition titled ‘Women Water Seeds’ held at the Patan Museum included 40 paintings. A blending of colors with her gifted artistic skills have resulted in exceptional renditions of Nepali culture, religion, ancient architecture and the pantheon of Hindu and Buddhist deities.“Newari culture is very rich. Newari artists,to this day,create beautiful cast bronze sculptures, intricate metal work, textiles and paper crafts along with carved woodwork, rock sculptures and stunning architecture. To be surrounded by the work of these master artists and crafts people is overwhelming and May 2014 / 49

Art

A Multimedia Exhibition

by Surendra Lawoti at the Nepal Art Council

This Country is Yours

by Veneeta Singha

Please explain to us the background to and makings of the Exhibition.

The exhibition includes large-scale colour photographs, an eighteen-andhalf minutes video piece and some poems by contemporary Nepali poets.

The exhibition takes up three galleries on the ground floor of the Nepal Art Council. The work itself has involved extensive research and is produced out of four trips that I have made to Nepal since July of 2012 - the work is titled ‘This Country is Yours’ and it presents Kathmandu as the geographic setting during the ongoing constitution drafting

process. The focus of the multimedia project is on activists from the six principal social and political movements which have changed the course of contemporary Nepali history including the Women’s Empowerment Movement, Dalits, Adhivasi Janajatis, Madhesis, the LGBT community and religious minorities. The aim is to create a visual narrative from the perspective of the six groups during the historical constitution writing process. The exhibition aims to give voice to the six groups as they face tremendous representational deficit in the constitutional and democratization processes of Nepal.

How does a photograph or a collection of photographs communicate as complex an ideal as inclusive democracy?

It is possible to communicate on inclusive democracy through photographs. In my exhibition, I have used photographs, video and text to articulate my ideas and my intentions. My photographs do not tell a story as editorial photography does. Rather, my photographs highlight the activists of the six groups to the viewer and audience. Along with the portraits of the activists, I also present contextual photographs such as an empty Birendra International Convention Centre where the Constituent Assembly meets. By juxtaposing photographs, texts and video in a common physical space, I encourage the viewer to connect the dots. I invite the viewer to contemplate and ask questions. Whose portraits are these? Why are these photographs here? How do these photographs intervene in our larger sociopolitical climate? What role can these photographs play in our historic moments? Essentially, my intention is that the exhibition invites a dialogue about and between people of all walks of lives and political spectrum.

What aspects of each political movement in Nepal strike you as having brought about change and participatory democracy?

In my lifetime, there have been several political movements that have brought about significant changes in Nepal. The ten-year long Maoist insurgency has

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Art

been the biggest catalyst for change. It is unfortunate that many people were killed, many more were displaced and human rights were violated during the Insurgency. The first and second People’s movement also brought about significant changes. Similarly the first and second Madhesh Andolan have also been very influential in bringing change and participatory democracy in Nepal.

Of all the people and leaders you have photographed for this project, can you describe one whom you consider exemplary?

I have photographed many others that are not included in the show or have made it to the final edit of the work.

The photographic process is such that not every person you photograph or every photo you take makes it to the final selection. Besides, I believe in rigorous editing in order to make the work cohesive and strong. Some of the people that I have photographed but not included in the exhibition include CK Lal, Mohna Ansari, Sapana Malla Pradhan, Khagendra Sangrauala, Nagendra Kumar Kumal, Ahsok Rai, Biswo Bhakta Dulal ‘Ahuti’, Mithai Devi Biswokarma, Padam

Sundas, Rem Biswokarma, Rajendra Shrestha, Tula Naryan Shah, Sunil Babu Pant, Pratyoush Onta, Seira Tamang, Mandira Sharma, Tilak Pariyar and many more. All of these people have made exemplary contributions to Nepal.

What are your goals for the exhibition in terms of audience participation and learning?

We have tried to make the exhibition open and accessible to all. The Nepal Art Council is a good venue in terms of accessibility – a space I required despite whooping gallery rental fees. I hope people from all walks of life come to see the show. The exhibition invites discourse and encourages equitable representation. Despite many changes in the last few decades, we still have a long way to go in terms of equitable representation. In order to disseminate these ideas, we have scheduled a series of events such as panel discussions and artist talks. I hope the viewers consider the intentions of the exhibition seriously - I am also interested in engaging in contemporary Nepali Art and Photography.

Kathmandu has a thriving visual arts scene; I definitely want to be part of that

energy. Along with Photo.Circle, we are also trying to establish a contemporary Nepali Art Photography market. Hence, we are selling five images from the exhibition as Special Kathmandu Edition.

You can find out more about the Edition from Photo.Circle’s website. We hope some of your readers can support the work and contemporary Nepali photography in general.

May 2014 / 51

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Book

The World’s Greatest

Architecture Past and Present T

his analysis of the world’s most celebrated buildings spans the earliest period to the 20th Century - beginning with an exploration of ancient worlds and structures such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Persepolis and the Machu Pichu.

Author D. M. Field takes us back to the architecture of ancient worlds - Classical architecture, Medieval architecture and the architecture of

South Asia - as he demonstrates the celebratory manifestations of architecture with over 600 photographs. The point of departure is a fundamental need to understand the evolution of architecture. The book, World’s Greatest Architecture: Past and Present, investigates concepts, designs, visualizations and the creativity inherent within architectural designs now considered to be the oldest. They reflect civilizations and civilizational values and continuously inspire us.

The book traces the pioneering designs of the Classical and Medieval World and recounts the development of architecture from the Renaissance Period through to the Revivalist Period. Twentieth Century architecture is explored via the Chrysler Building, the Coventry Cathedral and the idiosyncratic Einstein Tower amongst other iconic modern structures. A wellresearched, extensive guide to over 300 buildings, the book also takes a look at the contrasts in architecture worldwide - from the spiritual sites of the Far East, the Imperial Palace of the Forbidden City and the Red Fort in Delhi to the classic Alhambra Palace in Spain. The entire volume

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Book

is an inspirational index of some of the most mesmerizing buildings ever to have been designed and constructed.

The book was kindly provided by Mandala Book Point, Katnipath, Kathmandu Tel: 422771

D.M. Field’s invigorating reviews illustrate that architecture can also be regarded as part of the visual arts; it serves a function and purpose.

However, oftentimes it is a mere craft and, thus, subject to compromise and imposed upon by economic, political or social constraints. The architecture of earlier periods is more easily delineated as art because the age itself is considered to confer this

virtue and quality. The book aims to proffer a panoramic view of the world’s architectural marvels. In general, these particular structures were chosen because they are, for one or several reasons, outstanding in themselves or typical of an important category. The buildings are arranged by geographical region and by chronology with exceptions in both cases. The book is, therefore, designed for the reader who has an interest in architecture and is conscious of the built space as it has transformed and metamorphosed over many centuries.  n

May 2014 / 55

Artspace

PRASHANTA MEMORIAL SOCIETY Short Introduction

P

rashantaMemorialSociety was established with an aim to promote upcoming new young artists from the Fine Arts Colleges in the name of Prashanta Scholarship Award.

It was initiated in the name of late artist Prashanta Shrestha and was registered under the Govt. of Nepal in 2003.

Kasthamandap Art Studio is a cluster of visual artists that provides a workspace for young artists committed to explore and promote the genre of contemporary art in Nepal. Kasthamandap Art Studio is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to

Prashanta Shrestha was born in 1968 in Sankhu, was the youngest son of Gauri Narayan Shrestha and Laxmi Shrestha. He was the founder member and co-ordinator of the Kasthamandap Art Studio. He passed away at the age of 31 in 1999. He had 5 solo exhibitions in Kathmandu and did participated in more than 20 group shows in Nepal and in Bangladesh. He was awarded consolation prize in the National Art Exhibition in 1996.

development of Nepali art. It’s a community art center established by eight young artists in 1994. The founders of the studio are, Late Prashanta Shrestha, Asha Dangol, BhairajMaharjan, Binod Pradhan, ErinaTamrakar, Pradip Bajracharya, Pramila Bajracharya and Sunila Bajracharya.

The studio organizes art shows, art camps, art workshops, social art activities and Artists in Residency Program.  n

Name of the awarded young artists for this year 2014 1. Ms. Binita Buddhacharya from Lait Kala Campus (Cash award Rs.15,000 and prashanshaparta) 2. Mr. Kuldip JB Gurung from Sirjana College of Fine Arts (Cash award Rs.15,000 and prashanshapatra) 3. Mr. Anil Shahi from Kathmandu University, Center for Art and Design (Cash award Rs.15,000 and prashanshapatra) Art Exhibition by last year awarded young artists at Sirjana College of Fine Arts Mr. Manish Harijan Mr. Sandeep Neupane Ms. Anamika Gautam

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Personality

Jon Gangdal In your perspective should Nepal be more considerate regarding Himalayan expedition for Tourists?

The Himalaya has been the scene of human triumph and tragedy for more than a century. Nepal was opened to foreign climbing expeditions about 60 years ago. Since then, mountain tourism has become one of the country’s main industries, thanks to the numerous people attempting to summit the many peaks, and the even greater number of tourists who prefer to trek through the Himalayan valleys or enjoy the mountains from a distance. I have to say that Nepal has to be more considerate not only for tourist expeditions but as well as for people living in those remote areas.

From your research what have you come to comprehend regarding the Himalayan region of Nepal?

The Himalaya is among the youngest mountain ranges on earth. It was formed by a collision between the north-moving Indo- Australian Plate including what is present day India and the Eurasian Plate. The collision began about 70 million years ago, and is still in process. Originally , the two landscapes were separated by an ocean, which however gradually disappeared as the two plates approached each other. As a result of the collision, parts of the two plates and old ocean sediments were lifted upwards, thus forming the Himalaya and the Tibetan plateau. After millions of years, the newly formed mountains were lifted to their present high point of 8848 meters. In some places in the Himalayas it is still possible to find fossil remains of marine organisms.

Jon Gangdal is well known speaker , author, adviser, mountaineer, journalist, worked as chief of the Oslo Police and has published numerous books and biographies. Gangdal has been with many climbing expeditions , including the world’s highest mountain Mt. Everest along with his twin brother Sven Gangdal who passed away in a kayaking tragedy in Norway. Ever since his youth days Gangdal has been climbing in the highest Norwegian mountains called GaldhPiggen (2469 meters) and the Alps the great mountain range systems of Europe (4807 meters) stretching approximately 1,200 kilometers across eight Alpine countries from Austria and Slovenia in the east, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and south east Germany, to the west. Jon Gangdal’s first visit to Nepal was in the year 1989 and has come more than 30 times in Nepal for mountaineering and research. He has climbed to summit of Mt. Everest four times in the year 1994, 1995, 2003 and 2005 and has written numerous books and articles likeFive Treasures of the Great Snow - The Story of Kanchenjunga, The story of Mount Everest, The world’s highest mountain, Everest. Dream and reality, Climbing. Guide to mountain sports, To the top of Mount Everest, and Everything you should know about climbing, Climbing Techniques, risk, safety, climbing routes, and many other books.

What is your point of view regarding our country Nepal?

Nepal is generally looked upon as poor country. In a traditional economic sense, and considering the shortage of basic infrastructure, we cannot but agree.

However, the picture becomes much more differentiated when we consider Nepal’s wealth of natural resources, religion, culture and last but not least, human warmth and friendliness perhaps the most important eergy sources in a modern technological world. From such a standpoint, I do not see Nepal as a poor country, but rather a country full of unutilized resources. I see a country that through the years has been through so many political processes that it still has not quite found its balance and thus still has not found out how these resources can be managed.

As you have leaded many Himalayan expedition, is there a call for increasing environmental awareness in the Himalayan regions ?

I guess climbers and expedition leaders have always had the unique ability to set goals and find the positive counterpart to problems and solutions also. We are witnessing the retreat of the Himalayan glaciers, which provide water for more than one billion people in Asia. This calls for increasing environmental awareness and finding solutions worldwide. I believe the key to Nepal’s future lies in the ability to jointly develop its own basis, building on the considerable sustainability the country that can be found on the highest peaks of the mountains, on the slopes of the hills , and in the fields and forests of the Terai regions.

As the tragedy that occurred on Mt. Everest avalanche on the 18th of April 2014 with 16 Sherpas dead, what was your sentiment reaction and what do you think of this ethnic group of Nepal?

The Sherpas are the real heroes of the Himalayas. The world should understand that Sherpa is not just another word for porter, but the name of one of Nepal’s many ethnic groups. The name stems from Tibetan Shar and Pa which means east and people or ‘Eastern People’.

They migrated from Tibet to Nepal about 400 – 500 years ago and settled in the highest slopes of the Himalayas from the Gauri Shankar region in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. Since sherpas have lived at great altitude for such a long time, they are physically well adapted to a lack of oxygen and low air pressure. Thus they are extremely well adapted to working at high altitudes and also named as Tigers of the Himalayas due to their light –footedness, speed and endurance in rough terrain .They have educated many mountaineers a lot and I pay my sincere homage to heartbreaking tragedy that occurred on the 18th of April 2014. As I have personally faced a death of a good Sherpa friend in my Everest expedition, it was really distressing and since then I have welcomed his family to Norway with open arms. The Sherpa people have an eye for the needs of others and spread lots of joy wherever they go, giving inspiration to the climbers. The government needs to acknowledge and play a vital role in providing their needs, as they are the ones who bring in a lot of revenue for the government. n May 2014 / 63

Market

FlowGuard CPVC, Lead Free PVC Piping Systems MARVEL FLOWGUARD HOT & COLD WATER PLUMBING SYSTEM Marvel Technoplast Pvt. Ltd. introduced FlowGuardTM Hot & Cold water piping systems into Nepal under license from The Lubrizol Corporation, USA. Lubrizol is a single-source provider of polymer technologies designed to solve today’s toughest building and production challenges, and is an innovator and world leader in chlorinated poly vinyl chloride (CPVC) resins and compounds. Lubrizol’s history of providing superior piping solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. The pipes manufactured with Lubrizol’s FlowGuardTM compounds are specially formulated, tested, and proven to maintain water purity, resist corrosion, and last longer than generic CPVC products. They provide exceptional corrosion resistance for hot and cold water plumbing applications, are easily installed using reliable solventwelded joining techniques and offer quality, cost-effective choice for long-term system service.

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MARVEL BOREWELL CASING PIPES Marvel Borewell casing uPVC Pipes as for using of Lead free PVC compound ensures that they are non-toxic and safe for potable water.

Properly selected and installed, it ensures that the water well remains a perennial source of clean water.

Marvel BoreWell u-PVC casing pipes score tremendously over conventional metal piping because they are tough, do not corrode and last for years.

FEATURES & BENEFITS • Hygienic as manufactured from Lead Free PVC compound • Manufactured from special PVC compound having extra toughness • High impact strength • PVC being an inert material most of the chemicals found in soil and water do not affect the casing • Corrosion resistance • Chemical rehabilitation possible when chocking occurs due to encrustation • Casing available in 110mm (As per local requirement) & 114mm (As per IS : 12818) • Smooth bore, hence excellent flow properties • Longer life

Market

Marvel Ecodrain SWR Drainage System Marvel, for the first time in Nepal, has taken the initiation to introduce a lead free based uPVC plumbing system towards its attempt in reducing environmental burden in the country.

The German BIP SEAL rings ensure: • • • •

Suitable for automatic assembly as they are pre-lubricated Low insertion force Reliable function under extreme conditions Vacuum-tight & long life time according to EU BPR 89/106/EEC

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MARVEL AQUAFLO uPVC Pipes This exclusive range of uPVC pressure pipe is manufactured in light grey colour using Lead Free uPVC compound. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities & best quality material used to produce Marvel uPVC Piping system, adds to the strength and durability. The special UV stabilized compound, improves the weather ability of the Marvel uPVC system, ensuring an enduring life span when installed.The smooth surface of the Marvel Aquaflo uPVC pipes provides a choke-free system with almost no maintenance cost.

FEATURES & BENEFITS • Hygienic as made from Lead Free PVC compound • Chemical and corrosion resistance • Excellent tensile & impact strength • Easy solvent cement based cold welding process to install • Light in weight • UV & Fire resistant • Cost effective • Immunity to galvanic or electrolytic attack • High flow rates • Easy to install and longer Life FIELD OF APPLICATIONS Agriculture; Irrigation; Water supply; Industrials process lines; Drainage; Salt water lines; Dye plants, chrome, zinc plating and tanning plants; Sugar, paper and distillery industries; Coal washing and handling

Marvel Pureflo uPVC Pressure Pipes FEATURES & BENEFITS • Suitable for potable water as it is Lead Free • Chemical and corrosion resistance • Strong & Light in weight.

• Low friction loss • UV & Fire resistant • Easy solvent cement based cold welding process to install • Cost effective • Immunity to galvanic or electrolytic attack • Longer life FIELD OF APPLICATIONS • Cold water plumbing application in buildings • Swimming pools • Water and waste water treatment • Potable water distribution systems • Agricultural • Irrigation • Industrials process lines • Aggressive / corrosive fluid transportation • Dye plants, chrome, zinc plating and tanning plants • Sugar, paper and distillery industries • Coal washing and handling

May 2014 / 65

Sp ac es OP EN

The School of Creative Communications is a unique blend of creativity and communication. We provide a platform for those who dream of nurturing one’s creativity through communication. We offer training programs on art, photography, writing and languages.

We have been conducting SCC Explore Photography workshops since its establishment in 2009. We have been organizing SCC Blue Bag,sharing program with scholar once a month. It is located at Kupondol, Lalitpur, Nepal. (Link road to Bagmati river)

www.scc.org.np facebook.com/scc.kathmandu

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This photo was taken on the way to Chitwan - a bus carrying Janti on their way to attend a marriage procession. The people look happy and appear to be having fun. In the name of celebration, people are also breaking rules and putting their lives at risk.

About Photographer: Rajesh Dangol is a construction contractor who

has worked in the construction business since the last 20 years. He is interested in photographing his design and interior works which led him to join the SCC Photography Workshop. He loves to explore new objects and travels extensively.

Views

march 2014 / 67

connects

03 Everest Bathware Tinkune, Airport Road Ph: 977-1-4480680 / 4485292 padam@everestnp.com 04 Beko Putalisadak, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1- 4422190 www.beko.com.np 05 Deluxe Trading Company Putalisadak, Kamaladi, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4245317 deluxe@mail.com.np 09 Media Nine Pvt. Ltd. Narayan Chaur, Naxal, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4410440 / 4426655 marketing@media9.com.np 07 Yeti Polychem Pvt. Ltd. Dillibazar, Kathmandu Ph:977-1- 4421501 / 9851004448 09 Technical Associates Services Pvt. Ltd. Thapathali, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4219999 ta@ta.com.np www.tas.com.np 11 Samman International Business Pvt. Ltd. Sukedhara, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4374672 / 4378725 samman@wlink.com.np 13 Index Furniture Metro Park Building, 1st Floor, Lazimpat Ph: 4415181 info@indexfurniture.com.np www.indexfurniture.com.np 14 Starnet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Shankhamul, Pragatimarga, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4781945 info@starnetenterprises.com www.starnetenterprises.com 17 Exterior Interior Hattisar & Bhatbhteni Supermarket, 2nd Floor Tangal, Kathmandu Ph: 4435419 / 4436876 extint@wlink.com.np

21 International Electronics Concern (P.) Ltd Harati Bhawan, Putalisadak, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4421991, 4422107 market_iec@wlink.com.np www.iec.com.np

59 Skylight Pvt. Ltd. Naxal (Opp to Police HQ), Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4423851 info@skylight.com.np www.skylight.com.np

35 Balterio - Navin Distributors Pvt. Ltd. 1st Floor, A.T. Complex, New Plaza, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4430785 balterio@navindistributors.com www.balterio.com

59 MD Furniture Maharajgunj (Opp. U.S. Embassy) Ph: 977-1-4721484 mdfurniture@snet.com.np www.mdfurniturenepal.com

51 Atc Pvt. Ltd. 336/21, Ganesh Man Sing Path-2, Teku Road Ph: 977-1-4262220 atc.wlink.com.np

61 Kitchen Concepts Pvt. Ltd. Teku Road (Near to Bakery CafĂŠ) Ph: 977-1-4221858 nepalkitchen@wlink.com.np

52 Yeti Airlines Tilganga, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1- 4464878 reservations@yetiairlines.com www.yetiairlines.com

62 Bira Furniture Patan Industrial Estate, Lalitpur Ph: 977-1-5522253 contact@birafurniture.com.np www.birafurniture.com.np

53 MRD Nepal International Teku, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4261565 / 4255018 info@mrdkoto.com www.mrdkoto.com

67 Foto Hollywood Civil Bank Building, Kamladi Ph: 977-1-4169060 www.fotohollywood.com.np

56 Nagrik - Nepal Republic Media Pvt. Ltd. JDA Complex, Bagh Durbar Ph: 977-1-4265100 / 4261808 circulation@nagariknews.com 57 Rita Wear Dhapakhel, L.P. Ph: 977-1-5003052 / 9841569311 ramesh@newreetacarpets.com www.reitawear.com 58 Buddha Air Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Ph: 977-1-5542494 www.buddhaair.com 58 Bestbuy Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Kupondole, L.P. Ph: 977-1-5523289 / 5545481 info@bestbuynepal.com www.bestbuynepal.com

68 Worldlink Communication Pvt. Ltd. Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Ph: 977-1-5523050 sales@wlink.com.np www.worldlink.com.np 70 Sony Service Center Kantipath, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4250305 61 Marvel Technoplast Pvt. Ltd. Heritage Plaza - II, 2nd Floor, Kamladi Ph: 977-1-4169122 info@marvel.com.np www.marvel.com.np 72 Berger Jenson & Nicholson (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd. Berger House - 492, Tinkune, Kathmandu Ph: 977-1-4466038 info@bergernepal.com www.bergernepal.com

19 E3 Security Solution Pvt. Ltd. Kumaripati, Lalitpur Ph: 977-1-5008730 / 5554961 info@e3solution.com.np www.e3solution.com.np

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