Pramod Kharel…New Kid On The Block

Aspiring and talented new artist Pramod Kharel is all geared up to release his second solo album very soon. His first album 'Prapti' released some two years back did receive lukewarm response with the song "Lagcha Timi Sagar Sari" doing the rounds frequently at various countdowns.

He informs us that this second album will be in the music stands under the label of Dhaulagiri Cassette Centre. "I had made up my mind to name this album 'Realize' but an astrologer suggested that I name the album with the initial 'S'. Hence, I have still not been able to figure out the name!" Any suggestions?

Because he had an infection to his throat, he relates that he was not able to release this album much earlier. "I took my own time to prepare this album and during all this while I didn’t do any stage shows as such. In fact, I won't be signing at any shows till 2063 BS is over!" confirms Pramod.

On his previous album, he had just incorporated adhunik songs with a touch of classical flavor. However, this time round, he has worked on "total melodious numbers". "I have eight songs on it and each one of them is different from the other. The songs are of high pitch and have a base of classical but are presented in a ‘westernized format’. (Whatever that means) Most probably, this album will be released by the first week of Falgun and together with it, a music video will also be premiered. The song is called "Bacheko Thiye" and will be directed by Alok Nembang. The shooting of this video is scheduled to happen very shortly!"

Ash-Abhishek's wedding plans

A classical singer from Varanasi is currently on an extended practice session these days in preparation for the most talked about marriage of Bollywood couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.

Channulal Mishra said that he has been invited by Amitabh Bachchan to perform at Abhishek's wedding.

"Amithabh Bachchan said that he wanted to organise a programme on the occasion of the wedding of Abhishek and Aishwarya. He said the date for the wedding was not fixed, but I have come to know that it will be sometime in March," Mishra said.

Families of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai on Monday said that both had got engaged at a private ceremony. Abhishek reportedly placed a diamond ring on Aishwarya's finger.

Speculation of a formal link gained ground after both families visited several temples to pray for them, as their stars were reportedly not in harmony.

Reports of an impending marriage were earlier fuelled after Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of Amitabh, who met a Bangalore based astrologer Chandrashekhar Swami, to see if the couple's horoscopes matched.

The planets also seem to be blessing the couple. They were declared to be perfect by matched by the astrologer.

Abhishek was earlier engaged to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor in 2002, but the marriage was called off for unexplained reasons. Abhishek (30) and Aishwarya (33) have starred together in Hindi films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Na Kaho, Umrao Jaan and Dhoom II as also Mani Ratnam's "Guru". Aishwarya, who has acted in over 40 films, was crowned Miss World in 1994. Abhishek too has acted in about 40 films.

MUTU POLCHA....

Mutu Polcha (New Version)
(World Premiere)
Playby Feat. Amir Deula
Video: Uday Sijapati
Download>>

Missing "LITTLE BUDDHA" found

‘Missing’ for nine months, which led to a variety of speculation, Ram Bomjan popularly known as ‘Buddha boy’, was found in a mediating posture at a jungle in Bara district Monday.

When local villagers saw the boy at the Bagkhora jungle at around 7:00 in the morning he looked slender than before, was in grimy cloths and had long hair flowing down his shoulder, reports said. Briefly talking to media persons, the ‘Buddha boy’ said he lived on herbs throughout these months while wandered around the jungles in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts.

A huge crowd formed in the area soon after the news of the Buddha boy’s re-emergence spread in the nearby villages. His pervious handlers, the members of the Tapaswi Sewa Samiti, are settling up a place for his meditation nearby the Halkhori Lake in Ratanpuri, according to reports.

Meditating for ten months under a pipal tree at Ratanpuri jungle, ostensibly without food or water, Bomjan, had vanished from the crowded site on the night of March 11, 2006. There were controversies about his fasting as well as his spiritual claims.

The17-year-old boy’s saga was reported internationally while national and national and international researchers had also thronged to Ratanpuri.

The management committee had claimed that Bomjan left the area as it became unsuitable for him to meditate because of growing crowd. Some of the members of the committee were even charged with misuse of millions of rupees donated by tens of thousands of devotees who visited the site daily.

Nepathya Tour

Nepal's leading folk rock band 'Nepathya' is all set to make their traditional tour of the Nation again. This time they will be touring to 15 places during a span of 40 straight days. "It feels great to be reaching to our fans and well wishers around the country again. Nepal beyond Kathmandu has always been dear to me," says Amrit Gurung, front man / lead vocalist of the Band.

As in the past, this time too 'Nepathya' is associating themselves with a social cause. "Giving continuity to Nepathya's past association, this time too, 'Nepathya' will be speaking for the children of the Nation." adds Kiran Krishna Shrestha, team leader of nepa~laya, the organisers of the tour and managers of 'Nepathya'. As in the past years, 2002 and 2004, the tour will be called – Nepathya "Education for Peace" Tour 2063 as well.

"As peace has prevailed, we thought of advocating another theme – but having recently travelled to places in the nation and visited many community schools all over, I felt - children in schools and the education sector still need an encouraging voice. Children are still vulnerable to political and other exploitations. Thus, we decided to continue with our slogan – Education for Peace." justifies Amrit. "Children in schools should not be used for any objectives by any groups. They are like tender buds – let them blossom freely and they shall be creating a better and peaceful New Nepal." he adds.

The entourage is set to leave Kathmandu on December 21and will be back for the final show in Kathmandu scheduled for January 31.

The tour will take them through Narayanghat, Damak, Dhankuta, Lahan, Hetauda, Butwal, Dhangadi, Surkhet, Sandhikharka, Tamghas, Pokhara, Besi Sahar, Trisuli Bazaar, Jiri, and then finally wind up in the Capital.

"In addition to regular ticket bearing audience, we have also made arrangements to reach audiences who have been deprived of such access to entertainment due to social, physical or financial reasons." explains Kiran Shrestha.

"Our shows which include Shantiko lagi Sikchya Tour in 2002 and 2004 and Sundar Shanta Nepal during 2003 and 2005, have always been well appreciated by people all over. We expect similar cooperation and support from all to make this National event a success." requests Kiran.

After two rounds of visit to all these places, nepa~laya had decided on the local organisers, which mainly include community educational institutes, and local social organisations. This time too, major proceedings from the ticket sales will be contributed to local welfare purposes through local organisers.

'Nepathya' has been working strongly with various social sectors during the past. It is also known as the most earthy and social Nepali band of recent times.

"During the past year, we have performed in many events both here and abroad, but reaching out to our own people is always a moment I crave for. I really look forward to the tour." says the humble front man of the band, Amrit.

UN monitors arriving within 10 days; assessment report is ready

A 35-member expert team of the United Nations is arriving in Nepal within ten days to monitor the management of arms and armies.

UN Secretary-General's personal representative to Nepal, Ian Martin, told a news conference at the UN office in Kathmandu that UN monitors would start their works as soon as they land here.

A group out of 35 monitors is set to arrive within 10 days while another team of 25 election experts will be here in the coming weeks, according to him.

The electoral advisors, who are yet to be recruited, will be working with the Election Commission for constituent assembly elections due mid-June 2007.

He said discussions were underway with the government and the Maoists on whether to involve former British and Indian Gurkha army personnel, as an interim taskforce, in the arms management work.

The UN envoy also informed that the UN Technical Assessment Mission (TAM), which started its works in Nepal one week earlier, has completed its assessment on logistical needs in the cantonments of the Maoist army, arrangement of resources and monitoring personnel.

"The assessment mission today completed its work, and I will be sending its report to the UN Headquarters for the decision of the secretary general," he said.

Based on the TAM report, the UN Headquarters will determine the budget and logistical support necessary for monitoring of arms and armies in Nepal.

Download Mp3 Song..!!

Mailey Joon Lai (New Release)
Sanam Sharma

Download>>

Over dozen injured in scuffle during RPP-Nepal’s 'pro-King' rally

Over a dozen Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal activists were injured in a clash with students who tried to thwart their pro-King rally in Kathmandu Friday morning.

Chanting slogans in favour of monarchy and against the SPA government and the Maoists, RPP-Nepal activists marched up to the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar from Narayan Chaur in Naxal.

The demonstrators clashed with a group of students dominated by Maoist cadres at Baluwatar. Police tried to disperse the crowd but were held back for some time as the students warned them not to interfere.

Baluwatar area remained tensed for more than an hour as students affiliated with the eight parties protested against what they called revival of reactionary activism.

RPP-Nepal chairman Rabindra Nath Sharma, who led the rally, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter's residence as the protest continued outside. The party in its memorandum said monarchy should remain for political stability in the country.

Last week, students had disrupted a regional convention of RPP-Nepal in Pokhara. A few leaders and party cadres participating in the convention were roughed up by the students.

The RPP-Nepal's leaders are mostly former Panchas and former royalist ministers.

Rajesh Payal Rai's Khas Ta

Khas ta
(World Premiere)
Rajesh Payal Rai
Video: Deep
Download>>

Abhaya and the Steam Injuns

Recently 'Abhaya and the Steam Injuns' came back after their ten day tour of Gangtok, Darjeeling and Namchi. Sharing the limelight with them was none other than Sabin Rai. They say that the tour was "simply good".

It was nearly two years back that 'Abhaya and the Steam Injuns' had released their debut album. They say that they have already completed the compilation of songs for their second venture for which the recoding will begin very soon. They promise that they shall not take much time in the recording process. "On February, we have a Hong Kong tour and as soon as we are back, we plan to release the new album," mentions Abhaya.

"It is not at all going to be the same! The specialty of our new album is that we have four songs written by poet Viplob Prateek. We love those songs to the core and we are very much excited to reveal those numbers to our listeners. We also believe that to get his creations is a plus point for us and our album!" Later she adds, "Our first album did incorporate rock, hip-hop and rap numbers among other flavors of music. However, the rock songs became more popular since we had visualized those numbers. Sad to say but the impact that those songs had in people was that we are a rock band. Here, I need to declare that we are not only good in singing rock numbers but we are equally good in singing other genre of music. Dot not typecast as a rock band! We want to be known as musicians who deliver quality music and we are here to make a difference in the Music industry of Nepal." Well…that was loud and clear. We got your message and hope everyone does it as well!

Maoists use force to stop relocation of police posts

Maoist activists have intensified their efforts to stop relocation of police posts in several parts of the country.

A day after the Maoists obstructed the initiatives to relocate police posts that were displaced in the past due to conflict in Beltari of Nawalparasi district, their activists in Rupandehi district captured the police post in Dhakdhai on Thursday and booted out the policemen who had been posted there only six days ago.

In Dhakdhai, reports say that the Maoists brought a number of common people from around the area and made them to demonstrate while they resorted to vandalism and threw out bedding and other stuffs belonging to policemen.

According to Kantipur daily, Maoists forced people from Simarhawa, Amarhawa, Barahawa, Padamwa, Mainihawa, Pakadbhindi as well as other villages like Uttar Devadaha, Kerbani and Makahar in the vicinity of 10 kilometer from the area to participate in the demonstration. Women and children were also among the people. Many of them said they had come out of curiosity to watch the incident.

The Maoists forced 18 policemen led by sub-inspector Shambhu Chaudhary out of the post. Chaudhary later said that the Maoists might be working under guidance of certain elements because the establishment of police post had affected smuggling in the area.

In Nawalparasi, too, the Maoists warned the policemen to return from recently relocated Sunawal post. Immediately after the Maoists went away, local village women descended on the police post and requested them not to shift from there.

In districts like Sindhupalchowk, Kavre and Sankhuwasabha also the Maoists have started obstructing the relocation of police post. Similar campaigns have been reported from far-western districts like Doti, Kanchanpur and Achham.

The Maoists have claimed that they would not allow police post relocation till interim government including them is formed.

Local political party leaders and civil society have termed this campaign of Maoists as violation of peace agreements.

In fact, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed on November 21 by the government and the Maoists also agrees that the task of carrying out day-to-day law and order situation will be given to Nepal Police and Armed Police Force. "Nepal Police and Armed Police force shall continue to work for maintaining peace and investigation into the criminal activities as per the spirit and content of the peace agreement and prevailing laws," the agreement states.

Umesh Mainali, secretary at the Home Ministry, also says that the recent efforts by the government to relocate police posts was guided by this very peace agreement and as per the demands made by local people.

Supreme Court rejects case against King

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed against King Gyanendra.

Acting upon a petition filed by advocate Jitman Basnet, a single bench of Justice Tahiar Ali Ansari ruled, "Since the rejection order passed by the administration (registar) of the SC was based on existing law, there was no need to proceed it further."

After the rejection order by the administration, advocate Basnet has challenged the administration's move in the Justice's bench.

Joint registar Til Prasad Shrestha had refused to admit a contempt of Court case filed against King Gyanendra and army officials.

The SC administration had rejected the petition citing technical ground.

Kathmandu most polluted city of Asia: Report

A recent report has revealed that Kathmandu is the most polluted city among 20 cities of Asia.

A study report prepared by a team led by Cornie Huizenga with the assistance of Asian Development Bank showed that Kathmandu is in the top of the list of sensitive cities from the air pollution point of view.

The study was released as Asian environment ministers held the first governmental meeting on Asian urban air quality this week in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

"There is high possibility of human loss due to the diseases caused from pollution," the report warned.

WHO scientists estimate 537,000 people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific die prematurely each year due to air pollution.

The level of PM10 in the air of Kathmandu is 120 microgram per square meter. As Per the standard of World Health Organization the level of PM10 should be 20 microgram per square meter.

The level of PM10 is high than the official standard in most of the places of Kathmandu valley.

Indian Capital Delhi and Indonesian Capital Jakarta also fall in the list of sensitive cities from the pollution point of view.

The report was prepared based on research at major cities of Asia.

The report studied 22 Asian cities and one of its key findings is that the concentration of the fine particulate matter PM10 is “serious” in Beijing, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Shanghai.

"Asia’s growth in population, urbanization, motorization and energy consumption remain key challenges to efforts to counter air pollution," the report adds .

The Kantipur Daily quoted Suman Sharma of Ministry of Environment as criticizing that the report failed to mention official source of information and prepared without direct involvement of any organization.

However, environmentalist Bhusan Tuladhar said that there is a need of immediately improving the pollution level of Kathmandu.

Nepal ranks "3rd" in human rights violations

The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has ranked Nepal 3rd in issue of human rights violations.

A newly released SAARC Human Rights Violators’ Index 2006 released in New Delhi on Wednesday said apart from repression of political parties, violations of the right to life were widespread in Nepal.

About 1,524 persons – 815 persons by the security forces and 709 persons by the Maoists – were killed in 2005.

“Nepal remained the most dangerous place for children in South Asia with extra judicial execution, torture and forcible recruitment,” the report noted.

An estimated 58 children, including 16 girls, were reportedly killed during January - September 2005 alone. Of them, Maoists reportedly killed 46 children, including 11 girls. Over 140 children were reportedly injured by the security forces and the Maoists during 2005, including at least 80 in bomb explosions by Maoists.

ACHR has appreciated the role of judiciary under trying circumstances. “The Supreme Court of Nepal admitted petitions challenging the constitutional validity of ordinances issued by King Gyanendra, thereby, questioning the authority of the despotic ruler,” the report adds.

Half of all the cases of press censorship in the world in 2005 were reported from Nepal and at least two journalists were killed, 425 journalists were arrested, attacked or threatened. Accountability for human rights violations in Nepal remains the key challenge, the report added.

Bangladesh has been ranked No. 1 violator of human rights, followed by Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India at No.7.

Sallu bullied by Don's name!

Salman Khan is in trouble again. This time he is charged with threatening people by using underworld gangster Chhota Shakeel's name. As a result he has been asked to reopot at Mumbai Police Crime Branch cell.

The actor will also be interrogated today by Unit 1 of Crime Branch in the Bharat Shah case.

While Sallu was away, his father Salim Khan told a leading daily that he is not aware of Salman being summoned and have received no intimation so far.

"I have nothing to do with this case so am not aware of its details,” he adds.

Salman has cancelled his visit to South Africa, for which he was supposed to leave tomorrow.

New Nepali Music Video

Darjeeling Sahar
Thupten Bhutia

Download>>

Euta Chitthi - The Axe (World Primiere)

Euta Chitthi
The Axe
(World Primiere)

Download>>

Winter rains make days colder

The unexpected rainfall that started throughout the country from early Monday morning has resulted in the mercury plummeting and sent chills in Kathmandu and hilly areas.

Usually, the winter showers are expected only in December end. However, this year the winter rain came well ahead because of the westerlies from the Bay of Bengal entering Nepal and moving east.

According to the officials at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the rains would stop by Tuesday evening.

The rainfall has been boon for winter crops while the people in the hilly and mountainous regions are facing a winter chill because of snowfall. In the western hilly districts, snowfall has begun. The rainfall would lengthen the duration of cold this winter.

In the last 24 hours, Dang received the highest rainfall of 13 mm. Likewise the rainfall in Dadeldhura is recorded at 12 mm, Nepalgunj 12.8, Birendra Nagar 10, Dhangadi 11.2 and Kathmandu 0.7 mm. Kathmandu and Bhairahawa also received thundershowers.

The unexpected rain has disrupted domestic flights from Tribhuvan International Airport with only two flights taking off till Monday noon. However, the international flights are regular, officials at the TIA information centre said.

1974 AD In BUTWAL

The SHOW was much SUCCESSFUL...!!

RDB, Bluffmaster now on Google Video

MUMBAI: BODVOD, which holds exclusive rights to Bollywood movies, music videos and television shows, have made the availability of content on Google Video.

BODVOD's content, presented under the name 'Saavn' is available at http://video.google.com/saavn. The launch will include five full-length movies representing some top Bollywood films, including India's 2007 Oscar entry Rang De Basanti and also Abhishek Bachchan starrer Bluffmaster, with additional film and television content to be added in the coming months. Deewane Huye Paagal will also be added to the list soon.

BODVOD service is available on Time Warner Cable and Cox Cable Nationwide in the US.

This deal adds to BODVOD's growing list of distribution partners across cable, broadband and mobile providers for its exclusive content. Boasting a vast library and new release pipeline of films, music videos and television content, BODVOD is the first company to offer Bollywood and other South Asian content on-demand to the North American audience.

"Our deal with Google helps us expand into a new market, and it also helps us support our existing cable operator and mobile carrier affiliates. Given Google's undisputed leadership in search, we will be able to uncover new audiences for the best of Bollywood and other South Asian content," said BODVOD's Vin Bhat.

BODVOD Networks (www.bodvod.com) has exclusive rights to movies, music and TV shows from India, and it packages, distributes and markets this content for on-demand services on cable, Internet and mobile platforms. BODVOD powers the first national video on demand (VOD) services offering Bollywood and South Asian content through over 30 major distribution affiliates.

The company also provides marketing support and media for its affiliates to help them reach the passionate audience for Bollywood and other South Asian content. The BODVOD team consists of media veterans with experience in content licensing, programming, retail products, marketing and distribution.