Thursday, May 29, 2008

Nepal

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (FDRON)


By Yuvraj/Ghanashyam/Bishnu

KATHMANDU, May 29 - Nepal has become a Federal Democratic Republic from today after the Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly voted for abolition of the country’s 240-year-old monarchy.

“I declare that the proposal tabled by the government for implementation of a republic has been passed as 560 members out of 564 present today voted in favor of the proposal and 4 against,” announced meeting chairman Kul Bahadur Gurung after a division vote late Wednesday night.

Only royalist Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal members voted against the proposal.

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula tabled the proposal for a republic at Wednesday’s CA meeting. The proposal said, “Nepal has turned into an independent, indivisible, secular, inclusive, federal democratic republic with sovereignty and state authority vested in the people.”

The proposal further said that the former king and royal family members shall no longer enjoy any rights and privileges other than those of common Nepali citizens.

The CA also instructed the government to make sure that Gyanendra Shah and his family leave Narayanhity Royal Palace within the next 15 days. The meeting instructed the government to make necessary arrangements for the safety of all property inside the palace.

The government shall make all necessary arrangements for utilizing all the heritage inside the palace in the national interest including for setting up a historical museum.

The proposal states that all constitutional provisions, laws, administrative rules and arrangements at variance with the proposal have been scrapped.

A second sitting of the CA passed a separate bill to amend the Interim Constitution and make new arrangements for a president as head of state. Through addition of part 4 (A) in the Interim Constitution, it says that the second meeting of the CA will provide for a president as head of state. The president will be supreme commander in chief of the army and will perform other duties as determined by the constitution. The president will mobilize the army upon the cabinet’s recommendation.

The president will remain in office until the CA promulgation of a new constitution. S/he will remain as patron of the constitution and will also abide by the constitution. The president can impose emergency rule upon recommendation of the cabinet. Two thirds of CA members can remove him/her from office through impeachment.

The amendment also provides for a vice-president.

The parties, after more than 10 hours of negotiations ultimately agreed to amend the constitution and provide for a constitutional president but the presidents’ powers and duties are yet to be finalized.

The meeting was convened about ten hours later than the scheduled time.

The parties, however, could not finalize the names of 26 members to be nominated by the cabinet. “Another bill will be presented in the near future to bring in other provisions on election procedures and the powers and duties of the president,” Sitaula said.

The meeting also declared that Nepal will mark Jesth 15 (in the Nepali calendar) as Republic Day every year and extended tributes to the martyrs whose sacrifices have brought the country to the present stage.

Dream came true

Addressing the meeting before tabling the formal proposal for implementation of a republic, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said this was an epoch-making day in Nepal’s history. He said his past remark—that a day comes once in an era — came true the moment Nepal entered a republican phase. “The dream of the Nepali people has come true today,” the 84-year-old Koirala said at the meeting.

Koirala said one of his biggest responsibilities was now over but another huge responsibility had come upon the shoulders of CA members, a responsibility towards the martyrs, orphans and widows who made their sacrifice for a stable, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nepal.

“We have arrived at this stage only after removing several hurdles, so what we have achieved today is Nepal’s greatest asset,” said Koirala. “So we should preserve and work together not only until a new constitution is framed but also until there is a complete transformation of the country into a fully democratic country.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Monday, May 5, 2008

Trekking in Nepal

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CLASSIC treks

Everest Base Camp

This trek is deservedly one of the most popular in Nepal. It offers an insight into the lives and culture of the famous Sherpa people combined with a journey into some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. We will trek through the heart of the Khumbu to Namche Bazaar and the beautiful village of Khumjung. Buddhist Monasteries, mani stones and chortens all add a spiritual feel to this spectacular mountain environment of Himalayan giants: Kangteiga, Ama Dablam, Kwangde, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Tawachee, none under 6000m high. Our rate of ascent has been carefully planned to maximise acclimatisation in preparation for the ascent of Kala Pattar. The sunrise on the snow capped peaks above the Khumbu Glacier is an unforgettable sight as we wend our way along the edge of the glacier to Gorak Shep. From here the bare summit of Kala Pattar will be pointed out, a mere 'pimple' dwarfed by the towering crags of 7,855m Pumo Ri. The effort required to reach the summit is worth every breath! Below, the Khumbu glacier stretches back towards Lobuche. Across the mass of ice, towers Nuptse and Everest....a worthy goal indeed!

This trek is one for the mountain connoisseur and the lover of high places. To see the worlds highest mountain is what many dreams are made of. It is a tough proposition and not to be taken lightly. Although trails are generally well graded there is a rough section along the Khumbu glacier. Beyond Namche ascents are not particularly steep though the effects of altitude may make them feel a lot steeper! It is suitable for reasonably fit people who are used to walking in the British hills and is a reasonable proposition for a first trek in Nepal.

Our guides are from the village of Khumjung nestled beneath the sacred peak of Khumbila. Many have summitted Everest (at least once!) and all are experienced mountain guides who have accompanied many famous expeditions on 8000m peaks. By trekking with a local guide you will get a very special insight into the Himalayan environment and local culture. You will also be helping them to directly better their lives and support us in our assistance for the education of guides children.

'I cannot praise our Sirdar and guide enough, they were both excellent and made the trek a very special journey indeed. They were great hosts and we learnt a lot from them both. It was great to have such a knowledgeable and helpful Sirdar - he was excellent!! In addition, the flexibility of trek was very good, as a group we decided to fly back to Kathmandu one day early, and this was accommodated brilliantly! The guys really know what they are doing ' R Pitt

' Both Kanchha and Maila were superb on all fronts, and always sincerely out to make sure we derived the maximum out of our trek. They're both extremely personable and can take 'stick' as well as dealing it out! They contributed significantly to the enjoyment of the trek. Drinking chang at Kanchha's house on the way back was representative of how hospitable they were, and was one of the highlights of the trek.' G Mills


Trek grade - moderate/demanding.
Maximum altitude - 4930m Lobuche, 5545m Kala Pattar
Accommodation - lodges on trek, 4 nights Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu. Full board on trek, breakfast only Kathmandu
Group size - minimum 2, maximum 12

CONTACT US for a trip dossier.

Fixed date group departures for 2008 - from £895 per person.

EBC 108 - 22 Feb - 12 Mar

EBC 208 - 14 Mar - 2 Apr

EBC 308 - 26 Sept - 15 Oct

EBC 408 - 7 Nov - 26 Nov

EBC 508 - 19 Dec - 07 Jan

We arrange many tailormade lodge trek departures or private treks - go at your own pace, take a detour and really meet the local people in a small group.

A classic trek into the heart of the Khumbu

Gorak Shep

Outline itinerary


Day 1 - Depart UK

Day 2 - Arr Kathmandu

Day 3 - Kathmandu sightseeing

Day 4 - fly to Lukla, trek to Monjo

Day 5 - Namche Bazaar

Day 6 - Namche/Khumjung

Day 7 - Khumjung

Day 8 - Tengboche

Day 9 - Dingboche

Day 10 - Dingboche

Day 11 - Lobuche

Day 12 - Ascend Kala Pattar/Gorak Shep

Day 13 - Visit Base Camp/Lobuche/Pheriche

Day 14 - Phortse

Day 15 - Khumjung

Day 16 - Phakding

Day 17 - Lukla

Day 18 - fly to Kathmandu

Day 19 - Kathmandu

Day 20 - Depart

Langtang - Gosainkund | Gokyo Lakes | Everest Base Camp Expedition Trail |
Everest Base Camp | Annapurna Sanctuary | Annapurna Circuit
Mardi Himal - The Unexplored Annapurna
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