फोटोशेसन, वहस र नयाँ अनुभवको बीचमा प्रणय दिवश....!!!

"अरु दिन झन् प्रशस्त जोडी देखिने यो दिन टन्नै होला है भनेको त खाशै जोडी देखिन नि.. " - सौरभ यस्तै अड्कल वाजी काट्दै, हाँसो र खुशीका बीचमा एक हुल जत्था लिएर ट्रेकिङको लागि शिवपुरी राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज छिर्दै थिए । अघोषित रुपमा यात्राको गाइड चाँहि सौरभ र रघु थिए । यिनीहरु जोसिदै भन्दै थिए, ग्रुप बवाल मिलेको छ, हामी जता नि जान सक्छौ है, यो अलि extreme हाइकिङ हुन्छ । उनीहरुका फुर्ति, फार्ति नै वेग्लै थियो । हाईकिङ शुरु भयो सौरभ अघि अघि हामी पछि पछि.... extreme हाइकिङ भनेर होला, उनीहरुले बाटो सबै शटकट रोजे । हामी सबै हिडन थाल्यौ तर के बीस मिनेट हिडेको के थियो मेरो र सुरथको त हालत खराव... पछि परियो बा । अरु युवाहरु भने मानिस नहिडेको भर्जिन एरिया हिड्नु पर्छ, भनेर साँची नै कोही नहिडेको एरिया, जुन गार्‍हो छ, त्यही एरिया हिड्थे । तर कुनै बेला त आपत नै पारि दिन्थ्यो, लाग्थ्यो कि रक climbing नै गरिरहेछु कि क्या हो जस्तो । रघु वीच वीचमा refreshment गर्नको लागि फोटो, भिडियो खिच्थ्यो । अनि यो बाघको विष्ट हो, यो हरिणको भनेर हामीलाई भन्थ्यो, त्यस माथि पनि जंगलमा कसरी सरभाइभ हुने टिप्स सिकाउथ्यो । फेरि केहिछिन पछि उकालो पनि तेर्सोमा जस्तो घोडा कुदाई कुद्नुपथ्र्यो । कही अलि अचम्मको अजङको रुख, ढुंगा, लहारो वा अरु कुनै अनौठौ कुरा देख्यो कि रघु चढ्न वा एक्सपेरिमेण्ट गर्न कोसिस गरि हाल्थ्यो, अनि सौरभ त्यसलाई साथ दिन्थ्यो, साँची नै नेचरको त किसिमको थियो, सुरथ हाम्रो पुर्खहरु वाँदर, अनि वाँदरको पूर्खाहरु चाहि रघु हो कि क्या हो, भन्दै प्रतिक्रिया जनाउथ्यो, अनि रेवती प्रभु भन्दै त्यो गजल्टिएको कपाललाई खोलेर त्यो कोही नहिड्ने बाटो हिडदा साची नै अनुभव चाही नौलो थियो, कतिको लागि.... बाटो निस्कन्छ त !!! वनभोजवालाहरुको हुल... हामी यी जत्थाले अलि हाम्रो यात्रालाई विथोल्छ कि भनेर हामी दौड्यो, दौडमा सौरभ निकै माजले दौडिन्थ्यो । अनि जादै गर्दा त वाघद्धार नआई पुग्दै सुरज मित्र भोकले लखतरन भई सकेछ ।

अनि शिवपुरी बाबाको आश्रममा निर पुगेर लुछाचुडी गरि सातु, तरकारी, पाउरोटी खायौ सुरथ मात्रै भनेको त सबलाई पो भोक लागेछ, भोक मिठो कि भोजन भन्ने कुरा उखान साँची नै सम्झन योग्य भयो त्यति बेला । अनि अनेक पोज दिदै हामी उकालो के चढ्न लाग्या त हाम्रो गाइड सौरभलाई पेट दुख्यो भन्छ त बा... केहिछिनको विश्राम पछि हामी अगाडी बढ्यौ अनि लालीगुराँस फूलके देख्यो रघु लालिगुराँस टिप्न रुखमा चढिदियौ अनि ए फोटो खिच्न भनेर करायो पनि, रुखमै अनेक पोज थियो उसको । फुल टिप्नु के पाको थियो सौरभ मित्र प्रेम प्रस्ताव यसरी राख्नु पर्छ भनेर गफ हान्दै, फुलै लिएर दैखाउदै थिए । त्यसपछि त शिवपुरी डाडा जिन्दाबाद आइपुगेछ । सबैले लामो सास ताने अनि... के आउन पाको थियो... लखतरान....मित्रहरु लाग्थ्यो कि आफ्नै शयन कक्षमा पल्टिदै छ । जाने वित्तिकै त्यो चौरमा मरे जसरी नै पल्टि दियो, साँची नै पल्टिदाको आनन्द बेग्लै थियो । त्यति बेला कतिलाई बोल्दा नि झर्को लागि रहेको थियो ।
साँची आनन्दको अनुभुति......

केही छिन पछि ओरलो झर्‍यौ, फेरि केहि नयाँ कुरा के बाटोमा भेट्थ्यौ.... फोटोको लागि फरक फरक पोज दिई हल्थ्यौं । त्यसैमा अघिको एक जोडीलाई भेट्यो । उसले मलाई चिनेको रहेछ, बोल्यौ पनि । केहि छिन पछि सुरथ भन्दै थियो, साँच्ची नै कस्तो मेमोरेवल हुन्छ है यहाँ डेटिङ आयो भने... त्यसमा मैले नि सही थापे । ओरालो आयो, सबै दौडिन थाले । अलि सुनसानमा रघु र सौरभको प्रस्ताव योगासन गर्ने थियो, सबैले योग गरे साच्ची योगासन निकै रमाइलो भयो । अनि के हामी शिवपुरी नेर आइपुग्न लाग्यो फेरि सधैको वादविवाद पुजिबाद र कम्युनिजमको शुरु.....त्यो क्रम महाराजगञ्ज सुरथ नओर्लदा सम्म जारी... अनि केहि मुद्दा थाती राख्दै यो वर्षको प्रणय दिवस पनि प्रणय सुत्रका कुरा नगरी विदा । हेरौ अकौ साल के हुन्छ ।

Call for Research Fellowship 2008

Martin Chautari invites applications for 12 full-time 1 year Research Fellowships.

The nature and duration of fellowships

These fellowships are meant for those who are keen to develop their research abilities and pursue a career in social research. Selected fellows will attend a 3-month course on “diversity and pluralism” starting in January 2009 and engage in full-time research beginning in March 2009. They will have to undertake research in either Nepali or English in a theme related to ‘enhancing access of marginalized communities to higher education in Nepal’. The research will be of 10 months duration. During this period, the fellows will carry out their research under supervision of a senior researcher facilitated by Martin Chautari. The fellows will have to produce one academic article jointly with their supervisor and one single author article based on their research. They will be expected to regularly participate in and organize discussions and seminars at Martin Chautari and also make periodic presentations of their research progress.

Stipends and benefits

The selected fellows will be provided with a monthly stipend allowance of up to NRs 15,000 for 12 months. Appropriate tax will be deducted at source on this amount. They will have access to Martin Chautari Library. No other financial benefits will be provided by Martin Chautari.

Eligibility requirements

Those who have completed Masters’ level coursework or higher from universities in Nepal and can commit to full-time research should apply. Priority will be given to members from marginalized communities, and women. Those teaching in colleges are also encouraged to apply. Those who cannot commit to full time research need not apply.

Application procedures

Applications can be submitted in Nepali or English. Application documents should include a cover letter, updated CV with contact address, one page concept note of proposed research, copy of citizenship certificate and a copy of previous research or publications if any. Please send your application documents marked “Application for Research Fellowships” by post to Martin Chautari, GPO Box 13470, Kathmandu or by hand to our office address: 27 JeetJung Marg, Thapathali, Kathmandu.

Deadline for receipt of application and notification of selection

The deadline for receipt of applications is December 5, 2008 (Mangsir 20, 2065).
Short-listed candidates may be interviewed for selection.

Selected fellows will be notified by December 21, 2008 (Poush 13, 2065).
For further information, please call 01-4240243, 4102027

URL: http://www.martinchautari.org.np/

Email: chautari@mos.com.np

Annoucement- Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest !!!

The Development Gateway Foundation photo competition is open to ALL photographers at least 13 years of age, except employees of the foundation and their immediate families. Your entry to the contest constitutes your agreement to allow your photograph, name, occupation, city and state of residence, to be published as the selected award winner; published or used on the foundation Web sites; and used for the promotion of the foundation including, but not limited to, Web pages, brochures, fact sheets, and other materials. Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their photographs. The Development Gateway Foundation shall have the right to verify, in its sole judgment, winner eligibility.

WHAT:

We are looking for compelling photographs of socio-economic development in developing countries. Four types of photographs will be accepted.

1. The images may show information and communications technologies helping ordinary people.
2. The images may show people making something, selling wares, working in a field, constructing a building or type of infrastructure, or acquiring knowledge.
3. The images could be abstract images representing hope, the future, or capacity building.
4. The photographs may also include images of original artwork from a developing country. Please do not include photographs of groups of people posing. Each entry must include a written statement explaining how that image is representative of development. Images will be judged on technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer or person.

WHEN:

Deadline for submitting entries is September 19, 2008.

Individuals living within the United States will receive the prize as a check by the mail. Individuals living outside the United States will receive the prize as a wire transfer. In this case, the winner must provide information on his or her bank account.

HOW:

Each participant may submit up to 3 photographs total. Send submissions or questions to photocontest@dgfoundation.org. Original files of camera-made digital photos must be three (3) megapixels or larger.

Awards:

To show you how much we value your participation, we have increased the prize to $1,000!

More Details:

Website: http://www.dgfoundation.org/news-events/photo-contest-backup.html

Announcement-Toni Hagen Fellowship !!!

Toni Hagen Fellowship

Announcement

The Toni Hagen Foundation, Nepal, with the support of the Toni Hagen Foundation, Europe, announces the establishment of the annual Toni HagenFellowship, one in the natural sciences and one in the social sciences.

The Toni Hagen Fellow in the Natural Sciences will be based at ResourcesHimalaya (www.resourceshimalaya.org) and the Toni Hagen Fellow in theSocial Sciences at the Social Science Baha (www.soscbaha. org). These arepost-graduate fellowships and the Fellows will be working under a seniorresearcher in the areas outlined below. Only those whose interests arecompatible with the research subject should consider applying.

Eligibility:

Fellowship is open only to candidates from marginalised groups(Dalits, Janjatis, Madhesis and women)

Educational qualification: Master’s or four-year bachelor’s degreeLength of fellowship: One yearBenefits: Rs 12,000/month plus field expenses

Application deadline: 13 June, 2008

Research Areas:

1. Natural sciences— Dr Ash Kumar Rai of Resources Himalaya, will lead thestudy of the ecology of the Trisuli River to explore all chemicalparameters of water, its biotic resources and influence of environmentalgradient, settlements, and unplanned development (discharge of sedimentsand pollutants from nearby areas)for the river itself.
2. Social sciences—Dr Rajendra Pradhan of Social Science Baha will supervisethe collection and analysis of oral and textual narratives (print media,posters, writings) from villages or small towns and visual images(cartoons, paintings, photos and films) pertaining to social, political,economic and cultural changes and events over the past twenty years as partof the digital archive project of the Baha. The Fellow is expected to spendat least three months in the field collecting oral or textual narratives orvisual images and help in the analysis of the material collected.

Applicants are required to fill out the application form available from the Toni Hagen Foundation office, and also at www.resourceshimalaya.org and www.soscbaha.org, and submit the same along with a 800-word essay on whythey consider themselves eligible for the fellowships. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the interview.

Further Information

Toni Hagen Foundation

c/o Himal Association

Patan Dhoka,

LalitpurPhone: 5542544

thf_n@himalassociation.og

OneMinute Video Contest !!!

Do you have something to say?

Are you older than 12 and younger than 21?

Express yourself! Make your own one-minute video

and enter theoneminutesjr competition!

Get your views across by making a video lasting exactly 60 seconds - the style it completely your own choice. It could be a music video, a film, a short documentary, an animation, a cartoon or something completely different.

There are three categories and the winners of all three will be presented with a Tommy award and a JVC digital camcorder at the oneminutes festival in Amsterdam in 2008. If your one-minute excites our jury then it will be nominated and shown at the festival. All nominees will be invited to Amsterdam for the weekend.

Every video we receive will be shown on the website http://www.theoneminutesjr.org/. The visitors of the website choose their own favorite, and this video wins the People's Choice Award.

Per category, 40 best videos will be send to the Tokyo Video Festival sponsored by JVC, where the winner can win a trip to Japan!

The three categories of the competition are:

Open category: the best of the world Jr.
Any topic or theme is allowed, as long as you believe your minute is the best of the world.

Thematic category: inside-out
Sometimes we all feel like we belong, and other times we feel left out. This can be a choice we make or something that happens against our will. Make a one-minute telling your experience, your opinion.

Personal category: self-portrait
Who are you? What do you stand for? What are your dreams, fascinations, fears, hopes and passions? Where do you come from? What do you see around you? Say who you are in your own way.

Deadline Submission
The 2008 StrangerFestival competition is open for one minute videos until 15 May 2008.

Further Information
http://www.theoneminutesjr.org/index.php?thisarticle=43

World TB Cup: Comic Book Competition !!!

The ProjectThe Stop TB Partnership is producing a 16-page educational comic book that will provide key information about tuberculosis. The comic book will feature Mr Figo as the main character and will target an audience of children and young adults. The objective is to reach these audiences through a reputable and appealing voice.

The educational comic book will be available in the six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) plus Portuguese for distribution around the world. Plans are that famous writers or other personalities will write the adaptations in these languages. The educational comic book will be distributed in collaboration with other United Nations organizations and partners.

The Competition
RulesThe Stop TB Partnership — with the support of the Partners listed below — is conducting an international competition to design images for the educational comic book on tuberculosis featuring Luis Figo.

ELEGIBILITY

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18.

SUBMISSION
Entrants must submit a minimum of 5 of the complete 16 panels on or before 10 April 2008 to be eligible for the competition. The winner will be selected on the basis of this initial entry. The deadline for submission of the full comic book is 10 May 2008.

There are no charges for participating in the competition
A completed official entry form available on this website and a curriculum vitae must accompany the submission.
All entries must be clearly labeled with the artist’s name, address, telephone number and email address written on the reverse of each page of the work
Entries submitted in any material or format different from those specified above will not be eligible for consideration
Originals will not be returned
Please send entries to:Stop TB Partnership Secretariat — World Health OrganizationAtt.ne Vittorio Cammarota — WHO/STB/TBP20, Avenue AppiaCH-1211 Geneva 27 — Switzerland

PRIZE
The winning artist will be informed and awarded a prize consisting of the following:
US$ 5 000 cash prize
The publication of the educational comic book by the Stop TB Partnership for worldwide distribution

Exhibition of the winning entry at the following Festivals:
International Festival of Amadora, 24 October - 9 November 2008
Festival International de la Bande Dessinée 2009 (Angoulême)

The amount of USD 5 000 will be paid to the winner upon receipt of the full comic book - 16 panels - in accordance with the script provided by the Stop TB Partnership.. Any submitted work may be used for exhibitions to be organized by the Stop TB Partnership to raise awareness about tuberculosis.

Further Information:

http://www.stoptb.org/figo/World_TB_Cup.asp

MOUNTAINS & PEOPLE Global Digital Photo COntest !!!

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Mountain Forum (MF)/Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) are jointly organizing a Global Digital Photo Contest to mark the 25th Anniversary of ICIMOD, whose slogan is "For Mountains and People". On 5 December this year, ICIMOD celebrates its 25th birthday. A series of events have been planned throughout the year, and the Global Digital Photo Contest is one of the most important ones.


THEME /CATEGORIES
Not surprisingly, the theme chosen for the Digital Photo Contest is "Mountains and People". It encompasses the following four categories:

1. Mountains - Geo/physical elements (mountain range, massif, mountain landscape, high altitude rangeland, bodies of water, waterfalls, rivers, etc)
2. Mountains - Hazards/Disasters (landslides, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, potentially dangerous glacial lakes, mud-slides, dangerous roads, trails & river crossings, etc)
3. People - Livelihoods (farming, shifting cultivation, grazing, hunting, fishing, transhumance, trade, porterage, tourism, etc)
4. People - Culture (festivals, shamanism, rites of passage, dance , etc)

AWARDS

The top two entries will receive the ICIMOD Hindu Kush-Himalayan Prize and the Mountain Forum Global Prize. In addition, four Special Mentions will be awarded, one for each category. The "top 50" entries may be exhibited in select Hindu-Kush Himalayan countries.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

• The contestants may submit only entries that they hold copyrights to.
• The contestants must accept that participation in the contest constitutes agreement to allow their entries to be used by ICIMOD and/or MF for non-commercial promotional purposes (in publications, calendar, screensaver, websites, exhibitions, etc). Due credit will, of course, be given to the copyright-holder each time his/her entry is used.
• The contestants may not submit entries which they have contributed to ICIMOD/MF in the past, or which have already been used elsewhere in whatever form.
• The contestants may not submit entries that have been digitally manipulated (e.g. composite images).

JUDGMENT CRITERIA
A panel of judges will select the entries for two Grand Prizes and four Special Mentions based on
a) Composition
b) Content
c) degree of 'mountain-ness' conveyed by content
d) originality
e) Overall effectiveness in conveying the theme/category of the contest.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

This contest is open to anybody.

HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES?

Each contestant may submit up to 4 entries. How you want to distribute your maximum quota of 4 entries among the categories is up to you.

You may, for example, submit all your 4 entries on CULTURE, OR 2 entries on GEO/PHYSICAL ELEMENTS, and 2 on HAZARDS/DISASTERS, OR 1 entry on each of the four categories , OR 3 on LIVELIHOODS and 1 on CULTURE, etc.

Please submit your entries, one entry AT A TIME, using the Submit Image form provided here. (The entries can only be in the form of black and white, or color digital images, each image not to exceed 3 MB, in high resolution JPEG format.)


DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
9 May 2008.



Further details,

Digital Photo Contest Organizing Committee
C/o ICIMOD/Mountain Forum/APMN
Email: photocontest@icimod.org
Web: http://www.icimod.org/photocontest/

Rebert S. McNamara Fellowships Program 2008-2009 !!!

World Bank
Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
Application 2008-2009

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to young researchers working in academic and research institutions from developing countries, and preparing a doctoral thesis in a subject related to development. Research grants cover residence costs in a university or research center in a member country of the World Bank other than the home country or country of residence of the candidate. Fellowships are awarded for a period of five to ten months and must be completed between July 2008 and June 2009. The maximum amount of the grant is US$25,000.

Application forms and Information about the application procedure are available on the World Bank Scholarships Program website: (www.worldbank.org/scholarships). Completed application packages must be received in Washington, D.C., by April 30, 2008. The a wards will be announced in June 2008.

Correspondences and information requests may be sent to:

The World Bank
Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
MSN J2-204
1818 H St. NW
Washington DC, 20433, USA
email: rsm_fellowships@worldbank.org
fax: (202) 522-4036

चौतारी मिडिया फेलोसिप २००८

म्ाार्टिन चौतारीले नेपाली मिडियाबारे स्नातकोत्तर वा सोभन्दा माथिल्लो तहको शोधपत्र तयार गर्न वा स्वतन्त्र अनुसन्धान गनृ इच्छुक बढीमा आठ व्याक्तिलाई प्रत्येकका लागि रु ४०,०००/- का दरले फेलोसिप प्रदान गर्दैछ । नेपाली विश्वविद्यालयका जुनसुकै संकायबाट शोध प्रस्ताव वा अवधारण पत्र स्वीकृत भइसकेका शोधकर्ता आवेदनका लागि योग्य हुनेछन् । स्वतन्त्र अनुसन्धान गर्न चाहनेले भने यसअघि आफुले गरेको गहन अनुसन्धानात्मक कामको विवरण र ती मध्ये बढीमा दुईको नामुना आवेदनसाथ संलग्न गर्नुपर्नेछ । अनुसन्धान नेपाली मिडियाका जुनसुकै पक्षबारे गर्न सकिने छ गर रेडियोका साथै सामाजिक समावेशीकरण, द्धन्द्ध तथा शान्ति प्रक्रियालाई नेपाली मिडियासाग जोडेर गरिने अध्ययनलाई ग्राÅता दिइनेछ । त्यसै गरी दुर्गम क्षेत्रका व्यक्तिगतलगायत नेपाली उच्च शिक्षाका क्षेत्रमा कम उपस्थित समुदाय र जातजातिलाई प्राथमिकतामा राखिएको छ । फेलोसिपबारे थप जानकारी मार्टिन चौतारीको वेवसाइट (http://www.martinchautari.org.np/) र यसको कार्यालयमा उपलब्ध छ ।

आवेदन आइपुग्नेपर्ने अन्तिम मिति
२०६५ वैशाख ३१ -सन् २००८ मे १३)

आवेदान पठाउने ठेगानाः
पोस्ट बक्स नं. १३४७०, २७

जितजङ्ग मार्ग, थापाथली,

काठमाडौ, नेपाल
फोनः ४२३८०५०, ४१०२०२७,

Email: chautari@mos.com.np

2008 INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE !!!

The United Nations has designated 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World" and 2005-2014 as the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development." Not only should young people benefit from these global initiatives, but they should be empowered to play a leading role in them. The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is "MY PROJECT TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN MY ENVIRONMENT. HOW CAN I FOSTER SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MY COMMUNITY?" Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on this theme.

*** THEME:

"My project to create positive change in my environment. How can I foster sustainable development in my community?" — Please submit your innovative ideas and concrete plans/projects to address the social, cultural, environmental or economic problems faced by your community.


*** GUIDELINES:

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2008) in one of the following age categories:
• Children (ages up to 14)
• Youth (ages 15 - 25)
2. Essays must be 800 words or less typed or printed in English, French, Spanish or German.
3. Essays must have a cover page indicating
• Category (Children or Youth)
• Essay title
• Your name
• Postal address
• Phone number
• E-mail address
• Nationality
• Age as of June 30, 2008
• Sex
• School name (if applicable)
• Word count.

Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants' names and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director.(Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered.)

4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or e-mail. (Email entries must be in text or MS Word format, with the cover page and essay sent together as one document.)
5. Essays must be original and unpublished.
6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.
7. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the sponsors.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by JUNE 30, 2008.

AWARDS:

The following awards will be given in the Children's category and Youth category respectively:
1st Prize: Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen 1 entrant
2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen 2 entrants
3rd Prize: Certificate and gift 5 entrants
Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift 25 entrants

* 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2008. (Travel expenses will be covered by the sponsors.)

** All prize winners will be announced in November 2008 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (http://www.goipeace.or.jp/) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth).


PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

International Essay Contest
C/o The Goi Peace Foundation
1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 102-0093 Japan
E-mail: essay@goipeace.or.jp