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London — It is our great pleasure to announce SOUTH ASIA TIME List of Successful British Nepalese in the UK  2020 onthe occasion of the New Year that also coincides with the First anniversary of the www.southasiatime.com .

It is our honour to be recognised as the only English online news portal run by Nepali journalists based in the UK.

We are also pleased to announce that we are now being operated under the management of the LDC News Service that has been in operation since 2011.  

We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all our readers, patrons and well-wishers.

On the occasion of our first anniversary, we have made a small effort to recognise and highlight British Nepalese who have been doing extraordinary work in the United Kingdom in their respective fields.

Similarly, we are organising an essay and a blog competition among students and youth to support the Visit Nepal 2020 which will last until March 2020.

The editorial board of the South Asia Time first short-listed individuals and companies and later finalised the list. There will, however, no award ceremony because this is just a humble effort to recognise those who are serving our community selflessly. We look forward to continue this tradition in the years ahead based on the feedback and comments from our valued readers.

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1. South Asia Time Successful British Nepalese Entrepreneurs 2020

Mr Uttam Nepal –  Mr Nepal is an entrepreneur through-and-through. In Nepal, he began selling souvenirs to tourists at a very young age. He now heads a highly successful and growing multi-channel, multi-brand, global business with leading brands Yumi, Uttam Boutique and Mela Loves London.

 

Mr Yogen Chhetri – A former Gurkha soldier, Yogen Bahadur Chhetri, established the YBC Services in 1996.  Today, Aldershot-based YBC is one of the most successful independent companies in the facilities management sector, training and employing more than 500 staff across Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Thames Valley. Former President of the NRNA UK, Mr Chhetri is also active in social and community activities.

 

Mr Kul Acharya – Chairman of the Holy Cow Group, Mr Acharya is a well-known Nepali entrepreneur in the UK. The Group runs eight take-aways and a fine dine restaurant at Putney, London. Former Vice President of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC, Acharya has supported many charitable causes in Nepal and the UK.

 

Mr Ravi Jung Lamichhane – Mr Lamichhane is the Directorof the R FAMOUS LIMITED – a manufacturing and wholesale of young ladies fashion. He has also donated generously to various religious Foundations and Trusts in the UK and Nepal.

Mr Mahanta Shrestha – Founding President of the Britain–Nepal Chamber of  Commerce (BNCC), Mr Shrestha runs the well-known Monty’s Restaurant and is also Director of the Khukuri Beer UK Ltd. He also runs M Hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu.

Mr Pashupati Bhandari:  Chairman of the award winning the Everest Inn Group, Bhandari is the former Honorary Public Relations Representative (HPRR) of the Nepal Tourism Board to the UK. He is also  Chairman of  Young’s Travel and other companies in the UK. Committed to promote Nepal in the UK together with his brother, Yadav Bhandari, Pashupati is a former member of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC.

Mr Rajen Kandel – Former President of the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC),  Mr Kandel is the Director of the Kandel Group and its subsidiaries. The Group is successfully running The British College, Kathmandu, E-Works UK, Neem Tree Pharmacy and Woolwich Late Night Pharmacies, Yak & Yeti Restaurant Group UK and Global NepaliPatra Publication, among others.

Major (Retd.) Tikendra Dal Dewan— CEO of GnERGY- Major Dewan is heading the first energy company launched by ex-Gurkhas in the UK’s competitive market.  The Company provides electricity and gas to its customers and is now offering competitive gas and electricity tariff rates for SMEs throughout the UK. He is also President of the British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) that champions the cause of the Gurkhas.

Mr Muchhetra Gurung – CEO of Himalayan Travels and Tour Ltd., Mr Gurung is one of the Directors of the Oriental China Super Market . He also has got stakes in the real state and remittance. He is the former president of the NRNA UK chapter.

Mr Krishna Timalsena – Mr Timalsena is the Director of Krish Food Ltd. He is also an executive chef. He was recently elected as Deputy Regional Coordinator of the NRNA for Europe region.   

Mr Manoj Mehta – CEO of City Clean, Mr. Mehta leads one of the top cleaning agencies in central London employeeing more than 100 staff. He also maintains strong interest in socio-political activities in Nepal and supports a number of charities.

Mr Deepak Shrestha – Mr Shrestha is the Director of Best Price Retail and Wholesale Ltd., and Balloon Nepal. He is also President Buddha Foundation UK and is currently President of England State Committee of the NRNA UK. 

Mr Surya Gurung – Mr Gurung is the Managing Director of  Peepal Mortgages – a mortgage broker based in the UK. The Company now has four branches in London, Ashford , Swindon and Farnborough and offers mortgage related advice to its customers – mainly Gurkhas and their families.

Mr Krishna Bhatta – Mr Bhatta is the Director of ABI College Ltd. The College was incorporated 15 years ago. An educational entrepreneur, he is involved in the property business also.

Mr Kamal Paudel–Mr Paudel  is the Managing Director of  IME Ltd., London. Paudel is in remittance business for more than a decade now. He has investments in real estate and other sectors in Nepal as well. 

Mr Biraj Bhatta –  Managing Director of the WORLD TRAVEL, Travel Consol Ltd.,  Bhatta has been active in travel business for more than 20 years. His company World Travel ltd has been incorporated in UK since 2004. Vice President of the Britain Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC), he is also coordinator of Travel and Tour committee of the Visit Nepal Year 2020 organising committee in the UK.

Mr Prakash Gautam–  Director of the Paragon Academy, Mr Gautam has been involved in the educational sector for quite long. He is also Director of the London Paragon College that was incorporated in 2012.

Mr Min Darlami – An independent financial advisor, Mr Darlami is Managing Director of the A Star Financial Solutions UK Ltd. He is also involved in the real state sector. The company has its head office in Hangar Lane, London and two more branches in Ashford and Farnborough. 

 

2. SOUTH ASIA TIME Successful British Nepalese (Social/Charity Sector) 2020

Mrs Poonam Gurung: Mrs Gurung is the President of Non-Resident Nepali Association,  UK. She is known for social service, women activism and a successful entrepreneur. She is also a director of Gurung Property Service and has investment in Restaurant business.

Dr Pranab Gyawali: A Consultant Gastroenterologist working with the NHS, Dr Gyawali is chairperson of HELP NEPAL Network UK Chapter. Also known as ‘One Pound/One Dollar a Month Fund for Nepal,” HELP NEPAL Network is working in the areas of health, education and humanitarian emergency in Nepal.

Mr Nanda Jung Gurung – Gurung is the President of the largest community organisation of British Nepalese, Tamu Dhee UK. He is well known for his philanthropic and charitable activities and his efforts to promote culture and maintain harmony.

Mr Gyan Raj Rai –  A Gurkha rights campaigner, Rai one of the leaders of Gurkha Satyagraha. He took part in a hunger strike calling for equal pension and benefits for ex-Gurkha soldiers outside Downing Street in 2013. A parliamentary committee was formed to study the Gurkha’s demands after his strike.

Mr Krishna Kumar Rai – A Gurkha rights campaigner, Rai is affiliated with the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO) that has been fighting for the cause of ex-Gurkhas for more than past two-decades.

Mr Padam Bahadur Rai – Mr Rai is leading one of the dynamic cultural and community organisations, Kirat Rai Yayokkha. He has been contributing to the community to promote culture and philanthropy.

Mr Sunil Rana – President of Magar Sangh UK, Rana has been promoting cultural and charitable activities through the organisation.

Mr Tilbikram Sambahangphe : President of Chumlung, Tilbikram has been involved in promoting cultural activities.

Mr Rajan Kumar Chhetri – President of Chhetri Samaj UK, Rajan Kumar Chhetri is an ex-Gurkha soldier. During his Presidency, Swindon Nepalese Society collected   £24k to support earthquake victims of Nepal in 2015.

Mr Navin Gurung –Founder President of Sahara UK, Navin has been involved to promote tourism in Nepal for more than past two decades. He is passionate to  promote  volunteer tourism and is an active campaigner of Sports Tourism. He is also building a Social Welfare Centre in Syangja, Nepal, through his charitable campaign.

Mr Sushil Prajapati – Sushil has been actively involved in promoting Nepali culture in the UK. General Secretary of the Pasa Pucha Guthi UK, he is actively involved in preserving and promoting Newari traditional dance and instruments. He is also a successful businessman.

Mr Sher Bahadur Sunar – Founder President of Srijansil Nepali Samaj, Mr Sunar is involved in a number of charitable organisations. Former Vice President of NRNA UK, he runs a restaurant in Aldershot.

Mrs Isha Gurung – Isha is one of the most popular charity fundraisers among Nepalese living in Britain. She has many followers on social media and has raised a huge amount of funds to save many peoples lives in Nepal.

 

3. South Asia Time Leading British Nepali Academics 2020

Prof. Surya Subedi DCL, QC, OBE: Prof Subedi is an international jurist. He is Professor of International Law at the University of Leeds, a visiting professor on international human rights law at the University of Oxford and a practising Barrister at Three Stone Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn, London.  Former advisor to British Foreign Secretary, Prof Subedi is Chairman of the Global Policy Forum Nepal.

Prof Dr Padam Simkhada: Professor of International Public Health at the Public Health Institute and Associate Dean for Global Engagement at the Liverpool John Moores University, Prof Simkhada is also a Visiting Professor at the TribhuvanUniversity and Pokhara University in Nepal. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the School of Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield and a Visiting Professor at Bournemouth University.

Dr Krishna Adhikari: A Research Fellow at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, Dr Adhikari is a Co-Investigator on the ESRC funded research project, ‘Caste, Class, and Culture: Changing Bahun and Dalit Identities in Nepal’. Since 2011 he has been a post-doctoral researcher at the ISCA. He is also affiliated to the CNSUK as a senior researcher and member. Currently he is Chairman of the Britain Nepal Academic Council (BNAC) that organises the Nepal Study Days in the UK every year. 

Dr. Hem Raj Sharma: Senior Lecturer of Physics at the University of Liverpool, Dr Sharma was elected as General Secretary of the NRNA ICC in October 2019. After completing his MSc in Physics from the Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, he obtained further education in Tokyo and Italy and acquired his Ph. D. degree from the Free University Berlin, Germany, He was Co-Chair of the first Global Knowledge Convention organised by the NRNA in Kathmandu in 2018.

Dr. Tejendra Pherali : Associate Professor in Education and International Development at the Institute of Education (IOE), University College London, Dr Pherali focuses his research and teaching on education in the context of forced displacement, post-conflict educational reforms and the role of education in peacebuilding. He is currently leading a course on Education, Conflict and Fragility and is involved in research in Afghanistan, Nepal, Somalia and Lebanon.

Dr Punam Yadav: Dr Yadav is a Senior Research Fellow and Co-Director of the IRDR Centre for Gender and Disaster at the University College, London (UCL) since April 2018. Prior to this, she was Research and Teaching  Fellow at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security  at the Department of Gender Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her monograph Social Transformation in Post-conflict Nepal: A Gender Perspective, published by Routledge in 2016.

 SOUTH ASIA TIME Leading British Nepalese Professionals 2020

Dr Raghav Prasad Dhital : One of the seniormost Nepali doctors practising in the UK, Dr Dhital joined the NHS in the UK four decades ago. He is GP Principal at the Dr Dhital Practice in the UK and runs the practice together with his wife, Dr Janak Kumari Dhital.  He was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 in recognition of his service to the UK-Nepal relations.

Dr. Kapil Rijal :  A senior dentist who owns his own dental practice in the UK, Dr Rijal
has a special interest in Dental Implants. His hobbies include directing films, writing stories and screenplays. He is currently the President of the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC).

Ms Kalpana Ghimire – Ms Ghimire is the highest ranking Nurse working in the UK among from the Nepali community. She is currently working as a Matron at the Watford GeneraHospital Medicine Department.

Solicitor Raju Thapa: The first Nepali Solicitor in the UK, Mr Thapa is Principal Solicitor at the Everest Law Solicitors. He specialises on immigration issues mostly related with ex-Gurkha veterans and their family. 

Mr Samyukta Shrestha : Mr Shrestha is a Games Developer at Gamesys. He directed  The Legend of Shankhadhar — the first Nepali feature animation movie. He is a multilingual software developer; Javascript and is active in socio-cultural activities.

Mr Binod Baral: A consulting Chef who is one of the highest paid British Nepalese professional in London, Mr Baral is afoodie, Chef, Incubator, Restaurateur & Entrepreneur. He runs a number of restaurants in London including Momo & Roti in Hunslow.

Ms Bina Rai:  Ms Rai is an  entrepreneur/business person who has been in the industry of hair and beauty over 10 years. She is also a make up artist/ model and hair stylist based in Kent, United Kingdom.

Mr Rishi Khanal:  Mr Khanal is an independent mortgage advisor and Managing Director of Mortgage Matter. 

Mr Binod Bikash Simkhada: Mr Simkhada is the President of Nepalese Nursing Association UK.

Mrs Payal Mishra: Mrs Mishra is a Chartered Accountant. She is also Secretary and Director of Holy Cow Group. 

5. SOUTH ASIA TIME Inspiring British Nepalese Youth2020  

Ms Gaurika Singh: Gaurika was the youngest athelete to compete at the Rio Olympics in 2016. At the South Asian Games (SAG) held in Kathmandu in December 2019, she bagged four golds in different categories of swimming. She is a student and lives with her parents in London.

Mr Lex Limbu: Founder of @tracingnepal, Lex is a blogger and an activist championing  the rights of the LGBTI community.

Ms Pratistha Raut ( Trish ): Miss Raut is the Miss England Second Runner up in 2019. 

Mr Jay Pradhan: Jay was signed by the Watford Football Club for its U-16 team in 2019.

Mr Santosh Rai – Mr Rai has completed six international marathons including London, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin, Boston and New York Marathons. He is the first Nepali to complete the six major marathons in the world within a short period of time. 

Ms Asmita Ale: Ms Ale, who plays for Aston Villa Football Club, has been selected for the England Women’s U-19 team.

Mr Siddhartha Bikram Chhetri: A former Boxer, Siddharth is working to support Nepali sports persons through Nepalese National and International Players Association (NNIPA).

Mr Ojesh Singh: An engineer and cultural activist, He is the President of the  Pasa Pucha Guthi UK. 

Mrs Amrita Giri Gajurel: Amrita became Second Runner up in the Mrs Nepal UK. She also champions women’s rights including rights of disabled people.

 

6. SOUTH ASIA TIME British Nepalese Art and Creative personalities 2020  

Mr Govinda Shah Azad: Govinda is a London-based Nepali artist and has organised a number of solo art exhibitions at leading art studios. A mixed media artist, Govinda uses three-dimensional objects such as beads and hair and “carefully textured layers of paint” to bring the cosmos to life. 

Mr Meelan Chams: Director / Videography – Milan is a director of Nepali films. He is best-known for the films BirBikram, and Lily Bily which have received a number of awards.

Mr Nikesh Limbu: Nikesh is a Video Director and Producerof Nepali films including  Blind Rocks, Hridaya Bhari, Rato Ghar and Hasiya. 

Ms Asmita Shrish: Asmita is a Film Director, Film Editor and Videographer based in London. Some of her prominent works include  Gyalmu’s House, Kaloo School, Chandra, Color of Asia – Newcomers.

Mr Sanam Kumar Bairag– Sanam is an actor and Director. He has directed dramas including Samaya Drishya,  Jigisha and Bhim Sen Thapa. 

Ms Sharmila  Bardewa –  A renowned singer, Sharmila is contributing to Nepali music industry for more than two decades.  She has performed live in dozens of musical concerts along with many charity programs. A senior nurse by profession, she has published a number of solo and duet albums.

Ms Situ Kharel : Situ has been contributing to Nepali music industry for more than ten years. A graduate in music from the London Trinity college, Situ has recorded a number of albums  including Sarika.

Mr Manish Shrestha – Manish is a well-known Nepali actor and Director. He has acted in more than 20 Nepali including his own movie Tuyumati, Chandalika etc. 

Mr Dhurba Dutta – Dhurba is an actor and is known for Jeegisha , Uljhan, Hello Jindagi and many other movies. 

Mr Kushal Shrestha – Kushal is a Music Video director. A renowned journalist.  He is also known for his Photo/Videography

Miruna Lisara Magar: Born in Hong Kong, Miruna lives in Nepal and the UK. A talented actress, Miruna had a keen interest in dancing and acting since her childhood. She has acted in films including Lalpurja (2018), Rose (2018) and Cha Cha Hui (2019).

Ms Prasuna Kandel – Prasuna is an actor, dancer and social activist. A senior nurse by training, she is currently women Coordinator at the NRNA UK.  

 

7. SOUTH ASIA TIME British Nepalese Local Politicians 2020

Mr Lachhya Gurung:  Councillor and  Deputy Mayor of the Barnet Council. An ex-Gurkha soldier, he was elected from the Conservative Party.

Dr Jaganath Sharma:  Councillor Dr Sharma was elected Mayor of the Colburn Town Council in 2019. 

Mr Prabesh KC: Mr KC was elected as Councillor from Wellington ward of the Rushmoor Borough from the Conservative party , 

Dr. Bachchu Kailash Kaini: Ex Councillor from Dartford, Dr Kaini contested for the post of MP from Labour Party in 2017 general elections. He is a Clinical Governance Manager at the NHS.

Mr Govardhan Silwal ‘Sagar’:  Mr Silwal has been elected as Councillor for the second term from Dacorum Borough Council of the Hemel Hempstead district.

Mr. Tashi Tamang Bhutia:  Mr Bhutia has been elected as a Councillor from Midway, Kent representing the Conservative party. 

Mr Dinesh Khadka: Mr Khadka has been elected as Councillor from Maidstone, Kent, representing the Lib Dem party.

 

SOUTH ASIA TIME British Nepalese Inspiring Personalities 2020 

Mr Nirmal Purja Nims: Everest World Record Holder/ Ex Gurkha – Successfully climbed the world’s 14 highest peaks in 2019 completing the feat in 189 days. His expedition was named as ‘Project Possible.’

Mr Hari Budha Magar: An ex-Gurkha soldier and double amputee, Mr Budha Magar is planning to set world record by becoming the first double amputee to scale the Mt Everest in 2020.

Mr Pandav Mahato: A survivor of bowel cancer, Mr Mahato has successfully completed the London marathon, Chicago marathon, Berlin marathon and many other Runs across the world. 

Mrs Manju Gurung Rai: Manju is a survivor of Breast Cancer. She is a social activist and an inspiration for many Nepali women in the UK.  

The UK and the world has welcomed 2020 in various style  firework displays heralding the start of a new decade.

London

Londoners watched a spectacular fireworks display from the banks of the River Thames that was launched from the London Eye and barges near Parliament.

The familiar chimes of London’s Big Ben clock tower rung in the new year, even though they have been silent for most of 2019 because of extensive restoration work.

To the north, the multi-day Hogmanay New Year’s celebrations in Edinburgh began Monday night with a torchlight parade through the streets of the Scottish capital.

Security was tight in both cities and elsewhere in Britain following a recent extremist attack on London Bridge that claimed two lives. Police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism offenses Monday but said the arrests were not related to the London Bridge attack or to celebrations.

SINGAPORE:

From Pyongyang to Singapore, Asia welcomed the new decade – some with festivities and fireworks; others with protests and slogans.

Millions partied the night away at New Year’s Eve countdowns or prepared for the new year with prayers and candles.

New York

Fireworks burst and confetti fell as throngs of revelers cheered the start of 2020 in New York City’s Times Square.

In one of the globe’s most-watched New Year’s Eve spectacles, the crowd counted down the last seconds of 2019 as a luminescent crystal ball descended down a pole.

About 1,360kg of confetti showered the sea of attendees, many of whom were also briefly rained on earlier in the evening as they waited in security pens for performances by stars including rap-pop star Post Malone, K-pop group BTS, country singer Sam Hunt and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette.

The crowds packed into the heart of Manhattan mouthed lyrics and waved yellow and purple balloons in a frenzy as midnight approached.

The fun was evident, but some important global issues were driven home as well.

Spotlighting efforts to combat climate change, high school science teachers and students pressed the button that begins the famous 60-second ball drop and countdown to the new year.

Australia firework video :

Australia ushered in the New Year with a huge fireworks display in Sydney, despite the calls to cancel the event as devastating bushfires raged across the country.

A petition to cancel the event out of respect for fire victims attracted more than 280,000 signatures. Fireworks displays were scrapped in Australia’s capital, Canberra, and Sydney’s western suburbs due to elevated fire danger and extreme weather conditions.

Critics had wanted Sydney to use the Aus $6.5 million ($4.5 million) spent on the display to fight bushfires ringing the city, but officials said the event was worth Aus $130 million to the economy and cancelling it would not have helped those impacted by the fires.

More than 100,000 fireworks lit up the skyline for the hundreds of thousands of spectators thronging the city centre.

United Arab Emirates

The year began in spectacular style in the United Arab Emirates, which used some 190 drones to set off fireworks in Ras al Khaimah. The small emirate also tried to break the world record for the longest fireworks waterfall, with a display some four kilometres long, according to local media.

India

Thousands of Indians gathered in front of the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai for the annual fireworks.

Meanwhile, however, thousands ushered in the year by demonstrating against a citizenship law they say will discriminate against Muslims and chip away at India’s secular constitution.

Demonstrations were planned in New Delhi, in the grip of its second coldest winter in more than a century, as well as Mumbai and other cities, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to dampen demonstrations that have run for nearly three weeks.

Nepal

 

UNDP— The traditional cultivation of oyster mushrooms in Nepal, which has required burning large quantities of wood, has been replaced by the environmentally friendly use of solar power, thanks to a project supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Mushrooms are nutritious, do not require soil in which to grow, and represent a high value crop in the mountainous Asian country. However, the soil-free growing method does require a steaming process in a drum, using firewood.

The practice has led to deforestation and an increase in harmful climate change-inducing carbon dioxide. But now solar water heaters are being used as part of the process.

Read more here about how farmers are reaping the benefits of solar power.

And find out more about the oyster mushroom farming project, which was supported by the Small Grants Programme (SGP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNDP.

RSS, Kathmandu — With only two days left for the beginning of Visit Year 2020, various tourism agencies have announced discount offers. They think the discount offers would encourage foreigners to prolong they stay in Nepal and visit frequently.
The Visit Year being launched with formal programme on January 1 warrants attention and engagement of the people from diverse sectors for its grand success. The inaugural will be attended by the tourism ministers from 10 countries and special guests from various 40 countries.
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has decided to provide 30 percent discount on its services, said first Vice-Chairperson of HAN, Binayak Shah. He made commitment that they would not leave any stone unturned to provide quality service to the foreign tourists.
There are some 2,000 hotels including the luxury star hotels affiliated to HAN in Nepal, which can accommodate 2.5 million guests.

Similarly, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) shared that it was launching promotional activities and providing 20 percent discount on its service. Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) is another in line to provide concession- 10 percent to the service seekers.
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATA) has also offered 10 percent discount on its services to the customers on the occasion of Visit Nepal 2020. NATA President CN Pandey shared that those customers who purchase tour packages through NATA-associated travel agencies shall be provided 10 percent discount in its services.
Similarly, Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) President Ganga Prasad Nepal shared that NARA has announced 15 per cent discount for rafting and other water-related adventure sports to the foreign visitors on the occasion.
Nepal Mountaineering Association has also followed the suit so as to aid in the government’s campaign to bring in at least 2 million visitors in 2020.
The Homestay Association’s President Keshav Badal informed that those foreign guests choosing homestay would be offered up to 20 per cent discount on lodging and foods. There are more than 600 homestays being run in 57 districts and are associated with the Association.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter President Bidhutichand Thakur informed that PATA Nepal Chapter was going to organize various promotional events targeting the Visit Nepal 2020, one among them being ‘NICE’ event (Nepal, India, China Expo) in February next year.
Thamel Development Council will organize promotional events round the year in 2020.

Kathmandu , RSS — Nepal has achieved around 70 percent progress to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s safety standard.
The process of separating the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to establish two bodies: a regulatory and service-providing has reached the final phase as per the EU concerns, media report says.

The EU has lately decided to keep its decision of blacklisting the operation of Nepali aircrafts on the European sky unaltered.
As per the decision, Nepali aircrafts shall be again prevented from using the European sky for the next six months.
The EU’s move came on the eve of the Nepal Visit Year 2020 has raised doubt whether it would have its negative impact on the Visit Year.
Experts, however, are hopeful of finding a solution soon as Nepal continues its efforts to ensure improvement in its sky.
CAN former general director Haribhakta Shrestha is among those believing that Nepal would win the EU confidence soon as efforts were underway for policy-level and organisational improvement in regard with the aviation service.
He sees no reason for the EC to continue its ban on Nepali aircrafts when security standards adopted by Nepal exceeds 60 percent of global standard.
Nepal airlines companies have been forbidden to use the Europe’s sky since 2013 citing the safety reasons.
It may be noted that during the Kathmandu Conference of ICAO general directors for Asia and the Pacific regions held four months ago, Nepal made its efforts for lifting the ban.
After the EU did not remove Nepal from the ‘safety update’, Nepal will be continued as blacklisted country for six more months. The safety update is issued every six month. There are 15 countries including Nepal blacklisted by the EU.
Director General at CAAN, Rajan Pokhrel however observed that EU would remove Nepal air service from blacklist soon as the institutional reform addressing EU’s concern neared final stage.
He further said the Cabinet has already passed the drafts of Air Service Act and CAAN Act.
The passage of these acts will help make ICAO remove Nepal air service from blacklist, Pokhrel hoped.
Nepal has achieved 67 percent of ICAO safety standard, according to CAAN.
To this, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, reminded that frequent discussion was held with the EU countries and representatives to this regard.
Talking to RSS, Minister Bhattarai shared that discussions were held even with the EU Headquarters to remove Nepal from the air service blacklist. In the recent times, Nepal has witnessed declined number of plane accidents.

PTI, Kathmandu— Nepal has banned vehicles with Indian number plates from running in the tourist hub of Pokhara ahead of the new year, a move that has sparked an uproar among tourism entrepreneurs.

Nepal aims to attract two million tourists, mostly Indians, by 2020 and Pokhara is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country on Christmas and the new year.

The decision to ban Indian vehicles was taken by Pokhara Tourism Council in consultation with the district administration of Kaski to ease traffic congestion during celebrations, officials said.

Former chairperson of Western Regional Hotel Association Hari Gaire described the decision taken ahead of the new year as “fatal”.

“Besides Indian vehicles, vehicles from other countries may also enter here, so what do we really want to suggest by singling out Indian vehicles then?” he asked.

Chief district administrator Ramesh KC said the ban will be lifted once the traffic police are ready to manage the congestion resulting from the influx of foreign vehicles.

The administration has requested Indian visitors to cooperate with the temporary provision and urged them to use local vehicles.

Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Chiranjivi Pokharel defended the decision citing the positive effects it would have on the local business of travel agencies, entrepreneurs and cabbies.

“Only public vehicles have been banned, not private ones,” he said.

“Indian vehicles don’t know the parking system and routes here, and will naturally cause traffic problems,” he added.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has chalked out an ambitious plan seeking to increase the number of Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan country by up to 25 percent in 2019.

In 2018, around 2,00,000 tourists from India visited Nepal by air.

Nepal does not have a system to count the number of tourists coming by road from India.

NTB launched the “Visit Nepal Year 2020” campaign in June to achieve two million arrivals from across the world by 2020 and a daily spend of over $75.

Kathmandu —Nepal and India can address the issues relating to border areas of Kalapani and Susta through talks, former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai has said, underlining that Kathmandu cannot harm New Delhi’s security interest.

Bhattarai, speaking at a programme organised by Nepal-India Friendship Society to bid farewell to Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, said India and Nepal should try to understand each other’s concern, PTI writes.

Underlining that “Nepal cannot harm India’s security interest”, the co-chairman of Nepal Socialist Party said there is a need for a highest political level meeting between the two countries to address the issues relating to Kalapani and Susta borders.

Strip maps covering 98 per cent of the India-Nepal boundary have been jointly finalised by the two countries. However, there are differences of perception on the alignment of the boundary in some areas such as Kalapani in Uttarakhand and Narsahi-Susta in Bihar.

Speaking on the occasion, Puri said there is ample opportunity for Nepal to get benefit from India’s economic development.

“There is huge goodwill for Nepal in India. India is ready to extend whatever possible help for Nepal to attain economic prosperity,” he said.

Earlier, a month ago in an all-party meeting called by Nepal’s PM KP Oli,   Dr  Bhattarai suggested  the prime minister to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi to resolve Kalapani dispute. He also suggested setting up a political commission under PM Oli to hold negotiations with Indian government. “All political parties need to build a national consensus over Kalapani dispute,” he said.