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Turkish Airlines photography awards

The winners of the “Skylife Photography Contest” organized by Turkish Airlines got their awards during a ceremony this week in Istanbul. Organized internationally for the third year, the theme of this year’s Contest was “Discover”. The award ceremony held at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center was attended by Turkey’s Education Minister Ziya Selçuk, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee M. İlker Aycı. Minister Selçuk, Çavuşoğlu and Aycı presented the awards to the top three contestants. The winner of the Turkish Airlines Grand Prize was Fei Xie, while the second prize was won by Mustafa Kurtbaş. The third prize went to Thi Ha Maung.

Daraz back with ‘11.11’ 

Daraz, the country’s leading online marketplace, has officially announced that the second edition of ‘EkDinKoSale’ i.e. 11.11 sale will kick off at midnight on November 11, offering customers a unique experience that will go beyond retail.  

November 11 was known as the Singles Day in China that celebrated singlehood. But things changed in 2009 when Alibaba launched the first 11.11 shopping event on that day, offering heavy discounts on its Tmall shopping platform. The mega sale event has now become a global phenomenon and takes place annually right through the Alibaba global ecosystem including all Daraz markets. Daraz introduced the 11.11 sale in Nepal in 2018 after its acquisition by Alibaba. Last year Daraz witnessed an 80x increase in sales on that single day. 

Hike to Pilot Baba Ashram 
In Bhaktapur

Six kilometers south of Bhaktapur Durbar Square lies the famous Pilot Baba Ashram. An hour of following the easy trails through the gorgeous Suryabinayak jungle will lead you to the temple on a hillock with amazing views of the hills and mountains surrounding Kathmandu valley. From there, you can either move on to the Suryabinayak temple, head towards Ghyampe Danda or, if you feel like it, meditate in the ashram after paying a small fee. It would make for a relaxing-day hike for sure. 

Learn pottery 
In Lalitpur

If you want to experience an ancient art and get your hands dirty at the same time, why not give pottery a try? In this 2-hour session led by a local potter Narayan Prajapati, you will get to try two forms of pottery: handmade pottery and on the pottery wheel, at the end of which you’ll be able to craft your own earthen souvenir. The session costs Rs 2,800 ($25), which includes all tools and materials required. Learn how the real artisans of Kathmandu valley do it. Call 9818421646.

Do yoga 
In Pokhara

Yoga is a physical and mental exercise aimed at bringing harmony between mind, body and soul. It can increase flexibility, improve metabolism and reduce weight. Join Atmashree Yoga in Pokhara to enjoy physical wellbeing for your body and cleanse your soul. Atmashree provides yoga trainings to practitioners at all skill levels, with trekking and retreat packages. You can also choose to stay and meditate for a few days at their yoga retreat center in Khapaudi, Pokhara. Call 9819197125.

Laugh
Comedy Night

8 pm, Saturday, November 9
House of Music
Thamel, Kathmandu

Brendon Burns, the globe-trotting, Edinburgh award winning, high concept hour creating, critically acclaimed author, playwright and genre-redefining pioneer of stand up and all-round living comedy legend, is in Kathmandu FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!

Party
Sundowner Saturdays

1 pm, November 9-30
Radisson Hotel Kathmandu
Lazimpat, Kathmandu

Celebrate with the setting sun and party in the weekend at the rooftop Terrace Garden. Exciting beverages and dance are on offer, along the beats of a pulsating DJ line up.

Listen
Parikrama Live in Nepal

7 pm, Friday, November 8
Club Fahrenheit
Thamel, Kathmandu

One of the biggest rock n’ roll band from India, Parikrama, is set to take the stage at Club Fahrenheit this Friday with our own rockers ASM and Shree 3 opening the show.

See
Photo Exhibition by Michel Mee

5 pm, November 5-29
Alliance Française Kathmandu
Pulchowk, Lalitpur

This photo exhibition by photographer Michel Mee from France showcases his 15 years in Nepal.

Q. What is your earliest childhood memory?
A. Peeking at other dancers and trying to copy their steps.

Q. Who motivates you the most?
A. My family.

Q. Who would you like to dance opposite to someday?
A. Well, I like dancing with Aashma Biswokarma from my group.

Q. What is the hardest part of being a professional dancer?
A. Making others understand that this profession requires a lot of patience to be financially stable and recognized.

Q. What do you do in your leisure time?
A. Play Playstation and listen to music.

Q. Your favorite travel destination?
A. China.

Q. A quote to live by?
A. ‘Dream big’.

Q. What is the most precious thing that you own?
A. Cartoonz Crew.

WANG LI, HIMAL NEUPANE 

In the joint statement signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Nepal, the two countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’. A number of questions have been raised in Nepal about the real meaning of the Chinese strategic partnership approach and how it will affect bilateral ties.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said in a newspaper interview that strategic partnership is not a military or a political alliance, and that its purpose is socio-economic development. Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali also remarked that ‘strategic partnership’ is just a new terminology for bilateral diplomacy.

Yet some political actors and scholars have argued that ‘strategic partnership’ can have far-reaching impact on Nepal and its foreign relations. So it is necessary to clarify things and be aware of the various dimensions of Chinese strategy and diplomacy. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties in 1955, Nepal-China relations have been characterized by equality, harmonious coexistence, everlasting friendship and overall cooperation. 

In line with this historical spirit of mutual respect and equality, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Nepal on October 12-13, during which the heads of the two states agreed to announce that they had elevated the ‘China-Nepal Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation’ to ‘Strategic Partnership of Cooperation’. It was reported that President Xi even said to his Nepali counterpart that Nepal would be transformed from a land-locked to a land-linked country because of the trans-Himalayan connectivity network. This is not only a promise from a large neighbor, but an expression of responsibility from the world’s rising power that aims to create an international community with a shared future.

However, in light of several concerns and even suspicions, it is necessary to review the concept of ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’ in China’s foreign policy. First, neither ‘strategy’ nor ‘partnership’ is a new term; both have been widely used in international affairs for a long time. Robert Gilpin has defined ‘strategic cooperation’ as a shared attempt or response to find more efficient and less costly approaches to realize common interests. China initially used the phrase ‘strategic partnership’ in the 1990s, and has done so more frequently since 2003. 

Words and meanings

According to the Chinese official line, there are three major categories of strategic partnership: 1) The ‘comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation’ currently covers Russia, Pakistan and many African states alongside Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; 2) The ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ embraces more than 30 countries across the world; 3) And the ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’ includes South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Brunei. Nepal’s involvement in the last group was inevitable, for it is not only a South Asian state but also a close neighbor of China. As China aspires to be a modernized country by 2050, the ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’ emphasizes Beijing’s overriding concerns with Nepal’s sustainable and balanced economic growth. President Xi has said that China’s development cannot take place in isolation from the rest of the world.

Now the inquiry is directed at the political dimensions of ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’ in the Chinese discourse. Officially, it has three aspects: stressing cooperation over rivalry; promoting long-term cooperation rather than an expedient one; and building constructive relations. To these ends, both parties are required to work together in multiple fields, be they political, cultural or technological. China seeks dialogue with all partners, which is a key feature of classical diplomacy. 

As the goal is a win-win outcome, China and Nepal have agreed to take the BRI as an opportunity to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in all fields, including their attempt to advance the construction of a trans-Himalayan connectivity network. As a country nestled in the Himalayas, Nepal indeed needs to expand its infrastructures by integrating itself into the BRI so as to explore and harness its huge potential in hydropower. 

Financially, the two countries are committed to a multilateral trading regime and China will take measures to import more Nepali goods and to encourage Chinese banks to provide financial services in Nepal. Politically, the Chinese side has reiterated firm support to Nepal to uphold the country’s independence and respect its governance system. The Nepali side, in turn, has reasserted its long-standing commitment to a ‘one-China policy’, acknowledging that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and Tibetan affairs are China’s internal ones.

Focus on NEWS

Strategically, China and Nepal need to maintain peace and stability in their border areas. In line with its ‘NEWS strategy’, China urgently needs to consolidate its entente with Russia in the ‘North’ and pacify its ‘East’ coast, while sustaining the BRI projects in the ‘West’ and the maritime silk route in the ‘South’. This is the core of the NEWS strategy initiated by the Chinese elite since President Xi assumed office in 2013. Considering Nepal’s strategic location and political stability, China was sure to promote bilateral ties to the level of ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’. And as a strategic partner, Nepal will get substantial help from its northern neighbor. 

For sure, as states are first and foremost committed to their own interests, a close relationship between China and Nepal will never be purely bilateral. There will always be local, regional and international concerns, suspicions and even hostility toward either China or Nepal or both. India is naturally the first to feel uncomfortable. This is why President Xi made a trip to India before visiting Nepal. China has reiterated that it would not use its economic or financial leverage to dictate the internal affairs of its partner countries. In addition, Chinese firms need to move in prudently and observe the local political norms before setting up their businesses.

As Xi has said on several occasions, China is the largest developing country and also one that is learning all the time. Mutual respect and equality are the preconditions for promoting China’s strategy and foster long-term cooperation. Xi’s state visit to Nepal is expected to unlock new strategic opportunities for bilateral relations, as well as promote ties with India and explore the prospects for trilateral cooperation. 

Nepal-China economic integration through the BRI is unstoppable, so it is sensible for India to take the opportunity to extend the proposed high-speed railway all the way down to the port in Kolkata in order to more closely tie the three countries in a complex web of economic interdependence. It might be just the right time to enhance trilateral understanding among Nepal and its two giant neighbors.

In brief, Nepal, though a much smaller state than China and India, could play a positive role as a bridge for building more trust-based relationships across this region. Geopolitical factors should never be an obstacle to elevating bilateral ties to ‘strategic partnership of cooperation’ between Nepal and China.

Wang is a Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy at Jilin University, China; Neupane is a China expert based in Kathmandu

Pulsar NS 200 now available with ABS

Hansraj Hulaschand and Company Pvt. Ltd, the sole authorized distributor of Bajaj motorcycles in Nepal, has introduced Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) in its all new Pulsar NS 200 motorbikes. ABS has become increasingly important for road safety of two-wheelers. The efficacy of ABS systems in preventing locking of wheels and offering greater control even in wet roads has been proven beyond doubt. A two-wheeler equipped with ABS will always be safer to operate as it reduces braking distance and prevent sliding and skidding of bike not only in treacherous road conditions, or in emergencies, but also in everyday riding scenarios. Meanwhile, it lessens chances of injury to the rider and increases bike stability. The introductory price of Pulsar NS 200 ABS is Rs 334,900 and it is available in all authorized showrooms of HH Bajaj across the country.

Priyanka Karki shares Coke with fans

As a part of the ongoing on-theground campaign of Coca-Cola this week, popular actress Priyanka Karki visited Bhatbhateni supermarket in Koteshwor and Salesberry in Chaapalkarkhana where she shared a Coke with her fans, encouraging them to express their feelings with their loved ones. She interacted with consumers and took pictures with them too. On the second day, she visited the sites with her family and shared a Coke bottle with a personalized message “Love you mamu” printed on it. During this festival season of Dashain & Tihar, Coca-Cola has been encouraging people to share their feelings with their loved ones. Coca-Cola had recently launched six endearing forms of the way we call out our mothers on the labels of Coca-Cola as a part of its Dashain-Tihar campaign. On this auspicious occasion, Coca-Cola is also allowing consumers to print personalized messages on Coke bottles.

Laugh

Comedy Night with Comedy Tuk Tuk

8 pm, Saturday, November 2

House of Music

Thamel, Kathmandu

Comedy Tuk Tuk is back with a bang after the festive season, with a line-up that includes Shraddha Verma, Aayush Shrestha and Fedor Ikelaar

Visit

Com Cos Con 2019

10 am, November 1-2

Labim Mall

Pulchowk, Lalitpur

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again! Com Cos Con is back and this time, the first Anime and Pop Culture Convention of Nepal will have free entry for all visitors.

Eat

Super Momo Festival

1 pm, Saturday, November 2

Da-Pow

Gairidhara, Kathmandu

Celebrating its first anniversary, Da-Pow invites you all to the Super Momo Festival. Enjoy sumptuous varieties of momo with great music via Everest Music System, plus many fun games. Entrance is free.

Learn

HubTalk: Pink Capitalism in Nepal - Sunil Babu Pant

6:30 pm, Friday, November 1

HUB

Thamel, Kathmandu

Nepal’s first openly gay parliamentarian Sunil Babu Pant—who was instrumental in adding aspects of LGBTQI rights into the current Nepali Constitution as a member of the Constituent Assembly—will talk about the potentials of the lucrative ‘Pink Economy’ in Nepal.
 

Hike to Champa Devi
In Kathmandu

Champa Devi is a famous hiking spot in the south-west of Kathmandu valley. From this third-highest hill around the valley (at 2,278 meters), you can witness beautiful mountain ranges such as Mount Everest, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, and Gaurishanker. You also get a glimpse of historical places like Khokana, Bungamati and Pharping. It takes around two hours to reach Champa Devi from Hattiban Resort in Pharping. Go walk it!

Weave with straws
In Pokhara

Learn straw-weaving from master weaver Mina Devi Ranabhat. Her three-hour class offers a wonderful insight into how Nepalis have for generations used straws to weave everything from small baskets to larger buckets for heavy load. The class costs Rs 1,700 ($15) and after it finishes, you take home a souvenir to use as a decorative piece in your living space. Call 9818421646.

Go boxing
In Kathmandu

Boxing is a full-body workout that provides useful balance between resistance and cardio training. Boxing workout can increase endurance, strength, and speed. Join Gymkhana Muay Thai in Maharajgunj and get trained by experienced trainers. There is an Olympic-size boxing ring and a fully-equipped boxing facility. If you wish to join the class for a year, it will cost you Rs 4,500 a month. Along with training and personal attention to safety and injury prevention, the cost also includes steam, sauna and Jacuzzi. Call 01-4371438.