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Simrik Air recently conducted a heli-training and orientation for the crew, staff, and medical team to prepare them better for rushing crucial assistance during natural and man-made disasters by enhancing their skills and expertise.  Capt Siddartha Jang Gurung led a Bambi Bucket training session for helicopter pilots Capt Hare Ram Thapa and Capt Rajendra Duwal at Bojinee Dam in Nagarkot. The pilots learned the proper use and operation of this specialized tool. Simrik Air is the sole provider of this water-based firefighting service in Nepal.  In addition to Bambi Bucket training, Simrik Air also offered a variety of other realistic engagement training options such as Recco, Yak Winch, Sling operation, Long-line operation, Medical evacuation, and Management training to keep the staff up-to-date and maintain safety, efficiency, and consistency in service. Capt Bimal Sharma and Capt Bhaskar Pokharel were trained on this.  Crew members Ang Tashi Sherpa, Tshering Dhenduk Bhote, Tshering Pandey Bhote and Sonam Bhuti were also trained during these sessions. These sessions were conducted under the supervision of instructor and trainer from Germany and Switzerland Bruno Jelk, Daniel Brunner and Beat Marti.  In a country marked by difficult terrains, this kind of training is expected to be of great help in saving lives and properties during natural and manmade disasters like flooding, fires and mountaineering accidents, given that the state alone is not adequately equipped in dealing with such contingencies.  

National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) was among the 46 national organizations that received accreditation from the Election Commission to observe Nov 20 parliamentary polls. NIWF appointed 163 indigenous and non-indigenous participants from all seven provinces for this.  NIWF launched a report on the experience of observers, amid an event. In the event, Anthropologist and Researcher, Amit Tamang, talked about the issue of lack of citizenship and therefore, voting cards of  Chepangs Indigenous Communities in Ichhyakamana Municipality, Chitwan. Nanu Thami, who previously represented as a candidate from the Indigenous quota representation, shared her personal experiences of feeling discriminated against and excluded in the party and political matters. She expressed that the quota elected representatives are not given permits to enter the election centers which clearly depicts that proportionally elected ones are not given the right validation and acknowledgment as it is given to others. Similarly, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission of  Nepal, Shaligram Sharma Poudel expressed his reservation about the report and claimed not to accept it. With a somewhat authoritative tone, he commented on how the Election Commission asked for a general report, not centered on Indigenous Women. “Indigenous Women is a small chapter and we should be focusing on more important issues like booth capturing or corruption during the Elections.”

The music video of the song ‘Mero Desh Naharos’, filled with patriotic sentiments, has been released. The video has been released through Delighted Nepal YouTube channel. Adding to the wave of patriotic songs, the new song features singer Swaroopraj Acharya, composer Pushkar Sunuwar and lyricist DP Dahal.  This song has introduced Nepal’s art, culture and nature and is presented by Rita Simkhada Dahal. Recorded at Melody Nepal Studio, this song is produced and distributed by Delighted Music Industries Pvt Ltd. The music video is edited by Mohan Sunuwar, cinematography by Keshav Vishwakarma, and arrangement, recording and mixing by Pushkar Sunuwar.  Video here: https://youtu.be/Tv3F1PZGdEM

The Annapurna Express is set to organize The Triangle Conference on Dec 14-16 in Kathmandu. This will be the second time that the ApEx will be organizing such an event.  The theme of this conference will be Nepal’s energy sector—it’s generation, distribution, and consumption. In six sessions spread over three days, we will have representatives from political parties, MPs, bureaucrats, and investors plus our planners and policymakers discussing the different angles in the energy sector, energy vision for Nepal, alternative power, sustainable consumption, and policy issues.  We here at The Annapurna Express believe that when all the angles of energy sectors align, the country moves towards prosperity. But even a little non-alignment between them can disrupt the entire system. In the absence of dialogue between stakeholders, they are often pursuing other, often contradictory, goals. Last year in Nov, The Triangle Conference was based on government, academia, and economy—the three pillars of the country.