‘Naya Banpale’ wins best children's work
The Nepal Children's Literary Society has announced ‘Naya Banpale’ (picture story) as the best work for children under eight in 2022. Following the recommendations of the Best Works Evaluation Committee, the working committee meeting, held on Nov 5 under the chairmanship of society president Pramod Pradhan, declared Indra Chaudhary's ‘Naya Banpale’ as the best work.
‘Naya Banpale’ is published by Room to Read. Other children's stories by writer Chaudhary include ‘Dhola Pharkiyo Ta?’ and ‘Kapas ko Ghoda’. Folktales and myths popular among the Ranatharu caste, known as Ranatharu Folklore, have also been published.
The society has declared ‘Sanken ko Khulduli’ (picture story) by Shrijana Rai as the best work for children aged eight and above. The 2021 Nebasas Award for Best Children's Book Writing was awarded to poet Mitralal Pangyani's ‘Nani ra Chari’ (Children's Poetry) for children under eight, and novelist Hari Khanal's ‘Aama’ (Children's Novel) for children aged eight and above.
Similarly, the Nebasas Best Children's Book Illustration Award for 2021 will be given to artist Kalagraj for ‘Baagsanga Jamka Bhet’ (picture book), and for 2022, to Krisha Tamrakar for ‘Yamari’ (picture book).
Bote community trained in plastic management
In an effort to combat rising pollution in Nepal's rivers, CREASION Nepal organized a “Capacity Building Training for Vulnerable Communities” on October 26, 2024, for the Bote community of Chitwan and informal waste workers (IWW). The training gathered 20 participants, including 10 Bote members, to enhance skills in plastic waste management and recycling, focusing on economic opportunities in the circular economy.
Sujata Koirala, CREASION Nepal General Secretary and CAP Project focal person, emphasized the Bote’s traditional role as river stewards, whose livelihoods are increasingly impacted by plastic waste. The program covered hands-on training in waste collection, sorting, and sales, along with financial strategies to promote sustainable practices.
“By empowering the Bote to manage waste effectively, we aim to reduce pollution and protect their rivers and community,” Koirala said, adding that these skills are crucial for fostering a cleaner, safer environment.
Hilton Kathmandu kicks off festive season with cake mixing
Hilton Kathmandu marked the beginning of the festive season with a joyful Cake Mixing Ceremony at its Lava Box coffee shop, drawing in guests, partners, and team members for a celebration filled with tradition and holiday spirit. This inaugural event embraced the rich aromas of spices, fruits, and spirits, officially kicking off Hilton’s seasonal festivities and creating an atmosphere of warmth and cheer.
The Cake Mixing Ceremony, a longstanding holiday tradition symbolizing unity and joy, encouraged participants to don Santa hats and aprons as they joined Hilton’s culinary team in blending dried fruits, nuts, and spices soaked in liqueurs. The spirited gathering highlighted the communal preparation of the fruit mixture that will soon become Hilton’s signature holiday fruitcake, bringing together friends, family, and the local community.
“We are delighted to introduce this cherished tradition to Kathmandu, celebrating joy, togetherness, and the anticipation of the holiday season,” said Sanjeev Jaiswal, Director of Food & Beverage at Hilton Kathmandu. “This event embodies the heart of Hilton’s hospitality – creating unique experiences that celebrate culture and connection.”
Guests, influencers, and media were in attendance, capturing the highlights and enjoying festive treats and signature cocktails crafted specially for the occasion. The Cake Mixing Ceremony is set to become an annual fixture, symbolizing Hilton Kathmandu’s commitment to celebrating community and holiday tradition.
Fifth int’l KaSAM conference concludes
The 5th Kathmandu Symposia on Advanced Materials (KaSAM) concluded at Park Village Resort in Kathmandu, gathering over 200 scientists, researchers, and students from around the globe. Organized by the Nepal Polymer Institute (NPI), Tribhuvan University, College of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Sciences, India’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, and Germany’s Institute für Polymerwerkstoffe (IPW), the three-day event focused on interdisciplinary research in materials science.
Key sessions explored innovations in smart materials, sustainable technologies, and bio-based materials, underscoring the importance of material science research in societal applications. “This year’s conference was dedicated to disseminating Nepal’s latest scientific advancements globally,” said Rameshwar Adhikari, President of NPI and KaSAM-2024 Chair.
Distinguished speakers included Vice-chancellor Keshar Jung Baral of Tribhuvan University and Vice-chancellor Poonam Tandon of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, with attendees from Nepal, India, the USA, Germany, and Japan. The event featured 151 research papers and awarded standout presentations with the Best Poster Award. Notably, three MoUs were signed to foster institutional collaborations between universities and scientific organizations in Nepal, India, and Germany.
The event was supported by various Nepali institutions and private sector entities, including the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, NAST, and Nabil Bank. In the closing remarks, Hari Sharan Adhikari, Vice-president of NPI, announced that the sixth KaSAM conference will take place in Pokhara in 2026, aiming to further strengthen global partnerships and advance material science research in Nepal.
