Tulsi Ghimire's Gautama Buddha: first animated movie from Nepal

The 60 year old, Nepali film director, Tulsi Ghimire has started working on the first Buddha film from Nepal. The movie being the first animated feature film from Nepal is slated for release in 2013 and will be dubbed in seven different languages.

Many Bollywood movies have been released on the topic, such as 'ChandniChandni Chowk to China' and Ashutosh Gowarikar's film on Buddha, but the Nepali director was inspired to make his own version of the Buddha film after having conversations with Buddhist monks from different places.

He said many puzzled monks had asked him the place of birth of Gautama Buddha, since they were uncertain whether it was India or Nepal. Ghimire explained that the remains of the old palace and the garden where Buddha was born can be found in southern Nepal, in a place called Kapilavastu, which is neither included in Nepal nor India.

Tulsi Ghimire

Ghimire says that the movie would have cost him much less if it had used actual people to play the roles. But since the available description of Buddha in the literature was such, he realized it was impossible to find such an actor. The Buddha had arms that reached his knees, the large kindly eyes of a cow and a voice as deep as an echoing well. Ghimire found it best to animate the movie and gave up his manhunt to find the perfect face for Buddha.

While telling about the story line, Ghimire says, “There are three schools detailing the Buddha’s life. The Mahayana Buddhists chronicle a logically believable life while the Hinayana Buddhist s depicts Prince Siddharth as a reincarnation of God. The VajrayanaVajrayana School, on the other hand, invests him with tantric powers.” Ghimire said he has adopted a middle path in his story telling.
Ghimire plans to bring into light the role of Yashodhara, the wife of Buddha. He said, she was a pillar of support to her husband but very little is known about her. “They had met before they were married and those scenes bring romance to the film”. Ghimire explains.
His 110 minute film will also shed some light on the common myths about the Buddha, including the one that says Buddha renounced his worldly life and the luxury of his palace after he was shocked to see an old man, a sick man, a dead man and a monk.
Ghimire plans to give media a sneak preview later this year, showing a few scenes as a promotional take on the film.

Top mountaineer Tomaz Humar killed in Nepal's Himalayas

KATHMANDU — A Slovenian climber recognised as one of the world's greatest-ever mountaineers has died after a daredevil solo attempt on a Himalayan peak, his expedition organisers said Saturday.

Tomaz Humar, 40, had been missing on the colossal south face of Langtang Lirung, a 7,234-metre (23,700-foot) peak in northern Nepal. His last communication was on Tuesday, when he radioed to say he had been injured.

"He had clearly fallen during the climb and broken his spine and leg," said Asian Trekking's Dawa Sherpa, who coordinated the rescue effort.

"He was climbing alone, with no guides or porters."

Sherpa said Humar's body was found early Saturday during an aerial search of the mountain, situated north of Kathmandu and close to the border with Tibet.

His body has been flown to the German embassy in Kathmandu, where his family were waiting, he said.

"The mountain that Humar was climbing, Langtang Lirung, is technically tough and not everyone dare climb it," said Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

"Humar was courageous," he said. "It's a tragedy that he slipped and fell. We are very sorry to have lost such a world-renowned climber who had such a deep love for Nepal's mountains."

Humar shot to fame in the climbing world in 1999 with a solo ascent of the massive south face of Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest mountain.

The vertical mixed rock and ice route was the equivalent of scaling eight Empire State buildings stacked on top of each other -- at an altitude where there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level.

At the time, the route was widely seen as near-suicidal -- and Humar's success made him a national celebrity and established him as among the world's top mountaineers.

Humar was hailed by Italian legend Reinhold Messner, the first to climb the world's 14 8,000-metre peaks, as the greatest climber of the modern era.

Humar's exploits also epitomised the way in which Himalayan mountaineering has evolved -- from the big-team, bottled oxygen siege tactics of the 1950's to the 1980's, to purer, "fast and light" alpine-style ascents.

This change was driven by the likes of Messner and the Polish legend Jerzy Kukuczka, and refined further by a host of names including French climbers Jean-Christophe Lafaille and Pierre Beghin, and Humar.

Of these, only Messner is still alive.

Humar's other extreme ascents included a new route, again solo without the security of being roped to a climbing partner, on the imposing south face of Annapurna, the world's 10th highest peak.

His 2005 attempt to solo the Rupal face of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest peak, in Pakistan, ended in high drama with a helicopter rescue from a narrow, snow-covered ledge at 5,900 metres.

The ill-fated attempt on the south face of Langtang Lirung would have established another extreme solo, alpine-style route.

AFP

Nepal Cabinet to Meet On Mount Everest

KATHMANDU: Nepal is to hold a cabinet meeting on Mount Everest to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayas ahead of next month’s climate change talks in Copenhagen, a minister said Monday.

The entire cabinet will travel to Everest base camp at an altitude of 5,360 metres (17,585 feet) for the meeting, to be held later this month, forests minister Deepak Bohora told AFP.

The announcement comes just weeks after the government of the Maldives held an underwater cabinet meeting to focus global attention on rising sea levels ahead of the key UN summit on December 7-18.

“The melting of the glaciers in the Himalayas is a serious concern for us,” said Bohora.

“We want to focus the world’s attention on saving the Himalayas from the effects of climate change before the Copenhagen meeting.”

Around 1.3 billion people depend on the water that flows down from the Himalayan glaciers, which experts say are melting at an alarming rate, threatening to bring floods and later drought to the region.

Campaigners say that while the effects of climate change on low-lying South Asian countries such as Bangladesh and the Maldives are now well known, there is little international awareness of the vulnerability of the Himalayan region.

Bohora said the visit would be an opportunity for ministers to gain first-hand information about the effects of climate change on the vast mountain range.

“Climate change has hit the Himalayas in general and Nepal in particular,” he said.

“Its effects are being manifested in different forms, from the rapid increase in the size of the glacial lakes to erratic monsoon patterns and unprecedented forest fires.”

Bohora also said the government was planning to take some of the world’s top mountaineers to Copenhagen to talk about their experiences, among them Apa Sherpa, who has climbed Everest a record 19 times.

Sherpa has said in the past that the amount of snow on the world’s highest peak has fallen since he first reached its summit in 1990, a trend he blames on global warming.

FROM AFP

Spice Girl Kissing Controversy of Nepal PM

KATHMANDU: When he became the new prime minister four months ago, Nepal's veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal was criticized strongly for The 56-year-old Nepal PM has triggered a fresh controversy after receiving a kiss in public - from former Spice Girl band member Geri Halliwell.
This week, the 56-year-old has triggered a fresh controversy after receiving a kiss in public - from former Spice Girl band member Geri Halliwell, also known as 'Sexy Spice' and 'Ginger Spice'.

PRASHANT TAMANG LIVE PERFORMANCE IN GANGTOK IN NOV 1st WEEK

Indian Idol winner Prashant Tamang is set to perform live in Gangtok,Sikkim in first week of November 2007 tentatively on November5.
Along with Prashant, a couple of other Indian Idol III contestants would also be performing at the ground of Palzor stadium of Gangtok, present venue of annual sporting event of Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup 2007.

Organisers have claimed that 25,000 people will attend the performance. They said they paid Rs 3 million to Sony Television to bring in Prashant Tamang to Sikkim for Live Performance.

Meanwhile, Prashant is also set to perform in Pokhara on November 17 where he will be accompanied by Indian Idol III finalist Amit Paul, according to Tamang Ghedung, Kaski, which is organising the event.
Immediately, after he won the title in September, Prashant had come to Nepal and performed live in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Prashant Tamang with Prime Minister of Nepal

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and ‘Indian Idol' Prashant Tamang (second and third form right respectively) pose for photo after a rendezvous at Koirala’s official residence Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Saturday (Sep 29, 07). Indian Idol contestants Deepali Kishore (L) and Ankita Mishra (R) were also present during the meeting.

Photo Courtesy: Sabin Tuladhar

PEACE MARCH AFTER IDOL UNREST

Darjeeling/Siliguri, Sept. 29: The Prashant Fan Club prevented the Siliguri fire from spreading to the hills by calling off today’s 12-hour bandh and protest march against yesterday’s violence in the plains.

Hill politicians assured would-be Puja tourists they were welcome and had nothing to fear about “security and hospitality”.
Curfew was lifted in most of Siliguri from 2pm, barring 11 specified areas around the court, the scene of the street battles and eight-hour hostage drama. But the army and the BSF continued their vigil.

In Darjeeling, GNLF leader Bimal Gurung announced around 11am that “in the interests of peace”, the bandh was being withdrawn.

The GNLF had not taken a stand on the bandh but Gurung’s stature had ensured that streets in Darjeeling and Kurseong remained deserted in the morning. Later, some shops in Darjeeling opened and vehicles began plying.

Kurseong continued to stay indoors but allowed vehicles travelling between Darjeeling and Siliguri to pass. Mirik saw a peaceful rally.

District magistrate Rajesh Pandey, speaking after an all-party meeting in Siliguri, said: “The situation is totally under control.”

Schools and colleges will remain closed on Monday but public examinations, such as railway recruitment, will be exempt. Pandey appealed to the people to ignore rumours such as the ones that sparked yesterday’s rioting.

Inspector-general of police (north Bengal) R.J.S. Nalwa said pro-Prashant Tamang marchers had “manhandled” a patient yesterday in front of a hospital, prompting retaliation by shopkeepers and bystanders. “But the story about a pregnant woman being kicked was false.”

Pandey confirmed that the march organisers had taken permission.

Indian Idol Prashant's First Nepal Live tour Performance

Nepal Fans enjoy a live concert by Indian Idol Prashant Tamang at St Xavier’s ground in Jawalakhel on Saturday. Drenched to the bone, as rain pounded the capital since the morning, the fans did not let their spirit dampen.

Kathmandu, Sept. 29 (PTI): "Indian Idol" Prashanta Tamang today sought the blessings of Nepal Prime Minister G P Koirala as he entertained his fans during a live performance at a top college here.
Prashanta was accompanied by other Indian Idol finalists Ankita Mishra and Deepali Kishore during his meeting with Koirala at his residence in Baluwatar.
"The prime minister asked me how I felt after winning the contest. Then he put the Nepali 'topi' (cap) on my head and gave me his blessings," he was quoted as saying in the media.

Prashant Tamang at Kathmandu Airport

Braving continuous rain, some 10,000 girls and boys gathered in the damp ground of St Xavier's college amid tight security to see the Darjeeling boy sing along with Dipali and Nikita and the famous Nepali singer Nima Rumba.
Over one hundred policemen were deployed at the venue to prevent any untoward incident. The tickets of the show were priced at Rs 4,000 per person.
Prashanta lent his voice to dozens of Nepali and Hindi songs.
It was Prashanta's second performance, first being at Casino Royale yesterday. Prashanta will perform in Pokhara tomorrow before returning to India.

"Indian Idol" Prashanta Tamang's first public show at Casino Royale in the capital city fetched its organisers at least four million bucks in one go.
Casino Royale, owned by an Indian Rakesh Wadhwa, sold 1,500 tickets priced at Rs 2,500 for the three hour gala programme yesterday night.
The programme earned the casino at least Rs 4 million over night, according to a casino staff.
Besides that people also enjoyed various games of black jack, roulette, flush and baccarat at jam packed tables in the casino.
Though it was illegal to allow Nepalese people in the country's casinos, 90 percent of the audience comprised its citizens, according to eye-witnesses.
The show was organised a day after Indian Yoga Guru Rama Dev concluded his week long Yoga session that attracted 1.5 lakh people from all over Nepal.
Prashanta will be giving his second and third performance at St. Xavier's School in Jawlakhel in Kathmandu and famous tourist spot Pokhara today and tomorrow respectively.

A Song for Prashant Tamang "Yo Man ta Mero Nepali Ho"

गोर्खालीको छोरो हुं म,गोर्खे मेरो नाम,
आइलाग्ने शत्रुको म गछु'काम तमाम...।

Kathmandu,September29:
In a voice choked with emotion, Prashanta today sang a long forgotten song by the Nepalese in front of the Nepal PM. The prime minister too appeared overwhelmed with joy with what an Indian boy of Nepali origin at 24 accomplished and offered him as a mark of honor a black “Nepali Cap with Crossed Khukuri”-the symbol of Nepali valor and courage. The atmosphere was sentimental at time when the two met each other.

Nepal’s Tourism board (NTB) is all set to felicitate Prashant Tamang- the newly crowned Indian idol the moment he lands in the Capital.
According to reports, the NTB will make a humble request to him to be the brand ambassador for Nepal’s tourism.
“Prashant will be given the State honors as well”, say reports further.
“The PM himself has shown keen interest in meeting the Darjeeling lad of Nepali origin”, say officials at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil aviation.
Prashant who arrived in Nepal today is all set to meet Nepal’s Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala. During his stay in Nepal, he will perform in Kathmandu on 29th September and in Pokhara on 30th September, 07.
During his show, Prashant is to sing a Nepali Song which recalls the glorious past of the Nepalese-Yo Man ta Mero Nepali Ho- literally the song means “After all my heart is Nepali”.
The same day he is leaving Kathmandu for Delhi.
Amongst the seven crores of the total votes polled during the finals of the Indian Idol sponsored by India’s SONY Television Channel, Prashant received more than sixty-five percent, say reports.

2007-09-29

First Interview With Indian Idol Prashnat Tamang

After Abhijeet Sawant and Sandip Acharya, it is the turn of Prashant Tamang to revel in the limelight. He still cannot believe it, though – still thinks it is a dream. From his police-chowki to a recording studio – he recalls his journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Q. What was your life like, as a constable in a chowki?

A. Nothing like this! The only thing in common between my life then, and my life now, is music. It has always been a part of my life. It has brought me here, and I am happy.

Q. Did you ever imagine that one day you would be here?

A. Absolutely not. In fact, when I had come here to audition, I never imagined that I would win.

Q. You have not only won the 'Indian Idol 3' crown, but also a contract and a car? Which of these is the most precious to you?

A. The love and support of the audience. I am proud that I did not let down those who believed in me. Their joy is my biggest reward. Anybody can earn money, but I have earned both money and made a name for myself. I am excited about that.

Q. What are your future plans? Will you work even harder now to make a mark in the music industry, or will you go back to your previous job?

A. The Kolkata Police Force, where I was working, want me to move forward. I want to work harder. I want to fulfil the expectations of those who have pinned their hopes on me. I want to be a singer. However, I want to meet my colleagues and seniors once – they have given me a lot of support and strength.

Q. Now that you have won the title, what do your family members have to say?

A. They are very happy. My mother has always wanted to see me on television. When I won the title, I called her on stage, and paid my respects to her. That was my most memorable moment. Q. We have heard rumours that you will make an appearance on either 'Jhalak Dikhla Ja 2' or 'Nach Baliye 3'.

A. (laughing) I know nothing about this. You are the first person who has mentioned this to me. Q. The previous winners of this title disappeared after a few days of fame? Where do you think you are headed?

A. I understand that this contest is just a platform – an entry into the music industry. This is where we were noticed. The journey has just begun. How hard we work, depends entirely on us. It is not like Abhijeetda and Sandipda are not doing anything. Abhijeetda recently recorded and released his album.Sandipda is also going to launch his album soon. Karunya and Amit Sana are also launching their respective albums. God willing, I will be able to record and release my own album, when the time is right.

Q. Three judges thought that Amit Paul deserved to be the winner. In fact, Javed Akhtar had once mentioned that you are not good enough to be a contestant. How did that feel?

A. I do not think that Javedsaab said that to belittle me. I always thought his criticism was constructive, that he made comments so that we could improve. He always saw where we were going wrong, and mentioned it. Whatever I am today, I am because of his honesty.

Q. One contestant, Richa Aneja, refused to sing with you, earlier in the contest? How did you feel then, and what do you think now?

A. Yes, I remember. I was a little hurt, because she had not heard me sing, and yet she refused to sing with me. Then I realized that she is a kid, and that was her childishness. I did not take the incident too seriously. It was all sorted out in the end.

Q. How does it feel to be an Indian Idol?

A. Great! I still think I am dreaming, and then I think that my dreams have come true. Responsibilities have increased now. I have to work harder, and be more sincere now.

Q. According to you, is your co-contestant, Amit Paul, a better performer than a singer?

A. He was good at both. I prefer his singing – he has a great voice.

Q. What is your relationship with him?

A. We bonded well at the beginning of the contest, and both Amit and Abhishek became very close friends of mine. I was shocked when Abhishek was eliminated. I missed him a lot.

Q. Are you planning to settle down in Mumbai, or will you go home?

A. I have not decided that as yet. Let's see what the future holds, and I will make that decision accordingly. Right now, I leave it to fate

Video: Rally in Kathmandu for Indian Idol

SILIGURI EXPLODES - Rumours fuel riot on streets

Siliguri,Sept. 28: A Delhi radio jockey’s alleged taunts at Indian Idol 3 winner Prashant Tamang became the trigger for street riots in an ethnically divided Siliguri today, prompting police firing, army intervention and an indefinite curfew.
A local mob’s attacks on the mainly Nepalese supporters of Tamang and then the police left at least 50 people injured, including two men hit by police bullets. The army and the BSF were patrolling the town tonight.
Some 5,000 people, including 800 schoolchildren, were marching against RJ Nitin’s alleged derogatory remarks about Tamang’s Nepalese origins when they were stoned, chased and besieged around 11.35am after rumours accused them of hooliganism near a hospital.

(See chart)

About 800 of the protesters who ran into the compounds of a court and the district telecom office were trapped inside for eight hours before the army rescued them at 7.45pm.
“There were more than 50 schoolchildren with us. They had nothing to eat through the day,” said marcher Avinash Tamang.
Outside, the mob stood guard, braving repeated baton-charges and tear-gassing by police and ignoring back-to-back proclamations of Section 144 by the district and subdivision administrations.
The rumours spread across the town prompting crowds elsewhere to torch a Tata Sumo with a Sikkim number plate at Collegepara and a police vehicle at Hospital More in the afternoon. Outside the court, the first mob burnt a motorbike.
The police, who had driven four buses and three vans inside the court compound abandoned plans to rescue the rallyists and called for BSF and army help.
The BSF could do little till the army arrived from Sukna at 7pm. Forty-five minutes later, the first batch of besieged rallyists was taken out in three police buses, three army trucks and two police vans, escorted by troops. The second batch came out at 8.30pm in five vans.
Indian Idol, a TV music talent hunt decided by voting via text messaging and phone calls, had stoked regional sentiments but failed to divide Siliguri. Both Nepalese and non-Nepalese had voted for Tamang, 24.
The marchers had set out from Darjeeling More towards the subdivisional office 2km away to hand over a written demand for an apology from the FM channel.
“I urge you all to maintain calm, otherwise I may not be able to concentrate in my career,” Tamang said in a TV appeal in Bengali and Nepali.
The rumours that sparked the rioting could not be verified but it’s possible that a minor quarrel had taken place between some of the marchers and a patient’s relatives. In the first few minutes of the clashes, the rallyists, too, had vandalised about 50 makeshift stalls outside the courthouse.
The police fired “seven rounds” around 4.30pm. One bullet struck Biswajit Das, a shopper from Jalpaiguri district, in the back while a second lodged in trader Acchalal Prasad’s right thigh.

RJ Nitin apologises to Indian Idol Prashant Tamang

New Delhi, Sept 28: The radio jockey, whose comments against Indian Idol Prashant Tamang created an outrage among his fans, has apologised to the singer.
A spokesperson of the Delhi-based Red FM channel said Nitin, the radio jockey, has tendered "an apology if he had unintentionally hurt the sentiments of anyone."
"The RJ also had a telephonic interview with Tamang two days ago and the singer had told him that there was nothing of that sort which was derogatory to him," he said.
In response to some people finding the RJ's comment objectionable, the spokesman quoted Tamang as saying on air, "There is nothing like this...It is a misunderstanding.. Nitin has not said anything of the sort."
Nitin's remarks against Tamang on air on September 24 had created an outrage among his fans. (Agencies)

Prashant Tamang : He is grateful for Nepal’s support

photo: Prashant Tamang & Nima Rumba

A week after he won the title of Indian Idol, Prashant Tamang, a Nepali-origin boy from Darjeeling has arrived in Kathmandu, Friday.
Prashant will be performing live in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur on September 29 and in Pokhara on September 30.
He will be joined by co-finalists of Indian Idol III Ankita Mishra and Deepali Kishore and a Nepali pop-star Nima Rumba.
Addressing a press conference at Soaltee Hotel, Friday evening, Prashant said he was grateful for the overwhelming support shown by all Nepalis in his campaign to bag the Indian Idol title.
“This victory is not my alone. It is victory of all of you,” Prashant Tamang said, addressing the packed press meet.
“I am very happy to be here. I have received so much love from you,” he added.
When asked what he would like to say to young people, Prashant said that he believes hard work is the key to success.
On Sunday, September 23, he beat his competitor Amit Paul from Shillong to bag the coveted title after six month long singing competition where finalists were voted out one by one based on SMS and phone voting by the general public.
Prashant’s performance in Nepal has been organised by Springwood, the new brand from Surya Nepal.

Prashant Tamang arrives in Kathmandu

Indian Idol Prashant Tamang receives a warm welcome upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu Thursday. Darjeeling-born Tamang, who beat his close contender Amit Paul in sms-voting to win the third edition of the popular Indian singing talent show last week, will perform live at St Xavier's School, Jawalakhel, on Saturday and Exhibition Road, Naya Bazaar in Pokhara Sunday

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 - Indian Idol Prashant Tamang arrived in Kathmandu Friday for his first ever live concert in Nepal.
Springwood, the new brand from Surya Nepal is organizing the live show with support from Mero Mobile in Kathmandu at St Xavier’s School ground on September 29 and at Exhibition Road, Naya Bazaar in Pokhara on September 30.
The winner of the third season of Indian Idol, a popular singing talent show, Prashant will be performing along with Nepali pop star Nima Rumba and other two female participants, Deepali and Ankita, who also made their way to the top ten.
Deepali and Ankita had performed a few weeks ago in Kathmandu with other top 10 finalists of Indian Idol III.
Darjeeling-born Prashant beat Shillong’s Amit Paul, the final contender in its grand finale in New Delhi with an unexpected 70 million votes in sms-polling on Saturday last week.
Prashant, 24, turned the heartthrob of millions of fans rising from the post of a constable in Calcutta Police India. When he was announced the winner by John Abraham, his mother donned him Nepali Dhaka topi (cap) that also symbolized the victory all Nepalis spread across the world.
Meanwhile, Nepal Tourism board (NTB) is all set to felicitate him making the brand ambassador of Nepal’s tourism. He is also scheduled to meet Nepal’s Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala.
Prashant is the first contestant of Nepali-origin to make it to the final rounds of Indian Idol and finally win it. He is also the first person from the Indian police force to enter the final rounds. After joining the Indian Police Force to support his family, he could not receive any formal training in singing but was in the police orchestra in Kolkata.
Posted on: 2007-09-28

Sikkim,Darjeeling & Nepal dance in the streets for Indian Idol Prashant

Darjeeling,Sikkim and Nepal along with the Nepali-speaking diaspora worldwide erupted in joy after their newest icon, Indian policeman Prashant Tamang, vanquished his closest competitor Amit Paul to lift the third Indian Idol title in Sony Television channel's hugely popular reality show.
Soon after midnight, as Bollywood actor John Abraham declared Prashant the winner of the coveted Rs.10 million contract and a sleek Maruti Suzuki SX4 car in New Delhi, ecstatic fans in Kathmandu started bursting crackers while crowds danced on the streets, screaming the 24-year-old's name again and again in delight.

As the results were announced and the Darjeeling boy's mother put the Nepali dhaka topi -- that is part of the Nepali national dress -- on her son's head, Nepal went wild with pride and joy.
Despite the lateness of the hour, spontaneous processions marched on the streets of Kathmandu in Thamel, the tourist hub, near the royal palace, Boudhanath, where the Tibetan diaspora lives, in Pulchowk, near an engineering campus, and in Pokhara town and other areas as well.
The rallies were reminiscent of another national celebration last year, when similar late night demonstrations erupted following King Gyanendra's decision to surrender the power he had seized through a coup and restore democracy

The victory marks the culmination of a sustained campaign for Prashant in which Nepal played a considerable part.
Various organisations and individuals in Nepal had been raising funds to send SMS votes to help the boy from Tungsung village win. Determined teams went to Darjeeling on the eve of the grand finale Sunday to vote for him from there after Nepal Telecom said its SMS service could not be used to send votes.
On Monday, the beaming face of Prashant, wearing the Nepali cap and garlanded with khatas, the traditional white Nepali scarf, leapt out of the front pages of Nepal's dailies.
"Nepal's heart-throb new Indian Idol", said the Himalayan Times daily while Kantipur, Nepal's largest sold newspaper, simply said "Prashant has won". Its sister concern, the Kathmandu Post, claimed Prashant as Nepal's own with its headline "Nepali Prashant Tamang crowned Indian Idol".
Though Nepal is passing through a critical stage with its Maoist guerrillas having quit the government and begun a protest movement to foil the crucial November election, the average Nepali forgot political considerations to focus on Prashant's fate Sunday.
They also ignored the ongoing problems of Nepal's biggest party, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's Nepali Congress, that is holding a critical meeting to decide whether it will support monarchy or not.
In the small-town boy who had no formal training in music and was forced to take up a job early in life after the death of his father but still overcame great odds and nearly 30,000 aspirants to win, Nepal has found a new icon.
The Prashant frenzy will reach an even greater height Saturday when the conquering hero comes to Kathmandu to rock the capital at a live concert.
Surya Nepal, ITC's joint venture in Nepal, is sponsoring the concert to promote its newly launched Springwood brand of clothes targeting the middle class.
Two more popular Indian Idol contestants, who have already taken part in shows in Kathmandu - Ankita and Deepali - will accompany Prashant.
The trio will also participate in a concert in Pokhara city.

In Gangtok-the capital of Sikkim , Morning after the Indian Idol Win for PrashantTamang, the streets got crowded and traffic snail paced on National Highway as a large rally gathered and started from Deorali Girls School to make its way to Palzor Stadium of Gangtok to join the celebrations of Prashant Wins last night as Indian Idol 3 with massive votes of 7 crores polled in for the show of Sony Entertainment Television.
The Government of Sikkim declared a government holiday to mark the occasion keeping in view high spirit and large people following of Prashant Tamang across the State as ‘Pahar Ko Chohro’,
Prashant’s popularity in this people’s verdict based programme was never in doubt given that he never came into danger zone save once in Top 3 and returned with big bang to lift the prize at top 2 contest between him and Amit Paul of Shillong.

Prashant Tamang: The voice that united hill people

Hills idol wins over India

Darjeeling& Gangtok, Sept. 23: This year’s Indian Idol has been a winner all along, his voice cutting across differences in class, politics and nationality to unite the entire hill people and help them forge new relationships with others.
“Because of Prashant Tamang, we have been able to stamp our identity on the consciousness of India and the process has united our people scattered across the globe,” said Tenzing Khambachay, the president of Prashant Fan Club, Darjeeling.
For one, Prashant’s success in Indian Idol brought the Darjeeling hills and Sikkim together. “It was as if the Teesta and the Rangit, the two rivers that separate the regions, had dried up!” said a resident here.
He wasn’t far off the mark. Prashant, a resident of Toongsoong, Darjeeling, was declared brand ambassador of Sikkim, chief minister Pawan Chamling came out in his support and ordinary people sent thousands of votes for the singer through phone calls and text messages.
“The people of Darjeeling will forever remain indebted to Sikkim,” said Khambachay. For an older resident of Darjeeling, the show of unity was reminiscent of the Nepali Bhasha Andolan in the 1970s, when the hills fought for the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution.
However, the Prashant frenzy was not confined to the hills — it took hold of the Dooars too. Prashant’s mother and sister, who were out campaigning for him, were invited to umpteen number of places in the Dooars. “The response of people there was just overwhelming,” said Khambachay.
In fact, Prashant helped bridge the gap between the hills and the plains in more ways than one. Even the parents of Emon Chatterjee from Calcutta, who lost out in the penultimate episode of the contest, urged his fans to vote for Prashant in the final. Prashant Fan Club, Darjeeling, responded by promising to felicitate Emon after the contest gets over.
Prashant’s popularity also swept aside international boundaries as people from Nepal extended all kinds of support to his supporters here. As Rajesh Ghatani, a Prashant fan from Nepal had said at a programme held in Gymkhana Rink Hall here: “If only we could have voted from Nepal, we would have flooded India with text messages.”
Instead, people from Nepal came down to the Darjeeling hills in droves with money to buy mobile recharge cards, which they distributed among dedicated volunteers here.
They were joined by Nepalis from across the world, be it the US or the European countries. “Our emotional bonds have become stronger and that is our biggest victory,” said Khambachay.

Sikkim police Takes measures to strengthen its Nepal border outposts.

Gangtok, Sep 20: Even as a security alert has been sounded in five border states, following political disturbances in Nepal chances of spill over into Sikkim is slim due to its topographical and demographical disadvantages, key officials said here.Sikkim's west district shares a 99km border with east Nepal at around 10,500 ft out of which only 54 km is negotiable but very remote. Rest falls under areas over 11,000 ft in the foothills of Singalila range where conditions are very harsh.Population within the border areas on both sides is negligible with only few shepherds moving around with their yak herds. The nearest populated area on the India-Nepal border is Utteray in West Sikkim which is around three hours walking distance over a steep gradient. Another area Ripdi in West Sikkim has a sizeable population and is almost the same distance from the border.Recent downpour has triggered several slides along the borders thereby making it difficult for cross border movement, said West District officials. People from Nepal need to posses proper documents before crossing into West Sikkim where they share matrimonial alliances with the locals. Sikkim Armed Police(SAP) has an outpost at Chewyabhanjyang(10,500 ft) near the border where all documents of the Nepalese nationals are scrutinised. The 24th Battalion of Sashatra Seema Bal(SSB), which looks after the border security aspects is well positioned to guard the Sikkim-Nepal border. It had its outposts in Utteray, Ripdi and Nambu, which are all major arterial routes leading to the border.Though chances of spillover from Nepal are slim due to remoteness of the area, SSB has intensified and beefed up its presence at the border, official sources said. ''No additional forces have been deployed there and we have enough manpower,'' said a senior SSB official.West District Collector NK Jha said that all necessary measures were being taken as per the instructions of the government.Sikkim police has also taken necessary measures to strengthen its border outposts.
--- UNI

MHA issues security alert to Indo-Nepal border @ Sikkim

New Delhi, Sept. 18 (PTI): The Union Home Ministry today issued security alert to all the five states along the Indo-Nepal border in view of political developments in the Himalayan nation.
The Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB), the para-military force guarding the 1,500-km border, has been asked to keep maximum vigil along the porous boundary to check movement of criminals and flow of arms, a senior Home Ministry official said.
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim governments have been told to remain vigilant, he said.
Nepal today plunged into a political crisis with Maoists pulling out of the coalition government dealing a blow to the fragile peace process after their demand for abolition of monarchy was rejected

Prashant sends video message for Indian Idol Nepal Concert

Indian Idol contestants to perform in Kathmandu;

Prashant sends video message

Photo source: THT

Six of the Indian Idol III contestants have arrived in Kathmandu to take part in two concerts here.
Emon Chatterjee, Meiyang Chang, Deepali, Ankita Mishra, Charu and Parleen arrived on Friday to take part in the Mero Mobile "Icons and Idols" performance. They will be joined by two Nepali pop singers Nima Rumba and Anil Singh.
The concerts are slated to be held at Pulchowk Engineering College ground on Saturday and Soaltee Crown Plaza hotel on Sunday.
The six Idol contestants also addressed a press meet in the capital on Friday. They said they were glad to be coming to Nepal for concert. They were also all praise for Prashant Tamang – who is at the top two position of the Indian Idol along with Amit Paul.
Indian Idol telecast by Sony Television is hugely popular in Nepal where Prashant has become a big star as he hails from a Nepali-origin family from Darjeeling, India. A constable with Kolkata Police, Prashant's craze has swept Darjeeling, Sikkim and other areas where Nepali-speaking people live. He is equally hot in Nepal where youths have started organising fund-raising campaigns to send SMS to help Prashant win the title. Prashant has also become the darling of Kolkata police community.
The idol contestants had brought with them a video message from Prashant Tamang. In the message, Prashant said he regretted at not being able to join the concert himself. He expressed best wishes for the concert and thanked all Nepalis for supporting him throughout the Indian Idol campaign.
Meanwhile, Nepalis living in the United States are planning to invite Prashant on a tour of the US to hold concerts there. Narayan Shrestha, president of Helping Hands Health Education, an NGO based in the US, has announced that he will soon take Prashant on a tour to several US cities