Liebster Blog Award : The Karma continues…

Posted on December 14, 2011 | 6 comments

Thank you Tash from Life through Kaleidoscope for Liebster blog  award . “I am honoured and happy to get the award from you.”

What is a Liebster Blog Award?

It’s an award to draw attention to blogs that are terrific but have less than 300 followers but deserves a lot more recognition and is all in the spirit of fostering new connections.

 

Liebster means dearest, favorite or sweetest in German. This award is presented to the blogs which are your favorite, meaning, if you receive this award from a blogger then you are among their favorite blogs.

The Rules for the Liebster Award are:

  • Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
  • Reveal your 5 top picks for the award and let them know by linking to their blog.
  • Post the award on your blog.
  • Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogosphere – other   bloggers.
  • Best of all – have fun and spread all that good blogging karma.

I would like to take this opportunity to award following blogs Liebster blog award. You are not obligated to do anything. This is just my way of showing my appreciation for your blog and letting you know that I love the way they write.

Pumba and Simba 

You were the first one to comment on my blog when I started to write so thank you KC for your support. It is really nice to read your view on intercultural relationship and Nepal. Earlier I used to enjoy your writings but these days, being married I can relate to them too. 🙂 

Diary of a White Indian Housewife 

I have read almost all the post you had Sharell but I haven’t left many comments. One of the main reasons is that there are usually many comments in that post from fellow bloggers expressing similar views as mine. Anyway, I love the way you write about your life in India as it is incredibly interesting. 

Huncha Badar 

I like the way you write and my favourite post so far is “frustrated”. It was so true and straight from the heart. Thank you Amanda for your comments and support. Hope you are enjoying your time with your better half. 

i Scribble

I found your blog by chance but I am so glad I did. I just love the wittiness and humour you have in your post Meengma. And your frequent use of Nepali proverbs helps me not to forget them. Keep up the good job. 

taswin12

Your blog is thoughtful and appealing. I can easily relate to your post about migrant and cultural difference. Thank you for your comments and support .Love to hear more from you. 

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Posted in General

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So called Miss Tourism Queen International

Posted on December 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

I have seen lots of beauty pageants over the years as there are beauty pageants for babies as young as a few months to toddlers and big girls. But this particular pageant caught my eye when I saw the way they were conducting the pageant.

I am not too sure how reputable Miss Tourism Queen International is as I have never heard about them before. The only reason I am writing about this contest is because I find it ridiculous to see that a beauty pageant is getting away with doing ridiculous things.

I think any country can send a representative for this pageant but looks like only the girls who can get more money from sponsors to vote for them will advance to the semi final round. Read Rule No 3. It states” A minimum 10 votes cost USD 3.00, 50 votes cost USD15.00, 100 votes cost USD30.00, 400 votes cost USD100.00 and 1200 votes cost USD300.00 with Credit/Debit Card payments only.”

 I am not a big fan of these pageants and I find the statements of the beauty pageants winners to be the same no matter which contest I watch. But to find the above  rules in a pageant seems so wrong. It is clearly a rip-off to organise the contest and ask every one to pay money to vote. Also small countries will have no chance against big countries so I don’t see the point of this whole contest.

 

Look at the girl on the left.

The girls that will be competing for the crown will be there not because they have talent or beauty but they have people who have lots of money behind them. It is so wrong and unethical.

I am not sure what I expect form these beauty pageants but when I see these kinds of pageants blooming left, right and centre, I wonder if there is any legal obligation these pageants have to fulfil before registering themselves as a company. Otherwise I might start my own pageant and charge money to vote and call it “Miss Skin and Bones” pageant.

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Sari

Posted on December 12, 2011 | 9 comments

Wikipedia defines sari as a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles. But for me sari always signifies Nepal and femineity.

There were times when I needed two people to help me wear a sari but now I can proudly say that I know how to wear a sari without any help. (I may need to try a few times to get it right 🙂 )

Over the years I have been lucky to have occasions to wear my different saris. Here are some of the photos I want to share with you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Posted in Nepal, Personal

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Why didn’t I think of being a dentist?

Posted on December 11, 2011 | 4 comments

Yesterday, AS had some problem with his teeth so we decided to go and see a dentist. I had no idea that they are so busy. We had to ring 20+ places to find one free dentist. Most of them were either closed or fully booked out for the next few days. Finally we found one who would takes us but asked to come straight away as they were open for half day on Saturdays. As soon as we put the phone down, both of us were running around to get ready quickly. 

After rushing through traffic and parking we ran to the dentist’s place and were glad that they were still open. 

The receptionist asked AS to fill some paper work and then ushered him into a room inside. I followed him as I wanted to know what’s wrong with him. 

She asked him to lie down on the big chair and then came a dentist. She looked like she was in her late 30’s and she had a very loud high pitch voice. She put on a mask and took an x-ray and looked for a few minutes. Then she told us that as she is very busy before Christmas, she will have to do a temporary fix for now but AS has to have a major work done on that tooth after Christmas. It took the dentist another 5 minutes to do her temporary fix and we were out in the reception again. 

The thing that hit me was the bill that came, literally for a 20 minutes job, $150. Seriously why didn’t I think about being a dentist, I would be swimming in money by now. I was so glad that we had private health insurance otherwise that is a big bill for 20 minutes work. 

Then she printed out a long itemised list as a quote for the permanent fix and it totalled up to $2,500. Seriously, just for one tooth? 

I swear I am making at least one of our kids a dentists even if they don’t want to. They will thank me later. 

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Posted in Health

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Maiti Nepal

Posted on December 10, 2011 | 2 comments

There are lots of Charities out there but Maiti Nepal is very close to my heart. I really believe in their cause and I salute Anuradha Koirla for starting an organisation that is helping Nepal stop human trafficking.

Maiti Nepal was established in 1993 and is working hard to prevent trafficking of women for forced prostitution, and rescuing flesh trade victims and rehabilitating them. They also help women who are exploited and neglected by family and society.

Maiti Nepal’s objectives and target group from their website:

“Maiti’s focus has always been on prevention of girl trafficking, a burning issue for Nepal. Rescuing girls forced into prostitution and helping to find economic alternatives have been our key struggle. Rehabilitation, although not literally possible especially with former prostitutes, is one major challenge we have accepted in our work. The practical steps would be to counsel them and provide non-formal education on health, laws, basic reading and writing. They are also trained to develop income-generation skills and provided Maiti’s shelter until they are ready to stand on their feet. The sexually abused girls, abandoned children, potential victims of trafficking, destitute women, prisoner’s children, returnees from Indian brothels, girls and children infected with HIV and Hepatitis B, intercepted girls are the major target groups or say, beneficiaries of our programs. “

Anuradha Koirala is the founder of Maiti Nepal. She has been recognised by different organisations across the globe for her incredible work for the society. She has won UNIFEM Prize 2007,  Queen Sofia Silver Medal Award 2007,  The Peace Abbey, Courage of Conscience  2006 to name a few.

In 2010, she became the first Nepali to win CNN Hero of the year 2010 award and recently she was honoured by Manhe Peace Prize 2011.

 While interviewed by CNN, Koirala said

“We try to give them whatever work they want to do, whatever training they want to do, because when you’re economically empowered, people forget everything. People even forget [she is] HIV-positive or was trafficked.

Our girls are border guards who have been trafficked themselves. They easily recognize a girl that is being trafficked or will be trafficked,” Koirala said. “The girls need no motivation from me. They know the horrors of the brothel, and they are here to save their sisters. “

Prabal Gurung, Joanna Lumley and Demi Moore are active supporters and goodwill ambassadors of Maiti Nepal.

Aunradha Koirala and Maiti Nepal need all the help and support we can provide.  Please visit their website and like them in facebook.

http://www.maitinepal.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maiti-Nepal/160015294061757

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Posted in Nepal, Social Issue

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