Discovering the Heritage of Nepal

Monday, 19 December 2011 06:15

Discovering the Heritage of Nepal

By Srimal Fernando 

Nepal is one of the most fascinating countries in South Asia. Tourists visiting this beautiful country will find that things they can see and do are limitless. The geography of the country is notable for its great diversity. The country is a landlocked state in the Himalayan Mountains bordering to the south, east and west by India and to the north by China. Of the world’s fourteen high peaks the country has eight that include Mount Everest known as Sagar-matha in Nepali. At 29,021 feet it is the world’s highest point. It has more than 240 peaks over 20,000 feet above sea level. The country is also a favorite destination among river rafters, trekkers and mountaineers. Cultural life in Nepal is rich and varied like its countryside. The countries cultural heritage dates back to more than  two millenniums and has been a home to majestic dynasties. Nepali flag reflects the heritage of the country.  It is the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular in shape. 

The flag's blue border signifies peace. The curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and calm nature of Nepalese, while the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese warriors. The culture of the county is characterized by diversity. The country has a wealth of dialects spoken in different regions. The wide range of traditional customs is one reflection of this diversity. Colorful and ornate pagodas and temples located in different areas of the country attract tourist from home and abroad. The noteworthy towns such as Katmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Patan, Janakpur , Nepal-guni and Bhaktpu have their own distinctive character.

The capital city Katmandu is situated amidst a splendid panorama in the bowl shaped Katmandu Valley. It is the biggest and the most cosmopolitan city of Nepal. It is also known as the 'City of Temples’. Among its highest-esteemed attractions is, the Durbar Square. The Monkey temple, Swayambhu-nath and the world’s largest Shiva temple the Pashupati-nath temple are prominent sites of Katmandu for tourists to visit. The national museum of Nepal has some of the rarest and exquisite pieces of art and craft. These prized possessions of the museum were collected from all over Nepal and are displayed at the museum. Nepali customs are rooted in a synthesis of ethnic and religious traditions. Over centuries the country has assimilated influences of many religions. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is located in the south-western side of the country. It was once an extensive centre of Buddhist culture. 

This world heritage site is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Buddhists from all over the world. Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of Nepal. Thousands of Hindu devotees from India throng to Nepal weeks ahead of this festival to participate in celebrations. Nepal is called the land of festivals where colourful celebrations are held throughout the year. Fairs are an inseparable part of the traditional culture of the people of Nepal. Some fairs are organized because of their traditional value and social importance; some are simply for fun and amusement. Fashion has been an important industry and cultural export of the country. Nepali cuisine has a iconic traditional specialty. Newari and Thakali cuisines are the original taste of the country .The people of the country have a well-deserved reputation for being hard workers, but they enjoy their leisure as much as anyone else. Nepali culture has contributed notably to literature, art, music and dance.  The country is essentially  a land of songs ,music  and dance.

Source Daily Mirror (life ) Page C2 http://www.dailymirror.lk

 

Indian Economic Review by Srimal Fernando

 
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Indian Economic Review

By  Srimal Fernando, Correspondent South Asia

( http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za ) FETDS -South Africa

India is a dynamic and one of the most vibrant country’s in the whole of Asia. India’s ongoing economic transformation has had a reflective impact not only on India but on the whole world. Since 1991, India has opened its economy and its exports continues to be a major driver of its rapid economic growth. India has sustained higher economic growth for the past 20 years. The country has become a favored destination for relocation of global manufacturing facilities. India’s nominal GDP per capita income has steadily increased from U$329 in 1991to US$ 1,265 in 2010. Significant progress had been achieved in human and social development over the past six decades. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that Indian economy will expand by 8.2 percent in 2011.

 

The Forbes Global 2000 listed 47 Indian companies in its ranking for 2009.The country has transformed progressively from a traditional agricultural society to a Newly Industrialized Country (NIC). Today, the country has brought about vast improvements in its dairy & milk production and communication systems. During the last three decades there has also been a remarkable improvement in the sphere of transport and communications. Development of Industries reduced the dependence of the economy on agriculture. Out of the 28 states in India, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Maha-rashtra are the rich states. The incomes of these middle income states are comparatively five times higher than the seven low-income states. The countries tremendous success in hosting the Asian Games, World Cricket, Hockey World Cups, Afro-Asian Games, South Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games has also helped to polish its image globally.

 

Gujarat, with an annual GDP growth of 9.6% (est 2008) is one of India’s most prosperous and industrialized states in India. The state is a significant player in India’s economic growth. The state controls some of the largest businesses in the country. In Gujarat state the chemical production currently accounts for 41% of total State Domestic Production. Exports of garments and textiles are one of the main sources of foreign exchange incomes of Gujarat.  Gujarat is also a major producer of natural gas in India. The state is the main producer of tobacco, cotton, and groundnuts in India. Cement, petrol and electrical engineering goods are the major industries of the state. Gujarat has a significant agricultural production within India. Gujarat is the only state with a surplus of electricity that sold power to 12 other States of India. Gujarat’s State Domestic Product (SDP) had risen at an average growth rate of 14 % per annum in real terms (Est 2002). Gujarat is now one of the most important markets for Indian exports:  Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit held annually is a perfect platform for domestic and foreign investors to explore the opportunities of the state.

 

Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state and one of the largest producers and consumers of agricultural products. Uttar Pradesh is the second largest state-economy in India. The State’s main endowments include its vast human resource base and rich fertile agricultural land. Uttar Pradesh (UP) has the basic attributes for successful agro based industries. Forty six percent (46%) of the state income comes from agriculture. UP has retained its pre-eminent position in the country as a state with a surplus of food. The state is home to approximately 2.3 million Small Scale industrial units in the country. Tourism sector of Uttar Pradesh which had an astounding success story is entering a new track with fresh dimensions. Geographic diversity of Uttar Pradesh gives the state a rich diversity to its wild life and to rich archaeological heritage sites.

Tamil Nadu has historically been an agricultural state and is a leading producer of agricultural products in India. The progress of the Tamil Nadu state has been noteworthy. Tamil Nadu still produces more crops and livestock than many other states of India because of intensive cultivation. The state is the largest producer of bananas. In terms of production, Tamil Nadu accounts for 10% in fruits and 6% of vegetables, in India .The state is one of the highly industrialized states in the country. Tamil Nadu has been a net exporter of software, leather tanning, telecommunication, electronics and automobile industry. Over many decades telecommunication giants like Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson has set up their South Asian manufacturing plants in the state of Tamil Nadu. The state economy has continued to boom in recent years due to Foreign Direct Investments.

India’s tremendous success in hosting several international sporting events, such as the Common wealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Games, Afro – Asian Games, Cricket and Hockey World Cups has also helped to burnish its image globally. India now boasts of a private sector business that is continuing to attract the interest of the foreigners.

As of June 2011, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) listed 5,085 Indian companies .BSE is the oldest stock exchange in Asia and the 8th largest stock exchange in the world. For 2010, India ranked 134 out of 183 economies in World Banks “Ease of Doing Business”. India enjoys historic ties with her neighboring South Asian countries and is a member of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and is a member of the five nation BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The cultural affinities between the people of India and South Africa continue to provide the bedrock for bilateral relations.  India is now one of the most important markets for South African exports .India and South Africa have been engaged in an active program of bilateral cooperation since the mid-1990s. India had actively promoted trade with South Africa in recent years. India’s demand for energy is surging rapidly. India’s coal demand is projected to pick up significantly.

 

The growth of India-South Africa bilateral trade had doubled from $3.1 billion in 2005 to $7.7 billion in 2010. India has become the 6th largest trading partner to South Africa in the Asian region and is truly a unique destination with better investment climate that can lure South African investments.

 

Source : http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=209:indian-economic-review&catid=16:home&Itemid=25


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Excellent prospects for South Africans at the 17th SAARC summit by Srimal Fernando

 
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 Excellent prospects for South Africans at the 17th SAARC summit

By Srimal Fernando,  South Asia Correspondent for Foreign Exchange

South Asia is home to nearly 1.5 billion people or about 22 percent of the world’s population. South Asian region includesthe countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan and The Maldives. The regions economy has grown dramatically largely as a result of opening up its economies to the rest of the world and adopting market-oriented policies. According to the World Bank report of 2011, South Asia has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6 percent a year over the past 20 years. Most of the countries in South Asia are close to graduating from least developing country status to lower middle income countries. The significance in socio-economic development of the South Asian countries has been recognized since the inception of SAARC.

In late 1970′s President  Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh proposed, creation of a trade bloc consisting of South Asian countries. The Bangladeshi President’s proposal was accepted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1981 during a meeting held in Colombo. The heads of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives signed the charter to establish the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on December 8th, 1985. The SAARC regional grouping charter serves as a solid foundation in achieving the legal and institutional framework to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. Afghanistan was admitted to the regional grouping on 13th November 2005 as their eighth member.

In recent years, the member countries had formulated the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which created a framework for the establishment of a   free trade area within the region. During the last five years intra-regional business had gone up to US$5billion (Est 2010). The regional summit has moved beyond declarations to covering cooperation in a range of areas including trade, development, education and culture. In its 25 years of existence Food Bank, Free Trade Agreement, Development Fund and South Asian University were significant achievements by the regional grouping.

The SAARC member countries have been cooperating in the development of sports. The governing body of these games is the South Asian Sports Council (SASC) formed in 1983 that oversees the bi-annual sporting event known as the South Asian Federation Games or SAF Games held among the athletes from South Asian countries. The 12th SAF Games is an upcoming major sporting event, scheduled to take place in Delhi in 2012.

Faced with the constant threat of disasters, the regional countries have worked hard on disaster response and risk reduction .The SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) was set up in October 2006 in New Delhi. The SDMC works on various dimensions of disaster risk reduction and on management in South Asia.

Over the years, there has been a growing interest among many countries to associate with SAARC. Currently Australia, China, USA, European Union (EU), Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Myanmar and Mauritius are the nine observers to SAARC. Even though South Africa has participated in previous meetings, the country is yet to become an observer. The Maldives will be the host nation for the 17th SAARC summit in 2011. Pre-SAARC Summit work currently being carried out in the Hulhudhoo Island or Addu City. The construction of the convention centre is expected to be completed by October to host the summit in November.

 

The historical links between South Asia and South Africa dates back to 19th century. Today about two per cent of the South African population are descendents from South Asians. South Asian region and South Africa have a 150-years old strong cultural relationship which added towards strengthening the economic and trade relationship with both regions. Since 1994 the bilateral relations between the South Asian countries and South Africa have been progressing gradually. The recent years have witnessed the rapid development in the relationship of friendly cooperation between South Africa and the SAARC regional grouping. The two-way flow between South Africa and regional countries has also been on the increase. South Asian countries view South Africa as an important strategic partner in the African continent with tremendous potential to offer. It is important to create a deeper longstanding dialogue between South Africa and the SAARC regional grouping in the upcoming 17th SAARC summit, scheduled to take place in the Maldives in November this year.

 

Source : http://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194:excellent-prospects-for-south-africans-at-the-saarc-summit&catid=16&Itemid=25

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Month long Concert & Exhibitions to mark Italian unification by Srimal Fernando

 
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Month long Concert & Exhibitions to mark Italian unification

Monday, 22 August 2011 00:00

By Srimal Fernando

Italian unification “The Resurgence” was the political and social movement that agglomerated different states of the Italian peninsula into a single state of Italy in the 19th century. Italy is an old civilization but a young nation state. Reflections of the culture are only successful when it works both ways. 2011 has brought key milestones for the Italian Embassy, in Colombo .The commemoration of the unification of Italy took place this month with a series of activities to commemorate the glorious moments of the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. A fitting celebration of concert called Rousing sounds of Italian Baroque and two  paintings exhibitions,  ‘Imagine Italy’ and “Art and Landscape” were  organized by the Embassy showcasing the past present and future of Italy in order to mark the anniversary of the country’s unification.

The inaugural ceremony to celebrate the unification of Italy was held at the Lionel Wendt on August 7 with a concert titled Rousing sounds of Italian Baroque. The orchestra comprised stringed and brass instruments, and the programme ranges from the 16th to the 20th centuries.

A paintings exhibition of the Italian Embassy  ‘Imagine Italy’ was held at the Lionel Wendt theatre, Colombo from August 5 to 10 organized by the Embassy. The exhibition was inaugurated by H.E. Fabrizio Arpea the Ambassador of Italy, the Brush works of Twenty four young Sri Lankan artistes from all over the island were displayed at the exhibition. The Italian Embassy in Colombo gave a away prizes to those who were selected to take part in the exhibition. A calendar will be launched from the paintings that were sent to the exhibition. Italy is the home for the greatest number of World Heritage Sites in the world. On the occasion of the unification of Italy, the Embassy organized another exhibition, the photographs of Italian UNESCO world heritage sites, by the reputed Italian photographer Luca Capuano. The theme of the exhibition was called “Art and Landscape”, The Photographs in this exhibition offer a rare chance to look closely in to the Italian heritage. Italians possess and preserves the lion’s share of Western monumental and artistic heritage. It highlights the feature of Italian cultural identity. The exhibition was officially opened, at J D A Perera Gallery, Horton Place on Thursday August 18. The ten day exhibition will remain open for general public till August28h
The   concerts and the two exhibitions organized by the Italian Embassy in Colombo was indeed an excellent way to support, encourage and inspire Sri Lankans to understand the Italian culture.

Source http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/53772.html

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The 17th SAARC summit concludes in the Maldives by Srimal Fernando

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The 17^th SAARC summit concludes in the Maldives

By  Srimal Fernando South Asia Correspondent

The Foreign Exchange diplomatic Society -South Africa 

The 17^th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) concluded on 11^th November 2011 at the Convention Center, Addu City, in the Maldives.

 

The eight members SAARC regional group India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh is home to nearly 1.5 billion people opened a new chapter in regional cooperation.

 

The theme of the 17^th SAARC Summit   is “Building Bridges” the heads of Eight South Asian Countries signed four agreements on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity, Assessment Implementation of Regional Standards, SAARC Seed Bank and Rapid Response to Natural Disasters.

The eight heads of the SAARC member countries thanked President Mohamed Nasheed of Maldives and the first ever female Secretary General of SAARC Ms Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed for making all necessary arrangements to host the 17^th SAARC summit in the Maldives. They also complimented the outgoing Chair Prime Minister Thinley of Bhutan.

The 18^th SAARC summit will be held in Nepal.

( http://thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=239:the-17th-saarc-summit-concludes-in-the-maldives-&catid=16:home&Itemid=1)


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Cultural reflections of the South Pacific By Srimal Fernando

 
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Cultural reflections of the South Pacific

Monday, 11 October 2010 11:36

By Srimal Fernando

In the vast blue Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and Australia lie some of the most beautiful, unspoiled island destinations of our planet. Proceeding westward across the Pacific from Polynesia to Melanesia and Micronesia, we find islands Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoan Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Niue , Kiribati ,New Caledonia and a host of small islands. The diverse cultures of these 7000 to 10000 islands of the South Pacific have been shaped by isolation, migration and the vast ocean settings. These forces have in turn influenced the local styles of music and dance. The Pacific Islands are not just admired for its beauty but also for its fabulous dances and music. Music and dance is an integral part of the life of South Pacific islanders. Indeed, the songs and dances are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. For many South Pacific people, dance is one of the crucial threads that bind past, present and future. The Islanders are natural musicians, who love to hear and sing good music. They compose songs for every trivial occasion. This vibrant region offers the explorer, myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods.

Fiji is the land of broad smiles, flashing white teeth; gentle relaxation with absolutely no stress .The music of Fiji represents not only its indigenous traditions but that of India, China, Europe and other Pacific islands. The most popular traditional Fijian dance is the meke in which voices and dance are combined. Different types of meke include the war dance, men’s club and spear dance, as well as the men’s or women’s fan dance. Women’s standing dance and the sitting dance are performed by men or women. Both men and women perform in the meke, and the dance is viewed as a mixed dance in which men are expected to demonstrate their virile movements, while women are expected to be graceful and feminine. Poi is another form of dance performed at fire-walking shows. Poi is now performed primarily by women, who often mix singing with the traditional poi dance movements. Fijian music styles and structures include Polynesian and Melanesian music with the variation in style between one area and another.
Vanuatu Islands known as ‘Land Eternal’ is a “Y” shaped chain of 83 islands lying 800km west of Fiji. It’s a land of volcanoes and magic, underwater ship wrecks, ancient art and dance, waterfalls ,organic foods and  myriad of hidden bays and beaches . The traditional music of Vanuatu feature instruments such as the tam-tam drum, which is intricately carved from a log, as well as pan-pipes, conch shells and gongs. Popular genres of modern commercial music, which are currently being played in towns, include zouk music and reggaeton. Reggaeton is a variation of hip-hop rapped in Spanish language, played alongside its own distinctive beat. The traditional music of Vanuatu is still thriving in the rural areas.
(To be contd.)
Source : Daily Mirror  Sri Lanka 


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The Pride of the Hawaiian Culture by Srimal Fernando

 
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The Pride of the Hawaiian Culture

Monday, 21 February 2011 00:00
By Srimal Fernando

The Hawaiian greeting word, aloha, is known around the world and reflects the beauty not only of the fabulous islands but also of the Hawaiian people. Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean constitute the 50th state of the United States. Each year millions of visitors are drawn to its world famous islands of Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Maui and “Big Island” (Hawaii) islands to see its rich culture, pristine beaches, aquamarine seas, tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfall. The islands are also home to some of the most fascinating temples known as Heiau and to one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The Hawaiian chain of islands of United States comprises over a hundred islands and reefs stretching over 1,523 miles from south-east to north-west and lies more than 2,000 miles away from any other part of the United States. The country’s glory has always been its culture.  Its capital is Honolulu meaning “sheltered bay” and is situated in the island of O’ahu. H.E. Barack Obama is the first U.S President to have been born in Hawaii .The prominent land marks in the islands are the authentic war relic exhibits at the Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, Bishop Museum, Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The islands are the birthplace of modern surfing and the beautiful flowing dance performance known as Hula.  The islander’s culture is as vibrant and versatile as its landscape and natural beauty. The culture of the country boasts a rich history dating back to more than two thousand years. Most of the art works of the ancient Hawaii islanders are created both for aesthetic and functional purposes .Various masterpieces of artist who work with clay, glass, metal, fiber and wood are also popular in the islands. The islanders have a history of being expert canoe builders and also masters in non instrumental navigators in the ocean. This over whelming diversity makes the cultural scene of the islands very fascinating. Hawaiian lifestyle is a mixture of relaxing over a delicious meal and socializing with friends and family. This vibrant region offers the explorer a myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods. The movements and passionate rhythms of islanders dance and music is an appropriate symbol for the Hawaiian islanders with a proud history.

The Islanders are natural musicians, who love to hear and sing good music. Be it classical music or western fusion music, Hawaii is the perfect place that has it all. Music has also grown to be a familiar and popular part of Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian folk music includes several varieties of chantings (mele) and its music meant for highly-ritualized dance (hula). Ever evolving from a beginning of simple drum beats and chats, music today is filled with multitudes of artists. The contemporary dances include modern jazz, lyrical jazz and hip hop .Hawaiian music has had an enormous impact on the music of other Polynesian islanders. It is also home to a number of renowned music institutions in several fields and was born out of the soulful sounds of religious chants and hymns.

Source : http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/36210.html

 

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Discovering the remarkable achievements of Bhutan by Srimal Fernando

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Discovering the remarkable achievements of Bhutan

  By  Srimal Fernando, South Asia Correspondent

Foreighn Exchange  & The Diplomatic Society- South Africa

Flying into Bhutan, situated in the eastern Himalayas, is a fantastic experience. The country is a naturalist wonderland, where the stunning environment is a sensual escape into paradise.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a land locked state located at the eastern end of the Himalayas. It is bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by China. The Bhutanese call their country the Land of Thunder. One can see many profiles of nature. The country is also home to

some of the most fascinating peaks, forests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls, verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and  heritage sites.

The country, with a seven hundred thousand population, has a unique and vibrant culture. Reflecting the long history of the region, Bhutan’s cultural heritage dates back to more than two millenniums and has been the home to majestic dynasties. Nearly all Bhutanese speak Dzongkha as their mother tongue and it is also the official language.

The last decade saw the country’s transition to democracy. His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck introduced significant political reforms in recent years. Honorable Lyonchen Jigrne Thinley is the present Prime Minister and Honorable Dockchog Gothrib Tshering Tobgay is the

Opposition leaders of the country.

Media was privatized in 2006. Presently there are six news papers, two dailies and four weeklies. With the introduction of television in 1999 the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBSC) operates as the main television service in the country.  The country has come a long way in the telecommunication sector after the introduction of internet in the year 2000 and the mobile phones three years later.

The country captured the interest of the entire world in recent months. The Royal wedding  of His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Royal Bride Ashi Jetsun Pema held on the auspicious day of 13th October, 2011 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu  was a matter of celebration and pride for the people of Bhutan.

The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) with 72 indicators has its origin in Bhutan.

Over the last two decades health and education levels have improved dramatically. The primary, secondary and tertiary education plays a significant part in the overall literacy rate of the country. The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) was established in 2003.

Agriculture in the country is the largest sector accounting for 45 percent of Gross National Production (GNP). Over 70% of the total population depends on agriculture in its various forms for economic activity and living. One significant contributor to the development of the country’s

economy is Forestry. It is about 15 percent of the GNP. A large part of foreign currency earnings also comes from export of Hydro power to India and from tourism.

The first significant arrival of foreigners took place only in 1974 for the Coronation of His Majesty the King. The opening of Paro International Airport at an elevation of 7,300 ft was an important landmark in Bhutan’s aviation industry. In 1991 Bhutan privatized its tourism industry and started Bhutan Tourism Cooperation Limited (BTCL). Happiness is the new slogan adopted by the Tourism Council of the country. In the year 2010, tourists numbering 40,873 visited this small Himalayan Kingdom. In recent years thousands of domestic and international travelers are using the national flag carrier Druk Air or the Royal Bhutan Airlines. Due to increased tourist arrivals to the country the national flag carrier has increased its flight frequency. The national flag carrier is connected to Thai Airways international worldwide network.

Bhutan hosted the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in 2010.  The financial umbrella of the SAARC known as SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Secretariat is based in Thimpu.

Thimphu, the capital city, is dotted with a number of buildings in its hill slopes. The City is situated at an altitude of 7,000 ft above sea level. This bustling affluent town with glitzy shopping malls, boutiques and colorful markets houses the intellectual elite as well as the seat of the government. One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation as one goes from the capital city of Thimphu to Phuentsholing, the commercial hub by road or on a mountain train journey. The change in vegetation is a striking splendid interaction between climate and vegetation.

The country and the people have the perfect attributes and credentials as a warm and generous host.  The people of Bhutan play a leading role in the engine of prosperity of their county and has been fueled by pragmatism, hard work and a flood of individual enterprise.

(Source : http://thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=237:discovering-the-remarkable-achievements-of-bhutan&catid=16:home&Itemid=1)

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Passenger traffic is rising at South Asia’s busiest Airports by Srimal Fernando

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Passenger traffic is rising at South Asia’s busiest Airports

By  Srimal Fernando, South Asia Correspondent

thediplomaticsociety.co.za

Air transportation is a major transport method in South Asia. Over the last two decades, the civil aviation industry and travel pattern in South Asia has changed dramatically. The region is home to a wide range of domestic and international airports. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in India, the Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)  in Sri Lanka, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh, The Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in the Maldives, the Paro Airport of Bhutan and the Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal are the largest and  busiest airports in this region that attract over 100  international airlines.

 

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, India became South Asia’s largest and one of the most important aviation hubs in recent years. IGIA registered another record year with the airport’s passenger traffic reaching an historic 29.94 million passengers in 2010-11. It is also one of the busiest airports in India in terms of daily flight traffic. The airport opened a 4.43 kilometre long new runway in 2008 for commercial operations. The 502,000 square meter ‘U’ shaped state-of-the-art Terminal 3 building is the world’s eighth largest passenger terminal. International airlines including Air India British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Jet Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines and Cathy Pacific Airways operates weekly services to many destinations around the world from IGIA. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) along with Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport handles more than half of the air traffic in South Asia.

 

Sri Lankas Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) located in Colombo, Sri Lanka is a major and strategic regional focal point between Middle East and Far East aviation lines.  The airport offers passengers a unique combination of functional advantages and welcoming travel experience. The BIA has international terminals, a transit terminal and a cargo village. The BIA image will certainly be further consolidated by the new state-of-the art facilities under the ambitious expansion programme that will be complete by 2012. BIA has begun development work on a major new passenger terminal that will raise the airport capacity to 16 million passengers per annum with a duty free shopping complex of 125 shops.  At the Airport first and Business Class Check-In Lounges provide specialized services for passengers with 39 check-in desks and immigration facilities and direct access to the departure lounges. BIA also serves as base for Sri Lankan Air, the flag carrier of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s second international Airport which will cover an area of 2,000 hectares will be constructed by 2012 in Hambantota. The airport will have landing capability of the latest aircraft; Air bus 380.

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport situated on the adjacent Hulhulae Island off Male’ island in the Maldives includes a seaplane base and a domestic base for internal transportation. The airport is a major stop over point for Sri Lankan, Emirates, Singapore, Malaysian and Oman Air lines.

 

Paro International Airport situated at an elevation of 7,300 ft is the major aviation hub in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Druk Air or the Royal Bhutan Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of the country that operates non stop flights to Paro from IGIA Delhi.

 

Tribhuvan International Airport is the other major aviation hub that links Nepal with rest of the world. In 1955 the airport was inaugurated by Late King Mahendra and renamed the Kathmandu airport in memory of his late father.

Jinnah International Airport in Karachi is the largest airport in Pakistan. The Airport witnessed a tremendous growth in passengers accounting for 6.6 million in fiscal year 2007-2008. At Jinnah International Airport the taxi-way is able to handle 12 aircraft at any one moment while the parking area measures 266,000 sq meters and is able to accommodate 42 aircrafts. The airport serves as base to Pakistan International AirLines (PIA), the flag carrier of Pakistan.

Kabul International Airport or Khwaja Rawash Airport in Afghanistan is expected to reach 100,000 passengers in 2011. The existing terminal at the Kabul International Airport has been refurbished and is currently being used for international and domestic flights.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is one of the busiest airports in Bangladesh. The Airport is a major aviation gateway to East of South Asia. It handled more than 4 million international passengers and 150,000 tons of freight annually. It is designed to handle the biggest planes in the world today. The Airport witnessed a tremendous growth and consists of two major terminals.

 

In recent years, millions of domestic and international travelers are using these airports, as tourism in the region is developing rapidly. To meet further growing demand the countries in South Asia need to partner with private sector operators to invest capital into these old airports to build state-of-the art airports with increased capacity in the next few years. These new developments in the aviation sector in South Asia will open further opportunities for numerous other sectors.

 

 (Source http://http://thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227)

 

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Colourful Cultural Reflections of Dhaka and Delhi by Srimal Fernando

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 (Source Print edition http://www.dailymirror.lk Page C 2 )

Colourful Cultural Reflections of Dhaka and Delhi

Monday, 21 November 2011 03:00

By Srimal Fernando

Dhaka and Delhi reflects the flavors of the region. The cities are among the most vibrant and dynamic capitals in whole of South Asia.These are the lands of history filled with memory of many told and untold events. For centuries Delhi, the capital state of India and Dhaka the capital of neighboring Bangladesh earned its reputation for being at the crossroads of many cultures. The culture of both these towns possesses a rich history dating back to Mughal era. In Dhaka and Delhi many people belonging to different ethnic groups with different cultures, languages and beliefs have long lived together in peace and harmony. These two cities had produced some of the most influential legendary writers and thinkers and artists. Most eminent personality that has had a tremendous influence and belonged to both these places was Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The poems Vandey Mataram and the two national anthems “Amar Shonar Bangla” for Bangladesh and “Jana Gana Mana for India composed by him had a incredible inspiring impact on the people of the Indian sub-continent even 150 years after his birth. Every year millions of tourists prefer to visit these two major cities in the Indian sub-continent to marvel at its exquisite landmarks and beauty, taste and its exceptional cuisine and indulge in its famous shopping and for its unique fashion styles.

As the most populous city of Bangladesh, Dhaka has a vibrant cultural life crowded with a   legacy of a rich cultural past .There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Dhaka. The city is also blessed with countless mosques, several temples and monuments which are symbols of this great city’s culture. The 17^th centaury Seven Domed Mosque, Chawk-bazaar Mosque and the Husaeni Dalan Mosque with towering minarets are some of the well-known mosques present in the city. There are many exotic places-of-interest in Dhaka. Of those  the most popular is Lalbagh Fort built in 1678 by the son of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb and the Shahid Minar  the Symbol of Bengali nationalism .The city is also known as the Rickshaw capital of the world, where low-cost and non-polluting cycle rickshaws  are one of  the major modes of  transportation for  thousands of people in City.

Delhi is one of the busiest cities in the Indian sub-continent that is undergoing rapid development where modern buildings are rising besides the 19th century buildings.  Array of giant cranes show the development fever in the city. Delhi possesses an enormous cultural richness which it owes, not only to its history but also to its formidable heritage. Among its highest-esteemed attractions in the capital is the17th century Red Fort complex constructed in 1639 by Emperor Shahjahan. Humayun’s Tomb, the mausoleum of Mughal emperor Humayun built according to Mughal architecture in 1565 is one of the most recognizable and the best-known monuments in the city that attracts thousands of visitors every day. The 42-metre tall India Gate a hexagon complex a national monument of India,the 238 ft Qutub Minar built according  to Indo–Islamic architecture on  the ruins of the Red Citadel known as Lal Kot ,Raj Ghat the  place where Mahatma  Gandhi  was cremated and the National Museum are some of the  prominent land marks in the city. The two cities are well-known for its wide variety of exquisite handicrafts and for colorful souvenirs. Delhiites and Bengali’s of Dhaka    are known for their love for theatre, films, music and dances.

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Kilinochchi at a Glance by Srimal Fernando

Kilinochchi at a Glance

26^th March 2006 00:05

By Srimal Fernando

Kilinochchi close to the large Iranamadu tank maintains  a  sense of identity with a divinely determined past moving towards a bright future . Kilinochchi is situated on the  A9 road 100 km South East  of Jaffna. The city has been a strategic location in the Northern region of Sri Lanka . Kilinochchi District is divided into Karachchi, Kandawalai,Poonagary and Pachchilipalli D S divisions

It is a land with a special ambience not felt anywhere else in the country .It is a flat dry land boardering Chundikkulum bird sactuary and the causeway known as  Elephant pass in the North and Vavuniya District in the South. The most common tree is the Palmyra palm with its elegant fan like fronds.The population of the Kilinochchi district stands at 142,363. The people of Kilinochchi have their unique character. They are  society unified by common history. The ties and obligations felt by individuals  of their community reflect the tradition of strong family ties . Intelligent as well as hard working ,the people of Kilinochchi are tolerant and respectful of each other. The people  of the area have been able to blend tradition and modernity.

After the rule of Chola empire in the Northern region of the country the Ary Chakravathi dynasty reigned from 1240 to  1450 . The Northern region was occupied by Portugese (1617 to 1658) and Dutch (1658 to 795) until the British conquest. The British period of colonial rule shaped the future of Jaffna and other cities like Kilinochchi in significant ways.Kilinohchi has many places of interest. The town of Kilinochchi is currently the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ) head quarters housing court complex, Police head quarters and other buildings . 5km west of Kilinochchi at Kanagapuram is  a Tamil tiger war cemetery where almost 2000 cadres are interred .Kilinochchi has countless Hindu temples ranging from sprawling complexes with towering gopurams and mandapams

In Kilinochchi all field crops are raised largely by natural rain fall. Water from the underground water tables lies near the surface. Some areas in the district have ponds or small lakesTrue to their endeavour to protect unspoiled ecological wonders people use mainly organic  fertilizer and crop rotation cultivation. Planting for most parts occurs during the north  eastern monsoon season.Paddy Coconut, chillies and onions are the main  agro based industries in the area. The district is renowned for its agriculture and is aided by irrigation from wells. It is also a leading area in the northern province for the production of milk.Fishing is the traditional lively  hood of the people of Kilinochchi. The fisheries industry plays a major role in the  area.Welcomed by the hospitality of smiling people and timeless enchantment of the  land of legends and ancient irrigation systems Kilinochchi is a place to be visited.

 

Source Daily Mirror  

 

 

 
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Sights and sounds of Jaffna by Srimal Fernando

 
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Sights and sounds of Jaffna

by Srimal Fernando

Jaffna peninsula maintains a sense of identity with a divinely determined past moving towards a bright future. Jaffna situated 450 km North of Colombo has been a strategic location in the Northern region of Sri Lanka. The Jaffna peninsula consist of 2,587 square kilometre land area and is almost an island with a special ambience not felt anywhere else in the country.

Jaffna peninsula which points towards the west to the tip of India is a flat dry land with shallow lagoons and a number of offshore islands. The narrow neck of the peninsula, occupied by the Chundikkulam bird sanctuary and causeway known as Elephant Pass, connects it to the rest of Sri Lanka.

Kayts, Karaitivu and Punkudutivu islands are joined to the mainland by causeways over the shallow water around the peninsula. Delft, Eluvaitivu, Analaitivu, Nainativu, Mandaitivu and Kurikaddawan islands are accessible only by ferry.

Most areas in the Jaffna peninsula are dry and sandy. The most common tree is the palmyra palm with its elegant fan like fronds.

The people of Jaffna peninsula have their own unique character. They are a kindred society unified by a common history. The ties and obligations felt by individuals to their community reflect the tradition of strong family ties.

Intelligent as well as hard working, the people of Jaffna are tolerant and respectful of each other. The people of Jaffna have been able to blend tradition and modernity.

After the rule of Chola empire in the Jaffna peninsula the Arya Chakravathi dynasty reigned from 1240 to 1450. Jaffna was occupied by the Portuguese (1617 to 1658) and the Dutch (1658 to 1795) until the British conquest. The British period of colonial rule shaped the future of Jaffna city in significant ways.

Jaffna peninsula has many places of interest. The Jaffna Fort, which was build by the Dutch in 1680 is probably the best architecturally designed Dutch fort in all Asia. The centrally positioned star shaped 22 hectare fort was covered by a grass mound and surrounded by a moat.

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, north of the town centre is Jaffna's best known and most significant Hindu kovil. The original Murugan temple was built in the 15th century. The beautifully maintained large open aired complex has shrines that represent Hindu deities.

Nagadipa temple is built on one of the sites where the Buddha visited. This large open aired complex of Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil is situated on the Nainativu island near Jaffna peninsula. Nagadipa a favourite pilgrim location, visited by Sri Lankans irrespective of their religions is an important destination to foster reconciliation and peace.

The newly reopened Jaffna public library considered as one of the finest libraries in South Asia is an important place symbolically.

Delft island which is named after the Dutch ceramics town is 10 km from Punkudutivu.

The island bears traces of Portuguese and Dutch eras. The 2000 year old Katarodai ruins, with its twenty dagobas lies west of Chunnakam in the Jaffna peninsula.

The largest Roman Catholic cathedral in Jaffna is St. Mary's. St. John, the Baptist church is the first Anglican church in Sri Lanka, dates from early 19th century.

Jaffna has countless Hindu temples ranging from sprawling complexes with towering gopurams and mandapams. Kopai cemetery, Nelliady shrine, Dhurakai Amman kovil are some of the heritage sites in the Jaffna peninsula.

Point Pedro and Kankesanturai are all year around beach destinations with brilliant sunshine, dry weather and perfect sea conditions.

Economy

In the Jaffna peninsula all field crops are raised largely by natural rainfall. Water from the underground water tables lies near the surface. Some islands near the Jaffna peninsula have ponds or small lakes.

True to their endeavour to protect unspoiled ecological wonders, Jaffna people use mainly organic fertiliser and crop rotation cultivation. Planting for the most part occurs during the north eastern monsoon season.

Paddy, coconut, potatoes, chillies and onions are the main agro based industries in the area nearly. 18,875 acres of paddy and 1960 acres of coconut are grown in the Jaffna peninsula.

Jaffna peninsula is renowned for its agriculture. It is aided by irrigation from limestone wells and farmers who are now returning to commercial volumes of production. The peninsula is also famous for its distinctively tasty mangoes.

Jaffna peninsula is also the leading area in the Northern Province for the production of milk. Daily 13,818 litres of milk are produced.

Fishing is the traditional livelihood of the people of the Jaffna peninsula. The fisheries industry plays a major role in the peninsula and has an annual catch of 5,310 tonnes. Gurunagar is the major fishing port in the peninsula.

An excellent business framework has been outlined by the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce, Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yalpanam and the Jaffna Chamber of Small and Micro Industries and gives new impetus and dimension to the Jaffna peninsula investment climate.

The history of Jaffna challenges the imagination and enchants the visitor who seeks natural beauty and tranquility.

(The writer is a consultant of International Alert, who visited Jaffna Peninsula from September 14-18).

 Source http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/10/03/fea03.htm

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Nepal : Offering insights into the Wonders of South Asia by Srimal Fernando

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Nepal : Offering insights into the Wonders of South Asia

By  Srimal Fernando,  South Asia Correspondent

Foreighn Exchange  & The Diplomatic Society- South Africa

Nepal is called the land of festivals that boasts a varied landscape ranging from flat rolling farmland to dramatic towering mountains. Nepal has a special ambience not felt anywhere in the world. The country is land locked between China in the North and India in the South. The geography of Nepal is diverse and exciting.

The country covers a land area of 147,181 square kilometers. Of the world’s fourteen high peaks the country has eight that include Mount Everest known as Sagar-matha in Nepali. At 29,021 feet it is the world’s highest point. It is the home to some of the most fascinating tropical rain forests, forking rivers, cascading waterfalls, verdant vegetation, gurgling streams, grottos, temples and pagodas.

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the largest city in the country. It is located in the bowl shaped Kathmandu Valley. Tourists visiting Kathmandu will find hotels available to suit every taste and budget.

The Nepali people boast a rich literary heritage, shared with neighboring India and China that constitutes a cultural bridge between these two regions. Nepalese have always been and still are hospitable people, who deeply respect their guests and love to assist others. Nepal is a very pleasant place to stay in and travel around and is a favorite among trekkers and mountaineers.

The country’s tourism industry is growing very rapidly and is one of the major tourist destinations in South Asia. The expansion of tourism in the country continues to achieve spectacular gains in recent years. The tourism sector in the country, which had an astounding success story in the year 2007 with a growth of 37.19 percent is entering a new track with fresh dimensions. According to Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation of Nepal 509,956 tourists have visited the country in the year 2009. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is promoting Nepal as a favorite tourist destination at major travel trade fairs under the theme of ‘Nepal Tourism Year – 2011’.

The growth and achievements of the Tourism sector in Nepal are outstanding. Tourism   of the country has grown at an annual rate of 6% GDP (Gross Domestic Product). According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) the contribution of travel and tourism to GDP of the country was US$ 653 million in 2009. The WTTC forecast that contribution from the tourism sector to the national to the GDP of Nepal would exceed US $ 1 billion by 2019. The country made the optimum out of almost all star class hotels.

The opening of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was an important landmark in the Nepal travel industry. Nepal offers a cheaper alternative to airlines for tourists, traders and pilgrims. Tourists are finding the proximity, the value for money due to the exchange rate differential and the frequency of flights good reasons to visit Nepal. Many international airlines are exploring possibilities of exploring frequent daily flights from major cities in the world to Kathmandu.

Currently, India is the number one market for the tourism industry in Nepal. In 2009, visitors numbering 93,884 from India arrived Nepal. The number of Indian tourists to the country was more than 2.97 percent increase over year 2008.Each year thousands of visitors are drawn to towns such as Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara Patan, Janakpur , Nepal-guni and Bhaktpu . One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation from low to high altitude hill slopes. Geographic diversity gives Nepal rich wild life resources. The national parks located in the country are accessible.

Kathmandu has been a thriving metropolis and a center of intellectual and artistic achievement for centuries. Natural and historical attractions appeal to many visitors from all parts of the world. Among its highest-esteemed attractions in the capital is the Royal Palace.  The Monkey temple Swaymbhu-nath and the world’s largest Shiva temple the Pashupati-nath temple are prominent sites of Kathmandu for tourists to visit. The national museum of Nepal has some of the rarest and exquisite pieces of art and craft. These prized possessions of the museum were collected from all over Nepal and are displayed at the museum. The capital city is a bustling affluent town with glitzy shopping malls, boutiques and colorful markets. The capital is the seat of the government and houses the intellectual elite.

The country’s culture is as vibrant and versatile as its landscape and natural beauty. Historically the culture of Nepal is complex. Over centuries the country has assimilated influences of many religions. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is located in the south-western side of the country. This world heritage site is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Buddhists allover the world. Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of Nepal. Thousands of Hindu devotees from India throng to Nepal weeks ahead of this festival to participate in celebrations.

The true spirit of the country’s culture is reflected in music, dance, drama, literature and cuisine. Handicrafts of Nepal are the symbol of rich socio cultural heritage. Nepal is not just admired for its beauty but it is also known for its amazing dances and music. The country’s classical music is one of the most elaborate and inspiring artistic forms found in the region. The music of the country includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native folk music to modern rock and hip hop music. Festivals and celebrations, expressing the diverse beliefs and backgrounds of the multicultural society are held throughout the year in Nepal. Nava-varsha also known as the “Nepali new year”, Holi celebration where colored powder and colored water are thrown at each other, Saraswati Puja, Maha-Shivaratri, Gai Jatra, Cow Festival and Buddha Jayanti festivals are annual festivals that attract tourists from all over the world.

Welcomed by the hospitality of the smiling people and its remarkable history and unrivalled settings, it is no wonder that Nepal has always been a prime destination for travelers from all corners of the world.

Source : http://thediplomaticsociety.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=252:nepal-offering-insights-into-the-wonders-of-south-asia-&catid=16:home&Itemid=1
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