www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 88 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 19 October 2011 | @ sflt{s @)^* ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 www.facebook.com/fridayweekly 3 4 6 10 12 14 PAGE 3 FEATURE EVENTS HALLOFFRAME ENTERTAINMENT GOURMET Dashain comes in with nice Annapurna takes a green step. These photographs show Singing stars get awarded at To make a man cry is easier Our chef cooks up magic weather, and lots of rejoicing. Perhaps, inspiring others to the ‘texts’ we can see in the the reputed Image Awards. than to make him laugh. But, with fruits. Lovers of food, But, has the festival become follow suit? Read about the cities which have been heav- Catch some of the stars on this band of comedians have prepare to get charmed with obligatory over the years? ‘green’ campaign. ily driven by consumerism. our hall of frame. mastered this tougher task. tricks up the chef’s sleeves. NEWS | CLASSIFIED | SHOPPING tech | style | decor The Global Connection — Yukta Bajracharya ‘social’ network on a different level, In- terNations, as the name suggests is a community that links expats from differ- Aent nations to one another in the country of their residence to create a hub where they can Product courtesy: Ekta Books courtesy: Product help each other, share their experiences and en- hance the feeling of being at home. Spread across 250 nations, the community first sprang from Munich, Germany in September 2007. Turn to page 2 for more. 2 Issue 88 | 19 October 2011 Fr!day cover The Global... InterNations started with an it was built keeping in mind the time so that we know more plac- online base but took a step fur- expatriate community, and Reg- es,” shares Regnier. Quite of- ther from the online fora, and nier shares it makes it easy for ten, people are looking for nice messages and interactions in any expat who has arrived in a new places to visit and since the the virtual world to interaction country for the first time to be meeting spot of InterNations in the real world. InterNations familiar with the country and to keeps changing, the members was formed in Kathmandu in connect with people. Those on are more familiar with different April 2010 and has since been the network can easily post their venues. a vibrant group of expatriates query, “from questions about Regnier moves on to talk meeting every month to social- how to get to some place to que- more about her role as an am- ize and network. It boasts of ries about where to buy good bassador of the community here 857 (and counting) members leather shoes,” says Regnier, and in Kathmandu. She started out in the Kathmandu community the other members of the com- as an ambassador in July 2011. online. The community in Kath- munity answer those. Regnier, a people’s person who mandu has two ambassadors The meetings for InterNa- has been in the hospitality sec- currently, Christine Regnier and tions normally take place once tor for the past 26 years, loved Steve Webster. every month in different venues the gatherings and attended In a conversation with Fr!day, in the valley. The meetings are those regularly. She was given Regnier makes it clear that In- casual get-togethers where they the responsibility by the former Kathmandu ambassador Christine Regnier terNations is a group with a meet friends, make new ones ambassador and was pleasantly talks about InterNations in Kathmandu. simple motive – socializing. “In- and cook up conversations, per- surprised at first. However, terNations is a wonderful oppor- haps over a glass of wine, in a she took up the post and has the monthly meetings and to tunity to meet other people with relaxing environment; there are been fulfilling her duties as an aid the members of the commu- same interests and to expand special cultural events at times ambassador, along with Web- nity up to her capabilities. The your circle,” says Regnier who organized to help the members ster. As an ambassador, she is ambassadors also welcome new members during the monthly The meetings are casual get-togethers where they meet meetings and prepare reports to friends, make new ones and cook up conversations, be sent to the head office in Mu- perhaps over a glass of wine, in a relaxing environment; nich. As an ambassador, she does not have huge expectations or there are special cultural events at times organized to ‘goals’ for the community. “We help the members discover the country better. are constantly expanding,” Reg- nier says adding that the quality came to know about the group discover the country better. closely in connection with the of the monthly events and the through a friend of hers and “The members themselves pro- core founding team in Munich satisfaction of the members are joined the group after invita- pose different ideas and we all and her main tasks are to regu- important for her. tion. The motto of InterNations agree on that. As for the venue, late the Kathmandu community “InterNations welcomes ev- is ‘Connecting global minds’ and we meet at a new place every website, prepare the logistics for erybody – all like-minded people, expats as well as Kathmandu lo- cals, to be a part of this commu- nity,” says Regnier. Membership, www.lifeandtimes.com.np/catalogue Catalogue however, is based on invitation. A member of the community For the latest can invite another person to be- come a member. One simply has to create a profile on the online The Life & Times Events & Entertainment network and to participate in the monthly event, as much as Classifieds possible. Interest and sharing of Helping you the same vision as other mem- listings bers of InterNations is crucial. BUY, SELL & RENT “Members of InterNations are open-minded people who are willing to share and help oth- ers,” explains Regnier. Those 01 Apparels & Accessories interested can join InterNations 02 Beauty & Health for free but there are two types of memberships: basic member- 03 Books & Magazines ship and Albatross membership. Basic members, upon joining 04 Business & Loans for free, are required to pay for every gathering while Alba- 05 Computer & Peripherals tross members, who pay a cer- tain amount directly to Munich 06 Electric/Repair while joining, get a waiver on 07 Home & Garden the door charge for the events. Plus, Albatross members enjoy 08 Language and training certain privileges such as unlim- ited amount of message posting 09 Mobile & Accessories on forum. Upon paying a certain door charge, even non-members 10 Music can be a part of the gatherings, to see if they would like to fur- 11 Sports ther their commitment and be- come a member. 12 Property InterNations is based on a 13 Travel simple principle – to create a platform where internation- 14 Vacancies als can help one another. Upon the initiation of ideas from the 15 Vehicles members, however, it also some- times makes humanitarian con- tributions for the community that. Currently, the proposal of raising funds to help the vic- To advertise call tims of the recent earthquake in Sanjay Maharjan Kathmandu is under process. ! www.fridayweekly.com.np Those who wish to join this colorful web 9851134522 of people and to be one of the global minds contributing with others can request for in- GET EVENT UPDATES | POST EVENTS ONLINE vitations at www.internations.org or visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InterNa- tions. one question page3 Do you think Dashain has become make your statement more obligatory than celebratory? We are lucky that our calendar is colored with festivals of every kind. In our land of festivals we celebrate more than hundred religious fiestas in a year. But there is one festival that is celebrated by the whole nation together, the festival we call Dashain. Big rato tika on foreheads, feasting (and indigestion), the chance to see long-lost relatives – all this makes Dashain a revitalizing time for those who celebrate it. For those who don’t, it’s still special as the harsh summer gives way to hazy autumn softness and the sky is crystal clear again. Dashain time is magic. However, with the rapidly changing society, we often get to hear people complain about this festival – Dashain is losing its charm, it’s needlessly long, it’s decadent and wasteful or has been rendered obsolete by modernization. We talk to few faces and get their view. — Mannat Shrestha I think it has become more I guess it depends more on obligatory over the years. you and your status. When That’s probably because we you are married, it becomes are losing the cultural aspect. obligatory to meet people Materialism has taken over, so you are not even close to it needs a little checking. and people you seldom meet. Perhaps, it depends on Bhusan Dahal is one person who has whether you are committed been largely credited for revolutionizing to meeting people or not. the concept and the standard of music videos over the years. With the journey from Sunday Pop to Fireside, Animal rights activist Prerana Shah he set new standards for Nepali media. Rana is involved with DREAMS – an The “Kagbeni” director is associated organization dedicated to animal I think Dashain has become with Kantipur Television as the chief welfare and animal rights, and recently executive producer. set up DREAMS Sumo Memorial somewhat obligatory Veterinary Clinic. The beauty with a because people seem to golden heart represented Nepal in be running away from Miss Asia Pacific 2003 and was placed celebrating the festival. If you in the Top 10.