6. June 2014

June 2014 – Vol 10 N o. 06 

ART ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR 

10 th Year - Anniversary Specials 

Price: NRs.100/- IRs.100/- USD 5.95 EURO 5.95 GBP 4.95 

Architecture 

Galleries 

at Patan Museum 

june 2014 / 1

2 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

April 2014 / 3

A smart alternative to Septic Tank 

Zero Discharge

Contents 

june 2014 Vol 10 N o. 06 

SPACESNEPAL.COM 

News 

14 

Architecture 

24 

Feature 

28 

Architecture Galleries 

SPACES magazine and Kathmandu Valley 

Preservation Trust (KVPT) in cooperation 

for the mission to safeguard the precious 

and endangered architectural heritage of 

Kathmandu, invited various dignitaries to 

Patan Museum’s Architecture Galleries which 

recently opened its doors to the general public. 

His Excellency Mr. Asko Juhani Luukkainen, 

Ambassador of Finland, His. Excellency Mr. 

Ranjit Rae, Indian Ambassador for Nepal and 

Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha 

Acharya, the legendary household names in the 

Nepali entertainment industry, popularly known 

as the MaHa Jodi visited the gallery. 

Redesign Redefine 

The overall interior design that balances with the 

concept of mixing nature with elements such 

as concrete and glasses was not an easy option 

.What the client had in mind, we incorporated 

it on paper and the overall interior design. We 

stayed with simple. Even though this was going 

be a 5-star plus establishment it had to be 

simple. The wow factor had to be there but not 

too much. 

Lomanthang 

Nepal opened Upper Mustang to foreigners in 

1992. In 1994 tourist traffic was still negligible, 

perhaps owing to steep entry permits or lack 

of information. Revisiting Lo Manthang with a 

group of artists from Kathmandu, we’re here to 

attend the annual Tenchi festival when monks, 

over three days of festivities dance and perform 

Buddhist rituals to ward off evil spirits and 

ensure a prosperous year. 

Feature 

50 

Lost art 

There is a ray of hope in this dark scenario of unaccounted 

number of Nepal’s precious antique paintings, 

woodcarvings, sculptures and other artifacts that have 

been stolen and smuggled out of the country. Though 

in the form of a few committed lovers of arts who are on 

a mission to make the general public and international 

organizations aware of this problem through exhibitions of 

the replicas of the lost and stolen arts of Nepal. 

22 

NSET completes 21 years of Action 

NSET celebrated 21 st year of its institutional 

mission as ‘A day to reaffirm the 

Commitments to Earthquake Safety’ at its 

premises to enhance seismic safety of Nepal 

and the region on Wednesday June 18, 2014. 

On the occasion, NSET President Mr. Shiva 

Bahadur Pradhanang unveiled the annual 

report of NSET, ‘Safer Society 2014’. 

Book 

58 

From the Shelf 

This well researched book is replete with photographs of 

Jarunhiti, the traditional water tanks, which were widely 

used by the Newar Community of Kathmandu. Compiled 

by a team of Japanese and Nepalese photographers, 

archeologists and an ethnographer, this book provides 

a clear analysis of the cultural crisis in which many 

traditional values are vanishing from the country. 

43 

MOU with NSET 

National Society for Earthquake Technology 

(NSET) and Impression Publishing 

Pvt. Ltd (SPACES magazine) signed 

the Memorandum of Understanding 

(MoU) to work together in part of the 

Activity 2; enhancement of Public Private 

Partnership for Earthquake Risk Reduction 

under the program ‘Promoting Public 

Private Partnership for Earthquake Risk 

Management (3PERM) program. 

64 ARTSCAPE: Dancing Meera 68 Store watch: Kitchen Concepts 71 Market: Decentralized Sewage Treatment 70 Open Space 

8 / SPACESNEPAL.COM


Editorial 

As SPACES celebrated it’s 10 th Anniversary at 

the Brick’s cafe honoring it’s notable writers and 

contributors to the magazine - the rain gods played 

hide and seek initially with the event planned in the 

outdoor garden space. Nevertheless after the sky 

cleared, it was heartening to hear our special guest 

for the evening, well known journalist Kanak Mani 

Dixit reflect and mention that ‘SPACES had made 

an impact in the last 10 years and held a standard 

in Architectural and design issues that have made 

people think and reflect.’ 

He further went on to 

elaborate that for Nepal, 

even though modernity 

made in roads only after 

1950, we need to reflect on 

the quality of space that we 

are developing presently 

and our understanding and 

actions on the evolution of 

our rich heritage that took 

centuries to develop. He 

touched on the relentless 

political chaos that has led 

to suffering in all spheres 

within our country - from 

Public Health to Architecture 

and Urban Planning, and to 

plans and good visions that 

areyet to be implemented. 

Interesting the day of our 

event was also the celebration 

on the Loktantrik - Ganatantra 

Diwas! He related his journey 

from the Presidential Palace 

to the Bricks Cafe that 

evening. Starting with the 

inauguration of the open 

space behind Shital Niwas 

(Presidential Palace) – and 

the value of open space and 

the deconstruction of the houses to accomodate the 

road expansion drive, he went on to increase our 

perception of the environment around us which was 

very well received. 

This month SPACES with Kathmandu Preservation 

Trust (KVPT) in the context and mission to safeguard 

the precious and endangered architectural heritage of 

Kathmandu, invited His Excellency Mr. Asko Juhani 

Luukkainen, Ambassador of Finland to Nepal as well 

as the Indian Ambassador HE Ranjit Rae to Patan 

Museum’s newly opened Architectural Museum 

section. It was encouraging to see that beyond the 

political challenges and leadership crisis that we 

presently face within our country – our rich heritage, 

Art, Architecture and Culture still stands out to bind 

us together, retaining our true values and uniquness 

as Nepalese. 

In this issue we also highlight an artistic journey 

coupled with the spectacular landscape of Lo 

Manthang, Upper Mustang. As writer Ramyata 

reflects on her foot loose journalistic escapades 

to remote parts of Nepal first in 1994 and now 20 

years later in 2014 again with a group of artists – it 

is without doubt we get a feeling that there is so 

much that we can get inspired from within our 

country. The annual Tenchi festival and the landscape 

is simultaneously absorbed as an inspiration for 

these Nepalese artists to observe the monks. Over 

three days of festivities, dance and performance 

of Buddhist rituals were performed to ward off evil 

spirits for a prosperous year; look at the Art they have 

produced! 

Continuing on my escapades and discovery of special 

and sacred places within the country – it was indeed 

a special moment to reach Lake Tilicho at an altitude 

of 17,600 feet this month. The challenging journey 

within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project 

(ACAP) soon became a blur when I saw this pristine 

lake sitting there amidst the high mountains in all 

its serenity. The beauty of our country still remains 

unexplored for many of our citizens. It is with this 

thought I urge all our readers to get out of their urban 

- comfort zone and go discover nature in your country. 

You will be pleasantly surprised and inspired. 

Namaste ! 

Sarosh Pradhan / Editor in Chief 

10 / SPACESNEPAL.COM

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Contributors 

Volume 10 N O. 06 | June 

Mr. Kailash Ramkhelawon has over 15 years of 

international experiences in the construction industry. He 

was involved in projects for some major European brand 

names such as IKEA and M & S and has work experiences 

in countries such as Ireland, France, Italy, Poland, 

Switzerland, etc. He worked previously as guest lecturer 

for design colleges, external consultant, and now is part of 

IEC College and has his own interior, architect office doing 

projects from concepts till completion. He was involved in 

many feasibility studies and master plans. 

He is holder of a degree in Civil Engineering and BA in 

Architecture, Interior from Ireland. 

CEO 

Editor-in-Chief 

Creative Manager 

Editor-Features 

Senior Correspondent 

Contributing Art Editor 

Contributing Editor 

Photographer 

Intl. Correspondent 

Ashesh Rajbansh 

Sarosh Pradhan 

Deependra Bajracharya 

Veneeta Singha 

Pujan Joshi 

Madan Chitrakar 

Kasthamandap Art Studio 

President - Society of Nepalese Architects 

Ar. Jinisha Jain (Delhi) 

Ar. Chetan Raj Shrestha (Sikkim) 

Barun Roy (Darjeeling Hills) 

Pradip Ratna Tuladhar 

Hemant Kumar Shrestha 

Bansri Panday 

Ms. Bhubaneswari Parajuli is an Architect, 

Sociologist and Environmentalist by profession and 

has been working as Gender, Social and Environmental 

Management Specialist with NSET since April 2008. 

She has over 20 years of professional experience in 

mainstreaming gender and environment in development 

planning and disaster risk reduction. 

Ms. Parajuli holds a Bachelors Degree in Architecture 

from the Bengal Engineering College, Calcutta University, 

India as well as Master in Sociology/ Anthropology from 

Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Master in Environmental 

Management from Griffith University, Australia. 

Ms. Parajuli is the member of several professional 

associations including, SONA (Society of Nepalese 

Architects), NEA (Nepal Engineers Association), NEIAAN 

(National EIA Association, Nepal), ANAA (Association 

of Nepalese Alumni from Australia), and NEC (Nepal 

Engineering Council). 

MS. Ramyata Limbu, a veteran Nepali journalist, has 

worked as a correspondent for various national and 

international publications. She co-produced the award 

winning independent documentaries “Daughters of 

Everest” which followed the first team of all women, Nepali 

Sherpa climbers to ascend Everest and “The Sari Soldiers” 

about the conflict in Nepal told through the stories of six 

women. Ramyata is the Director of the internationally 

acclaimed Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 

(KIMFF) and has also worked as a political officer for the 

United Nations Mission in Nepal. 

Chief - Administration Anu Rajbansh 

Marketing Officer 

Debbie Rana Dangol 

Admin Officer 

Ashma Rauniyar 

Office Secretary/Subscription Pramila Shrestha 

Accounts 

Sunil Man Baniya 

Legal Advisor 

Yogendra Bhattarai 

Published by 

Design/Layout & 

Processed at 

IMPRESSIONS Publishing Pvt.Ltd. 

Chakupat (near UN Park), Lalitpur 

GPO Box No. 7048, Kathmandu, Nepal 

Phone: 5260901, 5260902 

info@spacesnepal.com 

Digiscan Pre-press Pvt. Ltd. 

Distribution 

Kathmandu Kasthamandap Distributors 

Ph: 4247241 

Mid & West Nepal 

Allied Newspaper Distributor Pvt. Ltd., 

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Advertising and Subscriptions 

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SPACES is published twelve times a year at the address above. All rights are reserved in 

respect of articles, illustrations, photographs, etc. published in SPACES. The contents of 

this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the written 

consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those 

of the publisher and the publisher cannot accept responsiblility for any errors or omissions. 

Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other materials to SPACES for consideration should 

not send originals unless specifically requested to do so by SPACES in writing. Unsolicited manuscripts, 

photographs and other submitted material must be accompanied by a self addressed return envelope, 

postage prepaid. However, SPACES is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. All editorial inquiries and 

submissions to SPACES must be addressed to editor@spacesnepal.com or sent to the address mentioned 

above. 

Cover Photo: 

Architecture Galleries 


© Ashesh Rajbansh 

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NEWS 

Architecture 

Galleries 


J 

une 9 th 2014, SPACES magazine and Kathmandu Valley 

Preservation Trust (KVPT) in cooperation for the mission 

to safeguard the precious and endangered architectural 

heritage of Kathmandu, invited various dignitaries to Patan 

Museum’s Architecture Galleries which recently opened its 

doors to the general public. Patan Museum is well-known 

for displaying the traditional sacred arts of Nepal in an 

illustrious setting and the new gallery section is believed 

to initiate a significant wave of awareness of the ancient 

architecture. 

The palace, which has been turned into a museum recently, 

was constructed by King Siddhinarasimha Malla during the 17 th 

century. The newly restored gallery will enshrine the south and 

east wing as part of the building’s historical narrative, along 

with other elements of cultural and religious significance. The 

gallery’s exhibits cover a long span of Nepal’s cultural history 

and many rare objects and structures are among its valued 

treasures. The meaning and context within the living traditions 

of Hinduism and Buddhism are explained in these architectural 

structures, objects and traditional crafts for which Patan has 

always been well-known for, since ancient times. 

June 9 th 2014, 

SPACES magazine 

and Kathmandu Valley 

Preservation Trust (KVPT) 

in cooperation for the 

mission to safeguard the 

precious and endangered 

architectural heritage of 

Kathmandu, invited His 

Excellency Mr. Asko Juhani 

Luukkainen, Ambassador 

of Finland to Nepal, to 

Architrcture Galleries of 

Patan Museum which 

recently opened its doors 

to the general public. Patan 

Museum is well-known for 

displaying the traditional 

sacred arts of Nepal in 

an illustrious setting and 

the new museum section 

is believed to initiate 

a significant wave of 

awareness of the ancient 

architecture. 

Space’s Magazine CEO, 

Mr. Ashesh Rajbansh; 

Editor in Chief, Mr. Sarosh 

Pradhan along with the 

Country Director of KVPT, 

Dr. Rohit Ranjit were 

present for the reception 

of His Excellency Mr. 

Asko Juhani Luukkainen, 

Ambassador of Finland 

whose courteous presence 

in the museum was aimed 

at increasing awareness 

level and responsiveness; 

as the sites are in need of 

urgent restoration. 

After his visit H.E. Mr. 

Luukkainen said he 

appreciated the initiative 

being taken and added that 

the key to preserve the 

heritage sites of Nepal is 

by raising awareness of its 

value amongst the general 

public. The Patan Royal 

Palace Complex, which 

contains in it Tusa Hiti and 

Bhandarkhal Archaeological 

Garden, dates back to the 

12 th century. The complex 

that has survived at least 

five major earthquakes is 

currently being renovated 

by the KVPT. The complete 

restoration of the east 

and west wing is said to 

be completed by 2015. 

KVPT has been involved in 

two decades of heritage 

conservation work 

in Nepal. 


NEWS 

MaHa on 

Nepal’s Heritage 

Awareness 

His. Excellency Mr. Ranjit 

Rae, Indian Ambassador 

for Nepal, along with 

Mr. Abhay Kumar,Head, 

Press Information and 

Culture of the Indian 

Embassy in Nepal visited 

the Architecture Galleries 

of Patan Museum on 

June 20 th 2014. SPACES 

magazine’s CEO Mr. 

Ashesh Rajbansh, Editor in 

Chief Ar. Sarosh Pradhan 

has been endeavoring 

to raise awareness by 

dedicating columns on 

the preservation and 

restoration of architectural 

heritage of Nepal since a 

decade back through the 

editorial articles published 

in the magazine. Mr. 

Prithivi. B. Pande, Chairman 

of Nepal Investment Bank 

Ltd., Mrs. Pratima Pande, 

Director of KVPT and Mr. 

Rohit K. Ranjit, Nepal 

Program Director of KVPT 

were present along with 

SPACES team to welcome 

His Excellency’s visit to 

Architecture Galleries of 

Patan Museum. After an 

hour of conversation at 

KVPT office, His Excellency 

seemed to be fascinated 

by the ancient history 

of the culture, tradition 

and most specifically 

the striking architecture 

of temples and palaces. 

Further mesmerized by the 

newly opened gallery which 

displays the traditional 

sacred architecture in 

an illustrious settings 

that takes visitors back 

to the old architectural 

residence and palaces 

settings of the Malla Kings 

of Kathmandu valley, he 

congratulated KVPT for 

the genuine exertion of 

preserving and restoring 

these national treasures. 

These architectural 

structures showcased in 

the museum accompanied 

by written commentary 

explaining their spiritual and 

art historical significance 

as part of the cultural 

heritage of Nepal shows 

the fine distinction of mixed 

traditions of Hinduism 

and Buddhism which are 

explained through exquisite 

craftsmanship that have 

been practiced for centuries 

in Nepal and is still being 

practiced today. After the 

tour His. Excellency. Mr. 

Ranjit Rae along with Mr. 

Abhay Kumar specially 

thanked SPACES magazine 

for the invitation and for 

the awareness initiative 

undertaken by SPACES and 

KVPT. 

Madan Krishna Shrestha 

and Hari Bansha 

Acharya, the legendary 

household names in the 

Nepali entertainment 

industry, popularly 

known as the MaHa 

Jodi (MaHa Duo) are the 

most admired actors of 

Nepal and has become 

synonymous with the 

Nepali comedy as well as 

for the activist contribution 

to the societies of Nepal. 

Recipients of many 

honors and medals of 

appreciation from national 

as well as international 

organizations, they are 

involved together for 

public SPACES Magazine 

and Kathmandu Valley 

Preservation Trust (KVPT) 

have a high esteem for the 

duo’s social contribution, 

they were invited to 

Patan Museum’s recently 

opened Architecture 

Galleries for generating 

awareness on preserving 

and restoration of Nepal’s 

architectural culture. While 

the duo were the first 

celebrities of Nepal ever 

to visit the newly opened 

Architecture Galleries of 

the museum, they also 

mentioned that visits 

from prominent Nepalese 

citizens and international 

celebrities will help the 

positive changes towards 

preservation of intricate 

Nepalese craftsmanship. 

The legendary duo further 

stated that the new 

architectural museum 

is splendidly renovated 

showcasing the wealth of 

Nepalese craftsmanship. 


NEWS 

Flying 

Featherlite 

Featherlite is one of the leading 

furniture manufacturing & marketing 

organizations in India that provides 

complete office furniture solutions. It 

is now in Nepal introduced by Parth 

International. The company is chaired by 

Mr. Mahesh Murarka and Mr. Raj Kumar 

Agrawal. 

Mr. Manohar Gopal, chairman of 

Featherlite, inaugurated the showroom on 

14 th June 2014. Featherlite’s core expertise 

lies in manufacturing and marketing highly 

cost effective customized office furniture 

such as modular workstations, chairs, 

desks, partitions, conference tables etc. 

It already has as its customer base, the 

corporate giants like Mercedes, Caterpillar, 

Cognizant and more; and the company 

foresees itself as a leading brand name 

here. 

Featherlite has set its bar high, acquiring 

various quality certifications such as 

ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management 

System), ISO 14001:2004 (Environment 

Management System), OHSAS 18001:2007 

(Occupational Health and Safety Standards) 

and BIFMA – Business and Institutional 

Furniture Manufacturers Association – 

PLATINUM. It announced that the research 

based products that spells comfort and 

satisfaction are now available in the 

market. 



NEWS 

SPACES Magazine’s 

10 th Anniversary 

celebration 

SPACES magazine celebrated its 

10 th Year Anniversary on 27 th May, 

2014. The magazine was established 

in 2004 with the intention of acting as 

a catalyst for creating and increasing 

awareness about art and architecture 

of ancient and contemporary 

Nepal. SPACES has taken on as its 

responsibility to make the general 

public and elite groups aware of the 

rich architectural, arts and cultural 

heritage of the fast urbanizing Nepal 

of today, by presenting accurate 

information and authentic pictures. 

A pioneer in this field in the country, 

this magazine’s progress would 

not have been possible without the 

invaluable cooperation, feedback and 

encouragement from the subscribers, 

advertisers, social groups and 

business organizations in Nepal. They 

were all offered heartfelt gratitude 

by SPACES magazine during the 

ceremony. 

The event was concluded by the 

CEO and Editor in Chief, Ashesh 

Rajbansh; Ar. Sarosh Pradhan and 

the guest of honor, Kanak Mani Dixit. 

During the event, SPACES reiterated 

its resolve to help conserve Nepal’s 

historic and natural settings, arts and 

interiors – new or old, for many years 

to come. Many delegates said that 

SPACES could compete with similar 

magazines published abroad and that 

it has introduced Nepal in a positive 

way to those around the world, who 

are passionate about arts, architecture, 

heritage and nature. 

The celebration was held at Bricks 

Café, Kupondole. Thimi Dhimey Pucha, 

a Newari traditional band from Thimi, 

and Ar. Pragati Manandhar enthralled 

the crowd with their melodious songs 

and performances. The evening 

concluded with dinner amidst 

memorable ambiance highlighted by 

rain that arrived without invitation. 



NEWS 

#metadata 

etadata, an art exhibition 

#mof paintings was held from 

June 6 – 19, 2014 at Siddhartha Art 

Gallery, Babar Mahal, by Artist Subash 

Thebe. The exhibition was organized 

by Kathmandu Contemporary Arts 

Centre (KCAC) and inaugurated by 

His Excellency Mr. Andy Sparkes, 

the British Ambassador to Nepal. 

Sponsored by Nepal Britain Society, 

the exhibition was a celebration of 

200 years of Nepal Britain Relations 

and commemoration of 50th 

Anniversary of Nepal Britain Society. 

Thebe is a UK based artist. He 

was born and raised in a small 

town, Dharan, in eastern Nepal. He 

graduated from Middlesex University 

London in 2011 in Fine Arts. After 

seeing the works of Gerhard Richter, 

Anselm Kiefer and most notably 

Jason Martin, he began to explore 

abstraction and created paintings 

inspired by classical music, which 

were eventually named after the 

title of the scores. Thebe has 

been intellectually and artistically 

engaged by the Wikileaks exposure. 

As a consequence, his series 

#metadata is a personal quest to 

understand the complexity of mass 

media, general perspectives united 

with governmental regulation of 

information. This exhibition is thus 

layered and instigated by the question: 

what happens when you observe 

others’ observations? 

“My grandfather lost his life in WWII 

in the Battle of Monte Cassino, Italy, 

when my father was just a toddler 

and later he himself became disabled 

in the army. I never wanted to pursue 

the British Gurkha military tradition of 

my community. Unconsciously, may 

be I was choosing everything opposed 

to war and violence as I always loved 

art and paintings,” said Thebe. The 

experiences he under went made 

Thebe more aware of the world we 

live in and he grew a definite interest 

in history and current affairs, which 

he believes are subject to abuse since 

ages. “The mainstream media is at 

the foremost of exploiting history 

even before it takes place let alone 

before it is written. They are distorting 

history in front of our eyes. Ernst 

Fisher said that in a decaying society, 

art, if it is truthful, must also reflect 

decay, and unless it wants to break 

faith with its social function, art must 

show the world as changeable and 

help change it. It is this ‘decaying’ that 

my paintings illustrate,” affirms Thebe. 

He elaborated that he intends to 

investigate if art has a moral obligation 

to address social issues apart from 

giving pleasure and more importantly, 

is it capable of bringing about any 

changes? While the exhibition is 

mostly concerned with geopolitics 

and the west, it allows the viewers 

to be aware that in a world inundated 

by information, it is increasingly 

important for us to be aware of the 

fact that news is but a controlled 

projection of a perspective. It cautions 

us about what is offered and to 

consider the data behind the data; and 

beware of middlemen who should not 

be allowed to shape our thoughts and 

encourages us to be more discerning 

of the facts behind the presented 

facts. 



NEWS 

completes 21 years 

NSET of Action 

NSET celebrated 21 st year of its 

institutional mission as ‘A day 

to reaffirm the Commitments to 

Earthquake Safety’ at its premises to 

enhance seismic safety of Nepal and 

the region on Wednesday June 18, 

2014. With a successful two-decade 

journey to commemorate, NSET’s 

more than one hundred staff came 

together for the celebration that 

included the musical performances 

on national anthem, an earthquake 

song, national song and also various 

cultural programs. The formal 

program was facilitated by Mr. 

Surya Narayan Shrestha, Deputy 

Executive Director of NSET. Special 

representatives from the INGO\NGO 

sector, government officials, DRR 

stake holders and media personnel 

also joined the ceremony alongside 

NSET staff’s family members and 

friends. 

of the DRR sector, especially the 

earthquake resistant communities’ 

campaign has progressed, thanks 

to the mutual coordination between 

Government and non-government 

organizations. Within these two 

decades, NSET has contributed to 

making society safer. Mr. Dixit further 

mentioned while NSET has been able 

to achieve much in terms of initiating 

and institutionalizing earthquake risk 

management efforts but the need is 

huge there still remains a lot to do. 

On the occasion, NSET President Mr. 

Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang unveiled the 

annual report of NSET, ‘Safer Society 

2014’. 

Among from the guests, Mr. Sanat 

Kumar Basnet, Ex-chief of the Armed 

Police Force, gave an engaging speech 

where he highlighted the very need 

to work in ERR/DRR and appreciated 

NSET efforts towards reducing risks. 

He mentioned the need of systematic 

approach of scientific studies and 

research in hazards and risk and further 

stated that such initiatives are now bein 

institutionalized also in Nepal. Deputy 

Director of Department of Education, 

Mr. Shiva Prasad Upreti thanked NSET 

for its work on earthquake awareness 

and expressed his happiness with 

NSET partnered efforts in education. 

He noted that the technical expertise of 

NSET was vital to the school retrofitting 

program and expressed his eagerness 

in continuing to work with NSET in the 

DRR sector. 

Likewise, Director General of DUDBC, 

Mr. Shambhu KC, discussed the 

collaboration with NSET across 

24 municipalities for building code 

implementation. While it’s very 

challenging to implement the building 

code, with the help of NSET, he is quite 

confident that the mutual objectives 

can be met in the near future. 

NSET President Mr. Shiva Bahadur 

Pradhanang in his concluding remarks 

thanked all guests and partners for their 

encouragement and the support to 

NSET. 

The 21 st NSET Day program was then 

followed by informal gathering and 

reception dinner. 

Mr. Varun P. Shrestha, Executive 

Committee Member of NSET 

welcomed all the guests and 

highlighted that the gathering was 

mainly to review the past and get 

guidance for future endeavors. The 

program started with the national 

anthem recited by NSET Cultural 

Group. 

Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, the Executive 

Director of NSET, in his keynote 

speech stressed that the success 


NEWS 

NSET and Impressions Publishing Pvt. Ltd 

signs MOU 

On the 3 rd of June, 2014, National Society for Earthquake 

Technology (NSET) and Impression Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 

publisher of SPACES magazine, signed the Memorandum of 

Understanding (MoU) to work together in part of the Activity 

2; enhancement of Public Private Partnership for Earthquake 

Risk Reduction under the program ‘Promoting Public Private 

Partnership for Earthquake Risk Management (3PERM) 

program. The MoU signed between NSET and Impression Pvt. 

Ltd, states that SPACES magazine has agreed to work with 

NSET to publish the earthquake preparedness related articles, 

messages, slogans and other disaster related issues as much 

as possible. The magazine will also gather the contents related 

to earthquake risk and preparedness and consult with NSET 

before having them published. NSET will also help SPACES 

magazine by providing related articles, knowledge sharing 

message on earthquake and disaster risk. 

The MoU also states that both parties will participate in the 

events related to awareness raising, construction technology 

and other related exhibitions to be organized by SPACES 

magazine, NSET and other partner organizations. Both the 

parties will review the final draft of the articles or other 

publications material before they are published and will 

evaluate the program periodically and make amendment if 

felt necessary. Both parties will discuss and collaborate with 

each other to develop program on the disaster risk reduction, 

while NSET will provide earthquake orientation session to the 

staff members of impression Publishing Pvt Ltd / SPACES 

magazine or any group that SPACES magazine may find 

suitable for knowledge sharing and knowledge dissemination. 

The special provision between NSET and SPACES magazine 

is working in consultation with each other to identify ways 

to implement the areas of collaboration with each other to 

identify ways to implement the areas of collaboration of the 

memorandum of understanding. The decision to participate in 

any other activities will be based on resources available to the 

respective organizations. The MoU does not prevent NSET and 

SPACES magazine from collaborating with other organization. 

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ashesh Rajbansh CEO on behalf 

of Impression Publication Pvt. Ltd and by Mr. Surya Narayan 

Shrestha, Deputy Executive Director of NSET. 


Interior 


Interior 

Redefine 

Redesign 

by Kailash Ramkhelawon 

The main concept behind these few projects, which we 

have had a chance to be involved with were mainly based on 

nature. We emphasized all design elements: such as furniture 

design, space planning, accessories and design elements 

based mainly on the concepts received from the client. 


Interior 

My colleague used to say, “If the 

client is happy then I am happy!” 

When approaching different projects, 

the best way is to treat each client as 

an individual case. Usually at an initial 

meeting, clients know clearly what they 

are looking for. 

During our initial meeting with this 

client, he made it quite clear that he 

was not looking for any usual typical 

tropical design, which everyone can 

see in all interior design magazines. He 

approached us with a clear idea of what 

he had in mind. His main request was 

for open space, integration of nature 

with traditional architecture. During the 

process of proposals and conceptual 

sketches the client’s mind changed 

drastically as he was getting different 

ideas while travelling mainly to Thailand. 

Someday during the design process we 

would get several emails from the client 

suggesting us to incorporate different 

features, such as adding a little water 

feature in front of the master bedroom. 

This project was quite challenging for 

our design team, as we had to cope 

with several client requests coming 

in once a week. Even with all these 

challenges we managed to deliver 

several design proposals and the 

client was getting what he paid for. At 

the end of one meeting I remember 

he said “Well done, lads, this is 

exactly what I had in mind.” 

What the client had in mind, we 

incorporated it on paper and the 

overall interior design. The false 

ceiling was quite an issue, as we 

wanted it to be quite simple and 

for it to not overpower the whole 

design. We stayed with simple. Even 

though this was going be a 5-star plus 

establishment it had to be simple. The 

wow factor had to be there but not 

too much. For the master bedroom 

suite we decided at an earlier stage to 

stay with neutral colours and limit all 

the accessories and interior design to 

the minimal. 


Interior 

ALL PICTURES ARE COPYRIGHTED 

LYNCH PHOTOGRAPHER 

The addition of an external open shower, 

which can be seen behind the bathtub, 

was a clever way to incorporate nature into 

the design. The landscaping was properly 

done so as to merge nature and design. 

All bathroom accessories such as lights 

and all plumbing fittings were imported 

from Germany. In terms of plumbing and 

electrical fittings our specifications were 

quite clear and didn’t compromise on 

quality. These fittings don’t come cheap 

but all these added a chic approach to the 

overall interior design. 

We decided to go with full height 

windows in the bathroom to bring in 

maximum natural light into the room and 

during the afternoon, the sunset yellow 

reflects into the interior giving it a warm 

atmosphere. 

The design idea behind one of the 

restaurants was that it had to be chic. 

After several meetings and discussions 

we finally agreed on a very colourful 

strong palette. Using hard wood as the 

flooring added a warm atmosphere to the 

overall interior. Furniture design for the 

restaurant was kept at a minimum but 

all seats were covered using premium 

Italian leather. 

We didn’t add too much accessories in 

the restaurant as that would have made 

the overall interior too heavy and bulky. 

Simple low and high porcelain flower 

vases were positioned in such a way so 

as to channel the customers from the 

main entrance to their seats. For the 

main walls next to the main entrance we 

came up with a design feature, which 

was a sheet of aluminium with names of 

food carved onto the sheet. This was a 

nice approach as during the evening the 

light behind reflects on the ceiling and 

surrounding walls. 

The overall interior design that balances 

with the concept of mixing nature with 

elements such as concrete and glasses 

was not an easy option, but at the end 

of the project, we managed to deliver on 

fast track, an overall interior design with 

an appealing look. 


feature 

Lo Manthang 


feature 

the windswept 

corner 

text Ramyata Limbu 

photo Sajana Shrestha 

Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang - As 

a footloose journalist in the early 

nineties,I’d seize every opportunity 

to travel to remote parts of Nepal. 

Yet, my fondest memories are of 

a trek to Upper Mustang in 1994. 

Accompanied by six friends, at 

various stages in our twenties, we 

flew from Pokhara to Jomsom, 

walked four days from Jomsom to 

Lo Manthang and continued our trek 

down to Beni where we hitched a 

ride to Pokhara on a Chinese dumper. 

The Pokhara-Beni highway was 

under construction then and at the 

time was a dusty, dirt road. Youthful 

exuberance infused the trip. We were 

in peak physical condition, and, in 

good natured camaraderie, constantly 

trying to out walk the other fuelled 

by mugs of local beer brewed from 

barley. 

Nepal opened Upper Mustang to 

foreigners in 1992. In 1994 tourist 

traffic was still negligible, perhaps 

owing to steep entry permits or 

lack of information. Other than 

locals, the few Nepalese we met 

along the way were government or 

Annapurna Conservation Area Project 

(ACAP) employees and a visual 

anthropologist conducting research 

on the region. Memorable highlights 

of the trip include a pony ride to the 

Tibetan plateau separating Nepal and 

China, past the famous Choser caves, 

and, an audience with Mustangi Raja 

Jigmi Palbar Bista. A friend had been 

to college with the Raja’s nephew 

and the latter had graciously invited 

us to tea. 

Flash forward - May 2014. I’m 

revisiting Lo Manthang with a group 

of artists from Kathmandu. We’re 

here to attend the annual Tenchi 

festival when monks, over three 

days of festivities dance and perform 

Buddhist rituals to ward off evil spirits 

and ensure a prosperous year. The 

former Mustangi Raja presides over 

festivities in the courtyard adjacent 

to the palace walls. He looks frail 

and is advanced in years and locals 

inform us that this might be his 

last appearance at Tenchi. Now that 

Nepal’s a republic the former Raja 


feature 

has no state responsibilities but tradition 

warrants the royal family’s presence at 

cultural festivals. 

“There’s no tourism if there’s no 

culture,” says Jigme Singi Palbar Bista, 

58. The former crown prince operates 

a tour company and is building a resort, 

currently a concrete structure, on the 

city’s periphery to cater to demands 

for high-end tourist accommodation. 

A family foundation supports Tibetan 

language classes in local government 

schools where otherwise subjects are 

taught in Nepali. 

Local youth are encouraged to learn 

traditional music and art, and to wear 

local attire although the bulk milling 

around Lo Manthang’s public square 

appear more comfortable in jeggings 

and sneakers. 

The Tenchi festival is a major draw. 

Tourists, both international and 

domestic, appear to outnumber locals 

as the latter conduct brisk business 

in the eateries, souvenir shops, and 

cafes that advertise Italian coffee. In 

the evenings, household chores done, 

30 / SPACESNEPAL.COM 

and guests taken care of, residents of 

Lo Manthang and surrounding villagers 

flock to the courtyard to watch school 

children perform cultural songs and 

dances. Older folk enjoy watching films 

of spiritual leader the Dalai Lamaas he 

propagates principles of Buddhism and 

non-violence. 

Since the dozen or so hotels are packed 

and rooms are scarce we’re staying at 

the home of Yangzom Bista, a seventyyear 

old grandmother who often takes 

on visitors for extra cash. “Life’s so 

much easier today,” she says as she 

serves the artists butter tea. A son in the 

US calls frequently to inquire about her 

health, an older daughter runs a lodge 

near by while another daughter owns a 

souvenir shop, one of several that line 

the cobbled lane just outside the royal 

palace. Her oldest grand-daughter, the 

first to attend high school, is considering 

going to Kathmandu for further studies. 

Yangzom perpetually sniffs on tobacco 

– a habit she’s picked up in her youth 

while trading long winters in India. 

Her daughter Chimmi, 27, sells curios 

purchased during her winter sojourns 

to Kathmandu, when most of the 

population descends to the lowlands to 

escape the cold. “I make a good profit 

and tourists are happy to take home 

souvenirs that remind them of their trip,” 

says Chimmi. 

The artists are equally enamoured 

with this spectacularly vast, arid, and 

windswept corner of Nepal and are 

impatient to paint. “The monasteries, 

chhortens, and caves add a new 

dimension to my work,” says Bipana 

Maharjan who specialises in print 

making. Contemporary artist Erina 

Tamrakar is struck by the omnipresent 

stones and has found a place for them in 

her paintings. Sunita Rana’s landscapes 

capture the vast spaces while Bidhata 

KC’s canvasses highlight the architecture 

intrinsic to this arid region. The women 

of Mustang find a special place in Puja 

Maharjan Rajbhandari’s work. 

Closed to foreigners before 1992, Upper 

Mustang on Nepal’s northwest frontier 

bordering China ranks among the top 

tourism destinations in the world today. 

Its ancient caves, monasteries and 

archaeological sites have seen an influx

feature 

The workshop ‘Fragments 

of Mustang’ is part of an 

ongoing project initiated by 

the non-profit organization 

Manang Youth Society to 

promote various regions of 

Nepal through the medium of 

art. Simultaneously, it seeks 

to expose Nepalese artists 

to the diversity of Nepal and 

provide a distinct platform to 

showcase their work. 

Paintings from the workshop 

will be exhibited in Kathmandu 

in autumn. 

of tourists with 3344 visiting in 2013 

compared to 483 in 1992. 

Once a base for the resistance 

movement of Khampa guerrillas 

against China’s full control over Tibet, 

according to a tourism brochure, it 

‘remains one of few areas in Tibet’s 

original sphere of influence where 

Tibetan culture continues to survive’. 

“Given the history of the area, the 

strategic interests of countries in 

past and present, we have learnt to 

balance relations so that it benefits 

the region,” says former crown prince 

Jigme Singi Palbar Bista. 

Chinese motorcycles, blankets and 

beer flood the local market. In Choser, 

an hour’s drive from the Chinese 

border, an ambulance donated by 

the Indian government is on standby 

to ferry people to the nearest 

Nepali health facility in case of 

medical emergencies. The American 

Himalayan Foundation since early 

1990s has been supporting the 

renovation and rehabilitation of 

monasteries and archaeological sites 

nearly 1000 years old. 

A road connecting Lo Manthang 

with the rest of Nepal has eased 

transport of goods and people, 

reduced prices of supplies, and 

allowed quicker access to medical 

aid; but there are concerns that it will 

put off tourists intent on adventure. 

The local government, Annapurna 

Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 

and tourism entrepreneurs are 

working on a master plan for an 

alternative trekking route that would 

bypass the road and encompass 

more villages that presently fall off 

the beaten track. 

“Only 20 percent of the population 

benefits directly from tourism,” 

says Santosh Sherchan, head of 

Annapurna Conservation Area 

Project (ACAP) in Upper Mustang. 

“Diversifying economic benefits 

among the local population and 

ensuring that out flung villages have 

a stake in the tourism pie is a major 

challenge.” 


Interior 


Interior 


Architecture 

DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING 

EMERGENCY 

RESPONSE 

PLAN 

OF A ZONAL 

HOSPITAL IN NEPAL 

Seismic Zoning 

Map of Nepal 

withthe lowest 

governance unit in 

different seismic 

zones 

by B. Parajuli, 

G. Jimee & 

R. Guragain 

National Society for 

Eathquake Technology- 

Nepal (NSET) 

Keywords: 

Non-structural mitigation, 

Comprehensive emergency response, 

Functionality of hospital 

SUMMARY 

Nepal is prone to almost every type of disaster. 

Earthquakes remain of the highest concern, as seismic 

faults pass through the country. Despite the very critical 

role in disaster, hospitals in Nepal are not prepared to 

respond to the predicted disaster situation. Seismic 

vulnerability assessments of 19 major hospitals showed 

80% of the hospitals will be out of function in a major 

earthquake. Bheri Zonal Hospital, the largest referral 

government hospital in the mid western region, is 

amongst those most vulnerable to earthquakes. The cause 

of non-functionality of the hospital is not only attributable 

to structural components, but also non-structural and 

functional components. Realizing this, a comprehensive 

emergency response plan was developed, followed by 

implementation of key activities. This documentation 

highlights the processes and methodologies adopted in 

making the hospital safer, enabling it to cope with disaster 

as a replicable model for other health institutions. 


Architecture 

1. BACKGROUND 

1.1. Hazard and Seismic Risk of Nepal 

Nepal has one of the highest risk 

profiles of natural hazards in the 

world. Complex geology with active 

tectonic processes, rugged and fragile 

geophysical structure, very high peaks, 

high angle of slopes and variable 

climatic conditions, combined with the 

existing poor socio-economic conditions, 

unplanned settlements, rapidly 

increasing population and low level of 

awareness, make the country vulnerable 

to almost all types of hazards. Though 

floods, landslides and epidemics are the 

most recurrent, earthquakes remain a 

major concern, as Nepal is located in a 

seismically active area. Nepal is divided, 

by level of shaking hazard, into three 

major seismic zones from south to north 

(Figure 1), separated by major thrusts 

and faults. These zones are elongated 

in a general east-west direction, with 

the middle part of the country slightly 

more prone to shaking than the northern 

and the southern parts. A study (UNDP/ 

UNCHS/MPPW, 1994) has identified 92 

faults in Nepal. 

The first recorded major earthquake in 

Nepal’s history dates back to 1255 AD. 

Later records of several devastating 

earthquakes include those in 1408, 

1681, 1810, 1833, 1866, 1934, 1980, 

1988 and 2012 A.D., with those dating 

back to 1934 still in the living memory. 

The earthquake of 1934 A.D., also 

known as Great Nepal-Bihar Earthquake, 

was the most destructive. 

1.2. Vulnerability and Nepalese 

Hospitals 

The seismic record of the country 

suggests that a major earthquake, 

on par with that of 1934, occurs 

approximately every 75 years, indicating 

that a devastating earthquake is inevitable 

and likely in the near future. The risk 

of disaster is more acute in the urban 

centers including Kathmandu, the capital. 

A number of earthquake risk assessment 

studies have been conducted for Nepal 

and Kathmandu Valley (UNDP/UNCHS/ 

MPPW 1994, Adpc 2000, JICA 2002). 

Comparative vulnerability studies of 

earthquake prone countries (UNDP/BCPR, 

2004) ranked Nepal, in terms of relative 

vulnerability to earthquakes, as the 11th 

most vulnerable in the world. Another 

study puts Kathmandu Valley as the worst 

performing city (Figure 2) among 21 cities 

around the world, in terms of potential 

earthquake risk (GESI, UNCRD/GHI, 2001). 

Hospitals play a very important role in 

a disaster, as they must provide health 

services even more efficiently than 

when in a normal condition. Despite this 

important and critical role, hospitals in 

Nepal are not prepared to respond to 

such disaster situations. The Municipal 

Earthquake Risk Management Program 

(MERMP) estimated that 60% of 

buildings would be damaged, with 5-7% 

of the population injured and requiring 

hospitalization (NSET, 2004). However, 

seismic vulnerability assessments 

of 19 major hospitals (NSET/MOH/ 

WHO, 2004) have predicted that 80% 

of them will be out of function in a 

major earthquake. The cause of nonfunctionality 

of the hospital is not only 

attributable to vulnerable structural 

components, but also to non-structural 

and functional components. Major 

damage to non-structural components 

and a lack of a proper organizational 

frame work within a health system, with 

clear roles and responsibilities delegated 

to hospital personnel in disaster 

response, results in serious casualties, 

severe functional impairment and major 

economic losses, even when structural 

damage is not significant (PAHO 2004, 

USAID/NSET 2009). The absence of 

these aspects in Nepalese hospitals 

calls for the immediate initiation of 

hospital safety programs for emergency 

response. 

Kathmandu 

200 

Figure 2: Relative Seismic 

Vulnerability in 21 cities around 

the world 

Tokyo 

30 

San Salvador 

40 

Kobe 

Vancouver 

Kobe 

Antofagasta 

Nagoya 

Tijuana 

Tashkent 

Santiago 

Bandung 

Guayaquil 

Mumbai 

Tokyo 

Jakarta 

Izmir 

Mexicali 

San Salvador 

Islamabad 

Manila 

Quito 

Delhi 

Istanbul 

Kathmandu 


Architecture 

2. PROJECT 

2.1. Introduction 

European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid 

Department (ECHO) supported a project 

to assist Bheri Zonal Hospital (BZH) in 

emergency response. It was implemented 

jointly by Action-Aid Nepal (AAN) and BZH, 

under the DEPECHO V program in early 

2010 with technical support from National 

Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal 

(NSET). BZH was selected on its high 

vulnerability condition, exposure to a 

number of hazards, larger health service 

area coverage, and larger population to 

be serviced. BZH, a 150 bed hospital, is 

located in Nepalgunj Municipality, in the 

mid western region of the Terai plains, an 

area vulnerable to flood, fire and epidemic, 

in addition to a very high seismic hazard. It 

is the largest referral government hospital 

and provides services to more than 

100,000 people per year (BZH, 2010). It 

has the regional responsibility to provide 

uninterrupted health services during 

emergencies for two regions. 

This project focuses on awareness and 

capacity building, in making the hospital 

safer and enabling it to cope with 

the pending disaster. This was a pilot 

project primarily developed to design 

and build a replicable model that can be 

used in future hospital safety-related 

programs, whilst also demonstrating 

and advocating for a higher level of 

hospital safety in the country, as per 

the first Flagship Program, a consortium 

developed by the donors and endorsed 

by GON for Disaster Risk Management 

in Nepal. 

2.2. Objective 

The overall goal of the project was 

to strengthen the mass casualty 

management system in BZH,to ensure 

the prompt and sufficient performance 

of the hospital after a disaster, building 

an effective, efficient and inclusive 

response mechanism. The specific 

objectives to achieve this goal were: 

• To assess the seismic vulnerability 

of structural & non-structural 

components of hospital buildings 

• To mitigate non-structural 

vulnerability in the hospital building 

• To prepare a disaster response plan 

for the hospital, for a mass casualty 

incident 

• To develop an effective methodology 

that introduces disaster awareness 

and promotes action for disaster risk 

reduction in hospitals 

• To develop an approach that can 

easily be replicated in other health 

institutions 

2.3. Major activities 

2.3.1 Assessment for functionality of 

the hospital (Structural, Non- 

Structural and Functional) 

A detail vulnerability assessment was 

conducted, with the following study 

results. 

• Retrofitting of the main block was 

found technically feasible; however 

it required large-scale intervention 

making it economically unviable. 

• Two new RC frame buildings 

were recently constructed for the 

Maternity Ward and Operation 

Theatre to be shifted. Another 

RC frame building was under 

construction, for emergency 

and other important lab facilities 

following building code. 

Figure 3: Spatial Plan for Emergency 

Response Scenario -1 


Architecture 

• Non-Structural items, such as 

hospital equipment (X-Ray Machine, 

Sterilization Unit and Incubator 

etc.), contents (Rack, ceiling fan, 

refrigerator etc.) and critical facilities 

(Water supply system, electricity 

system etc.), were seismically 

highly vulnerable. 

• Recommendation to prepare a 

detail emergency response plan 

and implement mitigation measures 

including fixing of equipment and 

contents to structural elements, 

and enhancing the security 

of water pumping units and 

generator housing, considering the 

enhancement of overall functional 

safety of the hospital. 

An orientation and interaction program 

was organized in the BZH on disaster 

preparedness planning ,welcoming 

a larger audience including hospital 

management and other district level 

stakeholders. After the presentation, 

preparation of the disaster response 

plan began with the formation of three 

committees, that of Steering, Planning 

and Implementation, and Finance. 

2.3.2 Preparation of Emergency 

Response Plan with Spatial Map 

With the initiative and coordination of 

a hospital planning expert from NSET, 

the Planning Committee drafted the 

Disaster Response Plan of BZH. The 

hospital declares emergency when it 

receives 30 to 100 multi mass casualties 

or more than 10 to 15 all serious. The 

Plan included recommendations for 

various activities related to procurement, 

management, and safer construction 

that would support the Plan over all, 

each prioritized according to importance. 

This included the drawing up of a 

spatial plan, with evacuation flows 

and designated emergency areas for 

different types of disaster patients, for 

two types of scenarios (Fig 3). 

2.3.3 Non-structural mitigation 

As suggested by the assessment report, 

non-structural mitigation measures were 

carried out in June-July, 2010 as the first 

phase of the project. Two staff from the 

maintenance division of the hospital 

worked together with a technical expert 

in implementing the non-structural 

mitigation works. 

2.3.4 Implementation of key activities 

to support the plan 

Works listed as Priority I such as putting 

sirens in four key locations around the 

hospital complex, construction of two 

emergency exit gates, two channel 

gates to guide the patient flow, clearing 

and planting of grass in the garden area 

to maintain as a lawn for allocating an 

overflow of patients, making and fixing 

of sign boards for quarters and the main 

entrance gates of the hospital, were 

carried out. 

2.3.5 Strengthening of critical life line 

facilities 

As suggested by the vulnerability 

assessment, lifeline facilities, including 

the generator and pump house, were 

strengthened by demolishing and 

reconstructing the housing and providing 

shelter for the generator. They were 

constructed incorporating earthquake 

resistant elements, to ensure they 

remain functional post-disaster. 

2.3.6 Training and Drill 

Orientation training and emergency 

response drills were conducted in 

November 2010 to test the plan based 

on possible real-life scenarios, in order 

to improve emergency management. 

It was an operations-based exercise 

to validate plans, policies, agreements 

and procedures, clarify roles and 

responsibilities and identify resource 

gaps in an operational environment. 

About 50% of the volunteers for 

drill patients were final year nursing 

students. 

2.4. Fund Required 

The total cost of the project was NRs 

8, 88,085.00 (US$ 12,000) which 

included the implementation of hospital 

assessment, preparation of disaster risk 

management plan and implementation 

and supervision of selected actions of 

the plan as discussed in 2.3. This was a 

small project with small amount of fund 

involvement. However, the functionality 

of the hospital was greatly enhanced 

as it can now serve even during major 

disasters. This signifies the feasibility 

of improving non-structural aspects of 

hospital for reducing the overall seismic 

risk. 

3. APPROACH 

The following approaches were adopted 

in the implementation of the program 

at BZH, to ensure functionality during a 

disaster: 

Decision to make the plan and discussion of 

procedure after interaction with the hospital 

management and other stakeholders 

Formation of 

committees 

Development of framework 

referring other plans in Nepal and 

international practices 

3.1. The Holistic Planning Process 

The planning process of developing and 

implementing the emergency response 

plan of BZH is given below. 

Presentation of the plan and 

recommendations for consensus 

building and review 

Recommendations of 

activities to promote 

effectiveness of the plan 

Preparation of the draft plan after 

rigorous consultation and analysis 

of hospital resources 

3.2. Formation of Committees 

The project involved multi-stakeholders 

and diverse of expertise. Therefore, 

the following three committees were 

formed to ensure a universal level 

of understanding, transparency and 

ownership of the project viz. 

Implementation of 

recommended activities on 

priority basis 

Orientation 

programs 

Test of the plan 

(Drill), personnel and 

procedure 

Review of the plan & 

Amendment in the plan 


Architecture 

Steering Committee- to provide overall 

guidance and direction to the project 

whilst also establishing links with 

other initiatives related to emergency 

response at the district and national 

level. It guided the planning committee 

on existing emergency response frame 

works and preparedness activities 

in other sectors. It also facilitated in 

sharing the lessons and outcomes 

of the project with other concerned 

stakeholders during implementation, 

and after completion. 

Planning/Implementation Committeethe 

main working body responsible for 

preparation of the disaster preparedness 

plan; to identify the key elements 

to implement and the eventual 

implementation of some of the priority 

activities of the plan. It was responsible 

for inviting the steering committee to 

meet regularly and provide a brief of 

their activities. 

Financial Committee- primarily for the 

purchase of quality materials and to 

maintain financial transparency whilst 

implementing financial activities. 

3.3. Prioritization and Phase-wise 

Implementation of Works 

BZH had been built over 50 years prior 

to this study and required large-scale 

intervention to ensure functionality 

through disasters. This included 

structural and non-structural mitigation 

and other preparedness planning. It 

was not possible for one organization 

to complete all required works in one 

wave of implementation. Hence the 

overall works were prioritized on the 

basis of effectiveness towards improved 

functionality and cost, and a phase-wise 

approach was applied in implementation. 

3.4. Transfer of Knowledge and 

Technology 

Transfer of knowledge and technology is 

very important for the sustainability of 

any program. This became a key element 

of the BZH project. Two staff from the 

maintenance division were involved 

throughout in non-structural mitigation 

works under guidance from a technical 

expert. The acquired knowledge made 

them capable of carrying out such works 

in future without external help. Moreover, 

the local masons involved in building 

the pump and generator housing with 

earthquake safe technology, learned 

the practice of earthquake resistant 

construction from the earthquake 

technician on site. 

3.5. Awareness Raising on Hospital 

Disaster Preparedness at Various 

Levels 

Awareness is the first step for 

any action, including the disaster 

preparedness planning of hospitals, and 

is required at all levels of involvement, 

from the highest decision makers to the 

lowest implementers. Hence, different 

types of awareness raising tools were 

used. They included presentations 

for the top level management of the 

hospital and district level stakeholders, 

involvement in the three committees, 

involvement of technical staff in 

implementing the mitigation measures, 

and knowledge and technology transfer 

through construction training and 

practice. 

3.6. Integration with the Works of 

Other Stakeholders 

There were many stakeholders 

working together in the BZH program 

including BZH itself, Action Aid-Nepal 

(AAN) with its partner organizations, 

Handicap International (HI), Department 

of Urban Development and Building 

Construction (DUDBC) and NSET. The 

works were integrated right from project 

conception stage to save time and 

money. The works designated to each 

stakeholder were integrated. Some of 

the elements were shifted from one to 

another’s work, without having any cost 

implications. 

3.7. Comprehensive Hospital 

Preparedness Planning 

There are primarily three factors that 

make a hospital able to provide the 

required services in a disaster. They 

include the structural safety of the 

hospital buildings, non-structural safety 

of lifeline facilities, equipment, contents 

and architectural components, and 

the organization of hospital personnel 

in disaster response, critical for the 

functionality of a hospital during and 

after a disaster. All three aspects 

were incorporated in developing a 

comprehensive disaster response plan 

in BZH. 

3.8. Planning Process as an 

Awareness Raising Tool 

The planning process was used as an 

awareness raising tool. Most of the 

members in the various committees 

were from the BZH itself. The 

involvement of all committee members, 

particularly those of the planning 

committee involved in the preparation 

of the disaster response plan,raised 

awareness amongst all concerned on 

the functionality of the hospital and the 

necessity for preparedness. 

4. METHODOLOGY 

The various methodologies carried 

out in BZH to improve its functionality 

during a disaster, in the preparation 

of the disaster response plan and 

implementation of priority, nonstructural, 

mitigation activities to support 

the plan, are as follows. 

4.1. Coordination and Interactions 

with Various Stakeholders 

The involvement of various stakeholders 

requires extensive interaction, to ensure 


all knowledge is shared and maintain 

a universal level of understanding and 

consensus. A series of interaction 

sessions were organized among AAN, 

HI, BZH, NSET, and DUDBC, inviting 

comments, inputs and suggestions on 

the activities to be done. Inputs and 

suggestions were also continuously 

gathered from the various committees. 

The works were completed 

incorporating pertinent feedback from 

the interaction sessions, presentations, 

and various committees. 

4.2. Reference of Relevant Documents 

Several documents were available on 

the functionality of hospitals during a 

disaster and suitable disaster response 

plans. All were thoroughly reviewed 

and the most relevant referred, as 

mentioned in the reference. 

4.3. Application of HICS 

As organizational structure, with clear 

roles and delegated responsibilities, 

is one of the most crucial elements in 

managing an incident. A system known 

as the Incident Command System

Architecture 

SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICER 

On-Duty chief of Hospital Police Bit 

OPERATION CHIEF 

HOD Orthopaedic 

or HOD Surgery 

Medical Care 

INCIDENT COMMANDER 

Medical Superintendent or 

HOD Surgery or 

HOD Medicine 

PLANNING CHIEF 

House Keeping Head 

or Supervisor of HK 

Resources 

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 

Health Assistant or 

Assistant Medical Recorder 

LIAISON OFFICER 

Administration Assistant 

LOGISTICS CHIEF 

Store In-Charge 

Assistant Store Keeper 

Service 

FINANCE/ADMIN CHIEF 

Finance Officer 

or Store Keeper 

(ICS), has been recognized as the most 

effective incident management structure 

for organizing an effective response 

mechanism in major disasters. Applied 

to hospitals, the system is called 

Hospital Incident Command System 

(HICS). HICS was applied in BZH (Figure 

4) to manage emergency operations 

in response to events affecting the 

facility and/or surrounding community. 

ICS has been used in Nepal in the past 

by national institutions such as Nepal 

Army (NA), Nepal Police (NP), Armed 

Police Force (APF) and Nepal Red Cross 

Society (NRCS). The organizations 

involved in disaster response therefore 

speak the same language and have a 

universal understanding and consistency 

in response mechanism works. 

Security 

Infrastructures 

Situation 

Support 

Staging 

Figure 4: HICS of BZH with 5 basic 

components 

5. LESSONS LEARNT 

The development of the disaster 

response plan and its successful 

implementation at BZH was a learning 

experience in many respects. There 

were several aspects that satisfied 

the set goals and can be replicated 

in other health institutions in future 

however, there were also areas requiring 

improvement. The following are some 

such points as gleaned from the works 

of BZH. 

5.1. Planning Possible, Even in Busy 

Operating Hospital 

The very objective of developing the 

plan was to not disrupt the day-today 

function of the hospital in any 

way. Though challenging, planning for 

disaster preparedness is possible even 

amongst the activity of the day-today 

in busy hospitals like BZH, with 

intense involvement of the medical 

staff working around their schedule. 

Most of the members in the planning 

and implementing committee were 

not only just the staff of the respective 

units, but also departmental and unit 

heads. Managing time and bringing 

them together proved difficult; however 

development of the disaster response 

plan was successfully completed. 

5.2. Involvement of Hospital Staff in 

Planning and Implementation 

was Effective 

As mentioned earlier, active involvement 

of hospital staff, ranging from the top 

level Medical Superintendents to the 

lowest level maintenance technicians, 

proved very effective. All the members 

of the committees were made well 

aware of hospital disaster preparedness 

planning and their involvement, 

particularly of the members of the 

planning committee, in the preparation 

of the plan has also developed a sense 

of ownership of the plan. Involvement 

of the staff from maintenance units 

in implementation of non-structural 

mitigation measures was also a 

good opportunity for the transfer of 

knowledge and technology. 

5.3. Integration with Other Programs 

was Cost Effective 

Integrating some of the activities of 

the disaster preparedness plan with 

other programs was cost effective, 

though coordination in terms of time 

management was challenging. For 

example, incorporating construction 

of a ramp in the program of DUDBC 

made the program more cost effective 

whilst achieving a more accessible route 

for people with disabilities and other 

vulnerable groups, thus making the plan 

more functional 

5.4. Application of New Concept 

is Challenging and Requires 

Patience 

Earthquake safe construction technology 

following the National Building Code 

is not practiced in many parts of 

Nepal. Nepalgunj Municipality is 

not an exception. Incorporation of 

earthquake resistant elements in the 

construction of generator and pump 

housing was difficult as the contractor 

and masons were hesitant, initially 

refusing to apply the new concepts. 

Similarly, implementation of nonstructural 

mitigation measures in various 

departments and units were not initially 

welcomed. It was difficult to convince 

those involved that simple things, with 

little cost implication, also matter in 

ensuring the safety of non-structural 

elements. 

5.5. Regular Practice of Triage is 

Important 

Applying triage, prioritizing victims 

according to severity of their injuries, 


Architecture 

was not very effective in the drill. The 

terminology of triage itself was new 

to many staff. Triage is not a onetime 

business. It must be practiced regularly. 

The most effective application is 

therefore in the emergency department, 

where it can be practiced on a regular 

basis. Moreover, there may arise a 

situation in which the hospital receives 

disaster patients who have already 

been triaged in the field and sent to 

the hospital for further treatment, as 

in the drill. The security forces (Nepal 

Army, Nepal Police, and Nepal Armed 

Police Force) who generally reach the 

incident site first for rescue have started 

doing field triage before sending them 

to hospitals. Many courses like Medical 

First Responder (MFR) and Collapsed 

Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) 

have recently been introduced for those 

for cesable to build their capacities of 

on-site medical support and rescue 

of victims. Medical staff must also be 

aware of this process. 

5.6. Continuous Training for the Staff 

Needed 

Just knowing the plan is not enough to 

act during a disaster. Almost all the staff 

had attended the orientation training 

on the hospital disaster response plan; 

however aspects of the drill still did not 

go as anticipated. Understanding the 

importance of disaster management 

and hospital functionality is essential. 

Managing the disaster situation is not 

additional work for hospital staff; rather 

it is a part of their hospital duty. Hence 

every staff member must be aware at 

least of his or her role and responsibility 

once a state of disaster as been 

declared in the hospital. This requires 

rigorous training in regular intervals. In 

addition, top-level hospital staff should 

be trained further in courses such as 

HOPE. 

5.7. Linkage of Disaster Store with 

Emergency Store Necessary 

A separate disaster store was 

established to house medical and 

logistic supplies to be used in the wake 

of the disaster as part of the disaster 

preparedness plan, a critical factor in 

effective mass casualty management. 

However, this practice risks the 

necessary medicines reaching their 

expiration date and not being available 

when the disaster eventually hits. This 

also risks the possibility of medical 

equipment not being sterilized in 

due time. The disaster store must be 

regularly stock piled and re-stocked with 

necessary medical and logistic supplies. 

This risk can be avoided if the medicines 

and equipment for more common 

emergencies are taken from disaster 

store, maintaining its minimum stock 

and re-stocking immediately. Linking the 

emergency store with the disaster store 

ensures the medicines and equipment 

are regularly rotated. 

5.8. Mass Casualty Management is 

Not All Technical 

It is generally thought that in the midst 

of injuries and demand of medical 

facilities, it is solely a medical and 

technical matter. However, it was 

realized that managing a mass casualty 

incident is not all technical. Every 

minute detail plays a significant role in 

making disaster response effective. For 

example, if the key of a gate designed to 

control and guide the influx of people is 

not available, or the gate keeper closes 

or opens the wrong gate, the scenario 

would change drastically. Management 

is a key factor. Effective response comes 

down to a thorough understanding of 

each individual’s job and working in a 

team. 

5.9. Drill as a Learning Experience for 

Nursing Students 

The drill provided a learning opportunity 

for nursing students. Entering into the 

medical profession, they were able 

to see the gaps and challenges that 

they will soon face and identify areas 

for improvement. They each shared 

appreciation for the unique opportunity. 

5.10. Drill to be conducted on Regular 

Basis 

The drill in BZH was a first of its kind 

in the history of the hospital. Though it 

was a good learning experience for most 

of the staff, the single practice session 

is not adequate. There were still many 

things to be improved. The drills provide 

an opportunity for on-site practice of 

possible scenarios whilst strengthening 

the mass casualty management system. 

The drills must therefore be continued at 

regular intervals, to update the response 

accordingly. 

6. CONCLUSION 

Developing and implementing an 

emergency response plan that ensures 

complete functionality of a hospital 

through a disaster is a new phenomenon 

in Nepal. Developing the hospital 

disaster response plan for BZH involved 

a variety of novel activities, from 

the decision making process to plan 

development to implementation and 

eventual testing. Being a pilot project, 

several approaches and methodologies 

were adopted. Reviewing the whole 

process, it was found to be a rewarding 

learning experience for all; however, 

several concepts and key elements in 

the plan were still new to the hospital 


personnel and were not able to be 

sufficiently familiarized and internalized 

within the constraints of the program, 

leaving definite space for improvements. 

As gleaned from the works of BZH and 

the lessons learnt, all approaches and 

methodologies were found to be highly 

effective and can be replicated, with 

project-specific alterations, in other 

health institutions in Nepal in future. 

Sensitization, interactive dialogue, 

and wide participation in planning 

and decision-making, were the key 

elements of the project’s success. 

However, some approaches were quite 

challenging, including the involving the 

personnel of an operational hospital 

through the whole planning processes 

and in implementation, convincing 

those implicated of the importance and 

need of non-structural mitigation, and 

coordinating different stakeholders for 

the integration of programs. Learning 

and improving is a continuous process. 

The BZH program has highlighted 

areas requiring further intervention, 

largely in developing a more effective 

disaster management system in 

hospitals. Hospital management should 

immediately begin regular practice 

of triage, periodic seismic training for

Architecture 

all hospital staff, and updating and 

maintaining the medicinal and logistic 

disaster stock-pile, as they were not up 

to the satisfactory level. With every day 

pressures to provide for a high flow of 

patients, management often does not 

prioritize the need for regular drills and 

they are often postponed or canceled. It 

is therefore essential that the additional 

workload involved be formally inbuilt 

into the hospital’s quarterly and yearly 

programs, with monitoring and reporting 

mechanisms developed for higher 

authorities. 

The BZH experience has established 

two distinct feasible interventions. Non- 

Structural Mitigation is important and 

can be applied without disturbing the 

day-to-day operations of hospitals like 

BZH. Emergency Response Plans are 

extremely important, especially in cases 

of weak buildings. The September 18, 

2011 Himalayan Earthquake proved that 

time is running out for the type of work 

conducted at BZH to be applied in other 

hospitals. GON and other stakeholders 

should pay due attention, that they are 

losing precious time. 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

Glimpses of activities of BZH: Orientation 

on disaster preparedness, Earthquake 

resistant construction technology process 

and Non-structural mitigation measure in 

hospital. 


Architecture 

The Architecture of 

Foreign 

Architects 

in Nepal 

text Ar. Biresh Shah 

In a country where the role of the modern architect is 

being acknowledged only now, the exposure to the variety 

of architectural production realized by these foreign 

architects offers significant learning for the new architects 

in Nepal. 

Robert Weise’s designs, like the Hotel Yellow 

Pagoda, re-introduced local architectural scale 

and forms. 

© Kai Weise 


Architecture 

Nepal opened up for modern development only after 1950. Thereafter and as the 

experience of constructing modern building types was rather limited in Nepal, 

a wide range of foreign architects have worked and contributed to the architectural 

design of the country. Their involvement with projects in Nepal within the last fifty 

years has followed diverse streams and the production of architecture by these 

foreign architects, therefore, corresponds to the nature/characteristics of these 

streams, established by the scale, complexities, funding and intent of the projects. 

Together, this body of work illustrates a rich and diverse range of architectural 

ideas and responses in Nepal, as the requirement for modern building types has 

transformed with the pace and nature of modern development. 

The work of foreign architects can be categorized in the following four broad 

streams. 

© Biresh Shah 

The Family Planning Centre, designed by Louis I. Kahn, remains the most famous and controversial projects in the country after it was covered by a metal roof in 1995. 

The 1st Stream: Foreign Practitioners in 

Kathmandu 

As the Valley opened up for modern 

development in the 1950’s, and after 

the end of the Rana regime, a number 

of technical assistance projects arrived 

from various countries and international 

institutions. For the early architects 

like Robert Weise, who came with 

Swiss assisted projects, the Valley 

must have been a great sight to behold 

- the ancient cities of the Valley set 

between large expanses of lush green 

paddy terraces, meandering rivers, 

and the surreal baroque garden palace 

compounds built at the turn of the last 

century. Weise was among the first 

of these foreign architects who made 

Kathmandu their home and set up their 

practices for extended periods. 

Along with Weise, the other major 

architects who stayed to make 

significant contributions were Carl 

Pruscha, David Dobereiner, Gotz 

Haagmueller and John Sanday. Besides 

them, many other foreign architects 

have worked towards the design and 

construction of numerous communitybased 

projects throughout Nepal, like 

schools and hospitals/health centers, 

which were funded by sources outside 

the country. And we need to learn more 

about this specific body of work. 

Their architecture evolved from their 

personal experiences of the Valley, as 

they put to use their training in the 

western universities in realizing their 

specific architectural ideas. Charmed by 

the rich traditions here, they developed 

design ideas rooted in the context rather 

than promoting stereotypes from their 

countries of origin. 

Weise designed residences, hotels and 

office buildings. He is credited with the 

re-introduction of local architectural scale 

and the sloping roof forms, evoking 

two very significant characteristics of 

the traditional architecture of the Valley. 

His office also was one of the earliest 

private practices to hire Nepalese 

architects returning to Nepal after 

completing their education abroad. 

Weise designed several prominent 

architectural landmarks like the 

Annapurna Hotel, The Yellow Pagoda 

Hotel, the Nepal Army Headquarters, 

besides a large number of single 


Architecture 

The Narayanhiti Palace designed 

by American architect, 

Benjamin Polk. 

residences and projects in the Tribhuwan 

Unversity Campus in Kirtipur. 

Pruscha came to the Valley on a UNDP 

assignment to produce the first urban 

development plan for the Valley in the 

late 60’s. During the time he spent here, 

he also supervised the preparation of 

the first inventory of cultural monuments 

of the Valley. His significant contribution 

was in the design and construction of 

the Tara Gaon Hotel and the Institutional 

building CEDA for Tribhuwan University. 

The Taragaon Hotel was designed to 

provide lodgings for foreign consultants 

coming to the Valley on extensive 

stay. The complex constructed almost 

entirely in exposed brick with wooden 

windows evokes the spirit of the small 

traditional town form, using an entirely 

new architectural form, the exposed 

brick vaults. The resulting built-form is 

modern, yet feels so much part of the 

tradition of the Valley. Recently this 

building has become part of a huge 

hotel complex. The building has recently 

been subject to some temporary 

modifications which totally disregard its 

original architectural quality. The author 

initiated the documentation of this 

building with the help of the students 

of the Tribhuwan University, since the 

original drawings had been lost. This was 

possibly the first instance of a modern 

building being documented in the Valley 

for research and restoration purposes. 

The Center for Economic Development 

and Administration (The CEDA building), 

an independent center of the Tribhuwan 

University, was designed by Pruscha 

in the 70’s. The building, again in 

exposed brick, is set into the terraced 

agricultural landscape as a series of 

geometrical forms which offer a complex 

composition to create strong public 

spaces. In this building the architect 

has again pursued a fresh architectural 

idea through the design of a modern 

composition of forms set in a primordial 

landscape, which evokes his deep 

understanding of the Valley. 

Gotz Haagmueller, an Austrian Architect, 

came to Kathmandu to work with the 

GTZ-supported Bhaktapur Development 

Project in the 70's and has made 

Bhaktapur his home since then. 

Although most of his work has been in 

the area of restoring several heritage 

buildings of significance, he has used 

his long experience and knowledge 

of traditional architecture of the Valley 

to establish design innovations in 

adaptive re-use of historic buildings 

in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. 

His important projects are the Patan 

Museum, the Keshar Mahal Gardens 

and his own house in a traditional 

courtyard in Bhaktapur. These projects 

demonstrate the wide range of 

contemporary design possibilities in 

restoring old buildings for contemporary 

use. 

The 2nd Stream: Work of Internationally 

known Architects 

The second stream belongs to the 

works of internationally renowned 

architects, who were contracted 

by international aid agencies or 

organizations to design specific buildings 

or complexes in Nepal. Most of these 

were single project involvement 

within a limited timeframe, and rarely 

demonstrates innovative efforts by the 

architects in a new challenging context. 

Kenzo Tange prepared the Master Plan 

of Lumbini, Buddha’s Birthplace. He also 

designed the most important buildings 

in the Master Plan. After the Second 

World War and as South Asia embarked 

on a process of modernisation, Tange's 

Lumbini Project is the only project in 

modern Nepal by an internationally 

renowned architect which offers a 

comparison in terms of scale and scope 

of other Prestige Projects by prestigious 

foreign architects in South Asia, like the 

Capital Complex of Dacca and other 

large important complexes. However, 

being located in an obscure southern 

region of the country, the project failed 

to generate the enthusiasm that it 

perhaps deserved. It also took a long 

time to get off the ground. Subsequently 

when it did pick up momentum, it fell 

prey to speculative development, both 

within the Master Plan area and outside 

it. Its contribution to contemporary 

architecture thinking has been very 

limited too. 

Among the most famous and 

controversial projects in the country is 

the Family Planning Centre (funded by 

the USAID), designed by Louis I. Kahn. 

This project, among Kahn’s last projects, 

was designed in a largely governmental 

institutional area. Kahn even prepared 

a Master Plan of the entire area, which 

was followed only partially. Kahn 

designed a symmetrical composition 

of exposed brick piers interspersed by 

vertical strips of wooden windows. The 

building was topped off by a one-store 

high exposed brick parapet with deep 

punctures enclosing large roof terraces 

(possibly meant to be ‘courtyards in 

the sky’). In 1995, the current resident 

of the building, the Ministry of Health, 


Architecture 

decided to put a metal roof over the 

terraces to create more floor space. 

The local architecture community 

protested by taking out public protests. 

A media campaign was launched, 

and simultaneously a legal case was 

filed in the apex court by the Society 

of Nepalese Architects. However, the 

bureaucrats of the ministry prevailed, 

since rules to protect contemporary 

building as cultural assets were feeble. 

Tadao Ando, the renowned Japanese 

architect, designed a Women’s and 

Children’s hospital in Butwal, which 

was supported by a Japanese Charity 

Organisation (AMDA) in the 90's. 

Benjamin Polk, the American architect, 

designed the new Narayanhiti Royal 

Palace. Some of the leading Indian 

architects also made their mark. 

Achyut Kanvinde designed the Rampur 

Agricultural Campus and Habib Rahman 

designed buildings in the TU Campus. 

Barring Polk’s Narayanhiti Palace, which 

sits almost in the middle of the City 

restructuring that took place under King 

Mahendra, none of the other projects 

really captured the imagination of either 

the public nor the architects. In the 

design of the new Royal Palace building 

at the top of a newly created boulevard, 

Polk achieved a rare resolution of 

the issue of cultural identity and 

monumentality in a modern project 

without being very extravagant or 

resorting to kitsch. 

The 3rd. Stream: Works of Foreign 

Design ‘Invisible’ Consortiums in Public 

Projects 

The third stream of work by foreign 

architects relates to the construction 

of large and programmatically complex 

building complexes, which were built 

as technical assistance projects. The 

bilateral agencies which executed 

these projects brought their own 

consortium of architects/consultants to 

ensure a certain standard in design and 

construction. 

Most of these projects required the 

design and construction of building 

types which had no precedence in the 

Valley. Therefore functional design, 

ease of maintenance, limitations of 

construction technology in a developing 

country and minimizing use of energy, 

were the principal design considerations 

in these projects. Generally, architectural 

scale and materials which fit in easily 

in the landscape were considered, 

besides which, setting a new quality 

of construction standards was also an 

important objective. At the behest 

of JICA, consortiums of Japanese 

architects were brought in to design 

the Teaching Hospital Campus, the 

Sano Thimi Tuberculosis Centre and 

the Disaster Mitigation Centre among 

others. The Japanese projects achieved 

a high standard of programmatic 

and technical resolution as well as 

construction quality, while remaining 

largely indifferent projects architecturally. 

The government architects from India 

executed a number of buildings in the 

city like the General Post Office building, 

the telecommunications buildings, and 

hospital projects like the Bir Hospital, the 

BP Koirala Institute of Medical Sciences 

in Dharan, and more recently, the New 

Trauma Centre in the Bir Hospital. The 

General Post Office and Telephone 

Exchange Building were among the very 

first buildings constructed between the 

mid-60’s and early seventies, dedicated 

to the development of institutions related 

to modern communication. Designed by 

the architects of various Departments of 

the Indian Government, they demonstrate 

the modern architect’s preoccupation 

of translating modern functions into 

new architectural expression. Although 

it would be difficult to establish these 

projects of having any exceptional 

architectural merit, they demonstrate a 

certain rigor of design and detailing as 

well as an acknowledgement of the civic 

context. The new Trauma Centre, which 

occupies a very prominent urban site 

on the Tundikhel, is the latest addition in 

this category of buildings. While no one 

doubts its resolution of a rather complex 

programme, its gesture to the city as 

a large architectural addition is at best 

feeble. 

The Chinese Government on the other 

hand brought in its own government 

architects to design the Birendra 

International Convention Centre and the 

new Civil Employees' Hospital. Both 

these projects were grant projects from 

Among the works of 'Invisible' Consortium Architects, the 

International Terminal Building is perhaps an exception in terms of 

its sensitivity towards the city. 

The architecture of the Chinese project grants, the Birendra 

International Convention Centre and the new Civil Hospital, 

although occupying important and visible sites, are indifferent to 

making any connection to the city. 


Architecture 

The Taragaon Hyatt Regency, designed by a group of Japanese 

and Indian architects, claims to have integrated the essential and 

formal characteristics of the traditional built environment but in 

fact is quite far from this claim. 

the Government of China; their design 

and construction being undertaken 

by Chinese consortiums. While both 

projects occupy very important and 

visible sites, their architecture is quite 

indifferent to making any connection 

with the City. 

Exception perhaps is the International 

Terminal Building of the Tribhuwan 

Airport, which was an international loan 

project with international consultants 

and constructed by international 

contractors. The linear building, which is 

sited at the top of a sloping topography, 

is seen as an extension of the series of 

terraces in the foreground landscape. 

The use of exposed brick as the major 

façade material further integrates this 

rather large building with the city. 

A similar design attitude can also be 

observed in the design and construction 

of Foreign Embassy compounds in the 

city. These include the US Embassy 

compound, the Japanese Embassy 

and the Ambassador’s Residence, 

the German Embassy, the Chinese 

Embassy, the Russian Embassy, the 

Danish Embassy, the Norwegian 

Embassy and the new Indian Embassy 

(now under construction). 

Internationally, the architecture of 

Embassy buildings are a significant 

opportunity for the country to 

demonstrate its cultural identity. The 

architecture of foreign mission also 

offer an opportunity to contribute to the 

landscape of a city by inserting a fresh 

architectural vision to an established 

architectural context. Most of the 

embassy buildings in Kathmandu, 

designed by architects from their 

respective countries, do not seem to be 

very successful in this regard. Perhaps 


Architecture 

the concern for security, functionality 

and specific national norms/standards 

were a greater design concern for the 

designers. 

However, the design and construction 

of the Norwegian Embassy is an 

exception. While the architectural 

concept was developed by Norwegian 

Architect, Kristin Jarmund, the design 

development of the project leading 

towards construction took place in 

Kathmandu in collaboration with 

Nepalese consultants. The project was 

constructed by a Nepalese contractor as 

well. The design idea consciously seeks 

to fit and contribute to the city fabric, 

while offering us a glimpse of modern 

Scandinavian aesthetics. 

The 4th Stream: Architecture For Private 

Sector Commercial Projects 

The last stream of works by foreign 

architects relates to large construction 

projects requiring master planning and 

advanced technical/design services 

in large-scaled commercially driven 

projects promoted by the Private Sector. 

For reasons of economy, as well as 

working practicality, a majority of the 

architects have been large architecture 

offices from India. Initially these 

architects were employed in large hotel 

projects like Soaltee, Taragaon Hyatt 

Regency, Radisson, Yak and Yeti and the 

Fulbari Resort. However several highend 

resorts outside the Valley have also 

been designed by non-Indian architects 

as well. 

The Taragaon Hyatt Regency Hotel, 

which opened its door only a couple 

of years ago, is arguably the most 

important new hotel in Kathmandu 

today. Designed by a group of Japanese 

and Indian architects, it claims to have 

integrated the essential spatial and 

formal characteristics of the traditional 

built environment. What has been 

achieved seems to be quite far from 

this claim. The two most important 

parts - the traditional built form and 

the scale and spatial composition, 

have been ill considered in this design. 

The hotel has been planned along two 

very strong axes perpendicular to each 

other (reminder of a baroque plan), thus 

preventing shifting vistas, a significant 

aspect of the traditional space. The other 

aspect is the massive scale generated 

by a sloping tiled roof of almost twentyfive 

feet high pitch. 

The Trauma Centre, recently built through technical assistance 

and funding from India, occupies a very prominent urban site on 

the Tundikhel, but its gesture to the city as a large architectural 

addition is feeble. 


Architecture 

In the last five years, as investment 

intensified due to booming property 

markets in the construction of multistoried 

residential apartments and 

modern shopping centres, the influx of 

large architecture firms from India has 

intensified. The superior experience and 

capacities of these foreign architecture 

consortiums makes them the natural 

choice of private sector investors for 

undertaking large complex building 

types, which have to be completed 

within limited time frames. In this 

category of work, the foreign architects 

have worked for Clients based in 

Nepal, financed by Nepalese Banks, 

constructed by mainly Nepalese 

contractors and approved by Nepalese 

authorities. Therefore, the level of 

interaction with local stakeholders has 

been much greater in these projects 

than in previous technical assistance/ 

grant projects. But this also pits the 

national architecture professional 

community in direct competition with 

this category of foreign architects, which 

is an issue that needs debate. 

Conclusion 

Foreign architects, in the past fifty 

years, have realized their architectural 

intentions and visions in Nepal through 

a variety of channels. In a country where 

the role of the modern architect is being 

acknowledged only now, the exposure 

to the variety of architectural production 

realized by these foreign architects 

offers significant learning for the new 

architects in Nepal . Arguably these 

architects come from a background 

of modern architectural training and 

practice much older than ours. But 

we need to document and attempt to 

understand their work and contributions 

within our developmental context. 

This can be of significant value to us 

to establish firmly our own pursuits 

and directions in architectural design, 

as well building capacity to undertake 

architectural challenges in the future. 

The architecture of foreign missions, like the Norwegian and US 

Embassy, significantly demonstrate the country’s cultural identity. 


Architecture 


Journey 

Journey to the 

Deeper 

Khumbu 

text/photo Ashesh Rajbansh 


Journey 

N 

epal, the majestic country obsessively gifted with abundance of 

nature that the world couldn’t get enough of it. Due to the difficult 

terrain and unviability of road transport means, the only option that 

remains to reach the unreachable places is by air travel. Flying has 

always been a passion, inspired by birds for broader coverage of view, 

needed a machine aid for going to extreme places, and nothing can 

better a helicopter flown by exceptionally talented pilot. 


Journey 

Excitement and expectancy risen so 

high that no normal place can calm it 

down and bring back to normal, though a 

slight concern was there since a lot was 

dependent up on weather, wind and of 

course the tackling power of man and 

his machine. 

The weather in Kathamndu looked 

glim and we’re already skeptical for the 

journey that might become majestic or 

vise versa. Still we flew towards Lukla in 

early morning and by the time we reach 

there, the sheer persistence and luck 

favored so well that the weather was 

just as we imagined and waiting for us 

to come by. 

We landed in Lukla for a while for 

additional weather information for 

the flight ahead. After confirming the 

weather is going to remain calm for the 

rest of the morning, we flew towards 

Yeti Mountain Home Kongde Resort, 

one of the highest hotels in the world 

at 4250 meters. YMH Kongde holds 

unparalleled views over the entire 

Everest range including majestic views 

of five of the world’s highest mountains, 

Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyo, 

Gyajung Khang (the highest under 

8000m), and Ama Dablam. 

Resting there for around 45 minutes 

and looking down at Namche and 

Khumbu valley, we flew deeper towards 

Everest region. Mountains, glaciers, 

ice falls, rivers and many, and they are 

not just lying there for nothing. It is the 

richest region of world for the kind with 

concentrated gathering like dancing in 

a group. The human development can’t 


Journey 

match it, words fall long short describing 

it, imagination can’t reach there, people 

from all corners of the globe are pulled 

there and many don’t even bother by the 

risk of death due the extreme climatic 

condition. What more can we think of, 

there is a mythical saying that gods used 

to stay and dance there for thousands 

of years and one can hardly resist that 

saying though there’s no such physical 

evidence as such. Want a lifetime 

achievement award for all your hard 

work thought out your life span, then 

go there in a helicopter for 2 – 3 hours. 

Its much much more than I could ever 

imagined, and I’ll stay with defend my 

saying all though my life. The precision 

machine that I flew on was one of the 

Air Dynasty helicopter and the daring 

and very caring expert captain of the 

ship was Mr. Anil Pun with flamboyant 

mountaineer Mr. Tashi Tenzing Sherpa 

leading us all throughout the flight to 

the zone of gods. I feel my life is now 

blessed and nothing to complain, it was 

a lifetime achievement award for me for 

all positive things that I do, I got it early, 

you please don’t wait any longer. 


Journey 

b]z}el/ Ps} ;dodf 

sfofs}/g g]kfn va/ g]kfn va/ g]kfn va/ g]kfn va/ g]kfn bk{0f 


Journey 


Art 

The Lost Paintings 

of Nepal 

Only replicas remain 

by Pujan Joshi 

photo courtesy Ekaram Singh 

An unaccounted number of Nepal’s precious antique paintings, woodcarvings, 

sculptures and other artifacts have been stolen and smuggled out of the 

country since the 1950s when the country opened its doors to tourists. The 

the ftsand smuggling reached its peak during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The pillaging of 

the ancient national treasures is still taking place, thanks to the apathy of the law 

makers and law keepers and lack of awareness amongst the general public. The 

priceless national treasures that were created out of devotion and for the purpose 

of worshipping now stand in museums and in private collectors’ hands as mere 

decorative items with commercial value attached to it. 

There is a ray of hope in this dark scenario though in the form of a few committed 

lovers of arts who are on a mission to make the general public and international 

organizations aware of this problem through exhibitions of the replicas of the lost 

and stolen arts of Nepal. By showcasing the replicas of the treasures, they are 

attempting to make the general public realize the value of what the country has lost 

through its ignorance and carelessness. It also goes to discourage the international 

art community, individual collectors or others from buying the original art pieces. 


Art 

Ekaram Singh 

Ekaram Singh is such a pioneer who 

recently organized an exhibition of 

the lost and stolen paintings titled, 

‘Restoration Art Archeology lost 

painting from Nepal’ in Kasthamandap, 

Basantapur. It was a perfect location 

for the exhibition, due to its historical 

and cultural significance. It was built 

around 12 th century as a resting place 

for merchants and travelers of the 

Trans Himalayan route between India 

and Tibet and was locally known as 

Maru Sattal. Legend has it that the 

whole structure was built from the 

trunk of a single Sal tree. 

The earliest replica painting in the 

exhibition dates back to 1015 AD. 

The exhibition was initiated by 

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) 

and inaugurated by Honorable Bhim 

Acharya, Minister of Culture, Tourism 

and Civil Aviation; Guest of Honor,Hari 

Kumar Shrestha and Tulsi Diwas,a 

Nepalese literary figure and folklore 

expert. 

Mr Singh spent 16 years researching 

and painting and categorizing the 

replicas of the 25 lost and stolen 

paintings which were displayed in the 

exhibition during the World Heritage 

day. The wall painting of Tika Bhairav 

from Chompi depicts King Ravan, 

a devotee of Lord Shiva receiving 

the immorality drink (Amrit) from 

Lord Shiva who requested Ravan 

to safeguard it and avoid the Amrit 

coming in touch with mother earth. 

As Ravan was crossing Chompi, a 

sudden heavy flood hindered his path 

and he was compelled to put the 

vessel on the ground and the vessel 

got stuck in the earth. After asking 

for forgiveness from Lord Shiva, he 

established Kaleshwor Mahadev 

Mandir and returned to Lanka. Today 

Tika Bhairav is said to be the place 

where Ravan put down the vessel 

of immorality at Choampi. Another 

interesting wall painting depicts 

witchcraft practices which were 

taught on a day known as Gathey 

Mangal. 

Some of these priceless paintings 

are found abroad in museums, global 

auctions and private collections. 


Art 

Paintings: 

Rastriya Sanskriti Niti, a government 

body, has made a policy to safeguard 

such heritage. “If the government 

takes action and research initiatives, 

then awareness regarding this issue 

will spread and benefit us all…… 

Such lost and stolen arts of Nepal, 

if found, should be returned to their 

respective devotional places rather 

than being stored away in museums,” 

said Singh. It is also reported that 

many museums worldwide now have 

kept such stolen paintings in their 

storage rooms out of embarrassment 

and some get damaged in the 

process. It is reported that UNESCO 

is working on requests to bring back 

some of those paintings back to 

Nepal. 

Singh received his degree in 

Sociology, Nepali Culture and 

Archeology from Tribhuwan University. 

He has written articles, illustrated arts 

for children’s book of Nepalese Folk 

tales, short documentary films on 

Nepali culture, archeology and history; 

and conducted Nepali art courses 

for many decades. He was inspired 

to start this research work when he 

came across a Nepali art in an auction 

magazine. He added that the research 

on the history of these arts is complex 

as it involves various studies that cannot 

be completed in a lifetime but hopefully 

the next generation can. 


Art 

Royal sitting posture of Jitamitra Malla of 

Bhaktapur (1681 AD) 

The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur 

were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupendra Malla 

and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key 

roles in building the palaces and temples 

in Durbar Square. 

Licchavi King Narendra Dev 

After the downfall of Soma Dynasty, the Licchavi period began in the history of 

Nepal during the time of Gautama Buddha. The Licchavi King Narendra Dev initiated 

friendly relations with China, and his successors laid the foundation of friendship 

with India by entering into matrimonial alliances with the Indian royal families. The 

Licchavi rule spanned over a period of about 630 years. Narendra Dev, who was 

in Tibet in exile, was later crowned as the King with help from the Tibetans. This 

painting displaysNarendra Dev being crowned at a public ceremony. 

This painting dates back to 888 Nepal 

Sambat of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. 

King Shah, who united Nepal is shown 

sitting on the throne of the Malla kings 

after gaining victory over the Malla 

regime during Indra Jatra, a festival 

that is still practiced once every year in 

Kathmandu. 


Art 

A Newa Buddhist Manuscript dated 1015 AD. It is displayed at 

The Cambridge University Library, United Kingdom. 

A Sati practice painting dated 1840-1870 

AD. It is with a private collector of the 

Jucker Collection. 

Bisket Jatra, a festival that still continues to date in Bhaktapur. The painting is said 

to be in an Australian Museum. It portrays the history of military protection during 

the festival with old rifles controlling the crowd. 

The painting of Mani Mandap Ganesh 

dated 1762 AD where King Ranjit Malla, 

King of Bhaktapur takes a vow to ensure 

prosperity for the people of Patan when 

crowned as the King of Patan. 


Art 



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Book 

Jarunhiti 

This well researched book is replete with photographs of Jarunhiti, 

the traditional water tanks, which were widely used by the Newar 

Community of Kathmandu. It however, is disappearing day by day and 

Nepal is on the verge of losing a valuable part of its cultural heritage. Compiled 

by a team of Japanese and Nepalese photographers, archeologists and an 

ethnographer, this book provides a clear analysis of the cultural crisis in which 

many traditional values are vanishing from the country. It explains that the 

rapid changes in the society, politics, social and cultural behavior of the local 

people and other factors are responsible for the deterioration. 

Akira Furukawa explains that this book 

started out from the collection of Mr. 

Amrit Bajracharya’s photographs of 

Jarun. As he began following changes 

in the use of natural resources such 

as forests and water in Himalayan 

villages from 1989 to 2002; he felt the 

necessity of studying traditional methods 

and facilities of water use in two 

ancient cities - Kathmandu and Patan. 

The problems of water shortage and 

pollution in Kathmandu Valley arose from 

abandonment of traditional water supply 

systems, as a result of urbanization and 

introduction of modern water supply 

systems. 

It is estimated that there are more than 

25,000 wells in Kathmandu and dozens 

of deep wells. The Coca Cola Factory 

in the valley alone draws out water 

from almost half of the valley. It has 

the deepest dug bored hole in Nepal 

measuring more than 1200 meters 

deep. It is not known how much of the 

underground water volume has been 

affected by this huge extraction of water. 

The famous water garden at Balaju 

with 22 stone spouts went dry decades 

ago. Even the waterfalls at the north of 

Nagarjun Hill have ceased to flow and 

the result is a dry forest now. 

The Jarun represents the notion of 

rejection represented by the caste 

system. Jaruns were created amidst 

such rejections and inclusions in 

the 1500 year history of Nepal; but 

have been falling into obscurity and 

abandoned for the last 50 years, which 

seems to hint at the future of Hiti and 

wells also. In order to harvest water 

during historical times, the people built 

different structures for proper use of 

water. They dug ponds for storage of 

water, constructed banks (Ghats) on the 

river for washing and bathing, raised 

small barrages to divert river water to 

irrigate farm, excavated wells (Inar) for 

exploiting underground water. Side by 

side they made a large number of stone 

spouts in sunken areas, rectangular and 

other aesthetically shaped basins (Gahiti, 

Gairidhara); and the smallest units of 

the aqua architecture created by our 

ancestors, the Jarunhiti. 

Jarunhiti is a simple aqua architectural 

piece. It consists of a stone channel 

holding a few gallons of water and is 

either free standing or built into the 

walls of a house, temple or monastery. 

The stone container is drilled for a spout 

with a stop spigot to release water. The 

source is always dependent on a well or 

stone spout nearby. Independent or free 

standing Jarunhiti are scattered almost 

everywhere but are conspicuous in the 

high roads leading to the greater cities 

like Kantipur, Bhaktapur and Patan. The 

book also describes how locating such 

Hitis and mapping of them gives an 

interesting picture of the ancient trade 

routes and high roads. Unfortunately, 

before any detailed study could be done, 

most such Hitis have faded into oblivion 

and only a few examples of such Hitis 

and routes can still be traced. 


Book 

Another interesting point the book explains is 

that the second variety of Jarunhiti is linked with 

Mandafalecha, commonly known as Sorakhuttepati, 

meaning 16 legged rest house. These points or Pattis 

were the customs collection points during the olden 

days; therefore they were located at the entry and 

exit points of the towns entitled to raise customs 

dues. Sadly, its original architectural form has been 

lost along with the Jarunhitis. 

Human beings are the only creatures in the world 

that intentionally perform benevolent works for the 

benefit of others, Jarunhiti is one example offered by 

the Newar society. 

The book was kindly provided by 

Mandala Book Point, Katnipath, Kathmandu 

Tel: 4227711 


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Artspace 

Dancing Meera 

by asha Dangol 

Her paintings of the Meera series are based on the ancient story 

of Meera, the beloved of the Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology. In 

this continuance of her series since 2005, she has tried to capture 

the happiest moments of the divine lovers in symbolic forms of a 

female figure and a peacock against the backdrop of nature in its 

vibrant colours in her distinctive style. 

Shashikala Tiwari 

Shashikala Tiwari, 64, is a renowned name in the field of Nepali contemporary art. She did her Bachelors in 

Fine Arts from M.S. University, Baroda, India. She has done multiple solo exhibitions in Nepal and abroad 

and has participated in numerous group shows such as: Asian Art Exhibition - Fukuoka, 

Jahangir Art Gallery - Mumbai, Asian Art Biennale - Dhaka, Exposigao International de 

Arte - Banco do Brasil and International Artist Conference in Japan. She was chosen as 

the Best Artist of the Year by Nepal Association of Fine Art in 1981 and 1984, and has 

received several other awards in the country. 


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Mario Francesco Batali 

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Tibrewal and Sanjib Parajuli created 

Kitchen Concepts Pvt., in 2005, with 

the vision of designing and developing 

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Kitchen Concepts is one stop solution 

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appliances, accessories; as well 

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Installations of kitchens are carried 

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Market 


OPEN Spaces 

The School of Creative Communications is a unique 

blend of creativity and communication. We provide 

a platform for those who dream of nurturing one’s 

creativity through communication. We offer training 

programs on art, photography, writing and languages. 

We have been conducting SCC Explore Photography 

workshops since its establishment in 2009. We have 

been organizing SCC Blue Bag,sharing program 

with scholar once a month. It is located at Kupondol, 

Lalitpur, Nepal. (Link road to Bagmati river) 

The changing faces of Kirtipur from historical 

city to a modern concrete city is witnessing old 

traditional houses on the verge of extinction. 

The city has become the concrete jungle which 

is the result of unplanned rapid urbanization. 

The concerned authority should be aware of its 

negative impact. 

About Photographer: 

Shiddhartha Pant, currently studying management 

and one of the team member and alumnus of 

SCC, is very passionate about photography. 

www.scc.org.np 

facebook.com/scc.kathmandu 


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02 JK White Cement 

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03 Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited 

New Baneshwor, Kathmandu 

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04 Beko 

Putalisadak, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1- 4422190 

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05 Furniture Land 

Blue Star Complex, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4224797 

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06 Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd. 

148 Thirbum Sadak, Baluwatar 

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07 Technical Associates Services Pvt. Ltd. 

Thapathali, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4219999 

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09 Index Furniture 

Metro Park Building, 1st Floor, Lazimpat 

Ph: 4415181 

info@indexfurniture.com.np 

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11 Deluxe Trading Company 

Putalisadak, Kamaladi, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4245317 

deluxe@mail.com.np 

13 Mercantile Office System Pvt. Ltd. 

Hiti Pokhari, Durbarmarg 

Ph: 4440773 / 4445620 

raj@mercantile.com.np 

www.mospl.com.np 

17 Bombay Dyeing (Thanvi & Sons) 

Share Market Complex 

Putalisadak, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4242046 

thanviandsons@gmail.com 

19 E3 Security Solution Pvt. Ltd. 

Kumaripati, Lalitpur 

Ph: 977-1-5008730 / 5554961 

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21 Skylight Pvt. Ltd. 

Naxal (Opp to Police HQ), Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4423851 

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21 MD Furniture 

Maharajgunj (Opp. U.S. Embassy) 

Ph: 977-1-4721484 

mdfurniture@snet.com.np 

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32 Nagrik - Nepal Republic Media Pvt. Ltd. 

JDA Complex, Bagh Durbar 

Ph: 977-1-4265100 / 4261808 

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33 Yeti Polychem Pvt. Ltd. 

Dillibazar, Kathmandu 

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61 Hisense - Navin Distributors Pvt. Ltd. 

1st Floor, A.T. Complex, New Plaza, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4430785 

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54 Bestbuy Nepal Pvt. Ltd. 

Kupondole, L.P. 

Ph: 977-1-5523289 / 5545481 

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54 Communication Corner Pvt. Ltd. 

(Ujyaalo 90 Network) 

Ujyaalo Ghar (Behind Central Zoo) 

Jawalakhel, Lalitpur 

Ph: 977-1-5000171 

info@unn.com.np 

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55 Exterior Interior 

Hattisar & Bhatbhteni Supermarket, 2nd Floor 

Tangal, Kathmandu 

Ph: 4435419 / 4436876 

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61 Atc Pvt. Ltd. 

336/21, Ganesh Man Sing Path-2, Teku Road 

Ph: 977-1-4262220 

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61 Congratulation Note to Welcome 

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62 Worldlink Communication Pvt. Ltd. 


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63 Kitchen Concepts Pvt. Ltd. 

Teku Road (Near to Bakery Café) 

Ph: 977-1-4221858 

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65 Halesi Décor Pvt. Ltd. 

Chabahil, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4464888 / 9851050798 

66 Media Nine Pvt. Ltd. 

Narayan Chaur, Naxal, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4410440 / 4426655 

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67 Yeti Airlines 

Tilganga, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1- 4464878 

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68 Bira Furniture 

Patan Industrial Estate, Lalitpur 

Ph: 977-1-5522253 

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69 Buddha Air 


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69 Bricks Café 

Kupondole, Lalitpur 

Ph: 977-1-5521756 

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69 Chaitanya Spa 

Wellness Healing Spa Pvt. Ltd. 

Bakhundole, Sanepa 

Ph: 977-1-5547774 

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71 Starnet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. 

Shankhamul, Pragatimarga, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4781945 

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73 International Electronics Concern (P.) Ltd 

Harati Bhawan, Putalisadak, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4421991, 4422107 

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77 Marvel Technoplast Pvt. Ltd. 

Heritage Plaza - II, 2nd Floor, Kamladi 

Ph: 977-1-4169122 

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78 Berger Jenson & Nicholson (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd. 

Berger House - 492, Tinkune, Kathmandu 

Ph: 977-1-4466038 

info@bergernepal.com 

www.bergernepal.com

6. June 2014

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