My Jal-ful experience of the interview with Goher.

YOUNNOVATION EXCLUSIVE

It was 18^th December 2006, I had got a call last night on 17^th December 2006 that I may have to take Jal’s interview from my friend who works for In your face magazine. I had contributed an article for that mag in the past. I work till 1 AM to jot down the questions to ask the ever popular young and energetic band whose life performance I witnessed just two days back on 16^th December 2006. I am a fan of Jal for that matter.

The day arrives, in the morning I’m informed to reach the parking of Hyatt at 10. I reach there on time, thing to consider is that I have an exam (viva) to give at 11:30 or 12:00. There seems to a miscommunication but we are informed that Jal has gone for a mountain flight. To no avail, we wait for an hour or so. Then the Jal’s manager inform us they are coming. He meant that they are coming down from their room but we scanned every incoming vehicle to sum up the work. Then Jal’s manager was behaving so good with us.

After around two hours of endless waiting, the terrific trio of Jal finally arrive at the lobby of Hyatt. I run to the lead vocalist Salman Butt and ask him to give me few minutes. Goher is a litter far and Shazi is in his own world. Just as I begin to ask the first question the chameleon nature of the manager shows, he is so eager to move. Informs me that they are getting late. He had ensured that he will provide 10 minutes or so but I had to sum up the interview in just 1:45 mins with just two questions asked. I was so unsatisfied as my hard work was unjustified and I still had a exam to give. Another point to notice is that Mr. Butt didn’t feel the need to stop smoking while answering my question. Do you call this Jal (Manger mainly)’s disrespect to media or what? I really wished that they missed their flight!!!! A ray of hope they had the decency to wave us bye.

The next day I get the anchor story of THT(The Himalayan Times) that ‘Jal’s manager is held with illegal notes’ I was so happy. Let’s put it aside but I’m a big fan of Jal. The way they treated a media person was reprehensible. If they had told they won’t give the interview we could have returned, they didn’t value our time.

Nonetheless, today 27^th December 2006 I again get a call when I’m returning home from college. I just find out that I have to interview the creative genius behind Jal – Goher Mumtaz only as others have returned and Manager is still in custody. I was per-informed about this so I had prepared the questions; I jump home print the question and head for the interview at 6. Reach a hotel at Jwalakhel and landed in Goher Mumtaz’s room. He was watching cricket at that time. This man is truly talented no doubts about that as he is the lyricist, lead and rhythm guitarist and above all composes the songs for Jal. Buts still on the contrary to my bitter experience 9 days back he is down to earth and humble. Primarily, the interview can be labeled very good, I have recorded it. He did smoke but had the decorum to blow the smoke away from me. A fine-looking tall gifted artist being perplexed by my question was what I enjoyed the most in today’s interview. All in all I must add you must set aside the emotion and feelings in professional life to a level, or it forbids you from giving your best shot.

This was the bitter and sweet experience I had with interviewing Jal. Hope it was likable. If I get the photos I’ll add them up. Jotting this feels like a real blog: blog your feelings kind.

Geshan Manandhar

Around 650 Words

I got pic.

YOUNNOVATION EXCLUSIVE

Secular Nepal : Right Move or Wrong?

“This is the first time we are celebrating Lhosar as an equal and free citizen.” An elated and jubilant Gurung boy said. Nepal has never been colonized and 1990’s constitution had acknowledged basic human rights. So how come this is the first time Gurung people are celebrating Lhosar as a free man. He replied, “Nepal is now secular country. We don’t have to bear tag of being Hindu Kingdom any longer. We all are equal and have our own religion. My country doesn’t have primary religion and I don’t have to nod when any foreigner told me Nepal’s Hindu Kingdom feeling as if me and my religion don’t belong to Nepal.

Yes, Nepal is secular state now. After the April Revolution, Nepal has witnessed many changes in state mechanism that is bound to have future significance. On Jestha 4, 2063 (18 May, 2006) reinstated House of Representatives declared itself sovereign and sovereign House declared Nepal as secular country. Soon after its announcement euphoric indigenous and people of other religion than Hindu came to street to celebrate. Declaring Nepal as secular state had been demand for long time. While drafting 1990’s constitution also this voice roused. Drafters put this demand in the constitution and sent it to royal palace for final approval. But when it came out, it has declared Nepal as Hindu Kingdom not secular as demanded. Finally people’s demand for secular Nepal is fulfilled.

But not everyone feel the same way. Orthodox and extreme Hindus have also come to street demanding Nepal be declared Hindu Kingdom not secular one. Many general public also share this view. They are not just yet ready to accept the changes. They argue that despite being Hindu Kingdom, people of other religion were never discriminated and Nepal hasn’t witnessed any communal violence. Now it has been declared secular state, communal violence might pick up. Asked how, they reply that by declaring secular, state has given chance to Hindu extremities like Shiva Sena etc. to play their game. In 2061 Bhadra, Nepal witnessed the worst communal violence after 12 Nepalis were killed in Iraq by insurgents. As response to the brutal murder, mob attacked Mosques, Muslim’s houses and their religious places. Analysts believe many extremist Hindu organizations like Shiva Sena etc. were behind this. So declaring Nepal as secular would be a big mistake. They also argue that every religion was given equal space and liberty.

But those for secularism don’t feel so. They say only they know the pain and discrimination they faced during those times. Prior to 1990 carrying Bible was like a crime. They were sent to jails or tortured on the accusation of converting people’s religion. People of other religions were laden with many Hindu Systems and processions. They were given 15 day long holidays during Dashain but not in Christmas or Lhosar or Eid etc. In 2058 when King Birendra and his entire family were killed, government ordered all of its service men to go bald though many religions like Islam or Sikhism prohibits people to be bald. Other religions values and sentiments were not considered. This is major example of how primary religion of a nation plays major role in state mechanism. Many laws, rules and regulations of Nepal were made according to Hindu religion or sentiments. Still there are many laws carrying Hindu spirits.

But people for Hinduism as primary religion of Nepal believe that now their identity is in big crisis. There have been many allegations that Hindus are being converted to other religions by showing them money or other promises especially by Christians. They fear such cases would rise.

Even if we see the census of 1991 and 2001, we can see surge of population of other religion than Hindus especially of Christians. So a big question arises i.e. is really conversion taking place? But there are also defenders of such allegations. They say that every human has right to choose his or her religion. If someone likes other religion and wants to convert, it shouldn’t be a big issue. If we want to clip this, then talking about democracy and freedom would be total nonsense.

Whatever the accusations are, declaring Nepal as secular state has been definitely a positive step towards inclusive democratic process. Though it made extremist unhappy, it would be nonsense talking about New Nepal if some religion or community were left behind. By declaring Nepal as secular and recognizing indigenous and marginalized community’s demand, government and concerned parties have acknowledged that Nepal can be re-structured only if everyone is united. So let’s be united as Nepali rather than as Hindus or Muslims or Christians etc. and help in building new Nepal where freedom, democracy, prosperity and peace awaits.

But how do you feel about it? Are you in favor of secular Nepal or of Hindu Nepal? Come lets discuss.

Funny Geek Quotes

I found some really funny quotes for those who are proud to call themselves 'GEEKS'. Some of them are hilarious. Enjoy,

There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.

Roses are #FF0000
Violets are #0000FF
All my base
Are belong to you

The box said 'Requires Windows 95 or better'. So I installed LINUX.

The speed of sound is defined by the distance from door to computer divided by the time interval needed to close the media player and pull up your pants when your mom shouts "OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!"

The glass is neither half-full nor half-empty: it's twice as big as it needs to be.

Passwords are like underwear. You shouldn’t leave them out where people can see them. You should change them regularly. And you shouldn’t loan them out to strangers.

Windows had detected you do not have a keyboard. Press 'F9" to continue.

Use The Best...
Linux for Servers
Mac for Graphics
Palm for Mobility
Windows for Solitaire

MICROSOFT = Most Intelligent Customers Realize Our Software Only Fools Teenagers

Girls are like internet domain names, the ones I like are already taken.

Unix, DOS and Windows...the good, the bad and the ugly.

That's a PEBKAC problem. (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair)

Alert! User Error. Please replace user and press any key to continue.

LISP = Lots of Irritating Silly Parentheses

If at first you don't succeed; call it version 1.0

1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d

You know it's love when you memorize her IP number to skip DNS overhead.

UNIX is basically a simple operating system, but you have to be a genius to understand the simplicity.

ACs are like computers- Both work fine until you open Windows!

OLPC, is it a distant dream?

Imagine a day when Nepali school kids will ask their mothers to recharge the battery for their laptops. This seems to an over statement in current milieu but it may not be distant dream.

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) association is a U.S. based non-profit organization set up to oversee “The Children's Machine” project and the construction of the 2B1 (laptop model) "$100 laptop" converts to around 7 thousand 5 hundred NC. Both the project and the organization were announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2005. The organization gained its most attention after Nicholas Negroponte (the founding chairman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab) and Kofi Annan unveiled a working prototype of the ‘CM1’ (another laptop model) in November 2005 at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis, Tunisia. The whole project is the brain child of Mr. Negroponte.

This novel plan to develop a 100 dollar laptop and distribution to millions of school children of developing countries has caught the interest of governments and attention of many computer industry heavyweights. Some heavyweights supporting this praiseworthy causer are Google, Red Hat, AMD, Brightstar Corporation, News Corporation and Nortel Networks. Each company has donated two million dollars. The MIT Media Lab is also involved in the project.

So, what is OLPC then? OLPC is a program to enable all children, everywhere, to have the best education possible. Creating and distributing inexpensive laptops will allow students to become more active and creative, letting them take their learning beyond the walls of their schools and off the pages of textbooks. These $100 laptops will serve as libraries, music studios, art galleries and communications devices, using an open-source software platform that the students can customize and expand as their learning needs and programming skills grow. These machines will permit students to move beyond static, information-centric views of computing and learning by providing a vehicle for experimentation and collaboration. All in all it will teach students how to learn from a wider perspective.

Although no contracts with governments have been signed, Mr. Negroponte says current plans call for producing five to ten million units beginning in late 2006 or early 2007, with tens of millions more a year later. As from the map in the official website (http://laptop.org) Nepal lies in yellow category that specifies those countries which are currently seeking government support. Therefore in the context of Nepal we can encourage this project as it will uplift the education status of the whole nation.

The Nepali localization of the OLPC project is “Mero Sanu Sathi”. Mero Sanu Sathi is the name given to the laptop that may be distributed to the school children of Nepal. It is not a technical project but an educational project which is of the child not for the child. This is the best way to revitalize and revolutionize our education system that runs at the pace of a tortoise. It does not teach the child but make them learn learning. We haven’t seen any government interest in this topic till date but some NGO’s and INGOs are warming up for this worthy initiative. Interested organizations in Nepal for implementation of this project include FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) Nepal Communtiy, Nepal Engineering College (NEC), UNDP, United Mission to Nepal, Education Network Nepal, Bellanet Asia/SAP International, Curriculum Development Center, IT- Resource Nepal (For More see http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_Nepal) . But in these sorts of project government help and support is critical. The non government and private organization cannot make this kind of project reality. So I urge government and all concerned parties to support this noble cause.

So may be in five to ten years the children going to school in Nepal may be saying “Mummy mero saanu sathi ko battery sakiyo, charge garidinu na hai.”

Geshan Manandhar

About 650 Words

Official Website of OLPC is http://www.laptop.org

MOre news on OLPC at http://www.olpcnews.com

This also has been published in Showbiz Magazine, Nov-Dec 06 ISSue.

Younnovaters might be thinking, Geshan is not comming up with something new and unheard of. Here is an exclusive writeup for younnovation blog titled : "My Jal-ful experience of the interview with Jal and Goher." It will be a real contribution, If I get the pics or not I'll post it on 31st Dec 06, wait for it it will be worth it. Hope to get lots of comments on this OLPC article if you read it don't forget to comment on it.

Budha boy found with sword

Yesterday's Kantipur Television's news drew my attention to the lost Buddha boy. At last HE is found in the midst of jungle and also with sword. The so called Buddha Boy, Ram Bahadur Bomjan, had disappeared nine months before from jungle of Ratanpuri reappeared near by jungle. He shot to fame after claiming to be meditating without any food or water for ten months (which I doubt). But he suddenly disappeared from his meditating place and has told people that he would be back after six years of meditation along with peace. But everything didn't work as he had said. Barely 2 months after his disappearance, April revolution brought peace.

Hunters found him yesterday's night and human rights activist and local journalists have reached the jungle yesterday. When he was asked why he's carrying the sword he replied that Buddha also needs security (strange answer). But his devotees have begun flocking to see him.

He still claims that he is not having any foods but only herbal medicines, but what types only he knows. He said that he will continue his meditation as said before for six years but not in noisy place.

Many people didn't believe him at all while many worshipped him as god. But strange part is that he has similarities to share with Gautam Buddha who got enlightenment 2500 yrs before. Buddha was born only 257 km (160 miles) from Bara, where Bomjon is now, in 540BC. Interestingly, Bomjon's mother's name, too, is Maya Devi- the name of Buddha's mother.

Santa tracked over Himalayas (Nepal)????

Dec. 24: The Himalayas — Just 40 minutes after he was spotted over the Great Wall of China, Santa was heard urging his reindeer over the Himalayan mountains in Nepal. “First we heard the bells jingling, and then we heard Santa call out all of his reindeer by name,” said one 7-year-old Himalayan local, “I’m so excited I can’t go back to sleep!”

This is the text taken from msnbc.com. But does he exist in real world??? This is the major question. NORAD, a bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace defense of the United States and Canada, claims it uses four high-tech systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft. This year too it tracked Santa at many places including Birjung To know more u can go here noradsanta.org. Every year norad tries to track Santa since last 50 years. How the tradition was born? here's story:

NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa. The tradition began after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. store advertisement for children to call Santa on a special "hotline" included an inadvertently misprinted telephone number. Instead of Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, received the first "Santa" call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born.

Since then government of US and Canada has jointly tried to track Santa and many have claimed they have spotted him indeed. This year MSNBC with NORAD tried to trackSanta's track. But dunno this whole affair is just a joke or a really serious topic. But we enjoyed reading about him and tracking him, so why not joining to track him (if he's really there flying).

Father, Son studying in same class!!!!

Saying goes "It's never too late to study." but it's very hard to find people following the saying. But reading kantipuronline's news story made me feel there are still people who believe in power of education. According to the report, father Khadga Bahadur Rai and his son Bir Bikram Rai both studies at class eleven in Thakurdevi Higher Secondary School of Ankhisalla, Dhankuta. Interestingly father Khadga passed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) the year his son Bir was born. Rai said that he wanted to study further but couldn't. But now high school is established in village and he couldn't help himself joining the class. His son Bir says that he felt awkward in the beginning but now it's great fun to have his father in his class. And to add more spice, his mother is a member of school management committee.

Now days we heard many people saying there's no value of studying. "We study hard but what we do get in return except the certificates. Neither I get decent jobs nor opportunities. If I have to work like menial labour, then what's the point of studying?" Such voices are increasing day by day. In reality also sometimes, we feel they are right but not always. Agreed they got good marks in exams but are they equally qualified for practical life also? Now employers don't see only good marks but also capabilities which we can build ourselves. But they also need to have good educational background capabilities and qualifications; both are part of a coin. So the power of education is still rising and we can only cash if we see it's real power.

And such examples definitely help people to recognize the value of education. If there was no significance of education, people like Rai won't have joined the college despite having family and social responsibilities. Accept or not, education definitely helps to shape future and make people ready to face the bitter world. Not only this, education makes people humans.

Merry X-Mas

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Every kid (who is familiar to Christmas and Santa Claus) might be singing this carol and wishing and praying for all those lovely gifts and presents from Santa. After all many of them had been good all year and behaved very nicely. So every kid deserves something from Santa. But what about us? We, the so called grown up ones, haven't behaved well or does Santa presumes we can't behave good at all. That's why he doesn't order his elves to make presents for us. May be the later one is true. Santa has prejudiced thoughts regarding adults.

But as a child also I never got anything from him. He never ventured in my room to give me presents. (I didn't have chimney from where he can drop his gifts or come to put those gifts near my bedside but that can't be the reason for not getting any gifts.) May be Santa also discriminates on race, religion or colour. I never became Christian (I am agonist) and I am of Asian origin. May be I didn't meet his requirements so I wasn't given any gifts at all. But he made enormous error. Now there are many international and national laws to prevent such discrimination. So I am thinking to sue him and get all those gifts meant for me with extra gifts as punishment. But I guess I can't make his elves to work as punishment. So I have decided that he (Santa himself) would be making gifts for me all night this Christmas. But don't worry kids I would be riding his sleigh and handing over gifts to all children around the world. So behave well because I am keeping my eyes on you.

And good news for adults too, I am also going to give gifts to them. As a first gift, you have got this blog to read and enjoy. Plus there are other gifts too. You will get good party mood (in festival seasons only, mind it) and nice sleep all the year. Ain't that good enough????

So HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND SEASONS HOLIDAY TO ALL OF YOU HOHOHOHOHOHO

GPRS or EDGE

GPRS and EDGE

You as Mero Mobile user, may have surfed the internet via your GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service) enabled mobile handsets. But have you wondered what GPRS is?

GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service) is a mobile data service available to users of GSM (Global System for Mobile) mobile phones. It is often described as "2.5G", that is, a technology between the second (2G) and third (3G) generations of mobile telephony. It provides moderate speed data transfer, by using unused TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) channels in the GSM network. GPRS is a mobile data service which utilizes packet switching. It means that multiple users share the same transmission channel, only transmitting when they have data to send. This means that the total available bandwidth can be immediately dedicated to those users who are actually sending at any given moment, providing higher utilization where users only send or receive data intermittently. Web browsing, receiving e-mails as they arrive and instant messaging are examples of uses that require intermittent data transfers, which benefit from sharing the available bandwidth. Usually, GPRS data are billed per kilobytes of information transceived. Mero mobile (Spice Nepal) charges Rs 0.20 for every 10 Kb traffic.

GPRS is a connectivity solution based on Internet Protocols that supports a wide range of enterprise and consumer applications. With throughput rates of up to 40 kbit/s, users have a similar access speed to a dial-up modem, but with the convenience of being able to connect from anywhere. In addition to the IP (Internet Protocol), GPRS supports X.25, a packet-based protocol that is used mainly in Europe. GPRS is an evolutionary step toward EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Service). Almost all the new cell phone models support GPRS; some models that support GPRS are Nokia 6100, Sony Eriksson 300i, Samsung D500, LG D2100.

EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment), a faster version of the GSM wireless service, is designed to deliver data at rates up to 384 Kbps and enable the delivery of multimedia and other broadband applications to mobile phone. The EDGE standard is built on the existing GSM standard, using the same TDMA frame structure and existing cell arrangements. The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) states that, as of April 2006, there were 139 commercial GSM/EDGE networks in 78 countries, out of a total of 192 EDGE deployments in 102 countries. The regional breakdown of commercial EDGE networks is 59 in Europe, 45 in the Americas and Caribbean, 21 in Asia, and 14 in Africa and the Middle East. GPRS is the present and EDGE may be the future, let's hope we would also step up to EDGE some day.

By Geshan Manandhar

About 450 Words

This has been published in In Your Face Magazine July 06 Issue but I want it to be my 1st Contribution to this innovative blog.

Jal Live at Kathmandu

First it was sound system and second it was crowd that affected the enjoyment and fun at hugely awaited JAL's performance at Tundikhel.

The JAL started the event with their lowly number Teeri Yaad and started to scorch the event with their hit WOH LAMHE. Then they sang Ek Din Ayega but the piercing noise came from speakers forced them to stop singing and wait for sound system to be fixed. They moved out from stage saying they would be back within 2 minutes but they didn't return for next 15 minutes. Then the crowd went wild and started throwing bottles, small pebbles and grasses at stage. they did come back and started singing Lal Meri Patt and Rangon Mein but madness of crowd didn't wear off easily. They continued throwing pebbles and bottles. Farhan (the lead vocalist) even had to urge crowd not to throw bottles. Then they started their hit number Dil Hareey and the crowd started going gaga. They continued the song with old Hindi snippets like Kya Huwa Tera Vaada, Kabhi Kabhi and Ye Dosti. They dedicated later one to the friendship of Pakistan and Nepal. They packed the event with their two hit numbers Woh Lamhe again but in fast version and Aadat. All this while problem with sound system continued and strange disturbing noise affected the performance. It was difficult for crowd to hear them but it wasn't problem any longer. They were singing with them and dancing and jumping with Jal.

Before Jal, Nepali bands X-Mantra and 1974 A.D. scorched the concert. X-Mantra sang their hit numbers like Makurako Jalo, Hami dherai sana chaun, Shalik etc. Then came 1974 A.D. They sang new songs like Madahost and Aaja Bjoli from their new album ON AIR. Crowd were jumping with them in their hit number Yo Mann ta Mero Nepali Ho, Pahilo Junima, Chyangba and the Bloody revolution.

Over all the concert was really rocking despite few incidents. People enjoyed the music and what more, JAL have promised to come back soon.

Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival

मंसीर २१ देखि २५ सम्म राजधानीमा हिमाल एसोसिएसनद्धारा आयोजित चौथो अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पर्वतिय चलचित्र महोत्सबले काठमाण्डौलाई निकै ततायो । काठमाण्डौलाई अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय चलचित्र महोत्सबको क्षेत्रमा महत्वपुर्ण स्थानको रुपमा चिनाउनका लागि सन् २००० बाट आफ्नो यात्रा सुरु गरेको महोत्सबले आफ्नो चौथो संस्करणसम्म आइपुग्दा महोत्सबहरु माझ भिन्नै स्थान बनाएको छ । जम्मा गरेर २६ राष्ट्रका ७३ वटा चलचित्रहरु काठमाण्डौका तीन स्थानमा प्रदर्शन गरिएको थियो । पर्वत पर्वतिय समुदाय र पर्वतिय खेलकुदमा आधारित भएर बनाइएका उत्कृष्ट चलचित्रहरुले द्वन्द्व संस्कृति वातावरण जीवनशैली विश्वव्यापिकरण जस्ता धेरै प्रकारका विधाहरु समेटेको थियो ।

यस पटकको महोत्सबमा प्रदर्शित चलचित्रहरुले धेरैको ध्यान खिच्न सफल भयो । एक लिङ्ग परिवर्तन गरेकी महिलाको साइकल प्रतियोगितामा भाग लिने संघर्षको कथा बोकेको क्यानाडाको हन्ड्रेड परसेन्ट वोमन (100% women) देखि भारतको कश्मिरमा श्रीमान बेपत्ता बनाइएका अर्ध विधवा महिलाहरुको पीडा बोकेको Waiting जस्ता चलचित्रहरुले दर्शकहरुमाझ छुट्टै पहिचान बनाए । अपहरित भए पछि बाल सैन्यको रुपमा लडाँई लड्नु परेका युगान्डाको बालबालिकाहरुको कथा समेटेको इन्भिजिवल चिल्ड्रेन-रफ कट (Invisible Children-Rough Cut), युद्ध र विदेशीहरुको हस्तक्षेपको कारणले तहसनहस भएको अफगानिस्तनका महिलाहरुले भोग्नुपरेको पीडा बताउने भ्यु प्रुम अ ग्रेन अफ स्यान्ड (View froma a Grain of sand) द्धन्द्धको कारणले १२ वर्षको उमेरमै परिवारको भरणपोषणमा लाग्न बाध्य बालकको कथा बोकेको सिमेन्ट (Cement) जस्ता चलचित्रहरु हेरेर दर्शकहरुले भर्खरै निकॊ हुन लागेको सशस्त्र द्धन्द्धको पीडालाई झलझली सम्झिए ।

प्रदर्शित ७३ चलचित्रहरुमध्ये दर्शकहरुको रोजाइमा भने भारतीय निर्देशक गौरब जानीको राइजिङ्ग सोलो टु द टप अफ दि वल्र्ड (Rising solo to the top of the world) उत्कृष्ट रह्यो । निर्देशकले भारतीय शहर मुम्बई देखि लद्दाखको चाङ्गथाङ्ग पठार (Changthang Plateau) सम्म एक्लै मोटरसाइकलमा गरेको यात्रा र यस अवधिमा उनले देखेका भोगेका अनुभवहरुको विवरण निकै रमाईलो तरिकाले प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ । चलचित्रमा यस यात्राले निर्देशकलाई जिवनको छुट्टै पाटो सिकाएको देखाइएको छ ।

नेपालको तर्फबाट सहभागी बृतचित्रहरु केसाङ्ग छेतेनको हामी कुनाको मान्छे, सुविना श्रेष्ठको चुलो चोलो र बन्दुक, एलेक्स ग्यब्बे र सुविना श्रेष्ठको द लाष्ट रेस मध्ये भने निर्माता केसाङ्ग छेतेनको हामी कुनाको मान्छे (We Corner People) ले सर्वश्रेष्ठ बृतचित्रको उपाधिसँगै नगद रु २५००० प्राप्त गर्न सफल भयो । बृतचित्रले रसुवाको विकट गाउँको कथालाई देखाएको छ जहाँ झोलुङ्गे पुलले ल्याएको परिवर्तनको कथाहरु प्रस्तुत गरेको छ ।

महोत्सबको अन्तिम दिन प्रदर्शित सुविना श्रेष्ठको चुलो चोलो र बन्दुकले भने नेपालको द्वन्द्व र माओवादी महिलाहरुको कथालाई समेटेको छ । यस बृतचित्रले महिलाहरु माओबादीमा लाग्नाको कारण र उनीहरुले गरेका त्यागको कथालाई राम्ररी देखाएको छ ।

स्वर्गीय भुगोलविद् डा। हर्क गुरुङ्गप्रति सर्मपित यस पटकको संस्करणमा क्यानाडामा आयोजना हुने व्यान्फ (Banff) चलचित्र महोत्सबमा उत्कृष्ट ठहरिएका चलचित्रहरु पनि प्रदर्शित गरिएको थियो । हरेक दुई वर्षमा आयोजना हुने गरेको अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पर्वतिय चलचित्र महोत्सब अब देखि प्रत्येक वर्ष आयोजना हुने घोषणासँगै हामीबाट विदा भएको छ ।

This is just an experiment. Please comment whether you are able to read it easily or not. Firefox or FLOCK may not support unicode used here, so it might be hard for you to read. But use Interner Explorer (IEXP) instead, you can easily view it. Your comment is very much valuable for us. Thank for being with us.

Is MySpace Really Bigger than Yahoo?

On Tuesday, Techcrunch reported that MySpace has semi-officially overtaken Yahoo as having the most page views of any internet property. This revelation was met with moderate fan fare and other prominent industry blogs like GigaOm and Searchblog did not even go there. There is good reason to take this news with a grain of salt, as it is misrepresentative and hides some very important facts.

Do Page Views Matter?

Page views are a useful metric for judging the volume of interaction with a web site, but comparing page views can also lead to erroneous conclusions. Let’s explore some common pitfalls.

MySpace and Inflated Page Views

In the user interaction and usability world, much has been made of the lackluster user experience of MySpace. Indeed, many technophiles and designers cannot understand why so many people actually use MySpace despite the fact that it is aesthetically unappealing, slow, and riddled with vestigial clicks. This is a fascinating enigma with complex answers, but the important thing to consider from a marketing standpoint is the vestigial clicks. It has been suggested that MySpace is in no hurry to streamline navigation because the current information architecture inflates page views. And it seems many analysts and industry watchers keep falling for this trick.

Although a brilliant marketing move on the part of MySpace, it should be a big red flag that each user is taken to a marketing splash page and is forced to navigate to their own profile page. Other social networking web sites take users directly to their profile page upon logging in.

Another important point that has to be made is that MySpace is very static while many of Yahoo’s web services are dynamic. By using AJAX based techniques, Yahoo has a number of dynamic web pages and applications in which all of the interactivity happens on one or a handful of pages. Yahoo Mail is a perfect example of this. Technically speaking, the user never leaves a single web page while reading and composing messages. On the other hand, the MySpace experience requires users to go to no fewer than three discrete pages to send a message and get back to the profile.

Declining Page Views Are Great

By making services such as Yahoo Mail more dynamic and self-contained, Yahoo made a very conscious effort to reduce page views to better the user experience and increase user lifetime. What matters is not how many page views Yahoo’s users generate but how long they stay on their web properties, how long they will be loyal to those services, and how many ads are displayed per average session as well as their CPM (cost per one thousand ad impressions).

Enough with the Hype Already

Undoubtedly, MySpace continues to grow and is here to stay as a hugely important player in the internet game. It is exciting to see who is growing and who is struggling, but let’s forget all the empty hype of page views and pull ourselves away from obsessively observing who will have the highest page views this week. The real question that we should be asking is who will find the magic formula of attracting, engaging, and retaining users that will ultimately lead to the highest levels of success.

By Sergio Paluch
Source: paradymesolutions.com

Garfield

Touch wood

We were once familiar with a tiny black cat which had the most beautiful green eyes. Since then, I've had a fondness for black cats. Number thirteen seems to have a vaguely positive aura about it, as does a lone magpie. Old wives tales are also more funny and entertaining than scary. But despite my bravado, there are some ridiculous traits that make me ridicule myself.

The first one involves eyelashes. I was taught by friends that a fallen eyelash was to be placed on the back of the left hand. Then, with shut eyes, one has to make a wish before blowing the lash away. The first time I must have aspired for something simple, like a glittering pencil or a toy bus. When that was granted, it became a regular habit. I had a cousin who used to tug at eyelashes, pulling apart whole bunches. Even now, I swipe them with my fingers when I'm particularly tense and want something desperately.

The most common one is that of the throat. Ages ago, my sister warned a wide-eyed me, "Always blow at your hands after touching the neck, otherwise you will have a terrible goiter." Long after she forgot it and I studied about iodine deficiency, the practice continues. Most people I see do follow this, though there are people like my uncle who snort instead; because they find it hilarious.

A special ritual of mine involves punching the pillow before bed. The number of time I smack the poor pillow is the time I wish to wake up. If I have to wake up at one a.m. to listen to a program, I punch it once. And I do wake up on the dot, because of an amazingly pliant body clock. But of course my pillow smugly takes the credit.

If you are a youngster, and particularly a girl, then you know what is to be done if two of you happen to say the same thing simultaneously. You have to touch the nearest wood surface, tap it twice and kiss your fingers for good luck. My sister, being extremely sarcastic of this method, satirizes," Why don't you sing along with a song and bang the table? That way we'll have good luck enough to last your life."

There is a friend of mine who may be laughing outrageously one moment, but stops abruptly and mutters in a grim tone,"Stop laughing. You'll have to cry for this later. If you laugh once, you have to shed two tears." His ideas, coupled with his ominous appearance, are enough to double us over with laughter.

I was rushing through homework in an empty classroom when I sneezed. Spontaneously, I mumbled,"God bless me." A classmate peeped in," You're acting weird. I believe I was only as weird as all those people who don't cut nails on their birthdays, or refuse to leave the house at twelve midday, or insist on particular clothes for certain days. There are people who won't joke about ghosts around midnight and others who believe that being untruthful with a book in your hand will sap away your knowledge (I am a staunch follower of this one). It is a wide world, as it is.

There is also a concept that one must not talk about anything until it is over and done with, especially if it deals with luck and chance. Right now I am in the middle of trying out a new recipe, but as for its completion - I'd have to touch wood.

By: Richa Bhattarai
Source : Kathmandu Post

Calling all IT enthusiasts

Here’s “an opportunity to show your talent”.
And it’s at the Java Contest Nepal 2007.
The contest is being held in Nepal for the first time as a pilot venture for computer programming students and professionals of Nepal. It aims to foster the Nepali IT sector and to generate greater awareness and excitement among students, professionals and the general public about the scope of IT and the potential of Nepali software industries.

The contest is divided into two categories — for students (Rs 500 for application form) and for professionals (Rs 1,000), and will require the participants (individuals or in teams of not more than two persons) to submit Java-based application (web-based application).
The deadline for submission of forms is December 21, while documentation submission deadline is January 7, 2007 and the last date to submit software is January 20, 2007.

All short-listed software will be displayed at an exhibition and the winners will be announced on February 24, 2007. The last date for the submissions is January 24, 2007.
The contest is being organised by WAKHOK University, Japan and WAK-HOK Nepal in association with Kathmandu Engineering College and White House College of Science and Engineering, and is supported by Nagarjuna International College, Ma-lpi International College and IT Professional Forum Nepal, and is sponsored by CASAREAL Inc, Japan, a so-ftware company.

(For details contact Contest Secretariat, Kathmandu Engineering College 4284902; WAKHOK Nepal - 4426873; e-mail: info-@softwaremeet.org.np)


Prizes for your talent

Students
• 1st prize: Rs 40,000 plus WAKHOK University Scholarship**
• 2nd prize: Rs 30,000 plus WAKHOK University Scholarship**
• 3rd prize: Rs 20,000 plus WAKHOK University Scholarship**
(Winners will get a full tuition fee waiver to study Bachelor degree in Integrated Media and Technology ,or two-year research programme at WAKHOK University, Japan. Conditions apply)


Professionals
• 1st prize: Rs 50,000
• 2nd prize: Rs 40,000
• 3rd prize: Rs 30,000

Source: thehimalayantimes.com

Chulo, Choli ra Banduk ‘A Stove, a Blouse and a Gun’

A girl married at the age of 13 gets exploited by her husband and in-laws. She wants to be free from all the hardship. Maoists promises of freedom, liberty and indoctrinated policies appeal her. She leaves her family and joins the militia.

A girl belongs to so called lower class family who owns nothing. They have to work tirelessly to make meal for evening or morning. In the midst of extreme poverty and hardship, Maoist's ideology brings rays of hope. She leaves her family and joins them.

A girl while studying at college gets attracted by Maoist's ideologies and promises. She joins them and works to build strong student's base of party.

These are the some glimpses of female Maoists from the camera of Subina Shrestha. Her 22 minutes long documentary tries to explore reasons why many women joined the party and their experiences as cadre. It also tries to review the 10 year old people's war from women's perspective.

Our male dominant social structure has always way around discriminated the females and denied them their rights and liberties. So when the conflict began Maoists gave promises of equality, freedom and liberty to women and they too joined Maoists. Now there are around 40% women constituting Maoist's People's Army. Many joined liking their ideologies but it's not the case with all. "A stove, A blouse and A gun" also tries to show how many girls were abducted and recruited without their consent. An ex-Maoist cadre shown in shadow says:
We were taken to Maoist's program saying we would be freed soon. They made us walk at night. Later when we wanted to come back, they told us that our names have already been reached to comrade Prachanda (Maoist Supremo) and we cannot go back. Even if we go back to home we would be shot by army. We couldn't do anything as we didn't know way back to home.

This is just a single case. Director Subina expressed that she couldn't find any who were willing to share their stories.

Now the conflict is in state of being managed, the Maoist's female cadre are actively anticipating the outcome of their sacrifices. But their dream seems to be in bleak situation as the party which gave them dreams and promises also acted same way as other parties. Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has only 2 women member in its Central Committee and it didn't include any woman in it's Peace Negotiating Team.

This documentary has shown the retrospectives of people's war and women's active participation. Now the Nepal is being re-structured. It's yet to see whether women's voices would be heard or not.

Kathmandu gripped with winter

Guns n’ Roses might have gone platinum with a single about a fictional November rain, but Kathmandu residents on Monday were dealt an unrelenting helping of a December downpour that saw mercury plummet to around 4 degrees. Kathmanduities today could be seen trudging through the sludge on the streets while the number of vehicles plying the road was visibly reduced.

Tosay’s rain marks the beginning of a season change towards winter. The chief cause of the rain is a "Western Disturbance".The weather itself will gradually improve in the coming days.

According to the Meteorology department, the afternoon's temperature will hover around 16-17 degrees while it will gradually plummet in the coming days. According to weather.msn.com weather report, Kathmandu's current temperature (10.45 GMT, 3.45 NST) is 15°C. The rain is still pouring and expected to last till tonight. This is the first winter rain of the year.

Morning downpours have been reported in other parts of the country as well. The minimum temperature in Jiri today reached 0.5 below zero while that in Jumla was -2.0 degrees. Likewise, thermometers read 10.2, 8.2 and 12.6 in Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Biratnagar implying a higher temperature drop in the western region as compared to the east.

With inputs from : ekantipur.com

Highest Paying Keyword

Hey people, i found this on the net n i guess it would b helpful to evryone who's using adsense in their webpages. The site contains a list of highly paid keywords. Some of the keywords are:

austin dwi	$66.89
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criminal lawyers	$34.19
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.... n so on. Rest u can view at this link: http://www.hostingadvices.com/high_paying_adsense_keywords.php

So have fun people.

Ola!!

StumbleUpon:: Extension for IE Mozilla and Flock users

Hey everyone. The following article is about an extension in IE, Mozilla and Flock.

I was surfing through the extension page of Flock web browser n came upon this wonderful tool. Its called Stumble Upon. As the name says it all, it helps u to stumble upon any gr8 websites or pictures or videos or arts, graphics, animation,etc. etc. (the list is endless) according to ur interests. All u have 2 do is sign up n create a stumble upon account. U can then keep it in ur web browser (mozilla or flock) as a toolbar. Finally, all u need to do is click on the stumble button n start stumbling into some of the great web pages. 'Njoy.

Learn more about StumbleUpon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/

Hurray!!! My Cell phone doesn't cause me "Cancer"

Long or short-term mobile phone use is not associated with increased risk of cancer, a major study has found.

Mobile phone antennas emit electromagnetic fields that can penetrate the human brain. But a Danish team found no evidence that this was linked to an increased risk of tumours in the head or neck as had been feared. The study, of more than 420,000 mobile phone users, appears in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The researchers, from the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen, looked at data on people who had been using mobile phones from as far back as 1982. More than 56,000 had been using a mobile phone for at least 10 years. They found no evidence to suggest users had a higher risk of tumours in the brain, eye, or salivary gland, or leukaemia.

Professor Tricia McKinney, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Leeds, said: "The results of this Danish cohort study are important as they have analysed data from mobile phone company records and do not rely on users remembering for up to 10 years in the past how often they used their phone. "The large numbers of subscribers in the study mean we can have some confidence in the results that have not linked mobile phone use to a risk of any cancer, including brain tumours."

News Source: bbcnews.com
Photo Source: southofboston.com

Life time OPPORTUNITY : ARE YOU READY???

Ever wondered : What would you do if you were in power or have authority???

Many answers would come as there are many heads. I have heard many people saying they would have done this or that like "If I were in power, I would have made Nepal like Singapore" or "If I could, I would have brought electricity in every home". But exactly what would you have done if you were given a chance. Do not wonder much because real chance is coming to you. And it's perfect time because one of a popular radio shows "Saathi Sanga Manka Kura" or in short SSMK has announced that it is going to organize "Youth Leadership Training" for young people to foster their capacity, skills and knowledge.

This training is for young people below 30 years of age and SSMK is hoping that by training young people and enhancing their capabilities, in near future they can contribute vigorously to make giant leap in development and institutionalising Democracy.

Wondering what requirements is there to participate??? Don't worry. All you need to do is write down what you have done i.e. individually or in group, in management of conflict at rough time (when armed conflict was raiding Nepal) or what you are doing or planning to contribute in reconstruction of nation as the conflict is over.

So why only saying you would have done this…or that… Real chance is there, so just grab it. OPPORTUNITES don't knock twice.

I have attached the picture for more information. And if you have any queries you can also call them at 0977-01-5550961 or 5541320 or fax them at 01-5533433 and see the national Newspaper.

More news on FLOCK

This is so cooooooooooool. I am loving it so much more. FLOCK has almost all the features a person may want and much more.

With FLOCK, i can integrate my del.icio.us bookmarks into My News feature. Then there's this feature called web snippet. You can save links, text and pictures as snippets so that you can blog about it later

Snippets are especially handy for re-blogging bits of text from web pages. When you drag a snippet into a blog post, it is automatically formatted as a blockquote with proper citation.

Nepal Grapples with Prostitution

Many Nepali youth today seem to be more attracted to recreational sex than ever. A sign of this may be the 100-plus massage parlors in the Thamel district of Kathmandu alone. Despite the occasional police raid, very few have been shut down, so we can assume a brisk trade, with the usual attendant corruption.

These parlors have spread from Thamel to all parts of the Kathmandu valley. Fees depend on location. Let's call our anonymous 33-year-old client "Vijay," who says the rate in Thamel is NPR 500 (US$7) and NPR 250 in Kalimati (for civilians -- for servicemen the rate is only NPR 150) and that it's better to go to Kalimati because the police won't raid there. The only problem with Kalimati, he explained, was having to wait in line.

It's not just massage parlors but also "cabin" and "dance" restaurants that cater to the sex industry and whose menus offer more than just food.

Seventeen-year-old "Jina" works in a parlor in Thamel and says clients aren't interested in physical therapy other than sex, like "all men," she claims. Rather than patronize the parlor directly, she adds that clients generally contact her by cell phone and take her to places like Nagarkot and occasionally Chitwan as well, paying the entire tab and leaving a hefty tip. When asked if she was happy selling her body for a living, she responded "No," but that it was her "compulsion," not having sufficient education to get a job in a nice environment.

Much is heard about the "women" issue and how they should be treated and take part equally alongside men. There seem to be endless seminars in the five-star hotels and millions of rupees spent, but, ironically, nothing seems to get done in real life. Who in the world would like to sell his/her body? Women in the massage parlors are forced into selling their bodies for two square meals a day, which is the unvarnished reality. The money spent on seminars and receptions could be more properly used to teach these at-risk young women marketable job skills.
Poverty and the consequent lack of education are the prime culprits, but they are also open to exploitation by some people, including the police.

In Nepal the sex industry is illegal but is growing day by day, and it could become a social problem if the government does not take action, such as legalizing prostitution, which would at least bring in revenue and minimize the number of underage girls entering the world's "oldest profession.

If commercialized sex is legalized, the exploitation of under-age girls could even be eliminated, and the women involved could receive preventive health care to reduce the spread of STDs. The government probably could not eradicate this "industry" totally, but, by legalizing it, people might rethink their choices. For example, if a small boy is told, "Do not smoke," he may be tempted, but if told "Smoking is harmful to your health," it might cause him to hesitate if a friend offers him a cigarette. The government must work along with others, including NGOs, before this problem gets out of hand. The women and youth of the country have to have a better choice than to fall into a trap like this, from which a return can be very difficult.

By dinkar_sigdel

News and Photo Source: cjnepal.org

WINK makes it easy!!

Ever wondered how to create a video tutorial?? Stop wondering and download Wink. Easy to learn n so simple to use. Wink helps u to create tutorials and presentations. Its features include capturing of screenshots, adding explanation boxes, titles and more.

U can download Wink from the following URL:
http://www.debugmode.com/wink

Ola!!

FLOCK - a social web browser

I just learnt abt this new browser - FLOCK. Haven't tried all its features, but from what I have tried, it is so cooooooooool. I have also worked with Mozilla Firefox, IE and Opera web browsers. But FLOCK seems to be a little different. It is an amazing new web browser that makes it easier to share media and connect to other people online.















Try it and you will feel the difference. ;-)

JAL performing Live In Kathamndu

JAL, famous Pakistani Band is coming to the Shangri-La after another Pakistani Band Strings created DHOOM here. JAL are supposed to do (if everything goes accordingly only, mind it) concert at Hyatt Regency on 15 December 2006 and at Tundikhel on 16 December, 2006. Obviously ticket rates of Hyatt are expensive than of Tundikhel but folks, there are X-Mantra, our very own Nepali Spiders (remember Suraj of KTV saying when strings were here) and 1974 A.D. Ticket prices of Hyatt are rated Rs. 2000 (Boy its lot much!!! but hold on, it says inclusive of dinner and drink, not bad deal hun???) and Rs. 200 for Tundikhel (Less than of Strings, wonder why then we were charged much???) but surely no free dinner and drinks. This event is brought to us by The Kathmandu Mall (thanks to them).

JAL, established in 2002 at Lahore had initially Goher Mumtaz in vocals/Lead and Rhythm guitars/Composition/Lyrics, Shazi Amir as bass-guitarist and Atif as lead vocalist had their first single AADAT which was an instant hit. But later Atif walked out of the band and Farhan Saeed Butt entered as lead vocalist. Then they produced their first album JALPARI. They have won the award for Best Artist Category in this year's MTV Asia Awards after they won 6 awards in INDUS Awards. They have also won Best Pop Group Awards at Sahara One Sangeet Awards. Their hit includes Aadat (its in movie Kalyug), Dil Hareey, Woh Lamhe (remember Imran Hasmi singing in movie ZEHER) and so on and on.

But hey!! JAL's official webpage (jaltheband.com) says that Kathmandu falls in India. Don't believe me??? Go there you can see that Kathmandu is mentioned under JAL LIVE IN INDIA. What does it mean???? Surely we need to teach them geography or what???
We will surely raise this in due time (of course we need your support) but till then enjoy the music extravaganza with them. And to win the free tickets, u can log on to ringslive.com. Try your luck (I've already tried mine). And also you can do shopping worth or more than 1500 at The Kathmandu Mall to get one free ticket (Do i sound like i am doing their advertisement??? Sorry then, No commission from them, just giving extra information).
And after the event, of course I will be writing about it and more......

Casino Royale : Rejuvenating BOND

The Bond is back and he's back with the bang. Casino Royale was certainly one of the most awaited movies of 2006 and it doesn't leave you disappointed. Although released on November 17, 2006 worldwide, it managed to enter Nepal only on December 1, 2006. CASINO ROYALE is based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name. Published in 1953, it was the first book in his 'James Bond' series. EON Productions' CASINO ROYALE produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will mark the introduction of Daniel Craig (Munich/Layer Cake) as legendary secret agent, 007. Martin Campbell (GoldenEye/The Legend Of Zorro) is directing this film, the 21st in the 44 year franchise.

Synopsis:
CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, MOLLAKA (Sebastien Foucan). Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters DIMITRIOS (Simon Abkarian) and his girlfriend, SOLANGE (Caterina Murino). He learns that Dimitrios is involved with LE CHIFFRE (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorist organizations. Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization. 'M' (Judi Dench) places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling VESPER LYND (Eva Green). At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre. In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with MATHIS (Giancarlo Giannini), MI6's local field agent, and FELIX LEITER (Jeffrey Wright), who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.

For once, there is truth in advertising: The credits proclaim Daniel Craig as "Ian Fleming's James Bond 007," and Craig comes closer to the author's original conception of this exceptionally long-lived male fantasy figure than anyone since early Sean Connery. "Casino Royale" sees Bond recharged with fresh toughness and arrogance, along with balancing hints of sadism and humanity, just as the fabled series is reinvigorated by going back to basics. Craig as Bond is shown as a real human than those robotic looking bonds who can do whatever he wants. He is cruel, ruthless killer when he intends to kill and warm lover when he falls in love. He's egoist, arrogant and yet times funny.

All in all, Craig is hands down the best Bond since Sean Connery originated the role back in 1962’s Dr. No. There was initially controversy over the casting of Craig. Craig was criticized for being too short (at 5’ 11” he is the shortest Bond), and for being blond and blue-eyed (it should be noted though that Fleming describes Bond as having grey-blue eyes in the books). But Craig should take comfort in the fact that when Connery was originally cast, he was criticized by Fleming and fans of the books for being too working class and for being Scottish. But after one outing as 007, Connery won over Fleming (who actually gave his literary character Scottish heritage after seeing Connery’s performance) and fans. Craig too is likely to win over fans after they see the film. The actor delivers a hard-edged Bond who can be a cold-blooded killer, a cool, calculating gambler and a matter-of-fact seducer of women. But he also knows that killing can sometimes be messy, and emotions can sometimes cloud judgment.

Shrewd and smart as well as gorgeous, Vesper Lynd (Played by Eva Green) is hardly the typical Bond girl (she never even appears in a bathing suit), and Green makes her an ideal match for Craig's Bond. Danish star Mikkelsen (as LE CHIFFRE) proves a fine heavy, an imposing man with the memorable flaw of an injured eye that sometimes produces tears of blood. Giancarlo Giannini has a few understated scenes as a friendly contact in Montenegro, and while Jeffrey Wright has little to do as CIA man Felix Leiter, he does get off a couple of the film's best lines, and one can hope he may figure more prominently in forthcoming installments. Sebastien Foucan (in the beginning of the movie) does some eyebrow-raising "free running" stunts in the African chase.

Casino Royal is not full of gadgets and techno though it heavily promotes Sony's products like cell phones, laptops, cameras. Blond Bond does his magic and he's perfect to be 007 agent. Casino Royale is the best Bond film in decades and it moves the franchise in an exciting new direction. The movie goes to various breathtaking parts of the world from Venice to Montenegro, from Madagascar to Miami, also to Uganda, Madagascar, Prague, Bahamas and Switzerland. And the movie ends with style, typical style of Bond with – "The name is Bond, James Bond".

Photos: movies.msn.com