Gold traders oppose seizing of ornaments

Kathmandu, Feb. 17

The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association (Fenegosida) has expressed its serious concerns about the confiscating the gold ornaments, arresting entrepreneurs, giving unnecessary suffering and mental stress by the police administration in recent times.

 The federation issued a statement on Thursday saying that businessmen dealing in gold jewelry brought in according to the standards set by the state have been treated like criminals and this has not only discouraged the general businessmen, but has also created resentment towards the entire profession.

The gold businesses across the country get a total of 10 KG gold each day as directed by the Nepal Rastra Bank. Apart from the gold duly received from the bank, those coming from abroad are allowed to bring in up to 50 grams of gold jewelry without customs duty and an additional 50 grams of gold jewelry after paying the duty.

President of Fenegosida, Manik Ratna Shakya said that the provision of bringing 50 grams jewelry without customs duty and 50 grams by paying the taxes has helped fulfill the growing demand of gold in the market. According to the founding member of the organisation, Mani Ratna Shakya, the average gold demand a day stands at about 40 KG. “If Nepali migrant workers are not allowed to bring the limited amount of gold and jewelry with them, there would have been a severe shortage of gold in the domestic market,” he said.

Recently, the police have started confiscating the gold ornaments brought in the country by the migrant workers, arresting the businessmen who deal in such gold, causing unnecessary suffering and mental stress, read a statement issued by the Federation.

"When gold jewelry is brought to Nepal, the government should check its validity at the relevant customs checkpoint. Actions like making business people panic, causing unnecessary suffering in the name of monitoring are reprehensible,” read the statement.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 February 2023. 

Mount Everest to witness fashion show

Kathmandu, Aug. 30

The Mount Everest Fashion Runway has announced a sustainable fashion project in Nepal with the aim of supporting the Himalayan community and preserving environment.

It has joined hands with the Himalayan Climate Initiative (HCI) and launched '8848.86 - A Dollar a Meter initiative' which includes programmes to produce sustainable clothes, jewelries and special souvenirs of the prototype of Sagarmatha, the world's tallest peak.

The event will be organised as a fashion show at the highest altitude of 5,600 metres in Khumbu region which also will be an official attempt for the Guinness World Records and feature 17-day trekking on Mt. Everest region. A television reality show will also be developed featuring the event.

"We want to convey the sustainability fashion message to the world. It’s about reducing pollution as well," Chief Executive Officer of the Fashion Runway Pankaj K. Gupta said at a press conference organised in Kathmandu to inform about the event.

"Guinness Word Records is just a byproduct for us. Nepal has so many things to give to the world. We will create something that people can carry back to their home from this country," he added.

The initiative would develop some completely 'made in Nepal' things such as garments of silk, jewelries of precious stones found in Nepal and replica of Mt. Everest.

According to Gupta, they don't want donation to support the mountain community rather they want to promote social business. The profits made by selling the special products will go to the HCI and local community.

Chairman of HCI and Asian Trekking, and Everest summiteer, Dawa Steven Sherpa, said that the initiative is a solution to the people who are impacted by climate change.

"World record holder Appa Sherpa and I reached Denmark at the COP15 and raised the voice of the Himalayan community. Appa was himself a climate victim, a glacial lake outburst had swallowed his house and property. But the world asked for the solution from us," he said.

Therefore, this event is an attempt to draw the attention of the world to the Himalayas, he maintained.

The 20-day event will be held in September 2021. Prince and princess of Tuscany, Italy, will be the guests while some models from Europe have already arrived in Kathmandu. Tented camps will be erected to accommodate the guests and participants which will engage about 300-350 porters and 40 local guides.

"Everything will be filmed and developed into a reality show for the larger audience," said Gupta.

Gemologist and CFO of the Fashion Runway, Riken Maharjan, presented the model of the miniature Mt. Everest at the press conference and said, "It will be made of Kyanite, a precious stone. The gem and jewelry industry in Nepal will have new opportunities with this initiative," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chair of Ward No. 4 of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, Laxman Adhikari, said that the Khumbu region which lies in the Sagarmatha National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has a unique environment for researchers, tourists and students owing to its biodiversity and varied topography.

He maintained that the local people, national park and the government would host the programme that aims to develop sustainable fashion and sustainable tourism, however everything would be done respecting the rules of the community, national park, UNESCO and the country.

He said that the government budget was insufficient to meet the development demand as the money is allocated on the basis of the local population while Khumbu region serves about 100,000 people a year.

The organisers the Runway Season 2 said that they are planning to organise the event twice a year.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 31 August 2021.

Fashion show using recycled clothes

Kathmandu, Dec. 20

The Clothing Bank has organised a charity fashion show to support the deprived people in the Terai with warm clothes in the winter.

Titled as 'A Walk for Warmth', the show organised at Marriott Kathmandu featured the dresses designed by fashion designing students using the recycled clothes.

Prashant Tamrakar choreographed the show in collaboration with Bhawana Kalwani, Karishma Shrestha, Neelum Chand, Paramita RL Rana, Prekchya Bajracharya, Ronali Amatya, Roshani Khatri, Sabita Karki, Shikshya Sangraula and Subekshya Khadka.

Models walked on the ramp with clothes designed from the recycled clothes. The clothes looked attractive and wearable unlike the clothes exhibited in other occasions. The audience did not feel that the outfits were made from the recycled cloth and appreciated the concept.

The event was supported by Marriott Kathmandu hotel, AECC Global, Party Nepal and fashion designing schools.

Coordinator of the Clothing Bank Shree Gurung said that the bank was a project where people can donate wearable clothes and those who need can take the one that fits them.

"Many people just throw the clothes after wearing it a couple of times while many of us throw them because they don't fit in. Therefore, such clothes can be donated to the bank so that people who need them can have them," he said.

The fashion show was organised to demonstrate that the old clothes can be worn after washing and recycling. "Fashion industry is one of the major polluters of the environment globally so by reusing and recycling the clothes, we not only serve the people but also the environment around us," said Gurung.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 December 2019. 

Sarthak Boutique opens new outlet in Chabhil

Kathmandu, Aug. 18: Sarthak Fashion Boutique has expanded its outlet to Chabahil.

Miss Nepal International 2017 Niti Shah inaugurated the new outlet of the boutique at Chabahil Plaza amidst a function on Saturday.

Sita Bhattarai, Fashion Designer and Director of the company said that the business was expanded to the third location due to growing demand from the customers. Other two outlets of Sarthak are at Naxal and Old Bhatbhateni.

“Our aim is to offer quality product with latest fashion trend to our customers,” said Bhattarai.

Shah expressed hope that the boutique would be able to cater to the fashion trend of the women in the town.

“It is important what you were besides what you are. Fashion defines your personality,” she said.

Writer Nilam Karki Niharika said that until and unless women are economically capable, women empowerment was not possible. Therefore, the society must respect every women entrepreneur and worker.

Sarthak Boutique offers various services related to fashion and clothing for women.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 August 2018. 

Bhumi's new showroom in Kupondole

Kathmandu, June 23: Bhumi’s Collection and Boutique has launched its second outlet in Kupondole of Lalitpur.

Film artiste Sanchita Luintel and Swami Anand Arun of Osho Tapoban jointly inaugurated the outlet amidst a programme on Friday.

The company said that it has expanded its business from New Road to Kupondole due to growing demand from the customers. It has announced inaugural discounts on various products.

The fashion outlets are run by fashion designers Mamata Gupta and Manju Kharel.

“As our products are liked by many in and out of the country, we were motivated to launch the new outlet. We will expand our business to other locations in the Kathmandu valley, other cities of Nepal and outside the country, too,” they said.

Bhumi’s is selling its products to the Nepali and foreign customers via courier service, too.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 June 2018.