Project Proposals (Nepal)

Participating Student: Arifur Rahman

Project Title: When Tomorrow Comes..

In every sphere of our life what we carry with us is hope, no matter what the scenario is..

NEPAL. The word evokes an image of a far off place of wonder. The ultimate travel destination: trekking through the mountains and countryside, exotic locations, hiking through the mountain kingdom nestled in the Himalayas. Yet underneath the wonder and majestic landscape lives one of the poorest countries in the world, rife with human rights violations, especially towards women and children. Every year approximately 10,000 girls from the ages of 9 to 16 are sold, stolen or forced into the brothels of Bombay or Kathmandu. At a time when technological innovation could help prevent human rights violations through education and awareness, the Internet has become a tool to find the locations where young girls are available for prostitution, perpetuating the need for young girls to work in the sex entertainment trade.

Prostitution is one of the major facts in the tourism business now and nestled in the heart of Nepal’s capital city, Thamel, a favorite tourist destination for shopping has over the years turned into an international sex center.

With a sizable flow of foreign currencies and over 3000 different types of flourishing business that provide everything from handicrafts, food items to entertainment to tourists, Thamel now has also become home to over 30 dance bars, all licensed.

The narrow winding alleys of the center is lined with promotional sleazy posters and houses about 200 massage parlors catering to the needs of visitors looking for sex.

This project is about to portray the effects of tourism business as it emerges the sex industry radically. In recent decades, economic and social factors have fueled the boom in prostitution and trafficking of women.

My interest in this project is to explore the real scenario of a country’s tourism business as my country; Bangladesh is also trying to expand the tourism industry. From my experience of visiting Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore tourism business, prostitution and women trafficking are running parallel. Women and child trafficking is a big issue here already and what will be the aftermath by the expansion of this industry.

As we are informed, it will be a multimedia presentation. I will do a flash/PDF presentation with no sounds, and graphics. It will be a formal presentation with the 35 mm format color photographs.

My strength of doing this project is my 15 years experiences of doing several assignments for several organizations like IOM, gtz, Action Aid, World Bank, save the children etc.

In this project I will cover the space from where the trapped women came to their last destination.

Participating Student:Jannatul Mawa

Project Title: The way they are / natural settings

“When we entered the city

We came upon a total breakdown of ordered existence

The mother who has lost her child still inconsolable in her grief

And the wide-eyed stare

Sightless like the red lotus”

- Abu Zafar Obaidullah

I want to work with the young activists or survivors of Nepal.

The reason I want to work on this

Despite that the Monarchy has come to an end after long time, the age of democracy in Nepal is only two years. The democracy, which is quite new, is not yet stable. It is a continuous process, however, the people who were in the struggle of establishing democracy, they haven’t returned home completely. And the outcome is far from the expectations of many of those who were in the forefront. People who were supposed to be back, many of them have not returned. Through my work I want to learn how the greatest sons of the era are and what they are doing.

Experiences: Saw relevant photographic works on the subject of several photographers, including Philip Blenkinsop, Shehab Uddin

Film Industry of Nepal

To my personal experiences of watching movies, Asia is far behind than the quality of film of Europe and America. Except a few who are in an effort to making good and healthy film, the mainstream films are frustrating. I have heard that the film in Nepal has not even appeared itself; instead the Indian film has captured the market there. And whatever the Nepali film appears there, it is also influenced by the Indian film. Besides the lack of eagerness and patronization from the government, the film sector is not profitable, so the capitalists do not invest in this. In this circumstance, the current film industry is just surviving. Thus, I want to have an in-depth learning and understanding on this. In addition, my passion about film has also inspired me in this.

Participating Student: Mohammad Anisul Hoque

Project Title: Near the Watchful Eyes

Boudha is a magnet for the Tibetan community in Kathmandu . For this many of the Tibetans are living around the eyes of Boudha.

After the 1959 Chinese invasion Tibetans fled to Nepal and the community has grown.

Many of them settled around Boudha Stupa . It is situated about six km. east of downtown Kathmandu. Contributions from the local community and from the Buddhists abroad financed the construction of the monasteries, which continue their role as religious and cultural center of the community. I would like to make a story about the community.

Boudha Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world and considered the biggest Buddhist shrine outside Tibet. My story is not about the Boudha Stupa. My story is about the energetic and successful Tibetans people who are living around the Boudha Stupa. It is one of the few places in the world where Tibetan culture is both accessible and unhindered. I have a Tibetan friend Mr. Chettry in Chabahil, about 1.5 km. west of Boudhnath. He will help me for my access.

I will work with one Tibetan family. I will try to follow the members of that family and to take pictures of their activities. How they work and stay in their home, how they express their emotion and different feelings in different situation. Finally I will try to find out how the young member of that family is trying to creates a new better world. I will try to produce 15 to 20 best pictures in color from my project.

Participating Student: Kauser Haider

Project Title: Travelers friend_A tourist guide at Katmandu

“I want to show my city with my eyes”

Nepal has natural beauties but tourist guides are the most important because they show the hidden beauty with history to the tourist.

Though they are professional and earning with this job, we can’t avoid them for their great service to represent this country to the visitor. His role is the most important to any country which is enriched with various natural beauties.

As I am photographer, I want to show his life to the people. His profession, family, living condition, relationship with tourist and how he will feel about a visitor after leaving him.

My project is based on portrait. It may be portrait project or series. This series is about a tourist guide life style , which is very important to me that in our country we have also many natural beauties and tourist guide can be profession.

The way of living standard of a tourist guide, a main vocal of natural beauties, are my subject. As a visual artist I want to focus on him.

We see with his eyes but we never feel his feelings

Busy Bee: Night life at Nepal

“The night has a thousand eyes and the day one”

-Francsis William Bardillion

Nepal has different interesting site because of its natural beauty. When we think about Nepal, a natural Nepal decorated with mountains comes to our mind. But the nights in Nepal are more different in nature and it night life business.

Nepal has an interesting mode at night .As a tourist country Nepal is more busy at night to satisfy the tourist .

Moreover it adds different colour and verities in the city. It seems to me very much Visual. Though they are very early to sleep but bars and night clubs remains open till early morning and the busyness has no stop.

As I prefer light and colour, people explore a new visual site through my project .There busyness ,lifestyle, darkness, livelihood based on night life, beauties, colourfull life all the things they can find from my work.

On the plus side when anybody comes to Nepal not only they can see the beauties but also they can explore the night life.

So it will be true that, night life is Nepal has something to offer everyone

Participating Student: Rokshana Islam Beauty

Project Title: Candle

Introduction: A Candle us a source of light, and sometimes a source of heat, consisting of a solid block of fuel (commonly wax) and an embedded wick.

Today, most candles are made from paraffin. Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy and other plant waxes, and tallow (a by-product of beef- fat rendering). Gel candles are made from a mixture of paraffin and plastic.

A candle manufacturer is traditionally known as a chandler. Various devices have been invented to hold candles, from simple tabletop candle holders, to elaborate chandeliers.

The burning of the fuel takes place in several distinct regions ( as evidenced by the various colors that can be seen within the candle’ flame.) Within the bluer regions, hydrogen is being separated from the fuel and burned to from water vapor. The brighter, yellower part of the flame is the remaining carbon being oxidized to from carbon dioxide.

Topic:

History: In Rome, around the first century, candles were made out of tallow and the pith of rushes. The Latin word “candere” means to flicker. The Egyptians and Cretans made the candle from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. The early candle was made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In the 18th century, spermaceti, oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce a superior candle. Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was an inexpensive material which produced a high-quality, odorless candle that burned reasonably cleanly. The industry was devastated soon after, however, by the distillation of kerosene (confusingly also called paraffin oil or just paraffin). Recently resin based candles that are freestanding and transparent have been developed, with the claim that they burn longer than traditional paraffin candles. They are usually scented and oil based.

History of candle making:  Candle making was developed independently in many countries throughout history. The Egyptians produced candles out of beeswax as early 3000BC. The Chinese made candles from whale fat during the Qin Dynasty (222-206BC). In early China and Japan, tapers were made with wax from insects and seeds, wrapped in paper. In India, wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles. During the first century AD, indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest fused oil from the eulachon, or “candlefish”, for illumination. Excavations at Pompeii, Italy, revealed several candelabra.

Today, candles are used mainly for their aesthetic value and scent, particularly to set a soft, warm, or romantic ambiance, and for emergency lighting during electrical power failures. Scented candles are used in aromatherapy.

Justification : Before the advent of electricity, candles and oil lamps were used for illumination. Until the 20th century, candle were more common in northern Europe. In southern Europe and the Mediterranean, oil lamps predominated. In some areas without Electricity proper uses candle.

The topic is now a daily subject to us. Though we have made Bangladesh a daylight saving time but the power consumption has not developed . As a citizen I think have a role about it.

The worker of candle factory are diverted their forefathers job. Some NGO organization have their own factory for their needs which produces colourful candles for decoration. The home made candles are becoming costly because of raw material. Being the introduce of IPS the use of candles market are becoming a challenge.

Participating Student: Sayed Asif Mahmud

Project Title: Mihaq, the people

Mihaq is the self assigned name of the ethnic group ‘Kusunda’, considered as the most endangered species of the aboriginal.

The Kusundas, also known as Ban Rajas “Kings of the Forest,” are an ethnic group of Nepal who, until recent historical times, lived as semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers in central and Midwestern Nepal. Nowadays, due to the loss of vast tracts of forest lands their hunting bands have splintered and they have been compelled, because of a lack of marriageable Kusunda partners, to intermarry with other ethnic groups. As a result, their numbers have dwindled drastically and their language has all but ceased to exist.

According to the 2001 census, there were 164 Kusundas in Nepal, but actual figures now may be lower.

This project is about to portray the people Kusunda, who are struggling to exist. The main focus will be on the lives of people on the fringes of society from a social, political and environmental perspective.

Portraying this community is very much important, at least for the history. In this outlet, I will be assigned to do a reportage project. Reportage is the communication of information which is presented by different media to a third party or mass audience. Because, the Kusunda language and culture are now on the brink of extinction. The Kusundas would not come out of forest in the past. But the scenario is changed in some way. Few are out of forest now. Those who have drifted to urban areas have assimilated through marriage, but live in poverty and are illiterate. Most important thing is, they became marginalized due to inter caste marriages and change of clan names. Human rights activists are concerned that the continuation of this trend may soon drive the Kusunda to extinction.

“Because the Kusunda have been living away from civilization for so long, they have been hidden from the attention of the public and government,” explains Dil Bahadur Basnet from the Human Rights Organization of Nepal, “they themselves are unaware of their rights and means to access social support.” Ram Saran Basnet of the Rural Strengthening Centre in Gorkha calls the possible extinction of the Kusunda a national loss: “The disappearance of any of Nepal’s ethnic groups and the extinction of their culture, heritage, history and lifestyle is a tragedy, and the Kusunda is the most endangered of Nepal’s ethnic groups.”

Being a photojournalism student I have a special interest in human rights issues and minority culture. My strength of photography so far is the ability of taking portraits and to focus on the details, which should be considered as the eligibility of doing this project as it would be a portrait based photographic presentation. Another thing is, I always try to cover all sides of an issue without bias, as compared to commentators or analysts. I think, this is an important strength to do reportage.

As we are informed, it will be a multimedia presentation. I will do a power point presentation with no sounds, and graphics. It will be formal presentation with the medium format (6/7) black and white photographs.

As it is said earlier portrait and focusing on details are my major strength, most of my photographs will be portraits along with the details of their belongings. Nostalgia will be the protagonist of this project, and my establishment shot will be a grave. I think it will be a symbolic shot of their transition as they have recently started to perform funeral rites as well as the icon of their risk of extinction. Most of the portraits will be mid shot along with few long shots to portray their place. I will try to cover the Kusunda people from two dimension, those who are still living in the forests and those who are now trying to survive in the urban areas.

Participating Student: Tuhin Hossain

Project Title: BOUDHANATH STEPA (Temple)

Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Many people believe that Bouddhanath was constructed in the fifth century, but definite proof is lacking.

The Bouddha area is a visual feast. Colorful thangkas, Tibetan jewellery, hand-woven carpets, masks, and khukuri knives are sold in the surrounding stalls. Smaller stupas are located at the base Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath.

I want to do the project the & The activities of people’s Bouddhanath stupa.

I will create 15 photos to my story. In my photograph I will show the activities behind the Bouddhanath temple.

Participating Student: Rasel Chowdhury

Project Title: Tibetan Refugee, (Their ups and downs Episode)

I intend to work about the most prevalent issue. “Tibetan Refugees”: their ups and downs episode. I noticed that now- a-days it’s a socio-economic problem in the aspect of International Arena. In the world-wide it’s a warming issue, which has been discussed a lot of. That’s why; I have decided to do work in this subject.

In previous history, this has been running on. In “Western Development Strategy” integrating Tibetan areas into the larger Chinese market, regardless of Tibetan participation. This result in either Tibetans being resettled off their land separated from their traditional livelihoods or otherwise marginalized by China’s economic policies.

Tibetans who arrived prior to 1949, and their offspring, qualify for a government-issued refugee (identify) certificate and can remain in Nepal but with certain limited civil rights, restricted movement and some degree of security in case of harassment.

Tibetans now transiting all around the world. In recent years, between 2500 and 3000 Tibetans on average have made the dangerous crossing through the Himalayas to India through Nepal. Unfortunately, the status of Tibetans in Nepal has grown increasingly unstable as China exerts greater influence on Nepal’s policies towards Tibetans.

I think I can delivery my best effort in this work in several times; I visited Bihary Camp (Geneva camp) in my country. I noticed their socio-economic situation all over.

This work, I have decided to do, it is an important project in my Photographic life. And this work will be the first international report profile to me, so far.

I mainly tough the Tibetans socio-economic problem or difficulties through my work. I point out their present status, their education, their religion, their earning process,

Lastly, through my lens, I intend to touch Tibetans living condition, occupation (both male and female), their food and nutrition, child issues etc.

Participating Student: Soumitra Borua

Project Title: Water problem

Why is water so important to life? It all has to do with the unique properties that water exhibits. Firstly, it is the only substance on Earth that is in liquid form at the temperatures commonly found on the Surface of our planet. Secondly, it is a superb solvent, meaning that other substances regularly and easily dissolve into it. This allows water to carry nutrients to cells, and carry waste away from them.

In addition, water has the unique property of expanding as it freezes. Because water expands becoming less dense, frozen water, or ice floats. This is very important, because it protects the water underneath, insolating it from freezing.

What would happen if water became more dense? It would sink, allowing another layer of water to freeze. Eventually all the water across the entire surface of our planet would freeze, making life impossible

The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20% of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water1. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day2. In fact, out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of five. Water is essential to the treatment of diseases, something especially critical for children.

This problem isn’t confined to a particular region of the world. A third of the Earth’s population lives in “water stressed” countries and that number is expected to rise dramatically over the next two decades. The crisis is worst in developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia .

The world water crisis is created by a confluence of factors including climate and geography, lack of water systems and infrastructure, and inadequate sanitation, something that 2.6 billion people (40% of the world’s population) lack access to. Some of these countries have additional problems, including high levels of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water.

This is an important and vital issue of water crisis at everywhere, so I have in mind to work on it in Nepal . As I have learnt a place at Dhunga-Dharas ( “stone-taps” ) at Kathmundu in Nepal which is most interesting to me.

The people of Kathmandu in Nepal have been languishing more and more as rivers run dry. From what must be the world’s largest water reservoir, the Himalayan Mountains , melting water runs down and forms big rivers. But despite being as huge an eco-system as this, it isn’t sufficient as a national reservoir for water supply. Especially in the densely populated Kathmandu Valley , the people languish with dried up water taps during most of the year.

So for city dwellers in Kathmandu and other urban centers, it is hard and time-consuming work to get the daily supply of water for household use. During the worst shortages, public water pipes run dry for weeks, only to get water a few hours during the middle of night. So many people must resort to walking to public water taps and filling up their buckets, one by one. These water taps, known as “dhunga-dharas” (“stone taps”), draws water from underground sources, so some of them still have water during the dry season.

Many of these dhunga-dharas have been around since medieval times and are actually highly ornamented. As people queue up with their buckets and various other water containers, they also serve as a meeting place where people spend hours every day. It is still mostly a women’s job to carry water, but boys and men do take their turn as well. Everyone needs water. Unfortunately things like, work, education and improving living conditions are sometimes pushed aside by the necessity of water.

Obviously, this will help my photography skill and experience, which will turn my future career, so that I will have to take big project. My intention to do this project is to show their water problem. Being a documentary Photography I would like to represent their views their social structure and their expectation from their government.

Photography has the visual power to educate by allowing us to enter the lives and experiences of these people. Through my photography I have tried to show their emotion, water problem, daily life.

The another story : Life style of Sadhu

Also I’m interested in learning Sadhu’s living in Nepal . I have got some knowledge about their daily living. In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for a mystic, an ascetic, practitioner of yoga (yogi) and/or wandering monks. The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life, moksha (liberation), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman. Sadhus often wear ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation.

My intention to do this project is to show Sadhu’s daily life at Kathmandu in Nepal.

Participating Student: Syed Ashraful Alam

Project Title: Sharpa The Shepherd

My working plan is about one of the prevailing issue. “Sharpa The Shepherd”: their tough life style. I have decided to do work in this subject.

According to Sherpa tradition, the tribe migrated to Nepal from the Kham region of eastern Tibet over a thousand years ago. Historians, however, suggest that the Sherpas were nomadic herders who were driven out of their original homeland in eastern Tibet by warlike peoples sometime between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries AD. They migrated to the area around Tingri, but conflict with the local inhabitants caused them to move on in search of new pastures. They crossed the Himalayas and settled peacefully in their present homeland in northeastern Nepal.

The current Sherpa population is estimated to be around 45,000 people. They mainly live in the Khumbu and Solu Khumbu regions that lie to the south of Mount Everest. Sherpas also live to the east of this area in Kulung. In addition, Sherpas inhabit the valleys of the Dudh Kosi and Rolwaling Rivers west of Solu-Khumbu, and they are also found in the Lantang-Helambu region north of Kathmandu. Kathmandu itself has a sizable Sherpa population, while small numbers of Sherpas can be found throughout Nepal, even in the Terai.

Sherpa are the people of the mountains whose life often goes unnoticed from the rest of the world. But to the people like tourists, their appeal is unlimited. They are the guide to the tourists, the shepherd of the mountains. Like them, their means of livelihood also goes unnoticed. They are guide to the tourists, this is known to all but what is not known that they do lot of other things for their living too. These include cattle rearing, farming, etc. It is important in this global age that people know the true picture of their life. So I have decided to have a series depicting their economic activities which, to my understanding would add a perspective to the life of Sherpa the Sehpherd.

I’m trying to give effort in this project to my level best. I have been working at Bandarban hill track in many tribal areas. I saw their hard working fellow and how they get relief from their economical crisis.

I will try to show Sherpa’s economical relief through my project. I noticed out their present status, their hard working, earning process.

It is an important project in my photographic carrier. And this project will be the first international report profile to me.

I will use medium format and of course color photography here.