Eights years on mother still searches for her missing son

In the last eight years, not a single evening has passed without Sabitri Ghimire of Ugratara Janagal VDC-8 in Kavrepalanchok district lighting a lamp and praying for her missing son´s return.

"I always see my son´s face in the flames of the lamp," says the 58-year-old mother. "I hope my son will return some day in future." She believes her son is still alive in some corner of the world. "If my son was no more, I would have had some hints in my dreams. I have never had a bad dream about him."
In Dhulikhel, Sabitri once met an elderly woman whose son had returned after 12 years. "She had also lit the lamp every night for 12 years," says Sabitri. "As per her suggestions, I too started lighting the lamp."
Sabitri´s oldest son, Prakash Ghimire, who was studying journalism in Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, Kathmandu, had disappeared without a trace in 2004. His whereabouts remain unknown since then. Sabitri has heard that Prakash was detained by plain-clothes policemen from a rented room in Jadibuti, Bhaktapur.

"I heard from Prakash´s friends that he was whisked away in a van,"she says. "Some say he was taken to Nakkhu jail while others say he was detained at an army barrack atop Shivapuri hill. I have not seen him in a long time, and I have not heard a single word about him."

Sabitri searched for her missing son in all the nooks and crannies of Kathmandu. "I may lose my way in Banepa town but not in Kathmandu," she quips. "I know each and every alley of the capital since I have wandered there dozens of times in search of my dear son. I have yet not given up hopes."

At times, Sabitri has walked up to Kathmandu all the way from Banepa. "Even when I had no money for bus fares, I walked to Kathmandu," says she. "In Kathmandu, I found many other women who had also lost their dear ones during the Maoist insurgency. After meeting them, I tried to console myself."

Prakash, 25 then, was the most reliable of the three sons, according to Sabitri. After he went missing, Prakash´s father Bed Prasad Ghimire become a chain-smoker. "My husband frequently falls sick. I have spent a huge amount of money in his treatment," she says.

Sabitri´s house, built in 1985, was badly shaken by an earthquake in 1988. Cracks have now appeared all over the walls by now. But, she has no money to repair the dilapidated house. Nor has she ever thought of it. "I only think of my missing son," she says.
In Kavrepalanchok district, 20 people disappeared forcefully during the Maoist insurgency, according to Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Nepal. Most of them, including Prakash, are still missing.                 

Source myrepublica 

Miss China Crowned Miss World 2012

Miss China won the coveted title of Miss World on Saturday, triumphing on home soil in a mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.

The mostly Chinese audience erupted in cheers when it was announced that the home candidate, Yu Wenxia, had been awarded the title.

Explaining during the final why she should win the Miss World title, Yu said: "When I was young I felt very lucky because so many people helped me, and I hope in the future I can help more children to feel lucky."

Last year´s Miss World -- Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela -- handed over her crown in the futuristic Dongsheng stadium in the northeastern city of Ordos.
A total of 116 contestants, the highest number ever, took to the stage during the contest, watched annually by about a billion people around the globe.
Ordos, around 700 kilometres (440 miles) from the nearest beach, is an unusual venue for the world´s biggest beauty pageant.

Besides the traditional swimsuits and evening gowns, participants also donned outlandish costumes, with some dressed as belly dancers.

Miss World 2012 winner Yu Wenxia (C) of China, second place contestant Miss Wales Sophie Moulds (L) and third place Miss Australia Jessica Kahawaty (R) pose for photos following the pageant´s final ceremony at the Ordos Stadium Arena in the inner Mongolian city of Ordos on August 18. (AFP)

The beauty queens have been in China rehearsing for nearly a month, soaking up traditional Mongolian culture by churning yoghurt in a nomad´s yurt and donning local attire to climb a sand dune.

The city, which has a vast town square dedicated to the mighty Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan, has grown rich over the last decade on the back of a coal mining boom that has transformed it from a sandstorm-afflicted backwater into one of the wealthiest places in China.

The boom triggered a frenzy of building in the city, but the local government has been unable to fill the vast tower blocks that have sprung up, earning it the title of China´s biggest ghost town.

Enthusiastic competitors seemed unfazed, expressing optimism that with the help of the pageant, the city could leave that reputation behind and take its place alongside other global centres of glitz and glamour.

"Ordos could be the next Dubai," said Marielle Wilkie, representing the Caribbean nation of Barbados.

Albanian contestant Floriana Garo chimed in with her own bold prediction.

"In ten years, this city will be booming," she said.

Architecture in Ordos -- where the city museum is shaped like an undulating blob -- is "world class", added Markysa O´Loughlin, representing St. Kitts and Nevis, also in the Caribbean.

Bookmakers had tipped Miss Mexico, 20-year-old Mariana Reynoso, for the crown, but Miss China was also seen as a leading contender along with Miss Nepal.

While the popularity of the contest, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, continued interest in Asian countries ensures that the final rakes in a huge global television audience.

Sweden´s Kiki Hakansson was the first Miss World, while Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry was a finalist in 1986 and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai took the crown in 1994.

Venezuela has produced the most Miss Worlds, with six winners, while India and Britain claim five titles each.

China has already hosted the competition five times, most recently in 2010 on the tropical southern island of Hainan.

In 2002, the pageant was moved from Nigeria to Britain after more than 200 people died in clashes sparked when a newspaper suggested the Prophet Mohammed would have chosen a wife from among the contestants had he been alive.

Miss World beauty queens in China desert city
(AFP)

BEIJING: Beauty queens from all over the planet made final preparations to compete for the Miss World title on Saturday in a Chinese mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.

A total of 116 contestants -- the highest number ever -- were scheduled to don their finest evening gowns and swimwear for the evening contest, which is watched annually by around a billion people around the globe.

This year it takes place on the arid and sparsely populated steppes of Inner Mongolia, where Ordos, around 700 kilometres (440 miles) from the nearest beach, makes an unlikely setting for the world´s biggest beauty pageant.

Reigning Miss World Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela will hand over her crown in the futuristic Ordos stadium, which sits alongside a vast town square dedicated to the mighty Mongolian warrior Genghis Khan.

The city has grown rich over the last decade on the back of a coal mining boom that has transformed it from a sandstorm-afflicted backwater into one of the wealthiest places in China.

The boom triggered a frenzy of building in the city, but the local government has been unable to fill the vast tower blocks that have sprung up, earning it the title of China´s biggest ghost town.

The beauty queens have been in China rehearsing for nearly a month, soaking up traditional Mongolian culture by churning yoghurt in a nomad´s yurt and donning local dress to climb a sand dune, according to Miss World´s website.

Contestants vying for this year´s title include a Kazakh doctor and a Peruvian medical student, but the bookmakers are tipping Miss Mexico, 20-year-old Mariana Reynoso, for the crown.

"There´s a lot of good feeling surrounding the Mexican contestant," said Tony Kenny, spokesman for bookmaker William Hill, which is offering odds of 2/1 on Reynoso.

Other leading contenders include Miss China and Miss Nepal, with other countries lagging so far behind as to be "more or less write offs", according to Alex Donohue of rival bookmaker Ladbrokes.

While the popularity of the contest, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, continued interest in Asian countries ensures that the final rakes in a huge global television audience.

Sweden´s Kiki Hakansson was the first Miss World, while Oscar-winning US actress Halle Berry was a finalist in 1986 and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai took the crown in 1994.

Venezuela has produced the most Miss Worlds, with six winners, while India and Britain claim five titles each.

China has already hosted the competition five times, most recently in 2010 on the tropical southern island of Hainan.

In 2002, the pageant was moved from Nigeria to Britain after more than 200 people died in clashes sparked when a newspaper suggested the Prophet Mohammed would have chosen a wife from among the contestants had he been alive.

Source myrepublica

मिस वर्ल्ड जारी, बिच फेसनमा उपाधि गुम्यो, सृष्टि उत्कृष्ट १५ मा पनि परिनन्

चीनको ओर्डसमा जारी ६२ औं मिस वर्ल्डमा नेपालको प्रतिनिधित्व गरेकी सृष्टिले बिच फेसनमा उपाधि गुमाइन् ।
वेल्स सुन्दरीले बिच फेसनको उपाधि जितिन् । नेपाल सुन्दरी सृष्टि श्रेष्ठ मिस वर्ल्डमा १ सय १५ सुन्दरीसँग प्रतिस्पर्धा गरिरहेकी छन् ।
   - नेपाल सुन्दरी सृष्टि उत्कृष्ट १५ मा पनि परिनन्

Miss World 2012 Live Updates

Winner of Miss World Talent round is China PR

Miss World Sports Woman 2012 is Miss Sweden .

Winner of Multimedia Award 2012 is Miss India

The winner of Beach Fashion round 2012 is Miss Wales

And the Winner of top Model round 2012 is Miss South Sudan.

The gala evening starts with TV host Myleene Klass and American actor Jason Cook welcoming the audience.

The Divas arrive : The stunning 116 contestants are introduced individually to the audience as they walked the ramp. The crowd is buzzing with different country names as Mongolian warriors perform live on stage.

The show starts with an audio visual presentation of all the 116 contestants praising the beautiful city and culture of Shanghai and Changsu. The post card video shows the spectacular time the contestants had in China where they witnessed China's greatest performing acts.

The ambience : As Miss world 2012 contestants gear up to impress the judges and jury, guests, former beauty queens and celebs have started pouring in at Ordos, China. Tonight, all the 116 contestants will walk the ramp with the common ambition of winning the Miss World Crown. This year, Vanya Mishra from India will be fighting it out with 115 contestants for the Miss World 2012 pageant. Watch this space for getting live updates on Miss World 2012.

Source timesof india