KATHMANDU, April 19: Phurba Tenzing Sherpa, a 13th times Everest summiteer, is launching tourism awareness drive by hoisting a flag reflecting logo of the campaign from atop the world's highest mountain. As part of the campaign, he is shedding light on the ‘Mero Gaun Mero Thau’ (My Village, My Place) campaign from the summit of Mt Everest this spring.
We Will Rise Foundation (WWRF), organizing an event here recently, handed over the flag with the logo of the campaign to Sherpa. The campaign was launched by the WWRF on January 1, 2019, in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board and other organizations targeting the Visit Nepal Year 2020. It aims to bring out hidden destinations, cuisine, cultures, traditions, indigenous communities, arts, craftsmanship, practices ingenious people and tourism-related issues to public knowledge through the videos submitted to the WWRF.
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Handing over the flag, National Assembly member Komal Oli said the video challenge was very relevant to introduce various places and issues of tourism prospects of Nepal across the globe. The artist-turned-politician also encouraged all the tourism enthusiasts to participate in this competition that runs through May 31 this year.
Similarly, Visit Nepal 2020 campaign coordinator Suraj Vaidya believed that the video challenge would contribute to the government’s plan to attract two million foreign tourists to Nepal on the occasion of the Visit Nepal Year 2020. Likewise, WWRF Operation Director Anup K Baral said that the video competition would help introduce special identity of one’s place to a larger audience. Receiving the flag, Sherpa pledged to hoist the flag atop the 8,848 metre-mountain to raise tourism awareness during his upcoming 14th ascend.
He expressed his confidence that the campaign would help grow the tourism sector of Nepal. Present in the event were Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi, imminent personalities such as ultra-runner Meera Rai, former national footballer Raju Kaji Shakya, artistes and mountaineers among others.
Participants should submit the HD quality videos not exceeding five minutes and the videos could be shot using either smart phone or digital camera. Any individuals, group or organizations could participate in this competition by sending more than one videos but the themes should be different. Winners will be selected from the 10 selected videos. The first prize carries a purse of Rs 100,000 while the second Rs 50,000 and third Rs 25,000.
The video that receives accolade in social media such as Facebook or YouTube will get the ‘Mero Gaun Mero Thau People’s Choice Award’ carrying a purse of Rs 100,000. Moreover, the videos with the best editing and best script will also receive NRs 25,000 each. The rules of the competition and other information such as how many videos on what themes have been submitted to WWR among others could be found at www.wwrf.org.np. RSS
