History of insurance

History of insurance refers to the development of a modern laws and market in insurance against risks. In some sense we can say that insurance appears simultaneously with the appearance of human society. We know of two types of economies in human societies: money economies (with markets, money, financial instruments and so on) and non-money or natural economies (without money, markets, financial instruments and so on). The second type is a more ancient form than the first. In such an economy and community, we can see insurance in the form of people helping each other. For example, if a house burns down, the members of the community help build a new one. Should the same thing happen to one's neighbour, the other neighbours must help. Otherwise, neighbours will not receive help in the future.

Home insurance

Home insurance, also commonly called hazard insurance or homeowners insurance (often abbreviated in the real estate industry as HOI), is the type of property insurance that covers private homes. It is an insurance policy that combines various personal insurance protections, which can include losses occurring to one's home, its contents, loss of its use (additional living expenses), or loss of other personal possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that may happen at the home. It requires that at least one of the named insured occupies the home. The dwelling policy (DP) is similar, but used for residences which don't qualify for various reasons, such as vacancy/non-occupancy, seasonal/secondary residence, or age. It is a multiple line insurance, meaning that it includes both property and liability coverage, with an indivisible premium, meaning that a single premium is paid for all risks. Standard forms divide coverage into several categories, and the coverage provided is typically a percentage of Coverage A, which is coverage for the main dwelling.

The cost of homeowners insurance often depends on what it would cost to replace the house and which additional riders—additional items to be insured—are attached to the policy. The insurance policy itself is a lengthy contract, and names what will and what will not be paid in the case of various events. Typically, claims due to floods, or war (whose definition typically includes a nuclear explosion from any source) are excluded. Special insurance can be purchased for these possibilities, including flood insurance. Insurance must be updated to the present and existing value at whatever inflation up or down, and an appraisal paid by the insurance company will be added on to the policy premium. Fire insurance will require a special premium charge, plus the addition of smoke detectors and on site fire suppression systems to qualify.

The home insurance policy is usually a term contract—a contract that is in effect for a fixed period of time. The payment the insured makes to the insurer is called the premium. The insured must pay the insurer the premium each term. Most insurers charge a lower premium if it appears less likely the home will be damaged or destroyed: for example, if the house is situated next to a fire station, if the house is equipped with fire sprinklers and fire alarms. Perpetual insurance, which is a type of home insurance without a fixed term, can also be obtained in certain areas.

In the United States, most home buyers borrow money in the form of a mortgage loan, and the mortgage lender always requires that the buyer purchase homeowners insurance as a condition of the loan, in order to protect the bank if the home were to be destroyed. Anyone with an insurable interest in the property should be listed on the policy. In some cases the mortgagee will waive the need for the mortgagor to carry homeowner's insurance if the value of the land exceeds the amount of the mortgage balance. In a case like this even the total destruction of any buildings would not affect the ability of the lender to be able to foreclose and recover the full amount of the loan.

Nepal Mountainnews Report

It goes without saying that Nepal is a land of stunning contrasts that harbors within its narrow fold near sea level flatlands to some eight highest points on earth. The different ethnic groups with their unique language and culture along with the flora and fauna could prove immensely beneficial to visitors of all age groups and professions.

But going by the tourism policy that the country has adopted since the land was thrown open to foreign visitors more than half a century ago has been lop sided and highly centralized to say the least. It is therefore little wonder that even countries in South Asia in the tourism field have taken off like flying geese while we have remained pathetic sitting ducks!

There can be no doubt whatsoever, that a country like Nepal due to its rugged topography is best suited to rural tourism and nothing else. Though the idea has been floated on many occasions the concept in the true sense has yet to take off.

If we are really to go into the hospitality business in a big way and if it is really to accelerate all round economic development then rural tourism ought to be looked at more seriously than the cursory attention it has received so far. The point becomes particularly relevant in view of the new marketing strategies employed by our potential rivals in the region.

Therefore doing our utmost to combat it within our limits and reaching the right market with the correct profile should be the mainstay of our marketing policy of the country’s tourism in general and that of rural tourism n particular.Like other countries heavily dependent on tourism, Nepal too must move ahead with the times, be forward looking and push aggressively with a positive attitude and realistic plans. Therefore, a hard look at our tourism master plan is imperative and has been long overdue.

To make this country a powerful tourist magnet, virtually a destination in itself, will have to be the basis of our new master plan for tourism. In a world where all nations are virtually neck to neck in the competitive tourist market, it would be naïve to continue banking on short-term gains. The selling of Nepal to foreign visitors will now have to be more practical and realistic.
Since the tourism industry makes overriding demands like development of infrastructure at the expense of regional agriculture and the taking over as it does, the precious water supply of the inhabitants, such factors also ought to figure prominently in the formulation of future plans.
In other words, the master plan ought to strike that delicate balance between development through tourism and the hard complex reality it involves. This is where the book under review entitled "Readings in Rural Tourism" comes in. It is a timely publication consisting of some twenty three articles written by knowledgeable writers in their respective fields pertaining to tourism per se.

The collection in the volume ranges from theoretical to other related aspects of tourism; to the history of Nepali tourism; the strategies to be applied in the present context; the importance of rural tourism; the need for developing other tourist destinations within the country, the future policies that need to be adopted for the long term by the country etc. etc.

In short, the book is a veritable mine of information for those interested in the tourism field and moreover, for students pursuing tourism for their higher studies.

The editor of the volume, Dr. Rudra Prasad Upadhyay, Associate Professor in the Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur where he teaches rural tourism deserves special mention. Besides numerous accolades to his credit, Dr. Upadhyay was also awarded Ph D degree for his valuable and outstanding thesis in tourism from the University of Lucknow.
Like his commitment to build equitable and growing economy in Nepal through community based rural tourism within a given time frame, the articles meticulously solicited and carefully edited by the writer should go a long way in promoting the idea.

Besides, the publication could contribute substantially not only to the teaching of rural tourism as a worthwhile solution to the country’s economic ills but also towards formulation of plans and policies pertaining to Nepal’s tourism.

Potala Palace

Potala Palace is 3,700 meters above sea level crowning over a hilltop of Hongshan Mountain in Lhasa- the capital city of the ‘Tibet Autonomous Region’.

It is one of the greatest specimens of Tibetan architecture. The palace was originally built in the 7th century by the ruling emperor for his lady but due to heavy lightning, a portion of the palace was destroyed. In 1645, the restored efforts were made by the Fifth Dalai Lama to bring it in its original form.

In 1653 the Potala Palace become the residence of the ‘Fifth Dalai Lama’ and remained as Dalai Lamas’ official residence until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. The palace is most distinguished for its interior grandeur.

It also holds the charm of displaying magnificent panorama of the city down, as well as a bird's eye view of the various domes glowing under the golden sunrays. One can also enjoy the splendid view of the elevated mountains with pristine rivers meandering down through the traditional city of Lhasa.

The Layout of the Palace

In the 7th, century’s the palace was constructed by the Tibetan King- ‘Songtsan Gambo’ for his bride, the ‘Tang Dynasty Princess’- Wencheng.

The palace is built on an area of 410,000 sq.m and consists of 999 palatial rooms with a floor space of 130,000-sq.m. The main structure complex is 13-story building, almost 110 m in elevation, built-in by stone and wood. The palace is an epitome of ancient Tibetan architecture and is included in UNESC world heritage list - 1994.

Potala Palace - Main Sections

The complex is divided into two sections, the Red Palace and the White Palace. The White Palace served as residence for the succeeding Dalai Lamas, where ritual ceremonies and political affairs use to take place.

The Red Place is the one of the sacred palace containing ‘house of worship’ where mortified remnants of Dalai Lamas lay, adorned with the sheets of gold and also the Great West Hall-- with its fine rich artistic scenes.

Five of the palaces have gilded bronze tiles and are considered holy palaces on highland

Other attractions of the Potala Palace are the Buddhist statues of various sizes made of copper, gold or silver, which are unique in shape and excellent in craftsmanship. Some statues are quite huge, several meters in height, where as some are of few inches. There are at least over 200 thousand statures in all.

Potala Palace Museum

The palace showcases numerous iron, bronze, gold and silver artifacts, arms and armatures from the Tubo Kingdom. Other items worth noticing are leather, textile, paper, porcelain and carved stone goods as well as gems and the original golden manuscripts issued by emperors to the Dalai Lamas.

Visiting Timings of the Palace

Opening time: Daily 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm;

Fees: ¥100

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN)

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) was formed and registered with the Kathmandu CDO Office in 1979 by a handful of trekking agents who realized that it was time to assemble and create an umbrella organization. Under which they could work together to meet their common goals and also assist the government by providing suggestions to develop trekking business into a revenue generating industry. Such a body was necessary for many reasons. There was a need for a single organization, which could undertake the major responsibilities to develop and promote adventure tourism in the country. The need for a responsible body, which could play a significant and conducive role to mitigate mountain environmental stress, was felt essential. Since the inception of TAAN not only the trekking agencies have been increasing, and so has the TAAN members. TAAN limited its membership only to Nepalese trekking agents at its initial phase. Nevertheless, it opened its associate membership to foreign organizations to broaden the scope of the Association. TAAN members (571 General Members, 8 Associate Members and 49 general members of TAAN Regional Pokhara Chapter) meet annually to endorse policy guidelines, which govern the Executive Body. It frequently communicates with the concerned bodies of the government to simplify the procedures and solve the problems related with trekking. TAAN has four Sub-Committees, which assist to meet its objectives. It also organizes workshops to make trekking agents aware of the rising pollution in trekking routes and other problems encountered by the trekkers and trekking agents. The executive body, which is elected every two years, has 6 office bearers, 8 Executive Members, 1 immediate Past President, 1 Chapter Representative and 3 Nominate Executive Member/s.

Pashmina of Nepal

Nepali Pashmina in known as wool (Cashmere) but it grows on the underside of the Mountain Goats. Mountain Goats in Nepal known as Chyangra. Chyangra's are the inhabitant of the great Himalayan mountain range including Mt. Everest and Mt. Annapurna. Pashmina Shawl are also known as cashmere shawl. First time this types of Shawl are manufactured in Kashmir and it speared all over the world. The Pashmina Shawl are very soft and worm. High quality Pashmina Shawls are made from the finest, softest and lightest high quality wool from the mountain Goats. More...
100% Pashmina and 70% Pashmina + 30 Silk (High Quality)

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