Celebrating diversity

Celebrating diversity
Why do Brahmins and Chhetris remain numb during Loshar? Why do we stay docile during Eid? All the festivals celebrated by Nepalis in Nepal are our common festivals. Let's celebrate them!' This was my status on Facebook a week ago, which was liked by many of my friends.

Festivals are simply a great reason to celebrate and get together. It's fun playing cards with delicious food during festivals, yet most Nepalis wait for Dashain and Tihar to celebrate. There are many
festivals in Nepal and there is no need to feel restricted to one's own religion and celebrate just once a year.

I always felt that nothing could compare to Dashain and Tihar. But a friend of mine who belongs to the Marwari community explained that Diwali and Holi are truly the biggest. Another friend from the Madhesi community gives this honor to Chhath, while my Gurung classmate says it's Loshar. Does this not show the bias we all give to our own cultures?

I don't know what other communities do during Dashain, but I spend my time sleeping and watching television during Loshar. I used to go around to see celebrations during Chhath when I lived in my hometown, but these days, I pass my time idly during Chhath as well. I wonder why we don't get excited about festivals that don't strictly 'belong' to us. We shake hands and work together, why can't we share in
celebrating as well? Why can't Hindus also wish their neighbours 'Eid Mubarak'?

In multi-cultural Nepal there is at least one festival every month, be it Eid, Ram Navami or Christmas. If we choose to recognise them all, what an exciting year it would be! There's no need to celebrate the
festivals according to strict rules. But why not call your relatives over for dinner and say 'Eid Mubarak!' Wouldn't that be a great way to enjoy even more festivals?

Why don't we save our weekend parties for these festival times when the government has declared it time to celebrate. Imagine a Nepal where all festival days were truly national celebrations, instead of the few that apply to the majority. Excited communities and an excited nation could celebrate a common joy, instead of dividing ourselves based on the religions and cultures we follow. Then we could truthfully call ourselves a multi-cultural, secular nation.

By adopting other festivals, we can all celebrate together, instead of laying in front of the TV during someone else's festival. Please don't misinterpret, there's no need to spend money to celebrate. Cheap and together with friends is the best way. This will even get rid of that sad feeling we have when
the main festival has ended. Dashain is over so what? Chhath is approaching! Let's put our country back in a festive mood, unify the culture and make every festival ours. You don't need to be a Christian to celebrate Christmas. So this year, no matter your religion, make it merry!

PUBLISHED IN THE KATHMANDU POST (DEC 24, 2010)
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/12/23/oped/celebrating-diversity/216407/

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Imagine

Imagine
It's not wrong to dream, and not wrong to express one's dreams either. Therefore, I am going to talk about my dream. But it is not about something I dreamt in my sleep. It's something more practical - maybe not very possible, although not impossible… it's all about imagination.

Let's imagine for now as in John Lennon's song. A clean Bagmati with clean, cold water and a great river bank where tourists are taking a sun bath and monkeys are drinking from the pool. A few trees, whose shade seems really precious during a hot summer.

When the evening appears, there's a lok dohori going on, and everything is peaceful. Not only tourists but even Nepalese are having loads of fun there. There is a cheap but quality market there with good food. As darkness sets in, there is a musical performance by Kutumba to make your evening all the more exciting.
During the afternoon, a group of children are swimming in the Bagmati, while couples sit on the stone platform on the bank of the river and fish. Ah..and then a small boat comes all the way from Sundarijal, and imagine a camp fire being lit at night there.

Those are entertaining dreams. Now let's imagine something more advanced. Imagine a proper traffic
system where vehicles follow all the traffic rules. As mentioned in a documentary, imagine Tribhuwan International Airport that is truly international in facilities. Imagine the World Cup being held at the
Dasharath Stadium and Nepal kissing the cup.

What's wrong in imagining?

Let's imagine Nepal winning both the World Cup football and cricket. Let's imagine Kaka, Drogba, Rooney all excited to play from Mahendra Police Club, and Bob Dylan, GNR and Iron Maiden struggling to feature with our Nepalese artists. Imagine a road properly pitched with underground metros. Imagine a free education system and foreign students appearing for the examination held by a Nepal board to qualify for a seat to study at Tri Chandra and Shanker Dev Campuses? Imagine all the resources of
Nepal being utilised in such a way that there is a shortage of labourers in the country and they need to be brought from abroad.

Imagine a ropeway connecting Jumla and Humla and a railway connecting Nepalgunj and Jumla. Imagine the richest person of the world being a Nepalese.

Ah! You have imagined a lot, now ask yourself: Can all this happen? Is it possible?

Yes, it is difficult, really difficult but not impossible. I guided you towards an imaginary Nepal, now you need to guide the Nepalese to make this a reality.

PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL (DECEMBER 09 2010)
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=43086&cat_id=7

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Making Resolutions

Making Resolutions



The New Year 2011 is all set to begin in a little over a month's time. What resolution have you made for the start of the new decade? It is easy to be determined to do something in the upcoming days, but it is
difficult to keep the promise. With every new year, resolutions are made, but within the span of a few weeks, it is already time to question if the resolution has been kept.

Losing weight, avoiding smoking, speaking the truth, being punctual are just a few resolutions one makes during this particular season. There is usually a strong determination at the beginning in seeing that these resolutions come to fruition. But when the time comes to take the step, the flesh is weak. By the time you realise that your resolutions have been made in vain, it will be time to welcome the next year.

The main obstacle in realising one's resolutions is the practical aspect. Can someone who has been smoking for years suddenly quit smoking as soon as January 1 appears on the calendar? Obviously not!
You keep smoking till December 31, so how can you quit so easily within a few hours? So don't be foolish in making such resolutions.

Resolutions made at the spur of the moment can hardly succeed. Now, if you really want to quit smoking make a practical resolution that will work. Make a resolution like, I will reduce smoking by half
during this year! This can work out to some extent. By the time you make the next resolution, reduce it by half again; this will bring you to taking a puff, maybe, once a week, then once every month. This will
be comparatively easier to do away with your smoking habit.

The future is uncertain, so you cannot be very determined about doing this or that thing! You tell youself, I will try my best to do this. This will take your resolution to a certain height. If you can't control smoking in the early days, the feeling of control will prevail. But when you make a strong resolution not to smoke at all, and if you must smoke, your resolution will be ruined. You will then realise that it's too late to stop smoking.

I am not discouraging those who are determined to make a strong resolution for the new year, but only suggesting that it be practical.

All the best for your New Year resolutions.


PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL (NOV 22 2010)

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Happy Winter

Happy winter

It's already time for chilly winter, and probably must be well prepared to welcome the winter of this year as well. It is definitely wonderful season as we get to stay under blankets for long time, get to wear a lot of cloth plus have lots of hot stuffs. Nepal has been through moderate sort of climate as we don't have to freeze under minus for long time, nor do we need to get boiled with fifty degree.

Days get short and night gets long during this season which makes our working schedule really tight. Darkness comes above you as soon as your office hour completes, and hence you have no option besides going home. Weekends during winter has separate fun as the whisky really helps you to stay entertainingly warm. It's not my writing to explain the impact, advantages or disadvantages of winter but it's a suggestion for every one that has to be taken seriously during the season.

Water is a necessity for our body from every point of view. We drink water not to fulfill our thirst but it's necessary for our body. Water regulates body temperature, promotes healthy skin, acts as natural lubricant for the body, helps in digestion, and removes waste from the body. It is not that our body requires water only during hot season, but we require equal water during winter as well. Our body gets dry during winter and hence water can play the role to remove the dryness during winter. Nothing except water can contribute the role of water for our body. Soft and hard drinks rather suck water from our body
more than contributing; this makes our body water less. So the fact has been probably clear that there is equal importance of water in both summer and winter.

Now, how wise is it for us to drink cold water during this season? It's okay if you can control your body, but I call it wise if you rather manage to drink hot water every day which will keep the germs of common cold along with various other diseases far away. When we have such huge benefits, why don't we manage to drink water during this season? It is something foolish to make resolution for upcoming year to drink daily certain amount of water and fail to fill it in the end. Hot water contributes to make our body hot as well which is really essential during this particular season. Let's make an attempt to keep our body fit, warm and healthy simply by drinking hot water time and again during this season.

I am sure you probably have completed your tasks of washing old jackets, sweaters or purchasing the new one. You probably must have thought of ideas to keep your room warm during this season. As we are
poor in electricity, let's even make contribution to reduce load shedding by consuming less electricity during this season by using less electric heater. Happy Winter!

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EVERYONE'S LUCKY

Everyone's lucky
T here always appears to be heavy opinion on the side of hard work, compared to how lucky we can be.
Truly, hard work counts for success because through it a person can be at the peak of success. But, the entire credit to hard work might not be right as luck too seems to have a role in all that. So, the presence of both luck and hard work is there in any success story.
Think who works the hardest. No, not businessman, not doctors either.
It's the labourers. Just imagine him sweating it out the entire day and yet he is not rich.

Now, analyze it yourself. Does not luck play an important role for him? Is it not because of luck he is poor despite working hard? It's luck that decides the place of your birth, whether in a poor family or rich family. So, the role of luck in any individual’s life is there, though it is not visible like hard work. For one particular reason we take the support of hard work because it is physical.

If you are wondering whether you are lucky or not. Don’t get confused; it’s with us bust the thing is only to make it work for us. You probably cannot call yourself lucky if you have won yourself a huge amount playing bingo because you may lose it within a month.

It’s something foolish to call yourself unlucky just because you could not win a trip to South Africa to watch World cup 2010 through a draw. People who think they are lucky expect good things to happen to them, so they are optimistic.

What do you call the Pandavas?

Lucky or unlucky? They were born in a noble family, came up with such great power and achieved victory in the end.
Now, will it not be stupid if we call them unlucky simply for the fact they lost all gambling? Luck is there for all of us. We simply need to search for it seriously and the best possible way to search for luck is through sincere effort with positive vision.

It’s wrong to claim yourself unlucky simply because you don’t win in a game of ludo or cards. No matter what you are, even a laborer, you can give good education to your children for their bright future. You will definitely feel lucky to be the father of such wonderful son or daughter at that time. But you can never avoid hard work, hard work and luck come all together. So, we all are lucky in one way or the other.

PUBLISHED IN : THE HIMALAYAN TIMES [ 27 OCTOBER 2010 ]

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Gadget Addiction

Gadget Addiction




‘Oh! There is I pad in the market’, ‘I am tired of using this old set, Please! I want I phone now!’, ‘Dad! I have been using Pulsar for last two years, now I want Fazer!’

Are not these sings of gadget addiction? We want all the updated stocks of the market. Basically, the youths get to enjoy lot with the gadget. Youths are the one who quickly get updated about the latest product in the market. They are all aware regarding the launching date of Apple’s I pad in the market. They know all the features, price of it. Youth are curious about it and get well informed about the product before hand.

‘Mom All my friends come to college in scooty, I am only the one to wait for micro, Please request dad!’. What can parents do in such situation? How can a parent tolerate that their child is going through a problem of humiliation? For the teen sensation, especially of big towns it has been a kind of fashion to get updated with the gadgets. What can an individual do when it is a kind of trend? It is awkward obviously to carry Nokia 1600 at go to college when all the friends are there with fancy latest sets. Or the youth cannot get mixed with the group who all have bike with them. Honestly, we can see the groups separation in any college as per the interest. Bikers have separate friend circle, similarly cell phone group are different. For medium class group, who hardly manage for the education fees are separate, smokers are different and studious student are different. No matter what, any teen would definitely get attracted towards the latest gadget.

Letting the child updated with the latest gadget is not big issue for bigshots. But this can really be a troubling issue for those medium grades who hardly manage to afford for the education. But what can parents do when it is a trend in the college itself? So there remains no option besides adding the burden through loans, credits etc. With the advancement in technology youth are simply addicted towards the gadgets and the manufacturers are focusing youth to suck money through the addictive adds like “pleases you, pleases money and your girlfriend’, or let that be through pictorial signboards on the middle of the road.

There is profit to media as they get to advertise, manufacturers will be in profit for sure, and same with the Government as they get to inject tax thereby. So it is for sure that there will not be anyone to guide us regarding this. So the main initiatitive must be taken by the colleges, institutes themselves. They strictly impose the rule about the uniform. Uniform are meant to bring uniformity which will certainly reduce the gap between a millionre and a normal citizen. But what remains the value of uniform when the discrimination has been there through gadgets? Parents need to analyze the needs with the time and purchase the gadgets. They also need to figure out if those gadgets are acting has the hindrances for their future or not. However youths they need to understand the situation and learn to avoid it. They first need to think if they will be able to buy those goods to their child in the future or not. I have my friend who spend around twenty thousand per month and when I asked him if he can earn the amount himself in future he was in total confusion.

Yes! It is necessary to get informed about the latest advancements in the market. But we should not cry like child for it. Economic condition of the family, its use need to be analyzed. It’s not a good idea to demand for I pad when your cell phone has all the features in it.


REPUBLISHED IN REPUBLICA SEP25

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Exam

Exam season...huh!

--
With regards,
Dwaipayan!

dwaipon.blogspot.com

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Facebook Addiction

Facebook Addiction
Do you have a FB account? This is a popular question among youths these days. Why spend money on all those phone calls and SMS when here is a social networking websites like facebook, Hi5, Twitter etc. We are social beings and it is a necessity for us to socialize and live in the circle of friends, family and relatives. With the passage of time, the trend has definitely been changed as we don’t go below the tree to discuss certain issue.
Basically, the last five years have been contributing a lot in this trend.

It’s certainly not a wrong idea to get connected or stay in touch with our friends, families and the cheapest and easiest way has been facebook.

I remember the time when all of the friends of school got to meet together

after three years through FB. How can I forget my friends who we left us and moved to other cities eight years back and we got to drink tea, all because of the connection provided by facebook? So it is certainly not a bad idea to get social through the web of internet. It has brought significant change in our normal culture.
Millions of people are signing up for finding old friends and new friendship through the screen in their room.

Nepal is not far from this craze either.

It’s the teen-aged groups who seem much more interesting in this e-circle.

However, we can find the page of various personalities let that be Gagan Thapa or Chirag Bangdel in it. It’s interesting to get connected with the Rj’s and Vj’s we like through facebook. Fan pages created by celebrities are interesting too.

No doubt, there definitely exists lot of advantages of faceook. But we need to focus on its disadvantages as well.
Facebook indeed is a virtual place which gathers people and is much more open even than our real society.

Friends can easily get into the privacy.

So it has been a major challenge thereby to retain privacy within the virtual network. It is a real time consuming stuff. Nothing is surprising if someone spends the whole day on facebook, basically for students. This may hamper the studies of the students as well.

Not just students, it has been a trouble in various work places as well. As staffs are on facebook, it is obvious that he or she will get disturbed through it.

Ample cases of divorce, breakups can be found on Google just because of Facebook.

Happy Surfing!







PUBLISHED IN THE HIMALAYAN TIMES ON AUGUST 27 2010 (TOPICS)

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Creating Happiness

Creating Happiness






Happiness has been defined as that feeling of pleasure. Happiness is a natural thing that takes place when both the brain and heart are satisfied. We are not happy when there is dissatisfaction within us. May be we are not happy with the salary we receive or with the situation of our country. Various problems like load shedding, pressure of studies, examinations create dissatisfaction within us. Satisfaction arises only when everything goes the way we want it to… You are right! These are all theoretical things!

But there are ways to create happiness if we learn how to. The first thing we need to understand about happiness is that it is a state of both the mind and emotion. When one is sure one must do one’s job, what’s the benefit of trying to avoid it? If a person learns to love his job, there is less chance of him or her feeling dissatisfied with it. If a student learns to love his book, he will obviously not find studies a burden.

It is necessary to understand that there is a difference between worrying about a problem and working to solve it. Even when we know this, we worry! It may not be possible to work to solve a problem all the time. But there are ways to minimise one’s worries.

Try flying a kite at such a time, the higher the kite reaches, the less one’s worries. Focusing on good things makes us feel great, excited, energised and enthusiastic. So, it will not be a bad idea to dedicate some of our time to being with nature to relieve us of our tension.

Research has shown that a pet helps to reduce tension also. Other ways of minimising tension is listening to music. They say music is the medicine for the heart. The right music at the right time will definitely minimise tension.

There is dissatisfaction as soon as our aim takes a wrong direction. A businessman, for example, will never be happy if he tries to become a singer if does not have the talent. Also, no matter how successful his business is, there will always be a germ of dissatisfaction within him. This will result in frustration, which might give rise to smoking and drinking habits.

Aim at happiness and make happiness our goal. If you are interested in art, go for it! Don’t worry about whether there is scope in it or not. Don’t be tensed over whether you can make a living out of it.

In brief, happiness appears from being satisfied Let’s learn to accept what we are and be satisfied with what we have. Trouble, tension, worries are the substances that act as hindrances in being satisfied.


PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL AUGUST 2010
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/rising.detail.php?article_id=38881&cat_id=7

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Teej traditions

Teej traditions



No one can deny the fact that we are rich in culture. Whether it features animal sacrifice or fasting, we have many different ways to celebrate festivals. We have different kinds of festivals like the festival of colors (Holi) and the festival of sacrifice (Dashain). Each festival has its own significance and its own features.

Each fall, women get excited and eagerly wait for Teej—wearing a red sari with the long gold ‘tilhari’ attached seems wonderful for sure. And it’s certainly fun to watch Teej songs and dances. Teej is a wonderful festival except for a few facts. First, the festival is made only for married women. Although unmarried girls are also involved, to focus of women celebrating Teej is to pray for the longevity of their husband’s life. Has anyone given thought to the cases of young widows at such a time? At the time when the entire community, friends, and relatives are dancing and wishing a good future for their husband, what might be the widow be doing? When festivals are meant for all, why does Teej feature such discrimination? If she even appears at celebration she will be cursed. Though women should be able to understand other women, somehow all is forgotten at this critical time.

Another criticism of Teej is in regards to the trend of fasting. Staying hungry without food or a drop of water is no joke. I wonder if anywhere in the Hindu holy book it has mentioned that such fasting will lead to longer lives for their husbands. Cultural practices are nothing more than constructed beliefs we have been following from generations past. Just think, if you are fasting, your daughter will obviously try to follow in the same manner, and so will your granddaughter. If you are the senior female member of your family, if you introduce the system of drinking lemon water mixed with tulsi powder it would be a great relief to your generation for sure.

There are cases of women fainting during the festival of Teej. So my question is, without any proven reason for refraining from eating throughout the day, why should women blindly follow such a hard and fast rule with such threats to their health? And although Teej should bring women together, the jewellery and costumes of the day highlight the gap between the rich and the poor. Special programmes draw a boundary line between the rich and the poor, and can make those unable to afford the nicest dress insecure. Festivals are meant for all; we shouldn’t let the ornaments of the

festival create discrimination during the time of celebration.

It is society and humans that create cultural practices and keep them alive. Teej is certainly a wonderful festival. Limited fasting from time to time can keep us healthy, but it shouldn’t be done out of the belief that it will help our husbands. Let’s join hands to get rid of these unnecessary parts of Teej so that the upcoming generation won’t criticise our backwards practices.


PUBLISHED IN THE KATHMANDU POST (AUG 18 2010)
http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/08/17/oped/teej-traditions/211708/

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Examination Phobia

Examination Phobia






Student life would probably be the best if there were to be no examinations. They are the only burden or trouble in a student’s life. An examination is seen as an essential evil - essential because there is no single universal way to grade a student, and evil because it troubles students a lot.

We have been sitting for examinations since we were in our nursery classes, but still our hairs turn up when we have to give one. The reason being that we become afraid and nervous with anxiety.

We have the habit of keeping our work pending, and when the time comes to do it, we find that it’s too late. And we rush to finish it in a hurry. And this spoils the curry. This gives rise to inappropriate studying techniques, which divert us from the real goal. The confidence level goes down, and there is a huge pressure on us, which we call nervousness.

No matter how talented one is, it’s common for him or her to face difficulties before the examination. This is because of the habit that tells the student: Oh come on! I still have a complete month before the exams. Since students become conscious only a week or a fortnight before the exams, they suddenly find themselves in deep water.

Out of the hundreds of causes of anxiety, forgetfulness is one. It is not because of our brain that we forget but because we don’t give enough exercise to our brain on a regular basis. The fear of punishment is equally to blame. Improper learning techniques also pose a serious obstacle to our studying process. Lack of self-confidence might also be another reason.

There is a simple principle for learning:

1. I hear – I forget

2. I see – I remember

3. I do – I understand

Now, most of us belong to the first and second categories because we simply hear, but don’t listen when the teacher explains in class. Listening is putting our entire focus on hearing and storing it in our mind. Secondly, we see books - we see every line, but we do not read it. Reading is seeing and storing the facts in our mind. And finally, to do here means to listen and read to give the best output. This principle helps us build our reading or studying habits.

In brief, the condition when we start sweating and feel the mind go blank before the examinations and get tensed on seeing the questions is true exam phobia. A precaution for this is to concentrate on one’s study in time. And the best thing we can do during the examination is not to watch others take the exam because this only makes us more nervous.


PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL AUG 12
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=38383&cat_id=7

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What’s Wrong With My Name?

What’s Wrong With My Name?



It’s yours but is used by others – your name.

I am often told, "You need to change your name! It’s really hard to pronounce it."

I had no hand in naming myself so, and I never have any problem with my name. The only problem I face - and continue to face - is that I turn crimson everytime I have to introduce myself. This is because people don’t get my name the first time, and a huge laughter follows.

I am not depressed when people pronounce my name wrong, instead I feel sympathy for them. Many of them ask me what my name stands for. Only about two out of a hundred pronounce my name correctly. I am proud of this unique name and want to thank my late grandfather for naming me so.

When I was 13, I used to wonder if I was the only one with this name in the universe. But I was excited to learn that there were quite a few with my name in India and Bangladesh.

Having a long unique name is troublesome when you have to introduce yourself to others as many cannot understand or memorise it in one go. The other problem you may face is when engraving your name on a key ring. If you are a player, the problem could appear while preparing a jersey. And, for those who mind, your name can give rise to various nicknames, as in my case like Dahi Pan, Dahi Pani, Dahi Pan Parag, Dahi Bada.


But the best part of having a unique name is you really don’t need your last name to identify yourself. Once people get your first name, they hardly forget it. You receive lots of love through nicknames. If you are a guy, there will be plenty of girls who will tease you with the name.

When I was in school, I never wanted to get promoted to the next class simply because of my name. My new teacher would never get my name the first time I said it. And all my friends would wait to make fun of me. This made me nervous, and my face turned red.

But today I find it wonderful that these old friends, whom I have not seen or met for the last ten years, still remember me and say, "Man! It’s great to find your writing in the papers!" Wow! What could be a greater compliment than this? At a time when they don’t even remember the names of other class mates, they recognise me.

PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEAL (AUG 2)

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Pointy parasols

Pointy parasols

I don’t criticise people for walking with an umbrella—it is the need of the season. The weather can fool us at any time; every five minutes it can change and you must be prepared. A few minutes after walking under the sweltering sun, rain may cascade down from the sky. So carrying umbrella not a stupid thing to do; with it you can tackle the tricky weather at any turn. If it is hot, you can open it, as the sun disappears you can keep your umbrella inside your bag and as soon as it rains, you can open it again and save yourself from being drenched.

Umbrellas have turned into a fashion. There is tough competition among females in plus two colleges regarding whose umbrella is the prettiest. And of course boys don’t ignore the fact that if they have an umbrella,

a girl will walk under it with them for protection from the rain. Umbrellas are found in an array of styles, are relatively inexpensive and are extremely handy—so much so that umbrellas can now be considered another item of clothing, something that can be coordinated with your daily wardrobe.

Kathmandu is an exceedingly crowded city, and even on a normal day, it’s difficult to walk without bumping into others. Your polished shoes may be stepped on, or you may be pushed out of the way by someone in a bigger hurry. You are in a crowd even when crossing the road or walking through the narrow paths throughout Kathmandu.

Umbrellas are made up of a circular fabric canopy on a folding metal frame, supported by a central rod. Where the small, thin rods extend from the fabric covering, umbrellas can be turned into a weapon. And it is this thing that hurts others when umbrella owners don’t take proper care of his or her umbrella. Especially in crowded places, when masses of people are trying to escape the rainfall or the heat of the sun, umbrella users may end up hurting people without even realising it. If you use an umbrella, you must remember what a huge area it occupies. People may be trying to escape the path of your massive cover, but without even being aware, you may give them a bump in the head. If you are short, the danger you pose to other passer-bys is even greater as the dangerous metal rods are often at eye-level of taller people in the crowd. Though many people may apologise, there is often little sincerity in the remark because one minute later, another person is made victim of their large colourful canopy. I have been a victim several times, and no matter how much I try, these incidents are unavoidable.

So, this is my personal request to all the umbrella holders out there walking the streets of Kathmandu: take care your umbrella will not injure others when you are in crowded area. Don’t let others get hurt because you aren’t paying attention. Stay alert, because when it hits, it hurts.



PUBLISHED IN THE KATHMANDU POST (JULY 23 2010)

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Monsoon Madness

After a long year, the monsoon has finally returned and I’m sure all of you are well prepared with your umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots. It’s a great season for many reasons and my favourite season as well. As rain begins to fall from the sky, I get lost in a world of imagination and nostalgia. When I see the first drop hit the ground, I quickly get up and rush to my window and start watching the amazing act of nature, letting the hours pass staring at the drops falling down.

When I was in school, I always welcomed the monsoon that came along with my school holiday-giving me the chance to indulge myself in the daily downpour. I have loved the monsoon since I was a small child. I used to enjoy fishing in front of my house in the drainage line, but where those fish came from is still a mystery to me. It was fun making paper boats and racing against my friends. I sometimes wish I could get back those wonderful days. There are certainly many reasons to appreciate and enjoy the monsoon; however, there are some disadvantages that come along with the season as well. As the roads are cleansed by the heavy showers, the rivers end up more polluted than normal. Some people may catch a cold. And the puddles of water are a burden for those trying to get to college, school or office in time.

The main drawback to the monsoon is the need to dodge huge splashes of dirty water as cars zip through puddles. Each morning, it takes 30 minutes to get dressed and ready: your hair is combed, shirt ironed and shoes shined. But within five minutes, you receive a splash and your 30 minutes of effort have gone in vain, most likely making you late for your class or work. The car driver, safely inside the protection of his vehicle has long gone and you are a mess, so what can you do? You could try to note down the vehicle number but that is worthless; all you can do is wipe what dirt you can from yourself and keep walking.

If you have been lucky enough to escape this experience, be careful, with the monsoon upon us, there are puddles everywhere. It is Nepal and on almost every road there are puddles waiting for vehicles to splash through like ammunition waiting to be loaded. As soon as you reach an area with numerous puddles, make yourself alert to oncoming vehicles. Carefully analyse which direction these vehicles are coming from and make a safe and quick move and save yourself from becoming a victim of such monsoon attacks. I doubt I need to warn you to carry an umbrella at all times, as you are familiar with the unpredictable weather that can trick you at any time. But this is one suggestion that some may not be aware of. So stay alert and enjoy the cool days the monsoon brings. Happy Monsoon!






PUBLISHED IN THE KATHMANDU POST - JULY 12 2010

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Citizenship

Citizenship from the dictionary gives the meaning that it is a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized. And legally, no single ordinary person possesses to handle citizenship of more than one country. In simple sense, a child born in Nepal is called Nepalese and he should be granted with Nepalese citizenship! But is it happening so? Still, there are thousands of Nepalese who were born in Nepal deprived of citizenship.

It’s not my writing to explain who should get citizenship and who should not, but all I wanted to do is make the reader analyze how fair system we have. Let me give few examples. A friend of mine, born in Biratnagar whose father was abroad since last ten years tried to get citizenship from his mother’s name, but they asked for father! Let’s look at other, if a couple get’s away without divorce, like if husband goes away and never returns back the wife obviously wont have the death certificate of her husband. Now can her child issue citizenship or not? Bhutanese refugee have been living in Eastern part of Nepal since really a long time, by this time there must have been many child who took birth in Nepal itself, now will they get citizenship or not? If yes, how difficult it is and why is there the difficulty? Now let’s look at the other part, it’s known that there exists maximum Nepalese in places like Darjeeling and Sikkim. They call themselves Nepali owning Indian Citizenship, but has any one seriously analyzed the fact that even many of them possess Nepalese citizenship all because their previous generation too possess Nepalese citizenship. More than that, at the time of CA Poll, when citizenship was made a compulsion many non Nepalese people, especially from the places having boarder with India in the south took the citizenship with their cleaver, bribery, and sources.

The two examples I provided is to show the differences between how easily non Nepalese got and are getting citizenship and how difficult the true Nepalese are facing to get a citizenship. Those people having dual citizenship obviously doesn’t know the value of citizenship but ask those Nepalese who really lack Nepalese citizenship the value of it. They don’t get the job all because they lack citizenship, they can’t go abroad just because they lack the citizenship. They face trouble in getting education even in Nepal just because they lack citizenship! It’s not again possible for the Government to look after every couple who give birth in Nepal or not, but the Government must really be conscious while providing the citizenship because if Government ignores an important issue like this, it’s the most shameful thing that the country is doing.

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Gadget Addiction

Gadget Addiction



‘Oh! There is I pad in the market’, ‘I am tired of using this old set, Please! I want I phone now!’, ‘Dad! I have been using Pulsar for last two years, now I want Fazer!’

Are not these sings of gadget addiction? We want all the updated stocks of the market. Basically, the youths get to enjoy lot with the gadget. Youths are the one who quickly get updated about the latest product in the market. They are all aware regarding the launching date of Apple’s I pad in the market. They know all the features, price of it. Youth are curious about it and get well informed about the product before hand.

‘Mom All my friends come to college in scooty, I am only the one to wait for micro, Please request dad!’. What can parents do in such situation? How can a parent tolerate that their child is going through a problem of humiliation? For the teen sensation, especially of big towns it has been a kind of fashion to get updated with the gadgets. What can an individual do when it is a kind of trend? It is awkward obviously to carry Nokia 1600 at go to college when all the friends are there with fancy latest sets. Or the youth cannot get mixed with the group who all have bike with them. Honestly, we can see the groups separation in any college as per the interest. Bikers have separate friend circle, similarly cell phone group are different. For medium class group, who hardly manage for the education fees are separate, smokers are different and studious student are different. No matter what, any teen would definitely get attracted towards the latest gadget.

Letting the child updated with the latest gadget is not big issue for bigshots. But this can really be a troubling issue for those medium grades who hardly manage to afford for the education. But what can parents do when it is a trend in the college itself? So there remains no option besides adding the burden through loans, credits etc. With the advancement in technology youth are simply addicted towards the gadgets and the manufacturers are focusing youth to suck money through the addictive adds like “pleases you, pleases money and your girlfriend’, or let that be through pictorial signboards on the middle of the road.

There is profit to media as they get to advertise, manufacturers will be in profit for sure, and same with the Government as they get to inject tax thereby. So it is for sure that there will not be anyone to guide us regarding this. So the main initiatitive must be taken by the colleges, institutes themselves. They strictly impose the rule about the uniform. Uniform are meant to bring uniformity which will certainly reduce the gap between a millionre and a normal citizen. But what remains the value of uniform when the discrimination has been there through gadgets? Parents need to analyze the needs with the time and purchase the gadgets. They also need to figure out if those gadgets are acting has the hindrances for their future or not. However youths they need to understand the situation and learn to avoid it. They first need to think if they will be able to buy those goods to their child in the future or not. I have my friend who spend around twenty thousand per month and when I asked him if he can earn the amount himself in future he was in total confusion.

Yes! It is necessary to get informed about the latest advancements in the market. But we should not cry like child for it. Economic condition of the family, its use need to be analyzed. It’s not a good idea to demand for I pad when your cell phone has all the features in it.


PUBLISHED IN REPUBLICA JUNE 21 2010

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The Fulbari Mela

The Fulbari Mela





Iwas on my way home in eastern Nepal for the Nepalese New Year in mid-April. The time was round 10 in the morning when I saw a bid crowd of people at Lahan through the window of my bus. I asked the person sitting next to me who kept chattering a little more than was necessary what it was. He said that it was a fair. When I enquired why so many people were gathering at the scene, he said that many more people would be coming from around midday.

"Well!" I asked, "what is the occasion for so many people to gather at this place?" He said that they were there to see a flower in bloom. I was confused and my face showed surprise. He then added, it is because the flower blooms only once a year. It blooms on the Nepali New Year’s Day (around mid-April) and that too for just three hours - from noon to three in the afternoon!

From the window, he pointed to a small forest on the roadside and told me that the flower is found in the middle of the jungle. The villagers are making their way to the jungle solely to have a glimpse of that flower, he said.

I found it hard to believe my fellow passenger until a woman on my side said that she herself had gone there once to see the flower.

I wanted to know what the name of the fair was. The passenger said, "The Fulbari Mela!"

If this is the case, are we doing anything to promote the event for Nepal Tourism Year scheduled for next year? I coming from eastern Nepal itself was unaware about the place until two months back. And I wonder how many of us know about it! Simply highlighting a few exciting places will not make Nepal Tourism Year successful.

When ordinary people themselves are unaware about the various sites and interesting places, how will they inform foreigners? It’s good to know that we are rich in all kinds of resources. It is, however, a pity that we are unable to manage our resources and bring it to the notice of both local and international visitors. That a flower should bloom only on the first of Baisakh (first month of the Nepalese calendar) every year and only from noon to three in the afternoon… that is amazing.

PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL IN JUNE 14 2010

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First Benchers

First Benchers





When you are in your class, where will be your seat? Well, the answer may vary. Some one may pop out 'First bench' while the other may say 'last' or even 'some where in the middle'. When I was in my school, my teachers used to say 'Who seats in the first bench will be doctors and engineers'. I along with my group, we used to ignore and give damn and prefer second last bench.

We used to believe that if we seat there teacher would not get that negative impression, as his primary focus will be at the last bench. It was fun sitting somewhere round teh back, talking and gossiping and who cares? Even if we sleep. Playing scrabbles, making noise are all the good and memorable parts of backbenches. When I came down to my +2, considering yourself good students with the view of SLC marks we decided to sit somewhere in the middle. We had to stay alert as well as got ample of opportunities to make a good time pass with the crosswords.

Today I am at Bachelor level, and I sit in the first bench. "Oh! What a terrific place" used to be my thought in early days. But after getting adopted, I really don't want to go back and sit there. When I see backbenchers, I remember of my school days which brings smile in my face.

There obviously are just few first benchers among any group. Some don't get chance to sit in the first bench while many dont prefers sitting there in the first bench. One needs to dare to sit in the first bench of his or her class. There are many benefits that you can get when you sit in the first bench. Sharing from my personal experience, first good part is that first benchers get required attention of the teachers and can get enough time from the teachers. Positive impression sticks within the mind of teachers.
Self-confidence takes birth when one is in the first bench. First benchers are always ready and mentally prepared for any situation that can occur in the class. Even if I don't know the answer, I turn the pages as soon as teacher asks any question. Obviously first benchers cannot have the freedom of playing scrabbles and will have to give a look before moaning, they will have to stay alert in the class obviously.

It's me young dude writing the view, I don't know where my seat maybe tomorrow. When one lives his life, live it to it's fullest. Experience every moments of your life. Go ahead! Kick your first benchers back and take his seat at least for a week. Trust me you will definitely develop a new sense of feeling. Experiencing the life of first, middle and backbenchers, all I have to say is, you get memories for your future when you sit in the last, and you will be near to good future when you sit in the first!

It's not that you need to seat in the first to be first, you can come first sitting in last but you willl definitely gain something positive when you sit in the first. If you don't believe, try it once!


PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL ON JUNE3 2010

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Is marriage a private affair?

Is marriage a private affair?



Is marriage a private affair? My teacher asked whole class before teaching

the lesson. 'Marriage is a private affair' by Chinua Achebe. Few guys said

from the back, Yes it is! I shouted Nah! It is not. How can it be private

affair? What is there so private in marriage? If you talk about the talks

among the couple, s haring of ideas or the key of the safe...yes it is! They

are the private stuffs for obvious. But beside that? Are you talking about

the sexual stuffs? Oh...Come on! Every couple will have it. I claimed.

Marriage is a social relation where the couple needs to be accepted by the

family and society. If not...why is there gathering at the marriage

ceremony? Why has the system of printing cards existed? Living with a girl

far from the society in isolation is not a marriage for me. That is simply

spending life for here. Marriage no way can be limited to husband and wife.

Parents, in laws or even the children comes down which never lets marriage

to be private. Further, one of my classmates explained the necessity of two

proof even at the time of court marriage which showed that marriage is not a

private affair, at least in the context of Nepal.



However there existed few of my classmate who explained that

marriage a private stuff. At the ending of the chapter my teacher explained

that the question will always remain within us as a controversy and e will

be asking the question throughout our life time. However he concluded the

chapter, telling his love story where even after 12 years of his love

affair, he had to leave the girl just for the sake of his family! And the

reason was because it was inter caste. Not just story of my teacher even my

friend had to leave the girl just because she was not of her caste. And how

can I stop mentioning my friend's who still fear if caste would turn

obstacle there. If there was family, no society inter caste marriage would

be a big deal. But however literate we are, however modernize we turn, and

however scientific we get and what so ever be the generation we still look

for the caste. If a girl gets proposal from her class mate, before rejecting

or accepting she once thinks of caste. Even if guy, if his love is serious,

he will only propose after considering her caste. Education, job, family

background has still been unable to come before caste!



Government's policy to reward inter caste marriage is a drop of

support in a huge ocean. There are several examples in our society when a

couple gets married, family rejects and the couple turns to live happily.

But staying away from the society, family somehow and at sometime will

definitely memorize the society and family.



So what is marriage? Private affair? How?



Yes! Marriage need to be private affair all around the world but the case is

not there! Initiating the change is difficult to dare! In the family and in

the society! Considering all these facts, I shouted No! Marriage is

definitely not a private affair, at least in case of Nepal. Try to be

practical and ask the question to yourself, Is marriage a private affair?

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Making best use of TV time

' So please, Oh Please, we beg, we pray,

Go throw your TV set away,

And in it's place you can install

A lovely bookshelf on the wall'


-Ronald Dahl



How many hours do you spend watching this idiot box? I used to watch atleast two-three hours everyday when I was at my home. Today, I am away from my home. I miss almost everything's out there but not that TV set. I never knew what was so exciting there that took my hours of time. I could never understand it's idioit-ity when I was in front of it. Today, I realize and prefer calling it 'time consuming box'.

Lot of readers reading it maybe calling me mad by this time. But when one gets serious and thinks, my feelings might get a lot of support. I read newspapers these days instead of watching TV and have atleast learned how to write. I listen to radio instead of watching TV. Reading newspapers, I have developed my writing skill, listening radio I have saved my time. Yes! I have to remain mum when they talk about 'Tito Satya' or 'Meri Bassei'; but feel proud when I realize that I have at least saved 30 minutes of my time.

The lines above requests to avoid TV completely, There really exists lots of disadvantages when we try to compare with advantages. First is that, watching TV spoils the capacity of eye. Or it damages the eye power. Secondly, it develops addiction. Thirdly it kills time. Fourthly it kills the creativity. Regarding the first con's, watching TV for a long time damages the eyes of various adults and basically of child. It kills time!

There is not any necessity to explain it. A serial gets ended either after she opens the door or when she is taken to hospital and doctor about to speak. This factor compels to watch the next episode, which  develops addiction within the viewers. Again, it removes the creative thinking ability when we are shown how monster looks, we don't even try to use our brain to think it's physical outlook. This ultimately kills the creativity.


I don't mean to say like Dahl, to throw your TV set. But to develop some good qualities, improve studies it's highly essential to be choosy at the time of watching TV. Various informational shows, news will definitely improve our knowledge and make it wide. Going through entertaining shows will make us refreshed for sure. But after all, it depends on us regarding how we will take it. At the present context it's necessary to utilize three-fourth of the time in some creative activities rather than watching TV. You can go and watch three idiots but it's not necessary to watch the song of three idiots every time it comes to MTV or Channel V.

PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL OF MAY 10 2010

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INTEREST COUNTS

Interest Counts



Are you bored of your job? Do you want to avoid your job? Or how often do you try to escape from your work place? Do you spend your time in making different excuses for staying absent?


If it is so, do you have any justificable reason? One reason for hating your work is that you really dont want to do the job. That is you are or were never interested in that job. Well, the main reason for me to say it is that I miss my job today. It was for year I worked in FM station as an RJ. I always dreamed of being a celebraty and getting somewhere in the media. May be because of my inner interest, I not only worked as an RJ but also did the task of preparing advertisements, mixing and editing jingles. And the best part was I always enjoyed it. I also had the desire to read news, but in that short period of time I could not do that task. I hardly cared for the salary but I worked with full interest as speaking in radio was part of my aim. I had to stay away from that best part because

 I had to continue my studies and had to leave my home town. I dont remember other things there
but I badly miss the FM station, the mike, the chair and the entire environment. I still seek for vacancies in FM station, but fail to get it as a part time one. Poor me!

I am not sure if all the job holders feel the same way or not. But I believe 'if right person are placed in the right time at the right place' obviously the output will still be much fruitful as the organization will get truely dedicated staffs. A person having inner interest to work in medical line can never perform better than medical field when he is kept as an accountant and paid even more. And such case will bring negative output to both individual and organization.

First duty of an individual is to identify what he really wants to do tommorow. He has to recognize his personal interest, desire and his wants. He then should be able to convey it to his near and dear ones including his family members. Family members and friends should equally support him. Country at this time require truely dedicated staffs. A doctor should be true doctor who studied MBBS for himself taking it as his passion not as per the desire of his parents. Only then the field of doctory will turn to be
effective.

Sharing my view, I had the true desire to work in media. I worked and today I am out of it. I don’t know where I will work tommorow but I am sure my enthuasism will always be there for the job of RJ. Through my one year experience, all I got to understand is that when one is truly dedicated towards the job from the inner heart, he works to his fullest. If anyone out there doubts, close your eyes and find your interest and rush for it and measure the enthusiasm.

PUBLISHED IN THE RISING NEPAL ON MAY 6

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Walking in Banda

Walking in Banda



Being a Nepali it's not a huge thing to ace Banda, time and again. What do you do on this day? I simply stay at my room, go through my course studies and get updated with the news. But this time, I thought of doing something extra.

As I was on the capital this time, I thought of making visit round the valley. So with the purpose to visit embassy, to get known about the various scholarship programmes, I with my friends got set to walk. We first went to Nepal Tourism Board to get the map. There were hundreds of agitators sitting on the road, busy eating as if they were enjoying picnic. Then, our legs moved towards Ratnapark, where there was a huge gathering and the agitators were dancing below the air bridge. 'What a scene!' Not just we guys, but even the tourist must have been thinking and that's why they were clicking photo. Our legs gradually moved towards Durbar Marg which indeed as so silent! Nothing beside the crowd of agitators existed. Young people carrying flag were walking who seemed were having loads of fun. What qualification had he gained? And is he well informed about why is he agitating? Then we reached in front of Durbar, where I asked if king would be there, we might at least not see this day.

Slowly, we headed towards Lazimpath after visiting Indian, British, Canadian, French Embassy. There the agitators showed their real character.They shouted when the van of police passed their way with some vulgar words. Ah! Aren't those police there for security? What enmity were they showing? And when a teen girl passed through the crowd, the crowd was shouting teasing the girl. This ultimately led me to think that all those idiot fellows exists in the party who have nothing to do with their real life. We were searching for Finland embassy looking the map when our minds bugged up! We were shocked to figure
out that the embassy has been shifted to Bishalnagar. Oh! So why's there the mistake? My friend asked! Umm...In Big Places, such minor things are common...was my reply! No matter where ever it is, we still walked when we got to see PM's resident. Ah! What a beautiful place, what a beautiful street!

Why the road out of PM's residence and other streets in valley had such difference? Is it that only PM requires a neat place to live in? Then, after drinking a cup of tea we again started walking. Walking in Kathmandu for the people who are from out of capital was a separate fun for obvious. I would never walk for such a long distance spending such a huge time if I was in my hometown, All of us accepted that walking in Kathmandu was full of fun. And trust me! Walk with your friends at the time of Banda, you will really not just have fun but also get to learn many things.

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Indianized Nepalese

Indianized Nepalese

Starting the day with Colgate, watching Aaj Tak as early news, cooking the foold in Hawkinn's Pressure Cooker, Dressing up with Auml vest, moving to office in Hero Honda, coming back early to watch if India wins or lose against Sri Lanka and ending the day with Star news!

Isn't the case of almost every Nepalese the same who live in so called towns and cities? Still on the local buses traveling within the valley and outside the valley we get to hear the Indian Songs! Young boys prefer Katrina Kaif instead of Jharna Bajracharya, and girls rush after Sahid Kapor and get's shocked hearing the name of Aryan Sigdel. Not just in young generation, even the generation ahead salutes Dharmendra and is unknown about anyone called Sunil Thapa in Nepal. Paras Khadka would definitely sound odd when the cricket lovers there stay talking about Yubraj Singh. However we love calling our self Nepali!

What can be the reason that India is having such a huge impact on Nepalese society? Umm...a simple answer maybe India is our neighboring country, if so we have China as our neighboring country too. Or is it because our leaders have huge influence of Indian leaders so we have it?

It's true that Nepal has got connection with India since the early time as Buddha went to India, Sita got married with India (umm....thinking of today even Bipana Thapa did). But we possess our own identity! We protest when Indian actor something against Nepal, and tear the posters when Indian movie claim something against Nepal's sovereignty!

Analyzing the reasons, we will definitely find our weakness. Why not to demand for Yamaha FZ instead of Annalifan? When FZ has more attracting features? Yes! In the similar manner, we are backward and being the neighbor India can easily take advantage of it. I am from the bordering town, my family goes across the boarder to buy sugar, as the cost varies of Rs 10 per kg across the boarder. If the product would price Rs 10 less, we would have bought it in the shop nearby itself. The unability of Nepalese
market to provide in similar price led us to go there. The latest cell phone, Nokia 2700 costs Rs 6500 there and it takes Rs 7500 in Nepali market. So why to waste Rs 1000? When I get same pre and post features.

On my way towards the boarder, there was written Aba Mobile Kinna Pari Janu Pardaina
(You don't have to go across the boarder to buy the cell phone). But Why?? Getting influenced is not a huge thing, but what may be the condition after hundred of years if Nepal remains in the same position? We cannot stay disconnected from India in any manner as we have to depend from Petrol to Utensil on them. It's difficult for us to compete with them however we can make an attempt to do it.

Losing with India in South Asian Games does not mean we are always back. See..we choose Sugam Pokharel instead of Falguni Pathak! So let's get aware and work. Let's not and never ask the question to ourself..Are we Indianized?

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Addictive ads

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Have you ever been attracted to or actually purchased products because of advertisements like this? Advertisements are a great source to ensure the success of a business. Without advertisements, we would have no idea all the different flavours of Horlicks that exist unless we went to the store to check for ourselves. Advertisements let consumers know when a new product has been launched into the market and they are often taken as a source of information as well.

Companies spend millions of rupees a year on advertisements, but has anyone seriously considered why? If a beverage company spends ten lakh rupees on one ad, and only one lakh of people pay attention to the ad, that means the firm is spending 10 rupees for each person. Through that 10 rupees, the ad can convince those people to purchase the product it is promoting. If it only costs three to five rupees for the production of one soft drink and they charge 20 rupees, even if 10 rupees has gone to advertising, there is still at least five rupees profit. And that is how business works.

I currently live in front of a school. From my window, I can clearly see the activities of students throughout the day. During tiffin, several children quickly rip open packets of noodles during the break to see the coupon waiting inside, while other students grudgingly eat the meal prepared by their mother that morning. The excitement of the students diving into the packages of noodles cannot be blamed on them, but it is clear that their excitement is influenced by the constant stream of noodle ads on television and ads plastered on every other building. Why should these children become the victims of those advertisements? And why don’t the other children appreciate the healthy meal prepared by their parents?

It is not the fault of businesses. They have every right to advertise their products to the masses. Nor can we blame the media. For the media, advertising is a primary source of income through which they stay afloat. If utilised fairly, advertisements can be beneficial to business firms, the media, and consumers, too.

Although it is the consumers’ responsibility to stay alert and wise in the process of selecting which products to purchase, there is a still need for control from all sides. For example, a programme on an FM station or on television should be longer than the advertisements. A one hour programme should not have 40 minutes of ads and 20 minutes of programming. Newspapers should consist of more news than advertisements. Business firms should try to give the actual reasons their product is the best and should be purchased, not misleading consumers with false statements. And citizens should boycott false advertisements.

As consumers, the one thing we should do is be aware. We should not run to purchase a brand of tea after hearing the slogan ‘mood change turuntai’. Nor should we attempt the things we see on the Mountain Dew commercial claiming “dar ko agadi jeet cha!" And we should not purchase a certain toothpaste under the impression of an ad that if we use that toothpaste, we will be able to attract a girl just by saying ‘talk to me!’

Published in The Kathmandu Post Post Platform; APR 06

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Triangular Flag

Triangular Flag


Flag is a piece of cloth or similar material, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities. Nepal has got a triangular flag with unique identity and meaning in the whole world. The entire history of Nepal can be seen through the flag. The question regarding changing the flag has been hitting in youth’s mind since last few months. It’s little amazing to find why the leaders want to do all these crazy stuffs instead of getting devoted towards their main task.
Can the leaders of today erase the history that Prithivi Narayan Shah united the country by broking down the statute of Prithivi Narayan Shah? If they really can erase the history they have full freedom to change the flag, but if they can not they must respect the flag of the country. These fellows don’t respect the national dress, I wonder if they really care about national animal, bird. Do they know what our national color is? The flag carries the historical memories plus is set within the mind of every single people. It was okay for the national anthem to be changed, but has any one even figured about the difficulties that is there to get set in every individual’s mind? More than fifty percent people today don’t know national song. After changing the flag, can the leaders guarantee that the devotion, patriotism and respect that the citizens have for the flag of today will be remained tomorrow as well? I don’t think the respect exists. Today what is the symbol of unity? We lack king, it’s the flag for which the country is united. We are unknown about the national map too, the encroachment issue must have changed the size and area of our country as well.
The sick leaders are getting sick and they don’t even know what they are doing. All they are after is for their greed. Their selfish nature has been killing the patriotism and has been destroying the image of themselves. It’s the duty of we youths to save our national identity and symbol for peace. Flag should always be kept above the leader’s power. Few days back, I was in a mass where a guy claimed that flag that we are respecting at present does not belong to Nepal but belongs to the king! How can a flag belong to king? Is this truly possible? If yes how? Still today many of us are unknown about the full lyrics of National anthem, at such time how can we make the new flag immortal killing the present flag? So it’s our duty to save the sovereignty by saving the flag! Let’s warn leaders that they do not have right to play with our flag.

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Life LiKE DIS~!

Life like this



Hundreds of thousands people just for him. He is dead, so what? They don’t want to miss this last vision to see him. Hundreds of camera’s capturing this movement. It’s damn crowded, but who cares? They want to see him. Yes I am talking about March 21, where there was my couple of eyes among millions. What a life he had! Oh my god! Yesto po zindagi! Do any one except our family members care at the time of our death? See him, those floods of people were there just to see his last movement. The day was sad, the country was sad, every individual were in confusion regarding What next? Who next?

When we take birth, it’a a tradition we have to face death. Death always ends in sadness. All of us get the same life, but only few out of millions make such achievements. Narayan Gopal, Ganeshman Singh, Man Mohan Adhikari, Birendra and yes! Girija! No matter what they did in their personal life, theey are always respected by today’s and tomorrow’s history. When the life span given to us are equal, why not even one single percent out of millions fail to get such respect?

What do we do in our entire life? Do we do anything like them? Umm… yes! They even got various opportunities. But have we even made an attempt to make a try to do such great tasks? All that our life sticks is with the complains, profit and fame. We only rush for pleasures in our life. All we want is tomorrow to be beautiful and that is our final goal. But will that be enough? Will that be satisfactory? Let’s imagine of such life where millions of people wish for us. We will certainly not take all those money we earn when we die. What did Koirala take after his death? He could have earned thousand times more physical property if he would even try to compromise with the national sovereignty. But he would not earn those thousands of people’s mass on that particular day. So what’s profitable? What would have been the use of such of those proprity? It was the first time I saw such respect for a single person. Earlier I had seen the portion on Birendra’s through televevision, but Koirala was not a king, he was a son of normal Nepalese who managed to reach to that peak all through his individual effort. His flexible character managed him to adjust with the time. He was there at the peak when King was in power plus at the time when king was removed as well. This indicates the necessity to get adopted with the changing environment.



There are lot of examples through which we can really learn something. It’s not that it is impossible to be like them but it is difficult for any normal Nepalese. We may not r each to that peak, but we should really make a try out of it. Let people demand for statue on our name, let the highways be constructed on our name as well. And if this is really a desire for even someone his or her first step should be to remove the greedy behavior from ourselves.

Let us not die like the street dog where no one cares after we die. Few simply say, ‘Poor Dog’ and pass away. Let us not live like a street dog that is always after food, who goes ot garbage for food and they live to eat. Let us not be greedy like street dogs that always looks for pleasure and makes it possible when he or she gets any dog of opposite sex. All of us get the same time let’s do something impressive to get atleast thousands of people to walk at the time of our death.

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PIRATED OR UNPIRATED?

PIRACY
‘If you want to save music, you need to save piracy’. Any music artist would say you this. They are right from their view. When artists are completely dedicated towards music itself, they require certain financial position as well. Living a life of celebrity itself is costly and beside that thy also will have to look after their family. It would definitely not suit Sabin Rai to get into micro when he is in the Capital. Nor will a taxi driver offer him free journey. So no one can deny the fact that living a life of celebrity is expensive. But can a celebrity earn enough to live his life in Nepal? The question counts because if the answer would be ‘yes’, obviously Karna Das, Girish Khatiwada, Sanjeev Singh would not migrate abroad. All that celebrity wants from us today is ‘To buy original copy’
But why? If they are having tough time to maintain their financial status, can’t it be that the citizens are also going through tough time? And when it comes to monetary thing, all human beings are greedy. Why would a music lover buy the original copy when he gets DVD or CD filled with dozens of albums in Rs 50, why should he spend Rs 250 for original single album? Even if celebrity were not celebrity, they would not rush for the original track. When there don’t exist quality difference why should a music lover rush for the original copy? I wonder how many Nepalese singers run after original CD’s of International artists. It needs to crystal clear that without piracy it is difficult to earn fame staying in Nepal for any music artists. Bollywood movies are very popular in Nepal from the capital to villages. Why? All because of piracy. A person living in backward place of Nepal talks about Indian movie, all because of piracy.

I don’t mean to say that there must be freedom of piracy, but all I wanted to explain is that artists must be able to compete with the piraters. If Robin Tamang decides to make cheapest price of his album, something like Rs 10 obviously his fan would not rush for the pirated copies. Okay, such drastic change maybe difficult at this particular moment, they why cant they bring attractive skims there? Like collect three different Original CD’s of Nima Rumba and get 20 minutes talk time with him. Or buy Original CD’s of Sugam Pokharel and get a chance to dine with him in his house every week! Or how about the bumper draw to feature Anil Singh in his new song. It could even work like Buy Original CD of Nabin K Bhattarai and get chance of modeling in his upcoming videos. Such skims can definitely bring change in piracy tradition. For these even singers need to be activity. ‘Kill Piracy, Save Music’ would probably not work at the present context.

With the advancement in technology music has been used through various sources. Not just in computer, today music is in I-pod, vell phone, MP3 and even CRBT. It’s impossible for the artists to save piracy from their present way. Personally, I will not rush for the original Cd’s when I get to listen the track I prefer from transferring it into my cell phone via Bluetooth of my cell phone. What about you?

PUBLISHED IN TOPICS OF THE HIMALAYAN TIMES AND ALSO KEPT AS PASSAGE QUESTION FOR BBA III SEMESTER OF TU IN 2010 IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

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SAG Analysis

Its wrong to criticize when the game is going on. The game is over now and it is the right time to make analysis. South Asian Games (SAG) picturized the real situation of every South Asian nation. India, being the foreword nation clenched the first position and maintained its record. Before commenting others, it's wise to see us.

Nepal's position obviously cannot be improved while comparing it with previous years. Both luck and handwork did not support Nepal on this SAG. The lift accident brought sorrow n the very beginning which followed by the lost of medals. Nepal had the good position in football atleast in South Asian Nations, but it's bad luck led to fight against the organizing nations which took Nepal to the heavy loss. Football could have been best if it could stay a bit far from politics.

If A division league would continue without any sort of interruptions. Lack of such games reduced the practice level plus good players. More than player's weakness, politics affected football. However women's football was wonderful one unless it got defeated with India. This signified the probability of medal in Women's football in upcoming International games.

Previous gold medal winner could not perform well this time which truely disappointed the sports lover.Wushu could not be that fruitful either. News regarding 'Second International Goal' in hockey indeed was a funny one. How can we escape from the high scores like 21-0? Squash was another sorrow
where none of the hopes existed. Golf could not turn fruitful either. Nor could cricket. It was definitely bad luck for Nepal to get opponents like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However the players ust have gained certain lesson after playing against those test playing nations.

Considering the lesson, it's necessary for them to play good next time. Last match against Pakistan must be saluted. Nepal could not escape from the conflict this time. Quarrel in the stadium must have shown the true behavior of Nepalese to those South Asian countries. Ignorance of Nepalese was shown by the upside hanging flag and the old national anthem. How can we forget the debate of the tenth day because of which Nepal had to lose a medal! Didn’t that prove that there was no good and effective management there? The case would have been compared with that of past if Binita Maharjan and Sunil Lama would not win the gold medal on the enth day.

Thanks to them who at least saved our nose by bringing the medal.Viewing from the individual's point of view SAG turned fruitful to Rajendra Bhandari, Aysha Shakya and yes! Dipak Bista for sure! Rajendra made the gossippers mum by making the historic record! Aysha managed to grab the golden medal and make her dreams fulfil and Deepak? I should not speak at all. He truely is a hero. Although Nepal won 8 golds, highest in all SAG held outside country cannot be satisfied. Only the means of medal was
through the martial arts. It was Bhandari who took the medal by running.

Where is the position of Nepal in other fields? And who is responsible for it? The question counts because only then the result next time can turn out to be fruitful. Nepal's performance in 11th SAG cannot be said satisfactory because the position fell down. It was with Afghanistan that Nepal had to go
through! What a shame! It was only 8th SAG that made Nepalese satisfied.

The efforts made by every single player must be saluted from the true Nepalese heart. I no way blame the players for the weak performance. Instead the Government, existing political parties carry all the credit for it. I blame them. Whe there exists no bright future for the players, the excitement of the players just to show gratitude towards the country brought all those gold medals. what will these players get if  tomorrow they grow disable? Is their any financial security for them?

Anil Gurung would not go out if he would be satisfied here itself. All these players is going to get
next is the little fake respect by PM or Presidents and there will end the story of these players. There exists a separate ministry Sports Ministry in Nepal, but what has it done for the sports in Nepal? 

Rajendra Bhandari brought the gold all because of his personal effort. Has Government done
anything there? How often does Nepal organize the cycling competition in Nepal? When there exists no any regularity, how can we hope for the medal through cycling? And what about swimming?

Let's not compare with India, but Nepal should be compared with Pakistan, Srilanka and Bangladesh for obvious. Bangladesh, being the organizing position got the hometown benefit. Bt what about Srilanka and Pakistan? The war in Srilanka has been recently concluded though it managed to get a good position.  Same with Pakistan as well. Has any Nepalese leaders thought for it. When the issue comes to  international games, Nepal has always been backward. Cricket or football anything could hardly turn beneficial.

It's now high time for every citizen who hopes for medal in the tally list to raise the voice for the  sportsmen. We dont want the long term project but we want the action immediately and now. Being fifth is nothing to feel proud for the sports Ministry. Ministry has to work hard to get into top three in
upcoming SAG.

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Chocolaty Love

Choclaty Love

While refering to my mini dictionary, mean ing of love was explained as: 1. very strong affection and sexual attraction; 2. great liking; 3. romantic or sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other. My mind got confused and then. Meaning number 1 made me satisfied to some extent, Meaning number 2 could not make clear and meaning number 3 was not at all satisfactory. 'Strong affection' could be one of the portion of love, but how can there be sexual attraction in all the love? However, considering today's love, the meaning could turn satisfactory. Regarding the second meaning, 'great liking', I could not support it nor could protest against it. Regarding the third, that could not satisfy me from any point. How can love be limited before marriage only?

Then I came down to present status of love. I would rather prefer calling it 'chclaty love'. I thought to write on this topic, after seeing the couple at on corner of the street at the time of loadshedding sitting at one corner catching each other's hand. My mind could not take a side, was that the love? This incident compelled me to turn down the pages of dictionary and could not get the exact meaning. Life in town, or college life's one rememb ering part is love affair. If any guy or girl studying in grade eleven says 'I am in relation' Is not that full of prestige? And how about the sayings, ' My boyfriend has a bike', ' My girlfriend comes to college in scoty'? Is not that full of prestige? While studying in my college, even I realized that good mobile set, bike and good dressup full of pocket money are the factors to get the beautiful girl. And taking the girl round the city in the backeat of the bike! Ah! Anyone can figure that out!

It's fun, and yes! Its choclaty love! Choclaty love definitely can not exist for long time and everyone will realize this with the crossing time. Love today is made fashion. While listning to various love stories, the suffering is there in maximum cases all because of the choclaty love. Choclaty love begins with purposal then the date and first kiss and then terminates within certain of sexual intercourse. Cases of abortion in Nepal as well is in increasing trend and the numbers of college studying girls are equally increasing as
said by one of the report in one of the FM station.


Season of love, February 14 is in the air. Youngster's in Nepal has great importance of this particular day. Various TV shows, FM shows completely dedicate their time for this day. And even mass media has contributed for making this day as important as Dashain.

Loving is not a crime at all, but I say choclaty love is a crime. Comparing the love of decade back and that of today, we find the huge difference. Like air, water and street, love is getting polluted as well.
And when VJ's or Rj's claim that love is in the air, all I wishper is 'The Polluted Air'!

Taking a girl to hill side at Nagarkot on the back seat of bike, entering the café, kissing there with some other physical fun! That's love for the present generation or, spending the balancing sending messages, or
talking on the phone, that's love for the present generation. 'Love at first sight' Can that happen? But that's love for the present generation. They say Yes! How can you fall in love just seeing her for the first time? Without knowing her or even talking to her? What else should I say for it beside choclaty love? I think that there needs to be proper understanding between both boy and the girl to be in real love! Understanding can be developed only after long span of friendship among them as knowing anyone really takes more time. You cant be true girlfriend by saying 'Hey Hey Hey I want to be your girlfriend' As Avril says in her song.

Valentine day is not a bad festival, but it needs to be celebrated in proper way. Love needs to be pure. Removing the virginity can never be proof of real love. On this valentine day if anyone is in plan to
purpose a girl, or breakup or kiss or get physical. Turn responsible and think if it is choclaty. Is it selfish? And think if can be ever lasting and only then go ahead. Keep it in mind you have to be responsible and must be able to answer if tommorow your child asks anything about your past. If you are in relation, think of new ideas and resolution to improve your relation rather than getting physical this day. Let's  contribute to make the love pollution free and celebrate 14 Feb. Happy Valentine's Day!

PUBLISHED IN REPUBLICA ON 13 FEB 2009

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Umm...Love Poem!

See guys! I write poem as well.hehe

In the hot deseart, I search for dew....
All because I find my world in you...
Although years old, but the excitement is still new...
I dont know what's your view....
Trust me! I really love you!

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Bitter Truth

Bitter Truth

Men and Women are like two wheels of the same cart.” How many times have we come across this saying? It is also a famous point made in debates in favour of women. Regrettably, the quote is applicable only in words. In reality, one wheel is a tractor wheel while the other belongs to a bicycle. The first president of Nepal was a male. The first prime minister of Nepal was a male. The first doctor of Nepal was a male. Even the First person to climb Mt. Everest was a male!

Before elaborating on the gender discrimination at home, let’s look at the international scenario as well. ALL presidents of the United States have been males. The first person on moon again was a male. The first person to invent telephone, cycle, fountain pen... again a male. Now the question arises: Why not female? A common answer might be: the dominant males confined women within the four walls of the house. Or that the women have not always been literate. Yes, that might be the case. Because to do most of the abovementioned tasks, one has to be literate. But let’s ignore the days gone by for a moment and come back to the present days. Times have changed. Most women are literate now. It is getting increasingly hard for males to challenge females: there are more women graduating from U.S. colleges then men. Imagine that even a couple of decades ago! In my school, one girl outscored all of us boys.

And yet, the gender divide remains. Why are all top posts in Nepal occupied by males? Why Nepal, why is the United States still ruled by a male? And why don’t we have more women in every business? It must be that women either don’t dare to aim high or they are simply not interested. Call me a misogynist, but it has been my experience that while most of my male friends are well aware of what is happening around the world, my female friends struggle to name Nepal’s prime minister. But if I ask them anything on Bollywood, they don’t have to think for two seconds to come up with the answer.

They can tell the sari colour of an actress in a particular film, the style of their earring, even whole length of dialogues. Who is to blame for this state of affairs? After the success of Jana Andolan II, many new parties were formed. Why didn’t Nepali women band together to form a party which looked after their interests? I cannot speak for the rest of the world, but in Nepal, I believe women are often their own enemies. I speak from my experience. Is your experience any different?

Published in The Kathmandu Post 'Post Platform' on NOV 16

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Banda....Only Alternative?

Is banda the only alternative? The question sometimes strikes my mind. On Jan 10, we had the banda. Banda probably was for the good cause. Considering the negative aspect of federalism, it was called for. And the demand of the party cannot be taken in negative way because an election for or against federalism should be conducted if Nepal possess the word ‘democratic’ within it. Federalism must have been thought in Nepal seeing the development of US into states. But USA has done it to unify the states into a single country. If it is being thought see other nations like that of India, the area must be carefully analyzed. Moreover ‘divide and rule’ policy may remove the sense of unity. If division would have brought development, Nepal has already been developed into five development regions plus the fourteen zones. And even development regions could be converted into states. When the country gets divided on the basis of caste, it’s much more obvious for the ill practice of discrimination to occur.
From the economical point of view, federalism would be highly beneficial for the state-leaders because they can corrupt more in number when they possess the financial power. I personally am against federalism. So I’ d like to say the banda was for the good cause. But the query is, is banda only way to protest? I never support Banda, but what other way should be implemented to get the attention of concerned authorities?

PUBLISHED IN REPUBLICA

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Electricity Consumption

Electricity Consumption

Nepalese are fed up of saying that we are rich in hydro power and blah blah.We are never away from the problem of load shedding. Nepalese have givenchallenge to the world, regarding the fact that we faced up to twenty hoursof load shedding per day! I wonder if such thing takes place in other partof the world. Citizens here possess the full freedom to blame Government forthis! It's because of Government ignorance the problem is always on and on.If there is something wrong with the Hydro Power, Government should be ableto repair it fixing the time. If there is problem with the production ofelectricity, Government should fix new plants. And if in no way it ispossible to produce, it's Government who should be able to purchase theelectricity from neighboring countries.One major cause of electricity shortage is the difference amonghouses, factories.

A house in a village consumes maximum 250 watt if CFL isused, but a house in town uses it more than ten times of that in village. Insimple sense, 14 watt bulb in two rooms will be enough for the places inhilly region, which means maximum 50 watt will be enough. Japan's policyregarding electricity should be brought up in Nepal. Japan does not givefreely the electricity to people. The limited power must be used in over allactivities. Like if Nepal Government decides to give 500 watt per house,it's the problem of house to use five bulb of 100 watt, or 2 bulb of 8 watt,fan and other electricity consuming sources. This idea can really lessen thedifferences and make every citizens aware about the consumption. This ideaprobably can be best when compared to load shedding.

Instead of spendinghuge amounts in corruption in the name of fixing plants, if governmentspends in this, it can really work out. An example can be taken from my homeitself. We bought a small Indian inverter at Rs 3200. It's maximum outputis that it can give 33 watt of electricity for 4 hours after charging it for8 hours. Now, when we had the load shedding of 16 hours, during the night ithad to be used for six hours, and it was not sure when the line comes tomake it charged. So we placed two CFL of 8 watt, and 5 watt which used tolight for something more than 15 hours in one charge.

Place where I live ishot, so we always used to face shortage of fan. But the capacity exceeds forthat. However, we can use it upto 33 watt to it's fullest, let that be forcharging my cell phone or other small purposes. The example I provided of myhome is just to show how electricity should be supplied in order to lessesenit's fear of shortage. It's true that we are going through the shortage, sowhy can't we raise the voice for such alternatives instead of shouting 'NoLoadshedding!' which is impossible for the country

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Promises to Keep

Promises to Keep
Promises to keepHow much can they talk!” I think whenever I hear our leaders speak. Maybe talking nonsense is an important requirement of being a leader in Nepal. Has anyone noticed how much Girija Prasad Koirala, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal speak? If they were not leaders, they probably would have been VJs or RJs who speak all the time.


But not even a tenth of the work promised in their speeches is done. Every single day, there is some leader promising something. I wonder who would win a talk fest among our political leaders! Maybe Dahal, because he never seems to care about what he says. When he resigned, he expressed his pride at leaving the government with his head held high. But barely a month had passed when he took to the streets, for the same reason that he had to resign.

There’s a saying, “Promises are made to be broken.” I don’t know who came up with it, but it must have been a work of some political leader. The leaders who promised the East West Railway cannot even come up with a smooth roadway. Then there have been those who promised to return illegally captured properties and some who vowed not to let the CA run properly unless that happened. But within the blink of an eye, promises were thrown down the gutter. And certainly nobody can forget the promises of turning Nepal into a Switzerland of Asia! American entertainer Will Rogers once said: “If all politicians fished instead of spoke, publicly, we would be at peace with the world.” Rogers was, of course, talking about the American involvement with the rest of the world. But he might well have been speaking about Nepali politics.

Nine times out of ten, the disputes we have with our neighbours are due to the ill-timed and ill-thought of public rants of our politicians. If they were to instead busy themselves into something worthwhile, we might at least not have our friendly neighbours fishing in our troubled waters.Not that it’s just the fault of those leaders. We citizens are equally responsible for letting them get away with it. Whenever we see a political leader addressing a crowd, we step aside to hear them, following their words blindly and weaving dreams that are never going to be fulfilled. But things have got to change.

So let us make a solemn promise today: from now on we are not going to hear a single word of those leaders. Let’s walk away if the leaders start speaking like mad. Only if we do this, will the leaders stop ranting and raving and devote their time towards their work.

Published in The Kathmandu Post 'Post Platform' on DEC 12

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