The Urge to Spit

Apr 19, 2013
Oops! Sorry!’, a well-dressed man with polished shoes said, after he spat on me accidentally. It really spoilt my trousers. What could I say? Only a “that’s fine”. I was definitely angry and anyone in my place would certainly be. I also wanted to warn him ‘Don’t repeat it again on anyone.’ Whether he understood or not, I could not make it out.

It is understandable that the urge to spit is not uncommon. This is especially true with us Nepalis. We never hestitate to spit anywhere we like; there are no rules to stop us doing it. But, that does not mean we should forget our duty to maintain the cleanliness of the place where we live and walk.

I agree that even in the cities the provision of dustbins is not in place. So the roads where we walk become the open garbage bins to go for this natural urge to clear our throat or lungs. In doing so, it creates a nuisance for others.

I am sure many of us have gone through the experience of people spitting wherever they like, mainly those who love chewing paan. People don’t mind indulging in this habit even from running buses without even bothering to see if anyone comes under its trajectory. The droplets are not only menacing as they may carry various germs and bacteria and can spread various diseases easily.

Only an awareness of keeping our environment clean can make the people search for a suitable place to get the irritant out. You can’t stop yourself from forgoing the necessity to eject what has induced your coughing. But, it is not only uncivilized but it creates an abhorrence in the sight of others.

Yes! You can throw it, but make sure it does not trouble anyone nearby. Sneezing requires a handkerchief so that your droplets don’t travel, but spitting is under your control and you must be responsible for it. Throw it when you are in the rest room or when you are at a lonely place. You can even stop on a busy road and seek a rubbish bin.

If you cannot resist the temptation, be sure to carry a polythene bag with you. Use it whenever the coughing bout starts. And, nowadays when the roads everywhere are covered in a cloud of dust, whatever you eject on the road or anywhere is bound to carry itself over a long distance and trouble somebody else.

This reminds me of my teacher who used to spit every two minutes as a habit rather than a necessity. This was a warning to the students but they could not help it. Always have a handkerchief with you to spit in.
Published in The Himalayan Times under Topics dated 19th April, 2013
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लगानी बर्ष: गलत समय, नकारात्मक प्रभाब

Apr 11, 2013

लगानी बर्ष: गलत समय, नकारात्मक  प्रभाब

व्यब्साय गर्नु को मुख्य उद्देस्य नै नाफा कमाउनु हो । ग्राहक को सन्तुस्टी नव मानिएको लक्ष्य भएता पनि, नाफा को निमित्त नै रहेको कुरा स्पस्ट रही आएको छ । एउटा लगानी कर्ता ले प्रसस्त नाफा नदेखी पक्कै पनि लगानी गर्दैन । यस अर्थमा, लगानी गर्नु को प्रमुख कारण नै त्यस बापत आउने फाइदा हो । म सँग यदी पचास लाख बैंक मा छ भने म त्यती बेला मात्र त्यस्लाई बिराट्नगर को कुनै घडेरी मा लगानी गर्छु जब मलाई लाग्छ, त्यहाँ बाट केहि फाइदा हुन्छ । यो था हुँदा हुँदै मैले लगानी गरेको घडेरिलाई सिङिया खोला ले बगाउछ, म पक्कै पनि त्यस घडेरी मा लगानी गर्दिन ।
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Summer Blues

Apr 11, 2013
I LOVE the winter. Although the water works trouble me, and despite being born in the Tarai, I don’t prefer the summer at all. Now that the winter has ended, the temperature is increasing and summer is on its way. Ice cream and cold drinks can only get rid of the heat for a short time but there will always be a long time ahead.

One thing everyone must focus on during the summer is to drink plenty of water as the sweat excreted by our bodies needs to be recovered. Thus, plenty of water is extremely necessary. Try avoiding long walks during this season, because although the distance you walk in the winter might be the same, you’ll feel lazier and more tired. Energy drinks can certainly play important role in re-energising your body, so keep an energy drink handy. 

Saturdays can be spent at swimming pools or parks. Visit a nearby park and revel in the freshness. Most of us are lazy about opening the windows of our rooms, despite knowing that air passes from one to another. So make sure to open the windows and let the air move, making your room its passage as that will help keep you cool. And this breeze can provide better cool air than a rotating fan.

 Also, try avoiding stale and junk food as this is the time when diseases are rampant. Instead of spending on fast hot food, try fruit juices from local juice shops as they help keep your body fresh and alert. Mosquitœs, which can overwhelm in the summer, play an important role in making you ill. So try to avoid mosquitœs as much as possible with the use of netting and insect repellants. If you are from the Tarai, you must be aware of the fact that the summer is also prime snake season. Parents should stay concerned about their children and limit their outdoor sports in unknown regions and instead, encourage indoor games.

 In schools, students are lined up for long in hot, humid areas in the name of assemblies. So try to find a spot in the shade. Also, opt for cool cotton clothes in light hues instead of dark colours. Loose half pants are better than tight jeans. If you are exposing your skin to the elements, you should probably also use sunblock and other kinds of cream. Staying home with bottle of water and watching movies or reading a novel would not be a bad alternative to going out in the hot sun. Make sure that this summer is a safe one. 


Published in The Kathmandu Post dated March 26, 2013
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Kollywood in Do or Die Situation

Mar 12, 2013



'Love Nepalese film industry', is the probable quote of any film personality living in Nepal. I agree that being Nepalese we must have certain respect to our film industry as well, but what is there to grant them the so called 'respect'? The quote itself is clear style of begging, and seems that are begging for the return of their invested money. Whenever it comes to Nepali Film Industry, it is judged or compared with Bollywood industry that never allows Nepali film industry to upraise their standard. This is a bitter truth that maximum Nepalese watch Indian movies than Nepalese.
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Women's Status

Mar 5, 2013
Men and women are the two wheels of the same cart; without being same there can't be smooth travel. I have been thinking this critically for few days. The statement has got its meaning and carries a lot of sense for sure. We give huge speeches claiming women are equally important as men. It is not that I opine against women, but I really think men and women are not equal when we analyze it practically. I am not against women, but I opine they need to catch the moving speed. Women are expert at serials, men understand politics...There are a lot of men in every area than female let that be doctor, engineer or some manager.
It is understandable that the environment makes them back, but even when they reach at the spot, they are not competitive enough let that be at any field. Women ministers often face criticisms and are usually compared with men. Women have been granted one third seats at various fields and they feel proud for it.

Published in The Himalayan Times dated March 4, 2013 under Blog Surf
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Sarswati Pooja

Feb 21, 2013

There really don’t exist any doubt that we are rich in culture. Festivals surround us almost every month. Even if we exclude foreign festivals, we turn rich but we celebrate every festivals and it has a separate fun. From amazing factors; like staying hungry throughout the day hoping for longevity of spouse to festivals of making life colorful putting different colors on the face. There are again various festivals like Laxmi Pooja for those businessmen and Biswakarma Pooja for those who work entirely based on machineries. It’s festival time again and this time it is Sarswati Pooja for all those who are up with pen, papers, music etc. Yes, they get a holiday and worship the Goddess of Knowledge.
The memories are fresh when I used to go school with the new clothes with the hope of eating maximum Buniya and putting a tika which was supposed to be the blessings of Goddess Sarswati. There are definitely various ways of celebration of this festival. The day is regarded as the best day for a child to learn the initial education and they call it the pure day as you don’t need to find other days for putting thread or marriage. Festivals are definitely great when they get the right track of celebration. Unlike Teej and other festivals, it lacks such huge criticisms however it cannot be ignored that there yet exists. First question of criticism appears that how fair is it to collect money on the name of celebration from students by schools? At the time when they themselves are in huge profit, cannot they make contributions of their own? The trend of making this holy day a profit earning day really requires criticism for sure. There again will be no option remaining for parents, when they are sent bill charging for the celebration for this day. Moreover, at various places, there has been appearing the environment of competition among students like the ticketing system, more you donate, more facilities you get. As a result, students bargain with their parents to pay more, as their status will be high among the other students and teachers. When they are not said fixed amount to contribute, some pay Rs 500, while some pay Rs 50, the insult of the low payer will never be realized by the school administration. I have seen Schools organizing various programs like parents day on this day. That has to be appreciated, but it certainly does not suit school management to charge extra for it.
 Again there exists group of guys who collect money from door to door step on the name of this festival, which again clearly seems to be the bad aspect. Students never want to hear that long, tired and boring speech and the level of frustration crosses the limit when they will be compelled to hear such speeches. Schools located in towns can call some of student’s model for inspiring discussion class and told to give inspiring message, explaining importance of education in any one’s life. Any early teen ager would prefer Nima Rumba than their Chief District Officer for sure. Our educational year begins on New Year. When we know that this day is best for initiation, why can’t we make provisions of beginning new session from this day itself? When the day is completely dedicated to students, teachers and all who rely upon stationery products, why can’t the cunning businessmen offer stationery products in the least price like ‘sale’ offer at various cloth shops on various occasions?
‘Admission Free on the auspicious occasion of Sarswati Pooja’, is next way to attract peoples to their institutions. As regarded the best day to teach children, instead of making it free, if they begin a sample lesson, before the admission from this day, that would be appreciated by the society as well as parents, and parents will be obliged to admit their children in that very school itself. How does Free Admission relate with Sarswati Pooja? It would be acceptable offer for Lami Pooja instead.
This is not my complaint or dissatisfaction regarding Sarswati Puja, but I personally feel the day really lacks various aspects. The celebration is incomplete.  It is we who play vital role in modifying culture for upcoming generation. The reason for celebration is really wonderful. However; maybe we are not able to make the festival as fun as it had to be. This festival could be precious as Dashain for students only if we manage to make proper celebration. We have been living in the edge, let’s get to the central and make the festival more real. May Goddess Sarswati reside in your mind, heart and soul! Happy Sarswati Pooja.


Published in The Rising Nepal under Friday Supplement dated Feb 1, 2013

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