http://theweek.myrepublica.com/news_rss.php MYREPUBLICA RSS en-us Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:02:10 NPT Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:02:10 NPT http://myrepublica.com INFO@MYREPUBLICA.COM laxmann@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56175 Close to the clock tower in Birgunj is Ranighat, near abandoned remains of a railway station, parts of the open space has become an open garbage field, with narrow trails running from the main roads between heaps of garbage to a small cluster of huts made of plastic sacks, wood, tin, any material that can be scavenged. Walking past some of these huts, we reached closer to the remains of the old railway station, the ruins of what perhaps used to be a ticket counter is now home to a Marik family. Mainadevi Marik sat outside the door, amidst bamboo dust and pieces. Clamping the bamboo strip in one hand, she scrapped it off with a sickle-like knife to smoothen the edges and make uniform strips. She did not stop her work as Bhola dai and I started talking to her and interviewed her as part of our research on Doms. [break] We had arrived the day before, after a twelve-hour journey from Kathmandu to Kachanpur, Saptari, our base, and then to Birgunj. Bhola dai, researcher at Samata Foundation, wanted to research on Doms. As a Paswan (considered to be one of the privileged groups within the Madhesi Dalit community), he had witnessed the discrimination and untouchability that both non-Dalits and other Dalits practiced on Doms in Kanchanpur. As a journalist he had written about cases where Doms were not allowed into tea shops and also helped to resolve some disputes. His idea was much liked by late Suvash Dharnal, who I remember in our first staff meeting, was very excited about working with Madhesi Dalits and the Doms because little is written about them. Photos Courtesy: Bhola Paswan Laxmi Raut and his family in Bhauratar-3 of Parsa district. Laxmi’s sick daughter lies on the ground. I had read about Doms in whatever research I could find, and was already intrigued by their way of life, especially their tradition of buying and selling villages. The two weeks of interviews and focus group discussion in Morang, Parsa, Saptari and Dhanusha were definitely not enough to understand everything about Doms, but it revealed a whole lot about their amazing bamboo crafting skills, the traditions, and the extent of untouchability practiced in Nepal. Doms are bamboo crafters by tradition. Maina Marik was getting her bamboo strips ready to make it into a basket. She would sell it in the haat bazaar during Chhath festival and during weddings when using her baskets would be considered auspicious. She mentioned that in the old days only her basket used to be touched and the money thrown to the ground for her to pick. But nowadays they put the money on their hands. But this too was because she lived in an urban area. After a long conversation with her, we started talking about some of the Dom traditions that include lighting the fire for the person cremating the dead in exchange of something in cash or kind. This is when she said that was not a Dom but a Mester, who are traditionally sweepers. Her last name Marik, primarily used by Doms, and her bamboo work threw us off. She had fitted the conventional Dom definition. She explained that the professions were blending, especially in urban areas, but Mesters did not give fire for cremation. This started the confusions on how Doms and Mesters view themselves and each other because Mesters believe Doms are “below” them as they don’t drink water touched by Doms and do not marry their daughters off to a Dom family. At the same time, Doms view Mesters to be below them as they are sweepers and do the dirtier work. To add to the confusion are Dhanikars, which the National Dalit Commission has listed as being the same as Doms, which they deny. Dhanikars consider themselves above Doms because they do not eat leftover food given by others, a practice followed by Doms. At the beginning of the journey, we faced a serious challenge. The references for a definition, based on research done in Kathmandu and definitions from the National Dalit Commission had misguided us and we had a bigger question to tackle – who are the Doms? This turned out to be an opportunity to understand the community – their history, their perceptions of themselves vis-à-vis other Dalits and non-Dalits and their culture – rather than a situational report. Bhola dai was especially puzzled with the question. If he was puzzled, one can imagine how confused I – a Newar from Kathmandu on a second trip to the (deeper) Madhesh – must have been. Before leaving Bigurnj, Bhola dai and I were invited to Bakr-Id feast at Ali Asgar’s house in Bishrampur, Birgunj. He was one of the enumerators for the survey. The CDO and a few other important government officials accompanied us. Bhola dai had said it was in a durgum (remote) area. When we got close to his house on a vehicle, I said, how can it be durgum if you can get here by car. He responded with a laugh, “this is Madhesh, it’s flat, you can go anywhere on wheels.” I thought to myself, this is a big economic advantage for Madhesh. Two beds placed in a right-angle filled most of the small hut. We sat on it and soon paper plates with beaten rice and probably one of the best khasiko masu (goat meat) I have had in my life was served. The food was so good that I forgot the discomfort of eating on top of a bed. A Dom woman making a bamboo basket. After the meal, we had to get down to what we had come for – conduct a focus group discussion with the non-Dalit community, in this case, the Muslim community to understand the interrelations between the Doms and non-Dalits. Part of the discussion was to draw a map of the village identifying where the schools, primary health centers, temples and other public service delivery points were located. As soon as they started pointing out where the secondary school was located and the government water pipes or the primary health centre, it was clear that it was located in the wards that were predominantly non-Dalit. Next stop was Dhanusha. We decided to interview some older Doms so that they could shed light on some myths about the origin of Doms. Sadly, Dom elders are hard to find. Many Doms do not make it after 45 or 50, and very few families had living grandparents. The common reason cited was the excessive drinking and eating of pork meat. But, poverty and their position in society have more to do it. We managed to get stories on Doms of Dhanusha from the Ramayan days. When Ram came with his janti to marry Sita, he saw many leaf-plates outside one house. He thought that this must be the house with the wedding feast. They walked in to find that it was a Dom house and when asked why there were so many leaf-plates, it was explained that Doms ate the left-over from feasts. It was a practice. King Janak was infuriated that the Doms confused Ram so punished them by ordering that Doms should build only one-storey houses. With stories from the heart of Mithila, we headed to the industrial town of Biratnagar. Here, one thing was clear. Professions alone are no longer sufficient indicators of an individual’s caste in urban areas as it allowed greater fluidity in identities. Young Doms in Biratnagar said that these days they have stopped making bamboo goods because there is not much money in it. One young Dom added, “these days even Pahadis (those living in hills) have started making bamboo goods and people also use plastic baskets. So we have started working as sweepers in the municipality.” We returned to Saptari with the determination to get clarity on Doms and how they viewed themselves and how others viewed them because it was the last district in our journey. The distinctions between Doms, Mesters and Dhanikars mattered to these communities, but for the non-Dalits they were all the same. In Saptari, we decided to visit Chinnamasta VDC. It has a large Dom settlement and also the Chinnamasta temple was the site of Dom protests to enter a temple. On the way to Rampura, a village 15 minutes away from the border, I heard stories of the notorious landlord who harbored thugs in India and used them to kidnap people or threaten those who did not follow his orders. Bhola dai, praised my bravery for traveling to the deeper Madhesh as a Pahadi. I wondered why he would say that and realized that tensions were rife and lives were lost on both sides of the East-West highway during the Madhesh Aandolan. We passed through the Mandal basti, the Gupta basti and towards the end of the village reached the Dom basti. Unlike Dom houses in other rural areas, the houses here were made of mud, had straw roofs and were bigger and cleaner. It turned out that Doms in this community even owned some land, a rare occurrence. Upon digging into how the Doms in Rampura were better off than others that we had seen in the rural areas, we got a story from Jukti Marik. He said that, Indian pig traders would rest in their houses en route to Dharan to sell the pigs. One day his grandfather went along and saw that it was a profitable business and took up pig trading as a profession. This is how they managed to make more money. Confusion remains on the relations between Doms and Mesters, but the two castes appear very close. Inter-marriages were not allowed between the two communities. And, each one thought that it was above the other. Doms and Dhanikars, according to myths, are like two brothers with one (Dhanikars) becoming richer and the other (Doms) becoming poorer during harsh conditions of a famine. Throughout the trip, in addition to the identity confusions, we had heard of the practice of buying and selling villages – gaun bechne chalan. This sounds strange at first because most of the Doms do not own land. What they sell is not the tangible property but the rights to sell. Doms make bamboo products such as baskets, fans, or nanglos, which are considered auspicious in the Madhesi villages during marriages and festivals. Each family in the Dom village has the right to sell in the village that they ‘own’ and usually there’s just one Dom household in a village. They have paper evidence of their ownership. These papers are not the Sarkari papers but papers that are signed by members of the Dom Panchayatee, whose membership may extend to Doms in India. The families can buy and sell these rights as and when needed, when they have medical emergencies or other financial crises, for a hefty amount. If a Dom is found selling his goods in the village owned by another Dom, serious fights may also ensue. These fights sometimes end up in court. Talking to Jukti Marik revealed the extents to which the practice affects their lives. Jukti had invested his savings in buying a piece of land in Rajbiraj but was not able to build a house. He first said that the Yadav neighbor would not let him build the house. Later, it turned out that the bigger challenge was that the Doms who had the “right” to sell in that village, were not allowing another Dom to build a house. The local informal economic system gave economic protection to some but for others it hindered mobility. Despite the research, the book on Doms is like looking at the world of Doms through a keyhole. Much more work is needed. An Indian historian claims that their history can be linked to Romas of Europe. Their socio-cultural and economic practices are poorly understood. Also, how the Doms perceive themselves in relation to others is important because they are considered to be at the bottom of the caste ladder. This is how I saw the Doms, but I wonder, how does the world look like from their vantage point? erisha@gmail.com (Erisha and Bhola Paswan’s research on Dom community is put together in a book entitled “Identity of Dom community: Changing lifestyle” which was released this week in Nepali) Erisha and Bhola are associated with Samata Foundation http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56174 It was quite late at night and the rehearsals were still not over. Srijana Adhikari, an artist at Mandala Theater, a newbie to the theater scene, was receiving call after call from home. She suddenly lost her focus and stepped on a sharp nail. The foot started to bleed profusely. “I still remember shedding tears of pain, fear and frustration. The director then decided to pack up and sent me home immediately,” she recalls. That was five years ago. But it’s still difficult for her when the rehearsals carry on till late at night. Public transportations aren’t available and cabs are unsafe. These are the times when she wishes she owned a private vehicle. “Under such circumstances, I ask my male co-artists to drop me home,” she says. [break] Keshab Thoker At Mandala, her job is not limited to stage performance. Within the theater, the artists do everything from sweeping the floor to changing the light bulbs. It’s a job that demands a lot of time, energy, skill, effort and patience. “We always have so much to do in here. Hours have just become numbers to us,” says Adhikari. In our society, women have to provide elaborate details about their whereabouts if they are to stay away for the night while men don’t. “The male artists can simply go to sleep on the stage but I can’t do it because I’m a woman,” she says with a laugh. Nowadays, however, her family has become more understanding about her nature of work. She believes that she has finally established herself albeit after a lot of personal hassle and struggles of almost half a decade. There has been a paradigm shift in the way our society thinks and operates in the past few years. It may be due to the development in the mass media and the increasing effects of globalization that people have become more accepting and tolerant in terms of cultures, values and beliefs. Nonetheless, it’s rather difficult to bring about a drastic change when multiple generations born and brought up in completely different eras are involved, and live under the same roof. Shanti Gautam, a schoolteacher, strongly opposes the idea of women staying out after dark. Her daughters are studying in day colleges and her daughter-in-law is a government officer. “Kathmandu is just a village with tall buildings. A woman has to be careful if she is not to be frowned upon by the society,” she says. Being a teacher herself, she is completely in favor of female education and empowerment. “But integrity and family matter the most. Women must have education and jobs but should follow certain norms and being home on time tops the list,” she adds. The same rule, however, does not apply for men. She believes that men can have a more “liberal” life because our society is “just like that.” Though a large portion of the older generation is still rigid in its views, there’re women today who sign up for a career knowing what it demands and manage to convince their families into providing them full support and encouragement. Sangya Paudel, a medical student at Nepal Medical College (NMC) never had any problems with night shifts. “I’ve had round the clock shifts at the hospitals and various health camps outside the valley but my family has always supported me,” she says. Similar is the case with Ishwari Tamang, a nurse at NMC. Unlike doctors, as Tamang puts it, there’s still some prejudice related to nurses in society. But Tamang’s family has always been extremely supportive. She loves helping the children, the old and the ailing but at times, things tend to get nasty at the hospitals. “At night, young male visitors come to the hospital drunk. Sometimes, they misbehave and are warned or at times, physically removed,” says Tamang. She, however, blames the mindset of the people for these incidents rather than the hour of the day. Even the conservative families tend to be more supportive of the odd hours and outstation schedules when it’s a part of the academics. One such example is the chartered accountancy course which demands “articleship” or internship. Shikha Bagla, a CA student who comes from a traditional family explains, “Technically our timings are from nine to five. But towards the end of the fiscal year, we start much earlier and work until much later.” They even have to go out of the valley for auditing at a very short notice; sometimes even for an entire month. Working independently in a new environment has its own challenges though, especially for women. “Sexual harassment at office might be a problem for the females when they’re in a new workplace,” she says adding that men, on the other hand, don’t have to face such risks. She believes that such cases are rare but can happen with anybody at any hour and the only way to prevent them is to remain on guard constantly. Anita Silwal, newsreader at News24, believes that one should be smart enough to avoid such instances and that kind of wisdom comes with years of professionalism. She was just 11 when she did her first movie “Aadikavi Bhaanubhakta.” She remembers shooting until two in the morning. Currently, the newsreader has had to stay until midnight and also come to office at the crack of dawn. Days and nights have ceased to mean anything to her as well as her family. “There aren’t many women in hardcore journalism because of late hours, marriage, babies and lack of family support,” she says adding that if her family wasn’t so supportive she would have probably changed her profession a long time back. Sociologist Padma Lal Devkota associates all these varying perspectives with two distinct terms: social security and social stigma. He believes that there’s more social security attached with jobs like medicine, chartered accountancy, teaching and journalism than with those at casinos, pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels. Also, he opines, the way people look at the former set of occupations is somewhat more reverential than the latter. “Society is a structure of systems and beliefs. It can undergo alterations with time and circumstances. But one or two individuals cannot immediately and drastically change something that has already been in practice for so long,” says Devkota. Women, he says, are more prone to societal scrutiny than men. Although things have changed a lot, there’s still a long way to go before we achieve gender equality in practice and mindset, and not just in law and theory. Late Hours What’s at Stake? Some men have had to fight their own share of battles while working against the clock in terms of societal prejudices, health status, and job description. The others, on the contrary, are quite happy being the night owls because it helps them balance both sides of the world; professional and academic. From electricians to theater technicians and from bouncers to students, every man doing an odd hour job or study has his own story to tell. There are several factors like the nature of the job, the kind of family one belongs to and the preconceived notions of the society related to a particular field of work that make all the difference. Keshab Thoker “Our kind of work demands masculinity,” shares Tanka Bahadur Majhi, an electrician at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). “In the three decades I’ve been working, I’ve never seen a woman hanging on the electric poles in the middle of the night and testing wires and changing them.” It’s more a matter of expertise and experience, he believes, rather gender or time. One occurrence of negligence can cost someone their life. “There’re no female experts in our field and that’s why we can’t risk having female workers,” he explains. Nature of work indeed makes a difference for men more than the odd hours of duty. There’re still some prejudices associated with some professions in our society. And some families seem more concerned about them than the others. Mohammad Nazeer Hussain, an actor, designer and technician at Mandala Theater, remembers having to battle his sister just because he wanted to join theater. “Odd hours, of course, became a problematic issue since everyone wanted me home on time,” he reminisces. “Even today, some of my family members want me to give up theater and start a regular nine to five job that will ensure a stable life and secure future.” Hotel business is another walk of life that has received a lot of scrutiny. Min Kadel, an ex employee of Hotel Radisson emphasizes that although things are changing academically and professionally, the perception towards hotel workers still needs to be worked upon. After spending almost a decade in the hotel business, he still thinks that the employees are frowned upon by a large chunk of the society. He remembers that male employees at Hotel Radisson had to stay for the night shifts while the female employees were dropped home in the hotel’s van at eleven o’clock. Currently, running a hotel of his own at Pokhara, Kadel shares his experiences at the casino where people, at times, tend to get verbally abusive after getting broke or drunk. “Foreigners don’t seem to mind the abusive language that much. But most Nepalese girls need time to adjust to this kind of environment,” he adds. Khem Kuwar, a bouncer at Casino Royale has had similar experiences. There are many women working in the hotel and within the casino as front desk managers, house keeping staff and waitresses. “It’s rather difficult for those who work in the gaming section. They’ve to bear the brunt of the losers’ anger,” he explains. As a bouncer, he has even had to physically remove people when the situation got bad. The scenario seems completely different in the case of students though. Night classes seem to provide a good way to continue working while studying. This appears to have nothing to do with professional expertise, area of occupation or gender differences as such. Shamesh Joshi, an EMBA student, enjoys his night classes a lot and believes that it’s the same for his female classmates who spend quality time at the canteen even when the classes are over. “After a long day’s work, we feel it’s an amazing way to refresh ourselves as it feels like college days are here again,” he says. Sushant Dhakal, a night shift employee at the Nepal Telecom’s Call Center, agrees with Joshi. He thinks night shifts are good for people who have multiple jobs and are also juggling studies with work. “Yes, it can make you exhausted physically and mentally but this is the time and age to learn and work and working night shift is a very practical option,” he says. Working is as much a matter of individual choice and necessity for men as it is for women. However, it cannot be denied that our society has more males working during odd hours than females perhaps due to the societal constructs and psychological as well as security issues. The situation is gradually changing but it might take a while to bring about a more drastic transformation. “For late night shifts, we´ve only male employees Shesh Bhakta Shrestha, Proprietor, Nepal Telecom Call Center How’s this call center any different from the others? The whole concept is different. We’re more service oriented. The others are business oriented. As a telecom company, it’s our duty to provide customer care service. We provide help with landlines, cell phones and even internet. We answer all the queries related to our services via phone round the clock. We’re the bridge between NTC and its customers. Is everybody given training before they join? Yes, training is mandatory. And from what I’ve found, women are more polite, patient and soft spoken than men over the phone. They’re as efficient as men and that shows from the early days of training. With time and experience, our employees get more polished. What’s the ratio of your male and female employees? We’ve around two hundred staff working with us at present and seventy percent of them are females. And the working shifts? We’ve multiple shifts. We’ve early morning shift that starts at half past six and late night shift that starts at nine. We provide twenty four hour service and for that, people have to work in shifts. We serve dinner and pay extra to those who work late at night. When do you have female employees’ shifts? Female employees work during the peak hours in the morning or midday. We’ve calls coming in from all over Nepal and they handle the extreme pressure with confidence, patience and expertise. Don’t you have women working night shifts? We’ve women extremely willing to work night shifts. They’re fully capable of performing their duties too. Most of them have been here for a while. We’ve some ladies working till half past six and beyond. But for late night shifts after nine, we’ve only male employees. Why’s that so? It’s due to the structure and system. First, we don’t have our own vehicle to drop people home. It’s not possible since we have strikes and bandhs ever so often. Most of our employees walk home since they live nearby. Second, our society still wants to see their daughters and wives back home on time and it might be difficult for some of our female employees to follow this pattern of work. Third, during late hours there’re chances that inebriated people might call and the moment they hear a female voice over the phone, they tend to get verbally abusive. Sometimes, harassments make situations really difficult. So aren’t there any difficult calls during the daytime? They’re less frequent than during the night but there’re a few every now and then. We’ve a list of numbers that our employees don’t even entertain. And we’ve a call tracer for all calls. So, if someone makes an intentionally irritating or abusive call, we try to talk to them so that these kinds of activities aren’t repeated in the future. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56173 A prominent abstract painter, Laxman Shreshtha has earned quite a reputation and much critical acclaim for his alluring paintings. Born in Siraha, Nepal, he now shuttles between Mumbai, Paris and New York. Winner of several awards like the first prize at Boursiers Exhibition of Painting, Paris and other honors like Prix d’Honneur, International Art Exchange Exhibition, New York, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Medal, Inter Nations Invitation, Germany, Shreshtha was recently in Kathmandu in search of some inspiration.[break] The Week’s Nistha Rayamajhi caught up with the veteran artist to talk about his work and what inspires him. Dipesh Shrestha What made you venture into painting? Even when I was just five year old, I used to draw a lot. I always wanted to be an artist and hence was more interested in drawing rather than history or geography in school. During my college days, I met an artist in Kathmandu and was really inspired. So, I ran away to Mumbai. It was in the 1960 that I got enrolled in Sir J.J. School of Art which is considered the best art school in Asia. The Dean there really supported me and gradually I progressed and started becoming first or second in class. After finishing my course, I immediately received a scholarship to go to Paris. It was there that I won the first prize in a world competition of Boursiers Exhibition of Painting, Paris. After returning to Mumbai, I also received the British Council Grantee at Central School of Art, London for two years. And that’s how it all happened. What drove you to run off to Mumbai? I went there purely on a whim. One of the reasons for running away was also because my family was against me becoming a painter. So I thought it would be best to just follow my dreams, go away and pave my own path. Luckily, it worked for me. I was 18 years old when I ran away. At that age, you aren’t mature enough to make it on your own as life is just beginning and there’s still so much you don’t know and understand at that phase of life. But I started learning a lot about life as I got around to experiencing a new culture and language. What were the challenges like? I’ve been through a lot of hardships during my initial days. There was a time when I didn’t have money for a whole year when I was in Mumbai. But since I stood first in college, the Indian government provided me with scholarship, and my hostel fee was covered as well. Sir J.J. School of Art has the tradition of giving away several prizes every year so I received four to five prizes and I used that money to buy local train tickets if I had to go somewhere. I was young and strong, so that’s how I survived. No one was aware of my condition but there was a person in the hostel canteen that provided me with food and told me that I could pay later. So you can say that I found good people who helped me along the way as I struggled. How does travel inspire you? I think it’s very necessary for people to travel, see new places, meet new people and try to understand their culture. Traveling has definitely inspired me in my work. I’ve lived and worked in Berlin for two years and New York for eleven years and I had a studio in Paris too. Even when I was young, I always needed to come back to the Himalayas to get some inspiration. If ever I got stuck somewhere and couldn’t solve a problem, I used to come to Kathmandu to look at the mountains and draw inspiration from that. How did your experience in Paris inspire you? I was lucky to get a scholarship to go study at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris which, I believe, is just the right place for artists. It was during that time that I started to grow and understand life and art. I got a chance to meet great artists from all over the world. I believe that I met all the right people in that fascinating city. In Paris, there’s a tradition where a famous painter accepts a student and lets the person learn under him. I, too, got that opportunity. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I had always been inquisitive about art and had studied about the art history of Paris. I also learned about Van Gogh and Picasso. I visited museums which used to inspire me every single time. I also visited the places that Van Gogh had painted, like cafes where I just used to sit, have coffee and observe the surroundings and learn a great deal. Visiting galleries and museums, and meeting other artists was how I evolved and learnt, not only about art but also about life. What, in general, inspires your work? Life inspires me. There’re always some questions on your mind that you don’t have the answers to. That’s when you have to travel and get to know other people. You also have to listen to poetry, read books, and befriend poets, writers and musicians. Music has given a lot of depth in my paintings. So I’m very close to all these other forms of art. I traveled to a lot of places to find the answers to my questions as that’s the way to learn and grow and suddenly you start to understand yourself better. So inspiration thus comes from life, living intensely, and being aware all the time. I’m aware of everything that’s happening around me and that evokes inspiration. Every moment is a new beginning and that in itself is inspiring too. What does art mean to you? Initially, I really didn’t understand art that well. I think making good paintings doesn’t make someone an artist as anybody can master that. It takes a lot of time to really understand art and get into the soul of paintings. I’m an abstract painter who’s really intense and wants to get to the bottom of things. I believe there’s art in life. You read books, learn history, listen to old and new music and all these evoke certain emotions. And you want to express your feelings. What you express at that time with that knowledge can then be called art. What are your upcoming plans and do you have any suggestions for emerging artists? An abstract exhibition is taking place at Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai, where my work will be featured. That will go on for six months. I’ll be visiting Paris after that where there’re a lot of exhibitions lined up. If you’re really passionate about art and that’s the only thing you want from life, then you should go for it. Passion and creativity are all that you need to understand art and become an artist. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56172 The name, Michael Chand is familiar to many who grew up listening to his shows on Radio Nepal. Now, even at 64, he has the same energy, charisma and consistent powerful voice that was evident during his younger days. It’s hard not notice and admire his articulate mannerism and exceptional communication abilities; the same traits that shaped a renowned radio personality. It was back in 1972 when Chand got a major break. When the then Yugoslavian President, Marshal Josef Tito arrived at Nepal on an invitation from the late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, Chand was chosen to be the MC of the day at Royal Nepal Academy. Impressed by his presentation, he got a letter from the director general of Radio Nepal, Ram Raj Paudel, requesting him to come to the office the next morning upon which he was promptly hired.[break] Bhaswor Ojha But Chand’s passion for public speaking goes back to his college days at Tri Chandra. Since he always wanted to be a presenter and speak in public, he had immediately grabbed the microphone and made his first ever announcement when the college needed an MC for an event. “It was for a program organized by the Pakistan Embassy on its independence day. That’s how I started my career as a speaker,” he reminiscences. It was his communication skills, supported with proper education that turned Chand’s passion in public speaking into a full-fledged career. Chand accredits his father for making sure he got a good education. His childhood was spent in Myanmar with his father during the Second World War. “My father was working as a store keeper and couldn’t speak English. So during the war, when the Americans came to ask for bullets, he had a local translator,” he explains. It was then that his father promised to himself that he’d send his children to a good school. On the day of his admission, his father gave his name as Harish Chand which later went on to become a popular household name through Radio Nepal. When he was five, he was admitted to Our Lady’s Convent School and the mother superior of the school asked him to pick a name from a bowl filled with paper slips with different names on them. “That’s how I got the name Michael and I started using that name. That’s the name on my citizenship, certificates, travel and academic documents,” he says. During his Radio Nepal days, when he was preparing to go live, the director asked if he had a Nepali name as he didn’t want to give listeners the impression that Radio Nepal wouldn’t hire a Nepali candidate. So the name Harish was used for news reading but he got the liberty to use his name Michael for other programs which went on for the next 32 years. “I wasn’t given news immediately and I did other programs. During that time since there was no television we were stars and we enjoyed that immensely,” he says. But it was challenging to be working under a very strict regime. “We were constantly under surveillance and everything was monitored. So far as news was concerned, there would be intervention from the royal palace as that was the custom during the Panchayat period,” he says. While working as an MC at Rastriya Nach Ghar he met Bhuwan Thapa Chand, the first ever silver screen actress of Nepal and the couple got married in 1976. “I was a bit nervous to be married to a celebrity. As my career picked up, I felt that though I might not be as popular as my wife, still people knew me for my own achievements,” he says and quickly adds, “But I have to admit that she’s a film star and she’s far more popular. Being a broadcaster my popularity is different. When we go out together, there’s a section that recognizes her and there’s another section that recognizes me. So that makes both of us happy,” he says. Right after his marriage and while he was working as a news presenter, he joined Radio Deutche Welle, the voice of Germany with Radio Nepal’s agreement. He worked at the English news department for three years. When he came back, he continued with his news reading at Radio Nepal. He was also the concept creator of a pioneering hit music program Musical Hour which ran for nine long years. After that program was brought to an end, he conducted Music Mania which also ran successfully for three years. In 1979, another opportunity landed up at Chand’s doorsteps. The founder of Goethe Institut in Kathmandu was looking for a Nepali who was willing to go to Germany, learn the language and then come back and teach in Nepal. “He happened to be a friend of my radio boss in Germany who recommended me and that’s how I left for Germany for three years,” he says. In 1982, he completed the diploma and came back to Nepal again and started working with Goethe Institute. He taught German language during the day time and worked at Radio Nepal in the evening. Even after the institute closed down in 1997 following a financial crisis, Chand still continued teaching and started an organization called Goethe Center which ran from 1997 till 2000. The German Embassy then decided to help the institute and based on cultural agreement signed between Germany and Nepal, the center was supported well in terms of logistics and infrastructure as well as providing training to teachers. Chand is now the Director of Goethe Zentrum and he’s the first ever Nepali to get a diploma in German language from Munich University of Germany. He has taught and contributed in promoting German language for more than three decades, which is why he was also awarded with Civilian Order of Merit, Germany’s higher civilian honor. That also makes him the first Nepali to receive the honor in the South Asian region in the category of German language teaching. Keeping in view his contribution in radio broadcasting, he was also awarded the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu. “The present is always supported by the past and had I not been a radio personality, I would have been no where today, so I’m indebted to Radio Nepal,” says Chand. Since his three daughters Sheela, Sheetal and Shirush are settled in the US, it’s just him and his wife now. “There’s a vacuum as suddenly we’ve been left alone but it’s the same for many families so I shouldn’t really complain,” he says adding that though his children have become adults with lives of their own, his life is still pretty much the same. His day begins at half past five in the morning when he wakes up followed by a short walk around the neighborhood. His wife prepares breakfast and then he heads to work. This is the routine he has been maintaining for the last 31 years. The spirited man who doesn’t look his age leads a disciplined and active life. “I believe in Karma and I don’t expect any results though sometimes I may want to know what has happened. My secret for being happy is accepting things the way they are,” he says. And the calm demeanor that one gets to witness certainly validates his statement. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56171 In the first term exams, Para Tuladhar, 9, a grade three student, scored the highest in mathematics in a class of 47 pupils. This came as a surprise to her math teacher who until last year was sending monthly notes to her parents telling them that Para just didn’t seem to have the aptitude for the subject. “Para was a good student and did well in all the other subjects but as far as math was concerned, her brain seemed to shut itself off,” says Jyoti KC, an elementary mathematics teacher. “She used to make such silly addition and subtraction errors but now she doesn’t make a single mistake besides being really quick at calculations,” she adds with a slightly surprised look on her face.[break] The transformation from a kid with an aversion to math to a whiz who can calculate in her head didn’t happen overnight. Or maybe it did. Her mother introduced her to “Math Workout” an app on her Samsung Galaxy tablet that had many levels of math lessons in a game format. Para was hooked to it; sometimes spending hours curled up with the device. Cilla Khatry With the advent of tablets and smartphones, children are using new technology earlier than ever before. The explosive growth of social media, smartphones and digital devices is transforming the kids’ lives; in school and at home. There’s a lot of hope for how technology can help children learn easily. Children can match numbers, play with diagrams, create artworks, play games based on their favorite story and even develop their own, new stories with the help of these highly evolved technologies. Many apps offer immediate interactive responses, which is really exciting for both education and play. So the potential of mobile technologies is evident. Though these gadgets and the apps are quite helpful in teaching basic tasks, from reading to memory enhancing techniques, there’s also the crucial question of how much is too much for the kids. Technology needs to be used constructively, more so where the kids are concerned. Sagar Thapaliya, 10, a grade four student, is always hooked to his iPad. He takes it to school, uses it during breaks between homework sessions and plays games on it during dinner. His parents, who gifted him the high end device on his birthday, now worry if it’s hampering his social skills. “He seems to be lost in his own world and responds in monosyllables when spoken to,” says his mother, Niti Thapaliya adding that Sagar’s father had installed language apps and word games before gifting it to him. Sagar vocabulary improved considerably in the first few weeks but then he started downloading car race and wrestling games and now seems to be hooked to those and doesn’t play mind games like puzzles and scrabble anymore. “I don’t know how to get him off the device and even during the times he uses it, I want him to spend some time on useful apps that can teach him things rather than mindless games,” says the worried mother. This “digital inundation” is of constant concern to parents, it seems, who are lost on how to strike a balance between learning and fun and in general, not let these gadgets rule their kids’ lives. Moreover, many also worry that these devices will take over from learning the basics the “right” way since our education system is still largely based on rote learning. But, there’re lots of ways to learn with the help of the ever evolving technology. And in fact, the basics are best learnt in different ways. A new android powered tablet aimed at four-year-olds and under is in the final stages of production. There’re hundreds of Apple and Android apps designed to develop young children’s literacy and numeracy. “Sometimes kids aren’t able to grasp things the normal way. It’s too boring for them. That’s when educational apps come into play. The interactive way of learning can stir things up and get them interested in even mundane subjects,” says Rita Lama, an English teacher at an elementary school who has had huge success with teaching her own kids difficult words with the help of interactive games. “My five year old can spell words kids double her age have difficulty with,” says Rita with a beaming smile. The best of both the old methods and the modern world can be applied with the help of technology. For instance, it’s easier to teach kids spellings and enhance their vocabulary by involving a combination of writing, board games and reading interactive stories on a tablet rather than getting them to mug up words from books and dictionaries. “Many people prefer to educate their children the old-fashioned way saying dependence on technology can become a severe addiction, but the truth is that technology provides learning opportunities that traditional methods simply don’t,” adds Rita. For Udit Chaudhary, 7, a grade one student, who almost always got mixed up with big numbers and spellings, math and word games have proved to be immensely helpful. He doesn’t feel like he’s studying when he’s working on sums and words on the iPad and the game format makes learning fun and he picks up really well. “Earlier, he used to count using his fingers and still get confused but now he can count in his head,” says his guardian who downloads different apps every single day in an effort to make Udit smarter. And it seems to be working wonders. Udit now can spell big words and math homework is a breeze. He also navigates through the iPads’ interface and various apps without any hesitance. Since technology is a significant feature of contemporary life, feeling competent and confident with it is slowly becoming a new basic skill that children now also need to learn. Children are very capable learners and their capacity is equally outstanding when it comes to mobile technologies. They often know their way around their parent’s phone better than the parent. But in the modern world when kids are exposed to so much, the growing technology has put more pressure on parents to monitor their children’s activities. “Children see their parents using their mobile devices and they want to play too. While a device can be useful in terms of teaching them the basics and more in a fun way, if you don’t get the balance right it can be dangerous as well,” says Rita explaining that kids might get addicted to games and end up spending hours just playing and hampering their eyesight in the process. Security and limiting the exposure to unwarranted content also seem to be issues that need addressing. Already, many smartphones have restriction menus that allow parents to block certain phone functions, or mature content. And there are a growing number of smartphone applications that at least claim to give parents some level of control on a phone’s web browser. “I don’t think that technology in itself is bad. The benefits vastly outweigh the risks. But parents do need to be aware and cautious,” says Rita. The dilemma, especially for parents, is to strike a balance between facilitating learning and protecting a child from risks. The answer probably lies in unintrusive vigilance as well as setting limitations. Children should also be encouraged to use these technologies as educational tools and not as “status symbols.” Gadgets are on their way of becoming a way of life for kids, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that children use them in a way that aids their learning curve. cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56170 Inside a cosmetic store on the second floor of a traditional house in Makhan, New Road, Nitin Maddan, 31, is busy attending to a customer and talking on the phone at the same time. For a Punjabi man, who was born and raised in Delhi, India, till his late teens, it’s surprising to hear him ramble off in fluent Nepali while conversing with the customer and then switch to Newari on the phone without a moment’s hesitation. “One of my father’s friends told him that Nepal could be a good place to run small businesses,” says Nitin, as he settles down to talk about his first visit to Nepal. In 1998, he came to Nepal for the first time with his father who was scouring for business ideas. “Then, I didn’t even last a week. Despite of my father’s insistence that I stay, I went home,” he says. When he looks back now, Nitin confesses that it wasn’t easy for a 19-year-old to be away from his family and home. “My mind used to be in Delhi all the time,” he reminisces. [break] But he had no other option than to come back and stay in Nepal. Among five children, he was the first one to settle in Nepal to help his father with his business. “Now, even though I visit Delhi, I go for a very short time. After living here for fifteen years, with my business and friends in Nepal, I like this place a lot,” he says. Photos: Keshab Thoker Nitin Maddan, 31, has been running "Priyanka Shringar Pasal", a cosmetic shop named after his youngest sister at Makhan for the past eight years. Nepal is famous for being one of the top-picked touristic destinations around the world. But apart from catering to various tourists, it’s also home to many foreigners who have been carrying out different business ventures. Though, there are people from different parts of the world, India being in close proximity with Nepal in terms of distance, and religious and cultural values, it’s mostly Indians who find their way to Nepal. “We are Hindu Punjabis, so all the festivals celebrated in Nepal are similar to ours. We had the least difficulty in adjusting here culture wise,” says Nitin. But according to Riyaz Ahmed, 38, who’s originally from Kashmir and follows Islam, it isn’t just the cultural similarity that attracts people of his community to Nepal. “The people here in Nepal are very friendly, welcoming and easy to deal with. The society here is also fairly open-minded,” he says. He came to Nepal in 1988 to visit his brother-in-law, who was working for a Kashmiri handicraft company based here. “I came to Nepal as soon as I passed high school and stayed for a year,” he says. After that, he kept visiting Nepal and worked as a salesperson with his brother-in-law during those visits. But the turning point in his life came when he fell in love with a Nepali girl, Indira Neupane. “We were neighbors who later became lovers,” says Riyaz with a big smile. As they figured out that both their families wouldn’t accept their relationship, they fled to Kashmir and got married. But after a year, Indira’s family accepted Riyaz and invited the two of them back to Nepal. “I came back and opened my own handicraft business and settled here with my wife and son,” he says. Another Kashmiri, Adnan Khan, 42, Riyaz’s acquaintance says that he has visited many countries but it’s still Nepal that attracts him. “Riyaz has settled here for good. He has his own family. But even for people like me, whose family is still back in Kashmir, Nepal never seizes to feel like home,” says Adnan who like Riyaz is fluent in Nepali. When many Nepalis are voicing their concern over the social and political instability, it’s surprising to get this sort of assurance from foreign business people. “The business isn’t always successful. There’re low times as well. But if you look at the overall situation, Nepal is one the best places to establish a business,” says Riyaz. Nitin also has a similar opinion about the business prospects in Nepal. “In India, when one establishes a business, there’s very high competition and even though the sales are good, there isn’t much profit,” he says. Due to his expanding business, Nitin says that his elder brother, who has been running a boutique in Delhi, is also planning to come to Nepal to help him with the cosmetic business. His eldest brother Kamal is already running a bike accessories shop at Naradevi. Both Nitin and Kamal, along with their youngest sister Priyanka, who assists Nitin at his cosmetic shop, have not only looked at the Nepali society as a business medium but have made efforts to be a part of it. “Even in Newar communities, many younger generations cannot pronounce some particular words that I’ve learnt and speak fluently with my Newar friends,” says Nitin. Learning a local language, however, is always a means of goodwill for a businessperson. But they all agree that setting up a business is not an easy task. “There’re many hardships one has to face while establishing their own business, but you should never give up,” says Riyaz, who faced huge losses at some point of time. Nitin also has a similar story to share. “We stuck with a hardware business for two years but had to face a huge loss,” he says. Despite the hard work, he says that, the same friend of his father’s, who had suggested they set up their business in Nepal, embezzled their profits. “But a Nepali friend, Bishnu Kumar Thapa, helped us a lot to survive in the foreign land. He waived six months’ rent and also loaned us money to start afresh,” he says. It was with his help that the Maddan family was able to establish the cosmetic business. Apart from the friendly people, Riyaz, Adnan and Nitin point out that the weather of Kathmandu is one of the biggest advantages. “There’s a variety in the weather, none of which escalates to the extreme. The weather here is absolute bliss,” says Nitin even as he fans himself to cool off remarking that it’s nothing compared to the heat back in his hometown. Be it the business environment, friendly ties or somewhat glorious weather, these businessmen see themselves working in Nepal for the rest of their lives. While many Nepalis are looking for jobs in foreign countries, these people set an example of the possibilities of self-employment in Nepal and make us wonder if Nepalis might have just been ignoring the opportunities that surround them. Perhaps, like the saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side.” mail2asmita@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56168 In a stepping arrangement of cascading triangles, squares and domes, somewhere the hint of a grinning monster peeks at you from a pool of rich colors. Sagar Manandhar’s 37 canvases on display at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babermahal titled, ‘Utsav’ oozes with fervor. The paintings which are marked with the artist’s paint brush, frequent drips and patterns of colors, exude an enticing brightness. The color blue, which makes its appearance in almost all the paintings, sets a pervasive quality in them while the controlled waves of little black lines punctuate the broadness of the canvas by encrypting details into the monochrome of the plain surface. They create a structured yet unfinished re-rendering of figurative temple and festive structures in the Kathmandu valley which float silently in the frame. The rounds of a chariot wheel, a parasol or a little, white dot in an earthy ground of a light green meadow, mark a ritual in procession. [break] Bijay Gajmer And as if through an extension of the regular encounter with vermillion in the multiple idols and temples in the city, the color red is flattened and dotted in the canvasses. Similarly, the use of pink evokes an edible quality, like a sweet meat or a rose petal. The green rounded and squared patterns transform into a reminiscent tree, its branches placed at the feet of Gods or pulled in a procession across cobbled streets. Through the interplay of warm colors, Manandhar’s canvasses evoke a cultural experience that’s not new to the inhabitants of Kathmandu. In its darkened alleys with multi storied buildings, an array of processions are always taking place. Sometimes it’s colored in the celebration of a festival and everyday in the rush of office hours when two and four wheelers jam pack the corridors with incessant honking, leaving a trail which is hard to surpass for any passerby. Here the lines of class and caste structures merge into one destination that’s directed by a passage of procession which disembarks into other smaller alleys as it progresses. The vibrancy of the canvasses then becomes an illusion that’s dabbed with brightness. Every lurking difference is fixed with a ‘unity in diversity’ appropriation. As the artist, mentions in his concept note, his influences have been accumulated from the ‘transcendental experience’ of attending jatras. There are other influences from ‘Kumari’ and ‘Dashain’ including the Mandala. If the canvasses are wiping out the difference of multiplicity, the aura around the artist including his own interpretation is doing the opposite. It’s reasserting our collective fascination with our ‘myriad sets of temples and festivals’ along with the impulse to trace out an origin to fixate it with a caste identity. The influences in the artworks could have been fore grounded by the artist’s Newar identity but the colors are transgressing them. Manandhar is expressing his encounter with modernity in a combination of colors that once redefined modernity in art. In ‘Utsav’ temples, idols, processions and Gods reside in a tumbling, chaotic city of wonders where its concurrent decay is often forgotten in a spark of a bright color. But this reflection comes with a price; the paintings are an appendage to a modern home that’s designed to evoke warmth and happiness. Even the coarseness of jute in his smaller work has a patterned, smoothness through the division of space. And the suggestive bird’s eye view of his browner canvas (Utsav 6) hesitantly references other cultural encounters; the ghats of Benares being the prime one. The yellow dab of paint let in between a smother of tan brown in this canvas, is dotted with maroon points, reproducing a boating experience in the holy city’s numerous ghats. Each canvas holds an elusive intensity which is enrobed in the artist’s personal encounters. Its interpretive potential is deepened by the choice of colors, yet the manner in which the exhibition was introduced sets some significant questions about modern art practice. Who was inaugurating the exhibition became more important than what was in the paintings, therefore the initial confusion on my part about whose exhibition it was. One of Nepal’s finest art exports inaugurated the exhibition, signifying his approval of the artist’s finesse and comparisons followed about generational art practice. But even if the exhibition hadn’t been inaugurated by a ‘somebody,’ the paintings would remain the same. (The exhibition will continue till June 30.) The writer is a graduate of Arts & Aesthetics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. dikshyakarki@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56167 The smartphone market is abuzz this summer with the biggest players of the Android universe releasing phones that have managed to awe potential customers. Samsung has managed to turn quite a few heads with the new feature packed installment of its Galaxy line; the Galaxy S4 and Sony has stirred a bit of gossip as well with the release of the waterproof Xperia Z. HTC has also joined the game, this summer, with the release of HTC One, that boasts excellent build and music quality. If you’re planning to buy a phone anytime soon, thank your lucky stars because every one of these comes equipped with technology that seems almost alien. [break] HTC One The HTC One seems to be the final ray of hope for the troubled Taiwanese company and HTC has not failed to deliver. The HTC One is a stellar device that feels like a piece of jewelry in your hand because the One is made entirely out of aluminum. It feels elegant and expensive just because of the wonderful design and the software isn’t half bad either with the most recent Android Jellybean pre-installed and customized with the HTC Sense. The user-interface of the HTC Sense v5 is another beauty on the phone which comes with an easy to use dashboard for all of your notifications and updates. But no matter how aesthetically pleasing the HTC One maybe, it fails to deliver when it comes to specifications and features. The HTC One comes equipped with a 4 Mega-Pixel camera that seems almost prehistoric when compared to the 13 MP cameras of S4 and Xperia Z. Another aspect that HTC falls short in is on the feature of expandable memory because unlike S4 or Xperia Z, the One does not come with an option for any kind of memory cards. The One, however, is equipped with a powerful 1.7 GHz quad-core processor accompanied by 2 Gigabytes of RAM and a big 4.7 inch LCD3 touch screen. Samsung Galaxy S4 The S4 is probably the most famous and awaited phone in this list and when Samsung finally did start to ship out the phone, they didn’t disappoint. Everything about the S4 seems too advanced for our age, the eye scrolling that scrolls web-pages or eBook based on your eye movement, the air gesture that makes it possible to interact with your phone without even touching it, seems almost supernatural. The S4 also comes with a beautiful 5 inch AMOLED screen that displays in Full-HD, which means that the number of pixel that you see on a HDTV would be visible on the 5 inches of the S4. Much like the S4’s predecessors, the power and volume keys are well-placed and are easily accessible even with the humongous screen. Another wonderful feature to the S4 comes from Samsung’s Tablet line, the infrared blaster that literally turns your phone into a universal remote. The infrared blasters enables you to control any TV, DVD Player, Satellite Box and even some air-conditioners right from your phone. But what the S4 delivers in features, it lacks in build. The phone is constructed from flimsy feeling polycarbonate plastic that gives it the feel of a much cheaper phone and even the design is very similar to S3. All in all, the S4 does not disappoint and it comes equipped with some blazing specifications that perform better than all its rivals. Sony Xperia Z When we think about the new Xperia Z, all that comes to mind is the fact that it’s waterproof. But although it’s waterproof, the Xperia Z has a lot more going for it than just that. The Xperia Z is rock-solid in design and build and not only does it keep water away but it is dustproof and the screen is shatter and scratchproof as well. Even though the phone has been constructed with plastic, it surprisingly does not feel cheap or flimsy at all. The Xperia Z also comes with the Bravia Engine that rivals Apple’s Retina Display because it uses the same chip used in high-end Bravia TVs. The screen on the Xperia Z displays on a 441ppi resolution against the 324ppi resolution of the iPhone 5, giving it a clearer edge over Apple’s display. There’s no doubt that the Xperia Z is one stellar device. However, there are certain aspects of the phone that might annoy some users. For example, the 5inch screen that many people are bound to fall in love with might be too big for some and many users have complained that the waterproof ports of the Xperia Z are too fiddly. One of the bigger problems on the Xperia Z is the battery life that exhausts itself quite quickly. Although Sony does ship the phone with a Battery Stamina mode that increases battery life significantly; it usually runs for an average of 2 days. Verdict Although all three of these new high-end phones have brought some awesome features to the table, the one phone that has managed to impress us the most is the Samsung Galaxy S4. The phone is a powerhouse of brilliant engineering and innovative technology that Apple was once famous for. Everything on the S4 feels like magic and Samsung does this without compromising on the performance of the device. So if you plan on getting a phone this summer, we recommend the awe-inspiring device by Samsung, the Galaxy S4. The writer is The Week’s much loved tech guru. Email us your tech queries at theweek@myrepublica.com and we’ll have him answer them for you http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56166 “Dates do not matter. It’s the ideas that matter.” –Albert Einstein I’m forgetful about facts like dates. I can never remember them. They always slip through my mind. Unfortunately, the education system in our part of the world is more into rote learning and mugging up than generating ideas and finding ways to conduct research. I think it’s the idea that’s more significant than the particular date when a specific event took place. And it’s totally unfair to penalize someone and put a question mark on his or her caliber simply because they have not learnt the dates by heart. For example, I’ve taught Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando” in the Masters level but I don’t know the exact date it was published. I do know that it was in the 1920s though. And I believe it’s sufficient. People should not be judged on the basis of their power to memorize. Memories are not our possessions. Ideas are. So we must be able to possess or come up with more of those. [break] Einstein also said that he was born intelligent but education ruined him. That’s also a case that I’ve witnessed quite a few times. Our education system is still rigid and traditional with little space for openness and creativity. When you try to put everyone in the same league and status, problems definitely arise. For example, if a child cannot memorize something but can read something and write about it in his or her own words, that’s the best thing that could happen to the instructor as well as the learner. As a teacher, we should make our students capable of producing their own ideas rather than merely reproducing what we teach them. And this must happen from the school level itself. Bhaswor Ojha About Paudyal Paudyal’s childhood was spent in India. He started out as a science student but soon realized that he was not cut out for science. Literature, he realized, was his forte since he had strong literary tendencies. As a college student, he was involved in student politics. He was associated with All Manipur Gorkha Student’s Union. His father was very supportive of his political activities because he too, was an activist. He used to read a lot of novels during his bus ride to school and back. After he came to Kathmandu in 2003, he started teaching in a school. That’s where he got a chance to study the kids. As a hostel in charge, he would be with them all the time. He read a lot of books like Gulliver’s Travels, Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. He used to write stories, poems and plays since early schooldays. He has written school textbooks and twelve other books for children that include novels, short stories and drama. He has also written a book of short stories and criticism for adults. He has also translated more than twenty books so far. He’s really concerned about the fact that Nepali literature has not gained much global and international recognition. “One main reason is that our writings don’t have original ideas and we aren’t rooted in purely local epistemology,” he says. “I have written articles about it and held discussions on how to export Nepal to the foreign soil in all its uniqueness and novelty.” Paudyal’s five picks Bhagwad Gita Ved Vyas On contrary to the popular belief, Gita is not abstract but very practical. It answers every philosophical question about life. My favorite part of Gita is Vibhuti Yog. It’s the tenth chapter. It talks about the presence of divinity in almost everything. This is the best approach towards non violence because the moment we see everything as a divine essence, we stop violence. Muna Madan Laxmi Prasad Devkota It’s a Nepali classic because it’s a story of most of the Nepalis people. It’s by far the best production from Nepal. It’s rooted in Nepali folk tradition and culture. Its metrical pattern is that of “jhyaaure chhanda” which is so intimately Nepali that it’s a classic for all generations, regions and communities. The pathos is so powerful that it breaks the reader into tears. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Mark Twain This is the most realistic portrayal of childhood. Before this, books were usually infused with doses of fantasies and supernatural powers. So, children probably couldn’t find themselves portrayed realistically. With Tom Sawyer, came the amalgamation of vices and virtues in a child which is exactly how kids are in reality. Hungry Stones and Other Stories Rabindranath Tagore This is Tagore’s work for a common reader. The language is as mesmerizing as always but it’s simpler. These are timeless stories that are close to humanity and carry a universal human appeal. Most stories have children as characters. Some of my favorites are Postmaster, Homecoming and Kabuliwala. They evoke sympathy and compassion in the readers. Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck The writer is a Nobel Prize winner in literature. This is the best book on friendship between two poor and homeless men. Poor men’s dreams are like that of mice. They’re deemed worthless and are hardly, if ever, fulfilled. The two friends George and Lennie dream of a rabbit, a house with a lawn and some land. But the dreams never come true. In the end, George shoots Lennie in order to save him from being ruthlessly killed by other people. This is a dismal example of mercy killing. As told to Nitya Pandey http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56165 The memoir begins chronicling days from when a disease afflicts Nawaraj Kaji and begins to weaken him. Losing a loved one is one of the most traumatizing situations a person can go through. No wonder most of us crawl into our shells, ignore the real world, and wallow in grief for months, even years. That’s quite understandable, even expected. But a bit different from ordinary mortals is Sarita Shrestha, who has exchanged her pain for strength and crafted an entire book out of her final separation with her husband, Nawaraj Kaji Shrestha. The book has turned out to be a sort of journal that talks, in lucid detail, of events since her husband’s illness, subsequent treatments and his foray into the other world. While its informative and cathartic value cannot be negated, the literary value also slowly begins to build up as we go through the pages.[break] The memoir, as mentioned, begins chronicling days from when a disease afflicts Nawaraj Kaji and begins to weaken him. Unable to diagnose the disease in Nepal, the couple, with their daughter, flies to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, where chemotherapy and constant medical care for lymphoma seems to revive the patient. The pages after that are a constant struggle of trying to keep the patient in good health – through visits to cancer hospitals in India, Bharatpur and Bhaktapur, through their son’s engagement and other social obligations, through times of momentary wellness lapsing back to terrible side effects of the medication. It’s a harrowing experience that we’ve all faced some time or the other – the excruciatingly slow wasting away of a dear one. And when the person in question is someone supposed to be with you all your life, it’s all the more miserable. But the writer bears it remarkably well, constantly drawing support from her relatives and well-wishers, from religion and spirituality. The courage of a woman, who tries to gather the threads of her fraying life, is evident in each page. The words might lend hope and guidance to someone going through a similarly frightening situation. The writing is very simple and spontaneous, and could have done with a bit more polishing. But even this record of events is adequate to guide others who are undergoing the illness or death of a near one in similar circumstances. They can even learn about hospital and illness conditions, methods of recovery and economic management through this book. In the midst of her husband’s illness, the author also notes down other important things that are happening around her – worries over her daughters’ marriages, the never ending chores, festivals and fairs, the need to build ties. She reminisces about happy times spent with her loving husband, about her marriage that happened in unusual circumstances. At many points, her writings begin to simply sound like a chronicle of events, complete with mentions of date and time. This is something that should have been avoided. Although it’s a natural occurrence in a factual narration, especially from a non-writer, such nitty-gritty takes away from the emotional structure. Another distraction in the memoir is that the writer constantly takes time off to thank the people who helped her. Although this is also normal, repeating the names and kind deeds of the same person nearly fifty times or more in the course of the book will certainly deter readers. Shrestha does not restrict herself from the practical and mundane. She talks candidly, and at length, of the difficulties of staying on as a guest for too long. She talks about the way she feels like a burden to the hosts, which is really honest and true. At other times she describes her fear of funds, agonizing over the expensive medication and stay abroad, which is again quite justified, and makes us empathize with her. She also mulls a bit on religion, God, the unpredictability of life, relationships and togetherness. These snippets of her understanding are quite interesting. The best sample of her writings can be seen towards the end, where she speaks out extremely well on the absurdities of the caste system, and the ways in which she was pettily disregarded and made to feel excluded from her husband’s family for her entire life just because she happened to be a “Manandhar” and he, a “Shrestha.” These essays on the meaninglessness of caste differences, which serve no purpose other than to humiliate the supposedly lower caste, are quite coherent and laudable too. But again and again, in the midst of her wanderings, the author comes back to what she had set out to do – to express her loneliness and sadness at being left alone by her husband of 30 years. The scene when she describes his departure, her disbelief and state of suspension have all been presented very well and it makes for a poignant and heart-wrenching read. The lines that emerge out of such unbearable trauma are beautiful, “My feelings, my fragrance, my light, my togetherness, my life, my wealth, my happiness, my peace, my path-bearer, he was everything for me.” At such times, everything else fades away before a wife suffering in isolation. The writer, currently pursuing her M. Phil., is too much in love with reading and writing to do anything else. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56164 The traffic-bearing road to the town of Haridwar from Rishikesh, which is around 40 kilometers away, doesn’t run alongside the river but continues through a woodland area where elephants and other wildlife live. Sometimes they can even be seen on the highway. Yet along the river, it’s just after Rishikesh that the Ganga meets another block in her path – the largest having been the infamous Tehri Dam around 150 kilometers upstream from here – except this one is a barrage. A barrage is a type of dam that consists of a line of large sluice gates that can be opened or closed to control the cusec of water passing through them. The gates are set between equidistant flanking piers, which are responsible for supporting the water volume and are often used to control and stabilize the water flow of rivers for irrigation systems.[break] The Pashulok Barrage dam was created here to divert water into a canal on the east bank of the river, which feeds water to the Chilla Power Plant located four kilometers upstream from the famed town of Haridwar. The name Haridwar literally means Gateway of Hari or the gods, and is one of the most spiritually important places in India. In Hindu mythology, the gods were supposed to have spilled four drops of amrit (nectar of eternal life) whilst churning the cosmic oceans.The towns upon which the nectar fell are Nasik, Ujjain, Allahabad and Haridwar. The one in Haridwar is found at Brahmankund, a little pond at the Har-ki-Pauri Ghat that literally means “Feet of the Lord” as there’s a footprint on a stone wall there, allegedly belonging to Lord Vishnu. This may be seen in the temple next to the Brahmankund. Being the designated place where Vishnu’s foot was supposed to have pierced the skin of the Milky Way by mistake, thus releasing Ganga, Hindus believe that the universe started from here. It’s also said that Lord Brahma performed a yagya (sacrifice) at this place in order to create the world. All in all, it’s a sure way of telling us that Haridwar couldn’t get holier than this! A brainchild of a British colonel, Sir Proby Cautley, digging began on the Upper Ganga Canal in April 1842 as it was felt that an irrigation system was necessary after a disastrous famine in 1837-38 in which nearly ten million (one crore) Rupees were spent on relief works, resulting in considerable loss of revenue to the British East India Company. There were many obstacles and objections to Colonel Cautley’s project, mainly financial ones. But he persevered, and after spending six months surveying and taking measurements throughout the area, he managed to persuade the British East India Company to sponsor the project. Indeed, fired at such high temperatures, the locally kilned bricks used in the construction of the canal still don’t allow water to seep through its sides even to this day, plus it operates entirely by gravity. Initially, the Hindu priests at Haridwar opposed the project as they felt that the waters of the holy River Ganga would be thus imprisoned. But Cautley pacified them by agreeing to leave a six-feet-wide slit in the weir that controls the flow of the river into the canal system so that it could maintain Ganga’s flows unimpeded down to the sea. He further appeased them by undertaking the repair of the bathing ghats along the riverbanks and inaugurated the dam with a worship of Lord Ganesh, the god of good beginnings. When the canal formally opened on April 8, 1854 by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, its main channel was 560km long, its branches 492km long and the various tributaries over 4,800km long. By May 1855, over 3,100km2 in 5,000 villages were being irrigated. The roads of Haridwar town are typically flanked by a melee of shops selling all sorts of religious paraphernalia, and hawkers roam the streets haggling with passersby to purchase items from puja offerings to small statues and music CDs of bhajans (devotional hymns). Being the holiest of the holiest Hindu places, it’s one of the ultimate pilgrimages for Hindus and one where many will come to hand over the ashes of their cremated loved ones to the tender flow of River Ganga. Everyone is ready to dig into their pockets here, as generosity at such a place is thought to contain meritorious ends. However, even though Ganga proper doesn’t flow through Haridwar but only her diverted waters within the Upper Ganga canal, the Har-ki-Pauri ghat is undoubtedly the most famous attraction of the Haridwar pilgrimage and the natural destination for thousands of tourists each day. People from all over India come here to have various rituals performed for their dead relatives or newborns. Christenings, barsis (a ceremony one year after someone has died), a havan mundan (head-shaving ceremony) or a pind daan (offering of the ashes and bones of a deceased) are also among other rites. Pandits (Hindi priests) pray on behalf of their customers as they know the mantras and carry out the requisite prayers for them. To become qualified for such a position, one will most probably do a course of Hindu studies at university and then a specified course at a special purohit school where one learns all the mantras and shastras from acharyas and Vedic scholars. Each area of India has a different pandit in charge of it and the visits of people from these areas are recorded in large ledger books according to the places they have come from. These records go back to centuries. As the center of the universe, Har-ki-Pauri ghat is also the location of the evening aarti puja that’s possibly the most interactive of the three Ganga aartis in India, the others being in the holy cities of Rishikesh and Varanasi. It almost certainly has the deepest appeal to pilgrims. I go along tentatively to the ghat one winter evening as dusk starts to fall. On my way down, I buy some items to offer at the puja. I find a crowd of people already gathering to take part, including many pandits and babas. Others are still bathing in the fast flowing waters that pass this point, grasping onto iron chains that are fixed to the walls to aid the dip. The aarti takes place facing the river and is a devotional ritual using fire as an offering in the form of lit lamps, as well as smaller offerings of candles and flowers that are sent floating down the river on sturdy plate-sized leafs. During the ceremony, the pandits circle the lamps around in a clockwise manner in front of their bodies, accompanied by chanting or songs in praise of Mother Ganga. Idols of various gods, loudspeakers, clanging bells, singing, incenses, flowers and flames are in full force, creating a very atmospheric and heated experience. I sincerely feel a sense of unified spiritual force at play. After the ritual is complete, I watch the devotees cup their hands over the flame and raise their palms to their forehead in order to get the Goddess’s purification and blessing as the lamps are meant to actually acquire the power of the deity. One pujari comes up to me and requests a 500-Rupee offering as I had apparently been sitting in the “expensive” part of the ghat. I feel a little under pressure, but I hand over the money, in return for a “special blessing.” I hold out my hand and receive a pinch of multi-colored flower petals and a sprinkle of water. Perhaps I’m also going to receive something that’s not entirely visible, I ponder. The writer is an author, filmmaker and photographer whose works are displayed at www.pyramidkey.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56163 Revamping your existing décor doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. Time and again you might find yourself wishing that your home looked a little fresher. While a total renovation may not be in the budget, there’re plenty of things you can do over a weekend that can add oodles of charm into your space. Revamping your existing décor doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. There’re several things you can introduce or change to spruce up your living space. Simple changes to your house décor can make a big difference in your mood and attitude. So gear up and get ready to tackle your space and create a haven that you’ll want to rush to after work. Here are some ideas to get you started. [break] Photos Courtesy: Arjun Shah De-clutter and design For a quick design makeover, consider tackling your countertops. A great solution to clear the clutter is to organize items in glass jars and trays. Items like TV remotes can be arranged on a tray on the coffee table. Put liquor bottles, glasses, and bar accoutrements on a tray in the living or dining room. Glass jars in various shapes and sizes can also work wonders in keeping knick knacks in order. Look for attractive jars and use them to store anything and everything from edibles in the kitchen to stationary supplies in your study. One of the best ways to hide clutter can be to get storage bins in interesting shapes and sizes and use them sparingly around rooms. You can also find bins that double as stools for added functionality. The idea is to find pieces that can be used as storage as well as décor items. Beds with lift up mattresses that reveal storage sections beneath are great investments for small spaces. If you don’t have that option, then use the space beneath your bed to store items that you don’t use every single day. Opt for pretty wicker baskets that can be stowed away. Fashion meets functionality Put décor pieces in unusual places, like above a door. Lean a few interesting artifacts against a mirror or hang several in an asymmetrical collage. Work with what you have and make it stylish. One of the simplest ways to perk up a space is to rearrange the furniture and artwork. Hang tapestries that you may own to decorate your walls or hang plates to create a decorative wall art. You can use decorate door knobs mounted to a wall as a coat rack in the entry. Having one unique piece as a focal point is crucial in every room so pick one item in each room and decorate around it. Introduce ottomans to your living room’s layout and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Ottomans are the perfect accessory to a seating arrangement. They take up little visual space when it’s just you and your family and offer that extra seating when guests arrive for a party. Feel like the space could use a pop of color or a hint of pizzazz then try an accent chair. Think of a color that will really stand out against your current scheme, and try to scout something that falls in that shade. It’s the little things that matter Refresh your bedroom with new sheets. Don’t forget about closets and shelving. Try papering the back of a cabinet or bookshelf in faux-snakeskin, crocodile, or even graphic prints. Paint can’t come close to the impact. It will inspire you to rearrange your shelves. Stack art, design, gardening and travel books – whatever you collect, on a table. Books are perfect accessories because they’re so personal and they reflect your interests. New toss pillows, a quilt, rug or throw can add a splash of color without breaking the bank. This is one of the more affordable cosmetic updates you can do for your space. If your current throw pillows are worn, consider what colors or patterns you might want to introduce into your space. With a new brood of pillows, your space will take on an entirely new personality. If you’ve had the same accessories peppered throughout your living room for years then it’s time to get them relocated. Consider moving them around for a quick décor uplift. Create the perfect ambience Replace your light bulbs. While white lights are good for reading and working, yellow or colored lights can create a romantic mood. Mixing a bright white bulb with other lighting can change the look at night. Changing light fixtures, such as switching to wall sconces from the original builder-grade fixtures can also change the feel of a room. Go on a lamp hunt. There are styles aplenty, way beyond your everyday table lamp. The right lighting in any room is extremely important and if you feel yours could use an upgrade, look for a new lamp or fixture that is both stylish and functional. Adding some trim, fringe or ribbon on the existing lampshades can also help up your décor quotient. Create a reading nook at one corner of your bedroom or living space. Just pull up a chair and throw in some plush cushions and pair it with a small table. You can also opt to use some large floor cushions or a bean bag instead of a chair in a neglected corner of a room and create a perfect reading nook. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56162 Most people spend their whole life trying to achieve their goals or to be successful but there’re also a few lucky people who grab name, fame and money in a short time and Bishwo Gautam is one of them. Gautam, who is also known as a self-made man, is a very popular name in the Nepali fashion industry. His designs aren’t only making a mark in Nepal but are also going international. He’s currently busy with his own boutique “Designer Collection” and shootings. Excerpts: [break] You’ve managed to create a buzz in Nepal’s fashion market in a short time. How did it happen? Actually it’s not a short time. I’m in this field since 2006. It’s true that I was not much in the media though I was doing my work with international client/buyers since my early days. In 2011, when I launched my own label “Bishwo Gautam” from the solo show “Lead of Fusion”, people started to notice me. I gained more recognition after I designed dresses for the winners of Miss Nepal 2012, Shristi Shrestha, Nagma Shrestha and Subeksha Khadka. How do you find the present fashion scene in Nepal? There’re lots of changes in terms of fashion compared to the past. Today, people are aware about the true meaning of fashion and they’re trying to implement it in their lives too. Now, most of the people know the fact that fashion is not just clothing and make-up. But it’s a lifestyle which includes every activity of our daily life. Is Nepal’s fashion scene constantly changing? Not exactly. As our fashion is limited within the capital, people outside Kathmandu Valley aren’t really conscious about fashion and its importance. So, I don’t think it’s good to analyze Nepal’s fashion only by looking at the people in the capital. How is the fashion market at present? Now, fashion falls under people’s basic needs and people are realizing it. They’re showing interest in new fashions, brands and trends which is a sign of development. Overall, it’s good and developing, and one can survive in this profession. How competitive is the field of fashion designing? As I mentioned before, fashion in our country’s scenario is still at a developing phase. But once it develops in real sense, then surely there’ll be a huge competition in this field. For now, there’s not much competition. But when we look at international level, there’s huge competition in fashion designing as there are very talented people. What are the main characteristics of your designs? The main characteristics of my designs are quality of work, good fabric and creativity according to the theme. Who are the main clients of your designer wears? There’re many clients. It’s hard for me to mention the names of only a few. How affordable are your designer wears? The prices range from the highest to the lowest. It depends on the quality of dress and design as well. Most people assume that designer dresses are too expensive, which isn’t true. What needs to be done to develop fashion market? First of all, new technology should be developed in fashion sector. Many designers here are still using old equipments. And people should change their old mindset and welcome new trends and lifestyle. What are your suggestions to the fashionable people? Fashionable people are already aware. So I don’t think they need my suggestions. However, I would just like to ask them to analyze the fashion scenario and follow the current trends. This is not just for the fashionable people but for everyone. By Pratibha Rawal http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56161 While the notion of women as the weaker sex is still widespread in Nepali society, a 31-year-old in Borlang VDC of Gorkha district has shown how completely wrong it is. With grit and strength equal to any man, Muna Ghimire Shrestha takes everyone’s breath away when she climbs into a monstrous excavator and levels the ground. Muna was just 16 when she first pulled the gears of such heavy machinery and has continued to do so for the last 15 years. [break] “I started as an assistant excavator driver when I was 16 and as of now I have taught 25 others interested in following this occupation,” says Muna. “Since no other women were working in this field, I wanted to prove that even a female can handle this job with ease, and I think I have made my point.” Shrestha, who is originally from Garmi VDC in Chitwan, shifted to Borlang VDC after tying the knot with Surendra Shrestha. She was 11 when she got married. Her husband, who was working as a manager at Saptagandaki Enterprises, now accompanies his wife at work as he himself is a full-time excavator operator. “If we get regular contracts, we earn more than Rs. 50,000 a month,” Muna says. But it wasn’t easy for Muna to get this job, as locals didn’t believe her that she could ride an excavator. “People didn’t believe me in the beginning but over time, I gained their trust,” quips Muna. Today, she feels proud that she doesn’t have to search for contracts, they come to her. “Women are equally capable of making a good living in this field if they are brave enough to start the engine,” says Muna with confidence, and vows to inspire and train more women in this occupation. This gritty woman has definitely made her mark and proved that women are no more the weaker sex. By Narahari Sapkota http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56160 People at an august gathering at Azad Bhawan, New Delhi early this month were in for a surprise when a Kathmandu-based diplomat Abhay Kumar revealed a different side of his persona. In the presence of Indian union ministers Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor and host of other diplomats, professors, scholars and media personalities, Abhay present his creation – Earth Anthem. “I first scribbled the Earth Anthem in 2009 when I was posted in St. Petersburg, Russia as Consul at the Consulate General of India,” says Abhay, whose anthem has now been sung by Shreya Sotang and composed by Sapan Ghimire of Darjeeling.[break] Earth’s immense beauty has transformed me into a ‘matriot’, says Abhay. “I see her as the cradle and grave of all civilizations that have risen on her surface, creator and destroyer of all life, history, riches, glories of the mankind and yet more.” After Sapan composed his poem into a song, he decided to go for Shreya’s ‘mellifluous voice’ and he feels the Nepali songstress has totally justified singing in English. Being a diplomat, Abhay decided to have his anthem in all official languages of the United Nations as well as Hindi and Nepali. “Now the challenge is for Shreya to twist her tongue and master the pronunciations in eight different languages,” says this poet-turned diplomat, who heads the public information office at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56159 Kalikot is open defecation free Remote Kalikot has been declared the first open defecation free district in Karnali. With active participation of the local residents, toilets have been constructed in each household of all the 30 VDCs of the district. It took four years of campaign to achieve this after the first initiation was taken in Jimjedi of Badalkot VDC in 2009. Reports said that the local villagers danced Deuda and Hudke, different dance forms, during a ceremony to declare the title.[break] Madhesi journalists to be recognized Madhesi Journalist Association has established three different awards to recognize the efforts made by Madhesi journalists to raise the voices of those living in Tarai Madhes. The two prizes worth Rs. 11,000 are Gajendra Narayan Smriti Baristha Madhesi Patrikarita Puruskar and Shahid Ramesh Mahato Yuva Patrakarita Puruskar will be awarded to a senior journalist and young journalist respectively while Rs. 5000 worth of Kriyashil Madhesi Mahila Patrakarita Puruskar will be given to a woman journalist. The annual awards will be handed over on Baisakh 11, the day the association was established. Ashish Chaudhary wins four golds Ashish Chaudhary set three national records at the school level during the inter region nationwide president running shield athletics competition. He set the records in 200 m (22.5 sec), 100 m (10.9 sec) and 4X100 m relay (45.8) along with his compatriots Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Shikhar Uprety and Prem Narayan Mahato. He also won gold in the long jump event with a leap of 6.30 meters making four golds in the competition. Indra Malla win veteran’s run in Malaysia Veteran athlete Indra Malla won two gold medals at the recently concluded 27th Malaysian International Masters Athletics Championship held in Kuala Lumpur. Malla won 3,000 m walking event in the 45 and above category while she bagged the Javelin Throw event which was participated in by 29 participants from 10 countries, according to Nepal Amateur Veteran Athlete Committee. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55815 The people´s movement of 2006 is very memorable and special in the history of Nepal and it is even more so for the Dalits of Nepal. Especially remarkable for Dalits, who were suppressed and oppressed since decades back is June 4th of that year. On that day Nepal was declared a nation free of untouchability and discrimination by the interim parliament, which was established by the people´s movement, to which Dalits contributed significantly. Along with the declaration, the government also announced special economic programs of education, healthcare and employment for oppressed communities living under the poverty line. [break] Courtesy: Jagaran Media Center Almost five years after the declaration, the Dalits were the beneficiaries of one more bill from parliament. The legislature-parliament passed the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068 on 24th May, 2011, acknowledging the principle that everyone is equal in terms of rights and human dignity. But despite the historic declaration and passage of the legislation, the country witnessed several incidents of discrimination and injustice. Many Dalits were victimized not only in the rural and remote areas but right in the capital city. So it is not hard to understand that the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders were not that effective in practice in implementing the historic achievements. Reportedly about half a dozen Dalit people lost their lives in various districts on the charge of touching other people´s kitchens or water or encouraging inter-caste marriage. There was displacement of Dalit families and inter-caste couples were left in a pathetic situation, seeking recognition of their rights. The victims either had to put up with being battered by the so-called higher castes or were turned into internal refugees in their own country. Right after the bill was passed by the legislature-parliament, Sete Damai, father of Santa Bahadur Damai of Dhanigaun in Toli VDC Ward No. 2, Dailekh district, lost his life in a heinous attack on on August 31, 2011. This was just one incident that occurred soon after the historic declaration, but the number of incidents concerning untouchability has been increasing tremendously, according to a media monitoring report. The report shows that of the incidents of violence, excess and oppression against Dalits in fiscal year 2012/013, 80 percent involved untouchability and caste-based discrimination. Out of the total, murder was involved in 2 cases, physical attack in 17, incidents related to harassment and personal dignity in 11, inter-caste marriage in 17, and sexual harassment and rape in 9 cases. These are some representative incidents covered in the report but there is more information related to such incidents, said different Dalit rights activists during a 12-day national campaign against caste-based discrimination and untouchability organized jointly by Dalit Civil Society (DCS) members to exert pressure on the government to implement the decisions it announced after the country went republican and to draw the attention of stakeholders--law enforcement units and political parties. Inaugurating the campaign, Madhav Paudel, Minister for Information and Communications, stressed that there are strong constitutional and legal grounds against the practice of untouchability and other forms of discrimination. He also readily accepted that untouchability has remained a national issue because of loopholes in the implementation of the law. Like other government ministers and political leaders, he gave assurances that innovative measures would be stepped up to make sure that the law is implemented as per its spirit. “Law enforcement must be very effective as per the expectations of the Dalits and the government must run separate youth orientation programs to make the country totally untouchability-free,” said Shyam Shrestha, a political analyst. During the post- people´s movement period it was surprising to see people including government officers, central and local level political leaders and social leaders involved in discrimination. Different Dalit-based organizations have urged the government to bring in specific policies and programs for Dalits, ensure equal justice for them, bring in special laws for the elimination of caste-based discrimination, and see to the proper implementation of the law and observance of national and international conventions and declarations. Former lawmaker and UCPN (Maoist) leader Biswobhakta Dulal Aahuti says that though the passing of the law was a great achievement, it was only the first step to ensure effective protection of Dalit rights. The adoption of the bill on Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability must be accompanied by political will and strong institutional mechanisms, he said. Aahuti said a 12-day campaign was not enough to exert pressure on the government and there must be parallel efforts by political leaders and rights activists. The issue of Dalits is sure to remain unsettled until the fresh constituent assembly election and until Dalit and non-Dalit leaders of political parties work jointly to ensure an appropriate legal framework along with assurances of effective legislation and changes in social attitudes. Though the 12-day campaign was able to recall the historic days of the popular movement, it was unable to point out the limitations and further plans needed to make those days historic in the real sense. Govt bodies on Dalits are weak and ineffective What was the main objective of the 12-day campaign against untouchability and caste-based discrimination? We celebrated in memory of two historic days after the country turned republican, to promote solidarity and enhance cooperation between different stakeholders and rights activists against caste-based discrimination and untouchability. Though the law passed by the then parliament is remarkable the implementation part is very weak. As a result, Dalits in Nepal have been facing similar problems as in the past. So we members of Dalit Civil Society jointly decided to launch a campaign to draw the attention of the government once more. Do you think the campaign organized in the same manner as in the past can yield any productive result? I think we are quite successful in awakening government bodies like Nepal police, Nepal Army, National Human Right Commission and Office of Attorney General, and in raising the issues of the downtrodden and Dalits before the government and political leadership. With the support of media persons and rights activist, we were able to create an effective environment among different organizations to fight together against discrimination and for the rights of Dalits as well. At the same time, we were also able to review our limitations and the reasons behind suppression in spite of the strong legal bases against discrimination. So I claim that the campaign was productive. So what further steps is the society going to take in future? Despite the strong legal basis, Dalit issues are not the government´s top priority. So we are now to change the modes of fighting against discrimination, focusing on campaigns for the health, education and economic rights of Dalits to make able and self-reliant. The society also engaged in serious self-retrospection within the movement and felt that organizations fighting for the Dalits need to democratized themselves along with ensuring transparency in their work. And we have also realized that several communities other than Damai, Kami, Sarki and Paswan have to be brought into the mainstream movement of the Dalits. Most importantly, we need to come up with a movement for development with social justice. What has been lacking in the leadership of the Dalits? The Dalit movement is definitely influenced by the political parties. None of the political leaders representing Dalits were able to bring up Dalit issues in their parties in an effective manner and they also could not defy the whips issued by their respective parties. On the other hand the gap between Dalit leaders and the younger generation has not been narrowed because of the traditional approach to tackling the problems faced by Dalits. Neither were the leaders able to persuade the youngsters nor was the younger generation ready to be motivated. What about the role of government bodies established for the rights of the Dalit community? It is very sad to state that the government bodies - National Dalit Commission and Dalit Development committee - are comparatively weak and ineffective. We have to question their ability to do anything effective as per the aspirations of the Dalits. Although the organizations were meant to be strong constitutional bodies, they have been there just to recruit party cadres. Has the society proposed anything different to the government bodies? Definitely. We requested the government bodies to strictly implement the laws and rules. In order to protect the rights of the Dalits, we have requested the National Human Rights Commission to plan long-term. The paperwork on the plan is yet to be carried out but the society is hopeful about the commission. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55813 The first climber to successfully ascend all fourteen “eight-thousanders” and widely acclaimed for his solo climb of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, Reinhold Messner, 70, is still going strong. An author of at least 63 books, a politician, a farmer and a travel enthusiast, Messner’s latest area of interest is documentary making. In a chat with The Week’s Nitya Pandey, Messner talks about various aspects of his life and career as well as his future plans. How did you get into the world of climbing? I wouldn’t say that it was a conscious decision as such. I was born and raised in a region full of mountains, hills and rocks. My father used to climb a bit. But he wasn’t a professional climber. I grew up climbing the Dolomites. It was the only way the kids of that province could entertain and express themselves. We had no soccer or pools back then. And before I even realized, the boulders became my closest companion. In fact, I was just five when I scaled a 10,000 feet peak for the first time.[break] Did you ever dream of scaling so many mountains? I never dream. I achieve. I don’t perceive climbing in a romantic way. It’s not just for adventure. To become a good climber, you have to know what you’re doing. You should have a strong will power. You cannot take things for granted. Once you’re out there, it’s just you and the mountains. That’s the stark reality. There’s no time or place for dreams and fantasies when your life is at stake. Chandra Shekhar Karki So, you really have to push yourself all the time? No, all you’ve to do is follow your heart, your instinct and your enthusiasm. And that’s exactly what I did. I made things more challenging for myself. I kept looking for difficult routes. I ventured out into the Alps and the Dolomites. I’ve scaled mountains in more than fifty countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. For me, summit has always held less significance than the route. The real fun lies in the path, not in the pinnacle. How should a climber prepare oneself for a climb? There’re many ways to approach a mountain. Every mountain is different. Every climb has its own challenges. For example, rock climbing is totally different from high altitude climbing. For ice and rock, you need different techniques. You need to be in perfect shape. You’ve to have a certain level of endurance. You need to have good knowledge about high altitude. High altitude is like a marathon while rock climbing is like a hundred meter race. But in all cases, death is an equal possibility. A climber should always remember that. What exactly motivates you to go on an expedition? Each time it’s something different. I know for a fact that the wild is a dangerous and difficult place to be in. And I’m not out there for pure enjoyment. I don’t care if I’m climbing alone or in a group. All I care about is exploring an uncharted territory. Mostly, that is my motivation. I’m excited to be somewhere new and unexplored. Also, I always want to extend my limits so that I know what they are and how far they can be stretched. In the mountains, survival is at stake. Living becomes a feat. It’s not a child’s play when your life is involved. It doesn’t matter how great a climber you are. One small mistake can cost you your life. Perhaps it’s also this thrill that drives me on. Is mountaineering a spiritual experience as well? In less industrialized countries, mountains are still worshipped and deified. I believe that all religions are human made. But nature is so fantastic that it never ceases to amaze me. I really can’t exclude the power behind it. I’m a classical mountaineer. I’ve lived in the mountains all my life. Nobody pushed me into this. It was like a chain reaction. One achievement followed another. And the more I climbed, the more I realized how healthy it was for the spirit. It’s just like any other form of meditation. When you’re out there, it’s a different world altogether. Nothing can be compared to that. How has the trend of climbing changed over the decades? In the earlier days, everything was new and exciting. People went everywhere and wanted to scale all the peaks. But now there’re only a fixed number of summits that are open to the public. Moreover, in some sense, scaling a mountain has become rich people’s hobby. For example, Mount Everest has turned into a tourist destination. Most of the people who reached the summit this season would have been nowhere without help from the Sherpas who literally paved the path for them. I would never say that the dangers of climbing have lessened because anything can happen at any moment. There’s the harsh monsoon and the unpredictable glaciers. But I can say that climbing has become safer. There’re helicopters for rescue and the pilots are the unsung heroes who save so many lives. You’ve also written a book on Yetis. Do you believe in their existence? Yeti is a legendry figure in the Sherpa community. The Sherpas brought this myth along with them when they migrated from Tibet more than five hundred years ago. The creature that they call yeti is, in reality, a brown snow bear. These bears are very strong. They can kill yaks in a single blow. The rest of the world is mystified with the ideas of yetis. But I can say for a fact that they do not exist. So what are your future plans? I want to make more documentaries. Also, I’ll come to Nepal again and again. It has such a beautiful landscape. I love this place. There’re so many locales that the world is yet to see. There’s a lot of potential in this country. I want to build schools and museums like I’ve built back home. I also want to give the mountain people proper trainings for livelihood. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55812 When Sandhya Gurung, 25, entered one of the high-end shops at Durbar Marg, she hurried over to find an outfit of her choice. But as she picked out a white colored chiffon dress to try on, the piercing glare from the salesgirl made her uncomfortable and she felt hesitant in heading over to the trail room. “We don’t allow customers to try white colored outfits as it might get dirty and the dress might get stretched too,” the salesgirl remarked bluntly.[break] Sandhya was momentarily taken aback by the salesgirl’s comment and chose to leave the shop after regaining her composure. The harsh comment triggered self doubt and worries about her weight issues besides leaving her in a bad mood; thus ruining her shopping plans for the day. KESHAB THOKER “If the outfit couldn’t be tried on, why did they have to put it for display in the first place? It’s not like I was taking the outfit for free. I was there to buy it,” says Sandhya adding that it’s because of such incidents that many service providers have earned a bad reputation. Dr Niti Rana, director of The New Era Career Development Institute, says that the state of poor customer service in the country is quite obvious. “Customers buy products or services with their hard earned money and deserve some basic respect in return. But the main problem lies in the indifferent attitude of the service providers,” she says. She talks about how from banks to supermarkets to taxis, service caterers are often very inattentive and unresponsive. “When we approach them, we’re met with blank stares or an annoyed look for interrupting them. Sometimes, it’s almost as if they’re doing us a favor,” she adds. Rana says that even when you visit reputed supermarkets, you’ve to struggle to pull out the jammed shopping trolleys and the sales people don’t even lend a helping hand but continue to look as you fumble and fiddle. 28-year-old Sarina Shrestha shares an incident when a shopkeeper in Thamel had her friend’s bag checked since he doubted that she had nicked something. She believes that sales people just want to cater to the customers who they think are sure to make a purchase. Otherwise, they just eye every person who steps in with disdain. Sarina explains that whenever she’s out on a shopping spree or is dealing with service oriented companies, she often has to pester a lot to her queries answered. Even with all the effort she mostly feels at a loss. “I feel judged and sometimes that forces me to make a purchase and be of some value to them. It’s the same everywhere, be it restaurants, banks or government offices,” says Sarina. According to Netra Dhital, central secretary, Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, the Consumer Rights Protection Law 1987 and Free Competition Act 1999 haven’t been implemented properly in the country. The Consumer rights demands the protection of different rights of consumers including right to information and quality and a right to complain on the market goods and services. The Free Competition Act also demands that there should be free market and no monopoly in pricing. “There’re laws but authorities who understand and deliver consumer rights are limited. No one cares about customer’s rights, be it the government or the private sector,” he says. Dhital says that be it food products, medicines, education, transport or any sector, the customers are often duped and not provided with the right kind of services. Dhital’s statement is validated by 28-year-old Shreeya Kunwar’s experiences. Shreeya feels helpless and at times, even gets agitated, when the waiters treat her differently from foreigners especially when she visits some of the restaurants in Thamel. “It’s as if I don’t exist when the foreigners are around. I pay as much as the tourists, but still, I don’t get the same service,” she shares. “Also, there have been occasions where I’ve found inedible stuff in my food and still they made me pay for it,” she adds. Hemant Thapa, 31, has had a similar experience; perhaps even worse. He was once at a posh restaurant in Thamel, enjoying a hot cup of Cappuccino along with a bunch of friend, when he noticed a small cockroach in his drink. After complaining to the waiters, he got a replacement but this time too, a cockroach was floating on his drink. “After complaining yet again, the waiters just said that such an incident had never occurred before and left,” he says. Hemant paid the full bill and didn’t even complain to the manager as that was not the first time he’d been a victim of bad customer service and so, a sense of despondency had set in by then. 32-year-old Reetu Maharjan opposes the submissive attitude like Hemant’s when it comes to consumer’s rights. Recently back from the US, where she has seen customers being treated by well trained staffs in almost every sector, she feels we could emulate from them and not just let things be the way they are. “Most people here don’t know how to ask for their rights. When you know that you’re not getting a good service, you should fight for it and let the concerned authority know. If you just stay quiet, nothing’s going to change,” says Reetu. “It’s not that the service was up to the standard before I left for the US, but after seeing the art of selling that companies use out there, I feel that Nepalis have a long way to go and that we must start now,” she adds. Though there are lots of complains from the customer’s side, it’s not just the salespersons who are entirely to be blamed. When 22-year-old Samriddhi Singh joined a clothing store as a salesgirl a year back, she was immediately hired without a proper training. “I wasn’t aware about the standard way of treating the customers and when there would be complaints against me, I wouldn’t understand whose fault it actually was,” she says. Supporting her argument, Umesh Khadka, 24, who works at a gadget store says that, he is underpaid but expected by customers and his boss to deliver excellent service. “We have to cater to more than sixty customers a day and the number exceeds on a busy day. Also, there’re many who bug us by asking irrelevant questions and act bossy, so such things should be considered too,’ he says. Dr Rana also agrees with Samriddhi and Umesh and says that it’s basically due to lack of proper training that leads to bad customer service and blames bad leadership and management that lead to indifference and improper service from the service provider’s side. She also thinks that one of the main problems is that service providers often find it hard to accept their faults and refrain from apologizing to the customers when they are wrong and vice-versa. “Just a single training is not enough as service providers need to be guided properly. Besides that, constant monitoring is important. Getting feedback on the staffs’ behavior is also of paramount importance,” says Rana adding that the customers too, need to be respectful towards the service providers. As a customer, you have the right to get a first-rate service but salespeople cannot be blamed all the time in case you don’t. Customers too need to be courteous in order to expect the same in return. There should be mutual respect. After all, it’s a two way street! nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55810 Kritica Adhikari, 20, had been brilliant at studies all throughout her school life. From acing tests in class to scoring a whooping eighty seven percent on her SLC exams, she had always been in all her teachers’ good books. Her parents, relatives and teachers all thought she’d become a doctor someday but Kritica surprised, or rather shocked, them by opting to pursue bachelors in business administration. Her parents did try to talk her into taking up medical studies but Kritica stuck by her decision. [break] “The perception that a good student has to study science and become a doctor or an engineer is still prevalent in our society but that’s slowly changing as more students take up commerce and arts,” says Kritica adding that when she didn’t go on to become a doctor, like everybody presumed she would, many gossiped about what must have gone wrong with such a bright girl. Many students these days don’t opt to pursue science after their +2 or intermediate even if they take up the subject after SLC. Choosing to study science is a safe bet for those who are freshly out of school as they have the option to switch to commerce or arts later on. “I think for a generation that’s inherently confused, having a base in science always helps,” says Kritica adding that you can always take up other subjects later on if you find that science is not your forte but the same option doesn’t hold if you take up commerce or arts during your intermediate studies. Manisha Shrestha, 19, a Mass Communications student agrees with Kritica and says that was the main reason why she opted to study science during her +2 knowing full well that she wanted to take up journalism during college. “It was a just-in-case-I-change-my-mind scenario. What if after a year of studying arts I’d suddenly want to study medicine like my family always thought I should? So, I took up science just to be on the safe side,” says Manisha who used to top her class all throughout school. Her decision to not join any medical entrance preparatory classes after her +2 exams came as a shock to many of her teachers and relatives who had assumed the likely path for this achiever would be the one that ultimately led to strapping a stethoscope around her neck. “Manisha’s decision to not study medicine surprised me. I’d always thought she would do extremely well in that field since she showed such aptitude for science,” says her mother, Chandani Shrestha who had to face a barrage of questions from well meaning friends and relatives about Manisha’s decision to study mass communications. It’s the parents who, more often than not, decide what their children study in college. While more young people are telling their parents that they want to study subjects other than medicine and engineering, because parents pay for college, and because they know better, they continue to call the shots. Adhikar KC, 18, who recently passed his CBSE exams with flying colors, had decided to study law. This decision of his brought about serious complications at home, says the visibly frustrated eighteen-year-old. “My parents want me to study engineering and are practically forcing me to prepare for the entrance exams,” says Adhikar adding that he always wanted to become a criminal defense lawyer and his parents knew about it. But all that changed when Adhikar got good grades on his SLC and the recent CBSE exams. “Now, they think I can do better than become a lawyer,” he says with an exasperated sigh. It’s hard to see anything wrong with wanting your child to become a doctor or software engineer. After all, these professions are prestigious and high-paying. But according to many students, parents can put too much emphasis on job security over personal fulfillment. This can be very stressful for those want to do something else with their lives. Psychologist Dipika Tiwari says the pressure put by parents, relatives and teachers on students who do well to take up apparently “difficult subjects” like medicine and engineering takes its toll on students. Some choose to pursue courses they have no interest in, purely out of guilt or a sense of obligation, and as a result might end up having depressive spells. “I’ve seen quite a few cases where people have been forced to study something when they actually wanted to study something else. Now after completing their studies, they’re depressed and need counseling,” says Tiwari. Tiwari gives an instance of a medical student who was forced to take up medicine by his parents and ended up dropping out of college in the final year. “He just couldn’t continue studying something he had no aptitude for. Now he’s completely lost. He feels it’s too late to take up another course and is severely depressed,” explains Tiwari adding that this particular person has admitted to having suicidal thoughts. Manisha also admits that a friend of hers committed suicide during her first year at a Medical College in India. “This friend of mine from school wanted to study commerce but her parents literally forced her into studying medicine and got her enrolled in a reputed and expensive college in India,” she says. According to Manisha, her friend was very sad and depressed and after four months of studying a subject she wasn’t interested in, she committed suicide. Inability to communicate with parents coupled with the fear of being judged leads to many students choosing subjects they would much rather not take up if they could. Many students also admit to taking up medicine or engineering because, at school and as well as among family and friends, the ‘best’ students were expected to take up those subjects. Doing otherwise, like taking up arts and social sciences, was considered imprudent and thus there was, in fact, considerable pressure to reject arts and social sciences. “It’s always best to study what you want to rather than try to fit into the stereotypical notion. You’ll be happier and do well in life that way,” says Tiwari adding that sticking with something when you know your heart’s not in it will only do you harm in the long run. “Students need to be sure of their decisions and parents need to understand that excellence doesn’t have to be equated to being a “doctor” or an “engineer” and that just because your child was a good student doesn’t mean his fate is sealed,” she adds. With more and more students deciding to take up courses in commerce and arts in college, it seems like a wave of change is upcoming. Though thousands of students still sit for medical and engineering entrance exams every year, there seem to be some who, despite being good students all their life, don’t want to tread that path just to follow the “norm.” “If studying medicine or engineering is what you really want, then by all means go ahead. But if your priorities and ambitions are different then there’s nothing to be ashamed of either,” says Kritica who firmly believes that people can only do well in life when it’s their interests that map out their careers. cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55811 In a book (Discourses of Awareness: Development, Social Movements and the Practices of Freedom in Nepal, Martin Chautatari, Pages: viii+310, Price: NRs. 600) expected to be released soon, Tatsuro Fujikura recounts personalities, preparations, events and agitations that forced the government to free kamaiyas (bonded labor) and declare debts owed by them void. The book is a revised version of the dissertation, hence a bit of theorization and ethnographic details is to be expected. However, the tone of the tome is that of a seeker rather than a teacher. [break] In the penultimate chapter of the book, details of “Free Kamaiya Movement” are outlined. Somewhat hesitantly, the learned author concludes about its lessons: “The story points to the absence of unencumbered freedom, the necessity of being subjected to forms of discourses and disciplines in order to obtain agency, but also to contingencies, possibilities of social change and the existence and availability of moments of freedom.” Bhaswor Ojha The contingency – unpredictable forces, unexpected conditions and unintended consequences – are sometimes as important as the agency. Many factors had worked in favour of Free Kamaiya Movement. A democratic government was at the helms and it immediately realised the anachronism of a practice that appeared like a form of slavery. The international community had begun to show an interest in an area emerging as hotbed of Maoist insurgency. Some INGOs and NGOs saw fundraising possibilities of an agenda that appeared to require relatively small effort. These things cannot be planned. Recently, when some of the freed kamalaris (former women bonded labour) broke into the prohibited area around Singh Durbar, the police mercilessly beat them up. No conclusions can be drawn in the immediate aftermath of an event. However, it is possible to argue that protesting against a non-representative government is a high-risk activity. Unless the intention was merely to draw attention, the brave kamalaris seem to have been misled into a believing that it was the right time to march towards the seat of government to air their grievances. Violent insurgencies have handbooks to build strategies, refine tactics, and guide actions. Trotsky, Mao, Che Guevara, and Carlos Marighella have proffered prescriptions that can ensure the success of an armed revolution. The US Special Forces offers an equally dispassionate counterinsurgency manual. Peaceful protests invariably involve some innovation. Perhaps that could be the reason discourses get pride of place in the title of Prof Fujikura’s book. Discourses, as opposed to debates, are ways of understanding rather than promotion or defence of positions. Talk shop Marxist thinkers such as Antonio Gramsci and Pierre Bourdieu have proposed that discourse is one of the techniques of legitimising the status quo through creation of a “common sense” within the bounds of permissible critique. However, short of armed revolution, which transforms fundamental beliefs by force, discourse is perhaps the most legitimate way of questioning the “common sense” too. That is what Martin Chautari (Full disclosure: I was Chautari Fellow of Public Life and Public Knowledge in 2010) has been doing for nearly two decades. Now that the Chautari has grown to become an academic behemoth of the NGO sector, it sounds almost unbelievable that in the mid-nineties, one of its main activities was giving an outlet for suppressed emotions, providing a platform to unheard of voices and raising questions that were not considered “proper” in politically correct conversations. Up to the late-nineties, Chautari was probably the only place in Kathmandu where the Madheshi word could be pronounced without fear of condemnation. Those were the days when even Sadbhavana Party, let alone Nepali Congress or UML, talked about rights and welfare of Taraibasi, an expression rhyming with sukumbasi (homeless) aprabasi (immigrants) and plain-old basi (stale or out-of-date). Janjati activists on the margins had discovered that it was possible to argue their point of view with passion but without malice towards anyone else. Dalit activists were some of the regulars at Chautari talks every Tuesday. Initially confined to a few districts, the fire of Maoist insurgency had begun to spread by late-nineties. It was fashionable among the social elite of Kathmandu to deride “corrupt and inept” parliamentary parties and sing praises of “principled” Maoists even though their violent ways had begun to terrorize the countryside. The popular phrase used to be that the parties had brought it upon themselves. Journalists had begun to go on conducted tours of Maoist “base area” and produce adventure-filled reports of mass support for the insurgents. It was not easy to speak against lawless insurgents that declared its critics “foes of revolution” and passed orders for “physical action” against “class enemies.” When Girija Prasad Koirala became the Prime Minister for the third time in 2000, he was already being portrayed as the main villain. Baburam Bhattarai was the new hero and Pushpa Kamal Dahal was being projected as the possible saviour. The voluble elite of academia, media and civil society had lapsed into meaningful silence. Generalizations are loose by definition. However, it’s not very difficult to identify socialites that supported Maoists in their “war” against parliamentary democracy: Once the insurgents came into peaceful politics, their ardent admires became sworn adversaries. In the tense days of intense armed conflict, Chautari was probably the only place where the Maoists could vehemently be criticized and enthusiastically supported often during the same meeting. When Premier Sher Bahadur Deuba clamped emergency and almost handed over the administration to the military, attendance thinned for a while at weekly talks. However, that was temporary. Even in the days of rightwing resurgence, the Chautari was again the only place outside the salons of PEON stalwarts where Dirgha Raj Parsai could have a blast and Basant Thapa would defend the right of the past apparatchik of Panchayat to be obnoxious. In the afternoon, an informal and impromptu gathering would draft and sign a petition for the immediate release of Krishna Sen, editor of Maoist mouthpiece Jandisha – he would later be killed in custody – and the same cohort would severely lambaste his brand of imbedded journalism in the evening. Result fixation Stagnant organizations become stale and lose their bearing. The Chautari had to grow even in order to maintain its existence. However, there is probably a threshold beyond which growth begins to bring its own compulsions. Extended activities require more space. Consequently, rents go up. Expertise is necessary to run specialised programmes. That adds to the wage bill. After a while, volunteerism begins to lose its charm and careerism takes over. Managing a diversified workforce is a complex task requiring skills, time and resources. It is difficult to pinpoint the event that started the gentrification of Chautari, but the impact of policy entrepreneurship is impossible to miss. Unlike BORING (Bottoms-up, Right-based, NGOs) organizations, Chautari is still not in the business of delivering services. Its library is media-specific and the reading room caters mostly to the curiosity of young researchers that continue to congregate to its informal setting. However, somewhere along the line, Chautari probably thought that policy entrepreneurship was an admissible activity if the organization was to remain viable and relevant in the post-republican environment of unbridled openness in society. Policy prescriptions and “don’t just show problems, but suggest solutions” are activities that Chautari had to learn to keep itself afloat in a competitive environment where donors insist upon SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) objectives and at least visible, if not spectacular, impact. Such activities drain out intellectual energy. Dr. Pratyoush Onta and Dr. Seira Tamang – the front wheels of Chautari attached to the steering – perhaps realize that the vigour of the organization is being wasted upon activities that merely make shelves of donor agencies sag with unread reports. But once one has climbed onto “input-process-output” treadmill, exit implies possible flight into obscurity. It’s not easy to run a place where freedom to be obnoxious is taken seriously and expressions against conventional wisdom are not only tolerated and accepted but also celebrated! That could be the reason no place has yet emerged that attempts to do what Chautari did in the mid-nineties. Talk shops at Chautari continue, but its emphasis has shifted towards academic exercises where truth is a rock that stands against all elements. For policy entrepreneurs, facts are sacred and truth is the god that ultimately prevails over falsehood. Dissident, deviants, poets, artistes, anarchists, activists and idlers of all kinds clutch to their truths like people drowning in the lake of “common sense”. For them, truth is merely a strand of straw. Sherlock Holmes exclaims somewhere, “Data, Watson; I must have data! I can’t make bricks without straw!” That was then. In a world drowning in data, narratives from the margins are truths that would help tie knots around myths and pretences. The speechwriters of John F. Kennedy had it right: “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest; but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.” When the next avatar of militarist adventurism or Maoists madness emerges, where would the nonconformists find their hangout? Lal contributes to The Week with his biweekly column Reflections. He is one of the widely read poliitical analysts in Nepal. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55807 The triumph of consensus over due process I was in the United States when the monarchy was abolished in Nepal. There was little coverage of the event on American television and like other Nepalese expats watching from afar, I found myself calling home for updates and scouring numerous websites to watch the momentous events of that time unravel. It was clear from the news reports that people had mixed feelings. The celebrations felt smaller and less intense than those at the end of King Gyanendra’s direct rule in 2006 or King Birendra’s in 1990. Nonetheless, thousands thronged the squares and streets of cities and towns across the country singing, dancing, clapping and waving flags to welcome the new political order. [break] The Week File Photo No king or royalty could now claim exemption from the country’s laws or interfere with its democratic politics. My thoughts went back to the time I first wondered what it might have been like to have a President instead of a King. The year was 1986. I was in the fifth grade. School was closed for the Dashain holidays and I was visiting my uncle, a life-long pro-democracy activist, in Biratnagar. I used to read to him from a book of trivia I had brought along with me and he often quizzed me about the names of Prime Ministers and Presidents of different countries. One evening over dinner, I asked my uncle the difference between a republic and a monarchy. What started as a simple civics question quickly morphed into a lengthy discourse on the history and politics of Nepal. The political climate at the time was rife with news about the Namita-Sumita murders, the kickbacks allegedly received by the Palace and the massive deforestation undertaken by the Panchayat to fund the 1980 referendum. Ram Raja Prasad Singh had set off bombs across the country to bring about political change and the people debated, albeit in hushed tones, the rights and wrongs of such actions. I listened fascinated as my uncle shared his opinions about the political issues of the day. Somewhere during that conversation, the seeds of political awakening and republicanism were sowed in my formative mind. Four years later when the Panchayat was overthrown in 1990, I was disappointed the revolution had not gone far enough and abolished the monarchy once and for all. Having witnessed up-close the excesses of the palace and their supporters, I had never sympathized much with the monarchy even when it was at the peak of its popularity just prior to the royal massacre. I was happy, cautiously so given the fluid political climate of the day, to see the monarchy go on 28th May 2008. Yet something gnawed at my political conscience that day. The monarchy, by then a reviled institution held responsible for much of Nepal’s ills, was not removed through a referendum as many had advocated—a process that would have given every Nepali an equal say on the matter—but rather through an act of a born-again parliament whose electoral mandate was nine-years old and getting stale. Few may shed tears for the monarchy today but it remains important to examine the manner in which the monarchy was dismissed because that marked a turning point in Nepali politics and set a dangerous precedent that continues to have a bearing on our politics to this day. The political players of the time justified their actions based on the consensus that existed among the major parties. A consensus that came about, it can be argued, as the result of political necessity rather than any deeply held convictions on the part of the parties, particularly the Nepali Congress and UML. By seeking legitimacy in such a consensus, the parliamentary act that abolished the monarchy opened the doors for the major parties to claim the unfettered right to bring about any subsequent political change, regardless of scope or size, solely on the basis of consensus amongst party leaders with little regard for democratic due process. This mindset directly contributed to the breakdown of the parliamentary process, the failure of the Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution and the resulting political dire straits the country finds itself in today. The installation of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi as the interim head of government also has the same underpinnings of consensus trumping due process. The failure to follow due process time and again has weakened democracy and diminished the stature of our political leaders. Consensus may be necessary for some aspects of governance but consensus alone does not guarantee democracy, peace or stability or even the ability to hold an election for that matter. Consensus certainly does not make right political wrongs and this seems to be lost on our leaders as they put the final touches for the election and bicker over whether people with criminal convictions should be allowed to run for public office. Five years into the republic, it is imperative we learn from our shortcomings and not repeat the mistake of cutting corners for the sake of political expediency. Nepal’s political classes have to demonstrate that governance means more than just lurching from one crisis to another where enormous effort is expended each time to find a consensus, only to see that consensus die before the next crisis is around. The people deserve leadership that remains true to the principles of democracy, rises above its narrow political interests and finds lasting solutions to the country’s problems. Mainstream voices have largely remained mute about the onslaught against the democratic process and outside meddling, leaving it to the fringe parties many of which, until recently, had scant regard for parliamentary democracy, to step in and fill the vacuum. As the country gears up for the next election and early signs point to an electorate up for grabs, it might serve the mainstream parties well to return to their roots and practice the democratic ideals of due process and the rule of law if they are to have a viable future in the republic they helped create. The writer is a social entrepreneur currently working on governance and development issues in Nepal. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55808 Many of these names are given to children without knowing the meanings Once upon a time, my friend Sabina wanted to know what her name meant. After long searches, we found that Shabina, spelled with an h, is of Arab origin and means “eye of the storm.” Ooh, powerful indeed. Spelled without an h, the meaning of Sabina was much harder to find, but ultimately a friend found out that it means “flower” in Arabic languages. [break] This incident got me thinking about other foreign names that are popular in Nepal. In fact, there are many such names, and some of them even sound native, and we don’t think of them as foreign. Sabina is one of them. It seems very similar to our indigenous name Sabita but is actually not similar at all. Sabina, as we have seen, is foreign, but Sabita and Savita are derived from Savitra, an ancient name for sun god. Today this name for sun is forgotten. Savitri is also obviously derived from Savitra, though Savitri is more famous for her Pativrata deeds today. LAST-CONTACT.COM Another Muslim name popular in Nepal is Ayesha. Actually it’s more popular in Hindi films than in Nepal per se, but still, quite a few people in Nepal are called Ayesha. Aisha might seem like a modern name, with Sonam Kapoor frolicking in shorts in the movie Aisha. But actually, it’s found in the earliest Islamic scriptures, and is supposed to be of Arab origin. The meaning of this name is “alive”, and the most famous person with this name is (not Ayesha Takia), but the favorite wife of Prophet Mohammed. Another filmy name connected to foreign religions is Sonia. Local name experts would claim that Sonia is derived from the Sanskrit svarna, which means gold, and which is known as sun in Nepal. Sonu, Sunahari, Sunkumari, Shonal, Sonali (think Sonali Bendre), and quite a few other names are derived from the same golden roots. Sonam, by the way, isn’t on this list. It’s a Tibetan name meaning fortunate. Soniye and soniyo, words often heard in Hindi songs, are Punjabi terms of endearment meaning golden boy or girl. But Sonia also has an alternative western origin that’s quite religious. It’s derived from Sophia, which means wisdom in Greek. Both Sophia and Soniya are mentioned many times in the Bible and other western religious texts to describe wise persons. I guess both origins of the name are equally valid and that accounts for the wide popularity of Sonia. And so we have people like Sonia Gandhi, an Italian with a seemingly South Asian name. Sonia Gandhi is the royalty of a country that doesn’t have kings, which brings us to some real queens. Rejina is a name made famous in Nepal by the actress Rejina Upreti. Pronounced the same but spelled with a g, Regina means queen in several European languages. In fact, Regina comes from the root “ra”, which is an ancient Indo Aryan word for royalty. The words raja, rani, rajya, rajaswa, royal, regal, regent, regalia, and many other words signifying royalty come from this root. The Latin word Rex, which can mean lion or king (remember Oedipus Rex) also comes from the same root. Gina and Rina are both supposed to be derived from Regina, so if your name is Gina or Rina, you’re a queen too. After all this history, I don’t know what Rejina would mean if it’s spelled with a j. If your name is Rejina, you can argue that it still means queen. But it should not be confused with Rajani, which is our own Sanskrit word for night. Rajanigandha takes its name from Rajani, and the word literally means “something that smells in the night.” It’s generally used for flowers like Parijat that bloom fragrantly at night. Rajnikant also derives its name from the night, it means “lord of the night”, and typically signifies the moon. Of course, in Rajnikanth’s topsy-turvy world, all those other names are probably derived from his name, and the moon is named after him, but that’s another issue altogether. And then there’s a woman who’s actually supposed to have turned the world topsy-turvy. Helen, meaning ray of sun, is a pretty famous women, and her name has many variations. Some of the famous people with the variations are: Ellen DeGeneres, an American TV personality, Helena Christensen, a Victoria’s Secret model, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of American President Franklin Roosevelt, Ileana, a South Indian actress, and Lana Lang, one of Superman’s girlfriends. My best friend has a very unique spelling of it, as her name is Helina. A Greek friend at my former university was called Eleni, and according to her, this is the original Greek spelling. We better believe her, since the story of Helen is written in ancient Greek anyway. In Nepal, a variation spelled Alina is very popular and this variation is probably unique to Nepal. I’ve never come across it anywhere outside of Nepal, even in literature, though a few name dictionaries will list it. Many of these names are given to children without knowing the meanings, and it was interesting to find that some seemingly random Nepali names actually meant something in some other language. For some strange reason, I could only think of female names, there don’t seem to be any parallel male names. The only example I could think of was a couple who had named their son Alice, only to find years later that it was a girl’s name. Or maybe there are foreign male names popular in Nepal, and I just don’t know of them yet. Or maybe parents just want to give fancy unique names to their girl child, which brings me to my own name. Though my name is pretty fancy and unique, I always found it bland. To me its meaning lies somewhere between social service and charity, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Sewa means destiny in Togo of Africa. My Togolese friend told me that if I went to Togo, I would fit right in. I’m quite inclined to believe him, since I even have the looks and hair to match. Togo, here I come, to find my destiny! The writer is with the op-ed desk at Republica. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55822 “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.” I don’t even remember where I read this quote for the fist time but it has always stayed with me. Every individual possesses a unique character. It may not always match up with your own or fit into your personal interest but everything and everyone has their own reasons to exist in the world. And you should learn to accept it or at least not complain and grumble about it continually. We can look at a simple example of air pollution. There’s massive hue and cry about it everywhere. But if it’s so problematic, why doesn’t somebody do something about it? Isn’t taking a concrete step better than doing nothing and merely criticizing? Instead of wasting energy, we should awaken ourselves toward better understanding. [break] There’re some people whom I find extremely unhappy and dissatisfied. Nothing can ever make them smile. They aren’t content with what they have. They can’t appreciate or enjoy anything under the sun. I feel sorry for such people and wish I could help them in some way.  Photo: Keshab Thoker Difference in perspective is quite natural. Two people may have two different ways of looking at the same thing. Just like the old example about the optimists and the pessimists goes, the glass is either half empty or half full. And that’s all there is to it. But the way a person looks at it may be due to various reasons. There’s a history of life concealed behind a single look or word. It shows the person’s social and emotional state and how happy, peaceful or secure he or she is in his or her own skin. So, instead of being judgmental, we must learn to be accepting. And instead of preaching and talking, we must learn the art of thinking and acting. About Ani Ani is a well known name among music lovers and spiritual enthusiasts. Her identity is not just limited to a Buddhist nun. She has crossed all the demarcations of geography, religion and affiliations. Recently, her biography titled “Singing for Freedom” came out in the market. The book talks about her life as a notorious kid, her problematic relationship with her father, her entry into the monastery, and her life hereafter as a nun, a spiritual singer and a social worker. Ani thinks that it was perhaps a bit too early for a biography on her to come out. But destiny, it seemed, had other plans. “Personally, I thought it was too early for a book but it was bringing money to support Arogya Foundation at Sanepa. We plan to buy new equipments for kidney dialysis and transplant,” she says. With the help of these updated instruments, quicker, cheaper and reliable reports regarding the compatibility between the donor and the receiver of kidney transplants can be acquired in Nepal itself. Music, for her, is not an entertainment; nor is it a gateway to fame. Singing is mediation which not just nourishes her soul but also helps her transmit her calmness to a larger audience listening to her. “I’ve had some bitter experience in life which I wouldn’t wish on anybody else. It was due to my Guru and music that I could channel it in a positive manner. Bitterness has now turned to sweetness,” she says with a smile. In future, she wishes to continue with Arya Tara School, music and monastery. She believes that a woman should believe in herself before anybody else believes in her. The worst form of discrimination, in her opinion, is the one that we do to ourselves. “One should always learn to be humble, not stupid,” she says. “You should learn to say ‘No’ and realize when enough is enough.” The lady, who used to dream of women flying planes, scaling mountains and ruling nations as a kid, urges all women to be comfortable with their own identities and once they’re happy with their own being, the clouds of doubt and desolation, she claims, will vanish away. Not for Happiness Dzongsarkhyentse Rinpoche The book may not make much sense to someone who’s new to the world of Buddhist texts. But I find them to be a refreshing take on classical philosophies. The writer can invoke compassion and give you the courage and ability to step into others’ shoes and say “sorry.” Burned Alive Souad It’s the tale of a woman who was burned alive by her own brother in the name of family honor because she fell in love with a neighbor. This book portrays the shocking and harsh reality of a male dominated society full of injustice and hypocrisies.  I Choose to Live Sabine Dardenne This is a story of a woman who was kidnapped by a maniac. He held her captive at his place for a hundred days. After she finally managed to escape, she came out with this compelling memoir at the age of 21. She talks about how she was kidnapped, what was the phase of captivity like and how she escaped from the clutches of the kidnapper. Pink Saris Kim Longinotto Pink Saris Kim Longinotto It’s actually a documentary. Women can fight their own battles and Gulabi Gang is an excellent example of that. It’s a band of women who have taken it upon their shoulders to make things better. Jataka Tales This is a collection of different stories of Buddhism. Bodhisattva is born as a white elephant and is living in a forest. A poor man wanders into the same forest and gets lost. The elephant helps him out but asks him not to tell anybody about his existence. The man, upon returning, starts talking about his experiences. Someone tells him that the tusk of that elephant could make him very rich. The man goes back and asks the elephant for his tusk. The compassionate elephant agrees to let him cut off a bit. But the man’s greed is not satiated. He keeps on asking for more until he cuts off the entire tusk. As told to Nitya Pandey http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55821 In the preface of his first novel “Maya, My Love” Pallav Ranjan writes that the sketchy plot for the story came to his mind when he was 22, in 1994. It must have been around the same time frame, maybe a little earlier in the late eighties, that my village in the Southern plains of Nepal was also grappled by the same malady of women and girl trafficking. When I visited my parents during festivals or family gatherings, the conversation would center around people like Raju, a character in the novel, who were on the lookout for poor, ignorant young girls with whom they could “act out” a marriage and then, sell them to the Indian brothels in Mumbai for a couple of thousands of rupees.[break] Like the author, I was a mute spectator of all that was happening. That must have been partly because I was still too small to tackle the social anomaly or because I didn’t want to be attacked by the prostitution ring which ran with the blessings and strong protection from local and national level leaders and even the law enforcement agencies of that time. With the passage of time and with the Maoist revolution seated deeply in the hinterlands of Nepal that lasted for 10 years from mid-nineties until 2006, things have certainly changed. Although the remnants of this oldest trade aren’t going to be eliminated overnight, they certainly have decreased significantly. Though its plot is sad, the novel, ‘Maya, My Love’ is an interesting read. Written in a somewhat meditative narrative, the story takes us directly to the heart of the main characters Maya and Raju, the victim and the victor, respectively. Its plot is simple – Raju, himself a victim of a poor somewhat dysfunctional family leaves the village and grows up with the ills in town; falls prey to the prostitution ring and becomes their contractor; goes to a hilly village; acts out a marriage to Maya; returns to the town with her; takes her to a brothel in Mumbai and sells her. After a few years, Maya returns to her village with a deadly disease and she is stigmatized. The twist in the novel comes when readers come to the realization that the victor is a victim as well. Readers are left to draw their own conclusions to this open ended short novel. Maybe Ranjan, also the founder of Spiny Babbler, who has five other books to his credit, could write another novel as a sequel to this one. While Ranjan has done a great job in narrating this heard but forgotten story to the readers of English, it could have been even better if he had written it keeping foreign readers in mind. My point here is that the readers who have not been to Nepal or aren’t familiar with the lifestyle, customs and traditions, might find it hard to connect with the subplots since certain things that need justifications are left unexplained. If this novel was published at the time it was written, I’m sure it would have been able to create a national or regional debate about women trafficking that was so infamous at that time. For now, it makes for a good read that raises the issue of human trafficking, though in a fictionalized form. The writer, host of a TV Talk Show “American Conversations: Connecting Frontiers” is a linguist-on-call at Random House. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55805 Getting there This is an easy to moderate day ride within the Kathmandu Valley rim to a lively destination south of Kathmandu. This will definitely make a good excursion with children/family who are fairly confident riding alongside traffic. On a clear day you’ll have stunning views of the mountain range on the left and beautiful cascading hills to your right. From Kathmandu city to Bungamati, you will cover approximately 10 kms or less if you start from Jawalakhel or Ekantakuna. Your ride will begin from Ekantakuna on the Ring Road taking the Ekantakuna-Tikabhairab Road alongside traffic and a slight downward incline towards Nakhu jail. This is a straight road all the way to Bungamati. [break] The ride will become a gradual climb once you cross the bridge and pass Nakhu jail. Keep riding on this stretch till you reach Bungamati. From Bungamati you will ride through single tracks making your way through Bungamati village and to Khokana. Trip highlights The entire ride itself is relatively easy. Once you reach Bungamati and the adjoining village Khokana – 10 minutes ride, there are plenty of single tracks to choose from which meanders through the lively village. At this time of the year, before the onset of monsoon, the tracks will be in perfect condition with views of stunning rice terraces and amphitheaters to enjoy as your ride along. Bungamati and Khok-ana itself date back to the medieval era of the 16th century, so both villages boast some very impressive monuments, ancient temples and traditional village life, all within 15-20 minutes just outside of Kathmandu city. This course is comparatively lesser known than other popular bike routes and as a result sees only a few tourists. The narrow cobbled streets in both village makes for an ideal expedition to bike or walk through as you’ll find that not many (if any) vehicles pass through. Khokana is renowned for its wood carvings, and oil pressing of mustard seeds using traditional methods. The traditional architecture and rich culture is reminiscent of the medieval era, where women, men and children are often seen sitting in the streets or common courtyard weaving, chatting, playing and working under the sun. Information courtesy: socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel. For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com Bare essentials Day pack/hydration pack Water bottle Helmet Cycling shorts/shirt or light weight clothing Sun glasses Face mask Sun block Packed lunch but you can eat locally if you wish Bike hire Bikes, helmets and hydro packs can be hired from various Mountain Bike shops around the valley. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55804 Eyes are poetically described as the windows to the soul. The world would practically cease to exist visually for someone who had no eyesight. Eyes are delicate and sensitive external organs. They have to be nurtured and taken care of since the very beginning. “It’s important for schools and parents to arrange regular eye checkups for the first-, second- and third-grade students,” urges Dr. Subarna Khatry, eminent eye surgeon. Ever since we were kids, we have been told repeatedly that certain fruits and vegetables keep our eyes sharp and healthy. Carrots, spinach, broccoli, mangoes and avocado are a few out of many that provide the necessary nutrients to our eyes. [break] In the present context, eyes seem to have more foes than friends. Our environment is full of dust, heat and artificial light which are all major factors causing eye hazards. One should put on sunglasses that protect the eyes from UV rays while out in the sun. Special goggles are a must if you’re performing the tasks of swimming or welding. “I don’t usually suggest contact lenses since there’s so much pollution these days,” says Dr. Khatry. “The idea that contacts melt into your eyes when exposed to heat is also a myth. But particle pollution does scratch the lens and the cornea which may end up causing visual impairment.” Computers don’t make the situation any better. Prolonged use of computers, which is unavoidable more often than not, causes computer-vision syndrome. It happens to those who stare at the computer from a short distance continuously for a long time. “When you’re working at the computer, you blink your eyes only seven or eight times which isn’t healthy or normal. Prolonged staring, unblinking and focusing causes a burning and itching sensation in the eyes,” explains Dr. Khatry. To avoid this, one must take a break after a few minutes, close the eyes or just look at something else before turning the attention back to the screen. Another idea that has been floating around for quite sometime is that washing the eyes several times a day is a key to keeping the eyes clean, healthy and germ-free. “Never over-wash your eyes,” warns Dr. Khatry. “Even our tears have anti-bacterial components. Too much water dilutes the tears and causes red eyes. So, twice a day is more than enough.” Similarly, it’s also unadvisable to rub the eyes with a filthy hand or handkerchief. Myopia is a common problem of eyes that many people face today from an early age. Similar is the situation with hereditary diseases. Glaucoma is a disease that can be controlled if spotted in time. “It may be seen in those people with a positive family history of glaucoma. It’s basically the increase of blood pressure in the eyes that can be controlled with correct and timely doses of medication,” offers Dr. Khatry. Cataract is another common disease which is often regarded as a byproduct of aging. “Just like aging, it’s impossible to fight this disease,” says Dr Khatry. “It may not affect your vision if diagnosed in time. But it can’t be cured or stopped. It can only be delayed.” It is important to go for regular eye checkups, preferably once or twice a year, for people of all ages, genders and walks of life. Eyes are one of the best gifts that Mother Nature has bestowed upon us. They open the door to the world of colors, patterns, shapes and images. They make life more vibrant and beautiful to us, and therefore, should be handled with utmost care. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55803 The beautiful trees along the Kalanki-Koteswor section of the Ring Road are being chopped off to expand the road. The decision to cut down more than 1,200 of these trees has irked many people living in the area. Very few people have bothered to act against the decision. But, Pramada Shah has taken a strong stand. A seasoned animal rights activist and environmentalist, Pramada shares her views with Republica. [break] What prompted you to campaign against this plan to cut off trees along the Kalanki-Koteshwar section of the Ring Road? I want to stop the disappearance of the remaining trees along the Ring Road and god willing save Kathmandu from becoming a concrete jungle. How did the campaign start? Is it an organized campaign? As citizens we have watched with sadness trees being felled all over the city in the name of road widening. However, few of us have raised our voices, including Milan Rai’s white butterfly movement. When we noticed trees marked with numbers all the way from Kalanki to Koteshwor, we immediately decided to talk to the concerned authorities. This is not an organized campaign nor is it supported by any NGO or donor. This is a spontaneous response by concerned citizens. What steps are you taking to stop this tree felling? We’re mobilizing friends, general public, media and all concerned citizens to join us to protect these trees. We’ve been successful in getting the attention of the secretaries of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Forestry and Department of Roads whom we will be meeting soon. Could you share your memories associated with the trees? I’ve very fond memories of the Ring Road with its lush green trees, birds, open space and clean fresh air. I used to live very close to the Ring Road during my childhood in the early eighties. We used to cycle along the same stretch of the road and spend hours resting under these trees after cycling. The government had planted these trees to develop green belt along the Ring Road. Can’t it be done again? The land for the green belt was provided to the government by citizens to develop as a green belt not for any other purposes. I’m not a lawyer but we’ve been told that there’s a law that says land acquired must be used for the purpose it’d originally been provided for. So our understanding is that the green belt must be protected while expanding the roads. There’s always this controversy between development and conservation. Which should come first? They should go hand in hand and they can go hand in hand. It’s just our mindset about how we develop our country that has to change. If you’re disciplined, follow rules, and traffic is managed properly then even small/narrow roads will work. Is there an alternative so that the trees are preserved and the road is expanded as well? Yes, use the green belt for walkways and cycling and parking where possible. Re-plant where we can because due to a lack of monitoring of the green belt by the municipality hundreds of trees have already been cut by people encroaching those spaces for parking, shops, and dumping of construction materials. What’s the response of the general public to your campaign? It’s encouraging to see how there’s a growing movement of people who understand the importance of trees and realize that there’s a fine line between ‘development’ and ‘destruction.’ We want to take this further with just a simple motive of restoring Kathmandu as a clean, green and beautiful place to live in. Anyone who shares that dream is welcome to join us. Conservationists argue that urban birds, about 100 species nesting in the Valley, could lose their habitat due to the cutting of these trees. What do you say? I saw a very touching photograph taken by Milan Rai where a crow was perched on a fallen tree that destroyed its nest. The crow was apparently picking up those sticks and flying to another tree close by to build another nest. God knows whether that tree will survive for the crow to nurture its offspring. We must protect the disappearing habitat of Kathmandu’s urban birds. What is your message to the general public and the concerned authorities? To the authorities, I want to thank them for hearing our voices and agreeing to have a dialogue with us. We can only hope that they will come up with a creative road expansion plan. To the general public, I really want to appeal to them to join our movement, for the sake of yourself and your children. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55802 National cricket team vice-captain Gyanendra Malla and spinner Basant Regmi are all set to join professional cricket clubs in Canada next week. Malla and Regmi, both, will leave Kathmandu on Friday. Following skipper Paras Khadka’s brilliant performance last year for Ontario Cricket Academy Club, Canadian clubs showed interest in Nepali cricketers. Malla, a 23-year-old from Kathmandu, will join Ontario, the division I side of Canada. Regmi, 27, will play for JTA Sports Club, the division II side. Both the players, who are currently affiliated to Armed Police Force in domestic cricket, said that their clubs would bear the traveling and accommodation expenses. They will be staying in Canada for two months. However, both of them refrained from disclosing the details. [break] Basanta Regmi and Gyanendra Malla Malla, who played for U-15, U-17 and U-19 age groups in a single year in 2005, debuted for the national side in 2006. He had scored three half-centuries in his debut tournament, the ACC Trophy in 2006. He was an important member of the national squad when it lifted the ACC Trophy for the first time last year. He had scored 212 runs in the tournament. He had scored 178 runs in ICC World Cricket League Division 4. He had played cameo roles to guide Nepal to the final of ACC T20 Cup and to seal WCL Division 3 title. “To play in Canada is an exposure as well as opportunity for me. The rainy season is an off-season for cricket in Nepal but I’ll get my dose of cricket in Canada,” said Malla, who also runs Kathmandu Cricket Training Center. “As players from test nations like India, West Indies and ODI nation like Afghanistan will come there, I can enhance my cricket skills,” he added. Both the players were grateful to coach Pubudu Dassanayake for arranging the opportunities. Regmi, who made his national team debut in 2006 during the Intercontinental Cup play-off against Namibia, is the regular member of national squad since then. Regmi had put up a man-of-the-match performance against New Zealand in the plate-championship final of the U-19 World Cup in 2006. He took 21 wickets in the Division 4 tournament to guide Nepal to title victory last year. It was the most wickets taken by a Nepali bowler in a single tournament. He claimed 14 wickets in the tournament as Nepal clinched ACC Trophy title and 12 wickets in the recently concluded Division 3 tournament. “Playing for a Canadian club will obviously help me improve my game. It’s an opportunity for me. I hope I can perform well there and pave way for other Nepali cricketers,” said Regmi, who hails from Bhairahawa. “I’m not taking any pressure and if there’s a trace then it’ll vanish as soon as I bowl my first ball there. I want to utilize the opportunity to its fullest,” he added. Skipper Paras Khadka is also in line to join Ontario but he is yet to make the final decision because of his shoulder injury. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55801 Senior consultant urologist at Nidan Hospital Pvt. Ltd, Dr. Sanjay Khadgi was the chosen one in the first international conference on kidney stone held in Dubai, UAE. Urologists from 44 countries participated and 220 different papers were presented in the conference, but it was Khadgi’s paper that was adjudged the best paper. During the conference titled “Challenges in endo-urology”, Khadgi presented a new mini PCNL (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or stone extraction) technique in which a small hole is made to remove stone in the gall bladder. “The outcome of this technique is better than the previously practiced one as the stone is removed through a smaller hole with less bleeding,” says Khadgi. [break] Buoyed by his presentation, France has invited Khadgi for video presentation of this new technique where experts from around the world are gathering on June 25 while he’ll perform a live operation to explain the technique next year. Performing a live demonstration in India has been a regular affair for this talented doctor. Khadgi, 45, of Dhobighat, Lalitpur studied in India, Russia and China and has been practicing for the last eight years. And, during this short time, he has already carved a niche in this field and has attracted attention from different parts of the world. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55800 Dekendra awarded Dekendra Thapa of Dailekh, who was killed by the Maoists during the insurgency, has been awarded with Birendra Sah Youth Journalism Prize posthumously by Press Chautari Nepal. Chautari organized a special function in Dailekh this week and handed over Rs. 7,500 worth award to Thapa’s wife Laxmi. Thapa was killed at a local school in Dwari VDC of Dailekh in 2004. Rajendra Aryal, chairperson of the Chautari, also announced that the organization would establish a prize in memory of late Thapa and construct his statue. [break] 112 forest users’ groups recognized In recognition of saving the pristine forests, more than a hundred community forest users’ groups (CFUGs) have been given a total sum of US $ 95,000 for their role in preserving the forests that ultimately contributed in mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. They had been highly praised for their effective measures taken to conserve and manage the forest. These 112 CFUGs are in Chitwan, Dolakha and Gorkha districts. They have been receiving a similar amount for two years. Representatives of the Department of Forests under the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bio-resources (ANSAB) handed over US $ 43,156, US $ 25,659 and US $ 26,184 to representatives of the CFUGs from Dolakha, Chitwan and Gorkha respectively. These CFUGs benefited by increasing carbon stocks in their forests and reducing emissions in the atmosphere. The project to recognize the efforts of these CFUGs was launched in 2009 and is being implemented by ANSAB, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN) with the financial support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The project covers over 10,364 hectares of community-managed forests and over 98,196 forest-dependent people in the three districts. Dekendra Thapa Dhakal is new KUKL chief The government has appointed Arjun Babu Dhakal as General Manager of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) for four years. The decision was made as per the recommendation made by the Public Corporations Directive Board. KUKL is a government entity that provides drinking water to the residents of the Kathmandu Valley. Aswini is Miss Thakali Aswini Thakali, a 22-year-old from Archalbot in Kaski, walked away with this year’s title of Miss Thakali in a beauty pageant held in Pokhara this week. Thakali overcame the challenges of Sandhya Gauchan and Manila Hirachan, who came out second and third respectively, and dozen others to win the coveted title. Thakali is currently studying in the fourth year in public science in the Pokhara University. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55472 Women aren’t allowed to get sterilized in the Muslim community. Religious laws and practices prevalent in the Muslim community prevent women from using any form of sterilization. However, overcoming all the hurdles created by religion, Shekhara Khatun (name changed), a 65-year-old woman from Jaleshwor of Mahottari district, underwent sterilization. Sterilized Muslim women are not allowed to go on Haj, a pilgrimage to Mecca of Saudi Arabia, either. However, ignoring this ban, Shekhara recently went on Haj too. If Muslim religious gurus had learnt about her defiance, Shekhara would have to pay the price for what she did. But, no one but her husband knew about it. And, she easily got away with breaking the religious law and that too, twice.[break] Chandra Shekhar Karki Today, albeit secretly, some Muslim women like Shekhara are opting for sterilization – something no Muslim would dare to do until a few years ago. Samsuddin Ansari, a former teacher, says Muslim religion requires women to desist from using any method of sterilization or family planning. According to him, if a woman wants to truly adhere to Muslim religion, she must bear children as long as she physically can. “Men and women both must follow the religious laws,” he says. In Nepal, thousands of women are suffering from problems of Uterine Prolapse. Especially those women who bear many children suffer from this problem. Last year, in a health camp organized by the District Public Health Office (DPHO) of Mahottari, many Muslim women came to get treated for Uterine Prolapse. Until then, no one had known that cases of Uterine Prolapse were so common among Muslim women. Ramina Khatun, 32, a resident of Fulhata VDC in Mahottari, was barred from attending the final rites of her own father-in-law because she had undergone sterilization. Fearing the kind of social exclusion that Ramina experienced, many women are still too scared to undergo sterilization. They do not want to bear children every year. But, they do not want to be ostracized, either. [break] According to Birendra Tiwari, chief of family planning section at the Mahottari DPHO, one in every 10 women who come for sterilization belong to the Muslim community. “Most of them come after having two children,” says Tiwari. “They do not divulge personal details. They register fake names and addresses.” Even if Muslim women get their husbands’ consent to use methods of family planning like pills and injections, they have to keep it a secret from their in-laws. “When Muslim women come to buy pills and injections, they feel very awkward,” says Satrudhan Gami, a pharmacy owner. “They don’t want other people to see them.” Nepal’s Muslim community wants their religious practices to be legally-recognized. If Islamic practices get legalized, Muslim women will have to suffer more. Although Muslim practices are not yet recognized legally, those who violate Islamic laws face social exclusion. Naim Ansari, president of Society Development Centre, an NGO active in Muslim community, says religious laws and practices should be amended as per changing times. Women’s rights are enshrined in Nepal’s interim constitution. Under women’s rights, all women are entitled to reproductive rights. The same constitution has allowed every individual to follow his or her religion and tradition. Chaudhary is a Mahottari-based journalist. (Sancharika Feature Service) “Modern family planning concept encourages voluntary choice of methods,” says Mohna Ansari, spokesperson, National Women’s Commission Women aren’t allowed to get sterilized in the Muslim community. Is that true? I’m not an authorized person to reply to that. It’s up to the religious scholars how they interpret the use of family planning methods in Islam. However, I know that many Muslim couples are now using various family planning methods and opting for planned-parenthood. Modern family planning concept encourages voluntary choice of methods. It is also true that once they get sterilized, they aren’t allowed to go on Haj pilgrimage? Again, these are religious issues which are better addressed by scholars. But, I can say that, a lot depends on how things are interpreted. There are instances where differences are noted in the interpretations made by various religious scholars. But do you think this is changing now, as more Muslim women are reportedly opting for sterilization? Certainly many Muslim women are opting for sterilization and other family planning methods. In Tarai districts, many Muslim women are voluntarily adopting family planning means, mostly with the consent of their husbands. Muslim women aren’t allowed to use family planning methods, as people still believe that a woman must bear children as long as she physically can. This has made Muslim women more vulnerable to uterine prolapse. What do you have to say? Educated couples now days don’t believe that women must bear children as long as she physically can. Multiple pregnancies, early pregnancy and late age pregnancy may also have adverse effect on woman’s health. Many women from all community groups in Nepal suffer with health complications due to multiple pregnancies. No doubt, Muslim women are more vulnerable in this regard due to less education and access to health services. Many couples these days have small families and many young people who grew up in large families now prefer to have small families. What should be done to make Muslim women aware about their basic rights? Education and economic opportunity are the elements that can affect several other areas such as human rights of Muslim women and overall life quality as well. More Muslim males and females should be appointed as school teachers, health service providers, police officers and in other Government offices. This would encourage Muslim men and women to take education seriously and thus make them more aware about human rights. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55471 For Nepal to prosper as a singular nation with proud people of diverse ethnicities, all Nepalis have to introspect how we have been defining the term ‘Nepali’ so far, what kind of faces we have been attaching to the identity ‘Nepali’ subconsciously. If we’re honest to ourselves in answering the above, we would find the reason for our collective failure as Nepalis to project the true face of Nepal to the rest of the world. And, just like a human being, a nation too cannot win the respect of the world with a distorted and dishonest identity. We can blame, as fiercely as we want, the repressive clan-based regimes of the past for systematically distorting the ‘Nepali’ identity in our psyche. Yet, the corrections would only come from our own introspections as individuals and as ethnicities. Agreed, such confusions and mistaken perceptions are best corrected by the societal leaders, particularly the political ones. But do we see such honest leaders around? Not just now, have we ever had leaders who have had the courage to tell us what we “need” to hear? I do not remember any. They rather keep repeating to us what we “want” to hear subconsciously. The ones from the dominant ethnicities keep repeating the stories of glory of their ancestors to “their” audiences. And the ones from the suppressed ethnicities keep repeating the stories of their pains and deprivations to “their” audiences. These leaders did and do earn political capital in their limited spaces by playing to the gallery, but in the bargain, their audiences get deprived of the true story – a story that Nepalis of all ethnicities could collectively believe in and swear by. [break] As a citizen whose family has a distinguished history running into several generations in Nepal – many among them directly serving the state of Nepal, and fighting for it; as a human being who humbly works to bring positive changes in the society, working with the disadvantaged, irrespective of their ethnicities; and as a person who loves his country Nepal more than anything else, it does not feel good to me to be identified inadvertently as an Indian in Nepal by many. I harbor no ill will towards people who judge me or initially call me an Indian innocently as this is not his or her fault at an individual level. This stereotyping is the result of how all of us got educated collectively by our society over centuries. The communal preachers may look different superficially, but they all speak the same language – the communal language. They all lead us to one result. They all make us a divided lot. It was the same communal preachers that sold to the Pahadi people in Kathmandu and mid-hills that Nepal as a country is theirs and theirs only, and Madhesis and Bhotes are migrants who have settled in “their” country. They chose to gloss over that Kirantis and Madhesis including Muslims and other minorities have been living in the lands that fall within the borders of sovereign Nepal today. For a long long time some of such long existences are evidenced not just by history but even by the mythical Hindu Epics. Yalambar the Kiranti King,and the Kiranti people have been mentioned in Mahabharata. The Mithila people, and their citadel Janakpur are central to the plot of the epic Ramayana. When Gautam Buddha was born in Kapilbastu (Tarai) a thriving population was already living there. Of course migrations to and from Nepal happened, in waves, at a big scale, over a long period, and are still happening. But that applied and applies to all communities alike. It was the same communal preachers that kept pushing Madhesis to look south-wards only towards their friends and families in India for support and sympathies rather than asserting their rights as genuine citizens in their own country for a long time. It’s the same communal preachers that are even today preaching hatred and nurturing discontent among Rais, Limbus, Pahadis, Madhesis to earn their respective political capital. The question now is not as to how long these communal preachers will continue misleading us, as they never disappear even when the societies evolve. They only get marginalized. The question rather is whether or not we want to turn the page, and move on as progressive Nepalis recognizing our human diversity, indeed being proud of it in the “real” sense – the term “real” being the most significant here as rhetorically we have always been projected as a diverse polity. Some of these communal preachers also mislead their audiences to their advantage by creating confusions around Ethnicity and Nationality. There is nothing wrong in accepting that, as a term, Nepali is used both as ‘Citizen of Nepal’ and ‘a person with Nepali ethnicity.’ This is not a unique situation at all. The term ‘Germans’ is used for the ‘Citizens of Germany’ as much as it is used for people of German ethnicity that are not born in the modern-day state of Germany and do not hold German citizenship. The same is true for Tamils who live in India and in Sri Lanka in equally big numbers. There are hundreds of such examples across the globe. It’s important though that we be careful that not to mix Nepali ethnicity with Nepali Nationality. Prashant Tamang, the popular singer and an Indian Idol, is a Nepali by ethnicity, and he has all the rights in the world to be a pride of people with Nepali ethnicity and its wider diaspora. But when a TV commercial run in Nepal by a popular brand makes Prashant Tamang, an Indian Citizen, say “I’m proud to be a Nepali”, obviously trying to reach out to consumers of all ethnicities, and not just Nepalis of ‘Nepali’ ethnicity, the confusion in the popular mindset plays out loud and clear. Prashant Tamang is a Nepali by ethnicity, and he and his fans should be proud of that. There is nothing wrong with that. But he is not a Nepali by nationality, and therefore, in an ethnically charged nation that we all live in, the advertisers should have rather careful in their choice of words and connotations in projecting him as a “Nepali.” The communal voices are very effective in spreading their messages and casting their spell. The need is for the Nepalis who believe in a modern, confident, secular, progressive Nepal to up the ante, to come out of the hiding, communicate the right messages, and communicate it strongly and clearly; failing which even we the secular people would end up playing in the hands of the communal forces that remain the biggest threat to modern Nepal’s nationhood. And guess what, Nation comes first. prashaantsingh.wordpress.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55470 Renu Shrestha, 32, was living quite happily in a rented flat with her husband but she carried bigger dreams of owning a house in the capital. Seven years ago, those very dreams lured her to migrate to Israel in search of better employment opportunities. Renu left behind her one year old daughter under her husband’s care. During the initial years, Renu would frequently be in touch with her husband and also sent money home quite regularly. But over the years, the phone calls became less frequent. Rajib Shrestha, Renu’s husband suddenly didn’t hear from his wife for months at a stretch. The once happy couple would now fight at the drop of a hat; the pettiest of all issues could spark an argument. The strain on their relationship was becoming evident. Recently, Renu filed for divorce. Rajib sometimes regrets letting his wife go abroad which he believes was the instigator of the eventual and inevitably downfall of their once strong relationship. [break] Foreign employment is one of the main reasons of rising divorce cases in Nepal. When couples aren’t together for lengths of time both or either one of the two seem to gradually move on with life; alone. Photos: Bikash Karki Changing Family Dynamics With a large number of youth going abroad, Advocate at the Supreme Court, Dinesh Tripathi points out that there are many cases similar to Renu’s. He adds that the trend of going abroad in search of employment opportunities has led to rise in divorce cases and broken families as a result. “There has been a lot of changes in the family and social structure in the Nepali community. The trend of going abroad has led to the single child concept which wasn’t the case some years back,” he says. He explains that among many such cases that he has handled, the typical ones are when the husbands who are working abroad ask for a divorce after they get habituated with the foreign lifestyle. “But in some cases, it’s just the opposite as well when it is the wife who’s working abroad,” he adds. Divorce cases don’t just entail separation of a couple, but it involves several complexities regarding issues such as dispute over ownership of the child and rights to property. Tripathi informs that it is not unusual to see such cases on the rise not only in the capital but even in the rural areas these days. “Foreign employment can contribute in bringing remittance, but in the long run it has put an impact on the family, social system, traditional values, and has led to distrust among married couples as divorce which is often taken as the last resort is on the rise,” he says. In most of the villages, there are fewer youth as compared to woman, children and the elderly. This has even brought about the empty nest syndrome, a feeling of grief and loneliness that parents feel when their children leave home. Such is the case of 62 –year–old Narayan Sapkota from Sindupalchowk who has been living in the capital with his wife for the past eight years. His two daughters have been married off and their only son is working in Malaysia. Narayan’s wife Sangita shares how her husband has been dealing with depression. At this age, living a retired life, he wishes to have his son by his side as a support system but against his wishes, his only son has been living away from the family. Narayan doesn’t talk much and once a socially active man, he now prefers to be left alone. “He also wishes to see his son get married but it seems like that’s not appening any time soon as our son just postpones the issue whenever we bring it up,” she says with a heavy sigh. Apart from these cases, the craze of going abroad for employment has also fueled many criminal activities. For instance, the Department of Labor (DoL) saw cases being filed on men faking engagements and taking money from the girl’s family in order to go abroad. Such cases have recently been on a rise. “Many youth who’re going abroad don’t feel any accountability towards their country. Many are living abroad with the dream of getting a green card and they even go to the extent of staying illegally,” says Krishna Hari Pushkar, Director General of DoL. He says that since 2010, thousands of young women, mostly undergraduate students have left for South Korea through paper marriages to Korean residents. “They mostly went in search of a good job but there are cases when they have ended up being victims of domestic violence and exploitation,” he says. For many, labor migration has been pursued as a way of life rather than just limiting it as a means to battle financial hardships. Besides that, even the number of youth going abroad for further studies is growing in an unprecedented rate. The many facades of migration Pushkar mentions that one of the most common trends is that of students going abroad citing educational reasons and then opting to work and settle there. Family disintegration also stems from people choosing to lease their property to settle abroad. This has brought tremendous pressure on the family members who are left behind as they are sometimes left penniless. This comes as a serious blow to individuals and families who part with their family members to better their financial conditions. Chiranjibi Nepal, senior economist and chief economical advisor at the Finance Ministry says that 0.02 percent population of skilled manpower, 75 percent of unskilled and 24.8 percent of semi skilled manpower are going abroad. “There is a high dependency on the remittance as well but it’s not healthy in the long run,” he says. He explains that in Nepal, 57 percent of the population is currently active in various economic sectors which are also referred to as the population bonus. “But the active and productive population is going abroad and not staying back which is a huge loss for the country. When such productive manpower doesn’t stay back, barren land increases as well and there’s less economic productivity,” he says. “This trend of population bonus will remain for the next thirty years and comes once in every 100 years and if we can’t grasp that opportunity; economic development makes a slow progress which is why it’s necessary to boost internal economy and make strong employment policies,” he adds. While many families share a similar story to Narayan’s, sometimes the case is just the opposite as there are some whose parents put pressure on them to go abroad. Sudarshan Karki, 28 who’s back after his graduation from the US, says that he never wanted to leave Nepal in the first place. “My parents sort of forced me to go abroad as many of my cousins and family friend’s children had done so. My father often told me that it might be looked upon as a sign of failure if I didn’t get a foreign degree and I didn’t want to disappoint my parents,” he admits. Ganga Pathak, chief psychologist at National Institute of Pyschology at New Baneshwor, says that many parents push their children to go abroad as they take it as a status symbol. “But there have been situations when parents have not been able to pay off the loan they took to send their child abroad which leads to serious problems,” she says. She further says that there are cases of students going abroad just because their respective boyfriends or girlfriends have left and not because they want to pursue their education. Some also opt to go abroad due to peer pressure. Pathak’s statement is validated by Sanjeev Thapa’s case who decided to go to Dubai purely out of peer pressure. His friend arranged for work in a hotel and he toiled for around three years. He recently decided to come back. “I’ve saved some money but not as much as I thought I would. Since I discontinued my schooling, I don’t know how to begin now,” he says. In some rare cases, parents also don’t want their kids to come back because they think that it might be interpreted as failure to do well in a land of opportunities by their friends and relatives. The psychological perspective Pathak has been dealing with a lot of cases of broken families and troubled youth. Migration of either husband or wife has led to a lot of divorce cases and in such situations; the single parent bears the sole responsibility of the child. “In that way, the child might grow to become more demanding and materialistic and may suffer from severe identity crisis,” she says. She also has been dealing with a lot of cases of psychological problems faced by parents and those left behind. “There’re many who come here for counseling as divorce rate has increased. Apart from that, there’ve been a lot of cases of extra marital affairs as well,” she says. Pathak says that when you look at it from the social and psychological perspective, there are many students who have come back depressed and there are even cases when they have become mentally unstable. “Many are in a state of limbo, in denial and come with complaints of how they cannot concentrate on anything nor are able to live together with their parents. This is why students and parents need to be fully aware before they make the decision to migrate,” she suggests. Migration for better education and employment opportunities is a prominent reality in today’s world including Nepal. Though the country’s economy is hugely dependent on the remittance and it does boost the economy to a large extent, it can also have a negative impact on family dynamics as the preference for individualistic lifestyle that comes with living abroad takes its toll on relationships and in a larger scale, the society we live in. The overseas temptation Sumira Pradhan, 22, is waiting for a response from colleges in the US that she had applied to. Consumed by anxiety over the results, Sumira mentions that she can’t wait to get out of Nepal as she sees no future in a country with so much political drama. Also, she doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunity of getting a foreign degree. Due to political chaos, dearth of proper colleges, social pressure and fewer employment opportunities, many youth choose to go abroad and think of it as the only resort for education as well as foreign employment. The Week file photo “Personally, I want to go abroad because I feel, that way, I’ll get to learn more. Since we’re a third world country and we’ve much more potential to grow, I think we can learn a lot from the developed countries,” says 20-year-old Srilata Kunwar. She also explains that though she is planning to go abroad, she would definitely want to come back to Nepal. “After all, it’s our home and it’s our responsibility to take care of this country and at least make it a better place for the coming generations,” she adds. Studying abroad can bring a plethora of opportunities but going on a whim without proper planning and ideas can also invite a lot of unexpected troubles. 27-year-old Kabir Shakya recently came back after staying in Sydney, Australia for nine months. His plan was to get enrolled in an inexpensive college, get a diploma and then join a proper course. “I wanted to study jewelry designing but that never happened because the course was too expensive and I wouldn’t be able to work as well. So, I had to continue studying in the first college that I enrolled in which was not so reputed,” he says. Kabir went through a consultancy that fixed him up with the college that was run by a Nepali. “I got to know later that the consultancy gets commissions through such colleges,” he adds. After facing some family problems, Kabir decided to come back to the capital. “A lot of students go abroad on a student visa but end up prioritizing work over studies. They’re lured by the prospect of being able to earn in dollars, I guess. I think this is a bad idea if you want to be able to do well in life in the future,” he says. There are some youth who are career oriented and want to go abroad to better their chances of landing up a good job later on. Arjun Khadka, 20 wants to study Culinary Arts and since Nepal doesn’t have any good institution offering the subject, he wants to go abroad to pursue his dreams. “We still have a long way to go when it comes to offering a wide variety of subjects which is why there’s no option than going abroad. I don’t want to limit my passion just because there aren’t many opportunities here,” says Arjun. While, on one hand, there are students who want to go abroad for educational purposes, there are some who choose to leave in search of better jobs opportunities. 25-year-old Sirish Magar had been working as a house help for the past two years in the capital. He then got the opportunity to work in a hotel in Dubai. “I’m really ecstatic about the fact that I’m finally getting to go abroad. Now, I can earn more and take proper care of my family.” Sirish says that for young people like him, who don’t have a strong educational background, an opportunity like this shouldn’t be taken lightly. Some people have been able to take better care of their families because of foreign employment. 35-year-old Sampurna Pathak, originally from Sindupalchowk, was working as a house help in the capital before going to Dubai to work in a hotel. Working day and night, he saved enough to return home after seven years. He now owns a house and a plot in the capital and is happily married. Prospects of better education, career and living standards are some reasons why many youths opt to go abroad. Some blame the political chaos and lack of opportunities for their decision to leave the country; it’s almost as if they’ve been forced to. The sad fact is that many, who go abroad, don’t come back thus depriving the country of educated and skilled manpower as well as leaving a void in the society. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55469 His profile is a blend of economics and music. Music has been a passion throughout his life. Commerce has been his career. After retiring from the Finance Ministry recently, he decided to devote his time to music and meditation and is ready with his new album “Aashaya.” After lending his voice to more than four hundred songs, he is now all set to give his first solo performance on stage at Paleti in Nepalaya. [break] The Week’s Nitya Pandey caught up with veteran singer Deepak Kharel to talk about his life, work and musical journey. Bijay Rai Was singing your childhood dream? Not at all. Initially, I wanted to become a pilot and fly a fighter plane. After passing SLC from Padmodaya, I wanted to study science. But as fate would have it, I forgot my admission card on the day of the entrance exams at Amrit Science Campus. So, I joined commerce at Tri Chandra. Eventually, I got into civil service and then the Finance Ministry. So how did singing happen? I’d always been interested in singing. I also used to play the guitar. Whenever I watched a movie, a song would definitely stay with me. It was during 1977-78 that I gave a voice test at Radio Nepal and was selected. “Maile racheka geetharu” was the first song I recorded with the music director, Dwarikalal. After that, I sang “timro tyo haseelo muhaar” in the TU auditorium. I performed it first before going on to record it. Was it difficult to pursue your passion while working full time at the ministry? Yes, it was. I had to travel to different places and had very less time for music. Also, the Nepali music scene was quite different back then. Radio Nepal was the sole platform and they gave you only two or three dates in a year to sing. They would play the same song over and over again. But the pay was really low. So, over a time span of a decade, I got the chance to sing very few songs. However, after 1992, I started living in Kathmandu. By then, singers had started getting more exposure and platforms. I brought out about eight albums in the market during that time. What is the most important thing for you in a song? For me, melody is very important. I’m also quite selective about the lyrics. Perhaps those are also the reasons why I have sung only a few songs. Another important factor is the mood. My genre is semi classical. I sing modern songs that are neither too classical nor too rustic. I think this is the most popular type of music and I enjoy it a lot. What do you feel about the old songs being remixed these days? They’re like fake flowers. They neither have originality nor fragrance. Why tamper with something so lovely and creative that has already been approved and accepted by generations of listeners? I think every age and era should make their own music rather than “remixing” something that’s already been in existence for a long time. What is music for you? Music is a drug, an addiction. Do we ever get tired of hearing the birds sing? Music is meditation. Music is devotion. Music is creation. I take it as the most beautiful gift from God. I feel I’m extremely fortunate to have been blessed with a mellifluous voice. I never stopped practicing even though I’ve never had any formal training. It gives me peace and contentment. It brings me closer to the divine. Even the deities are given a musical instrument each. There is Shiva with his Damaru, Saraswati with her Beena and Krishna with his Murali. Music is everywhere and in everything. Who are your favorite singers? Narayan Gopal, of course. I’m also a great fan of Talat Mahmood, Mehendi Hassan, Gulam Ali, Mukesh and Mahendra Kapoor. I also like Sir Elton John, the Beatles and Michael Bolton. What is “Aashaya” all about? It’s my new album. It will be out in the market in about a month. It contains a variety of songs from patriotic to sentimental. Deepak Jangam has composed the music for these songs. Any dream projects? Yes, there had been a few at some point of time. I wanted to work with legends like Narayan Gopal, Natikaji and Gopal Yonjan. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, things never worked out. Now, they’re no more. And that chapter and my dream remain incomplete and unfulfilled. If you had to sing a song by any other singer, what would it be? It would definitely be “Timro jasto mutu mero pani” by Narayan Gopal. I’d also sung it at his memorial program. What difference do you feel between that first concert at the TU auditorium and this solo performance at Paleti? Times have changed. The audience has changed. And so have I. I’ve grown older and wiser. I was just a beginner at that time. Now, the people who will listen to me will know what to expect. I’ve been to Paleti before. And I know that the people there are open and encouraging. Of course, the pre show jitters are there but I’m super excited about the evening. Music, after all, is always music. And if it’s good, it’s always enjoyable. Do you have any message for the present day singers and audience? We’ve extremely talented people in the music field at the moment. The outlook is positive and progressive. Music is a precious gift, a blessing. I request you all to take it seriously and treat it with love and reverence. Every kind of music has its own crowd and every kind of crowd had its own musical taste. But we must learn to differentiate between good music and noise pollution. It’s good to be inspired but certain flavor of originality should be maintained. I wish everyone all the best. And I believe we can all take Nepali music to international arena and scale new heights of success despite the linguistic and geographical boundaries. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55468 On Baisakh Purnima, the full moon on the first month of Vikram Calendar, the Kirati households at Wakling, a small village of Khotang district, complete their last minute preparations to celebrate Ubhauli. Dressed in traditional attire and jewelries, they gather around a sacred tree, and dance to the beat of Dhol and Jhyamta, the traditional musical instruments. While the locals of Wakling village celebrate the festival, the beating of traditional drums from nearby villages Tamrung, Baseri, Fuleli can also be heard. The Kirati communities are rejoicing nature’s compassion on humans with music and dance. [break] Bijay Rai Tanka Rai, a Kirat scholar who specializes in Kirat history, culture and language reminisces his youthful days spent in his hometown before he migrated to the capital. “The Kiratis were mainly farmers and Ubhauli was celebrated to mark the start of crop plantation season,” he says. Apart from Khotang, the Kirati communities at Udaypur, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha and other hilly districts with dense Kirati settlements also observe the festival. Though Rai, Sunuwar, Yakkha and Limbu fall within the Kirat community, this festival is said to be mainly observed by Rai and Sunuwars. Ubhauli is the first installment of Sakela, the biggest festival of Kirats, which is celebrated twice a year. On the full moon of Mangsir, the eight month of Vikram Calendar, they repeat a similar festivity, celebrating Udhauli. Both Ubhauli and Udhauli are closely related to agriculture; mainly the migration of birds marking the beginning and the end of the farming season. It is said that during the time of Ubhauli, birds migrate uphill from the Tarai regions to avoid the strong summer heat while during Udhauli, birds migrate back south to avoid the winter chills of the hills. Kiratis believe that this is how their ancestors kept track of the changing season and subsequently planned their farming calendar. “During Ubhauli, we pray to our ancestors and nature to show compassion upon us and bless us with favorable weather so that we can grow as much crops that’s needed to feed our people. Then during Udhauli, we thank them for aiding our survival,” explains Rai. Apart from these unique festivities, the rituals during both Ubhauli and Udhauli are also different from rituals practiced by other ethnic groups in Nepal. Unlike the common practice of worshipping statues and building opulent temples, Kiratis set their holy area close to nature and avoid excess use of concrete. They use a stone to signify nature. On the first day, or on the full moon, people visit their respective holy grounds and pay homage to nature and ancestors by offering their prayers in Muddhum, the religious prayers of Kiratis in their native language. They also play the Dhol and Jhyamta during the ritual and offer animal sacrifices. The most important offering, however, is the homemade millet alcohol in a special container called Wabu. Though, different Kirati communities in the hilly areas have their respective revered holy areas, known as Sakela Than, all members of the community living inside the capital pay homage to a common ground at Hattiban, Lalitpur. According to Rai, with the migration of many people from the Kirati community to city areas and their professional preference in other fields rather than agriculture, the significance of celebration of Sakela has changed drastically in the present time. “Earlier the celebrations blended well with the occupation of majority of people, but now it’s celebrated basically to retain our identity and preserve the culture from being extinct,” he says. Though there is no definite history of beginning of Sakela in Rai settlements at hilly regions, the first Sakela in Kathmandu was celebrated on May 23, 1981 on the premises of Shankar Dev Campus at Bagh Bazar, according to Rai. “Kiratis did celebrate their festival in the native hometowns, but we needed to celebrate these festivals in the capital as well, due to the increasing number of Kiratis in the capital. It was also necessary to showcase our ethnic identity to the government and other fellow citizens,” he says. Since the first celebration of Sakela in the capital, the festivity has definitely come a long way. According to Rai, the numbers of people participating in Sakela is increasing drastically. Organized in open grounds and spaces in the capital, a Sakeli, a small tree or a branch, is set up at the centre symbolizing the presence of a sacred tree. And then, commences the dance, the highlight of the festival. Forming a large human circle, the dancers follow the steps of sili, the unique traditional dance styles. Sili refers to the dance moves in Sakela festival that are heavily influenced by the crop plantation and cutting process, day-to-day activities and even the movement of wild animals. There are generally two circles while dancing sili, separated by gender, and each circle has a leader, and the rest of the group imitates his or her steps. These dance steps, however, are not just performed for fun nowadays. The Kirat communities in the capital not only gather to carry out traditional rituals for Ubhauli and Udhauli, but they also host Sakela competition. “The Sakela competition is judged by the sincerity of the participating teams on the basis of their attires, jewelries and accessories like bow and arrow, swords and Wabu. And the main part is the dance synchronization,” says Nabin Rai, treasurer of Kirat Rai Yakkha district committee, Bhaktapur, which has been hosting such competitions for the past three years. The organizers say that these dance competitions fulfill mainly two goals. First, they help create the same charm of the festival that is observed in the hilly districts and second, they create awareness about their culture in the younger generations and help keep their cultural identity intact. The Kirat community is working hard to conserve their rich heritage by all means. After completing the religious ritual at Hattiban last Saturday, they went to Nakkhipot to commence the first Sakela dance for this year’s Ubhauli. Then, on Wednesday, the Sakela competition was held at Bhaktapur. This Saturday, the Kiratis will take to Tudhikhel, the open ground at the centre of the city to observe Sakela. These festivities will continue for a whole month with Kirati communities celebrating Sakela at different parts of the capital. The organizations of Sakela in city areas have definitely worked its charm for the younger generation, as seen by their enthusiastic participation in the festivities. Also regarded as an opportunity to meet new people, preferably to find their love, it attracts a lot of young crowd. But the organizers are still skeptical of whether the younger generation will bring forward and take the responsibility to promote the rich heritage or will only engage in the fun part of the festivity. After all, amidst the fun and festivity, Kiratis have depended upon Sakela as a medium to represent their unique identity among different ethnic groups of the country. tmail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55467 Away from the hustle bustle of an urban life, Ram Bahadur Gurung, 39, leisurely smokes a cigarette with his feet up on a white plastic chair with a broken armrest while sitting on an identical one. His wife pours oil in a large pot on the earthen hearth outside their tiny two bedroom shack that doubles as a roadside eatery while keeping a watchful eye on her two daughters who play nearby. Just a few hours’ drive from the capital city momentarily takes one away from the smoke gurgling and choking atmosphere of Kathmandu into a clean and serene environment. With a lush landscape on the backdrop, a small village near Juge Khola in Naubise, roughly 28 kilometers from Kathmandu, feels calm and delightful as the sun peaks lazily from behind the clouds as if playing a game of hide and seek.[break] “People who pass by keep telling me to move to Kathmandu where opportunities are abound. But I wouldn’t trade our life here for anything in the world,” says Ram Bahadur talking a long sip of tea and letting out a sigh simultaneously. Photo: Cilla khatri The young woman behind him sports a welcoming smile, but is a bit shy. You can see it in the way she diverts her eye and lowers her head when she’s looked at. There’s no telling that this lady has been up since four in the morning and has finished all the preparations by eight when it’s time for her husband to enjoy his customary tea and cigarette. Muna Gurung, 30, has been married to Ram Bahadur for the last 15 years. Her daily routine for the last ten of those 15 years has been to wake up at the brink of dawn and work whole day long till it’s eventually time for bed. Get up. Work. Go to bed. Day in and day out, that’s what life has meant for Muna who’s only ventured out of the village once in her entire life. But what would she do if she could have a whole day off? At first she doesn’t understand the question. There’s always some work to be done, she says. How could she possibly have a day off? But when asked what if someone else did all her chores; she promptly replies that then she would spend the day preparing more snacks that she could sell the next day. “Running a roadside eatery is not as simple as it looks. Yes, it’s quite laid back since we live at the same place but life on the highway is always busy and there’s work to be done round the clock,” says Muna overcoming her shyness to explain the workings of life in a village. Life outside the villages’ boundaries doesn’t even occur to her. “When I was 10, I went to the capital for the first time. I worked as a maid there for six months before deciding to come back to my own village,” she says making her way over to the kitchen to prepare various food items; from a full-fledged Nepali Khana to lighter snacks like aloo dum and fried fish. The kitchen is in a corner of the yard and the wall behind the stove is black with soot. The fire is going on the large earthen hearth as well as on the small cooking stove next to it. Muna pulls out containers brimming with chopped spices and herbs, from a tiny shelf below a makeshift kitchen counter, that she’s prepared the night before. Usually I make enough to serve a hundred plates every day, she explains as she throws in a handful of spices into the pot to test if the oil is hot enough. Her impatience is evident. Shaking her head and murmuring to herself, she hastily rushes to fill the kettle with water to make tea and puts some eggs to boil before running off to the communal tap to wash the teacups from the day before. The busses and the vehicles plying the highway on the way to the Capital or heading to other cities from Kathmandu will start to arrive soon and there’s not a minute to waste. Travelers will soon start pouring in with demands for tea and snacks. “My mother-in-law helps during the afternoon and evening but it’s all me with some help from my husband during the busy mornings,” adds Muna explaining that she has not a single minute to spare and dwell on life as city people are known to indulge in. But life in villages is boring as compared to life in cities, say the city dwellers who often wonder how it’s possible to spend years at such lackluster places. “We often get asked how we can live like this and what we do all day long. But we work to earn money to sustain our families and are content with that. We don’t have aspirations for a huge TV or fancy computers and phones,” says Ram Bahadur adding that city dwellers can’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that a simple life is all that they aspire for. Life in villages is comparatively undemanding and stress free as compared to city life where there’s always a mad rush and fierce competition to excel. The villages, on the other hand, feel like a large well-kept garden that stretches on forever. Every place has something peculiar in its landscape and the residents seem to take pride in their surroundings. But the downsides of this carefree existence are aplenty. There aren’t as many facilities in villages as compared to cities and communication links aren’t so well-developed leaving village dwellers largely ignorant about what’s happening in the rest of the country they reside in. Another vulnerable aspect of life in villages is that they don’t have access to proper health care service. Living in cities means having access to a host of facilities like public libraries and parks, restaurants, shopping malls, theatres and hospitals. Also, there are scores of schools and institutes in cities which provide quality education. But lack of such extravagant facilities is a small prices to pay, agree the village residents unanimously. “There have been instances where people have died because of simple cases like cold and diarrhea and there’re no good schools and colleges here but we still wouldn’t give all this up and move to bigger cities,” says Anita Rai, 30, another roadside eatery owner at Naubise. However, she adds that she wishes the government would do something to develop villages as well and not center all development activities and projects in and around major towns. Proper waste disposal system, better education facilities and health care system would definitely go a long way in making the villages better but their lack, evidently, doesn’t even deter the village dwellers from being enamored by the place they reside in. Sarita Rai, 54, a resident of Malekhu, a little village located halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara feels that there’s a sense of belonging in life in a village that just isn’t there in cities and that is perhaps why many choose to continue living in villages despite the odds. “Our whole life revolves around the shop. We begin and end our day here,” says Anita whose children aged four and seven play nearby the shop all day long. Anita plans to enroll them in a local school instead of sending them to Kathmandu. “Village life is wonderful for the kids,” she adds. “There is a great sense of community here which you can’t find in bigger cities. Ram Bahadur, however, begs to differ. He has sent his eldest son to Kathmandu to get enrolled in an English medium school since that there are better schools and colleges in the capital. “We want our children to have better opportunities than those a village life can provide them with,” says Ram Bahadur adding that he plans to send his two daughters to the capital as well. “They’re studying at a local school and once they appear for their SLC exams, we’ll send them to Kathmandu for further studies,” he adds. But, on the other hand, he also mentions that city life isn’t what he wishes for himself and Muna nods her consent. “I’ve been to Kathmandu and Pokhara and people there lead very chaotic, wrapped-up-in-themselves kind of lives,” says Sarita adding that while her children are settled in the capital, she and her husband choose to stay back at their own village and thus escape the trappings of city life. “Who can describe the pleasure and delight; the peace of mind and soft tranquility one would feel in the balmy air, green hills and rich woods of a village.” – The lines by Charles Dickens rightly describe the mindset of the residents of the places which are just “transit points” for most of the city dwellers. Like they say, there are two sides to every story! cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55466 An ex situ site for conservation of wild fauna, the oldest and the only zoo of Nepal, the Central Zoo, is situated in a major hub of a busy conurbation. Jawalakhel, apart from the usual traffic and crowd, is a center for festivals like Machhindranaath Jaatra. Also, concerts are often held in the grounds near the zoo premises where music blares through speakers and people scream and dance for hours. Apart from the noise, space might be another issue when it comes to the zoo. How practical is it for wildlife to be constricted inside an area of a few hectares? Ganesh Koirala, assistant curator at the Central Zoo, reveals that noise pollution is indeed a problematic situation but one that is beyond the management’s control. He, however, claims that space is not that big an issue. Sometimes, the animals do get overweight in an ex situ site but that can be checked by reviewing their diet plan. [break] hotos: Chandra Shekhar Karki That being said, he does believe that cleanliness is a major problem which is possible to control but is quite a challenge at the same time. “It’s difficult to maintain sanitation and hygiene in an area full of so many birds and animals,” Koirala explains, “Zoo always urges the visitors to use dustbins and not to throw food, stones and sticks inside or around the enclosures.” Plastic bags, too, are banned in the zoo and it might soon be turned into a food free zone as well. However, there’re some natural elements that remain no matter how spick and span a state one intends to attain and uphold. “Some animals give off a pungent smell when they get irritated or scared,” he says, “So, if you can sense a foul smell in zoo, it may not always be garbage or excreta.” The zoo also controls and captures stray wild animals in and outside Kathmandu valley. They have recently rescued a red panda and a cheetah and brought them into the zoo. Many animals are found amidst human settlements, in mortal peril, alone and confused. “Habitat fragmentation and lack of proper food and shelter are the major reasons why they wander off into the streets,” informs Sarita Jnawali, the Zoo Project Manager, “But it’s tragic to see them bloody and beaten up by the time we reach the spot to get them back.” Fear, she opines, causes these animals to launch violent attacks on human beings. “They are out of their homes and are scared and vulnerable,” she explains, “It’s their primal instinct to attack others and defend themselves.” Central Zoo is a home to fauna that come from different places and are brought in through rescue, purchase or bequest. It’s a common dwelling of 800 animals and is visited by millions of visitors every year. A grand total of 116 different species live in this area of six hectares. For many zoologists, environmentalists and students, zoo has become a way of reacquainting with nature amid the hullabaloo of the metropolis. However, according to Pramada Shah, an animal rights activist, zoos are animal prisons and it’s unwise to put them behind bars. “The current zoo is extremely overcrowded and unscientific. It could be run as a bird park or a sanctuary for smaller mammals and rescued wildlife,” she insists. “But you can’t keep big animals inside small cages and then starve them because they’re overweight.” Shah suggests that Gokarna and Surya Binayak could be the perfect sites for open zoos and safari parks so that the larger animals can be relocated to their natural habitats. “It would be a major attraction for the visitors. Also, the animals wouldn’t be teased and stoned inside the cages all day which could be the cause behind them getting furious and frustrated.” Sarita Jnawali, on the other hand, focuses upon the measures that the zoo has been taking to maintain the natural habitat. She talks about the zoo officials visiting Darjeeling to overview the enclosures for red panda and reports and pictures being asked from London zoo for bears. She argues, “Our major concern is to get the zoo infrastructure as close as possible to the natural habitat. We’ve even installed air conditioners and heaters in the enclosures to achieve that.” Animals may have their own issues due to the immediacy with humans. But the locals too share mixed sentiments regarding their proximity with a zoo. Bhupendra Jung Shahi, a resident of Jawalakhel reminisces, “We used to visit the zoo as kids. Now, we take our children there. It certainly has a history.” He does not deny that zoo has improved the business prospects of the vendors and restaurateurs in the vicinity. “But the same crowd is a problem to those who residents prefer a serene and quiet atmosphere,” he points out. He also admits that he is troubled by the imaginary scenario where dangerous animals escape from the zoo. “A tiger or a cheetah is not a dog,” he shares, “I know that the chances are slim but the prospect is still scary.” Zoo, the management assures, is a safe and sound way of observing the animals. No visitors get close enough to the enclosures where they can unfasten the lock. And the zoo officials are extremely careful about such safety measures. Zoo is currently managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). But wildlife is a chief natural resource of the country and so local participation is mandatory for its management and maintenance. The zoo management offers its take on local participation by talking about Friends of Zoo (FOZ), a membership based program. Its main objective is to create knowledge and interest from the grassroots since an early age. “Most parents are conscious and responsive,” shares Jnawali. “They would rather have their children engaged in community work than in video games.” Central Zoo, established by the then Prime Minister Juddha SJB Rana in 1932 for his personal entertainment, is now a site of infotainment regarding animals for the public. Animal right activists and ecologists have their own ideas and perspectives regarding the validity and necessity of zoo. The zoo itself has seen its fair share of highs and lows. But it was and still is a small slice of jungle within the concrete forest that Kathmandu has turned into albeit in need of enhanced maintenance and perpetuation. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55464 A PC is not only for work and most of the times, a PC is in use as a media device, rendering HD videos and playing high-quality audio files. People use PCs to watch movies or television series and use media players to play some music while working. Windows comes built-in with decent media applications but these applications have more flaws that a user can handle. MACs, on the other hand, are equipped with pretty good media applications; one of them being a media player that many Windows users love as well – iTunes. But the internet offers many alternatives to these built-in applications that work better and are free. Any media junkie on a Windows PC would only benefit from using these media applications.[break] Music Windows Media Player or iTunes, comes to everyone’s mind when we talk about a quality application for music but as good as iTunes is, the Apple software takes up a lot of system memory and has a pretty slow usability. There are many applications that work as good as iTunes but works light, one of them being Winamp. Very lightweight with support for various types, Winamp is one of the best audio applications you can install on Windows but it falls short of the usability because of its traditional music library view. It does not flaunt the album view or the cover flow of Windows Media Player and iTunes but beats both these applications when it comes to performance and file compatibility. But in recent times, there have been applications that work as a bridge between your media library and the internet. These applications keep a live internet connection with their hosts and work while you’re enjoying your music to bring you dynamic content from famous music sites like Last FM. One of the best applications in this field is Songbird, developed by Mozilla, the same company that brings you the famous browser Firefox. Songbird is a browser and media player built in one and lets you browse the internet as you listen to music but apart from its browser capabilities, it also brings you song lyrics and artist information from the internet as you go through your library. Another software that works in the same way as Songbird is MusicBee, a relatively new software that connects your music library with the internet but does not come equipped with a browser. Instead, it provides plenty of options to reorganize and collect internet data for your music. Video Microsoft does not have a very good video player and the video playing capabilities of Windows Media Player is limited, so many people are in the lookout for an advanced media player that can handle any file format you throw at them, like VLC Media Player. No doubt that VLC Media Player is one of the best video players but if you want a change from the bland user interface that comes with it, then a perfect replacement is the Cowon Audio’s JetAudio. JetAudio supports all the popular video formats but might not be able to handle any kind of video files like VLC. It has a slick interface that stays out of your way as you watch videos. It comes equipped with most of the features that people commonly use, such as subtitle feature and aspect-ratio option that lets you manually force a video into different aspect ratios. It also comes with brilliant audio processors that give a certain depth to your video, like BBE sound effects which make watching music videos a pleasure. If you want a more stable and lightweight player, then go for K-Lite Codec Pack’s Media Player Classic. The codec pack installs all the codec files you need to play videos and is a must-install on all Windows PCs. Apart from the codecs, it also comes equipped with a very advanced media player that resembles the Media Player of Windows XP. Podcasts Microsoft has conveniently not focused on the need for a Podcast system and it’s also pretty difficult to find a reliable podcast manager for Windows but if you happen to a big podcast buff, there are some excellent applications that can bridge the gap left by your operating system. The first option comes from Microsoft itself but has now been taken off the internet but can still be found on different download sites. Zune Player was actually constructed as a PC suite for their line of Zune Media Players but Microsoft did such a great job with it that many people still use it as an independent media player and Podcast manager. It is, however, quite flashy and so it takes up a big part of your memory and graphical memory but in all other aspects, it performs wonderfully. The podcasts can be queued up and the user can configure each podcast session to automatically download a certain number of episodes, silently in the background, every time the player starts up. If you want a lightweight option, Sony’s GO Media Manager is also an equally good alternative. Much like Zune, it lets you manage your podcasts easily. Downloading is also very easy. eBooks If you are a big bookworm and like to keep a huge collection of ebooks, then a good eBook manager is a must. There’s one that can help you organize you library as well as get your books ready for any device that you may want to read then in. Calibre is one of the few eBook managers that does not disappoint. It gives you options to change the layout settings of .ePUB files and also helps you get them ready for many eBook readers like the Kindle, Nook or any Android or Apple tablets. It also downloads cover art for your books. Management and device syncing are made very easy with Calibre and that’s all you can ask from an eBook manager. Your Windows PC can perform a lot better with these applications but there is an abundance of different options that media junkies can experiment with. These applications can help you get through your large media library and make your overall media experience a joy on a Windows PC. So get on your browser and start experimenting with different media players and managers out there. The writer is The Week’s much loved techguru. Email us your tech queries at theweek@myrepublica.com and we’ll have him answer them for you. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55463 Mostly all religions, with Hinduism putting particular emphasis on the notion, have portrayed God as being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. But it’s all abstract. In reality, the only thing that comes close to those attributes is perhaps mobiles. When computer was invented and subsequently made available for popular use, it was believed that this technology would make people depend on it for everything. Invention of internet and laptops, both of which added mobility to the computers, further reinforced that belief. [break] Until recently, nobody had realized that mobile, the tiny device that carried the same genetic makeup as computers but was initially limited to sending and receiving calls, would evolve so fast to steal away all the glamour from computers and laptops. But here we are watching the still unassuming device growing and transforming into a material world’s version of gods “omni” attributes. Mobiles are omnipotent because their functions enable us to carry out all the major tasks that define our lives today: communication, consumption and entertainment. Omniscient because once linked to the internet, we have all the information we need. And omnipresent because with mobiles, you have access to everything and are reachable anywhere. But these pervasive qualities -- with their unbridled capacity for intrusion and to define and shape our world -- might one day prove to be mobile’s Achilles’ heel. Concerns of privacy apart, mobiles have been blamed for distorting social behavior to the point that social interaction may no longer be viable in near future. I have a friend who carries a smartphone and is always in search of a corner where WiFi is available. He goes up and down a building, scurries from one room to another until he finds the signal. He is always either downloading something from the internet or updating his facebook account. Though he is not as withdrawn or has gone incommunicado as the young people in high mobile use country but that could soon change. Why? Because right now not everyone around this friend has a smartphone. As soon as we have more people flaunting smartphones and access to cheap or free WiFi, just as in the developed world, we’ll have more people hooked on to mobiles. Researches in developed countries have shown that excessive mobile use has led to isolationism. A study in Japan has found that young users are becoming less capable of direct, social communications. They rely too much on technology to converse. “They’re often intelligent in collecting information but not in utilizing it. I’m often surprised by their awkward emotional responses,” a respondent in the study said. These findings point to the fact that obsessive users of technology become geeks; meaning technologically smarter, but socially gauche. Mobiles have also been blamed for killing casual conversations. Even today we can notice a trend that people traveling or visiting shopping malls together prefer to fiddle with their mobiles or play video games rather than start a conversation. And with apps like Google MAPS, people in highly developed countries no longer need to ask strangers for direction or location. Mobiles can be useful and fun, but they can also be irritating. While during face-to-face interactions the volume is moderated by the surrounding in which they occur, a research has pointed out that mobile leads its users to believe that they are entering a private space shared only by the parties on the phone. A few days ago, a man on a motorcycle stopped right outside the window of my ground floor flat that is just a few feet away from the road and started hurling curse words at somebody on the other end of the phone. He seemed like a decent man who would not otherwise make a public display of his mastery on profanity, but for the illusion of intimacy created by mobiles. Talking loudly, however, alone is not the problem. We encounter people at public places listening to music without headphones and in full volume or playing video games with the sounds on even though they realize that they are putting others at discomfort. As a consequence, certain kinds of spaces have already been deemed inappropriate for mobile use. Trains in Britain, Japan, Switzerland, and the US now have ‘quiet cars’ or carriages. Restaurants in many cities have introduced ‘no-mobile’ policies or ‘mobile-free’ zones in an attempt to maintain the sense of privacy and personal space. Mobile companies are going after consumers in an unprecedented manner and young people, particularly, don’t seem to get enough of these devices. They are glued to these devices every moment they are awake, therefore, mobiles are more likely to dictate their social behaviors and lifestyles than anything else. But mobile companies would do well to reflect on some of the above examples as evidence that their aggressive approach could prove to be overkill and subsequently a turnoff. The writer is a copy editor at Republica. amendrapokharel@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55462 An energy engineer by profession, Anil Chitrakar has traveled far and wide in the course of his career. “Take the Lead,” his first book, is also his personal collection of worldly knowledge and lifelong experiences. An art enthusiast with a special interest in ancient architecture and monuments, Chitrakar insists that initiatives should be taken by the citizens if they wish to bring about a feasible and durable change in their country. What does your book talk about? My book talks about our take on the various issues surrounding us at the moment. It talks about our perspectives regarding everything. We, the Nepalese, have always been defined by what we aren’t or what we don’t have. Why should we always be called a landlocked country? Why do we call ourselves a small nation? We’re so rich in cultural and natural heritages. We’re affluent when it comes to volume, not area. So, why not talk about that for once? This book is about a paradigm shift in people’s way of thinking.[break] Bijay Rai What do you think is the major hindrance to development in Nepal? I believe it’s the lack of unity and collective effort. You know, I travel a lot due to my work commitments and wherever I go, I seriously don’t find Nepalese any less than the others. Individually, we’re all great. But collectively, we’re extremely weak. The moment we make unity our strength, there’ll be no looking back. What else is required for development in Nepal? All I’ve attempted in my book is to demystify the supposedly complex principles of development. We also require a functioning system. We’re unaware of our own strengths. For instance, we’re so rich in wind power. But we’ve no policy for that. On the other hand, we’ve a nuclear policy which is of no real use for us. We have it simply because some donor must have asked us to have it. The other important thing is equality. It’s like a level playing field. Once you enter the field, not everybody out there succeeds. Nonetheless, everybody does get an equal chance. This isn’t the case with us, unfortunately. Someone who comes up with a bright idea is discouraged when a glossy NGO with lots of cash steps into the same market. Such distortion of creativity under commerce is the reality of today. So who should take the lead? We should all take the lead. I decided to write this book because I felt that it’s always the foreigners who write about Nepal. I thought we should understand our own problems if we intend to solve them. We’ve very less Nepalese writers on our bookshelves apart from Dor Bahadur Bista and Harka Gurung. We must have the initiative to pick up the pieces and move on. Do the Japanese pack their bags and come to Nepal after each earthquake? No. That’s why they’re so successful. We must follow the same example and start doing things ourselves. Do you intend to write a second part as well? I think I would love to. I may not be a professional writer but I’ve a fair idea about the attention span and area of interest of my readers. I don’t write stories. I only write about specific issues and the key ideas regarding the present day concepts of development. I believe my books will contribute to observing the bigger picture of development scenario in the simplest possible manner. The World until Yesterday by Jared Diamond Nepal is a cocktail of the traditional and the modern and Nepalese are always juggling the two extremes. For example, a banker who seldom gets a day off has to go and pull the chariot in some Jaatra. Both are equally important for him. The trick is to maintain a balance between these two. This book deals with the dynamics of the society and how the old and the new fit together in the same big picture. Ashoka by Charles Allen Ashoka is one of the most inspiring historical characters. Many entrepreneurs are inspired by this third century emperor who gave up all that he had fought for throughout his life to renounce everything in the end. It can be paralleled with the example of hardcore banker who suddenly quits his job when his child is diagnosed with the Down’s syndrome and devotes all his time and energy in the research of this disease. A History of God by Karen Armstrong There has been an ancient debate between spirituality and religion. Hindus are the people that have come from the Indus valley. During the time of partition, there had been a huge debate about naming “India” after a place that was in Pakistan. On the contrary to Hinduism, Buddhism knows no heaven or hell. It just talks about a path that leads to the end of suffering. The book talks about this concept. Starbucked by Taylor Clark I was fascinated to see Starbucks in four different corners in Seattle. I could only imagine what must have been going through the mind of the person who came up with this. It also gave me some interesting insights about how to design and run a successful coffee chain in a country. It actually made me wonder if we could have our own Starbucks in Nepal and if yes, how it could be possible. Samaya Chetana by Nilambar Acharya The 1990 constitution had been drafted so promptly but why didn’t the same thing happen this time around? Why are the people being put off by this situation? This book gives grounds and reasons to make that kind of comparison. The writer has articulated and interpreted this beautifully based on real life instances and experiences. It also borrows quite a lot from Buddhists texts and philosophies the methods of maintaining peace in a society. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55461 To dream up a world, then to realize that the dreaming has changed the world you are in -- to lie with honest intentions, create stories that become history and are pronounced as facts -- Umberto Eco introduces us to Baudolino in Chapter one with ‘Baudolino tries his hand at writing’. The chapter is a scribbled piece where Baudolino introduces himself through his own early attempt at writing. The writing is on a page that Baudolino has stolen from the cabinet of Bishop Oto, scraped it clean and written on. We stumble across phrases with a strike through them or the remains of Latin that Baudolino was unable to remove. The meta-quality of the book begins its pervasion.[break] Baudolino’s storytelling begins when he rescues Niketas, a Byzantium historian, during the siege of Constantinople in 1204. He guides Niketas to safety among the Genoese people and finds that he enjoys telling Niketas his own story. The novel then unfolds as we hear his side of the story. The telling of the story seems important for Niketas to understand his rescuer but later, it becomes more important for Baudolino to continue telling the story until he himself is the rescued. Eco sometimes deviates from Baudolino’s point of view and we see things that he may have only heard of or when he was not present in-scene. The writing is compelling enough to not raise questions as the reader understands that Baudolino is a liar and what he says is not necessarily to be believed. However, Baudolino is different from other liars -- he lies to create truths with positive outcomes and lies so sincerely as not to do harm. He himself says, “...the problem of my life is that I’ve always confused what I saw with what I wanted to see.” Born to a poor peasant family, Baudolino is the son of Gagliaudo Aulari, a legendary figure who saved the city of Alessandria. When the Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa meets Baudolino, he finds the boy fascinating and decides to take him under his wing even though he knows he is a liar. Baudolino considers Barbarossa his adopted father and is devoted to carrying out his missions; until he finds himself torn when he falls in love with the empress and his adopted mother. He decides to part ways from his father and leaves for Paris to pursue Among them is Abdul, a young man in love with a woman he has never seen, and the Poet, who is never able to write a poem. The Poet, Abdul and other friends of Baudolino end up in Barbarossa’s court. Baudolino writes poems for the Poet and he creates reasons for his other friends to be with him. The boys had together in Paris invented the world of Prester John, and long after Paris, while serving Barbarossa, decide to go in search of the Prester John’s land. The baffling and beguiling element here of Eco’s stories is that what began as a myth begins to take shape as reality. We leave in search of Prester John with the characters and quickly drop our guards and forget our doubts about what is real and what is not. The skiapods and hypatia are taken with good standing and when Baudolino begins to create relics in order to survive, we are cheering them on. Eco, with his vast knowledge of history and the ways in which they are created, writes a fine tale. The only drawback is that he sometimes gets caught up in the descriptions, which span over pages, making the reading tedious. Sometimes, he skims over the conflicts and relationships of his characters too easily, dwelling instead of the city and places they pass through. Baudolino is not as well constructed as In the Name of the Rose, but it is certainly entertaining to read. The story doesn’t quite end with Baudolino’s narration and continues to follow him until he himself becomes a mythical figure of folklore. Definitely a book worth finishing once you’ve started. “There is nothing better than imaging other worlds,” he said, “to forget the painful one we live in. At least so I thought then. I hadn’t yet realized that, imagining other worlds, you end up changing this one.” http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55460 Many settlements in Kathmandu valley are named after the nearby temples or statues of different deities. Being the ‘city of temples’, almost all the settlements have their local holy abode. While there are temples with grand architecture on one hand, there are those places as well, where people started worshipping regular stones and turned it into a holy site. Kandevsthan stands as an example of one of the simple temples with no significant architecture but with a very interesting myth behind it. Located a few steps away from the Kupondole bus stand at the end of Bagmati Bridge, it is not hard to spot as it lies just beside the main road on the right side as you head towards Lailtpur from Thapathali. [break] Asmita Manandhar Every festival, temple and holy ground in Nepal bears a background story that’s held as a legend and gives a history of the origination of a particular place or cultural activity. Kandevsthan also has one such fascinating tale behind its origination. According to the legend, it is said that during the rule of King Sriniwas Malla, Patan was prospering in every sector. But its growing development in administration, economy and culture was perceived as a threat by then King of Kathmandu, Pratap Malla. Though Sriniwas Malla was Pratap Malla’s nephew, the two kingdoms shared a long history of political rivalry and the King of Kathmandu was getting anxious over the strategic plan of its neighbor kingdom. Unable to appoint any spy within Sriniwas Malla’s palace, Pratap Malla sought help of his Rajpurohit, the official priest. During that period, Kathmandu Valley was supposed to be a golden era of Tantrism, the teaching of Tantras, religious writings that bear mysticism and magical rituals. People who took up Tantrism were respected and feared at the same time. Many myths regarding festivals within Kathmandu Valley have Tantrik connotations. Likewise, the legend of Kandevsthan says that Pratap Malla’s Rajpurohit asked the King to choose an object which could allure the King of Patan. After much discussion and brainstorming, the King decided that a mesmerizing painting should serve the purpose. And so, he assigned the task to one of the finest artists in his kingdom. The artist, being ordered by the King, to paint such an artwork, which would not only draw people towards it, but would transfix their gaze once they had laid their eyes upon it, was in a fix. But after months of failure, he finally drew inspiration from his wife, who one day came to him freshly bathed and wrapped only in a thin layer of cloth. After the painting was completed, the Rajpurohit equipped it with special powers through Tantrism. The painting was then gifted to King Sriniwas Malla. Enchanted by the beauty of the painting, he ordered that it be installed inside his private chamber. Meanwhile, the Rajpurohit also sent a group of people with a peculiar stone, influenced with Tantrik powers to Patan. Soon after crossing Bagmati River, the border between Patan and Kathmandu, the group established the stone at Kupondole, convincing the locals that it held the remains of a very powerful deity. The stone which had a peculiar shape resembling that of a human ear was, in fact, a tool similar to modern antenna that had a direct connection with the painting at Sriniwas Malla’s quarters. Pratap Malla had a similar tool with which he was able to eavesdrop on every conversation Sriniwas Malla carried within the confines of his quarter. This went on for years, with Pratap Malla sabotaging Sriniwas Malla’s strategies in one way or the other. Sriniwas Malla, on the other hand, was oblivious to it. But that did not last long. During a festival dinner at Pratap Malla’s palace, where Sriniwas Malla was also invited, he accidently mentioned a private conversation between Sriniwas Malla and his wife that he’d overheard through the painting. Sriniwas Malla figured out that the gift from the King of Kathmandu was bugged and destroyed the painting. Though Pratap Malla’s spying was thwarted after the painting was destroyed, the antenna or the stone set up at Kupondole remained there. The locals had started worshipping the stone and had built temple structures around it. As time passed, due to the shape of the stone that resembles a pair of human ears, people named it Kandevsthan and assumed that any ailments regarding ears can be solved by worshipping the revered stones. The temple lies beside the main road at Kupondole and though the place is named after the very temple, it is likely that you may have easily ignored its presence. But it may bear a different charm now that you’re aware of the myth behind its establishment. Therefore, the next time you are around that area, be sure to explore the temple and look at its ear-shaped stone deity. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55459 The occasional rainfall is a hint that monsoon is around the corner. Though the rains are a welcome relief to beat the summer heat, taking care of those beautiful plants in your garden and saving them from getting ruined can prove to be troublesome during this season. But if there’s an open space around your house which you want to make more colorful and appealing, monsoon is just the right season to plant new flowers and shrubs. Monsoons are the best time of the year for those who love gardening because plants bloom rapidly as they’re able to soak in moisture from the wet soil. The downside is that gardening during this season requires additional care as well. [break] Gyani Maharjan, proprietor of Kumari Nursery in Paknajol, says that during the monsoon season, due to excess water, there’s a great risk of plants dying so one of the most important things is to have a good outlet to let the excess water drain properly otherwise the roots might rot. Stagnant water destroys plants and hampers its growth as well. So it’s important make sure the drainage system of your garden is well maintained. There are more chances of insects and worms infestation during this season so you’ve to tend to your plants with care and vigilance. Like plants, weeds too can grow faster in this season so be sure to pull them out on time before they destroy your plants. Maharjan informs that this is the right time to grow seasonal flowers like Genia, Dahlia and Marigold as these flowering plants add a colorful tint to the lush greenery to your garden and can make it visual very appealing. Potted plants are easy to maintain as well but you’ve to add a fresh stock of soil to the old soil every now and then to ensure that the plants grow properly. During heavy rainfall, it’s also advisable to grow indoor plants as they absorb humidity present in the air and grow well with minimal care. As for outdoor plants, trim trees and shrubs before the rain starts. This will ensure that your plants get enough air, sunshine and water. You also have to protect your plants from storm and shelter them well. Make use of plastic sheets to cover your plants during monsoon to prevent them from getting damaged due to the rains. But use perforated sheets that are specially designed for covering plants to allow sufficient rain to reach the plant as sprinklers which is essential for growth. Few handy tips for monsoon gardening Avoid too much chemical fertilizers, instead try nature’s own compost and look for organic options. You will find a lot of earthworms during the monsoon season. These creatures fertilize the soil which aid in the growth of plants, so don’t squash earthworms when you come across one; as you inevitably will during monsoons. Invest in pots for new shrubbery and then transfer them to keep them thriving. To do that, first turn the pot upside down and hold one hand under the soil ball so that it rests in your hands as it leaves the pot. Then carefully place the root mass in the new pot and tap the soil to have the root ball settle in. Ensure a steady drainage system for stagnant water to flow which you can do by installing a proper drainage pipe in your garden so that it carries water past areas where you don’t want to water to collect. Drainage pipes work to direct water from garden areas into a drainage ditch. Since most of the nutrients in manure are fairly soluble, they can be washed out of soils making the soil lack sufficient organic matter necessary to hold the nutrients. So make sure to mix a good proportion of soil and compost manure to improve your soil’s quality. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55458 While decorating one of the relatively neglected spaces tends to be the kitchen area. While focusing on functionality, we often forget to add some style element to glam up the room. A kitchen need not be a space that you use only to prepare meals but can also be used as a dining area or a workstation as well. A sleek, modern kitchen needn’t feel cold. There are lots of simple things you can do to revamp your kitchen, jazz it up a bit and make it much more livable. The goal is to have a super functional space that has a fresh feel. Think clean lines, and a classic white and gray palette with a playful amount of color coming from accent pieces to keep things fun, without being overwhelming or too dark. [break] Photo Courtesy: Arjun Shah This weekend redo your old kitchen and put together a happy space that makes cooking a much more enjoyable experience and at the same time can be used for other purposes. The Week tells you how. First up, access your space A kitchen that opens up into the main living area can be an extremely exciting space to decorate. A generously sized table can accommodate dinners and even intense work projects. Think beyond the primary functions of the kitchen and consider how it can seamlessly extend into the other areas of your home. When a few rooms spill into the kitchen, it’s time to create a balanced flow, which can be accomplished with a cohesive and simplified color palette. A tiny kitchen (and a tight budget), requires careful and creative planning. Create a focal point and work around it Just as you’d decorate a living room around a coffee table or a TV console or a bedroom around the bed, plan your kitchen around the cooking zone. A really great stove can be the focal point and transform a kitchen. For a nice pop of color, consider a pretty splash back in a vibrant color. Keep the vibe modern, casual and cool by layering a black-and-white–striped rug and hanging an oversized shade over the countertop. Be smart on storage ideas To make a kitchen homey as well as functional, hang storage racks from the ceiling for frequently used pots and pans. For a home that relies on plenty of storage, hang extra floating shelves to hold cookbooks, containers and favorite accessories. If you don’t have much cabinet space, bring in freestanding pieces or floating shelves to hold appliances, dishes, and other kitchen essentials. Also, a simple steel pipe, strung with hooks can keep pans and utensils within reach. Another perfect way to not let your storage items look drab and chaotic is to use similar sized containers to store edibles. Glam it up a bit If you have a modern decorating style, embrace a bold color and high-gloss finish. Silver and cherry red lacquer cabinets take the kitchen pictured alongside to daring heights. To avoid visual commotion, keep the rest of your accessories (kitchen textiles, serving ware and plates) in the same color palette. Infuse your kitchen with some color even if you want to stick to a neutral palette for the base. Add texture by layering a striped rug over a seamless floor. Hang a pair of chandeliers from the ceilings for an unexpected twist. Toss in a few experienced items; your collection of mugs or ceramic plates, attractive cutlery or even interesting kitchen appliances to make your kitchen come to life. Be creative while designing While fantasy designing can sometimes seem impractical you should still feel free to let your mind roam. That doesn’t mean you should be so bold as to place a light rug in line of fire for food spills and wine drips, but interesting colors and patterns in terms of accessories could act as an inspiration. Place an interesting lamp or a chic rug at a corner for a hint of intrigue. You can stick to a monochromatic palette while still adding interest and personality to a room. A continuous pattern, like modern black-and-white zigzag, running across a counter is graphic and unexpected. For an instant update, you can opt to give the cabinets a fresh coat of paint in a vibrant color. Go for the effortless appeal An assortment of odd stools instead of regular chairs around the dining table can add an old world charm to your kitchen area. Salvage a damaged rug by having it cut down and rebound into a kitchen mat. A runner across the counter top can hide stains and scratches. A quirky vase with fresh flowers or even a small potted plant on the table can up the style quotient with minimal effort. The idea is to incorporate your personal style to make the room truly inspiring. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55457 A photographer and travel enthusiast, Mithila Jariwala, originally from Gujrat, India has been working in Singapore since 2011. A travel and social documentary photographer, she came to Nepal some seven months back. Currently facilitating Social Documentary Photography Workshop for Women at Sattya Media Arts Collective, Jariwala took some time out to talk about her experience with photography and her trip to Nepal with The Week.[break] Photo Courtesy: Mithila Jariwala How did you get into photography? Though I never took up a full time course on photography, I’d interned with a photographer after completing my Bachelors degree in journalism. After that, there was no looking back. My love for travelling made me take up travel photography. What aspect do you like about travel photography? Many times when you are travelling, you can only perceive people and society on a surface level. I like travelling but I also wanted to learn about the communities in detail. So now, instead of hopping from one place to another, I like to stay at a place for a while and produce photographs that tell in-depth stories. How did you land up in Nepal? I’d plans to travel to Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan through a project in Singapore. But that project didn’t materialize. But thankfully I was offered another project and with that another chance to work here. And how did the workshop materialize? I was in touch with Sattya for a long time and I’d informed them of my plans to stay in Nepal for while. So, when I got here, we brainstormed ideas for a workshop and finally came up with idea of the social documentary workshop for women. How has the workshop been so far? We have a total of eight participants for the workshop ranging from 22 to 35 years of age out of which three are non-Nepalis. So, it is very interesting to work with them as they bring different ideas and perspective on the table and I hope that we’ll have a good learning session. Why was the workshop open only to women? It was Sattya’s idea that we focus more on women. But I’m glad to have been facilitating this workshop as there seems to be very less women photographers in Nepal. Though, the participants of the workshop may not become professionals, they’ll hopefully add up to the number of women photographers. Have you met any professional photographers in Nepal? I’ve not met many but I’ve been introduced to quite a few by photo.circle and I was lucky to have attended a photography exhibition the day arrived. As for women photographers, I have only met Nayantara Gurung Kakshyapati so far. How do you compare the participation of women as photographers in Nepal from your experiences in India and Singapore? India has a lot of female photographers but in Singapore, the photography community is highly male dominated. I haven’t met many female photographers in Nepal as well. I think, women are coming up in the field but are still limited in number. Tell us about your experience here in Nepal. I’ve always loved travelling. From touristic destinations like Pokhara and Ilam to rural Terai areas, I have enjoyed my excursions in Nepal. I think Humla has been one of the best destinations so far. I’ve also experienced that people are very welcoming and friendly here, which has been the highlight of my travel. I’ve also never been bored here so it’s been a good trip so far. How long will you be staying here? Any new future ventures? I’m definitely going to stay in Nepal for a while but haven’t planned on how long I’ll be here. I do have few new projects lined up but haven’t decided what I’ll be taking up yet. (By Asmita Manandhar) http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55456 Young cricketer Sanjhana Budhathoki claimed the title of the player-of-the-series in the Wai Wai Women’s U-19 Cricket Tournament this week. Budhathoki, who hails from Kakadvitta, Jhapa, was a crucial member of the winner Region No 1 (Biratnagar). The U-19 title was the maiden title of the region in women’s cricket. She scored 81 runs and took six wickets in the five matches she played in the tournament. Budhathoki, 16, had started practicing some five years ago when she joined Milan Cricket Club in Kakadvitta. “I’m happy to have won an award but I’m happier to have been able to contribute towards my team’s victory,” said Budhathoki, who dreams of playing for national team in the future. “As any other cricketer, I also have dreams of playing for the national team,” she added.[break] Tika Ram Thapa was an unheralded athlete until he went to participate in the 2013 Chizou ITU Premium Asian Cup Triathlon in China last week but he was already a national hero when he returned home this week. He clinched gold for Nepal in the tournament. As newly formed Nepal Triathlon Association (NTA) gave priority on organizing domestic tournaments and international participation, the 28-year old army personnel Thapa got his opportunity. Thapa completed the sprint distance (750m swim + 20 km bike + 5 km run) with a timing of 1 hour 12 min 15.54 sec in the 20-29 years age group to win the gold medal. With his victory, he also qualified for the CTSA level certificate of China Triathlon Association. Thapa, who hails from Rajkot, Dailekh, had joined Nepal Army eight years ago and started his sports career as a swimmer. Thapa started triathlon two years ago and after winning the Asian gold medal, he is grateful to Nepal Army and NTA. “I’m happy that I won the gold medal for the country and I’ll give full credit to the Nepal Army behind my success. I’m also thankful to NTA for providing chances to us athletes,” said Thapa. He is preparing for the upcoming World Championship now and Nepal can expect its new hero to shine more in coming days. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55454 Business is in Shesh Ghale’s blood, it seems. Not satisfied with his degree in civil engineering from Kharkov Automobile and Highway Institute in former USSR and after a brief stint at Nepal’s Transport Department as highway project engineer, Ghale went down under for further studies 23 years ago. And, this time, he chose business studies. Unlike most of the students, however, Ghale not only did his MBA, but applied it, that too, with an impactful effect.[break] Today, Ghale is among the BRW’s 200 Wealthiest Australians – the list prepared every year by Business Review Weekly, a weekly business magazine. His wife Jamuna Gurung too has made it into the list. Ghale is ranked 180th while Gurung is 181st wealthiest. The couple is worth a whopping 265 Australian dollars. Apart from having investment in various real estate properties, the rich couple owns Melbourne Institute of Technology (MIT). Established in 1996, MIT has since grown into one of Australia’s leading private higher education providers of degree and postgraduate degree courses in business and information technology. After a tough couple of years enrolments are back on the rise at MIT, and that makes the couple’s fortune rise too. Ghale is now geared up to invest some of his money back home. Ghale’s MIT Group Holdings Nepal has tied up with Sheraton Hotel chain operator Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Incorporate to establish a swanky 225-room five-star hotel at the heart of Kathmandu by 2018. Going by Ghale’s business acumen, one can only expect this Lamjung-born Nepali to continue minting money. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55453 Republica journo awarded Kiran Pun who is also known as Nabin Bibhas in the literary circle received this year’s Krishna Sen Smriti Puraskar amidst a special function held in Dang this week. The award established by the Unified People’s Cultural Federation of Dang was handed over to Pun for his contribution in the progressive literary field. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. Thapa awarded Acclaimed song writer Ratna Shumsher Thapa has been recognized as the Best Lyricist. The Association of Lyricists awarded Thapa for his contribution in the music sector with a Rs. 100,000 worth prize. [break] Thapa has written many songs that have been popularly sung by many top singers. Likewise, another Rs. 100,000 award for emerging lyricist went to Sudip Kumar Regmi for his song “Ke garnu parchha” which was sung by Sworup Raj Acharya. Sancharika Puraskar Young journalists Janakraj Sapkota and Man Bahadur Basnet of Nepal weekly magazine have received this year’s Sancharika Samanta Award for their joint story on women rights. Likewise, Republica’s Chitwan correspondent Chadani Hamal received “Late Uma Singh Patrikarita Puraskar” while two other young journalists Sabita Biswakarma of Community Information Network (CIN) and Sneha Jha of TTV were awarded with Protsahan Puraskar to encourage them in their respective work. Everest Marathon winners Ram Kumar Rajbhandari, 31, of Solukhumbu clinched the title of 11th Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon this week finishing the grueling run in the mountains in 3 hours 59 minutes and 45 seconds. The race is run from the Everest base camp (5,300 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,450 m). In the women’s race, a pregnant 44-year-old, mother of three and grandmother of one, Ang Dami Sherpa claimed the title completing the race in 6 hours 2 minutes and 10 seconds. In the half marathon, Gerlinda Schimmel of the Netherlands won the half-marathon. Rajbhandari pocketed Rs. 100,000 cash prize while Sherpa and Schimmel received Rs. 50,000 each. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55140 Usually clad in casual dress, Nagendra Kumal, the newly elected president of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (Nefin), appeared in an entirely different outfit three months ago. He has not dropped his new outfit ever since even for a single day. Especially after winning the election held in Chitwan a week ago to choose Nefin’s new leadership, he seems to have been more careful about his new look. The new sartorial outfit of Nefin’s youngest ever president is formal: a combination of cotton pants, leather shoes, coat and Nepali topi. The 37-year-old says he did not own even a single pair of leather shoes and cotton pants before considering contesting the elections. “I wore only jeans and sports shoes until then,” says he. “I had to abandon all that informal wear to look more mature – mature enough to lead Nefin.”[break] The swift transformation of Kumal’s appearance – from a young and aggressive ‘fighter’ to a mature and persuasive indigenous leader – symbolizes how Nefin itself is undergoing change. “I was like a fighter always ready to clash with any opposing political force on the streets,” says he. “My new get-up does not allow me to just hurl stones on the streets.” Arguably the most significant change that the Nefin underwent is its take on federalism. In a 30-point manifesto passed by its eighth national convention, the Nefin did not talk of single ethic identity-based federalism. It just called for identity-based federalism. And, the Nefin leaders explain that identity is not just ethnicity. “It could be ethnicity,” says Kumal. “But, it could be language, culture, history, religion and even geography.” Dipesh Shrestha/The Week File Photo Nefin’s former president Raj Kumar Lekhi, who emerged as kingmaker by helping Kumal win the election and foiling the efforts of political leaders to unilaterally elect Chandra Bikram Rai as the new president, says, “In fact, single ethnic identity-based federalism was never our political agenda. It was floated by the Maoists. And, influenced by the Maoists, some indigenous leaders also started talking of single-ethnic identity.” Lekhi says he had to struggle very hard to persuade other indigenous leaders to drop the demand for single-ethnic identity. “Throughout my tenure as Nefin’s president, I tried to persuade other leaders to fight for identity-based federalism and not single-ethnic identity,” says Lekhi. “In this sense, Nefin’s eighth convention was my victory. Only at this convention did Nefin for the first time drop the idea of single ethnic identity-based federalism.” Although Nefin remained conspicuously silent on single-ethnic identity in its manifesto, Kumal still calls for preferential political rights for the excluded and marginalized ethnic communities in the identity-based federal provinces for a certain period. However, going by how indigenous leaders agreed to add zonal names like Bagmati and Gandaki to identity-based names like Newa and Tamsaling in the twilight hours of the now-dissolved Constituent Assembly (CA), one can easily understand that the demand for preferential rights can be used just as a bargaining chip in negotiations. Last year, when the Caucus of lawmakers at the CA representing indigenous and ethnic communities saw no possibility of the top leaders agreeing to its agenda, it agreed to acknowledge geography as a basis for carving out the provinces under the new federal structure. “We wanted to help the political parties forge consensus on the thorny issue of federalism,” says Prithvi Subba Gurung, a politburo member of the CPN (UML) who led the Janjati Caucas. “Unfortunately, our flexibility did not help.” What caused Nefin to stand for a more liberal view on federalism could be the growing disenchantment of people, not necessarily within the ethnic communities, with the dominance of certain groups in the prospective federal provinces. Although it is increasingly turning into a major political force among the ethnic and indigenous communities, Nefin is still essentially a social organization. Registered as an NGO and supported by donors, Nefin has its own limitations. In 2011, when it called one general strike after another to push its demands, Nefin had to lose a huge chunk of funding that the British government’s Department for International Development (DfID) had pledged. With the withdrawal of DfID support, other donor agencies also stepped back, affecting several of Nefin’s programs. With the beginning of the transformation in Nefin, DfID is believed to have sent a green signal for the resumption of its assistance. The Chitwan convention gave Nefin its first president from a minority group. For more than two decades since its inception, Nefin was always ruled by large indigenous communities like Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai and Limbu. At the eighth convention, the voice for handing over Nefin’s leadership to someone from a minority group had become very strong, and this facilitated Kumal’s emergence as the new indigenous leader. Kumal’s victory also indicates that Nefin has now embarked on a journey to become much more inclusive, in keeping with its principal and policy. “It is a break with tradition,” says Surya Bahadur Bhujel, who is one of the newly elected vice-presidents of Nefin and also hails from another minority group.”Until the Chitwan convention, Nefin, contradictory to its own principal, had never been inclusive and representative of all in the true sense.” If CJ can lead government, why can’t CA be revived? After being elected president of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (Nefin), Nagendra Kumal has been busy in meetings with various political leaders to press the agendas of the ethnic communities. On Wednesday, shortly after he met chairman of the interim election government Khil Raj Regmi and coordinator of the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) Jhalnath Khanal, Republica caught up with him to learn about Nefin’s political agenda and view on federalism. What agenda are you pressing during your meetings with political leaders? Political parties seem to be in favor of the Election Commission (EC)’s recent proposal on downsizing the Constituent Assembly (CA), which will naturally lead to a reduction in the number of CA seats allocated under the proportional quota. They are also positive about the EC’s proposed provision of a threshold for seats under the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system. We are dead against these two proposals. Although we have a wide range of demands, we are currently pressing these two issues. Why is Nefin against these proposals? We believe these provisions will weaken the voice of ethnic communities in the CA. This is an act of excluding the ethnic communities while drafting the new constitution. We will not remain passive if our voice is suppressed in the constitution-drafting process. We are not only for the proportional representation of ethnic communities but also for the participation of the most marginalized and excluded groups such as Raute, Kusunda and Dolpo. If they cannot win elections, their participation should be ensured through nominations or proportional quotas. Is the participation of each and every ethnic community possible in the CA? It should be made possible. The CA elections are not for electing the government or forming parliament. It is a process of drafting the constitution of the people. In such a historic process, no community should be left out. We should not even shy away from forming the largest ever CA if this will ensure the involvement of all ethnic communities in the constitution-drafting process. If this is not financially feasible, we can revive the dissolved CA for three months. Before its dissolution, the CA had completed 90 percent of its work. Only issues such as federalism were yet to be sorted out. We can complete the remaining task in the extended three month-period. But before we revive the CA, we must sort out all the remaining issues. The extended period of the CA should be only for technically finalizing the constitution. Is it really possible to revive the CA? Why not? Some say revival of the CA would be unconstitutional. But Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi, who ruled out the possibility of any further extension of the CA term, has himself became head of the executive, ignoring the principal of separation of powers. If CJ Regmi can head the government with the consensus of the political parties, why can the CA not be revived if there is similar consensus? If the reinstatement of parliament was possible after the April uprising, why can the CA not be reinstated now? What is Nefin’s stance on federalism? As mentioned in our Sauraha manifesto, we want identity-based federalism. Identity does not mean just ethnicity. It could be language, religion, culture or history. In the identity-based federal provinces, all castes and ethnic communities should be given equal opportunities. So, does Nefin not want preferential rights for ethnic communities in the identity-based federal provinces? Those ethnic communities that have faced exclusion and marginalization for ages should be given preferential rights to lead the governments of the federal provinces for one or two terms. But, this should not be viewed as discriminatory. It is in fact for giving all castes and communities equal opportunity. As of now, only certain castes or groups have enjoyed the privilege of running the country. Now, the excluded and marginalized should be given opportunity to be at the helm of the federal provinces. Only then can equality be ensured. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55181 Keep complaining or take charge; the choice is yours! You navigate your way through heaps of garbage piled on the roadside that tends to grow bigger each day until you have to practically walk on the road. Dangling wires jut out in awkward angles causing you to bend and twist to maneuver your way. Not to mention the potholes that require you to watch where you step with great vigilance. And then, there’s a clogged drainage system that leads to flooded roads every single time it rains. All in all, Kathmandu is one flawed city. And the tragedies of living in a flawed city are many. From daily life inconveniences to accidents, there seems to be absolutely no respite. Sanjay Maharjan, 26, a medical student, was headed to meet his friend on his motorbike when he met with an accident that left him with several bruises and a broken front tooth. He wasn’t drunk, speeding or driving recklessly. On the way to Kumaripati, the unstable traffic post at Manbhawan toppled and fell on him when another motorbike hit against it. “I don’t understand why there’s a traffic post smack in the middle of a road that doesn’t need one,” says Maharjan. The locals of the area who witnessed the accident weren’t very surprised to see the traffic post sway dangerously before hitting Maharjan and causing him to fall off his bike as it had caused such an accident at least a dozen of times already. [break] “A motorbike rider had to stop abruptly to avoid hitting people who were crossing the street and ended up bumping against the post causing it to collapse on Maharjan ,” says Bimal KC, a local of Manbhawan, who witnessed the entire episode. KC adds that people in that area often wonder why the post was put there in the first place. “It leads to jams and accidents and I’ve yet to see a traffic police official use it,” says KC who once got in a quarrel with traffic authorities in a bid to get it removed. Clogged road at Jamal following a heavy rainfall “They said since there are schools in the area, they might need it sometime or the other. That was their explanation,” he says shaking his head at the incredulity of the idea.Maharjan’s accident is not a one off and there have been many similar accidents around the valley. Sujan Karmacharya, 34, an architect, fractured his arm after he got thrown off his motorbike when the wheels got entangled in a jumble of wires in the middle of the road at Baneshwor. Pratigya Thapa, 29, a master’s student, got stabbed by electrical wires while walking on the pavement at Tripureshwor. She was left with a bad wound above her right eye. Sameer KC, 21, a commerce student, was walking back home when he stepped on a puddle that turned out to be a pot hole and fractured his leg. The city of Kathmandu is all about navigation, it seems and any lapse to do so results in serious consequences. Ravi Shakya, 42, a civil engineer says fault lies in haphazard planning, failure to implement proper and sustainable plans and lack of rules and regulations.Keshab Adhikari, DIG and spokesperson of Central Police admits that the city is in desperate need of attention and a proper traffic system would go a long way in alleviating the current scenario. “The issue of dividers causing accidents and confusion has cropped up time and again and we’re looking into it but at the same time the people need to abide by the traffic rules to ensure their own safety and prevent further commotion,” says DIG Adhikari. Dr Bhaikaji Tiwari, Chief of Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Committee (KVTDIC) however begs to differ and says that rules and regulations can’t help much when the system itself is faulty. “In foreign countries, you won’t see dividers in roads other than highways and you can’t make right turnsat every step. You have to at least cover a distance of minimum three to four kilometers to make a turn,” he says explaining that in Kathmandu there are no such provisions. The sagging wires and the haphazardly placed dividers and traffic posts are not the only problems the valley residents face on a daily basis. With monsoon in full swing, it’s that time of the year when many roads get flooded making walking and even driving difficult. “If we could’ve just removed the debris left by the road widening campaign and at least graveled the roads before the onset of monsoon, then it wouldn’t have been this bad,” says Shakya adding that the state of the roads coupled with clogged drainage pipes makes the situation worse. Tiwari agrees with Shakya and says that it is indeed because of lack of proper planning that the city is getting reduced to shambles with each passing day. The road widening campaign has added to the chaos than curb the traffic problems. The piles of gravel, cement and sand coupled with dug up and unpaved roads lead to massive traffic jams in some places and a lot of minor accidents almost everywhere. Government statistics show that in just one decade, from 1980 to 1990, the population of Kathmandu had swelled by 44 percent, the influx mainly of migrant workers from the rural areas who flock to the Nepali capital in search of work. The need to provide them with housing, electricity, water and sewage lines added to the increasing disorder. Often pollution, corruption and disruption are simply manifestations of certain irrepressible processes of urban growth. But it flourishes where planning fails.“The need for electrical lines, water pipes, sewage system increased as people moved to Kathmandu. And since there is no proper system, it led to the state our city is in at the moment,” says Tiwari adding that the mass of wires that can be seen dangling at almost every electrical pole is also television and internet cables. “Many internet companies and cable operators have just used the electrical poles without permission and no one takes responsibility for that. The cable companies are least bothered because they are using the electrical poles and Nepal Electricity Authority doesn’t care because the wires are not theirs,” he adds. But Tiwari also believes that the residents of Kathmandu are quick to blame the government but don’t do their part in maintaining the city. If the government and the residents were to work together then there wouldn’t be such a fiasco. “A lot is being said against the government in the present context but there’s also a lack of awareness in the residents,” he adds. The government should work on proper infrastructure set up and after that it’s the residents’ responsibility to maintain it, says Tiwari. For instance, he brings up the issue of water pipe lines. “Drinking water pipes should be laid on either side of the road instead of the current situation where they run under the middle of the road. When this is done, people won’t have to dig up the entire length of the road to connect their water lines to the main system,” explains Tiwari adding that now is the right time to do so since most roads are under reconstruction but people also shouldn’t just dig up roads randomly to get their water supply.With the residents frustrated at the governments’ inability to attend to the city’s needs and the government in turn blaming the people for their lack of awareness in maintaining the city, hopes of ever seeing even a semi organized Kathmandu seems bleak. But the mayhem is an issue that needs to be given priority, both by the government and the people. If not, it won’t be long before a city known as the land of temples turns into a city of bricks and concrete because as it is, we are halfway there already. As Tiwari stresses, the blame game will not get us anywhere. The government needs to do its part and the resident theirs. No more, no less. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55180 At every step there’s a pothole to avoid, muddy lanes to jump over and wire lines to navigate your way through. Prema Shah, 67, frequently recalls and narrates accounts of Kathmandu during her school and college days when the air was clean, the mountains surrounding the valley clearly visible and a stroll around the neighborhood left you refreshed. But when she starts describing the city as it once was, her grandchildren often wonder if she’s misplacing the facts or blatantly exaggerating. Kathmandu today is nothing like it looked back then, says Shah who wonders how the city plummeted to such lowly standards. “There used to be a lot of trees and everything looked a lot cleaner when I was young,” says Shah adding that the disarray the city is in now, alarms her. Kathmandu, till the late 1970’s, was a paradise, with a small population and a few cars on its narrow roads, she says. Since then, Kathmandu has undergone enormous change to become a polluted, traffic clogged, urban sprawl that is fast becoming unfit for living with each passing day. [break] From the pavements to the roads, nothing in the capital city is in order. At every step there’s a pothole to avoid, muddy lanes to jump over and wire lines to navigate your way through. Motorbikes and buses snake their way around pedestrians as they pass through the streets and the pedestrians in turn squeeze themselves in between vehicles in an attempt to cross roads without having to climb the steep stairs of the overhead bridges. Shruti Bhattarai, 21, a bachelors level student commutes on her scooter but instead of enjoying her newly acquired ride she feels frustrated at the end of a long day. “I’ve been riding the scooter for two months only but I’ve already had three accidents,” says a visibly frustrated Bhattarai adding that though all three accidents were minor ones they could have easily been avoided had the city been a little less chaotic. Bhattarai’s scooter first skidded on the muddy tracks outside her home. The second accident occurred when she bumped against a lone divider that had overturned and the third one was when a taxi turned right while signaling a left turn. Bhattarai’s annoyance at the city is echoed by thousands of others who drive in the streets of Kathmandu. However, Pawan Karki, 32, a banker, says that commuting to work on public vehicles is even worse than cruising on your own ride. “Sometimes, sitting on a bus feels like being on a roller coaster,” says Karki narrating an account of how once the bus he was on had a mad race with another bus and all the passengers had to hold on tight to their seats. Keshab Thoker The unattented after effects of the road widening campaign that has left roads around the valley in a complete state of disarray. Karki has once also been on a tempo that overturned because one of the rear wheels got stuck in a mud pit. He mentions that every day at work, almost all his colleagues have tales to share about some accident or the other. He agrees with Bhattarai that many of these accidents are avoidable ones. “The accident cases I get to hear of from friends and colleagues are mostly repercussions of living in a messy city,” he adds heaving a sigh. It seems the city dwellers are frustrated with the state Kathmandu is in at the moment and their frustration is justified. From heaps of garbage piled high on the roadsides to the wire lines that sag menacingly, the city looks dirty and disorganized and the price the valley denizens have to pay for it is high with accidents being a daily occurrence. For Shah whose early memories of the city include wide lanes lined with trees and air laced with the smell of flowers, the current state of affairs is disheartening and the fact that the situation only seems to grow worse add to her worries. “I want my grandchildren and their children to witness and live in a beautiful country. Nepal is a pretty country or I should say was beautiful when I was growing up. Now it’s just one messy dump,” she says adding that wherever she looks she doesn’t even see a slight resemblance to the old Kathmandu. Stacy Kennedy, 28, a native of Australia who is on a vacation in Kathmandu with her friends says she was alarmed to witness the state of the capital city. “I think my horror began the minute we came out of the airport premises, not that the state of the airport was any better but things got worse on our way to the hotel at Thamel,” she says mentioning how horrified she was to see broken poles, dangling wires, dangerous looking pavements, the terrible state of traffic and the apparent lack of rules. “The city I’d envisioned was an oasis of calm and serenity. What I found instead was a place that had gone haywire and in dire need of attention. Kathmandu needs a complete makeover,” she adds. Stacy’s friend Marissa Callies, 29, also agrees with her and says that the city disappointed her and she feels they should have chosen some other place instead of Nepal. She also adds that some of her friends who had visited Nepal in the past year warned her against making the trip but she didn’t listen to them.“I didn’t think the condition would be this dreadful. It all looked so good in photos and postcards,” says Callies confessing that she can’t wait to head back to Australia. As an afterthought Callies adds that the city definitely has the potential to become very attractive if it’s cared for. The city, according to her, is naturally beautiful and that fact can’t be overlooked. Currently, the alluring hills that surround the valley, the mimosa trees that bloom bright and culturally vibrant architecture are overshadowed by the mess but if Kathmandu could be cleaned up and organized then it would be a city people couldn’t get enough of or at the very least, don’t want to run away from. cillakhatry@gmail.comPrema Shah, 67, frequently recalls and narrates accounts of Kathmandu during her school and college days when the air was clean, the mountains surrounding the valley clearly visible and a stroll around the neighborhood left you refreshed. But when she starts describing the city as it once was, her grandchildren often wonder if she’s misplacing the facts or blatantly exaggerating. Kathmandu today is nothing like it looked back then, says Shah who wonders how the city plummeted to such lowly standards. “There used to be a lot of trees and everything looked a lot cleaner when I was young,” says Shah adding that the disarray the city is in now, alarms her. Kathmandu, till the late 1970’s, was a paradise, with a small population and a few cars on its narrow roads, she says. Since then, Kathmandu has undergone enormous change to become a polluted, traffic clogged, urban sprawl that is fast becoming unfit for living with each passing day. From the pavements to the roads, nothing in the capital city is in order. At every step there’s a pothole to avoid, muddy lanes to jump over and wire lines to navigate your way through. Motorbikes and buses snake their way around pedestrians as they pass through the streets and the pedestrians in turn squeeze themselves in between vehicles in an attempt to cross roads without having to climb the steep stairs of the overhead bridges. Shruti Bhattarai, 21, a bachelors level student commutes on her scooter but instead of enjoying her newly acquired ride she feels frustrated at the end of a long day. “I’ve been riding the scooter for two months only but I’ve already had three accidents,” says a visibly frustrated Bhattarai adding that though all three accidents were minor ones they could have easily been avoided had the city been a little less chaotic. Bhattarai’s scooter first skidded on the muddy tracks outside her home. The second accident occurred when she bumped against a lone divider that had overturned and the third one was when a taxi turned right while signaling a left turn. Bhattarai’s annoyance at the city is echoed by thousands of others who drive in the streets of Kathmandu. However, Pawan Karki, 32, a banker, says that commuting to work on public vehicles is even worse than cruising on your own ride. “Sometimes, sitting on a bus feels like being on a roller coaster,” says Karki narrating an account of how once the bus he was on had a mad race with another bus and all the passengers had to hold on tight to their seats. Karki has once also been on a tempo that overturned because one of the rear wheels got stuck in a mud pit. He mentions that every day at work, almost all his colleagues have tales to share about some accident or the other. He agrees with Bhattarai that many of these accidents are avoidable ones. “The accident cases I get to hear of from friends and colleagues are mostly repercussions of living in a messy city,” he adds heaving a sigh. It seems the city dwellers are frustrated with the state Kathmandu is in at the moment and their frustration is justified. From heaps of garbage piled high on the roadsides to the wire lines that sag menacingly, the city looks dirty and disorganized and the price the valley denizens have to pay for it is high with accidents being a daily occurrence. For Shah whose early memories of the city include wide lanes lined with trees and air laced with the smell of flowers, the current state of affairs is disheartening and the fact that the situation only seems to grow worse add to er worries. “I want my grandchildren and their children to witness and live in a beautiful country. Nepal is a pretty country or I should say was beautiful when I was growing up. Now it’s just one messy dump,” she says adding that wherever she looks she doesn’t even see a slight resemblance to the old Kathmandu. Stacy Kennedy, 28, a native of Australia who is on a vacation in Kathmandu with her friends says she was alarmed to witness the state of the capital city. “I think my horror began the minute we came out of the airport premises, not that the state of the airport was any better but things got worse on our way to the hotel at Thamel,” she says mentioning how horrified she was to see broken poles, dangling wires, dangerous looking pavements, the terrible state of traffic and the apparent lack of rules. “The city I’d envisioned was an oasis of calm and serenity. What I found instead was a place that had gone haywire and in dire need of attention. Kathmandu needs a complete makeover,” she adds. Stacy’s friend Marissa Callies, 29, also agrees with her and says that the city disappointed her and she feels they should have chosen some other place instead of Nepal. She also adds that some of her friends who had visited Nepal in the past year warned her against making the trip but she didn’t listen to them. “I didn’t think the condition would be this dreadful. It all looked so good in photos and postcards,” says Callies confessing that she can’t wait to head back to Australia. As an afterthought Callies adds that the city definitely has the potential to become very attractive if it’s cared for. The city, according to her, is naturally beautiful and that fact can’t be overlooked. Currently, the alluring hills that surround the valley, the mimosa trees that bloom bright and culturally vibrant architecture are overshadowed by the mess but if Kathmandu could be cleaned up and organized then it would be a city people couldn’t get enough of or at the very least, don’t want to run away from. cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55139 As dusk slowly approaches and a day’s hectic schedule comes to an end, she makes her way home to Dhobighat, Lalitpur. Mithila Sharma is just back after a rigorous choreography session with a group of 400 Armed Police Force personnel for the upcoming Republic day event. But she doesn’t look a bit tired. Dressed in a kurtha and her hair in a braid, her gleaming expressive eyes still holds the same charm and her beauty is mesmerizing. The wall on the passage that leads to her living room is full of awards and certificates that stand testimony to her achievements. She is the recipient of Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Siksha Padak, First Television Actress Award among many other honors. But if there’s one thing that has propelled Sharma to stardom, it’s her determination. With more than hundred movies and countless numbers of serials and stage shows to her credit, she has carved her niche in field of dance and acting.[break] Bhashwor Ojh Her first ever on screen acting stint was for three minutes in a small role in the movie ‘Biswas’ where she is seen working with students in a school. It was Bimala Rai’s song “Bachi bhancha baba” with music by Gopal Yonjan. “I’m hardly there for three minutes in the three hour movie but it was a fascinating experience,” she says. For the small amount of time that she has been captured in the movie, she was able to grasp the attention of viewers who loved her and wanted to see more. The positive response brought her more film offers and Sharma was here to stay. Born and brought up in Kathmandu, her childhood was unlike that of any other normal child. When most of her friends were busy playing, she was always engrossed in dancing. "I was chubby and weak so it was difficult for me to perform on stage. I had to put in lot of effort to hone my skills but I never took that as a burden and I picked up," she says. In fact, the constant practice to perfect her moves, gradually improved her performance She reminisces her first ever dance show on stage at the tender age of nine. She was selected as a panchakanya by her teacher to perform at the birthday celebration of then King Birendra. Since then and till now, Sharma has been a regular performer on stage and she has two shows lined up for the coming week as well. She accredits her first guru Raj Pal Thapa for introducing new skills of dancing to her. “My other gurus Kalyan Sherchan, Chetra Gurung and few others have always been there since my early days to guide me,” she says. Since childhood days, she also spent most of her time listening to Gopal Yonjan’s music and takes him an as inspiration. “Gopal dai has written a lot of songs among which ban ki chari and makamali cholo were dedicated to me,” she says. She also holds a diploma in dancing but her romance with dance started off with the training of folk and classical dancing. She explains that classical dancing needs a lot of patience and a strong interest and she has also trained herself in bhav nrtiya which requires a classical base and is a form of dance where a subject is presented through gestures and facial expressions. Her specialty lies in the fact that she can perform bhav nritya in any folk song of Nepal, be it of slow beat or fast rhythm. Since two years she is specially trained to dance in Sudupaschim´s thadi bhaka which doesn’t have any rhythm. Since expressions are synonym to acting and being an expert in bhav nrtiya, Sharma tried her hands in acting as well. The person who introduced her to on screen was director Chetan Karki. Many people are not aware that she started her first stage acting through a comedy drama of Hada and Pal, the first Nepali comedy duo including Raj Pal Thapa and Druba Hada. “I wasn’t very shy so I got the role and many people find it hard to believe that I started with comedy,” she says. As Sharma walks down the memory lane, there’s a spark in her eyes as she has so many fond memories to share. From comedy drama she slowly shifted to Radio dramas and she has been part of lots of television serials like Ama Ko Asa, Ama Banera Hera, Naya Bihani to name a few. But hers is not an overnight success story. Dancing and acting didn’t just start out as a hobby for Sharma. After her parents passed away when she was just a child, she started working to bring in some money to support her family. Her elder sister Madhurika Sharma has been an integral part of her life as a guardian. They both suffered the loss of their parents but were there for each other through thick and thin. She accredits her sister for nurturing her and looks up to her not only as a guide and a mentor but a friend. Due to her dancing skills, she earned a lot of medals and she got to study with scholarship. “Firstly getting scholarships was important to me. It might have been an obligation that brought me closer to dance but it has also been my passion ever since,” she shares. Being a professional dancer, Sharma earlier was offered numerous item songs as well but she rejected them all without second thoughts. A graceful dancer who maintains her classiness, she never opted to take dance casually as it was something very special to her and she has always been very selective. Dance was a main priority on stage while on screen her main preference has always been acting. Juggling her time for shootings and her work as an academician at Academy of Music and drama, she also indulges in writing. She has written a teacher’s guide, wrote about her experiences and contemporary issues and musical dramas and lyrics. Talking about her upcoming movie Uma where she plays the role of Uma’s mother, she expresses that she has high expectations from the movie which is releasing soon. “Uma is based on real events. Nothing can be successful when you run away from society and the movie is an account of a time during civil war and Uma is an effect left by that time.” Working in movies however was a whole different experience for her. “In films, fifty percent of the work is dependent on technical support, but when you are on stage, your whole body language speaks for itself and major percentage is dependent on the actors, apart from the lights and musical background,” she explains. She also has been working outside the capital to promote culture and in the first week of June she’s leaving for Rolpa to provide teachers training as well. “We are teaching music and dance therapy to teachers as it can act very effective to educate and change student’s behavior in a positive way through dance,” she explains. Her friends even used to tell her that she is limiting herself and not grabbing as many opportunities as she should. But now when she looks back, she thinks that everything happened for the best. “If I ever took a shortcut to success, then I would have disappeared somewhere in between,” she asserts. Sharma’s day usually ends around 9 pm when she is finally done with her day’s hectic schedule. But she always buys time to spend with her family and her sister’s daughters Jaya and Bijaya who are like her own daughters. Dancing is a form of mediation for Sharma who begins her day with her dance practice. She then heads off to teach dance to the students of St. Mary’s High School from 8 am and teaches thrice a week at Gems school as well among the numerous other projects that she engages in. “My students are also my inspiration because they keep me up to date,” she says. “I still have to learn a lot as learning is an ongoing process,” continues the modest lady who believes that dance is in reality her life. “Dance for me is not just a form of entertainment but it is my identity.” nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55138 The new license trial examination requires the two-wheelers and four-wheelers to pass through several processes before they are regarded capable of acquiring the driving license. On a busy road, a motorcycle accelerates rapidly regardless of other vehicles whizzing beside it. And to top it off, it does not speed in a linear path, but decides to put up a show and paces in a criss-cross path in an S-like trail, further confusing the fellow drivers on the road.   When such incidents occur, the on-duty Traffic Police generally stop such riders for their low road etiquette. But instead of acknowledging their mistake, the riders confidently say that this was how they passed their license test.[break] Photos: Bhashwor Ojha DSP Pawan Giri, spokesperson of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) says that many Traffic Police have faced such ordeal while dealing with many traffic rule violators. “The rider was definitely wrong on his part, but his statement wasn’t,” he says. According to him, the previous license trial exam where the rider was supposed to swerve between the five poles not only generated such comments but also was very unreliable. Like Giri, many traffic experts were unsatisfied with the license trial exam. “The current license trial doesn’t observe the aptitude of any rider,” then Traffic Police Inspector Nawaraj Thapa, representative of MTPD for driving license test had commented one year back. But what took the concerned authorities so long to change the format? “The general tendency of concerned authorities and other stakeholders is to shy away from any changes to avoid the additional responsibility that comes with it, and this must be the same reason that the unscientific license trial was practiced for years,” says DSP Giri. He adds that it was in MTPD’s initiation that the new directives was formed which paved way for the newly introduced license trial examinations. “We had conducted a nationwide seminar of the senior Traffic Police from different districts. And through the interaction with experts, we came up with the new directives,” he says. He also emphasizes that the positive changes in the MTPD was observed after the appointment of DIG Uprendra Kant Aryal as the chief of the Division. Though the new license trial is regarded as tough, Prashant Wasti, 24, who is looking forward to apply for a driving license, is positive about the changes. “I have heard that there is a whole new format now, which requires the riders to be acquainted with traffic rules as well. I think we should regard this as a very positive change as this will help to produce responsible riders and drivers who have good knowledge of road etiquettes,” he says. Wasti adds that he is planning to apply for license after three months as he needs a lot of practice for the new format. “I don’t even have information about the detailed procedure,” he says. The new license trial examination requires the two-wheelers and four-wheelers to pass through several processes before they are regarded capable of acquiring the driving license. Apart from examining the driving proficiency, the new trial system also examines the technical proficiency of the driver and presence of mind through seven different steps in the examination process. The two-wheelers are required to finish the exam within the time frame of five minutes while four-wheelers within10 minutes. Earlier, the two-wheeler trial exams also had different provisions for males and females. While the distance between the poles for male riders was 2.7 meters, the same for females was 2.8 meters. Also, regardless of appearing trial exams in moped, scooter or motorcycles, the candidate was regarded eligible for all three. In the present trial, both of these cases have been corrected. The provision of acquiring separate license for scooter and motorcycles was implemented around six months back while the new format requires both male and female riders to follow the same rules. Susmita Pradhan, 23, is also happy with the changes. Like many female riders, she wasn’t happy with the special provision for the females. “It was definitely unnecessary, I’m happy that we got rid of it,” she says. “There can be some differences in the width of the ramp but it will not be based on the basis of gender but on the basis of the size of the vehicle,” confirms DSP Giri. In addition, to curb the modifications on the vehicles, DoTM has managed their own vehicles for the trial examinations. According to DSP Giri, this will be beneficial in two ways. First, there will be uniformity of the vehicle and second, this will help control the rampant pricing of hiring vehicles from various private driving institutes. “While candidates were paying Rs 500- 1500 in the past, we have only been charging Rs 47 for two-wheelers and Rs 93 for four-wheeler,” he says. Though Pradhan is positive about the new format, she is now worried about the practicing for the license trial exam. “When the license trial exam required to swerve between the five poles, I could easily practice anywhere in a nearby open space. But now, I don’t know how will I practice riding over 8-shaped path and through multiple breakers,” she says. She is also worried that now driving institutes will charge high prices for providing the practice area. “Earlier, they used to charge Rs 100 for practicing around the poles for half day. Now with the additional props, I wonder what price they’re going to quote,” adds Pradhan. The concerned authorities, on the other hand, say that the candidate just need to be vigilant and should practice what they used to write in the written exams in the past. “Family members can help with the first-hand techniques of driving but to be a competent driver, one must enroll in driving institutes,” says DSP Giri. He adds that apart from learning to drive responsibly, a competent driver is also required to know about the basic mechanics of the vehicle. “You should at least know the basic process of how the vehicle works, so that if you come across any mechanical fault, you will identify it before any heavy damage,” he says adding that though the new directives for the new trial exams is commendable, there are still room for improvements. While MTPD officials are certain that the new trial examination is going to lessen the number of road accidents, the number of candidates passing the examinations have also dropped significantly. This week, only four candidates out of 37 were successful in acquiring the driving license for four-wheelers. The new rules for license trial have garnered a lot of public as well as media attention. The strict rules have been welcomed by the majority but due to the bad records in the past where brokers had an undoubted interference in the license processing, many are still concerned whether these rules are going to last long. But with the gradual improvements in license application and trial examinations, and with strict rules not only for candidates but also for concerned authorities, amateur drivers seem to have very less chances to pass through the tough screening process. mail2asmita@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55137 Development is attainment of a more stable, which inter alia implies egalitarian, stage. The newspeak defines development as expansion and growth. In Hindu mythologies, there is no record of language of Asuras, Danavs and Daityas. Collectively referred to as Rakshasas in post-Vedic literature, they probably spoke the language of the place where they lived. Rooted to the soil, Rakshasas had little need to invent too many symbolic Shabdas (words) that often conceal more than what they reveal. The power of Vak (combination of gesture, facial expression and intonations of sound) was sufficient for them to express, inform or exchange ideas. Devas were itinerant and needed to be daring and devious to survive in different surrounding. They invented a language where words are all that matter. In Sanskrit, the Shabda is Brahma (the Supreme) and the order of subject, verb and object doesn’t matter at all: There is no difference between Home go I, I go home, go home I, go I home, or whatever sequence one can think of.[break] The Week File Photos The Western world believed that the uppercase God spoke only Hebrew. However, that didn’t exempt original speakers of the language from the wrath of European Devas (The religious thinkers of Britain, ‘secular’ intellectuals of France, and atheist philosophers of Germany) that condoned, if not connived, in their persecution for generations. Europeans dumped their sins of several centuries in the desert of West Asia. These days, gods of Washington pass their messages to Devas of Israel in the new language of the divine. The Only God spoke to his Only Prophet in Arabic. Its holiness remains undiminished. South Asia is home to the largest number of adherents of that faith in the world. Sermons can be delivered in Bangla, Urdu, or Tamil. But recitations have to be in Arabic authenticated by properly initiated holy men – never women – of the dominant sect. Suffering of minorities in Pakistan, even though they don’t question the language of the divine, is unlikely to be addressed. In fact, the clergy has ordained that Ahmadiyas are not bona fide faithful and successive governments have endorsed their decision repeatedly. It is not known whether these decisions have been translated from Urdu into Arabic so that the one that know only the divine language would also understand. These are religious legacies of the past and handed down to priests whose influence in most places is on the wane. The universal religion of the Brave New World is Avarice. The greenback is its god – the atheist Chinese worship it by carting away their hard-earned savings in trillions as do most countries in the planet – and bankers are the new priesthood. Like all divine orders, a global religion also needs a language of conversation between the Devas and the rest. The lingua franca of the religion called Avarice is hypocrisy: the new newspeak of neocons all over the world is duplicity in whatever language is being spoken at a given time and space. Invention of interpreters Media is the new town crier. It creates succinct words and phrases to pass religious messages to the laity. Walter Lippmann, credited to have coined the Cold War metaphor, emphasized the importance of manufacturing consent through selective disclosure of information. The free press of the free world continues to follow his commands with religious fervor. In a petition to The New York Times, over a dozen professors and public intellectuals, including Noam Chomsky of MIT, Edward Herman of Wharton, Greg Grandin of NYU, and Steve Ellner of Columbia, pointed out recently how the leading newspaper of the “free world” had been demonizing Hugo Chávez, elected leader of Venezuela but idolizing Roberto Micheletti, installed by coup d’état in Honduras. Following in the footsteps of the business lobby and protectors of their vested interests, the venerable NYT had been calling Chávez names such as “autocrat”, “despot”, “authoritarian ruler”, “caudillo”, “dictator” and “strongman” while deserving rulers of such epithets in Honduras were let off with endearing terms like “interim”, “de facto” and “new”. Jimmy Carter, no communist agent despite the critics of Carter Center in Kathmandu, has praised the election process in Venezuela as the best in the world. The US government opposes Venezuela where as it supports the regime in Honduras and that has made all the difference in the attitude of global elite. Equality used to be a desirable goal. On that count, Venezuela has the lowest Gini coefficient in South America. It has announced pension scheme for fulltime mothers. But in the neocon lexicon, such decisions are profligacy where as the most expensive private residence in the world erected amidst the sea of poverty in Mumbai is the temple of free enterprise. Newspeak, George Orwell describes, is “designed to diminish the range of thought.” Scholars have argued persuasively that Orwellian nightmares had as much to do with Soviets as the degeneration of governments as handmaidens of businesses in capitalist democracies. The Soviet Union has disintegrated, but the relevance of newspeak hasn’t diminished a bit even in countries other than the regimes of North Korea or Saudi Arabia, protégés of state and private capitalism respectively. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn went through hell to come up with descriptions of Stalin’s Gulag Archipelago. Nobody comes alive or unhinged from Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib or dozens of such CIA’s torture chambers dotting the globe to expose the underbelly of ‘democratic capitalism’. In fact, there is nothing called ‘democratic capitalism’. Cronyism is inherent to the idea of capitalism and it would wither away without the patronage of the state. Rewarding the rich is built into the structure of capitalism. Whatever else it may be, the government taxing the majority to subsidize the rich can hardly be called democratic. Democracy once meant a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, if the people decide that they want Hugo Chavez or Pushpa Kamal Dahal, attempts must be made to topple or at least subvert elected governments. Liberalism used to be a term of admiration: To be a liberal implied one was broadminded, tolerant, considerate and open. A liberal these days is invariably a free-market fundamentalist advocating government benefaction sans regulation, opening of the market but control over movement of labor, and loot of state’s resources in the name of privatization. More often than not, liberals of the free-market variety these days are too bigoted to even listen to views other than those of their own kind. Being a Marxist once implied universalism. In neocon newspeak embraced by Messrs Nepal, Khanal and Company of Balkhu Palace or Messrs Baidya, Gajuerl and Party recently divorced from the Paris Danda resort, not just Marxism, but Leninism and Maoism too stand for upper caste hubris, cultural chauvinism of mid-mountains, and xenophobic nationalism of Kathmandu valley. Incredible as it may sound, a Maoist-led government actually signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA), knowing full well that such arrangement was unlikely to bring a paisa of new investment into a country already under the umbrella of the dominant trading partner. Development is attainment of a more stable, which inter alia implies egalitarian, stage. The newspeak defines development as expansion and growth. The Asian Development Bank recently noted that inequality is good for growth. It means development is against the good of the majority, the ecology, the poor, the differently-abled, the marginalized, the externalized, the aged, the sick and the children. With Maoist sell out, who will speak for the masses? It seems their collective voice is not always lost in the debates of Doha Rounds, which Baburam Bhattarai decided was more important than his presence in conspiracy-ridden politics of Kathmandu. Viva la Republic If the republican order was tottering towards collapse, why the rightwing was so scared that it conspired for the dissolution of Constituent Assembly, indulged in defaming activists of self-rule and shared-rule, and then collaborated with authoritarian elements at home and abroad to have an extra-constitutional government installed in Singh Durbar? The World Bank, no agent of Maoists or Madheshi parties, seems to have a partial answer. In 2004, A Gini Index of 47.3 made Nepal one of the most unequal countries in the world. By January, 2010, it was down to 32.82. Throughout this period, growth remained between four and five percent, which is not satisfactory for a stable country, but quite acceptable for a country mired in messy transition with revolving door governments. Yes, the blood and sweat of the poor toiling in West and South Asia has helped prevent economic collapse, but what has it got to do with freedom of the profit sector? It seems a republican order works in ways that even its adherents find it hard to understand. If indeed there is a grand rightwing conspiracy to thwart elections, the lifeblood of democracy, people that have shunned every call of politicos so far would pour out on the streets once more. Benefits of republicanism, secularism, inclusion and federalism may be difficult to explain, but the high it gives to the lowly is impossible to miss. Lal contributes to The Week with his biweekly column Reflections. He is one of the widely read poliitical analysts in Nepal http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55136 There’s nothing revolutionary about what we’re pushing for,” stressed T N Pathik, the founder of Pathik Foundation, as we were midway in our conversation about the current education system. “All we’re saying is we need to change our approach a bit.” Though it might raise many eyebrows, but Acharyashree, as he is addressed by his disciples, minces no words when he says that the current education system is responsible for the mess we see all around in our society.[break] Frustration, unemployment and delinquencies among youths and corruption in behavior and actions prevalent among people of all ages are all a result of the shortcomings in the existing education system, Pathik says. Pathik, a mystique who has spent many years in contemplation, meditation and visiting mystic schools, is about to release his books on Trinity Education in July. Throughhis Foundation in Satungal, he has been promoting the concept of Trinity Education for the past 30 years, which, he says, could rectify the errors in the education system of today. Photos: Bhashwor Ojha One recent morning, he shared with Republica’s Amendra Pokhrel his views on the current education system in Nepal and his vision about what can be done to improve the situation. A child’s education begins at home, and by the time he reaches school age, he will already have developed an outlook – a sort of referential template – based on which he will grasp things the rest of his life. This kind of education is called socio-cultural education. If a child who is just learning to walk gets hurt bumping against a chair, the parents pacify him by scolding or even hitting the chair. That experience creates a template in the child’s mind, that blaming others is both comforting and convenient. These sorts of templates are created everyday as he grows up. For example, the feeling of superiority or inferiority, based on caste, religion and nationality, creates over time a divisive person who is in conflict with himself and everything around him. At present, there is no curriculum for socio-cultural education. But this learning, which begins when a child is just six months old, is going to influence his thinking in the years to come. After a child steps into a school, the system says these are the subjects available, and it is up to you whether you wish to study or not. The current education system, therefore, is repressive in the sense that it does not give choices, and it does not try to understand and study a child’s behavior and let him pursue what interests him. No wonder, almost half the students who appear in the SLC exams fail. What future can they hope for? Wouldn’t they want to try something else? I know two boys who ran away from home in Saptari after they failed to pass their grade seven exams. They arrived in Kathmandu and started learning what they naturally loved to do: painting. Within four years, they were popular for their painting works, and in a few more years, their reputation grew and word spread that if anybody wanted good quality painting, these boys were the ones to go to. Obviously, their business grew manifold, and they opened a big office and hired staff to assist them. They also bought a house in Kathmandu. But their talents needed even bigger place and they left for America, where they are doing as well as they had been doing here. Just imagine what would have happened to them if they had somehow stayed in Saptari and labored till their 10th grade. They would have passed with poor grades and their certificates would have told the world that these guys were worthless. But again, if the same school in Saptari had facilitated for their talents to grow by providing the right kind of environment, guidance and support, they would not have to run away. Everybody would have seen where their talents lay and nobody would have a shred of doubt that they would do well in life. If one studies only imposed subjects, his talents are never fully exploited. If the subject available for a group of students is either engineering or medicine, my guess is only 2 percent will find them matching to their interest. The current education system stifles or ignores the inborn talent of 98 percent students, who end up feeling uninspired and directionless. The two boys mentioned above and some like them are lucky to have discovered their natural talents early in their life and their endeavors backed by circumstances. But we don’t want to leave it to the circumstances. We want conscious efforts to give that environment to every child, to every student, so that the seeds with which they are born get to bloom. And, therefore, we are talking about generalizing talents, and that is where the Trinity Education comes in. Generalization of talents is not possible without the Trinity approach, which means educating all the three brains we have: the left, right and back. Current education is entirely devoted to educating the left brain that is capable of only processing information. Students are taught how to receive and sell the information they have acquired in the classroom. Under this system, the right brain and the back brain remain dormant or unused. The right brain is the storehouse of talents, where the seeds of natural, inborn skills lie. But under the existing system, it is just like the fertile ground that is never ploughed or cultivated and that gets hidden under weeds and grass due to neglect and disuse. In order to change this situation, the Trinity Approach categorizes education in three parts: Human education, scientific skills education, and soul education. Human education includes socio-cultural education and all non-technical subjects that are purely informational. Technical subjects will come under skills education, but the approach of imparting them will significantly differ from the methods of today. The new method would focus on activating and nurturing the right brain. It is easy to miss technical education for skill education. Though they are all interlinked, there is a difference of approach. Informative and technical education needs training, whereas skill education needs environment to unleash inborn talent. We want to create an environment in which the talent that is in the latent state manifests and flourishes to its full potential. The third type of education is soul education. It would address the concerns of ethics and morality and help people to live stress-free life by helping them maintain their spiritual balance. The goal of the education system of the past was to produce clerks to fulfill the needs of that time. It has outlived its course and now we need to move on. Human brain develops so fast, it is impossible to match the pace if we don’t renew our education system every five years. There should be a dedicated committee to overhaul the education system. Our belief is that we just have to throw the idea among people. If these ideas are useful for humans, their minds will grasp it and find ways to bring it into use. Otherwise, we will just think of it as our utopia and rejoice in the fact that we made an effort. Pathik Foundation is located inside the Dhawalagiri Awas area in Satungal, Kathmandu. For more information about the foundation and the mystique, log on to www.pathikfoundation.com. The writer is a copy editor at Republica amendra.pokhrel @gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55135 While I fail to understand the psyche behind that emotion, I know I have felt it. A kid – the age of my little brother – at the onset of teenage had a hip pain and visited the doctor. The last thing on his and his family’s mind was that he could be suffering from not just cancer but a rare form of terminal cancer. He’s a cheerful, empathetic boy who finds good in everything and has simple dreams of being with family, attending college, singing and strumming his guitar, spending time with his sisters, riding the his favorite car. Zach Sobiech, eighteen, lost his battle with cancer on 20th May 2013 while his song – Clouds, which went viral on YouTube sometime back, went on to become number one on iTunes this week! He is remembered as a rock-star by many, not just friends and family, because he brought courage, faith and determination to many lives. He wanted to be remembered, in his words, as the kid who went down fighting and did not lose. [break] Many movies are made and books written on survival, hope, loss, strength of people from different walks of life who are diagnosed of terminal diseases or have fought to live longer. We empathize and relate to the basic human emotion of the desire to live longer when we hear such stories and we do realize how fragile life can be. Does that though materialize into us trying to “live” life? The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that most of us are trudging along from day to day in a routinely fashion; postponing what we would “really” want to do, be or feel to a future. For some reason, we envision a metamorphosis in the future. Again, for some obscure reason, we also believe that what happened with Zach and his family will not happen to us. Not that we think we’re immortal or have had water from the Fountain of Youth to drink but we still believe we are sheltered from these storms that wreck havoc. While I fail to understand the psyche behind that emotion, I know I have felt it. What does not resonate in our minds is that it’s for real and that it could just as much happen to us. Zach’s story is not a stand alone. We’ve witnessed the amazingly arduous yet highly inspiring life of Steve Jobs who is arguably, single-handedly, responsible for making Apple the number one brand in the world today. Another heart-rendering tale is of Professor Randy Pausch who suffered from pancreatic cancer – immensely loved and respected – the author of popular Last Lecture series. His idea behind naming it the “Last lecture” was that if you had only one lecture to give before you die, what would it be! These lives and many others that we know of personally are inspirational struggles. The one lesson that stands out is to start valuing the time we have and to use it to bring good not just to our lives but to those whose lives we touch directly or indirectly. It’s easy for me to say this, maybe because I’ve made it a mantra for myself, the sooner we embrace the fact that life is too short to live for the past gone awry or the uncertain tomorrows, we will be better off today. It’s important to live each day to its merit, take chances, stay close to your loved ones, spend time with family, to live in the moment, make a difference to a stranger’s life, explore your interests, travel and explore, be crazy, achieve your childhood dreams or enable others to achieve theirs as Prof. Pausch would say. ademozbay.com I read this a couple of days back and I quote: “Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with Rs. 86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course? Each of us has such a bank. Its name is time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today. “ Those were Zach’s final thoughts as well. He wanted to live each day – to imbibe each moment as his last. While this is a tribute to a wonderful kid who lived a short but extremely enriching life that is endearing and shattering at the same time, it’s also a lesson, to clinch the present moments and make a difference to our lives, others’ lives or both. When you seize the day (carpe diem) you live a worthy life that’s out of the ordinary and you allow life to surprise you! The writer has the mind of a maverick and fancies challenging the limits of her thoughts. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55134 How internet defines a generation We adapt to ‘the new’ so quickly it becomes hard to think of how we coped without it just fine not long ago. Take the internet. I first opened an email account back in 2000 at one of the newfangled cybercafés at Ratopul. I was billed at the ‘introductory offer’ of 80 rupees an hour. Those were the days when the Diversity Visa form had to be sent by the post. As the deadline to fill up the form approached, people thronged outside the General Post Office at Sundhara for a shot at the American Dream. Once, I remember a sizable room at the front of the post office being filled with DV applications. A whole room, top to bottom, front to back, crammed with nothing but letters with entreaties to be allowed into Uncle Sam’s shores! In 2001, my best friend studying in Ranchi was still sending me long, hand-written letters. [break] Then the internet started catching on. The whole DV application process was shifted online. Soon, everyone had a Hotmail or Yahoo! e-mail account. Youngsters started frequenting cybercafés which were sprouting like hospitals are doing these days, in every available space, as the price of browsing the net plummeted. Online conversation with the opposite sex, over MSN messenger or Nepalnews chat room, became the thing to do. Emerging from their cloistered existence, the youth started to express their sexual yearnings from the safe remove of the cybercafé or their own bedrooms hooked up to noisy dial-up. Initially, the online experience could be bewildering. With no one to show you around, you could easily get lost in the fast-expanding web. But once you got a little hang of it, it could be fun. In a month, you could have a reliable network of dirty-talking ‘girlfriends’ all over the world—Australia, the Philippines, the US, or right next door. For the millennial generation, internet was opening up a whole new avenue of casual relationships. Internet offered many other distractions which would have been hard to access in the pre-net period. From its modest beginning, online porn soon evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. You couldn’t visit a cyber and not be bombarded with a glut of pre-stored smut on the computers. My favorite guilty pleasure used to be a visit to one of the ‘trivia rooms’ at the end of a long day. I have spent entire nights, for months on end, trying to answer stupid questions. (‘Which Patti Page single topped the Billboards in 1952?’ Patti Page?) Then I started trawling through those ubiquitous health sites from where I solicited both wanted and unwanted medical information. I kept at it even though self-diagnosis caused me great agony at times, as it must have done to millions of people all over the world. Formerly, if someone had a headache, they would perhaps have popped an aspirin. Now, they started googling ‘headache’ and were scared out of their wits when the top search result turned up ‘brain tumor’. This culture of self-diagnosis continues to be a headache for healthcare professionals to this day. But more than anything else, the World Wide Web and internet revolutionized the way people communicated by demolishing the old barriers of distance and economy. I still recall one of the first (useful) group emails I ever got. It was form my uncle in New York City who had written to assure all his loved ones that he and his family were safe, just moments after the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001. Soon, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) would reduce the cost of intercontinental calls to peanuts, a manna for those in long-distance relationships. A friend of mine used to talk to his girlfriend in Houston for an hour, every single day without fail, every evening after college. taringa.net Communicating over the web has come a long way in the last decade or so and more and more people seem to be getting addicted to it. The plight of this new breed of netizens is perhaps best exemplified by Pramila, a 28-year-old MBA student who always struggles to finish her assignments on time because she has to check her Facebook status every five minutes. Yes, she would like to change but as things are Pramila says she can give up on her studies, but not Facebooking. I can’t imagine how hard writing a newspaper article would have been in the pre-internet age. Although this article is about the internet, I am writing it without any online help. It is difficult. I realize that I have become so used to checking online for correct idioms, verifying information, digging up relevant quotes and finding instant distractions on You Tube whenever I hit the writer’s block, I find myself paralyzed at being cut off from my handy go-to. And I was dishing it out on poor Pramila! The writer is the op-ed editor at Republica. biswas.baral@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55133 Diary of a Rebel A man with an enchanting smile, Navin Jirel, 23, has seen a great deal of upheavals in life. A former Maoist combatant, originally from Jiri, Jirel joined the fighting squad at the tender age of thirteen. He has recently come up with a book titled “Bhisan Dinharu,” an account of his life as a guerilla warrior and his experiences at the cantonment in Chitwan. Currently an undergraduate student, a social worker and a political activist, Jirel talks about his life and adventures with The Week. What was your childhood like? I was born in Jiri. My father used to work at the National Sports Council. I lived a happy life until my mother passed away. Suddenly, things changed. My siblings were sent off to live with my father’s sister and I had to live at my uncle’s place in Sindhupalchowk. [break] Bijay Rai What made you join the Maoist fighting squad? I was only thirteen when I joined. Actually, I had already passed the eighth grade in Sindhupalchowk. I returned to Jiri and wanted to continue my studies and enroll in the ninth grade. But since I did not have the certificates of the district level exams, the school refused to enroll me. I was already frustrated with the societal situation. This became the final straw. I wished to change the structure of Nepal. And I saw this revolution as the only way to make it possible. What was the life of a Maoist combatant like? It was a life that I had chosen for myself. I had not gone home when they decided I was too young or even when my father came to take me back. I was determined to bring about a drastic change and the path before me was crystal clear. I had no particular mentor or guide except my own heart. All I knew was that I could not sit down and take all the injustice that was happening. What made you write a book about your experiences? I used to write a lot of poems and scripts for radio plays. As far as the book was concerned, so much was already being discussed, analyzed and written about us, our ideologies and lifestyle. There were teachers, students, researchers, reporters and academicians who wanted to know and find out more about us. So, I thought if others could write about us, why couldn’t we write about ourselves? Could you elaborate more about the book? The book is titled “Bhisan Dinharu.’ It is divided into three parts. The first part talks about my bittersweet childhood. The second portion is all about the People’s War and how significant a role it has played in my life. There is a spectrum of life, death, friendship, revolution, dreams, beliefs and hopes portrayed in it. It’s about missing home and the thin line that separates victory from defeat. It also deals with my marriage and divorce. The third chunk is about my days at the cantonment in Shaktikhor. They, in reality, were more difficult than those that I spent in the forests. What is most interesting about this book? It comes from a former Maoist combatant. There have been many myths circling around about us; about how we look and think, what we eat and where we live. But since I have been at the eye of the storm, my perspective is very different from that of those who have just heard, read or researched about us. There are interesting instances in this book where I talk about our life as guerilla warriors and also about how we used to disguise ourselves as different people to blend into the crowd during the days of revolution. I have presented my angle of the story of the royal massacre and the constituent assembly. What is it that you miss about the life as a rebel? I’m here today because I was there at some point of time. It has molded me into who I am right now. I miss my friends the most. We used to divide all our duties and responsibilities. We were a huge family that ate, fought, lived and died together. It was a bond unlike any other. Was physical exertion and pain the worst part of it? No, what we were fighting for surpassed the pain inflicted by physical wounds. However, there was this one time when something broke my heart. In 2005, I was severely injured at Bandipur attack. I walked all the way across the border to India where I was informed that I could not be admitted due to the lack of money. It was painful to learn that my life which I had offered to a great cause was at peril simply due to insufficient funds. I somehow managed to get treatment but this incident left behind a bitter taste. Also, my journey back home from India was a fiasco. I was weak physically and mentally. I even had to face humiliation time and again due to my physical condition. And for the first time, I felt that I was lacking energy. What do you feel about the current situation of the ex combatants? People often say that we fought a battle of arms. But I insist that it was a battle of ideologies. After being a guerilla warrior for so long, it’s rather difficult to come back and reacquaint oneself with society. We have certain knowledge regarding war strategies, arms and weapons. We’ve all gone back to live in our villages and are scattered all over Nepal. But those memories of the battles and the rebellious sparks continue to live inside us. The chain of command is physically broken but it’s difficult to stop living a life that you are used to living for so long. For that, psychological integration is more necessary than ever. What are your future plans? I want to continue with studies and politics. I am also affiliated with Jirel Workers’ Society and the construction of Jirel Museum in Jiri. It was a long and meaningful journey from the forest to the cantonment. There were good times as well as bad times. But it was all in the past. We have paved a path for a major political process. I want to be a part of it and help build the nation by doing my bit. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55131 “‘Bombay is a bird of gold.’ A man living in a slum, without water, without toilets, was telling me why he came here, why people continue to come here. In the Bayview Bar of the Oberoi Hotel you can order a bottle of Dom Perignon for one and a half times the average annual income, this in a city where forty percent of the houses lack safe drinking water......It is a maximum city.” Suketu Mehta, Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found This book describes Mumbai City in terms of its richest and poorest. Both classes live together despite the giant gaps in their lifestyles. The writer has come back to India 15-20 years after staying in the US. And he witnesses the changes that the country has gone through in the years of his absence. This is a compact non-fictional tale that travels through the dance bars of Mumbai and the life of the dancers and moves on to the poor people living on the railway tracks. It speaks out the shocking story of an assassin who kills for mere fifty Rupees.[break] The writer, who has also written movie scripts, presents the firsthand interviews of movie stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. He also showcases direct dialogues with the cops as well as murderers. He focuses on giving many sides of the same story. He delves into the Hindu-Muslim religious riots and violence in Mumbai. There is the portrayal of the never-ending conflicts between the Hindu extremist Shiva Sena and the Muslim dons from the Mumbai Underworld. This is probably the most important aspect of the book. Keshab Thoker What doesn’t Mumbai have? The fascinating city has money, love, sex, death and show business. The different characters are real but have been assigned fictional names. There is a millionaire who renounces everything and walks away barefoot in search of spiritual truth and inner peace. Ultimately, this book carries an underlying message of giving up on the worldly affairs after a certain point and setting off in the quest for something greater and more precious than what meets our eyes in the everyday and ordinary sense. Suketu is an internationally celebrated author. He had even visited Kathmandu in 2009. His book had been presented to me in 2006 by a friend. I finished these 500 pages within a matter of a few hours while I was in China. They were that captivating. I had even emailed Suketu and he had replied. A book indeed has the power to establish a connection between a reader and a writer, two complete strangers from different corners of the world. About Pradhan Pradhan is currently working as media consultant at the Tourism Service Center of Nepal Tourism Board. He had been a journalist for about seven years before that. He started out with Amar Chitra Katha as a school kid who was completely in awe of books. An avid reader who had stepped into the world of books and reading at the age of 14, he even has a wide circle of friends who are as voracious readers as himself. He is not much of a fiction fan. He has always been a great lover of non fiction. “I believe books teach you the philosophies of life,” he comments. He is motivated to read by the idea that reading not just gives you perspectives to life but also meanings. His idea of a good life has always been associated with the notion of a good reading. “Can a rich man with no education live a momentous life?” he questions. He recollects this incident when he at the Westminster Bridge in London. “Long ago, I had read a poem by Wordsworth, ‘Upon Westminster Bridge.’ When I reached that place, I could feel what the poet must have felt at that moment since I had already familiarized myself with this place through his eyes and words.” Reading, he says, is a way of armchair traveling and a wonderful means to surpass all kinds of temporal, physical, geographical and psychological boundaries. After the Prophet by Lesley Hazleton This book talks about people killing their own compatriots. It also discusses the history of division between the Shia and Sunni sects in Islam. It is the story of Prophet Mohammad who could recite the whole Koran as if he had memorized it. This is a balanced book with equal and ample space for multiple perspective. North of South by Shiva Naipaul Despite being a fine writer, he was overshadowed by his brother, VS Naipaul. This is an account of Africa and Africans. The writer has often been criticized for being harsh and racist. This book actually contains a lot of research and travel stories. During the 1970s, many African countries had just been freed from European  colonial rule. He presents a very grim picture of Africa where people are lazy and even the cab drivers at the airports are cheats and frauds. In the Company of a Poet: Gulzar in Conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir by Nasreen Munni Kabir Nepalis are closely attached to Bollywood with respect to culture and entertainment. Kabir is a Muslim writer originally from India but has been living in England for many years. This book is like a casual conversation between two individuals. This is a story of Gulzar’s life about how he came to Mumbai from Delhi and became a lyricist and director in Bollywood. Nine Lives: The Search of the Sacred in Modern India by William Dalrymple Dalrymple is a historian. This book is about nine little slices of lives of people involved in nine diverse professions. The writer has written about a Jain nun. In Kerala, there is a dancer from the Dalit community with a split personality disorder. When he starts dancing, “God” enters his body and he becomes divine. There is also the tale of the girls who are offered to the gods and are manipulated by Brahmins. His characters include singers, travelers, monks, sculptors and others whom he met during the course of his travels. The World is What It is: The Authorized biography of V.S. Naipaul by Patrick French Patrick French, a British biographer, is a young fellow who was given the access to Naipaul’s entire archive. This is a rag-to-riches tale of a young Caribbean lad from Trinidad and Tobago who came to Britain as an ordinary international student on scholarship but went on to marry a British woman, have an Argentinean mistress and become a famous author. As told to Nitya Pandey http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55184 As you stroll a little further from Gangjong Hotel in Lazimpat heading towards Pani Pokhari, you won’t miss New Tushita which is located on the right. With its exquisite designs that seem welcoming, you won’t think twice before choosing the place for your dining experience. With hardly a proper side- walk due to the unfinished road expansion project, you may have to struggle to reach the destina- tion but you’ll see that it’s worth it. In business since 2006, the place was earlier located at Kanti Path under the same name. Over the years, the place has managed to retain its originality without compromising on the quality.[break] Once you step inside, you won’t be disappointed. The place has been decorated well by merging traditional Nepali style with a contemporary décor concept. The best part is that there is ample space which caters to a large number of crowds even on a busy day. There’s also a cozy corner over- looking a tall window which makes the place airy and gives a clear view of the outside road which you can enjoy over your drinks and conversation. The minimalist décor goes well with its simple yet classy furnishings. This spacious eatery defined by traditional brick floor- ing and wooden slanted ceilings feels alive in a way that most of the restaurants in the city don’t. The upside of this place is that it caters endless choices of delectable cuisines. With a laid- back ambience, the place makes a perfect drop in for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner as well. With the onset of summer, iced tea would be perfect to start off with to beat the scorching heat. Ask for some seasonal fresh fruit juices like watermelon juice or smoothies that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. For appetizers, you can choose from the variety of salads like the Chicken Hawaiian salads, grilled chicken and bacon salads, mixed vegetable salad or the tuna fish salad. For starters, you can relish chicken drumsticks, mushroom chilli, or chicken sandeko among the countless options they have. If you’re a fan of pastas and spaghetti, then New Tushita is the place to be. Penne, which is served with creamy bacon and mushroom sauce, just melts in your mouth and is a divine expe- rience. The sauce has the right amount of tanginess and is not too heavy either, and is invari- ably incredible. If you don’t want to experi- ment much and want to go for the usual, then just order sizzlers which are served with French fries and steamed vegetables and salads. This place can be the ulti- mate haven for those who want the best of both worlds. They have an array of tantalizing deli- cacies to choose from. If you are craving for Indian food, they also cater dishes like Biryani and Malai Kofta that goes along well with rice. If you want to savor a differ- ent style of chicken, then you can try the Chicken Shaslik which is marinated grilled chicken and vegetables served on skewers that is served along with rice. If you want your dining expe- rience to end with something sweeter, ask for their homemade Brownie with ice cream or the apple pie. The meals are pre- pared meticulously with expert hands so that there’s no room left for any complaints. You can also experience genuine customer service at Tushita. So if you have any doubts about how the food will be served or will taste like, then don’t hesitate to ask the staff. The food menu also has flexible pricing so that you can order depending on your budget. But you will be glad for the price you pay as it well compliments their lip smacking delights and flaw- less service. New Tushita has retained its exclusiveness through good food, good service and a tranquil ambience. The place is a good hangout spot where you can wind down and give in to endless choices of scrumptious delica- cies. Fast Facts Opening hours: 6 am to 10:30 pm Parking: Complimentary Free Wi-Fi For reservation, Contact: 4432958, 4432960 http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55183 Convenience and efficiency are the hallmarks of online banking. You can pay bills in seconds, automatically bal- ance your account, and save time and some money too as some companies even offer discounts for electronic payments. In recent times, more and more people are using the Internet to con- duct financial transactions and make purchases. Unfortunately, cyber criminals also find online banking convenient for rip- ping off unwary consumers, using a variety of scams to get access to passwords and account numbers. The Week tells you how you can safeguard your money online[break] stay clear of random emails Never directly answer or respond to an email from your bank. Cyber thieves often copy the graphics and logos of financial institu- tions, so a fraudulent email can be virtually indistin- guishable from a legitimate message. Instead, try con- tacting your bank to verify if they have indeed sent you an email first if you are not sure. Be wary of requests for information, particularly if asked for the last three digits on the signature strip of your card. The Bank will never ask you for these numbers and your PIN number. One of the cyber dangers cited in the so-called Bang- kok Syndrome besetting tourists in Thailand is the likelihood of one’s password being asked to be repeated by the ATM machine. If this happens, the best advice is: Simply withdraw your card and go elsewhere. use a safe Browser Use a browser that auto- matically warns you of sus- pect websites, which can steal security codes and account numbers. Google’s Chrome browser is safer than others and warns you when it thinks there’s some- thing wrong. It has auto- matic phishing (fake email and website scams) and malware protection, which will warn you if a site you’re about to visit is suspected of criminal activity. colonialfirststate.com.au Pick a stronG Password There are programs that scan Facebook accounts, for example,lookingforpersonal information that can then be used to guess passwords. So don’t use pet names and birthdates. Use a password that’s a combination of let- ters and symbols.Your online bank account should not have the same password as any other account such as email or social media. It is also important to have dif- ferent passwords for differ- ent sites, so that if your pass- word is cracked, only one site is compromised. Don’t store password information on a mobile device or any- where where it can be easily accessed by another person. For extra security, make sure you change your passwords every couple of months. siGn uP for email or text messaGe alerts Most banking websites allow users to sign up for notifications. You’ll then receive an email or a text message whenever a speci- fied amount of money is withdrawn or deposited to your account, or if there is unusual activity. This way you’ll be notified of every transaction made from your account. By monitoring your daily account activ- ity, you’ll be able to identify any unauthorized transac- tions or other indications that your account has been hacked. Most banks these days offer this service and it’s very easy to sign up for it, if you haven’t already done so. Get antivirus Use an antivirus soft- ware to periodically scan your computer. There are plenty of reputable free programs from the likes of Kaspersky, Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender. Keep it up to date and always turned on. You should also scan your computer for viruses, spy- ware and other malware on a regular basis. This will guard you against cyber threats that can steal your passwords. More and more people are saving valuable time by using their mobile phones to carry out their banking chores. However, the same threats that exist in a PC also exist in cell phones. So use a security program even on your phone. Also, it’s wise to download only those files from sources you trust and reputable websites even if you have an antivirus program installed. stay safe on the move Online banking offers the convenience of paying bills when you are on the road. But you should never use a friend’s computer or a public PC. Don’t use pub- lic computers to do online banking because account data may be accidentally stored in the computer and then possibly be accessible to others. If you’re using a laptop, never conduct financial transactions over an unsecured public WiFi network. If using a router at home, make sure your broadcast signal is suf- ficiently encrypted. Most importantly, don’t forget to log out of the site when you’re done making online payments. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55182 To reach all the way to Namobud- dha, the ride will take 6-8 hours for most leisure riders but the same length can be completed within five hours by more seasoned cyclists. Throughout the ride, there are possibly hundreds of off road or ‘off the beaten’ tracks, most of which will not be marked. However, if you stick close to the Arniko Highway, you will reduce your chances of going astray, though sometimes getting lost can work in your favor as you come across new tracks and with it; adventure.[break] The beginning of Araniko High- way up to Bhaktapur is fairly easy with tarmac road. But once you begin to ride away from Bhaktapur, the trail will be curving dirt road with occasional pot holes which make for bumpy rides. It is recommended to be picked up from either Dhulikhel or Namobuddha to return to Kathmandu for a one day trip as riding back to the capital can be too strenuous. You can also choose to stay in one of the easily available hotels or guest houses in each of the townships. Namobuddha Monastery has a guest house which charges Rs 400 to Rs 800 per night. Getting there After riding approximately one kilometer from the airport, take a left turn towards Gathaghar. Continu-ing through the same road, you will reach Bhaktapur Road and township of Thimi. From here you can choose to ride via Bhaktapur Road or revert to Arniko Highway and continue east towards Bhaktapur. From Bhaktapur you need to ride approximately 20 kil- ometers to reach Dhulikhel. You can choose to end your ride at Dhulikhel, or continue to Namobuddha. After covering a distance of 13 kilometers on the B.P Highway, turn right on to Dalinchok or Batase-Sankhu Road till you reach Namobuddha. trail highlights The road starting from the air- port is smooth and flat making it an easy ride till just after Bhaktapur, with slight inclines along the way. There are numerous climbs and descends espe- cially with the winding road from Dhu- likhel to Namobuddha. The ride is pleasant and hilly land- scapes and vast rice fields in different hues and textures make for a perfect excursion on two wheels. There are plenty of great rest points to choose from such as Thimi, just before reaching Bhaktapur – a small town renowned for its pottery, ceramics and various Jatras like the recent Bisket Jatra. This medieval town holds numerous ancient tem- ples and rich Newari culture, much of which can still be observed today. Bhaktapur would make for an excel- lent lunch stop and be sure to try their famed dairy products, especially the local curd, “Juju Dhau.” Dhulikhel is an interesting hill station, popular for the panoramic views of the Himalayas, however a glimpse of the majestic moun- tains during this time of the year is unlikely. Namobuddha is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Nepal and for Buddhists, legend has it that Lord Buddha in a previous incarna- tion, offered his own flesh to a fam- ished tigress. Bare essentials Day pack/hydration pack Water bottle Helmet Cycling shorts/shirt or light weight clothing Sun glasses Face mask Sun block Bike hire Bikes, helmets and hydro packs can be hired from various outlets in the capital. Biking level It is a moderate hike. You can also increase or decrease the level by con- trolling your speed during the trip. Information courtesy: socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55126 Rekha Thapa, one of the most popular Nepali cine stars, needs no introduction as an actor. She had created a ripple when a picture of her dancing with UCPN (M) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was splashed all over the media some time back with people speculating her connection with the party. But earlier this week Rekha made headlines for a different reason. She officially pronounced herself as the Maoist member by joining the party. Here’s what Rekha has to say. [break] Excerpts: Why did you join UCPN (Maoist)? Everyone is asking me the same question. Actually, I liked their policies, ethics and progressive ideas for the country’s development. I think only this party can bring about positive changes in the country’s economy; and also in our society that is largely dominated by males. What quality of UCPN (Maoist) impressed you the most? UCPN (Maoist) does not treat women as the second class citizens. It treats men and women equally, which impresses me the most. Other political parties treat film actors like us only as characters in movies. The Week File photo Are you in favor of violence through which UCPN (Maoist) came to power? I think that depends on every individual’s perspective. Some say it’s violence while some say it’s a revolution. After coming to power, the Maoists have done commendable work like expansion of narrow roads in Kathmandu. These efforts should be appreciated. How active will you be in the party? I’m always there for our party. I’ll be doing all the work that a party member is supposed to do. But if they deviate from their ideology, I’ll not support them. I’ll be there with them as long as they raise the people’s voice. Will you be campaigning for the Maoists in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections? (Smiling) First of all, I didn’t join the party only for holding some position. I joined because I wanted to contribute something to the nation. I’ll not restrict my role to campaigning for the party in the elections. You have essayed the roles of rebellious ladies in some of your movies. How different is acting as revolutionaries on screen and being one in real life? I have essayed the roles of rebellious protagonists in movies like Himmat, Durga, Kismat, Hifajat, Andaaz and Lanka. Essaying such roles in reel-life is certainly much easier than living them in real life. In reel-life, we only have to show emotions for a certain period. But in real life, it is very difficult because we have to convince the people and our patriarchal society also creates problems. Do you think acting is difficult than politics? I think acting and politics are totally different from each other. Both have their own importance, rules and discipline. How do you compare them? If I have to make comparison, politics is difficult than acting. Because we could have many takes for a single shot but in politics a single mistake can bring huge problems to the whole country. Who is your favorite politician and why? Late Girija Prasad Koirala, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Hisila Yami are my favorite politicians. Each of them has their own distinct qualities and all are focused on the nation’s development and public welfare. How many movies have you done till now? And what are your upcoming movies? I have done more than 100 movies. And I’m busy with my upcoming movie Kali, which is about a strong-willed woman and her divine power. It’ll be released around Tihar. By Pratibha Rawa http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55125 A few weeks into the climbing season at Everest this year, several records have already been set. From the oldest man to set foot on the highest mountain to the first double amputee to reach atop Everest, and first Saudi Arabian woman to four brothers of the single family to reach atop, the tussle to set records on Everest has become the rule of the game. Almost 40 records have been set since Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary reached atop the 8,848 meter high mountain 60 years ago. Here’s setting the record straight this season:[break] Phurba Tashi Sherpa – 21st ascent (equals Apa Sherpa’s record of the most ascents) Raha Moharrak - the first Saudi Arabian woman Sudarshan Gautam - the first double amputee Yuichiro Miura – the oldest man Arunima Sinha - the first Indian amputee Apart from these world records, some major highlights of this climbing season were the climbing of Everest by Qatari royal family member Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Thani and Nisha Adhikari becoming the first Nepali cine actress to climb Everest. Al-Thani is a brand ambassador of Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), a Doha-based private non-profit organization, and has vowed to raise funds to support education in Nepal by donating funds for the development of schools and providing scholarships. In yet another remarkable feat, four brothers of a single family of Gudel-4 in Solukhumbu district climbed Mt. Everest simultaneously. Lhakpa Dorjee Sherpa, Tendi Sherpa, Lhakpa Tenji Sherpa and Ang Furba Sherpa reached the top on May 20. They were climbing Sherpas from the Adventure Consultant Company. Meanwhile, three brothers of a family of Jubhing-1, Solukhumbu also climbed Everest on May 19. They are Pemba Wangchhu Sherpa, 29, Pemba Chhongba Sherpa, 25, and Pemba Gyaljen Sherpa. However, not all are lucky. More than 200 people have died in attempts to climb Everest since the first ascent in 1953 and latest addition to the list is none other than Namgyal Sherpa, the 10-time summiter. But his 10th attempt ended in a sad note, as he breathed his last in Camp 3 on the Tibetan side of Everest on May 16, while on his way down. “Namgyal was a remarkable man with a remarkable life,” his close aides said. Namgyal is survived by his wife Doma Sherpa. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55124 “Without arms, that will be difficult. But I have a good team and good Sherpas who will help. Some mountainous parts, we will have to pull ourselves with a rope.  That, I will hold on to with my mouth and teeth,” Sudarshan Gautam, 30, a Nepal-born Canadian who became the world’s first double amputee to climb Everest, had said in one of the interviews to Canadian media before embarking on a near-impossible trip. It’s a record galore on Everest this season, but Gautam’s achievement is no doubt one of the rarest feats.[break] Gautam lost both his hands at the age of 14 when he reached out to get a kite that had hit a naked wire with 11,000 volts. The shock left him with no arms but that did not deter him from proving his message that “disability is not inability”. The motive behind his giant step is to establish a school in Nepal for the poor, the disabled and orphans by raising one million dollars, according to Fast Forward Weekly of Calgary. Sudarshan Gautam “I can do everything with my feet. I can drive a car and a motorcycle; I can shave, clean the house and cook food,” he said in the interview. Asked why he wanted to climb Everest, Gautam said, “Because I have strong determination and I want to do everything I possibly can.” His biggest point was: Do not let your disabilities get in your way. And, he has now proved that nothing, not even the highest mountain in the world has got in his way. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55123 Age plays a big role in one’s life, as people slow down as the years pass by. But for Yuichiro Miura, age is no bar to move up, that too on top of the highest point on earth. At 80, the Japanese climber on Thursday became the oldest man on earth to step on top of Everest. Miura, along with his 43-year-old son, two other Japanese, and six Sherpas, reached the summit from the southeast ridge.[break] At Miura’s Tokyo office, his family, including his wife and two daughters, huddled around the phone for word of his successful climb, chronicling every step on Facebook, according to agencies. When the call finally came in, the room, packed with reporters, erupted in an applause. “This is the best feeling in the world,” Miura is quoted as telling his family from the summit on the phone. “I never imagined I would become the oldest man to get here, at 80. There’s no greater feeling in life, but I’ve never felt this tired either.” This is Miura’s third successful attempt on Everest. But what is more astounding fact is that this octogenarian mountaineering enthusiast has already gone through four heart surgeries to treat recurring arrhythmia, including one just two months before he set out on his latest journey. He even broke his pelvis and fractured his thigh in a skiing accident in 2009. Miura’s feat has no doubt proved that nothing is impossible in life. “Hoping to raise even an inch of human possibility” is what Miura wrote on his website. And, no one can disagree. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55122 Sanders is new UNHCR chief Steven Craig Sanders has been appointed the new Nepal Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Sanders of the United States has worked with the UN refugee agency since 1992 in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Sudan, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Malawi and a stint at agency’s headquarters in Geneva. “I am delighted to be in Nepal, a country rich in culture and natural beauty, and look forward to maintaining an effective working relationship with the Government of Nepal, and other major stakeholders in the refugee program in Nepal,” says Sanders.[break] Barbara’s new initiative Barbara Adams, a 90-year-old Nepal lover who married to Prince Basundhara, brother of Late King Mahendra, has established an award to promote investigative journalism in Nepal. The Rs. 51,000 award will be given to an investigative journalist on April 14 every year with the interest of the USD 10,000 she has put in the fund. The fund will be run through her Barbara Adams Peace Foundation and the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of the Tribhuwan University. Republica reporter awarded Chadani Hamal, Chitwan-based correspondent of Republica, has been awarded with this year’s Late Uma Singh Journalism Prize set up by Sancharika Samuha. The prize money of Rs 7,111 has been awarded to Chadani for her outstanding reporting from Chitwan. Chandrakala gets music award Chandrakala Shah, a 64-year-old songstress, received this year’s Music Association Award worth Rs. 11,111. Shah has been associated with Radio Nepal since 1975 as a collector of folk songs. She has sang, written and collected almost 400 songs. Abhi Subedi bags another prize Well-known English professor and litterateur Abhi Subedi has added one more feather on his cap. Amidst a gathering on Thursday, Subedi received “Yug Kabi Siddhicharan Puraskar-2070” for his lifetime contrib http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54805 Most parties are not interested to include marginalized community members in their central committee. After the ten-year Maoist “People’s War,” the terminology “inclusion” has been strongly established in Nepali governance, politics and I/NGOs environs. Specially, the political parties and their leaders never forget to mention Dalits, women, Adibasis, Janajatis and Madhesis in their speeches, manifestos, party constitutions, policies and programs. But if we see these very parties’ internal structures, the reality is quite the opposite. Most parties are not interested to include marginalized community members in their central committee. This practice is also common within regional fringe parties and the three big parties.[break] Who holds the leadership positions? If we look at the leadership structure of major political parties, all of them have similarities on ‘inclusion.’ The United Communist Party Nepal, Maoist (UCPN, Maoist), the United Marxist Leninist (UML), and Nepali Congress (NC) have the majority of Brahmins and Chhetris in their central committees. They represent 50 to 60 percent of the central committee members and hold powerful posts within the their respective parties. In the UCPN Maoist, the strongest body to lead the party is the Party Headquarters. It has four male members, including Chairman Prachanda, but there is not a single woman, Dalit or Madhesi representative. Its Standing Committee and Politburo have not yet been formed. The UML has three layers in its party structure. The strongest body is the Standing Committee which sets the agendas of the party. The next powerful body is the Politburo, and then it is the Central Committee. Agendas set by the Standing Committee go through the Politburo to the Central Committee before they are sanctioned. Except for an ex-officio member, there are ten standing committee members. All are Brahmins and Chhetris. Among other parties, the UML has the highest representation of the two communities. That is why it is often accused of being a party of ‘castes’ and not of ‘class’ – “Emale barga ko hoina, barnako party ho.” The NC has the longest history of party politics in Nepal. The culture of inclusion can be seen in its structure since its establishment. When Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala was elected as its President in BS 2009 (1952), Dhanman Singh Pariyar, a Dalit, was elected as General Secretary of the party. While fighting against the Rana regime, JB Yakthumba, a Limbu Janajati, was commander of the liberation army. Dipesh Shrestha/The Week File Photo Mahendra Narayan Nidhi and Parshu Ram Chaudhari were influential leaders from the Madhesi communities. Ganesh Man Singh, a Newar Janajati, was the strongest pillar of NC. But now, most of the powerful posts have been snatched by the so-called upper castes. More than 50 percent in the top echelon are Brahmins and Chhetris. Nepotism and favoritism rule the party. Tarai-based parties are not so ‘upper-caste-centric.’ They are ‘leader-centric.’ The common trend is that the elected leader brings in his community members to represent the majority in the party. For instance, the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal (Forum, Nepal) is led by Upendra Yadav and its central committee consists of 43.9% Yadavs. Yadav belongs to the other backward community (OBC) classification which represents 58.54% in the party. The MJF, Loktantrik is led by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, a Madhesi Janajati. His party has a majority of Janjatis and OBCs. The Sadbhawana Party, whose leader is Rajendra Mahato, an OBC) is controlled by his community members. Similarly, the Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) is controlled by Tripathi, Kayastha and Thakur communities, the so-called ‘upper castes,’ with their leader being Mahanta Thakur. Women The UCPN, Maoist had stimulating slogan of inclusion, which created a new wave in Nepali politics. Then, all party members were compelled to practice the ‘inclusion’ criteria within their internal structures. That is why we can see at least a Dalit, Madhesi, Janajati and a woman in the central committees of all the political parties. But UCPN Maoist, the pioneer of inclusive initiative, has poor representation of marginalized communities in its central committee. UCPN Maoist leaders have never acknowledged women for their contributions during the insurgency. Women were at par with men in every clash against the state’s armed forces. The Central Committee, formed after its Seventh General Convention, has only 13.56% of women’s representation which is less than UML’s and NC’s. Women’s representation in the central committees of NC and UML is 21.25% and 18.26% respectively. Shashi Shrestha, Central Committee Member of UCPN Maoist, says, “We aren’t happy. It’s an injustice to women. Our revolutionary leaders are biased towards men. Poor representation of women is the byproduct of a male-dominated society.” But General Secretary of UCPN Maoist, Post Bahadur Bogati, begs to differ. He says, “I don’t think only a woman can tackle women’s issues. We have ideologies that benefit women too.” According to its Party Constitution, the UML has a policy to include 33% of women in its Central Committee but there is only 18.26% at present. Its 13-member Standing Committee has only one woman (7.69%) and the 41-member Politburo has five (12.19%) women. Politburo Member Urmila Aryal claims that there is no problem in including 33% women in the Standing Committee and Politburo because a lot of women leaders who have at least 15 years of experience in politics are in the UML. “But our senior leaders don’t want to assign leading roles to women members,” she says. But one of the Vice Chairmen of UML, Bamdev Gautam, feels differently. “There’s not a single woman capable of handling the leadership. That’s why we’re unable to incorporate 33% of women in the Central Committee,” he says. Comparatively, the Nepali Congress is in a good position to integrate women in the leadership roles, but its woman leader Kamala Panta wants the 33% to scale up to 50%. Tarai-based parties also have poor representation of women. They have included women between 10 to 15% in their central committees. However, women have no major roles in these parties. Vice Chairman of the Forum Loktantrik, Rameshwar Yadav in his effort to justify the low representation, says, “Women in the Tarai aren’t as aware as Pahadi women. So it’s not good to incorprate them into the party just for formality’s sake.” Bikash Karki/The Week File Photo The Dalit community of Terai region protesting to end caste discrimination. Dalits Every party wants to be sympathetic towards Dalits but they don’t want to hand leadership over to them. The UCPN Maoist has come up with a slogan of special rights with compensation for Dalits but the bitter truth is this party has the lowest representation of Dalits in its Central Committee. It has only 5.93% whereas the NC and UML have 6.17 and 6.96% Dalit representation respectively. To clarify the low representation of Dalits, General Secretary Bogati says, “The level of capacity and awareness are the major aspects. We can’t bring everybody to leadership only to follow the doctrine of inclusion.” He believes in policy and program and not representation. “Opportunity has to be given in lifestyle and not necessarily in party structure,” he adds. UML Vice Chairman Gautam also echoes the same. He claims, “Our party is based on class and not castes. Those who are smart can lead the Communist Party because it runs on the basis of a strict doctrine. Brahmins and Chhetris are capable of doing so, so obviously they are higher up in the leadership status.” The NC is blamed as a feudalist party by the Left. But it has allocated certain quotas for Dalits, Janajati, Madhesi and women. Dalits have five seats in the Central Committee but Dalit leaders are not happy with it. One Central Committee Member, Jeevan Pariyar, says, “The Congress should be the role model of inclusion because it has a long history. It’s shameful that it’s no better at inclusion. There should be 13% Dalit representation in any party.” Tarai-based parties have accepted four to eight percent Dalit representation. These parties were formed to establish inclusion but on the contrary they are accused to be the symbol of exclusion. Madhesi leaders chant slogans of proportionate inclusion but they have failed to address the ethnic, regional and linguistic issues in their parties. Likewise, every Tarai party has included Dalits in their central committees, but they have no role. Forum Loktantrik has three secretaries. One is Chandreshwar Khatwe and a Dalit. According to him, Madhesi leaders don’t want emancipation of Dalits because if Dalits are emancipated who will they rule over? “The so-called upper-caste people still treat us as untouchables and hesitate to even sit with us. But because the Election Commission and donor community want inclusion, they are compelled to embrace us.” Janajatis The three big parties have included 18 to 25% Janajatis in their central committees. The UCPN Maoist has 24.15%, the highest representation. Janajatis are said to be brave warriors, and for this reason, the Maoists used them during the insurgency. As of now, the NC has the lowest representation of Janajatis. There was a time when Janajati leaders like Narad Muni Thulung and many others had played vital roles in collaborating with BP Koirala in the Congress. After BP, though NC was ruled by the same Koirala clan, Janajatis were neglected. Chaitanya Subba, who was an NC member, says, “The Congress forgot the Janajatis’ contributions. After 1990, the NC got the opportunity to lead the government but party opportunists neglected Janajatis and cast them aside. It became very hard to get opportunities if you weren’t a Brahmin.” Vice President of NC, Ram Chandra Paudel, does not agree with Subba. He claims that NC still appreciates Janajatis and all the other marginalized communities. “Who made Kul Bahadur Gurung the General Secretary? Who made Ram Baran Yadav the President? Is it Maoists or NC?” he questions in retaliation. Paudel is then asked a difficult question by Subba in retaliation: “At the time of choosing Party President and Prime Minister, KB Gurung didn’t cross your mind. Or did he?” Paudel hesitates a bit and then says, “We have to respect the contributions of other communities as well, and choose Party President and Prime Minister, keeping a lot of factors in mind.” The UML has 20.87% representation of Janajatis. But due to a conflict within the leadership, about a dozen Janajatis, including Vice Chairman Ashok Rai, left the party recently and the Standing Committee decided to take care of the vacated duties themselves. In the Tarai, the Rajbansis, Dhimals, Gangais, Tharus and others are Janajatis. The Forum Loktantrik has the highest representation of Janajatis because Chairman Gachhadar himself belongs to Tharu community. Other parties, however, have not been able to attract Janajatis. Madhesis As the result of neglecting Madhesis in mainstream politics, Tarai-based parties became strong. Because of the mushrooming of such parties, the Maoist, UML and NC were defeated in the last Constituent Assembly elections in the Tarai. The UCPN Maoist has the lowest representation of Madhesis, but its leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal dreams of winning the forthcoming elections in the Tarai region. Leaders of UML and NC have similar dreams and hence all three parties now have 13 to 16% Madhesis in their central committees. Political analyst CK Lal recently criticized those parties who fear to integrate Madhesis. “The leaders of the big parties think that they are destined to rule. They believe in the “Barna system.” So they never even think about handing over the leadership to the people from marginalized communities. They are only kept as workers.” Some interesting fast facts Some people think that just because Madhesis seek representation in national politics, so should the Pahadi community demand for quotas in Tarai-based parties. Almost all of Tarai-based parties have representation of Pahadi community. The Sadbhawana Party is one step ahead than the others. It has allocated six quotas in its Central Committee for non-Madhesis but currently only four are taken. Sadbhawana Chairman Rajendra Mahato explains, “There might be federal states in the Madhesh in the near future. If we talk only about Madhesis, then a big number of non-Madhesis will be out of politics. We want inclusion of the Pahadi communities as well.” But there is still a big wall of mistrust between the Madhesi and the Pahadi communities because the Madhesh Movement displaced many Pahadis from the Tarai. Now Tarai-based parties have a huge challenge to face in inviting the Pahadi community to their political folds. Conclusion Political leaders raise the issue of inclusion on every occasion. But their words sound hollow as the representation of marginalized communities in their parties doesn’t mirror their motto. This is the era of inclusion, and unless and until inclusion is in proportion with the population, the political parties’ agenda will always be questioned. The author is a BBC journalist. The story “Inclusion in political parties” was broadcast on the BBC Nepali Service in five episodes. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54804 Considering the 700,000-plus live birth rate in the country, it is calculated that the prevalence of obstetric fistula is 0.3 to 0.6 every 1,000 deliveries For many women in rural Nepal, motherhood comes at a cost. Maternal joys for them are merely momentary, and in most cases associated with stories of suffering. Kalpana Rai’s harrowing experience of childbirth reflects the situation of a majority of women in remote parts of Nepal where access to roads and lack of healthcare facilities worsen the situation for women giving birth. After the 32-year-old’s delivery turned complicated, the health post at her village in Bhojpur couldn’t do much. The nearest biggest hospital was miles away – she had to be carried on a stretcher by four men before being transported by road to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan. But lack of proper antenatal checkup and quick access to healthcare facilities during labor meant her newborn had already died in the womb by the time she was in the hospital’s delivery room.[break] A female community health volunteer in Salyan explains about safe motherhood at Aama Samhua (Mother´s Group) meeting. “They said everything was normal,” Rai remembers what doctors had told her during her antenatal visits to her closest hospital as she sits on her hospital bed with discomfort. Rai says she has been leaking urine since doctors delivered her dead baby. Due to prolonged and obstructed labor, she has now developed a condition called obstetric fistula, a hole in the birth canal which leads to continuous leakage of urine. It has only been a few weeks since Rai has been suffering from fistula, and she says “It’s an uneasy feeling.” Like Rai, hundreds of other women, primarily in remote parts of Nepal, are living with this condition in isolation. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Women’s Rehabilitation Center (WOREC), an estimated 4,602 women are living with fistula with 200 to 400 new cases every year. Considering the 700,000-plus live birth rate in the country, it is calculated that the prevalence of obstetric fistula is 0.3 to 0.6 every 1,000 deliveries. On a global scale, about two million women in Africa, Asia and the Arab countries are living with this condition with about 50,000 to 100,000 new cases every year, according to End Fistula Campaign, which the United Nations initiated in 2003. In 2010, UNFPA-Nepal in partnership with WOREC initiated the very campaign in Nepal. Access to transportation makes it dificult for patients to make it to hospital on time. In most villages, patients are carried on stretchers to the nearest health post during emergency. Though the number of women suffering from fistula is relatively few in Nepal, even compared to its regional neighbors, the problems cannot be overlooked, says Dr Mohan Chandra Regmi, one of the countable surgeons who handle fistula-related cases. Regmi, also an Associate Professor at BPKIHS and founder of the advocacy group Fistula Free Nepal, underscores the social stigma and suffering of women due to the stench from urine leakage, which can further trigger other physical and psychological problems. “It’s a devastating condition for women that gravitates maternal morbidity,” he says. In silent suffering Jau Maya BK is a mother of 14, but only seven of them have survived. Most of them, she says, died in her womb like her last son who she couldn’t give birth three years ago. Like Rai, 48-year-old BK also had labor pains for three days before reaching a medical facility in Palpa. It was then she also underwent a uterine surgery at a local hospital, after which she says she started leaking urine. BK lived with that condition for three years before she had her surgery this month at Patan Hospital, one of the two recognized centers in Nepal for fistula surgery; the other one being BPKIHS in Dharan. In Nepal, prolonged and obstructed labor is the primary cause of fistula. A study on the very topic was also conducted at BPKIHS with the leadership of Dr Dhurba Kumar Uprety between 2005 and 2007 to assess the gravity of the problem in eastern Nepal. Their research notes that 95.6% of fistula cases in that part of the country has been the result of obstructed labor. But Regmi also points that of the total cases, 12 to 15% of the new fistula cases have emerged after uterine surgery. Lack of standard operating procedures in hospitals without proper infrastructure, along with the complications associated with the surgery, could be the reason, he opines. While access to healthcare fuels this problem, often leading to complications during delivery and even death, lack of education and women’s involvement in decision-making regarding their health and wellbeing also comes into play as maternal morbidity is the question. Kabita Khadka from Dhading highlights the male hegemony prevalent in Nepali society. A mother of three now, the 30-year-old says that she requested her husband not to have any more children. “He just didn’t listen,” she says. Three of her children, including the last one she gave birth to three years ago, died due to complications. While other deliveries didn’t “cause her much trouble, the last one, she says, made her daily life “a living hell.” Unaware of the fact that her condition was curable, she lived with fistula for six months. Khadka says she didn’t leave the house for the entire duration because she smelled of urine and didn’t want neighbors to know. She couldn’t even do household chores. “For that reason, both my in-laws and own parents didn’t treat me well,” she says, her voice choked. “I really felt discriminated against.” Social stigma for women living with fistula is very high, says Goma Dahal, women’s health counselor working with WOREC. During the past two years she was involved with the fistula awareness program, she says she has visited around 40 districts in Nepal counseling women with fistula, and also raising awareness on the very issue. “Most women and also the society think that they’re suffering because of their sins,” she elaborates on the lack of health consciousness among people. “Most women also don’t give birth in the presence of health personnel which leads to conditions such as these.” Dahal, who has been working on the ground for 11 years dealing with various women’s issues, says she has encountered a majority of fistula cases in Morang, Udayapur, Dang, Panchthar and Darchula, among others. Most of the women, she says, are “living miserable lives.” Referring to his interaction with his patients and his research, Regmi says that 30 to 35% of women with fistula are living isolated lives, some even after they have been cured. “Surgery is just one component to cure fistula,” he says. “But it’s necessary for women to have physiotherapy and psychosocial counseling, too. They also have to be reintegrated and rehabilitated.” Every woman counts In a larger spectrum, though comparatively a few women suffer from fistula, the statistics leads to the root of the problem – tackling women’s reproductive health and maternal mortality. Dr Shirley Heywood has been working in Nepal for a decade and sees fistula as an issue that has largely been unrecognized and also unacknowledged. Currently based in Surkhet as a gynecologist with the non-profit International Nepal Fellowship (INF), she says in recent years the number of patients in the region has been in an increasing trend because people are talking about it and finding that fistula can be corrected through surgery. During the first year of surgery in Surkhet in 2009, there were only 10 women, Heywood says. In 2011, the number rose to 56 and 31 in 2012. This year, 39 women have already been corrected of their condition. The surgeries in Surkhet are being done in partnership with the Midwest Regional Hospital, she adds. At Nepal’s only two fistula referral centers—Patan Hospital and BPKIHS—there is a regular but scarce influx of fistula patients. While BPKIHS has had about 100 patients during the past two years, Patan Hospital so far has operated more than 400 patients with fistula. The two centers have also been organizing surgery camps at regular intervals in the past few years. During their first year in 2010, while Patan Hospital had 11 patients, BPKIHS helped treat 25 patients. While a majority of their fistula programs has been a joint collaboration with non-profits like UNFPA and WOREC, in Surkhet, most of the financial assistance for camps and surgery comes from the Gaye and Keith Talbot Trust in the UK. Doctors say that surgery along with extended hospital stays can cost patients up to Rs. 50,000 each. These camps, according to Nepal’s fistula expert Dr Kundu Yangzom at Patan Hospital, have helped highlight the issue and raise awareness among women. “In the last 27 years [since the first fistula surgery], we’ve had 420 patients,” says Yangzom who has operated on more than 350 such cases. “But over the past three years since we’ve organized these camps, we’ve had more than 100 patients. It’s a significant number.” Until now, though Nepal Government has addressed fistula in its Nepal Health Sector Plan II that focuses on strengthening and expanding maternal and newborn healthcare services, it is yet not fully integrated into the Ministry of Health and Population’s agenda. However, from the coming fiscal year, that will change, says Dr Shilu Aryal, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Ministry of Health’s Family Health Division. Aryal, who is also the focal person for reproductive health morbidity, says that during the uterine prolapse screening camps, women will also be screened for fistula and corrective measures will be taken accordingly. The government has proposed a budget of Rs 230 million with 10 to 20 screening camps in each of the 75 districts. While necessary measures are being taken, it is of utmost importance for the state to deliver healthcare to its people, says Dr Vinit Sharma, UNFPA Asia Pacific’s Regional Adviser for Reproductive Health. “Fistula is caused by the failure of the system to respond to women’s needs when she needs the most,” says Sharma who also oversees the region’s fistula campaign. “So it’s a programmatic failure because all fistulas are preventable.” As surveillance has gained momentum, in the past few years there has been an increasing number of fistula reported in South Asia with the bulk of women suffering from it in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, Sharma says. The number of women suffering from fistula every year in Bangladesh and Pakistan is estimated from 700 to 1,000 while in Nepal, the number lies between 200 to 400 annually. Dr Grace Chen from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the United States says that the prevalence of fistula can be in a large part related to the healthcare system of the country. Chen, who received funding from the Center for Global Health and Maren Foundation, was in Nepal as part of the Nepal Nutritional Intervention Project’s research mission on the very subject. She states that lack of proper nutrition, coupled with early childbearing, and inadequate access to emergency and inadequate health services during pregnancy and obstetric care during emergency and delivery contribute to fistula development. “Fistula from obstetric causes was a major cause in developed countries, including the US as well, into the early 1900s,” she says. The reason why it is no longer a significant issue is largely due to improved access to health.” Though Nepal has been able to significantly improve its health services that have helped reduce maternal mortality over the past decades—the statistic is 281 per 100,000 live births—the challenge, as experts point out, is to look away from the numbers and delve into the overall components that embrace safer motherhood. “Women don’t have to suffer from a condition that can easily be prevented,” Regmi says. “Fistula is the result of unsafe delivery, and so the question here is not only limited to fistula but also safe motherhood.” Road to recovery For BK, the Gynecology Ward at Patan Hospital has been her home for more than a month. She says she is anxious that she won’t have to return home in the condition she walked in with. “But when I meet other women who come here for follow-up, I listen to their stories, which gives me hope,” she says. Mira Gurung’s story is one such. Three years ago, during her first pregnancy, the 27-year-old from Morang couldn’t reach hospital in time for delivery. She lost her baby in the womb due to prolonged labor, which also resulted into fistula. However, Gurung says she was lucky to undergo a surgery quickly and within a month her condition was corrected. Now six-months pregnant, as she waited to see her doctor for antenatal checkup, Gurung says she would not risk delivering at home without any medical practitioners. During recent years, institutional deliveries have jumped up significantly. The Nepal Demographics and Health Survey 2011 shows that 35% of deliveries have been taken place in hospitals and handled by skilled care attendants, compared to 18% in 2006. The number of skilled birth attendants has also increased from 36 in 2006 (FY 2062/63 BS) to 1,081 in 2012 (2068/69), with a total workforce of 3,637. “The government has shown commitment to safer motherhood,” Aryal from Family Health Division says. “Any safer motherhood activity would help reduce new cases of fistula.” Regmi from BPKIHS stresses that it is important to take into account all reproductive morbidity that encompasses women’s health issues together. For this reason, the Family Health Division formed a Reproductive Health Morbidity Group in 2011 to raise the issues of uterine prolapse, cervical cancer and also fistula. In order to give an integrated and organized approach, Regmi says Fistula Free Nepal is not only helping people to correct fistula and make them aware but also planning of producing technical expertise. Currently, the country has a countable number of skilled surgeons in this field – there are two doctors at BPKIHS and four at Patan Hospital. But as additional cases of fistula are coming forward, Yangzom says more healthcare professionals are also showing interest. “It’s quite encouraging,” says the senior gynecologist who was recently awarded by the Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for her work in the field of fistula. “And it’s bringing fistula, otherwise hidden, out in the open.” In the community, patients are personally making efforts to speak about their strained past. At the Aama Samuha (Mother’s Group) meetings in her village, Gurung says she has talked about pregnancy-related complications and also about fistula. “I thought I was the only one suffering from it,” she says. “But there are others in the community who don’t want to come out and speak.” BK and Rai also hope to do the same so other women don’t have to go through what they did. But for now, as she sits on her hospital bed waiting for her test results, Rai says she is looking forward to seeing her five-year-old daughter whom she left with her parents. In three months, she will be coming back to Dharan again for her fistula surgery. “I just hope that’ll be the end of it,” she says with a smile, hoping for a healthier future. The writer is a freelance journalist. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54803 Koteshwor of Kathmandu is as busy as ever, with its bustling traffic, blaring horns, crowds of people and clouds of smoke. At a “police chowki” in the heart of the locality, Biba Nepali, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Nepal Police, flashes a warm smile. “This is my first interview. In my two decades of service, nobody has ever interviewed me,” she beams.[break] A pleasant lady with expressive eyes, she does not fit into the conventional image of a big, brawny cop. Dressed in a simple kurta salwar, with a thin string of red beads twinkling on her neck and a glass bangle on her wrist, she looks like any regular civilian housewife. Born and brought up in Tanahu, Biba dropped out of school after the sixth grade. Her elder sister had gotten married and her two brothers were too young. She had to help her parents in the fields and look after her baby brothers. When she was sixteen, a neighbor suggested that she could join the Nepal Police since she was mentally sharp and physically strong. This incident sowed the dreams of being a cop into her young mind. She came to Kathmandu in 1991 and enrolled herself into the preliminary training required for a police constable. Those thirteen months were the toughest that the young girl had faced so far. They were grueling, tedious and she was so hopeless at one point that she thought of quitting and running away. But the thought of disgrace and disappointment that she would bring upon her parents drove her on. She describes her first experience of holding a gun as a frightening and exhilarating one. “A gun was a part of the police package. But my heart trembled at the idea of the thing going off on it own. It exuded power.” Her first posting as a cop was at the Central Jail in Sundhara. On the very first day, she spotted some women in a corner. Those months of training immediately kicked in and she saluted them. One of the women kindly explained her that they were prisoners and she must have mistaken them for her seniors. “I had always thought that prisoners were a violent and grubby lot. But they looked so clean, decent and well mannered,” she says, recalling those moments. As the days passed by, her mind was occupied by her job. But her heart yearned for home. During this period, she met her husband. She had seen him a couple of times during the initial days of training. He was her senior. But then, he had gone to China while she remained in Kathmandu. Destiny, however, had other plans and they met during the then Queen Aishwarya’s birthday celebrations. They dated for a while. Soon he proposed marriage. “I was a lonely village girl in a strange city,” she says with a faraway look in her eyes, fingers fiddling with her bangle. “He offered me a home. I couldn’t say no to that.” Their daughter was born two years later. Tough times lay ahead for the young lady as she had to juggle motherhood and job. Both were just as significant and equally demanding. It was then that the prisoners came to her rescue. She would leave her baby girl under their supervision when she was on duty. In return, she would offer them lentils, rice, kerosene and vegetables. She often remembers a prisoner who used to feed her girl as if she were her own granddaughter. The old woman had been given a life sentence for murdering her daughter-in-law. Prisons, when viewed through Biba’s experienced eyes, appear as some of the most fascinating places on earth. One could become a philosopher or a madman within those four walls. But didn’t the mother in her feel skeptical about leaving her child in the hands of those already blemished with crime and blood? “It was a simple matter of trust in humanity,” she says with a slight smile. “Nobody is born a criminal. Often, it’s time, fate and circumstances that put you behind bars.” She claims to have found help whenever she has genuinely asked for it. When her daughter was really young, the couple could not afford to be in a long-distance marriage. The young mother couldn’t manage everything on her own, and the parents had to switch babysitting duties. So, when she made request to the higher authorities for a transfer in the same location as that of her husband’s, it was approved. They moved to Sunsari where their landlady helped the couple with their little girl. The heat and mosquitoes were the least of her concerns during the difficult period of the Maoist insurgency in 2001. Her husband gave up his job due to repeated threats. He went back to his ancestral business of tailoring. She would be on duty during odd hours. Death could be lurking anywhere, anytime. “When you are a cop, your priorities keep shifting,” she says. “While on duty, I was first a cop and then a mother.” With time, she learnt that being a cop was not all about strength, gallantry and patriotism. One needed to be wise and diplomatic, too. Cops always had to be sensitive with words and watch how they spoke. Once you joined the police force, your abilities and position were of more significance than your gender. “It’s true that female cops are required to do fewer hours of nightly duties and I’m no exception,” explains Biba. “But once I’m assigned a job, I’m no longer a woman. I’m an ASI. It’s not an option. It’s a compulsion.” That being said, she doesn’t deny that gender discrimination is still deeply rooted in the minds of people. As a cop, she can’t overlook those women who come to her with swollen faces – results of violence inflicted on them by their husbands. She doesn’t deny that men, too, at times, are the victims of physical and psychological abuse. But the number of women who suffer is comparatively higher. Women, she opines, are endlessly battling the dual responsibilities of home and work. On the other hand, men always have the option of stretching out in front of the TV instead of helping their wives do the dishes. “A woman never gets a holiday,’ she argues. “The moment she’s done with office, the duties of a mother and wife begin.” The lady, who is currently busy with the Republic Day celebrations rehearsals, isn’t unaware of the changing relationship dimensions in the modern times. She feels her bond with her daughter is friendlier and franker than the one she shares with her own mother. Urban children these days, she believes, have an easier life compared to that of her own. Everyday, she had to finish the household chores and then run all the way to school which took almost an hour and a half to reach. However, she also understands that kids today have their own devils to fight in this era of competition. “I don’t have much, but I have a daughter,” she says, her eyes glinting with motherly affection. “I want her to pursue higher education. I’m already proud of the woman she’s turning out to be.” Biba doesn’t have enough resources to dream of a big house or a fancy car. With crowfeet already starting to appear around her eyes and strands of silver lining her mass of black hair, all she wishes is to see her daughter do well in life and be someone people can look up to. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54802 With an ardor and eye for photography since his childhood, Stephen Freiheit grew up to become more passionate in his work and established himself as an ace photographer. A British citizen, Freiheit was born in Germany and partly grew up in Denmark. But he considers Nepal his second home as after he first visited the country some nine years back, he has been coming back time and again.[break] He has conducted numerous workshops in Nepal and this is his eleventh time here where he is finalizing the production of his sixth TV program on the issue of single women and Hindu widows for NTV Plus and Image Channel in collaboration with Today’s Youth Asia (TYA). He is also one of the curators of Images Festival, a cultural festival in Denmark in collaboration with Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU), with its photographic project open for young Nepali photographers as well. The Week met Freiheit to talk more about photography and his workshops. Keshab Thoker How did you start your journey in photography? I started off by doing a lot of fashion work as a photographer and I worked in establishing fashion magazines in Denmark and Scandinavia. Every time when we finished a story, I would find it good but I always questioned myself about how it could be a little bit better. I wasn’t satisfied completely as I wanted to do stories my way. So I thought of exploring more. I have always been mostly interested in faces, portraits and humans. Since fashion includes modeling, there was a lot of interesting ways of doing it but I thought that it would be more interesting to find local people in the Czech Republic or Cuba and use them in fashion stories to make it more like a documentary. So I ended up doing a lot of that and that’s how I got started. What inspires you the most? When I look back, I’ve always been very visually interested. I used to paint and still do. I remember that, as a kid, I had a small plastic camera and I went to a zoo, and since I wasn’t so tall, I took pictures of a giraffe from really strange angles. It’s not super good photos but it’s still fun to remember those days. I always had passion for art that includes painting, music, filmmaking and photography. I’m a very curious person as well, so I like to try reading people’s faces, situations and I also imagine what’s going on even when I don’t understand the language. I like stories and I like telling stories through pictures, which is why I moved from fashion photography to portrait photography. I would say good art and music inspires me. But what inspires me the most is when people have clear ideas about what they want and live by their own rules. Changes inspire me a lot, that’s why I keep coming here. How has your experience been like to work for the documentary on Hindu widows? What other projects are you working on? Today, I work with lots of musicians, do a lot of music videos, record covers and work with actors, and on the other side, we do a lot of organizational and NGO’s works. Years ago, we had met Lily Thapa in Denmark where I got to know about her story and her organization, Women for Human Rights. It just touched me a lot to hear about that. The TV program came about as we wanted to show ill cultural practices that still exist here and touch on issues of human and “sati pratha” practices. It’s been very hard as well as inspiring. Some of the stories we get are of young women who were treated very badly, some thrown out of villages and abused and threatened even by their family members. Some of the young women’s husbands were killed in brutal ways during the Maoist insurgency. And it’s been unbelievable to hear about what some people can go through without losing their mind. We’re finalizing it as it’ll be broadcast in November. How did you start conducting workshops in Nepal? We’ve done photographic workshops with TYA and exhibited works of Nepali students in Copenhagen. I was asked by the Danish Embassy to do a program with students of TYA and I was surprised to see around sixty eager students participating, though it was a Saturday. So when I was in Denmark, I asked them to send me to Nepal where I would teach for one week and then we could exhibit the photos of the students. So I started conducting several photographic workshops at TYA. The participants were novices while some a bit more advanced. It’s a great pleasure to see photography developing here gradually. What’s the main concept of your workshops? There are many workshops happening, but usually they are expensive and targeted to the elite where you need to have money and SLR camera which is alright for the well-to-do crowd. But for me, it’s been important to plan workshops where everybody can participate no matter what is your social rank or caste or how much money you have. TYA is good at doing that. We also encourage female photographers, as I also believe that it’s healthy for the media to have both female reporters and photographers. Tell us something about the photographic project, “Things you can’t buy with money.” The project is open to all where photographers will be paid US$40 per selected photos. I’m collaborating with young photographers in Burma/Myanmar, Bangladesh, Mali and I’m looking for young photographers from Nepal too. As per the theme, you have to photograph things that you can’t buy for money. The exhibitions will be held both outdoors on big posters and indoors in galleries during the festival in Denmark. So it’ll be a great chance for young photographers to promote themselves abroad. The most important thing is that you don’t just click a photo and assume that it’s nice, as you need to think about what exactly you want to say through the picture. For instance, with the theme of our project, “Things that you can’t buy with money,” many people will say love but that’s what everybody says, too. So you should be able to explore beyond the common thinking. What makes a good photo is when there are many thoughts in it and you aren’t just satisfied with one thought in a photo. It’s like a good art where there are many layers of meaning which can be interpreted in many ways. What were and are your challenges as a photographer? The first years were difficult and I even worked for free for advertising agencies, and there was little money. But I can now make a living out of this profession, and the best part is that I can photograph what I want. Initially, it was difficult for me to distinguish between art and commercial art as it isn’t necessary to work for free for a commercial company. But I learnt that slowly. But it’s an advantage that I’ve tried that as well. Even now, when I meet a young upcoming rock band whose members can’t pay me much for their entire photo shoot, I’ll do it anyway because it’s not about money. I myself was very well received and many people have helped me on my journey. So I feel that I have an obligation to pass on something that I learn to the younger generation; that’s why I conduct workshops. What are your upcoming plans? Do you have any suggestions for emerging photographers? For the last few years, I’ve been working with many photographers and they also have been giving their time for my personal work. I feel that I’m ready to exhibit my own work and I’m focusing on producing that after the big exhibition in Denmark to which, too, I’m contributing my work. I think, as a photographer, it’s very important to look at the things that happen around you everyday, even things that you think are the most normal, because it might be very interesting to people who live in other cultures. I also have the tendency to get used to things and when I am too used to things, I don’t see them anymore. So, as a photographer, you need to have an eye for things around you. So explore much more, as the new generation can live with photography as a profession. To participate in the photographic project “Things you can’t buy with money,” you can contribute with a maximum of 10 images per photographer by sending your edited digital TIFF files to freiheitphotography@gmail.com. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54801 Inside a small room, around ten to twelve women sit encircling three low tables and are busy writing on their notebooks in silence. A woman at the corner takes a chart of Nepali alphabets and sticks it on a white board. She then picks a long ruler from the table and points at another woman across the room and says in a strong voice, “Tara, your turn.” Tara Tamang, a 42-year-old businesswoman, shifts towards the whiteboard before she starts chanting the alphabets, “Aa bata Anara.” The other women in the room follow her in loud voice. Sheela Basnet, the teacher, encourages the women to increase the volume of their pitch. “Let me know that you had your lunch,” she says. The room echoes with the chanting of Nepali alphabets as if these grown women are practicing nursery rhymes.[break] They are indeed practicing nursery rhymes. The informal class at Nari Ghar, a small non-governmental organization located at Kuleshwor, includes women from age 16 to 60 years who gather everyday at 5pm to learn to read and write. Keshab Thoker “We never had the chance to be educated when we were young,” says Tara who grew up in her village at Dapcha, Kavre. The third child among eight siblings, Tara claims that her parents could have afforded her schooling if they had intended to. “They could’ve sent us to school. But back then, people thought that only boys needed education. We girls were obliged to do household chores instead,” she says. Tara’s cousins Gyani Maya and Chini Maya also have the same story to share. “I looked after my siblings since I was old enough to carry them. Chini Maya did the same,” says Gyani Maya. Daughters of a former Indian Army soldier, they say their father was never concerned about their education. “There was a teacher who took me to the nearby school but my mother brought us back home immediately,” recalls Gyani Maya. But more than her education, Gyani Maya regrets that none of her male siblings showed interest in education. “Though the boys had the opportunity, they weren’t able to achieve much. At the most, one brother works as a driver,” she says. These women, however, are adamant that they will learn to read and write. “I’m tired of depending on others even for petty things. I’ve failed many times in life solely because I was uneducated,” says bitter Tara. The women say that people in the society tend to look at illiterates in demeaning ways. “Even your family members will start to make fun of you and take you as a burden if you don’t know how to accomplish your tasks in this time and age,” says Gyani Maya. From dialing numbers and organizing their contacts in their mobile phones, looking for various OPD rooms at hospitals and dealing with creditors, these women have learnt the importance of education the hard way. “I owned a small grocery store but I couldn’t run it well as I couldn’t keep track of my financial records. People took things from me on credit but without proper documentation, I couldn’t remember the amount of money they owed me,” says Tara. While women like Tara and Gyani Maya are attending these informal education classes to beat their illiteracy and make their lives easier, the eldest in the class, Hem Kumari Baniya, says that she has been attending these classes only to fulfill her wish to be literate. The story of this sixty-year-old is not very different from that of the Tamang sisters. She says that she spent her lifetime in the kitchen. “I was always curious to learn to read and write but I couldn’t find such opportunity anytime in my life. It wasn’t my family’s priority to educate me and subsequently never became mine, either,” she says. But now, she has put her feet down and is resolute about her decision to learn regardless of her age. “Apart from the learning to read and write, being able to meet other women of similar interests is also a motivation for them,” says Laxmi Dhungel who coordinates the classes and looks after the organization. “This class was started solely through word-to-mouth communication. After the first batch of ladies completed the course, other women demanded for more classes and we started off with the second batch,” she adds. Inside the crammed classroom, women encourage each other to learn. When a shy Chini Maya declines to chant alphabets as she claims that she is not prepared well, all the other women convince her that they will help her if the alphabets gets difficult to pronounce. “You’ll never learn if you don’t ask questions,” says Tara for whom this is not the first informal class that she has attended. Three years back, she had attended a similar class which was supervised by government curriculum and funding. But she did not complete the course as she was not satisfied with how the instructors carried on with the classes. “The government education was very primitive and unsatisfactory,” she says. The Government of Nepal launched its National Literacy Campaign in 2011 which aims to make literate men and women of 15 to 60 years of age who had been deprived of education. According to the government module, there are two types of courses: literacy and post-literacy. Each of three months, the literacy course caters to those people who are unable to read and write at all. The post-literacy course is for those who know the basic alphabets and numbers. Buddhi Bhatta, Technical Assistant at the Informal Education Division of the District Education Office in Kathmandu, says that they have been aware of the problems. “First, the instructors in the informal education classes are underpaid (Rs 300 for three months). So we can’t demand performance from them according to our expectations,” he says. The other problem with the government classes is the unrevised curriculum. “The curriculum does not address the necessity of changing times. These informal education classes should have at least made people’s access to different gadgets easier but that hasn’t happened,” he says, adding that they have recommended a revised course and most probably they will finalize it for the next session. Dhungel of Nari Ghar also says that they are soon commencing English and mathematics classes for the first batch of women. “In their age, they need education to carry out basic trending functions like mobile phones. So they want to learn numbers and English alphabets as well,” she says. At Nari Ghar, like its name suggests, it only caters to enthusiastic women for the informal classes. But unlike the non-governmental organization, the government-run informal classes are open to both males and females. However, most participants in these classes are also female. According to Bhatta, about 90-95% females while only 5-10 % males have been attending the informal education classes. He points out many factors behind it. “Due to the social misunderstanding that education for girls is not important, many females may have missed school than their male counterparts. And even for illiterate men, they find it difficult to find time for the classes as they are supposed to be the key breadwinners in the families.” But as the old saying goes, “where there is a will, there is a way,” these women at Nari Ghar have found their way out of illiteracy. As they leave the classroom, they discuss as to how they can set up small businesses at home. It seems that inside their small plastic bags in which they carry their books, notebooks, pencils and other stationeries, these women also carry bigger dreams and aspirations. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54800 Live-in relationship does provide a remedy for a carefree life free from the hassles of responsibility and commitment which is the very prerequisite of the institution of marriage. Amit Thapa, 28, and Ritu Shrestha*, 27, had been together for two years when their families decided to get them married off. But the two of them had other plans. They wanted to live together for some months before they tied the knot. “Our families were aghast. They couldn’t understand why we couldn’t get married right away,” says Ritu, a Masters-level student who had to convince her parents to let her spend some time with Amit before she decided to take the plunge.[break] “But they just couldn’t digest the idea of a live-in relationship and we had countless arguments and fights,” she adds. Their parents, however, relented and Amit and Ritu have been in a live-in relationship for six months now. They have plans to get married in December this year. Going by the definition, a live-in relationship means “a living arrangement in which an unmarried couple lives together in a long-term relationship that resembles a marriage.” Nowadays, with people becoming increasingly individualistic and career-oriented, many marriages don’t work out due to failures from both sides to adapt and compromise. Moreover, divorce laws are too cumbersome. If one has to get a divorce, it takes months, if not years, for the process to get through, not factoring in the traumas suffered by the partners during these years. This perhaps is also one of the biggest reasons for some people opting for live-in relationships. “Married in haste, we repent at leisure,” a line by William Congreve, English playwright and poet, truly defines the mentality of live-in couples. There are too much legality involved in the institution of marriage which one can easily escape in the case of live-in relationships. It is a much popular analogy of live-in relationship that it is like “taking a car for a test drive” as the couple can easily walk in and walk out of the relationship without any legal bondage. Narrating an account of a friend who lived with his girlfriend for three months before deciding to call it quits due to the differences that cropped up when they lived together, Amit explains that you don’t know a person until you’ve lived with one. “These friends of mine had been living together for some time when they realized how different they were from each other. They had entirely different lifestyles that didn’t gel well, and they came to figure this out only after staying together,” he says. Amit’s statements, however, don’t ring true for all couples. Nidhi Pant, 30, got married recently. She didn’t opt to live in with her fiancé before tying the knot because she felt it was needless to do so, considering they had already known each other for 10 long years. “I think being in a live-in relationship is only necessary when you aren’t sure that you’ll get along well with the other person,” says Nidhi, adding that she feels people opt for this lifestyle because it doesn’t restrain their freedom and individuality. “Marriage means compromise, and there’s a certain sense of finality in it,” she adds from her experience. People want to experiment with new things in life instead of just lingering onto the old customary traditions levied on us by the society. Live-in relationship does provide a remedy for a carefree life free from the hassles of responsibility and commitment which is the very prerequisite of the institution of marriage. Marriage promotes adjustment while in live-in relationship the emphasis is on individual freedom. But our society still seems averse to the idea of live-in relationships. When Bishal Pradhan, 31, wanted to live with his girlfriend of four years before getting married, he had difficulty in finding an apartment. “Everyone told us to look somewhere else when I told them we weren’t married but would get married soon,” says Bishal, adding that he finally rented an apartment claiming to be married to Swati Tandukar, his girlfriend then and now fiancée. As a justification to why our society hasn’t accepted this somewhat rising trend, Aruna Magar, 48, a teacher, says that the culture of live-in relationships is far too progressive in a society where children still live with their parents after marriage, and the culture of joint family still largely prevails. She also believes that live-in relationships are frivolous and hence a social evil. “Such a relationship is a way of escapism. No relationship can get stronger and meaningful if there’s an escape route available,” says Aruna who had tenants vacate her home when she came to know that the couples weren’t married. Aruna justifies her actions saying that she didn’t want her children to witness such anti-social behavior. “The psychological impact on children borne out of this relationship would be very bad and it could give rise to an unstable society,” says Madan Kumar Rimal, Associate Professor of Culture at the Central Department of Tribhuwan University further re-enforcing Aruna’s statements. But being involved in a live-in relationship, or being part of a marriage, is a matter of individual decision, which, one should be given the freedom to make. Uproar on this issue, just for the sake of preserving cultural identity, is debatable. Some tend to think it is a boon, given the fact that it is more or less a marriage minus the obligations, while others think it is far too advanced a notion for our society. “I didn’t want my son to live with anyone before getting married because our society tends to look down on such practices,” says Amit’s mother, Madhu Thapa. “I also think such relationships are taken very lightly and without proper commitment, and it can fizzle out any moment,” she adds. But how can anybody claim that there is no place for bonding or attachment in such relations? It is far better than a marriage that exists without love, say the ones who have opted to be in live-in relationships. A transition period between two contrasting phases – being single and then married – is always full of contradictions and complications, and that is the bandwidth where this relation lies. Getting a social mandate over this relation seems to be dim as of now, but change being a constant phenomenon, many hope that it gets an acceptance someday. cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54797 Read comics, cartoons and other “cheap and crazy stuffs” to become a great NW2iE (Nepali writer writing in English) – Just as I did! Question: What was the first piece of fiction you read that had an impact on you? Answer: I did not grow up with many books, especially children’s books. In second grade, a schoolmate lent me a copy of “The Arabian Nights”—we both thought it was a book for children—and told me I had three days to read it. Oh my, I had three wild days of reading, remembering so many vivid details without understanding any! It made me laugh so hard at the time; when I reread the book a few years ago, I laughed even harder. The above is Yiyun Li’s answer, made on June 14, 2010, to The New Yorker’s short story collection “20 Under 40” and its Q. & A. session. Born in 1972 in Beijing, Li’s answer indeed fits my own private juvenile literacy rate in India in the English language some 30 years before her birth, and her words largely portray my own primary-school access – none at all! – to reading materials in the late 1940s and early 1950s in Darjeeling.[break] But there are differences, too: Li lived in the sprawling capital city of Beijing while I was a farm boy in a corner of Darjeeling. Also, while the relative backwardness of the post-Independence 1950s in India is understandable in retrospection, Li belonged to the more aware and exposed world of the 1970s, or so it seemed then, in the China of Mao and Chou. However, as typical, though diverse as well, Asian children in the 20th century, we were generally deprived of personal reading materials early on. We had no children’s books to read, no fairy tales to listen to, no bedtime stories to lull us to sleep: The western tradition of having read “Snow White” or “Alice in Wonderland” by the time one reached pre-pubescence was as alien and irrational in Asia. No kiddy reading stuffs in Asia Leaving a North Asian writer like Yiyun Li right here, let me home in on myself as a northern South Asian writer writing in English. How Yiyun Li and her fellow Chinese writers – like Ha Jin, among many others – developed their own individual proficiency in China in the English language to become novelists and short story writers of international reputation is an altogether different matter, best left to themselves for unraveling. But when Li was born, I was already 29 years old and a Lecturer of English in Kathmandu, and what I had long done to hone my English had become just merry memories in my life by then. But then, it is the very topic: What I had to do and go through to reach the point where I had obtained my Masters in English Literature from Tribhuvan University in 1971. It is the story of my flashbacks which is the topic here. Kids in South Asia I started school when India gained its independence in 1947. I learnt English and Nepali alphabets and numbers at the Peshok Tea Estate School, located above the turquoise-and-muddy Tista-Rangit confluence between Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Then my primary education began at the Scottish Mission School above my family farmhouse in Nor Busti. Then my lower secondary schooling continued in the valley of Bijanbari, our rural areas’ block development center, a suburban bazaar. My final school was the Turnbull High in Darjeeling. Thus, I made the tour of four schools before my collegian life ended uninterruptedly at St Joseph’s College (North Point) in Darjeeling. Then a hiatus of two years followed in Kathmandu before obtaining my MA degree from Kirtipur in 1971. The first three schools I went to can best be described, by borrowing Nobel Kishore Rai’s words, as “dhulautay iskul” – dusty schools. My school in Peshok Tea Garden was dusty, the mofussil school in Nor Busti was dustier, the Bijanbari one was suburban and so-so; and only Turnbull was the genuine “shahari” institution. Many fellow Nepali writers – Nobel, Abhi Subedi, Ramesh Shrestha, CK Lal and other names come to my mind – have attended such rickety and ramshackle schools in their Pahad and Madhesh villages in Nepal, and what we all have become by now are for everyone concerned to see – for better, or worse. But how did such fellow “vernacular” Nepalis – meaning those “Pakhe”-s who had no luck to be educated at such hallowed “Missy-Baba” Jesuit/Convent/Cambridge O/A-Level schools, colleges and such temples of higher learning in India and elsewhere in the world, as did the offspring of the other high-caste, highborn, aristocratic and feudal Nepali “Samanti” lineages and dynasties – achieve their proficiency in English must come from their own selves. It is mine own story in this lot that I write here. Learning English My way My true educational English-language experiences began only in 1956 when I was 12 years old. It was when I was brought to the town of Darjeeling for my “further” education. I say “experiences” because my training in the English language and expression came in many forms, which I describe in the following passages. Being transported to Darjeelingtown was mixed blessings. The sense of landlordism that came from owing a farm was reduced to ashes when I left the family farmland and landed in Darjeeling where practically everything cost money. Years of dire straits and deprivation followed, with hot cash often in short supply. This monetary poverty, in gist, led me to become a gardener’s apprentice early on and later leader of the first Nepali Rock ‘n’ Roll band in Darjeeling. These teenage economic activities put some cool cash in my pockets and helped me pursue my modern quests, including learning the usage and expressions in the English language in various ways. Even then, you may ask, “But why such a high premium placed on English, pray?” Well, it was because English had the highest premium in our school curriculum during our times. Mathematics also carried the same premium. To get ahead in life, one’s English had to be pluperfect from the very foundation, and a high aggregate obtained in mathematics – arithmetic, algebra and geometry – was a most desirable double whammy. But it was Sanskrit – the world’s greatest language of the Indo-Aryan Vedic Civilization which India/Bharat never tires boasting of – that made every high school pupil weep because it was not only the third biggest headache in our high school curriculum, it was also the most useless subject in one’s professional life and career and livelihood prospects in the future. There was no recourse but to rote Sanskrit shlokas to get through the exams with just enough pass marks. Passing in mathematics was possible by selective “specialization” of sums, theorems, problems and the like. As my group’s dunciest dunderhead in numbers and equations, it was the only way for me to negotiate the mathematical mazes. In comparison, the other subjects – Nepali, economics, political science, history, geography, and elective papers such as optional mathematics and civic studies – were easier and passable with adequate preparation. But since English demanded spontaneous buildup with no shortcut escapism, it merited my most concentrated attention, devotion and dedication. But how to go about this most ominous success-or-failure-in-life question was my biggest challenge. After all, English was an alien and a strange language and a colonial baggage, but it was also a dominant world language – and there lay the crux of the matter. And the East wasn’t the West, as so many  imagined – and falsely Belonging to a particular socioeconomic group, mine was not a generation reared on Enid Blyton, The Hardy Boys, or Nancy Drew, nor The Sleeping Beauty, or The Ugly Duckling, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, or those other luxurious and out-of-reach fantasized sour grapes. Therefore, when South Asian writers and thinkers like Salman Rushdie, VS Naipaul, Pico Iyer, Jhumpa Lahiri and other brilliant brainies ostentatiously cite having read Gogol, Ovid, Homer, Virgil, Aristophanes and all those classical masters already in their tender years, I spiral into wonderment and confusion: What solid childhoods these fortunate brats had had, my God! So my education in English, on the contrary, began with reading comic books and cartoons – those fabulous picture frames in color and black and white, and with valiant exploits and valorous dialogues of the heroes and losers depicted in them. These regular editions came in pocket-size portability with 80 generous pages each, another format being tabloids in 40 large full-color leafs, and quite another being magazine-size gems in color, each with 60 pages. Cowboys n’ Injuns, funny cartoon characters and real heroes The pocket-size thrills came with western and cowboy icons: Buck Jones, Kit Carson, Kansas Kid, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Wyatt Earp and other brave Sheriffs and Marshals in Dodge City, Billy the Kid, and other bank robbers. They rode galloping horses across the Death Valley, over Ponderosa and other wilds, chased and fought against Red Indians, had barroom brawls, fought duels and gunfights in which the fastest gunslingers drew their Colt45 six-shooters and downed ruffians, cattle rustlers and Mexican bandits. They were a hard-drinking, rough-riding and open-air prairie-living tough lot who led the Oregon Trail and steered cattle drives with their lariats. Davy Crockett, James Bowie, Wild Bill Hickock and Daniel Boone were the other Wild West frontier heroes, and the Wells Fargo Pony Express carried one all over the big-sky, open American landscapes. This was how I learnt American English of the “gotta-gonna-gotcha-betcha-wanna” variety with “ain’t” and “dunno” and “whad d’ya mean?” thrown in for good measures. These legendary heroes were later portrayed on Technicolor and Vista Vision Cinemascope screens by such Hollywood actors as Gary Cooper, Van Heflin, Anthony Quinn, Burt Lancaster, Jeff Chandler, James Stewart, Randolph Scott, John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Tab Hunter, Glen Ford, Charlton Heston, Alan Ladd, Kirk Douglas, and Jack Palance. Such famous Westerns – The Searchers, Rio Bravo, Gunfight at OK Corral, Shane, Last Train to Gun Hill, Three Ten to Yuma, The Fastest Gun Alive – were directed by John Ford, John Huston, William Wyler and other master filmmakers. The latter-day Cowboy heroes were Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and others. ~~~~~ I still fondly remember two full-color British tabloid funnies called Dandy and Beano. One regular chap was called Desperate Dan – fat, uncouth, rough, dirty, and unshaven – and he was my favorite cartoon character in those days, for reasons now unknown to me today. ~~~~~ On the other hand, the Classics Illustrated Series, in full-color magazine format, were more serious, it being academic and intellectual in contents because it carried epic novels and literary masterpieces. Thus, I familiarized myself with Robin Hood, Rob Roy, and The Last of the Mohicans, Song of Hiawatha, Ivanhoe, Moby Dick, The Three Musketeers, Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre Dam, The Oxbow Incident, Treasure Island, Gulliver’s Travels, David Copperfield, Robinson Crusoe, and other immortal works. The writer is the copy chief at The Week/Republica. pjkarthak@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54796 The familiarity with Windows is something that none of can ever let go. We instinctively know our way through the Start Menu, we look for the computer icon and love the small little bar at the bottom of the screen that connects us with all the applications running. For us, a computer is the easiest when it flaunts a familiar workspace. But what about people who want a little more? No matter how familiar the OS is, Windows can get a tad bit bland after sometime, and if you have a decent computer, there are various things you can hack to make your Windows look like something else completely, keeping desktop productivity in mind, nonetheless.[break] Here we show you different ways to get that spice back up into your system. But be warned that some of these also come with various imperfections that you might have to live with. A few years back, the best tool to customize the whole user experience of a Windows PC would be with the use of Stardock’s WindowsBlinds. But these days, it seems that WindowsBlinds has somehow gone out of fashion, and a new trend of using SkinPacks has appeared on the scene. SkinPacks are archives of Windows customization tools that change the entire appearance of your Windows, from the Explorer to your cursors. A quick visit to skinpacks.com will yield ample options for you to try out, but my recommendation would be to choose one pack carefully and stick with it, primarily because these skin packs change vital system files that are often safer left alone. Also, changing these files would be fine for a couple of times, but repeated changes could cause your system to malfunction. So using a few skin packs would be great, but continuous change would be harmful to your Windows. Ever used a Mac and noticed the beautiful fonts that you thought you could never get on your Windows computer? Now with a neat little tool, you can get the same type of font rendering that you get on Mac system on your Windows PC. A little tool called GDI++ can help you achieve the same type of fonts that adorn the Mac and Linux systems. GDI++ is very simple to install, and once the G icon appears on your system tray, your desktop is redrawn to encompass the font rendering of a Mac computer. This tool does have a flaw that messes with your Google Chrome. Google Chrome does not work well with GDI++ and is rendered useless, but other browsers like Firefox and Chrome should work perfectly fine. It’s just a small price to pay for some beautiful font rendering. Another tool that could come in handy while using a launcher would be Stardock’s Tiles that mimics that Windows 8 application switcher that appears on the left side of the screen. Tiles works in the same way and provides you with an alternative method of switching between applications in an easier way. Tiles is also highly customizable and can even hold some shortcuts to your frequently used applications. WinLauncher is another application that brings a Mac feature to Windows. Getting tired of the Windows start menu would only seem fair after continuous use, but with WinLauncher, the beautiful Mac-styled launcher would grace your Windows screen. WinLauncher is also very easy to use and comes with various Mac-style themes that help you get the perfect Mac look. You can drag various shortcuts to the application and make it so that it houses all of your applications, or just the ones that you use frequently. Another awesome feature of WinLauncher is that it integrates with the SynapticsTouchPad that comes with so many laptops and starts up with a very Mac-like three-finger touch. This makes it easier to get access to the launcher no matter which application is running on your screen. And finally, the application that I cannot do without could be Fences 2 from Stardock. With the initial release of Fences, Stardock only offered the feature to spate icons into different fences on the screen. But with the release of the new Fences 2, Stardock has integrated a lot of new features. The most prominent one is that now Fences will emulate different pages of icons on your single desktop, a single swipe from the left or the right side of the screen will take you to a different page of desktop icons. Apart from this, Fences also makes it easier for you to hide all of your icons with an easy double click on any blank part of the desktop. So if you prefer a clean desktop environment without any clutter, then Fences would be right up your alley. There are many more options that you can use to customize your desktop without compromising your productivity. But these applications would use a part of your system. So a decent computer would be recommended to use these applications. This way, you can break free from the ties that Microsoft has set on your system and turn your Windows into your own by making it look like something none of your friends have ever seen. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54795 Wrongly accused in the murder and rape case of Yasuko Watanabe, a 39-year old Japanese woman, Govind Mainali was sentenced to life imprisonment by Tokyo High Court. Working in a restaurant at the time of his arrest, Mainali spent 15 years of his life in Japanese prison before he was acquitted of all charges in light of additional evidences that proved his innocence. After returning home from the ordeal in the foreign land, Mainali has written an autobiography detailing the series of events and his hardship in the Japanese prison. His book ‘Paribanda ma 15 Barsa’ (Trapped for 15 years) is due release next week. Co-authored by Devendra Bhattarai, The Week presents an excerpt from his book: Since November 1996, we had changed our jobs and had started living in room number 401 at Khasia Building. The building located at the Shibuya Ward of Tokyo was close to Shinsen Railway Station.[break] While renting the room at the building, I recall an incident. I was accompanied by my friends Narendra and Urmila Didi when we first came to inspect the room before leasing it. Ozaki, the owner of the building, had handed us the key through Maruee, the manager of Kantipur Restaurant. But when we reached the building, we realized that we had the wrong key. Narendra decided that he wasn’t going back without looking inside, so he threw a stone at the latch to open the door. During the incident, his hand was badly hurt by some broken glass pieces and was completely covered in blood. I clearly remember, from that day on, I started having bad dreams. Ozaki had been very helpful while we were looking for rooms. Indra Dai, a Nepali acquaintance, had known him for a long time, and Ozaki used to rent out his vacant apartments to Nepalis. After having the apartment, I was assigned to collect monthly rents from other tenants in the building. So we were charged less for our room than others. Urmila Didi, Ramesh Thapa, Narendra Khadka, Madan Thapa, Lila Rayamajhi, and Bhim Rawal who lived together with me in the building were my friends in the foreign land. After a few days of settling down in the building, Urmila Didi left for Nepal. The rest of us carried on with our busy lives. One day, at around 10 pm, I was heading home after finishing my day’s work at Maharaja Restaurant in Chiba Prefecture. While I was walking nearby Shinsen Station, I spotted a girl standing next to a love hotel. She bent her head and gestured at me. When I reached near, she asked, “Do you want to have sex? Ten thousand Yen for one time.” Back then, I wasn’t very good with the Japanese language, but I figured out what she was suggesting. “Five thousand Yen,” I bargained. Generally, when a customer and sex worker agree on a certain amount, they go to the nearby love hotel. But I coaxed her in to going to my apartment. When I reached the apartment, Ramesh and Lila were there. That night, I did something for the first time which I had never imagined before in my life. A few nights later, the same girl came to my apartment by herself. I told her not to come again. I was scared that Urmila Didi will know about all this. After all, the room that we were using for sex was hers. Though Urmila Didi had left for Nepal, I was concerned about how she would react if she came to know that I was bringing in strange women home. Apart from these incidents, life was going on as usual. Due to very busy schedules from early morning till late at night, we didn’t have much time for any leisurely distraction. So when I met the girl, it was an outlet to unwind for a short while. It was February when the news of Urmila Didi’s return reached us. After that, my friends who were occupying the space in my apartment in her absence asked me to help them find another apartment. While asking around for vacant flats, I came to know that Ozaki owned another apartment in the adjoining Khijuso Building. So we went to Kantipur Restaurant to get the key to flat number 101. The flat was big but the monthly rent which was 10,000 Yen was a bit expensive. So my friends decided not take it. After looking around for a while, we exited the flat. But since it was empty and unoccupied, we thought it wasn’t necessary to lock the main door. So we just shut it. The next day, on February 10 or 12, late at night after work, I met the same girl outside the same love hotel. She gestured at me again and I was also willing. We could have rented a room at the nearby love hotel but these cheap hotels weren’t very good with hygiene. Street sex workers did not mind getting the job done in dark alleys or on parking lots. But I neither wanted to go to the love hotel nor any public places. I still had the key to room number 101, so I took her to that empty flat. At around 11 pm, we reached the flat. All the windows were open and there was enough light from the street to settle in. After all, you don’t need that much light for sex. As soon as we finished, she started putting on her clothes in a hurry. I guess she was in a rush for two reasons. The first being the type of clothes she was wearing. I figured that women’s clothes were more complicated than that of men. And she was also worried that she may miss the last midnight train from Shinsen Station. She took five thousand Yen from me and walked out of the flat. I had asked her to shut the door on her way out and said, “Oyasuminasai” (Goodnight). To which she replied, “Hai hai, wakarimashita” (Alright, I got it). It was a cold winter night. After all the day’s work, I used to take time to relax in hot bath after I reached my apartment. Without hot bath, it was very difficult to go to work the next day. So I rushed home before it was too late. I had to have my dinner as well, Tandoori Chicken and Nan, which I used to bring home every night before I left Maharaja Restaurant. The next time I met the girl was on February 28. I was heading home on my usual time. Everything else occurred like earlier times and I took her to the same empty flat. But I also remember an unusual incident that day. An Indian cook by the name of Hasim used to work at Maharaja Restaurant. He lent money to people and charged interest on it. That very day, he was paid his salary and handed me 10,000 Yen to invest. When I picked up the girl, I had that money with me. After the sexual intercourse, I was supposed to pay 5,000 Yen to the girl. But I had no change that day. I asked her if she had change so that I could pay her with the 10,000 Yen bill. But she too had no change. So I paid her 2,000 Yen and said, “I’ll give you the rest of the money in our next meeting.” After she was gone, I disposed of the condom in the toilet commode.. But it didn’t flush even after many attempts. So I decided to let it be. After leaving the flat, I had to turn right to get home while the girl had to take to the left to get to Shinsen Station. After a couple of sexual stints with her, the girl had known that the empty flat was never locked. She had seen me pushing the door to the flat without using any keys. I had already guessed that she brought other customers to the flat. This place was a safe shelter for her. Sometimes, it was difficult to book rooms in love hotels and parks were not very safe for sex, so it was obvious that she had been utilizing this space very well. I was more aware of this when I was cornered in the criminal case later. Talking about that girl, she was thin – not very attractive. I met her only after dark, so I don’t even remember her face clearly. Other details about her, like she was also an office lady, were known to me much later. One thing I knew for sure was that “call girls” like her changed their appearances very often. When I met her, her hairstyle was never the same. She used different wigs, which I got to know later. I used to meet her often but it wasn’t for love or companionship. These were only a medium to vent out my loneliness. Many days had passed by since then. Then suddenly, on March 19, 1997 when I was returning home from work on the usual time, I noticed many police vans near my apartment. Right below the building were police cars, their pilot lamps glowing in the dark. I saw the police investigating and asking around among some locals. First, I thought perhaps it was some case of domestic fight at this late hour. So I bought takeaway tea from a nearby shop and walked to my room. As I was entering my room, the policemen approached me. “Who lives here? What do you do? Since when did you live here? How many of you are here? Where is your passport? Do you have visa?” The policemen asked us questions like these. I calmly answered them all. But I was very curious about their questions. But we weren’t told anything. I told them that I didn’t have my passport with me and I thought I would get in trouble for this. But the police didn’t take any immediate actions though they informed me that they would be back. After they left, we panicked. When Narendra and Lila were back from their work, we discussed the matter. We called Urmila Didi in Kathmandu and asked for her advice. “Avoid the flat for a while. Find other places to live,” she said. And so we did. Before I left the room, I put the pictures of my wife Radha and mother Chandrakala in my coat pocket. Madan and Ramesh left for their friend’s place. Narendra, Lila and I went to a Newar friend of Lila’s. Narendra came to know that we could rent a place at Weekly Mansion in Nishikawa Town by depositing 160,000 Yen. We went there and deposited the money and our passports. On March 21, Narendra came home with bad news, “The police are still looking for us.” Then we sensed that it was more than a case of ‘overstay’ or visa violation. We also came to know that a girl was murdered in room 101 of Khijuso Building. And since we had the key to the apartment, the police were looking for us. But I had already handed away the key with two months’ rent for my apartment. I had requested Lila to give it to Maruee, the manager of Kantipur Restaurant. We decided to leave Weekly Mansion and also decided to surrender. We went to Kantipur Restaurant and discussed everything with Maruee. Then, on our request, he called for cops. Not very long after that, a group of policemen arrived at the restaurant in civil uniform but in blazing siren cars. Narendra, Ramesh and I went with the police. They took us to Shibuya Police Station and held us in separate cells. The cells were pretty small, like matchboxes. After I was detained in the cell, I didn’t know the whereabouts of my friends. I was not even told if they were still present in the police station. They ordered me to strip my down jacket, pants and all the other clothes. I was given a thin tracksuit and a plastic slipper. As soon as I changed, they took me to a room to take my statement. There, a police officer placed a photograph of a woman in short hair in front of me and asked, “Do you know her? Why did you murder her?” http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54794 It had been years since I’d read a Paulo Coelho book and when I saw Eleven Minutes, I picked it up because of the remembered aftertaste of The Alchemist and By the River Piedra, I Sat Down And Wept. Eleven Minutes started with an intriguing dedication to a stranger Coelho met in Lourdes, France. The stranger told him that Coelho’s books made him “dream.” Coelho states, “I felt really frightened, because I knew that my new novel, Eleven Minutes, dealt with a subject that was harsh, difficult, shocking.”[break] He follows this up with an extract from the Bible, when a prostitute washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and anoints them with ointment. Then comes the Hymn to Isis from Nag Hammadi, a paradoxical and powerful poem. Finally, Eleven Minutes opens with two Once upon a times. The first ‘Once upon a time’ is a disclaimer: “‘Once upon a time’ is how all the best children’s stories begin and ‘prostitute’ is a word for adults. How can I start a book with this apparent contradiction?...” The second ‘Once upon a time’ introduces Maria, the prostitute. We meet her past in Brazil, a young, innocent girl who dreams of her Prince Charming. The story is told simply, sometimes too simply. Coelho invests time in explaining that this is a difficult subject but he seems to be dealing with the main character too easily. Granted, investing too much in her early years may turn out to be unnecessarily complex but the predictability underlining the structure and development of Eleven Minutes can be a letdown. The setup tells all: it is about feminism, sexuality, the nature of human physical and emotional relationships – and like Coelho’s other books – the search for self. Unlike the other books, he deals with sex on another level and writes about it as the path on which Maria embarks. While on a vacation in Rio de Janeiro, she meets a Swiss businessman and inadvertently signs a contract agreeing to be a dancer in a Geneva nightclub. Geneva has its seedy side and Maria discovers quickly that not all is okay in this “city with two names.” She leaves the club but ends up being a prostitute in Rue de Berne. For a long time, it seems she may get out of the seedy life through sheer intellect. She frequents the library to help increase her knowledge of her profession, of human psychology (she realizes that her clients come to her more out of loneliness than physical need), and farm management (she wants to return to Brazil and own a farm). She seems to question all that surrounds her, but then you come to the ‘diary entries’ at the end of each chapter and realize that the image created of her and what the character really might be are separate entities. Maria is observant and intelligent, but Coelho sets off the same path that we see in Hollywood chick flicks. She meets a rich, famous artist. This section is clumsy and heavy with symbolism: she meets him at a cafe which has a sign outside that says Road to Santiago (pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella in Spain, where Coelho himself is stated to have had his spiritual awakening). The artist insists on drawing Maria because she has an “inner light.” The artist’s name is Ralf Hart. Here on, despite the pain Coelho took in setting up, the beautiful extracts he used, the special dedication, the baring of his own fright and difficulty in dealing with the “shocking” nature of the subject, he seems to veer toward the predictable path. Spoiler alert: if you don’t want to know the end, stop here. Maria ponders on why she wants to stay in Geneva. She thinks of the difference between physical and emotional love. She experiments with pain and pleasure, invests in building a meaningful relationship without expectations. She buys her ticket to Brazil, clears her Swiss bank account, packs her suitcase and goes to say goodbye to Ralf. This scene we get from her last diary entry, which is an odd choice, considering the nature of the prose. They spend the night together and when she leaves in the morning, it’s obvious that Coelho is aware of how close it comes to being a Hollywood scene and he consciously seems to want to stay away from it. “That’s how it always happened in films: at the last moment, when the woman is just about to board the plane, the man races up to her...‘The End’ appear on the screen, and the audience knows that, from then on, they will live happily ever after.” Then Coelho decides to show you what happens next, unlike in films. Except it’s exactly like the films – only one stopover more. Ralf shows up in the Paris airport while Maria is waiting for her connection – with a bunch of roses and eyes “full of light.” He says, “We’ll always have Paris.” (the famed line from Casablanca). Why did Maria, after everything, need a rich, handsome, famous, white artist to “save” her even though she technically has her own money and is supposedly choosing love over all else? Why did Coelho name the artist Ralf Hart? Why did Maria need men to teach her the paradoxes of life and the only other woman friend she has, a librarian, is also as clueless as her? And why did Ralf have to go to Paris if he was going to show up with a bunch of roses and a Humphrey Bogart line? Coelho knows the pitfalls and he deals with the complexities of the body, heart and mind with ease. However, the story and its ending don’t hold up to the investment he made in the beginning. I’m glad I read his other books before, but I doubt I’ll be picking up another for a while. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54793 It’s been a year since I was last there but I still remember the details as if it were yesterday. I would drag my old beanbag out on the balcony of the apartment at Marine Drive where I was staying and gaze out at the sea for hours, night after night until it became a ritual. It was a ritual that had an extremely calming effect on me. Looking out at the never-ending shoreline and the vast expanse of the sea never failed to rid my mind of the nagging worries that plague one in an empty apartment. Marine Drive is a funny place. I say funny because it’s always bustling with activity – always. No matter what hour it is. There’s not a single minute of the day when the place is not filled with people. If New York is a city that never sleeps, Mumbai is home to insomniacs, and Marine Drive is witness to that.[break] On the northern end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach. During the day, it’s the hangout place of the happily unemployed or tourists who snooze under the shade of its stunted trees or laze around reading books. Evenings are a different matter altogether. With kids screaming on Ferris wheels and taking pony rides to monkey shows and gymnasts, Chowpatty Beach is where the action is. Marine Drive is comparatively quieter. But smokers, joggers, families, and couples of all kinds; the shy hand holders, the deep-in-conversation ones, the huggers, the kissers and the occasional arguers adorn the 4.3kilometer belt along the Arabian Sea in South Mumbai. A sunny day means couples under umbrellas and a rainy day means couples under umbrellas with a reason to get closer, not that they needed one in the first place. Nighttime is absolutely stunning. Marine Drive is also known as “Queen’s Necklace” because when the streetlights glow, it resembles a string of pearls. The combination of the cool breeze coupled with the lights creates the perfect ambience to just sit and enjoy the sea. At Marine Drive, you come to realize that Mumbai is more than the noise, fumes and crowds. The city is chaotic but behind the busy exterior it is a paradise that beckons. I could never understand how people could bear the scorching Mumbai heat but over time the city grows on you and that’s probably why so many people adore this city as much as they do. For those who are visiting the place, a week is enough to fall in love with it. With the discontinuation of direct flights to Mumbai, getting there can be a chore for those who don’t like to travel long routes. But if you have some time and want to get a true travel experience, then buses and trains are easily available. Take a bus to Delhi and take the Rajdhani Express to Mumbai, or take the train to Delhi from Gorakhpur and change for Mumbai. Train journeys, albeit a bit tedious, are fun and exciting if you have a companion. Alone isn’t all that bad, either, as my friends say. There’s a lot you can do when you are in Mumbai. From the 14th century Haji Ali Mosque to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Victoria Terminus (VT), the perfect example of Victorian Gothic architecture, you will not run out of places to see in the city. The Gateway of India, a bold basalt arch reflecting Hindu and Islamic architecture styles, is a must see. Built during the British Raj, it overlooks the waterfront and was once used to welcome visitors who arrived by boat. I had always found the idea somewhat romantic and during my initial days in Mumbai, when I rushed to see what the hype was all about, I marveled at the iconic historical structure for hours. If you are a food connoisseur, then Mumbai will make you very happy. For breakfast, gorge on the spicy side street vada-pav at VT. For lunch, have Biryanis or rotis at Gokul (they serve amazing fish dishes, too) at Colaba and wash it down with luscious thick juices and milkshakes just around the corner. Bade Miyan right opposite Gokul serves mouthwatering kebabs and rolls. And if you are in the mood for something fancy, head over to Leopold Café, the extensively mentioned joint in the novel, “Shantaram.” If you aren’t such a foodie but if shopping is more your thing, then you can always shop at Colaba, Crawford Market or head over to fashion street on MG Road in South Mumbai after a good lunch because you can’t bargain on an empty stomach now, can you? Don’t be surprised if you see some familiar faces during your shopping excursion, though. You most definitely will, and on the off chance that you don’t, pose for a picture outside Shahrukh Khan’s home in Bandra or Amitabh Bachchan’s residence in Juhu like every other visitor and local alike does. The craze that surrounds these stars will amuse you no end. Of that, I assure you. During my initial days, I was shocked to find out that people lined up outside Salman Khan’s home in Bandra on Sundays to catch a glimpse of the actor. They had no idea when he would be leaving home, or if in fact he was in and would be coming out anytime soon, yet they thronged outside his gates from early morning, sipping on coconut water and munching on bhel puri with their fingers crossed and eyes glued to the gates. Even if you didn’t grow up watching Bollywood movies, these are sights you wouldn’t want to miss. The highlight of the city for me, however, always was and will be Marine Drive. There’s something about the sea and the way it shimmers that instantly makes your forget the chaos elsewhere and all the hustle bustle becomes a distant memory. On my last day in the city I never knew I would miss so much, I was taking a stroll along Marine Drive when I realized that Mumbai definitely wasn’t love at first sight for me. A city of extremes and contrasts (read: high-rise buildings surrounding slums), it seemed like a place going through an identity crisis. Now in retrospect, I find the contrast comforting as most people who have been there do. You can shop at a mall, or a simple local market. You can drink cocktails at a bar by the beach or dine in a dhaba. You can go out alone safely at night, take a rickshaw and not get threatened and cheated. And you can take a rickshaw onto the premises of a five-star hotel. Mumbai will enthrall you no matter what, and it’s a city everyone needs to visit at least once in their lives to know what the hype is all about. You’ll come to understand it, love it – and the experience will stay with you forever. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54792 A bathroom is more than a room of necessity; it’s a place for pampering. It should be beautiful as well as efficient and easy to clean. While decorating, we tend to focus on the living spaces and bedroom and even the kitchen, but more often than not, the bathroom is relatively neglected. The bathroom might be the smallest one in the house but that doesn’t mean it can’t be big on style. There are some basic things you can do to make your small bathroom seem comparatively larger. Firstly, removing the feeling of clutter can be achieved by replacing the huger version of washbasin for a pedestal sink. Choose a cool tall sink that matches the overall style of the interior to enjoy the extra space. Buying a small bathtub is also a great solution, especially when there are so many chic models out there. Large floor tiles as well as light color paint on the walls give the feeling of space, whereas dark hues inspire crowdedness.[break] However, these are design principles to follow if you haven’t done up your bathroom yet or are in the process of redesigning. If you don’t have the budget or the time to make dramatic modifications, then there are certain things you can do to glam up the space. The Week brings you some easy tips to implement to up the style quotient of your bathroom and transform a utilitarian room into a glamorous spot. Create the perfect ambience Many of us like to listen to music or the radio while we get ready. Create the perfect mood in your bathroom by setting up a small set of speakers in a corner. You can use it to plug in your smartphones or iPods and listen to music while you shower. For a quick washbasin update, swap old faucet hardware for new ones. Those with a brushed finish, add a modern touch. If the mirror above the washbasin is small, try replacing it with a larger one to add more light to the room. You can also choose from a wide variety of window shades and blinds to control the amount of light entering through the windows. Also, shades and blinds can beautifully hide ugly windowpanes. Photo Courteasy: Arjun Shah Make an interesting display Sometimes necklaces can look just as good on your walls as they do around your neck. Plus, hanging them in pretty arrangements lets you decorate and organize your bathroom all at once. Hang them from hooks attached next to the mirror or hang them on the mirror itself. This trick works well in case of unframed mirrors. You can also opt to display your toiletries on the countertop. You needn’t hide those pretty shampoo bottles, perfumes and lotions anymore. Creatively displaying them on the counter can jazz up your bathroom. The same holds true for bath towels. Stack colorful bath towels for a quick bathroom facelift. You can also roll towels and store them in wicker baskets for an interesting and functional display. Bring in some plants If you’re tired of looking at that ugly pipe under your sink, here’s a quick tip for hiding that plumbing, adding some life to your bathroom and improving the air quality inside, all at the same time. The awkward space that would otherwise just store a waste bin or toilet plunger can be turned into an eye-catching zone with the help of plants. Adding plants in your bathroom will not only freshen up the air but it can also liven up relatively neglected nooks and corners and give it a touch of life. An array of pretty ceramic planters in various colors with seasonal flowers on the windowsill can add a dash of style to an otherwise mundane area. You can also choose to display an arrangement of fresh flowers in a pretty vase on the countertop for a romantic add-on. Light it up Nightlights aren’t just for the kids’ room. They work just as well and are great in the bathroom, keeping you from stubbing toes during nighttime visits. They’re also a cool alternative to votive candles to create moods during parties. Whether you favor white, amber or red, night lights are functional and fun at the same time. String lights can also work wonders in the bathroom. You can drape a couple over the mirror for an instant décor update. But be careful not to let it get too close to the water faucets. But if you have small children at home, then it’s best not to use them. Instead, opt to use pretty shades to cover the light bulbs. Interesting patterned ones can add a rustic charm to the space. As always, accessorize right Towels and bathmats are the accessories of the bathroom; changing them will change the feel of the room. Also, replace the old shower curtain, towel bar, towels and bathmats with new ones that coordinate with your bathroom’s color scheme. You can also try mix-matching stripes, polka dots and floral prints for a contemporary feel. Also, pay attention to the details, like the soap dishes and toothbrush holders. You can get a variety of ceramic and sleek metal ones in any décor shop. Stay away from plastic ones, though, as they have the tendency to look unclean within days of initial use. However, if you keep makeup in the bathroom, then there are various see-through plastic containers you can buy to store them in. You can also buy pretty cardboard boxes, though these are more difficult to maintain than plastic ones. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54791 Actor Reecha Sharma is going places. She has just come back from Paris after attending the acting classes of renowned world acting coach Jack Waltzer. After successful releases like Highway and Visa Girl, Reecha is anxiously waiting for the release of yet another class act called Uma, a film directed by well-known documentary maker Tsering Rhitar Sherpa which is being released on May 24. How did Reecha Sharma become Uma? Just before the release of Highway, I heard that Tsering was looking for an actor for Uma. He’s in my directors’ wish list and I’ve always wanted to work with him. However, he wasn’t convinced that I would be suitable. But he changed his mind after a private screening of Highway.[break] Bijay Gajmer What was filming Uma like? We shot the film during a winter in a village in Kavre. It was a closed camp, so all the actors were easily available. We retired early to bed as we usually shot in the early morning. After wrapping up the shoot for the day, we would then discuss the schedule for the next day. How did you feel about your character before and after the shooting? It was an amazing journey. Initially, it was difficult for me to get into the character but then I met with women who’ve been in similar situations. The fact that Uma is a Maoist guerilla was a completely new experience/role for me. However, there were little details that I held on to, for instance, Dhangadi is my hometown and that’s where the Maoist revolution started. My father wanted me to become a nurse, and in the film, Uma’s mother wants the same for her. And how is the character itself? Uma is a very strong lady. To bring her character to life, I had to wear simple kurtas, sported a no makeup look and braided my hair. I was Uma even after wrapping up for the day. The crew would address me as Uma Didi. But when I saw myself onscreen during the recording, I couldn’t relate to the character. How was it working with Tsering? He’s a very positive and encouraging director. He knows what he wants from his actors. He would never complain, but had a unique way of getting what he wanted. What further projects do you have in hand? I have no concrete projects right now. I’ve been approached by filmmakers saying they’ve actually been writing a script keeping me in mind: for example, a bitchy politician. I’ve also had an offer to do another Maoist character. People typecast you here and that’s why I like to challenge myself with a variety of roles. What kind of work do you want to do? The films I do have to be either commercial or critical hits. Otherwise what’s the difference you have made in the industry? My ultimate goal is to be remembered as an actor and, my films should be special for the audience. I want to give 100 percent to what I’m doing. Audiences are very clever now. We can’t cheat them. What advice do you have for aspiring actors today? Come with passion, not just for fun or out of a desire to be seen on screen. Patience is also required in this field because there’s so much rejection and failure and pain. I’m talking about the rejection from the audiences and that really hurts. So does that open up opportunities for you, or is the competition more heated? There’s always competition but it’s better that there are more of us than just a handful. At least for the industry’s sake. You wouldn’t want to watch the same actors again and again. People need change. Do you agree that it’s happening now? That the same crop of actors is doing a lot of work? Yes, I think there are actors who are repeatedly being seen in a lot of films. That’s the reason why we need more actors in the industry. (By Pramila Rai) http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54790 Achham – first ODF district in Far West Nepal Achham has become the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) district in the Far Western Region and the fifth district in the country to do so. The declaration was made recently after the district managed to have toilets in each household in all the 75 Village Development Committees (VDCs). So far, only six municipalities and 750 VDCs, out of almost 4,000, have been declared ODF. It is, therefore, still a long way from fulfilling the universal target – to provide access to water and sanitation services by 2017. According to the latest census, 30 percent of Nepal’s population lacks access to basic sanitation facilities and are vulnerable to various diseases and epidemics all year round.[break] Zutt is new WB Country Director for Nepal Johannes Zutt of the Netherlands has been appointed The World Bank’s (WB) new Country Director for Nepal and Bangladesh. Zutt has been in the development sector since 1990. He joined the WB in 1999 and has since held managerial positions in Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Angola, China, Malawi, Mongolia, Mozambique, and Zambia. “Zutt will guide the World Bank’s engagement in Nepal, aiming to help reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity,” the WB said in a statement. “His priorities will include supporting the government in its efforts to promote sustainable development, inclusive growth and good governance.” Five get Chaudhary Literary Awards The Lunkarandas-Gangadevi Chaudhary Sahitya Kala Mandir, a literary trust of the Chaudhary Group, has awarded prizes to five literary and entertainment figures. Those being awarded are writer Gita Keshari with the “Gangadevi Chaudhary Smriti Samman” and a purse of Rs. 100,000; historian Dr. Dinesh Raj Panta with the “Itihas Shiromani Baburam Acharya Sodh Samman;” litterateur Bairagi Kaila with the “Saraswati Samman,” and singer Tirtha Kumari Thapa with the “Narayan Gopal Sangeet Samman.” The latter three awards carry a purse of Rs. 51,000 each. Similarly, theater actor Rajkumar Pudasaini has been awarded “Nepal Nawa Pratibha Puraskar” and a purse of Rs. 35,000. Pokhreli journalist honored Gangadhar Parajuli, senior media personality of Pokhara, received this year’s “Dayashankar Smriti Patrakarita Puraskar” established in the memory of the late freedom fighter Dayashankar Palikhe by his family. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Kaski Chapter awarded Parajuli, Chairman of Sunaulo Publications of Pokara, for his two decades of involvement in journalism. Parajuli is also the Central Vice President of Press Union and Executive Director of Sunaulo FM, a community radio station. The award of Rs. 33,333 is given to senior journalists based in Pokhara. Change of guard at KMC Joint Secretary Laxman Aryal has replaced Kedar Bahadur Adhikari as CEO of Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Adhikari has been transferred to the Health Ministry after reports of financial misappropriations were reported in KMC during his tenure. NEFIN gets new office-bearers Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), the flagship organization of some five dozen non-governmental organizations of Nepal’s indigenous nationalities, elected its new office-bearers during its recent elections held in Chitwan. Nagendra Kumal will now head the organization as President while Pemba Bhote and Jagat Bahadur Baram have been elected General Secretary and Treasurer respectively. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54789 Qatar Academy chemistry teacher Dorje Gurung turned into an unlikely hero this week when he got relieved of his position over alleged derogatory remarks against Islam which he denies making. The 42-year-old graduate of St. Xavier’s School in Kathmandu, who has taught in nine countries for 16 years, including the US and the UK, says the ordeal began due to misinterpretation of what he said during an argument with a group of students at a Qatari school. Gurung’s loss, however, seems to become Nepal’s gain, as the devout educationist has vowed to stay in the country and spend the rest of his life educating poor children. Setting up science labs and libraries in public schools across the country and financing poor children will be his newfound goal apart from doing social work.[break] “I’ve decided not to go abroad now. Instead, I’ll work for the cause of educating poor children,” says Gurung who returned home after the authorities freed him from custody. Gurung’s friends and former students from both within Nepal and abroad had launched a facebook campaign to secure his release, and they succeeded. Born in Chusang Village of Mustang, Gurung, a graduate of Grinnell College in Iowa, USA, may have never imagined that this photo of his mother embracing him upon his arrival at the airport (taken by Alka Shrestha of Nepalaya) would make it to major newspapers around the world. Gurung no doubt became an unlikely hero, but he might as well become a hero in real if he manages to fulfill his goal – of educating poor children. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54788 Two sporting heroes brought smiles on the faces of Nepali sport fans this week. While Nepal’s number one golfer Shiva Ram Shrestha swung his way to the title of Surya Nepal Masters, 19-year-old Avinash Karn clean-bowled the rest of the bowlers at the ACC U-19 Elite Cup cricket tournament in Malaysia to walk away with the title of best bowler. To win the 22nd title of his golfing career, 29-year-old Shrestha of Sinamangal in Kathmandu overcame the challenges of well known golfers from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka to walk away with the title at the GoKarn Golf Club. From a ball boy at the tender age of 14 to a caddie a few years later, Shrestha graduated from an amateur player to play professionally in 2007. Since then, there’s been no looking back for this avid golfer. He has not only overwhelmed the Nepali golf scene but has even won full card of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) in 2012-13, and the recent win at the Surya Masters has lifted him to the fifth position in the Rolex ranking of PGTI. With the current form, Nepal could expect more putting to success in the coming days.[break] Shiva Ram As for Karn, taking 24 wickets at the Elite Cup was a major boost for this young left-arm pacer’s career. He created a ripple among Nepal’s cricketing enthusiasts when he took sensational eight wickets against Bahrain, including a hat-trick. The young cricketer from Birgunj could not help lift Nepal in the tournament but managed to send a clear message to the selectors that he’s the bowler to watch out for in the coming days. It is yet to be seen whether Avi, as he’s called by his close friends, would be able to match up with his favorite cricketer, Mitchell Johnson of Australia, and bring laurels back home. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54787 Boston-based social activist Bishnu Maya Pariyar has become the first South Asian to be awarded with honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from Pine Manor College, the 102-years-old well known educational institution in Massachusetts of the USA. She is also become the first Nepali woman to be awarded DLitt from an American university. Bishnu Maya, who graduated from the same college in Social Change and International Development, has been recognized for her undeterred contributions to the upliftment of Dalit women in Nepal. The college honored her for works to women’s empowerment through the Boston-based Empower Dalit Women of Nepal (EDWON) and Nepal-based Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN), according to the college.[break] “I’m from Nepal. The world’s tallest mountain is in Nepal and Gautam Buddha, apostle of peace, is our asset,” Bishnu told an august ceremony while accepting the honor. “I dedicate this honor to the people of Nepal.” Bishnu’s organization has provided education opportunities to some 10,000 students from the Dalit and other marginalized and poor communities while more than 2,000 deprived women have benefited from her women’s empowerment activities. One of thenine children of Rup Bahadur Pariyar and Kanmaya Pariyar of Taklung village of Gorkha district, Bishnu has not only managed to come out of long struggles herself but has even managed to make an impact on thousands of others’ lives http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54471 As per security component of the survey, urban areas in Madhesh had considerably good access to security mechanism as compared to rural areas A recent survey reveals that security in Madhesh has improved in recent months despite some hiccups here and there. The report of the survey conducted in September last year was released recently. With the country heading to fresh elections of the Constituent Assembly, the issue of security situation during the polls has become one of the major issues of concerns among various stakeholders and people at large. And this is even more apt in the Madhesh region, as it has been one of the main vote banks.[break] People in general still have the Madhesh Movement of 2007 in mind when relations between Pahadi (people of hill origins) and Madheshi (those living on the Tarai Plains) and between different ethnic groups in the Tarai stooped to an all-time low, raising doubts over any improvement in their relations in future. Incidents of abductions, killings, rapes, corruptions and cross-border crimes have always been obstacle to the security situations in the Madhesh. But if to go by the latest survey conducted in 11 Tarai districts, the condition of social harmony has improved significantly in the Madhesh in recent months. Though a very few of the respondents (10%) of the survey mentioned that inter-community relations were deteriorating, an overwhelming percentage of people in Madhesh said that relationship between Tharus, including other Tarai ethnic groups, and Madheshi castes has improved remarkably. Chandra Shekhar Karki “The situation had been explosive between these communities in past years over the issues of recognition, identity, federalism and state-restructuring process, especially after the Tharus were enlisted as Madheshi in the Interim Constitution,” the survey conducted by Nepal Madhesh Foundation (NEMAF) revealed. “However, an overwhelming majority of respondents put forward their views that there is less chance of the occurrence of communal strife in future.” About one tenth of the respondents, who thought either high or low chance of communal strife or conflicts among the communities, cited that the existing ethnic/communal disparity and discrimination, religious conflicts, interference in the rights of one another group, and political conflicts in the area as the major causes of communal strife and conflicts in the region, it is stated in the report outcome of the survey, titled “Harmony, Security and Governance in the Plains.” According to the survey, one third of the respondents mentioned that though conflict had occurred earlier, the nature of these conflicts were of less repetitive and of short duration. “Most people mentioned that the major causes of such conflicts were personal and land disputes, rather than social and political causes,” it says. “People seemed to have dealt with the conflict situation in a soft way rather than being aggressive to the opponents.” It, however, does not completely rule out the chances of strife and conflicts in the future, as the country is yet to delve seriously into the issue of federalism. Though social harmony seems to be good and improving in Madhesh at present, the chances of strife and conflicts cannot be ruled out, it says. “Whenever stakeholders debate federalism, people of various communities are often seen polarized along their ethnic interests,” it states. “Marches of rival groups on the streets of Kathmandu in May last year and chanting of slogans against rival communities before and after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly reminds one of the dangers of communal clashes in the country and in Madhesh.” Security seems to have been improving after the Madhesh Movement. But people are still not fully confident about it. Thus, a lot needs to be done to improve social harmony, security and governance in Madhesh. (See BOX: Recommendations) According to the Foundation, the said survey was carried out among 653 respondents spread over 11 districts in Tarai – in Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi. It had identified these districts of Madhesh/Tarai as the sample districts to identify the situation of social harmony, security, governance, and local development. Sample wards of the target VDCs/municipalities were selected using random sampling. Then households of the target wards were selected using right-hand rule, and finally household heads in general were selected as respondents. While selecting respondents from the target households, priority was given to those who could provide more information about their locality/village. This report basically analyses the public perceptions towards social harmony, security and governance in the Madhesh/Tarai region, according to NEMAF. As per security component of the survey, urban areas in Madhesh had considerably good access to security mechanism as compared to rural areas. However, most respondents said that incidents of crime were decreasing in Madhesh. Unlike public perception about cross-border infiltration and criminal activities, more than half of the respondents perceived border areas as safer for living whereas 41 percent were unsure about their opinion. This shows that they are still in dilemma about their safety and security. Though the rate of crime has been decreasing in Madhesh, there are still high incidents of smuggling and other crimes in the border areas. People apply cooperative measures rather than offensive measures to combat illegal and criminal activities, the report further states. As far as governance and development is concerned, survey respondents believed that corruption and misappropriations of local budgets have been the major challenges. “Transparency, accountability and responsiveness, which are considered the best indicators to measure the status of good governance in the Madhesh, were perceived to be very poor,” it is stated in the report. People said they were compelled to pay bribes to get their works done at the local levels, and about three fourth of the respondents mentioned that distribution of local budget lacked transparency. Most respondents said that the culture of nepotism exists at the local level. Development projects at local levels seem to have ignored the popular mantras like “Participatory democracy,” “Bottom-up-approach,” and “Putting people first” approaches that continue to dominate the development debates these days in all parts of the world, particularly the Third World, it states. Some of the other issues that have been the worrying aspects of the Madheshi society are that there is a high rate of unemployment and poverty in the region even though it is where most of the country’s industries are located. “Most respondents, in fact, cited poverty and unemployment to be the major problems at local levels,” it is mentioned in the report. “People of Madhesh also want awareness programs launched so that they can know what their rights are and what their roles can be to ensure good governance. A conscious and aware mass can be the best defense against any kinds of social evils.” Recommendations •     Though there is less chance of occurrence of communal strife and deterioration of social harmony, multi-pronged approaches are needed in Madhesh so that every stakeholder could feel himself as equal in all terms. Empowerment of the marginalized, respects for the various groups’ identities and equal treatment of all the stakeholders would help nip the chance of communal tension in the bud. •     Personal disputes should not be treated as ethnic or focal issues and should be solved  through dialogues and not by violent means. •     Effective measures should be taken in time to improve security in the border areas. Security mechanism should also give due priority to rural areas. •     Effective awareness program should be designed and implemented as soon as possible to curb domestic violence. •     Educating people and providing them with sufficient employment opportunities can be an important tool to improve security and social harmony. •     Social cohesion and cooperation could be beneficial to combat crime and illegal activities, and therefore, a culture of cooperation should be promoted. •     Effective steps should be taken immediately in order to check the increasing culture of corruption and nepotism. These measures should also be adopted at local levels so that local governments could be made transparent, accountable and responsive to the people. •     Development programs should be based on the principles of participatory democracy and bottom-up approach. •     People should be made aware of their rights. This can further help improve social harmony, governance and security conditions. •     The critical mass of civil society which acts as a watchdog of any society is either weak or absent in the Madhesh. An independent, critical, capable and impartial civil society is necessary to guide and check activities of different actors. Fact File • The Nepal Madhesh Foundation (NEMAF) conducted this survey and published a report titled “Harmony, Security and Governance in the Plains: An Analysis of Public Perceptions Across Madhesh/Terai.” • The household survey was conducted among 653 respondents in 11 districts of Madhesh/Tarai –namely, in Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi. • NEMAF categorized the existing administrative districts of Madhesh into five clusters considering culture, language, religion, caste/ethnic composition, gender discrimination, intensity of conflict, issues of politics, nature of recently emerged armed conflict, and scenario of development. The identified clusters are as follows: Far-Eastern Tarai (Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari); Eastern Tarai (Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Sarlahi); Mid-Tarai (Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa); Western Tarai (Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu); and Far-Western Tarai (Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur). • Administratively, out of the 75 districts of Nepal, 20 are in Tarai, which, from east to west, are Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur. Included in the list is also Bhitri Madhesh or Inner Tarai that consists of flatlands to the north of the Siwalik Range and includes the districts of Chitwan and Dang. • Statistician Bal Krishna Khadka led the team to conduct this survey which also included Anirudh Prasad Sah, Bhola Koirala, and Nanda Kumar Sah. • The report was written by Anirudh Prasad Sah with contributions from Sumit Gupta, Ram Kumar Kamat, and Til Bahadur Sunar. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54472 Toni Hagen, the Swiss explorer who introduced our country to the western world in the early 1950s through his seminal book “Nepal” writes, “When I visited the sanctuary of Swayambhunath at Kathmandu back in early fifties, I was surprised to find, besides the effigies of Hindu divinities and Buddha, that of Christ and Gandhi too. To my query, I was given the answer by my Sherpa companion, Aila, with the greatest matter-of-factness: ‘All the same, Sir.’” Let us note that this happened in the early 1950s when we Nepalis, by all measures, were much more inwardly-looking people with little exposure to cosmopolitanism. So what happened over the last sixty years? Why are most of us, including those with scholarly claims to fame, busy theorizing how we are all so inherently different peoples, and how could we avenge the oppression meted out to us by the other all these years? Why so much hatred in the air? Why?[break] It is true that ours has been an unjust society since time immemorial with kings, queens and their regents doing crazy things to fulfill their lust of all kinds in the name of justice, order, religion, revenge and what not. The collection of stories of lust, battles, acrimony, betrayals, successes and failures of these largely ordinary people born to royal lineage is what we call History today. Guided by an established dogma of defined nation-states with GPS-enabled accurate borders, in the 21st century, we tend to romanticize the kings of yesteryears fighting for the country and for the pride of the nation. The reality is almost all of those kings and regents were fighting for their estates and palaces and wealth and women just like today we, the common people, would fight for our piece of land in a court of law if our neighbor encroaches on it. Let’s make no mistake about it that the story of emptying state coffers and expending precious lives of commoners for personal vendetta was not just true only for the Gorkhali or Shah kings as generally pointed out by those of us who prefer selective use of history for political gains. The medieval ages that lasted roughly till the 15th century in Europe, but the remnants of which continued in feudal Asia till almost as late as the 1950s, are replete with cases of domination of the victor kings’ clans, religion, language, and creed over the ones vanquished. The phenomenon was as true in the third century BC when the great emperor Ashoka became a Buddhist, thereby effecting a massive spread of Buddhism in northern India. This was as true when Constantine, the Roman Emperor, adopted Christianity in the early fourth century AD, opening the doors for the proliferation of his acquired religion. This was true also when the Moghul emperors captured the heart of India and forced Hindus to convert to Islam en masse. Even the gods within the same religion were not spared from the royal favors. The Licchavis in Nepal were Vaishnavite (followers of Vishnu), and therefore the temples of Lord Vishnu, like Changu Narayan and Budhanilkanth found more prominence during their times than that of Lord Shiva. The Shahs declared themselves to be the incarnations of Vishnu, and therefore rendered themselves unable to visit the shrines of Lord Vishnu, resulting in the significance of Lord Shiva’s temples – the most prominent of them being Pashupatinath. Unfortunately, in the case of Nepal, the medieval era and the crazy acts of kings and their cronies, continued even beyond the 1950s, almost until we got rid of the last royal in 2008. Both the major races that inhabit Nepal and its lands have ruled this country for long periods. The Tibeto-Burman Kirants were the first ones by historical account to have ruled the country for some 800 years, beginning as early as 700 BC. The Indo-Aryan Licchavis, Thakuris, Mallas and Shahs ruled the country for the rest of its entire history while the Tibeto-Burmans (Kirants) continued to rule various pockets of the country for substantive period/s. There are no other dominant races than the Tibeto-Burmans and Indo-Aryans in Nepal. The Licchavis, by many historical accounts, originated from Vaishali that sits in the northern part of the modern-day Indian state of Bihar close to the India-Nepal border. The Thakuris were clearly linked with Rajput clans from modern India, and so were the Mallas. The Mallas tried to trace their ancestry to Nanyadeva and Harisimhadeva, the rulers of Tirhut that falls in the heart of the modern-day Madhesh. The Shahs were descendants of Hindu Rajputs and Brahmins of northern India who entered Nepal from the west. The Ranas are Hindu Rajputs whose marital relationships with Indian princely states continue even today. These historical accounts and many more stories establish two things. One, we as Nepalis of varied ethnicities and mother tongues should stop swearing at each other as we all are cousins with very similar, if not common, ancestry. We can establish this pretty easily if we care to go back in history and read it for ourselves. Two, we all (races) have had a chance to rule this country, or parts of it, in the past, one after another. True, that during those medieval times, up until the present days, there continued to be a lack of social equity and fair play. But let us also admit that these negatives were the hallmark of traditional societies of yesteryears anywhere in the world. There is no point making a person, caste, community or religion culprit for something that was a norm rather than an exception in an era. We all would have done the same had we got absolute power with no accountability. Given unfettered power, we all would have made attempts to crush rival societies and cultures, as is evident even today in some pockets of modern world. China/Tibet, India/Kashmir, Israel/Palestine, Singhalese/Tamils are but a few examples of the continuity of this human tendency to be repressive when in supreme command. Agreed, that Nepal has had an unjust past. It is also agreed that Nepalis from many ethnicities – Madhesis, Rais, Limbus, Dalits and many other minorities – were systematically discriminated against by the state. Agreed, too, that those of us who had to go through discrimination are angry. A long repression robbed many ethnicities in Nepal even of their history with Nepal’s history literally becoming the history of Kathmandu only, with some minor aberrations. These indeed are sad things to have happened to anyone. The recent political debates have opened many long-burn wounds that needed and still need healing. The diagnosis is all right. It must be accepted by us in all honesty whether or not we belong to the oppressor or oppressed class. The prescriptions, though, of perpetuating the hatred and compounding the differences are absolutely wrong. The history may be revisited – or at times restored. Yet the history must be put where it belongs – in the history books – so that our children could learn from them, to pick from them both inspiration and caution. Nepal and Nepalis have already suffered more than their fair share of pains owing to ethnic divisions and rivalries. It is time, therefore, to move ahead by burying our past and building our tomorrows. No matter how good or accurate our diagnosis is, we will do no good to the patient – in this case, our beloved country, our societies and our children – until we make good prescriptions. prashaantsingh@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54470 “I sometimes wonder how it would feel to get to see my parents’ faces even if it comes at the price of getting killed,” says Hast Bahadur Rai, 44, (pictured above with his wife, son and daughter-in-law) a refugee from Bhutan. Rai had to flee the country with his wife and children. But his parents did not, as they were living in a village that was unaffected by the conflict in southern Bhutan. “Someday, I hope I’ll be able to see their faces. I pray for it. I dream about it,” says Rai. [break] He tries to continue but words fail him. His friends and relatives, all refuges who themselves left their loved ones behind, share the same sentiments: It is evident from their eyes and expressions. One cannot imagine the horrors these people went through. Only their blank and hollow expressions tell their stories. Gathered in front of a hut that looks like it will fall apart at the slight gust of wind, these refugees struggle to restore some semblance of normalcy in their lives by trying to enjoy one another’s company. But suppressed fears and memories resurface, and when hope comes in bouts and is fleeting, there is not much they can do to remain positive and strong and keep on pretending that everything is simply just fine. Rai currently lives in a small decrepit hut in Beldangi-2, a refugee camp in Jhapa, the easternmost district of Nepal, with ten family members. Two of his daughters have left for the States, and some relatives and neighbors have migrated to Canada, the USA and Australia while many others are in the process of planning for third-country resettlement. In 2007, the government of Nepal accepted the option of third-country resettlement for these refugees. The proposal was hotly contested but some families nevertheless opted for resettlement in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, believing it was better than living as refugees for the rest of their lives. In the refugee camps, however, people are still divided on the issue. Some have serious objections to it and claim that third-country resettlement is not a solution, as it deprives them of their rights to return to their homeland, Bhutan.[break] “Either I’ll go back to my homeland or I’ll die here in Nepal as a refugee,” says Punyatmana Adhikari, 40, who is a teacher at the Beldangi refugee camp. She is a tad bitter about the concept of third-country settlement and feels that those who opted for it gave up their identities. At times, even Rai is disheartened by the fact that all his family members and friends are scattered all over the world. He wonders if they will ever be able to be together in this lifetime. He is also not very optimistic about ever getting to return to his homeland, as numerous rounds of talks between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan on the Bhutanese refugees’ rights to return have yielded no results. Rai lived in Sarpang in Bhutan and came to Nepal in 1991. His family entered the country from Mai Khola in Jhapa. Rai recalls leaving Bhutan suddenly, with zero preparation whatsoever. Back in 1991, some left without packing, with only whatever they were wearing when they fled home. Some were in the middle of their meals when they had to make a run for it. Their livestock were left behind, tied to their sheds. “Some mothers made the mistake of grabbing pillows instead of their babies. They left in such a hurry and a state of panic that they didn’t realize it wasn’t their children they were carrying until it was time to breastfeed,” says Adhikari, adding that one can’t even imagine the circumstances under which they had to leave. “Our homes were burnt almost as soon as we had taken a few steps out of the door. We were lucky to have left when we did even if it was in haste,” she says, and the thought makes her shudder even after all these years. The situations in Bhutan had worsened steadily over the years. Many women were raped. Many people were killed without reasons, and an even more number of people were jailed without plausible explanations. Many were forced to sign ‘voluntary migration’ forms. The widespread arrests, detention, rape, and torture instilled a deep sense of fear in people. “The Bhutanese government threatened us to leave time and again. They taunted us, saying we should go back to where we belonged. Many government officials used to tease us and say that Girija Prasad Koirala (the then Prime Minister of Nepal) had built luxurious marble houses for us,” says Rai, recalling those days in Bhutan when insecurity and danger lurked no matter where they went. By 1991, thousands had started to flee for Nepal via India. The risk and uncertainty were too much for them to bear. Some 100,000 left Bhutan within a year, and almost all left as abruptly as Rai and Adhikari did. “After a point, the villages became lifeless. It seemed as if there were not even birds and animals around. I was filled with dread at the thought of being alone and eventually dying alone. Also, if something happened to me, what would become of my family if no one was around,” says Om Nath Dhungana, 69, who left carrying nothing but his disabled daughter. Dhungana also recalls the grave and pitiful situation of the fleeing people at the Indian borders. Long queues of cars and buses added to the chaos. Dhungana and his daughter took a bus from the border to Jhapa in Nepal. “Even the ride was full of terrible moments. A pregnant woman lost her baby during the trip,” he says. Yashoda Khanal, 18,  facilitates refugee kids in articulating their hobbies at the camp site. The Bhutanese refugees are descendants of Nepali migrants who settled in southern Bhutan from the late 1890s. In 1958, the Bhutanese government passed an act which granted these people the right to Bhutanese citizenship. In between 1958 and 1985, the government even introduced integration programs for intermarriage between them and other ethnic groups. In 1988, however, the government introduced another new law. It required that each citizen produce his 1958 land tax receipt. Following this, the people were reclassified as ‘illegal immigrants’ despite having produced land tax receipts from 1958. Over time, the Nepali language was removed from school curriculum and it was mandatory for the entire population to wear the national dress of the north. The southern Bhutanese resisted the policy, as there was still a strong attachment to their Nepali cultural heritage. Demonstrations ensued, and the government began to crack down on what they deemed were ‘anti-nationals’ from southern Bhutan. The conflict began and has been going on ever since. According to Adhikari, what initially began as a conflict between the government and the Nepali community was later interpreted as a clash between the Bhutanese and Nepali communities. “In reality, the movement was a class struggle. It was portrayed as a conflict between two communities. The Bhutanese government tried to suppress the Nepali community by taking help from the Indian Army. Many of us chose to come to Nepal since we couldn’t fight against the oppression,” says Adhikari. DURGA KHANAL With no permanent identity and home, the refugees are at a quandary in Nepal. The fact that they have no place to call home makes their future seem bleaker. Opting for third-country settlement does not seem like a feasible solution to most, as they feel they will never be granted the same rights as others. “Our own country won’t let us come back and nor can we ever truly belong somewhere else,” says Dhungana, marveling at the irony that no matter where they go they will always be outsiders. The refugees are also worried about their children who are born in the refugee camps. “I have two children. I’m worried about their future. Every mother wants her children to have a bright future. But with no land to call home, I don’t think my children will ever be secure,” says Adhikari. Even though opting for migration is a somewhat desperate choice for these refugees, according to Adhikari, many do it for their children. Bishnua Maya Khanal, mother of 18 years old Yashoda Khanal, says she has given third-country settlement serious consideration because of her daughter. “I’ve lost all hope of ever returning to Bhutan, and since I’ve lived more than half my life already, I’m thinking of getting settled in America just for Yashoda’s sake. At least, she’ll have a chance at a decent future,” says the traumatized mother with tears in her eyes, as Saraswati Pradhan and Durga Khanal, themselves mothers of young children, nod their consent. There are many others like them who have lost all hope of being able to return to Bhutan and are opting for third-country settlement so that their children are spared the uncertainty and get a sense of belongingness. ***** But migration is complicated for people like Durga Khanal. She was born in India and married a refugee at Beldangi. Her husband died six months ago, leaving behind two children. The surprising fact is that her in-laws have already left for the States. “I’ve never been to Bhutan and I doubt I’ll be allowed to go there. But without a Bhutanese passport, we can’t leave. I don’t know what to do,” says Durga. ***** In such pitiful conditions, it is surprising how these refugees still manage to live their lives at the refugee camps and do whatever it takes to make the best out of what they have got. Perhaps it is the hope that someday they will be able to return to Bhutan that keeps them going. But life at the refugee camps isn’t easy, either. According to the refugees, life is full of hurdles and hardships. They face discrimination and are somewhat ostracized almost everywhere. The never-ending wait to return to their homeland seems to have taken its toll on every single one of them who at times seems very hopeful, and the very next minute loses all hope. “We’ve waited for 20 years. It feels like a lifetime. I don’t think we’ll ever get to go back. Not even if there’s a different ruling King,” says Khagendra Ghimire, 38. His chief complaint is that good jobs are hard to find when you don’t have citizenship. When and if they find jobs, it is usually low paying. The younger generation, it seems, is more frustrated and lacks confidence that youths generally exude. “Refugees shouldn’t have dreams and aspirations. We should suppress our wants and desires for a good future. It’s meaningless to wish and hope,” says Yashoda. Even in such a sad scenario, many refugees are still hopeful of being able to return to their homeland. They feel only then will all their troubles end. With this hope, many have appealed to international communities to urge the Bhutanese government to let them return. “If the international communities put pressures on the Bhutanese Government, then surely we’ll be allowed back in our country,” says Ghimire. Meanwhile, some 80,000 Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin have already left from Nepal for Australia, the USA and Canada. Approximately, those 13,000 still left at the camp in Beldangi are in the process of leaving but are still uncertain about it. The thought of relocating to an unknown place sends shudders up their spines. But because since it is all they have got, they hold on to it with the faith that it will be for the better. “Bhutan is our homeland, and in Nepal, we are at least familiar with the culture and system. Going to America or Canada is like stepping into the unknown. I feel it’ll be difficult for us to adjust there,” says Gopi Krishna Kafle, 55. Despite the odds being stacked against them, many are still trying to remain optimistic about being able to return to Bhutan one day while some have given up all hope and just wish for some stability in their lives. “I’m desperate to be united with my parents back in Bhutan. But I also want my family to lead a normal life. If resettlement is the only option, then I guess I have to take that up for the sake of my family,” says Rai, and it is almost as if he has come to realize that cherished hopes and dreams cannot always be fulfilled. Meanwhile, more angst-ridden days come and go on in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Beldangi, Nepal. nabinbibhas@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54468 A man whose cheerful smile adds an allure to his effervescent persona, Narayan Kaji Shrestha lives by his own principles and is proactive in whatever work he lays his hands on. He looks quite fit that speaks of his disciplined life, as even at 66 years of age, he considers his spirit to be that of 25. He is still as active and defies the convention of age by his passion in life. Shrestha’s lifestyle and his down-to-earth attributes show that he believes in simplicity. Dressed in casual attire, he says that he is always seen in informal wears. He shares one anecdote: When he was invited to a high-profile party many years back where the dress code stated that he wear formal attire. Instead of attending the event, Shrestha sent a package with a tie as a souvenir to the host because he felt that more importance was given to the tie and his attire than his presence.[break] “I hardly wear formal clothes and I never wear a tie because I feel it just binds us from our freedom and the word ‘tie’ itself means ‘to bind,’” says Shrestha lightheartedly. When he begins to tell his stories, the instances of his journey are stirring. A pioneer community forestry activist, he has dedicated his time and energy to this field for many decades and has significantly contributed to restoring forest resources in the country by mainstreaming community forestry movement at the national and international levels. Bhaswor Ojha After completing his PhD in education from Michigan State University in USA in 1987, he came back to work in his own country. He was also the recipient of the first ever Collaborative Partnership on Forests, “Wangari Maathai Award 2012,” named after Nobel Peace Prize winner, environmentalist Maathai of Kenya. Upon entering his place near Dhobi Khola, which gives a hint of both a well-settled home and a full-fledged office, he leads visitors to his work area. A part of his home is used for Women Acting Together for Change (WATCH), which is one of the many organizations that he has established. Brought up in Okhaldhunga, he studied in his hometown until SLC. “Having been brought up in a financially weak family, it was difficult even to go to school,” he says. Shrestha started his formal schooling late. When he was nine years old, he was directly enrolled in grade three. For excelling in his studies, he received double promotions and completed his SLC when he was just fourteen. Living truly to the saying, morning shows the day, Shrestha has always been ahead when it comes to his commitment to studies or work. He started working as a teacher right after his SLC to save money so that he could come to the capital for his further studies. “I don’t set my aim too high but I believe in winning over the person who is right ahead of me. I never wanted to lag behind. That’s why I put my heart into my studies even as a kid,” he says. Apart from studies, he was equally active in extracurricular activities and literature. He came to Kathmandu in 1961 and that was the first time he ever traveled in a vehicle. He was fifteen years old then. After completing his Bachelors in Education (B.Ed), he returned to his hometown in Okhaldhunga in 1967 and worked as principal of a high school for three years. “It was during the Panchayat era. Which was why it would be hard to work actively in the education field. So I again came back to the capital,” he reminisces. His career in Kathmandu started as a teacher at Vanasthali Vidyashram in Balaju. He was also involved in teaching Nepali to foreigners for ten years and his students even included representatives of UNDP. In the meantime, he got associated with New Era, a research organization, as one of its promoters. “I wasn’t much happy with the results of researches of New Era as its impact wasn’t seen. The main job was also to evaluate government projects but its recommendation wasn’t implemented much. We didn’t have power, so there weren’t much constructive results,” shares Shrestha. He then started doing researches on rural development. He gives an instance of how villagers in Jomsom were clueless about making use of apples that were growing there abundantly. “There was a possibility of making brandy, pie and ciders from apples without wasting it. That was my first experience of how and what could be done with locally available resources and how it could be done under the control of poor local people,” he says. In 1971, the terms “community forestry” was introduced. But in reality, communities had no role nor were involved in it, as forests were under the direct control of the Panchayat rulers. Shrestha started researching and studied reports on the state of the forests in the country so that he could find ways to involve villagers, especially women, in strengthening the concept of community forestry. “The main contention was that the forests were misused by the Panchayat and the Forest Department wanted to work for their own interests by using the forest resources,” he explains. During the same time, the Nepal Australia Community Forestry Project was finding ways to include community participation. Shrestha asked the then decision-makers to define words like participation, community and community forestry, as nothing had been done as per the concept of community forestry. A guideline was then formulated. In Pandey Village of Kavre, every house was visited to find ways to save its forests and how they could be handed over to the villagers themselves for protection. “That was how the idea of community forestry was initiated and till now the same process is being followed,” he reflects. He talks about how it was all about giving rights to the villagers to use their resources and making it work according to their decisions. “Humans have inherent rights to nature because since the beginning, humans and nature have been together. The state was formed only later.” But his path was not easy. Forest employees accused Shrestha of encroaching upon their work. “They also thought that the locals were encroaching on their work. But I told them that they were the ones encroaching upon the rights of the villagers and they should return the forests to the locals.” The Forest Ministry even circulated a notice banning Forest Department employees from attending any meeting where Shrestha would be present. “So, in that way I wasn’t invited at all,” he explains. But Shrestha was relentless in his pursuit and became active in creating more participatory approach to community decision-making, reaching out to villagers and women and initiating the country’s first user-managed community forestry group called FECOFUN (Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal). He has also established many grassroots-level organizations that have played key roles for the development of community forestry in Nepal, such as Natural and Organizational Resources Management Service (NORMS), Nepal Participatory Action Network of I/NGOs (NEPAN) and National Federation of Irrigation Water Users’ Association Nepal (NFIWUAN), to name a few. “Until villagers have their ownership, nothing can be implemented, and we wanted to introduce the concept of “Hamro ban,” he adds. Shrestha is someone who cannot stay content by limiting himself to just one work. He continues traveling extensively to villages where he sees various problems and initiates new ideas accordingly. He puts his dignity first and is least bothered about earning money or fame. “As long as you run after money, money will run away from you, too. But once you stop caring about money, then it comes after you. This is what I suggest to all my friends as well,” he says. He has a large family of three sons and four daughters who are all settled abroad. “I consider myself lucky that I got full support from my family and could dedicate myself to work. If I had concentrated more on family issues only, then that wouldn’t have been possible,” he says. He also established Mahila Ekata Sangathan (Sex Workers Organization) to empower sex workers to be more aware of the importance of safe sex in order to reduce HIV cases. “In fact, many accused us of promoting sex workers, and even our office was burnt by the Maoists in Butwal as they didn’t understand our concept. But that didn’t stop us from continuing our work,” he says. Shrestha’s passion is to work for the socially ostracized and downtrodden people, especially in villages. Many of his organizations have been networking with the local people themselves. “My main intention is to build ideas among the local people in order to make the plan sustainable,” he says. Shrestha maintains a low profile and enjoys a simple life. His day begins at 4:30 in the morning, and after a bit of gardening, he starts working. There are only so many hours in a day and with numerous organizations and campaigns that need his attention, every minute is precious. He has no plans of retiring any time soon as he believes there is still so much more to be done. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54467 Nepal is one of the most sought-out destinations for tourists all around the world. But apart from visiting the country solely for traveling, some foreigners have also stepped forward to contribute their two cents to the host community. With the concept of “responsible tourism,” two Norwegian organizations – Vision for All, Norway and Ethical Travel Portal – joined hands which resulted in organizing eye camps in Suryapura and Deurali villages of Nawalparasi District last month. The Week’s Asmita Manandhar talked to Hanne Kroken, 31, one of the board members of Vision for All, Norway, and Linda Veraasdal, 34, owner of Ethical Travel Portal, about their experiences as tourists and volunteers in Nepal.[break] How would you introduce your organizations? Hanne: Vision for All is a small organization based in Norway and working to improve eye health conditions in different countries since 2003. We have basically conducted eye-camps in various countries and helped many people with our distinct campaign. We collect used glasses in Norway and carry them to different destinations where we can offer them to people who can reuse them. We have already conducted such campaigns in Peru, Guatemala and Ecuador before coming to Nepal. Bhaswor Ojha Linda Veraasdal (L) and Hanne Kroken sharing their experiences with organizing eye camps at two villages of Nawalparasi district and their leisurely visit to other touristic destinations in Nepal. Linda: Ethical Travel Portal is basically a travel agency. I set up the company some 4-5 years ago. Though it’s a travel company, we run it with the concept that we don’t simply send people to different places but also connect people to those places. We believe in responsible tourism, and while traveling to different places, we also look for ways where tourists can give back to the community. Ethical Travel Portal has already organized many trips with similar concept but it’s the first venture with Vision for All, Norway. How did you decide to collaborate? And why did you choose Nepal? Linda: I have always been interested in meeting people and organizations which work closely to the concept of Ethical Travel Portal. So a year back, while I was browsing through the Internet searching for any such campaigns happening in Norway, I came across Vision for All. I really liked their idea of traveling to different countries with a cause. I had visited Nepal 2009 and I was aware that socialtours travel agency in Nepal had been doing something similar in contributing to responsible tourism. Then I contacted Vision for All and suggested to them that Nepal could be one of their next destinations. Hanne: After Linda’s suggestion, we put forward the idea at the board meeting, and since everyone was happy with the idea, we began planning our trip to Nepal. Can you elaborate the processes of recycling used glasses and eye camps? Hanne: We have a campaign back in Norway where we ask for people to donate their used glasses. It’s common for people with eye conditions such as myopia or hyperopia to alter their frames or glasses in regard to change in power, or to follow the latest fashion. Many people also have sunglasses they don’t use anymore. So, after we collect such glasses, we clean them, check their strength and package them. For this, we work with opticians and assist them to file the glasses in correct order. After we’ve collected enough for an eye camp, we plan a trip to different countries where these glasses can be useful. Generally, we choose rural areas where we can actually offer these glasses to needy people. Why do you think that this campaign is important? Hanne: There are many campaigns in developed countries where they collect funds and send it away to poor countries. But the campaigns with Vision for All require its members or volunteers to actively participate in the process. After the collection of the glasses, we have to take time to clean those glasses and sort them out according to the power strength of the glasses. Then, during the trip, all the members need to make space in their personal luggage where they have to accommodate certain number of glasses. And of course, when we’re conducting the camps, they need to work with the local volunteers to help the patrons of the camp and distribute them with the suitable glasses. When you just donate money, you can’t be sure if your help has been useful in the ways you wanted to. But when you participate in this campaign, you aren’t just recycling but also experiencing the real joy of giving, and you know for sure that your help has gone through. How do you choose volunteers to travel to different countries? Hanne: Mostly, we circulate the message among the members of Vision for All and anyone can join us. Then we create a team of ten people at the most, balancing between the opticians and assistants. When people sign in to travel, we conduct crash workshop on how to deal with the people and present them with correct glasses of required power strength. Linda: Like many, I was a newbie to this campaign. So I also had to take the training. Initially, I had no idea of power glasses and eye conditions. But I learnt, and now after the camp, I feel that I’m very eager to participate in other camps such as this. How was experience of conducting the camp in Nepal? Linda: We were four from Norway and we were joined by a group of six other volunteers. So we had a team of 10 when we went to set up the camp at two aforementioned villages of Nawalparasi. The participation of volunteers from the local communities was also extraordinary. They were basically school students and they were of great help to the campaign, as they guided the needy through the different setup within the camp according to their health requirements. Since we had language barrier, the local volunteers filled in the gap and helped the camp to be of great success. Hanne: Though the Til Ganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) of Kathmandu wasn’t directly involved with the campaign, they also provided us with great help by sending opticians and 600 pairs of glasses to be distributed free during the camp. We screened 2,850 patients altogether in the two camps and distributed around 2,000 pairs of glasses. Two hundred cases of cataract were also screened during the camp, and the best part is that Dr. Suman Thapa of TIO will coordinate the surgeries on the cataract cases in the first week of June. How do you think was the local people’s reaction to the camp? Linda: Looking at the participation and enthusiasm of local volunteers, I think they were pretty happy to be part of the camp. The number of patients screened at the camp also speaks for the achievement for the camp. Hanne: Most of the times, we couldn’t directly talk to the patients as we couldn’t speak the local language. But as the volunteers translated the basic precautions to save their eyes, they were very keen to understand it and seemed very satisfied and grateful. Apart from the camp, did you have a chance to visit other places? Hanne: Nepal is a beautiful country. We were surprised by the variation of the landscape. Apart from Nawalparasi, where the camp was set up, we went to Chitwan National Park for elephant safari. We also visited Pokhara for two days. I also went paragliding in Pokhara. It was an amazing experience. I’m looking forward to come back to Nepal for a good trekking experience. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54466 Up in the northwest corner of Massachusetts in the USA, the Peter Pan/Greyhound bus service has its last stop. After nearly five hours of journey through rain, sleet, and snow, the bus arrives at the sole local inn downtown in the afternoon. When asked where the bus goes from here, the African-American driver replies casually but cheerfully: “It goes back home,” as if Williamstown was not home for over 8,000 residents! In a country with deep-rooted car culture, however, buses apparently do not matter much. On a certain day in mid-April, a huge bus had all of two passengers in the bus on its return journey. Williamstown is known for one of the best liberal arts colleges in the USA and its Summer Theater Festival. Weekdays are easy to spend. College libraries are enormous, and they allow outside visitors to browse through shelves, pick up a book of poems, choose a comfortable corner, and gaze outside the window towards the valley and the mountain ranges beyond. Since the college has huge endowments, it manages to get rare visiting displays put up at its museum.[break] For an outsider, weekends are little trickier. Other than leisurely walks through campus grounds and short hikes into woods and mountains, there is not much to do in Williamstown. The mountains of Massachusetts are actually hillocks. Ralph Waldo Emerson termed Mt. Greylock a “serious mountain.” Henry David Thoreau climbed it immediately and described the trail “a road for the pilgrim to enter upon, who would climb to the gates of heaven.” If that gives visions of Himalayan peaks, Emerson’s “serious mountain” stands all of 3,489 feet tall, and the route is actually some kind of hiking path easier than the steep tracks passing through the forested slopes of the Chure-Shivalik Ranges. THE WEEK FILE PHOTO The Main Street of the town, less than half-a-kilometer in length, however, offers astonishing variety for hungry souls. In addition to a world-class café, the street has a Chinese (Chopsticks), a Thai-Japanese (Sushi Thai Garden), a Vietnamese (Saigon Vietnamese), an Indian (Spice Root), and a Mexican (Coyote Flaco) restaurant—all within less than five minutes of walking distance. An Indian family runs the local franchise of Subway who takes genuine delight in preparing a vegetarian sandwich at eight o’clock in the morning, advising ingredients that are appropriate for breakfast (“butter, cheese, beans, sprout”) but may not be very suitable for lunch (“go for cream, cucumber slices, tomatoes and greens”) in the bus. Down south from Williamstown in New Haven, Connecticut, students of Yale University claim that there are more than a hundred restaurants offering bewildering variety (Malaysian, Spanish, French, Greek, Latin, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Cuban, Peruvian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Turkish, among others!), all within two blocks of the Green. Townies claim that the hamburger was invented here and its unique pizzas—called Apizza—are one of the best, if not the best, in the world. On a cloudy April afternoon, the Thali served what can only be called Punjabi Dosa with ladles of butter and weak Kannad Lassi. The Thai Taste, on the other hand, tries its best to live up to the name. Strangest of all is perhaps the experience of dinning at Lalibela, an Ethiopian eatery close to the Greens. Closed minds Ambassador Shyam Sharan made the term ‘land-linked’ fashionable among a section of Nepalis for a while. The neologism, however, merely says that the glass is half full without promising to change its half-empty status. Ethiopia, like Nepal, has remained independent for most of its history. It is a country of peasants, warriors and craftsmen and boasts of a rich culture dating back millenniums. Once again, like Nepal, Ethiopia has huge potentials in agriculture, tourism and water resources. And yet, it has suffered droughts, famines and civil wars. Many explanations for its misery can be forwarded; but its geographical location probably has a lot to do with its woes: Ethiopia is the largest landlocked country in the world. Economic hardships of landlocked countries are apparent. It robs these places of immense resource base called sea: fishing, pearl farming and possibilities of exploring for oil and gas. In addition, there must be some natural reasons for the fact that nine out of 12 countries with the lowest Human Development Index in the world are landlocked ones. It is probably the impact of closed minds that robs countries without access to seaborne trade that makes their people unnecessarily arrogant, complacent, and smug, all at the same time. It makes them courteous and confident, but robs them of their ability to innovate and try out new things in humility and with a willingness to learn. Among cosmopolitan connoisseurs, the Japanese Sushi has lost its allure. The Continental and the French cuisine are considered snooty. The Thai, Korean and Vietnamese food are good for everyday meals. Chinese cuisine was once gourmet; it too has now come down to the level of grub. Despite a lot of tempering, an Indian menu is still an adventure for the palate. The Ethiopian sounds sufficiently exotic to lure new customers, and the service at Lalibela in New Haven is courteous and gracious—signs of imperial heritage—enough to turn them into regular patrons. What sets the eatery apart, at least with respect to vegetarian dishes, is that almost everything tastes almost the same. Apparently, landlocked countries aren’t too great in coming up with fusion cuisine and innovating ways of cooking the same dish in many different ways. With the exception of Newari fare—a legacy of entrepot traditions of the Kathmandu Valley for many centuries—the range of Nepali dishes has remained almost unchanged. After all, apart from a couple of ‘–stans’ in Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan are the only two truly landlocked countries of the largest continent. Laos has the privilege of having access to the sea guaranteed through the Mekong international waterway. The ‘–stans’ have their breads and Keemas. Nepal has Masu-Bhat. Same difference—great grubs, but it can get somewhat repetitive to those exposed to cosmopolitan tastes. Sterile traditions Chauvinistic countries anywhere are not too well known for diversity of their dishes. At Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, a vegetarian may have to make do with bread, cheese and some green leaves tossed in olive oil. In Tokyo, chefs aver that a meal without fish-paste is inconceivable. At the only vegetarian eatery, Eat More Greens, in the vibrant Azabu Juban neighborhood of Tokyo, they serve soya milk instead of regular but no sugar substitute. “You can safely use half-a-teaspoon of brown sugar,” replies a charming attendant helpfully. It’s not the fault of Paris or Tokyo restaurateurs: The reason lies in their sincere belief that nothing can match their superlative preparations. Immigrants bring variety to cuisines. Restaurants in the USA, a country of settlers, go out of their way in catering to the special needs of their customers. In Manhattan area of New York, surprisingly, the most affordable and convenient place for a vegetarian meal is a Mexican fast food chain: the Chipotle Grille. Incredibly, they even ask you if you want the attendant to change his gloves and use a fresh serving spoon to maintain purity. Part of the explanation may lie in the fact that throngs of Indians from Silicon Alley nearby swarm to the place. But there must be a realization among those who have to run a global empire that there are all kinds of people in this world. Isolated places take ages to learn that variety in cuisine adds to the attraction of a place. Despite six decades of tourist trade, Kathmandu is yet to have a decent vegetarian restaurant that serves something more than Punjabi Dosa dripping oil, Dilli Chaat that burns down the throat, and Bihari Samosas that leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouth. Mocking the ‘Samose me Aaloo’ slogan, the late writer-journalist Arvinda N. Das had once pointed out that the line was pure fabrication of New Delhi dream merchants: Samosa did not exist in Bihar. What they had traditionally instead were called Singharas that relied more on beans and onions than potatoes. When cultures clash, dress is perhaps the first to change. After all, it exists outside of the body. The language is the next to adapt to new realities. Tongue is the most resistant of all: It takes quite a while to acquire new tastes. Once the initial hullabaloo over Brazilian chicken and dough mixed in New Delhi was over, Newar youths with pierced earlobes and torn fancy jeans spouting Americanism with faux accent went back to MoMo joints of Kathmandu’s backstreets. Only Buff MoMo is authentic, having the killer combination of salt, sweet, and fat. However, MoMos are MoMos even when filled with vegetables if they put some Aaloos with the filling. For Nepali students in Williamstown and New Haven, MoMos are quintessential Nepali national food. Lal contributes to The Week with his biweekly column Reflections. He is one of the widely read poliitical analysts in Nep http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54465 When you leave behind smoky and sultry Kathmandu and reach the rustic green outskirts of the Valley, your clogged nose and burning throat breathes an immediate sigh of relief. The air is fresh and free of dust. The uphill roads are bordered with tall trees on one side and a magnificent scenic view on the other. Spring seems to have settled at the heart of Pharping, certainly infatuated with its vast fields, clear blue ponds and beautiful monasteries. Until two years ago, there used to be piece of barren land where a farm is situated today. One may wonder what may be so unique about a regular farm at a rural locale like the Shesh Narayan-3 Village of Pharping, named after an ancient Vishnu Temple located in the vicinity. The answer pops up as soon as the visitor’s eyes fall upon two bottle houses situated at the entrance itself.[break] Neeraj Shrestha, the warm and amiable General Manager of A School for Community (ASC), sits down with a glass of tea prepared with the milk from their cowshed, also known as “Kaamdhenu Niwas.” The cool breeze feels heavenly in the scorching afternoon. “We run schools, colleges and training programs for farmers, mothers, adults and dropouts for nominal fees,” he explains. “Regular students are also welcome to our educational institutes.” ASC is a non-profitable organization established under the concept of Community Learning Center, a campaign initiated by the Government of Nepal in 1998 as part of the Literacy and Informal Education Program. It is being run by some highly motivated and selfless locals of Pharping and exemplifies the triumph and transformation that can be achieved by people’s participation at the local level. The farm, operated under ASC, has resources that are utilized to generate income that helps in running the educational institutes. Photos: Chandra Shekhra Karki The major attraction of the farm is the pair of bottle houses which are the first of their kind in Nepal. A bottle house, as Shrestha explains, is “a poor man’s house.” They are cost-efficient as they use simple, local materials. They are made up of bamboos, clay, sand, straw and waste bottles. Built in pure Nepali style, the mud houses are thatched with straws. Wine and whiskey bottles, which have been collected by volunteers from different colleges and organizations, are used as the substitute for bricks. These houses are designed by the American eco architect engineer Bill Hutchins as an example of eco-friendly architecture. Even if there were to be an earthquake, these houses would cause and bear minimal damage. Those hundreds of bottles used to build the houses would have polluted the earth for decades as they take ages to decompose. Out of the two bottle houses, one is used as a training hall for farmers. The other house is used as a resource center and office. Shrestha then points at the plastic bottles filled with a liter of water each, poking their heads through tiny openings on the roof. The people of Pharping call them the “liter of light.” When sunlight falls on them, they reflect the light and illuminate the house. In a country where so many people still live in the traditional type of houses that are relatively darker and colder, this could be a convenient and economical method of lighting and heating. “These bottle houses have no doors and windows at the moment,” Shrestha points out. “We’ve asked the community forest to provide us with wood for that.” ASC is well equipped with a number of volunteers. In addition to the local enthusiasts, there are students from Nepal and India who come to Pharping to volunteer at ASC. There seems to be no lack of spirit and sense of service. What these people require, in reality, is budget. Whatever little donation and prize money they receive is not enough to fulfill their goals. They are working with extremely limited resources. Bank loans too require a lot of documents, and the procedure is quite lengthy and complicated. However, their hearts have not forgotten to dream, and their hands have not ceased to work. ASC operates with a creative approach to development. In a country like Nepal, which is suffering from economic crisis and brain drain, this seems to be an appropriate model of economic independence within the nation. The major mission of ASC is to bring Nepali youth into the world of agriculture and familiarize them with the latest techniques and technology of farming. The motto is to utilize everything and waste nothing. The farm, which is the economic core of ASC, is a lovely place to be at. Everywhere you look around, you see endless stretches of surrounding fields. There are red dots of women working on them under the blazing sun. The farm itself has greenhouses for cash crops like tomatoes, capsicum, brinjals and pumpkins which are a good way of earning. There are tractors that can plough 5,476 sq feet of land in an hour which increase production. In the present-day context when the world is crying out for environment preservation and conservation of natural resources, this place appears as a model of environment-friendliness. Almost everything over here is natural and nature-made. There are the bottle houses to start with. The other eco-friendly projects include a briquette production unit. Waste papers from schools are soaked in half a drum of water and stuffed inside these small machines. The tiny blocks that come out can be used as fuel for cooking. Then there are the solar ovens and the eco san toilet which would produce manures out of human urine and excreta. ASC is driven by the concept of a human made creative chain. “We call it the cycle of self-sustenance,” explains Shrestha. “The manure for the fields comes from the animals. The food for the animals comes from the fields. The human resource at the farm comes from our educational institutes. And the income for the institutes is generated from the farm.” Shrestha, who has a Masters degree in Social Work, has bequeathed his days and nights to ASC along with a group of likeminded social workers. He finishes his tea and comments with a serene smile, “All of us can do a lot by doing our bit. We’re fulfilling our share of social responsibility and will continue to do so.” ASC has long-term future plans like pisciculture, horticulture and beekeeping. This place will soon have hostels, volunteer camps and Wifi. ASC is an excellent paradigm of passion and hard work. It demonstrates the positive changes that the members of a community can bring about with their dedication that is truly inspirational and motivational. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54464 Before the rather abrupt overthrow of monarchy in 2008, the identity of the ‘Himalayan Kingdom’ had come to be inextricably linked with the descendents of Prithivi Narayan Shah, the first King of unified Nepal. For a generation of Nepalis schooled in Mahendramala, brought up singing praises of the all-kind-and-loving royals during assembly every morning, it was hard to image Nepal without their ‘almighty’ king, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself they were made to believe. There is a similar sense of disbelief at the unexpected departure of Manchester United’s long-time coach Sir Alex Ferguson. Like Nepal’s monarchs, Ferguson—who helped the Red Devils to two Champions League and 13 Premiership titles during his 26 years as head coach—was often compared to god for his improbable achievements, and not always favorably. His legions of followers endlessly debated silly questions like: “What is the difference between Alex Ferguson and God?” in internet forums. “Alex Ferguson is real. Sadly,” one poster wryly observed. [break] Again, like the Nepali monarchs, Ferguson could be a divisive figure, reputed for his legendary temper tantrums, none more famous than his ‘boot’ on the face of the most marketable sportsperson on the planet, David Beckham, following the team’s unexpected FA Cup loss to Arsenal in 2003. But unlike the contested legacy of Nepali monarchs, Alex Ferguson’s contribution to the spectacular rise of Manchester United as the famous sports brand in the world is indisputable, acknowledged by the football fraternity and beyond. manchestereveningnews.co.uk The reason Ferguson’s retirement came as such a shock to his fans was because he seemed to be in no mood to bow out even a couple of months ago. Ahead of this year’s Champions League Round of 16 match against Real Madrid, he would write , “… a packed Old Trafford, the floodlights on, the pitch glistening and two of the greatest and most romantic clubs in the game about to do battle.” “People ask me why I don’t retire after so many years in the game, but how could anyone with an ounce of passion for football in their soul voluntarily walk away from the opportunity to be involved in this kind of occasion?” Millions of football fans have been first-hand witness to Ferguson’s immense love for the game and the passion with which he pursued his coaching at Manchester United. Even after 26 years on the job, he restlessly patrolled Old Trafford sidelines, furiously chewing on his trademark gum, barking out orders to his players and jumping up and down at every Manchester goal, his plump cheeks flushing deep red with excitement. When Ferguson announced his retirement earlier this week, it was not just a big surprise for Man U fans. The club’s shares tumbled as investors started speculating about the uncertain road ahead. But having achieved just about everything in his long and illustrious career, it was understandable that the proud Scot would want to exit the stage on a high. And what better occasion to do so than right after sealing his 13th Premier League crown? Football is big business, and the EPL is undoubtedly the most competitive of all big leagues in Europe. In this ultra-competitive business, it is rare for players to stay with the same club for half a decade. Mangers are routinely shown the door if they fail to deliver within months. In this dog-eat-dog world, for someone to have survived the pressure of coaching the most famous football club in the world for 26 years at a stretch is almost inconceivable, as improbable as a fairytale. But even fairytales end. Sooner or later even the invincible Ferguson had to step down. The question now is: Who will step up to fill his larger than life shoes? Everton’s David Moyes is odds on favorite. The mercurial Jose Mourinho as well as Jurgen Klopp, who has almost single-handedly engineered Borussia Dortmund’s route to this year’s Champions League final, are also being spoken as possible replacements. But make no mistake, much like Nepal has been undergoing a painful transition after the overthrow of the established old order, it could take Man U long time to come to terms with Ferguson’s departure. Ferguson was a comeback king, who could inspire his players to overcome incredible odds. One of my most memorable Manchester United moments came at the end of the 1999 Champions League Final at Camp Nou, Barcelona. After trailing for most of the game, the team scored two injury time goals to win 2-1 against the indefatigable Bayern Munich. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 93rd minute tuck-in from Beckham’s corner is still a stuff of Champions League legend. It will feel strange to witness Man U take to the field without Ferguson at the touchline. But the team will have to move on. Nepal is desperately crying out for a statesman to take the country out of the deep mire it now finds itself in. What Nepal is looking for is a Ferguson of its own, someone with a vision to take his team forward. Sadly, leaders like Alex Ferguson are as rare in sports as they are in politics. The writer is the op-ed editor at Republica. biswas.baral@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54463 Believe me, I’m no misandrist. Half of the best people in my life come from the male species. They support me and buoy me up and keep me sane—besides lending a fresh perspective to life that’s unclogged by the feminine ideas surrounding me at all times. But then, there are these quirks that men have that aggravate me to no end. I’m sure we annoy you plenty, too, and I know it’s not fair to lump all the males in one. But I’ve asked around, and my girlfriends and sisters have compiled a formidable list of what all we would like our men to miss. First on, there’s the preconception that all women are feminine (and worse still, should remain so). If you’ve read Harry Potter, you’ll know this one: when Hermione cooks every meal for Harry and Ron, and Ron keeps complaining about each dish, Hermione finally bursts out: “I seem to be doing all the cooking around here. Must be because I am a woman!”[break] Yes, I completely know how she feels. How, just because I’m a female, men immediately assume that I must’ve been versed in the culinary arts since birth, that I must be an expert at washing and cleaning and sewing and knitting and all the other ‘housewifely’ acts because that’s what a girl must be. Right? Well, wrong! While I would certainly like to be the kind of person who dabbles in all of these, the reality is that I was brought up pretty much like all the oblivious men out there. I have the same tastes as you do, I get equally (and even more) tired after a day of work, it’s not as if my job is any less taxing than yours. There are days I feel feminine, and days I don’t; so please allow me that liberty. Some days I’ll put on a little kohl, and other days I’ll look like a zombie, and still other days I’ll be in my ‘just-out-of-bed’ look. At those times, don’t tell me that a woman must pull herself together, must put on some makeup or high heels or whatever, she must be demure, she must be caring, must look after everyone. limejuly.com I beg you, please don’t even harbor those notions (and pardon the cliché) because I don’t want to fail up in your idea of a perfect girl every single time. And never, ever dare say “That’s like a typical girl.” No one wants to be a typical girl. I would also like to protest against the (false, untrue, intimidating) expectation that all women have strong maternal instincts (and anyone who decides otherwise should be derided and ostracized). Also the belief that every woman wants to be, and indeed must be, a mother, or else her life is doomed. That she must somehow be programmed to know all about how to deal with a baby, otherwise she’s less than a woman. I protest, vehemently. And I know a lot, lot of my sisters will, too. Just because I’m a girl, I don’t WANT to have a child, I don’t desire to hug babies as soon as I see them, I don’t revel in their godliness, and I have absolutely no clue what to do with a newborn infant. I would run away screaming, too, so please don’t expect me to be nurturing and loving and extend my goodwill to all the babies in the world. There’s been enough said about the male gaze that strays southwards of our faces (and remains glued there for the rest of the conversation): To be absolutely honest, this didn’t bother me much until the person was an absolute lecher. I mean, sure, I feel uncomfortable, too, if someone pays more attention to my… assets… rather than my intelligence. But I just assumed it was some kind of a subconscious reaction. Scientists always say we have still got the old hunter instincts where we’re constantly searching for the best mate — which, unsurprisingly, happens to be a well-endowed individual. That was until a friend put it on the top of her pet peeves about men, and I saw her reason, too. We’re already burdened by all these aforementioned baggage that weighs us down no end, so we would be much obliged if you settled your eyes on the pretty house behind our backs instead, thank you very much. Also, please don’t equate a smile, a friendly chat, or even the mild flirtation with love. Please! That’ll be highly detrimental to both of us. I have never been able to understand this concept — if I exchange a ‘hello’ with a guy, I don’t go around strutting and bragging about my (imaginary) conquest. So why, just why, must you imagine that I have an interest in you just because I am nice to you? I’ve learnt this the really bitter way. There was once a guy I considered to be a good friend —he was encouraging, appreciative, and we often discussed ideas on writing. That was the era of ‘missed calls’ where we exchanged missed calls to signify we were missing or remembering each other. I remember that I was an aggressive ‘missed caller,’ returning all the calls and giving lots of my own. Until one day I heard that my ‘friend’ had said, “This girl doesn’t let me sleep all night, giving me missed calls all the time.” Well, that was it. I not only stopped every form of “missed calling,” I began to treat every ‘friend’ with suspicion, and haven’t been able to let down my guard since then. See, this is what one wrong word of yours does to the female race. It makes them guarded, and hostile, and wary. And you wonder why women are so. Another mistake men make is underestimating women. Which is really, really aggravating and unbelievably irritating, and you’ll never realize this until it’s been done to you. I’m the first to admit that I’m not clever enough to imagine of a career in rocket science, or even simple everyday physics. But that doesn’t mean that I’m intellectually deficient. Nor my sisters are. So don’t, ever, make the mistake of considering we don’t understand, or don’t need to. The final point – and the one that makes me change my tone into a really serious one – is this: I hate men’s coercion. I dislike being told what to do, and when, and in what manner, because “that is the best way.” Yours might be the most scientific and well-planned strategy, but that doesn’t mean you have to force us to follow it. All of it, then, boils down to just one thing: Don’t you dare judge us. Be our friend, and respect us, but let us be ourselves – and a friendlier woman you’ll nowhere see. Désirée feels exactly as she’s spe http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54462 “Gender is the repeated stylization of the body, a set of repeated acts within a highly rigid regulatory frame that congeal over time to produce the appearance of substance, of a natural sort of being.” – Gender Trouble, Judith Butler I’ve always liked books that challenge preexisting ideas. This book challenges the stereotypical notions of femininity, masculinity and the performance of an individual according to socially defined gender roles. Butler, in this groundbreaking work, says that gender isn’t natural. It’s constructed by repeating the same things. When a powerful authority repeatedly injects certain ideas and concepts into the common people’s minds, it becomes the truth, the knowledge, the norm. This is an example of how repressive power can be.[break] This is the book where she talks about her famous “performative theory of gender.” To substantiate her hypothesis, she gives the example of drag queens. She claims that gender identity is not a manifestation of intrinsic essence but rather an outcome of socially accepted mannerisms and behaviors; in short, performance. She even says that the only difference between us and the actors on stage is that they are aware of the fact that they are performing while we are not. Butler also talks about the issue of sexuality. We have all been socially and psychologically indoctrinated that heterosexuality is natural and all the other sexual forms are deviant. We always follow the mainstream norms. Our actions, speech, outfits, gestures and our whole personality contribute to strictly establishing our masculine or feminine identity. It’s perfectly natural for a person to behave in a way that he or she thinks is right, may it be accepted by the society or not. But it’s not easy to go against socially established conventions. There are chances that you’ll be tagged insane and will be banished from the society. Butler also discusses “cultural intelligibility.” It means that whatever is supposed to be ideal in one culture may not be so idyllic in another. She discusses a community in Bali where gender roles aren’t defined. This further supports the argument that a society, in any case, can function well and efficiently without a fixed set of gender-related norms. Gender is indeed a “troublesome” topic. It’s been creating “trouble” for centuries. There have, after all, been famous drag queens like Rupaul who, despite being trapped in a male body, are doing extremely well in female roles. But in most cases, we tend to overlook our natural instinct and essence. We tend to follow the script called “norm” that society has patterned for us and dutifully perform in accordance with it. About Thapa Thapa is an independent scholar who is currently working on her PhD dissertation. She has chosen to pursue her research on “the post-armed conflict portrayal of gender in Nepali literature.” A wife, a mother and a reader, she believes that women should be crystal clear about what they like and what they don’t. Also, she isn’t very impressed with the act of “passive reading.” She believes that reading should be fruitful. It should occupy the reader’s mind for at least a couple of days. A reader should always be able to question what he or she reads. For that, she says, some philosophical insight is required. The knowledge of cultural context is mandatory as well. A great fan of myths and classics, she admires Suparnakha for being so vocal and outspoken about her desires in a male-dominated society. She also redefines Sita as an ancient foundation for single motherhood. “It’s all a matter of perception, you see,” she smiles. “How you perceive a certain thing creates a world of difference.” Keshab Thoker     A critic and a writer, her works have been published in different national and international journals. Thapa has also started a publication house by the name of Akshar Creations. It has already published five works. “Telling a Tale,” is a series where women from different walks of life have written about themselves. She remembers that the book’s concept had come across as a huge challenge initially. Many women weren’t very willing to speak and it took a lot of convincing on her part. She’s now planning to work on the second part of the same series. But is it always necessary for women to keep talking about themselves? Thapa believes that it’s necessary. “Of course, if women don’t talk about themselves, nobody else will,” she claims. Power/Knowledge by Michel Foucault This is a series of interviews about how power operates and reproduces. The agency of power teaches its ideologies at schools and universities which brings about a generation of followers. Power creates a dominant discourse that shapes knowledge. It’s usually the heterosexual elite males in power who create such discourse which ultimately turn into norms in their favor. In order to challenge those norms, Foucault says that readers have to go beyond the visible and read the silences. Mahabharat by Vyas I’m a great lover of epics. And this is one of the greatest in the world. I’m extremely intrigued by Gandhari’s “blindness” and the power associated with it which is interpreted as her loyalty to her blind husband Dhritarashtra. Similarly, Shrikhandi, who actually changed the course of history, is another interesting character. I often find it upsetting  that Draupadi was silenced. But the most exciting part for me is when Arjun lives as a drag queen, Brahanala, while in guptabas, which is the time when he’s out of power. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie I’m the kind of reader who is into complex reading. I don’t like to finish the book immediately. I like layers and layers of plots and stories. A book should make you feel incomplete the moment you put it down. This is a complicated story in three parts, full of historical symbols and mythical characters. It’s basically a narrative of a Kashmir-based guy who talks about his grandfather. This book also has its fair share of magic realism which is captivating. Urgenko Ghoda by Yug Pathak This is another complex book. It revolves around a female character called Mehendu. This book is written against the backdrop of the Maoist insurgency period. It’s about the search for an identity and the quest for a federal state. Mehendu is a mother who loves and nurtures. But she’s also a guerrilla who rebels and kills. Most importantly, she’s not condemned for performing a “masculine” role. This is also about the burden that men have to bear under patriarchy about being the savior. I like the idea of women fighting their own battles and protecting themselves. Ghanchakkar by Sanjeev Upreti The hero of this book is mentally unfit. And when a mentally challenged human being tells a story, it’s not supposed to be coherent. This book deals with madness. It talks about a person’s madness and a nation’s madness. It’s like a madman’s odyssey through conventional power centers, like universities. This is a peep into the world of the “insane.” It’s about a country’s “khoj” (search) for “naya” (new). As told to Nitya Pande http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54461 A tale of a sovereign nation dictated by foreigners The debates on foreign interference in Nepal’s internal affairs are so deep and intense that there are hardly any sectors left untouched by it in Nepal. However, no one, including the political leaders who keep harping on the issues of patriotism and nationality, has dared speak out in public the kind of interferences and unwarranted foreign interventions Nepal faces from foreign elements. Journalist Saroj Raj Adhikari deserves special appreciation for meticulously analyzing and documenting numerous instances of foreign interventions in Nepali politics and other internal affairs in recent years in his book, “Chakrabyuhama Chandra Surya.”[break] Not only has the book exposed how our country’s political leadership on various occasions is dictated by foreign forces, many of the incidents the book deals with make one to painfully apprehend that the very existence of sovereign Nepal may fall into jeopardy should foreigner forces continue maneuvering all developments that take place in Nepal, and we Nepalis fail to work unitedly against such unwarranted interferences. Adhikari combines the highest standards of his research works with his experience as a journalist covering issues relating to security and politics in Nepal for the past several years. He begins by giving examples of a series of ‘sponsored killings’ of businessmen, politicians, media owner and goes on to describe various issues of security challenges that Nepal faces mainly after the political changes that occurred in Nepal in 2006. While the first two portions that deal with the cases of sponsored murders and issues of security challenges during the transition period set as background to its overall conclusion that Nepal’s national security and sovereignty are under a serious threat, the concluding portion that includes three separate chapters acutely show how Indian security as well as other interests that are at play in Nepal are shaping our national politics and how we have fallen into difficult situation due to our geostrategic location between two giant neighbors—India and China. Although the book is a pure non-fiction evidenced by facts so rare for the public, one gets an impression of reading a racy thriller while reading the 323-page long book published by Sangrila Book, Kathmandu. While the first chapter deals with threats that former crown prince Parash Shah faces from underground criminal elements, eight succeeding chapters deal with the sponsored killings of Mirja Dilsad Beg, Kamal Singh, Majid Manihar, Shaukat Beg, Jamim Shah, Phaijan Ahmed and the murder attempt on Yunus Ansariat in the central jail in Kathmandu. Adhikari has made painstaking efforts in depicting how these seemingly usual cases of murders were linked to critical interests of foreign state and non-state criminal elements and exposing how they pose serious threats to Nepal’s national security and sovereignty. He merits due appreciation for digging deeper into the causes and consequences of each of the murder case and analyzing the interests foreign powers have in Nepal. Of course, the strategic location of Nepal between two emerging economic superpowers, India and China, presents it a great opportunity. But Nepal finds itself trapped over the Tibet issue as western countries, including the US, continue to exert pressure on Nepal to provide ‘safe passage’ to Tibetans who flee their homeland to make their way to India and elsewhere, and China mounts diplomatic pressure to stop giving any such privilege to Tibetans. Besides analyzing how the interests of westerners on Tibet has added security challenges, the book also meticulously examines the maneuvering of external elements in Nepal’s security issues –something very critical against Nepal’s national interests. The book also deals with other critical issues pertaining to Nepal’s national interests, such as citizenship distribution by birth, the President’s move to revoke the decision of the Maoist-led government to sack the then army chief Rookmangud Katawal under the title “Security in Transition Period.” While serving various instances where our political leadership has made blunders, the book stresses on the need to have clear policies and commitments by Nepal on issues related to national security. “We never became subservient to anyone. This is a matter of pride. But we could never become independent, either. We are exercising controlled sovereignty. In practice, we are still in a semi-colonial state.” T he author has thus summed up Nepal’s situation after giving so many instances of foreign interventions, mainly from India, in Nepal’s internal affairs. Though Adhikari accomplishes a lot in the book and makes his message clear with his convincing skills and ability to make connections between a particular event and its consequences, readers at times feel that the author would have done much better had he devoted a little more effort in linking each of the incident mentioned in the book to national politics and how those incidents shaped political courses ahead. Nevertheless, for those who would prefer informed action over foreign interference and other aspects in Nepal, this book by a journalist who has so closely observed Nepal’s politics and security for the past several years is no doubt a blessing. The book is especially valuable for Adhikari’s insights, contacts, and ability to get confidential documents and get concerned officials and analysts to speak honestly in both on- and off-the-record interviews, and his objective analysis of the events. krkoirala@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54460 Cycling is a passion that never eludes those with an adventurous heart. The rides, the roads, the adrenaline rush, and the energy simply transport you to a different world. Love for cycling is a lifelong affair that stays forever. Your legs long to pedal and your heart yearns to cycle once you get the feel of what the whole thing is all about. It’s always good to be well equipped when you are out to cycle. There are a couple of things that ensure better and safer cycling. The Week has listed a few major gears that make cycling an even more worthwhile experience.[break] Spare pump Cyclists travel best when they are independent. But one may always have to face a puncture on the route. A bicycle pump functions via a hand-operated piston. During the upstroke, this piston draws air through a one-way valve into the pump from the outside. During the down-stroke, the piston then displaces the air from the pump into the bicycle tire. Cyclists must carry it along to inflate the tires in case of an emergency. Gloves When you exert your body, it sweats. But sweaty and slippery hands can be a nuisance when cycling off route. Gloves are worn so as to maintain the balance while clutching the handle. Even if a rider falls, hands are most prone to injuries due to impact. Gloves made of durable cloth, and synthetic leather is required for protection. Helmet The foremost reason to use a helmet is safety. Protecting the rider’s head from any injuries during falls is what makes the helmet so necessary. Usually, helmets come in different colors and are made of compressed foam material Multi tools These tools are an assortment of small items like screwdriver, chain cutter, Allen keys and such much. These have to be carried whenever a cyclist is gone off-route biking. If a cycle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, these tools  come handy. Headlight Headlights are a must for every cyclist during the night. Lack of visibility due to darkness can cause accidents. Headlights assure safety, especially when the cyclist is off-route on rougher terrains with lots of twists and turns along the way Water bottle While doing a physical task like cycling, water is the most natural thing that comes to mind. There are high chances of the body getting dehydrated during long and continuous hours of physical exertion. The body can get dehydrated due to perspiration and it’s essential to replenish it with water from time to time when you’re on a bike. The water bottle for a cyclist should be light and easy to carry. Bijay Gajmer       Padded shorts Padded shorts are those special types of shorts made up of lycra material which is light and easy to dry. The specialty of this material is that it absorbs sweat and prevents skin irritation when in contact. These “kattu”-s are mainly for cushion and comfort while riding Reflective bands The most important function of these bands is that they shine. They make the cyclist visible from a distance. They are tied on hands, legs or even bags. Their bright neon lights are a great asset during the dark. They are essential for the rider’s road safety. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54459 Do you feel a nagging pain on your back, or suddenly feel a shooting pain at your lower back, when you bend to get something? Back pain is one of the most common complaints, and though it can affect younger people as well, it is significantly more common among adults who are over 35 years of age. Kamal Raj Thapa, physician at Kathmandu’s Bir Hospital, says that the main cause that triggers backache is due to poor posture. At the same time, obesity and old age are also the main contributing factors.[break] “If you work in a position where you’re bending a lot or carrying heavy things, then you may sense some lower back pain. Those people who are overweight have the tendency to have backache because heavy weight can put extra pressure on the spine and that causes the pain,” says Thapa. Overweight people are at greater risks for muscle strains and back and joint pains as well than those who have a healthy weight. Overweight people tend to put off from working out as they may experience fatigue. But this indirectly leads to back pain due to inactivity. The most common causes of back pain reported are due to strained muscles and ligaments and also by lifting something very heavy that puts pressure on your body or muscle spasm. wellbeingmagazine.co.uk Thapa explains that one of the other reasons of backache is due to nerve compression which can cause temporary or a long-lasting problem. It is basically caused by pressure on a nerve which can be the result of repetitive motions or holding your body in one position for a very long time. Individuals with sleep disorders are also more likely to experience back pain. Other than that, people suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis may suffer from cases of back pain. Backache is also prevalent in cases of scoliosis that is a condition in which the spine abnormally bends to the side, either to the right or left. Acute back pain can occur suddenly and persist for a few months. But chronic back pains can last for a longer period of time and can cause long-term problems as well. Though proper medication is prescribed by doctors for treatment of mild or severe backaches, opting for a healthy lifestyle can also bring significant changes. Thapa suggests that the immediate treatment for normal backaches is firstly maintaining correct posture, healthy lifestyle and working out to maintain a healthy weight. Apart from that, physiotherapy, which includes flexibility and strength exercises, can also help a lot to address back pain. From an inactive lifestyle to strenuous physical work, there are couples of risk factors that can trigger back pain. Some of the factors linked to the higher risks of developing low back pain are smoking, a stressful job that strains you mentally, sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, and depression, strenuous physical exercises, or working out in an improper way, and pregnant women are also more likely to suffer from backaches. Some ways to lower the risk of developing back pain is to address some of the risk factors which are: • Body weight. Obesity is one of the core reasons of back pain. So it is very important for people to maintain a healthy weight. • Posture when standing. It is very important to have a neutral pelvic position. It is also important to maintain a correct posture while walking. Stand upright, head facing forward, back straight, and balance your weight evenly on both feet by keeping your legs straight. • Correct posture when sitting. This applies especially for those who have long hours of desk job. Your seat should have a good back support. When sitting, try to keep your knees and hips level and keep your feet flat on the floor. If you are using a keyboard, make sure your elbows are at right angles and that your forearms are horizontal. • Shoes. Flat shoes place less of strains on the back, and especially women should be careful when wearing heels since they are more prone to backaches than men. • Driving. Even while driving, it is important to have a proper support for your back. If you are on a long journey, have plenty of breaks and also get out of the car frequently and walk around. • Lifting things. Be careful especially when you are lifting heavy objects. Bending your back initially is unavoidable. When you bend your back, try not to stoop or squat, tighten your stomach muscles so that your pelvis is pulled in. Most important, don’t straighten your legs before lifting; otherwise you will be using your back for most of the work. • Your bed. Choose a mattress that keeps your spine straight and supports the weight of your body. Also, use a pillow accordingly and not one that forces your neck into a steep angle. Note: Even after trying all these tips, and you continue to suffer from backaches or muscle aches, then consult your physician. You might be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body use calcium from your diet. Your physician will run some tests to determine if your Vitamin D levels are low and can prescribe medication that will take care of your problems. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54458 In contrast to other hikes where you need to travel for some hours to get to the destination, the Dhobi Ghat-Chobhar-Nakhu link allows you to enjoy the hiking experience while not getting too far from the city. Getting there You can take a public vehicle from anywhere in the city to reach to the Dhobhi Ghat-Jawlakhel area. At Dhunge Dhara of Dhobi Ghat, the hike will commence. You will need to cross the Ring Road and walk straight, following a trail towards Kirtipur. The apartment complex of Sunrise Towers is the most obvious landmark in case you get confused. Take the trail through those buildings until you reach the suspension bridge.[break] After you cross the bridge, take a left towards the Dakchin Kali Road till you reach Chobhar Gate. From there, you will be required to take a long trail of steps to reach the hilltop where the Adi Nath Temple is situated. You can also visit other interesting places, such as Manjushree Park and Nepal Army training grounds before you reach the Chobhar Gorge. You can also visit the adjacent Jai Binayak Temple on your way downhill. From here, it is a straight walk, approximately 30 minutes. to reach the main road in Nakhu towards the Ekanta Kuna-Ring Road intersection. Hike highlights Though you may be overwhelmed by the long trail of steps leading towards Chobhar hilltop, it is not so harrowing. Once you reach the top, you will find some respite and gratification of leaving the city smog well below you, with glimpses of suburban village life. Chobhar is a very popular place to get away from the busy city streets in no less than half an hour, and it also has a more religious significance. The temple walls of Adi Nath are noteworthy for both Hindu and Buddhist inscriptions. The walls also have a unique collection of domestic utensils and household items such as pots and pans where newly-weds or couples go to hang their chosen utensil to ensure a blissful marital life. It is also said that people hang those utensils as they believe that doing so will ease their life after death. The Chobhar Gorge is also a historical place. According to alegend, it was where Goddess Manjushree had stricken her sword, thereby draining the Kathmandu Valley which was once a lake. It is said to have originated the Bagmati River that flows throughout the Kathmandu Valley. Bijay Gajmer Weather With the hot weather this time of the year, be sure to take enough water to last you for at least 2-3 hours. Bare essentials It is important to  equip oneself with a face mask and sunglasses as the Dhobi Ghat-Nakhu-Ring Road areas are infamous for pollution. The situation has escalated especially in the recent road expansion project. You can carry light snacks though there are small shops scattered throughout the walk. A day bag Water bottle Sunglasses Reasonable walking shoes Sun block Hike level The hike is relatively easy with steady climb on steps up to the Chobhar hilltop, and then the hike will follow a slight incline as you make your way down to Chobhar Gorge and Nakhu. Information courtesy: socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54457 Summer is the perfect season to get outdoors and enjoy. But summer days can also turn exhausting during the season’s peak period when the scorching sun leaves you dehydrated and drained of your energy. Moreover, the prickly heat will also affect your skin, especially in the exposed areas such as face, hands and legs. The pollution graph in city areas also doubles during the dry season, adding to the skin woes. Sweat and pollution during summer is a harmful combination. Apart from that, many health habits are also responsible for increasing skin problems, mainly in the city areas, says Dr Sudip Parajuli, dermatologist at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.[break] “The main risk for the skin during summer is that of infections,” he says. He also reports that patients in his dermatology OPDs have increased in recent years.The Week lists some of the skin problems that are most common amongst the urban population in Nepal. Prevital.Com Acne Dr Parajuli says that acne is the most common problem he attends to. Medically known as Acne Vulgaris, it is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. Mostly teenagers suffer from this type of skin problem. Acne basically occurs due to androgen hormone level in the body. “There is a misconception that acne can be caused due to pollution but it’s basically the change in hormones during puberty,’ says Dr Parajuli. However, there are also indications through various researches that acne can be caused due to genetic reasons. Greasy cosmetics and medications with high level of androgen can also trigger acne in some people. Eczema Eczema is caused due to the inflammation of epidermis. This can be caused to people of any age group. The cause of eczema is unknown but is presumed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Eczema is referred to a broad range of skin conditions, recurring skin rashes being the common one. It symptoms can be redness, swelling of skin, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, bleeding or itching. Excessive usage of detergent products is one the main causes of this problem, according to Dr Parajuli. He adds that people use many chemicals such as dyes and lotions in order to enhance their looks, which is also increasing the problem. Eczema can also be caused due to exposure to excessive pollution, but it is mainly due to unhealthy contact of skin with the chemicals. Dr Parajuli further says that commonly people use more chemical-laden cosmetics during summer, which increases the chances of side-effects. Since people tend to sweat a lot during summer, the combination of such chemicals with the perspiration can be proven lethal. Therefore, Dr Parajuli suggests using fewer cosmetics during summer. Skin infections The most common skin problem during summer is skin infections, according to Dr Parajuli. It is different from eczema but skin infections are also characterized by inflammation of skin. such infections can be caused by various causative agents such as bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infestations, sting and bites. “This type of skin problem is mainly caused by increasing pollution,” says Dr Parajuli. He adds that skin infections can also be the result of poor hygiene conditions. During the dry season, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness and hygiene to avoid such infections. According to him, it is one of the most common problems among his patients at his dermatology OPDs. Sunburn Though, according to Dr Parajuli, light-related disorders are mainly observed during winter due to people’s habit of staying in the sun for long hours during cold days, these can also be observed during summer. He says that during summer people refrain from staying directly in the sun to warm their bodies, so the chances of suffering from light-related disorders are very less during summer. Nonetheless, sunburn can be a major problem during summer if required measures are not taken into consideration. It can be a major skin problem if it is not treated in time. Excessive exposure to summer heat will not only pose many potential skin disorders but will also slow down the body’s natural ability to cool down. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54456 Summertime is just about the perfect season, but it also invites a number of insects to your home. You may want to think twice before you reach for a can of insecticide this year as it is possible to control most insects safely and naturally with products that many of us have in our kitchen. Cockroaches Place bay leaves around infested rooms. Apparently bay leaves smell like dirty socks to cockroaches and they would rather not be around them. For serious infestations, you may need to resort to insect growth regulators which nip the reproductive cycle in the bud, leading them to produce sterile offspring.[break] Mosquitoes Taking vitamin B-Complex or eating brewer’s yeast daily can keep you free of mosquito bites. Citronella oil is an effective repellent when diluted with vegetable oil and dabbed onto the skin. Mosquitoes also dislike fresh basil, so you can apply this and also scatter leaves around your home to ward them off. Ants Pour a line of cream tartar, red chili powder, paprika or dried peppermint at the places where ants enter the house – they won’t be able to cross it. You can also try washing countertops, cabinets and floors with equal parts of vinegar and water and putting a little paprika at the edges. Cinnamon oil, lavender oil and mint oil can also be helpful in warding off ants. Place sliced cucumbers in the infected area. Ants will leave because the taste is not very appealing to them. Flies To repel flies, hang clusters of cloves in a room, or leave an orange skin out. However, you may invite them back if you don’t keep living areas clean. Sweep up the crumbs properly, vacuum and wash dishes right away and store food in tightly sealed containers. Moths A humane and great smelling alternative to mothballs is to place cedar chips or store sachets of dried lavender or dried rosemary and mint in drawers and closets. Sachets filled with lavender and suspended in your closet or tucked in your drawers are said to protect woolens. They will also leave a pleasant scent behind. Lavender will not, however, kill moth eggs or larvae, so be sure the space is free of them first. Spiders If you must evict them, trap them in an inverted jar and release them outside. Then you can rub lemon peel around door frames – inside and out. Apparently spiders aren’t too fond of this and won’t enter your house. You can also try mixing one part coconut oil with two parts white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it around common spider entry points. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54455 From a story of a teacher who inspires his students to seize the day to the account of a mute pianist’s daughter, The Week brings to you these critically commended movies to enjoy during your weekend. Dead Poets Society Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set in the conservative and aristocratic Welton Academy in Vermont in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry.[break] Painfully shy, Todd Anderson has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His roommate, Neil, although exceedingly bright and popular, is very much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Each, in his own way, does this, and is changed for life. Awakenings This is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks’ 1973 memoir “Awakenings.” It tells the true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks. A new doctor finds himself with a ward full of catatonic patients. He is disturbed by them and the fact that they have been catatonic for decades with no hope of any cure. When he finds a possible chemical cure, he gets permission to try it on one of them. When the first patient awakes, he is now an adult, having gone into a catatonic state in his early teens. The film then delights in the new awareness of the patients and then on the reactions of their relatives to the changes in the newly awakened. The Piano The Piano is a 1993 drama film about a mute pianist and her daughter, set during the mid-19th century in a rainy, muddy frontier backwater on the west coast of New Zealand. Ada is a mute who has a young daughter, Flora. In an arranged marriage, she leaves her native Scotland accompanied by her daughter and her beloved piano. She suffers torment and loss when Stewart sells her piano to a neighbor, George. Ada learns from George that she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons, but only with certain other conditions attached. At first, Ada despises George but slowly their relationship is transformed and this propels them into a dire situation. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54122 Hema Chaudhary, 55, the mother of a Kamlari originally from Kailali District, recently visited the capital city with her granddaughter Simran, a fifth grader, and pleaded for her identity. Years ago Chaudhary had sent her daughter to work in some stranger’s house due to their poverty but she was sent back home when she got pregnant. Now Hema is a grandmother and what preoccupies her mind frequently is the future of her granddaughter -- her identity and security. [break] “I want a family name for my granddaughter and justice as a citizen of this country,” says Chaudhary. “Who will take care of my granddaughter after my death? I don’t want her to be a Kamlari and face the same problems like her mother,” Chaudhary says to each government official she gets a chance to meet. But none of them had convincing answers to address her concerns. She was part of the delegation of Kamlaris who met the country’s top officials, including President Ram Baran Yadav, Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khila Raj Regmi and Home Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire, in the capital this week. Republica File Photo With no satisfactory answers forthcoming from any quarter, Chaudhary returned home on Wednesday with little hope and few expectations. Chaudhary is not alone in facing hardship under the age-old Kamlari (bonded labor) system. There are thousands of others who have been subjected to cruel torture, sexual exploitation and harassment, trafficking and disappearance and even death under suspicious circumstances. Despite orders from the Supreme Court, the serious concern of rights activists and pressure from the international community to abolish this inhumane treatment of poor people, the Kamlari system still haunts the Tharu community. “Forget about finding a solution and ending this system, the government does not even have proper data on Kamlaris currently living under such harsh conditions,” says Fakala Tharu, an advocate and a member of the committee agitating for the abolition of the Kamlari system. “The government does not have any specific mechanism to monitor and regulate the condition of Kamlaris to date.” Since decades back, girls as young as six and seven from the Tharu community have been handed over to so-called higher caste rich landlords to work at their homes by way of paying back loans taken by their parents or grandparents. This not only flouts the basic rights of a human being, it has also deprived these young girls of their right to education. There are more than 5,000 Tharu girls presently working as Kamlaris in various parts of the country, according to advocate Tharu. “Most of them are working in the urban areas and very few parents know much about their children,” he says. “About 12,000 Kamlaris have already been released from different homes and are now living safer lives, but many others still live under their prison-like situation.” In Nepal, there are various acts and regulations against child labor and human trafficking, but their implementation is very weak, according to rights activists. Kamaiya Labor (Prohibition) Act 2002, Children’s Act 1992, Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 2000 and Human Trafficking and Transportation Act 2007 are some of the legislative measures that prohibit child labor and the entire Kamlari system. “But Kamlaris are still under huge pressure of work, with no love or proper care,” says Krishna Chaudhary, a 20-year-old Kamlari who was sent to work at a landlord’s house at the age of six and was released in 2009. “Many rich and cultured families and top-ranking individuals have kept Kamlaris in their homes,” says Krishna, who aspires to become a lawyer and fight for justice for girls who have been living this inhumane life. “Many of these girls are not only forced to live a hard life within the four walls of the landlord’s home with an enormous amount of household chores, they are also sexually abused by the men in the house.” “I was compelled to witness those hell-like days because of my parents’ innocence and poverty, but now it’s time to think seriously about bringing all the girls out of those ‘hellish homes’,” she says. In the past it used to be a matter of pride to send send one’s young daughters to work as Kamlari in landlords’ houses. During the Maghi festival, girls were sold into this virtual slavery despite restrictions from rights activists and action by law enforcement units. Since the introduction of legal provisions to abolish the system, thousands of Kamlaris have been rescued and put in makeshift shelters. But questions still remain about those meted out severe injustice in the form of sexual exploitation and death under suspicious circumstances; they are yet to be provided necessary legal services, says advocate Tharu. Reports say that seven Kamlari girls have been found dead, more than a dozen single mothers are languishing without any support, 27 cases have been registered against sexual exploitation and many more are still out of touch with their families. It is the responsibility of the government to provide justice to the victims and the families of the deceased but the government seems negligent over the issue as these instances involve people from so-called high caste and rich families, according to former lawmaker Sukdaiya Chaudhari. And advocate Tharu says, “We hardly register cases against the accused but even if the accused are proved guilty, they are released through political influence or the power of money.” Interim Election Council Chairman Regmi, during a meeting with the delegation of Kamlaris this week, said that the government was ready to address all the problems that Kamlaris have been facing, according to Tharu. Regmi told the delegation that the government would look into ways to rehabilitate the victims, provide them scholarships and set up a separate fund for the welfare of Kamlari girls. “I will talk to the ministries concerned to resolve the problems after identifying the root causes,” Tharu quoted Regmi as saying. For Hema Chaudhary, such assurances have been a regular affair as various government and political party leaders have time and again ‘guaranteed’ to abolish this system. But such abolition is still a long way off. For now, Hema is fighting for the identity of her granddaughter Simran and many other children who have been deprived of their identity for lack of their fathers’ names. Law enforcement units are ignorant of cases related to Kamlaris Sukdaiya Chaudhary, ex-lawmaker and member of the Agitation Committee for Abolition of the Kamlari System What was the outcome of the recent meeting between the delegation and government officials and political parties? There have been many movements to abolish this Kamlari system, but nothing has happened due to the negligent behavior of government officials and the ignorance of the political parties. Therefore, we once again came to the capital to make a final attempt to solve our problems. If our demands are not met, we will have no option but to wage a nationwide protest. As a former Kamlari myself, I do understand and appreciate the problems of the Kamlaris, who are living a hard life of bonded labor. Though nothing has happened till now, we still believe and hope that the stakeholders would soon address our problems. What were the major demands put forth by the Kamlaris to the President, the Chairman of IEC, ministers and political leaders? Our demands are totally based on justice. We have presented a seven-point demand to the government. We demand strict punishment of Yubaraj Poudel, Shankar Adhikari and Balkrishna Shah - the landlords accused of murdering Kamlaris Srijana Chaudhary and Meghi Chaudhary. The families of the deceased must be provided proper compensation and a high-level committee must be formed to investigate these cases. Initiative must be taken to rescue Kamlaris and those keeping Kamlaris need to be punished. And also, a scholarship fund and training facilities should be augmented, the rescued Kamlaris should be provided different identity cards and a separate provision should be incorporated in the constitution to abolish this system. Do you think these demands will be fulfilled? These are very common demands from our side. It is now the responsibility of the government and other stakeholders to address them. I am quite optimistic. However, it definitely a difficult task as it is highly-placed police officials, political leaders, brokers and rich feudal elements who are keeping  Kamlaris. The government can solve the problem if it handles it with sincerity. What do you think are the major challenges to solving these problems? The government should first find out the exact number of Kamlaris and their actual situation in various parts of the country. No one has factual records on Kamlaris. Law enforcement units are ignorant of cases related to Kamlaris. Strong directives should be issued to local level government authorities. Most importantly, the accused in the murder of different Kamlaris are to be prosecuted without delay. In Kathmandu, Kamlaris are brought in quietly in non-transparent ways so that the police and other government agencies would not suspect their movements. Don’t you think there are weaknesses on the part of the parents of Kamlaris? Yes, I have to accept that fact as well. Some parents do send their daughters to work as Kamlaris for financial gain. But sending these girls to work at strangers’ homes has led to many cases of domestic violence and they have even been trafficked into the flesh trade. We have tried to identify those parents who send their daughters as Kamlaris and have even registered cases against them. Kamaiya - Fact File •    Kamaiya is a traditional system of bonded labor practiced mostly in southern parts of Nepal. The people affected are also called Kamaiya or Kamlari. •    Various forms of forced labor and bondsman systems existed since the 17th century. People without land or work could get loans from landowners allowing them to sustain a minimum livelihood. In exchange for this, they had to live and work on the landowner’s land as quasi slaves. Exorbitant interests were charged, and whole families were forced into slave labor for years and even generations, bonded by indebtedness to the landowner and selling of their labor in lieu of the loans taken. •    Following the eradication of malaria in the Tarai region in the 1950-60s, the large influx of hill migrants marginalized the traditionally landowning Tharu people by occupying their lands. While the Tharus had no records of the land they were cultivating, the settlers registered the land in their names, forcing the Tharus to work as agricultural laborers. The customary practice of obtaining a “helping hand for family business” was gradually replaced by the forced labor system called Kamaiya, which in Tharu parlance is tantamount to hardworking hired farm labor. The Kamaiya system existed in particular in western Nepal and affects especially the Tharu people and Dalits. •    In its modern form, girls and young women are sold by their parents into indentured servitude under contract for periods of one year with richer, higher-caste buyers, generally from outside their villages. In 2006, the Supreme Court of Nepal affirmed that this practice known as Kamlari is illegal. Abolition •    Increasing protests against the Kamaiya system, organized by the “Kamaiya movement”, led to its abolition in 2000. On 17 July that year, the Government of Nepal announced the Kamaiya system  banned, and declared all Kamaiyas freed and their debts cancelled. Although most Kamaiya families were freed, the system has persisted. Many Kamaiyas were evicted by their former landlords and released into poverty without any support. Others received land that was unproductive. •    To alleviate the poverty of the affected people - the main cause of the system - rehabilitation and distribution of land were promised to ex-Kamaiya families. To put action behind the attempts to discuss the land issue with the government, the ex-Kamaiyas started occupying land in Kailali and Bardiya districts in the winter of 2005-06. But a decade after being emancipated, the freed Kamaiyas are forced to live a very difficult life as the government has still not fulfilled its promises of providing proper rehabilitation and a relief package. Source: Agencies/Wikipedia ‘Kamlaris to launch nationwide protest if problems not addressed’ http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54121 As Jaise Dewal Chowk, a municipal ward south of Kathmandu Durbar Square, got crowded on last Wednesday evening, the audiences patiently waited for the Aakash Bhairav of Halchowk – also popularly known as Halchowk Bhairav – and other nine masked gods and goddess, to arrive at the street. As the sound and rhythm of Khi and Jhyali, the traditional Newari musical instruments, resonated across the neighborhood, the audiences’ anticipation built even more until the gods and goddesses rested for a short while on an open space before they started with their performances.[break] Such performances of the masked gods and goddesses, who are brought to Kathmandu Valley from Halchowk, the northeastern town of the Kathmandu Valley, are showcased in different areas during the period of one month. Dipesh Shrestha The main fact of the festival, however, is that it takes place only every 12 years. “The festival is celebrated as it’s believed that it’ll keep natural disasters at bay and will keep the residents of the Kathmandu Valley free and safe,” says Sagar Putuwar, Guthi Naaya (chief of the guild) of the Halchowk Akash Bhairav Guthi. The Halchowk Bhairav festival begins on first day of the Nepali New Year. On the first day, the Guthiyars, the members of the Guthi organization who are from the Putuwar clan of Newar community, visit Nagarjun, the northeast hilltop of Kathmandu Valley, to offer prayers to the Kul Devata, their ancestral deity. “The Guthiyars are supposed to go on the odd numbers of nine, eleven or fifteen. We also take along elaborate offerings like different materials used for the ritual, a traditional light stand and musical instruments,” says Putuwar. After the completion of the rituals at the Nagarjun hilltop, the troupe comes back to Halchowk, where the ‘devgan,’ the ten masked dancers impersonating different gods and goddesses, don their respective attires and initiate the first dance. After that, the costumes and masks are taken to the temporary god’s abode at Tamshipakha, north of Kathmandu Durbar Square area, where they are kept for a month till the festival ends. Regarding the beginning of this festival or its interpretation, Putuwar says that they do not have any record. “It’s said that once a big fire engulfed the main temple, and the inscriptions and historical documents were all destroyed. So it is very hard to interpret the historical significance of the festival,” he says. Cultural scholar Indra Mali, on the other hand, says that the festival of Halchowk Bhairav must have started during the rule of King Gunakamdev in the Lichhavi era. “Many people believe that the festival was started during the rule of Amar Malla, but he had only reestablished the festival which was on the verge of disappearing in his time,” he says. The festival procession has no definite route but follows similar guideposts to those of previous festivals. The itinerary changes at every installment of the festival according to the coordination of the Halchowk Bhairav Guthi and the local clubs and organizations. However, one of their routine performances, apart from the first dance at Halchowk, is at Hanuman Dhoka on the second day of Nepali New Year. Though, the Halchowk Bhairav Guthi prepares for all the performances in addition to costumes and masks, local clubs or groups of local residents take the responsibility to organize the festival in their respective areas. Following tradition, the local traditional musical band of the particular area goes to Tamshipakha. The arrival of the local musical troupe at the temporary god’s abode is taken as an invitation, and along with the musical band of Halchowk Bhairav, the organizers parade in the particular area with the masked gods and goddesses. At the street where the performances take place, a square is drawn on an open area with the traditional red mud. The masked gods and goddesses are seated around the square and the painted area is used as a platform to perform the dances. The masked Devgan dancers impersonate the gods and goddesses such as Chandi, Kumari, Aakash Bhairav, Parbati, Ganga, Mahadev, Aakash Devi, Barahi, Dakshinkali and Mahakali. Though every year during the Indra Jatra festival, the Halchowk Aakash Bhairav, along with Chandi and Kumari, is brought to Kathmandu, the Halchowk Bhairav festival is unique due to the inclusion of other seven gods and goddesses. It is also special for the presence of Aakash Devi. Abhas Rajopadhyay, culture journalist, says that according to a legend, once there was a draught in the area of the Putuwar community. They went to the Nagarjun hilltop and prayed for rain to the Aakash Devi. Appeased by their prayers, Goddesses Aakash Devi struck the sky with an arrow and then it rained. “This relates that worshipping Akash Devi is linked with the agriculture and farming community,” says Rajopadhyay. Till now, it is believed that no one should view the festival from windows, balconies or rooftops as they can be hit by an arrow of Aakash Devi. According to tradition, all the dancers should come from the Putuwar community of Halchowk and should be bachelors. Due to the bachelor criteria, the Guthi calls in for fresh dancers every 12 years. After the selection of ten bachelors, the Guthi prepares them for the festival, training them in the right postures and dance choreography for a month. “The earlier dancers who were part of the devgan are entitled to coach the new ones on the dance moves,” says Putuwar, who was also part of the devgans in the previous festival twelve years ago. But training the new lineup of devgan is only one part of the preparation. The Halchowk Bhairav Guthi starts the preparation one year prior to the commencement of the festival, as they need to take care of new costumes and masks in addition to other different rituals. According to Putuwar, Tej Bahadur Chitrakar has been taking care of the masks. “We need to provide him with raw materials like mud, cloth and other prayer offerings, after which he presents us with the masks,” he says. The preparation of the Halchowk Bhairav Jatra starts one year prior to the festival because the organization also needs to collect funds to manage the festival. “The subsidies provided by the government is not enough, so we need to ask the local communities for donations,” says Putuwar. Apart from the costumes, masks and other ritual essentials, the festival also needs huge funds due to the practice of Pancha Bali, the animal sacrifice that entails ritual killing of five different animals in order to appease the gods. Pancha Bali is a series of compulsory sacrificial offers made during the first performance at Halchowk, then at Hanuman Dhoka, and on the last day of the festival. The animal sacrifices on other days depend on the wishes of the local communities. Though it is an onerous challenge to organize the festival, its religious implications on the residents of Halchowk and Kathmandu still carry a huge significance. People come from different places to offer food and homemade beverages to the deities, believing that worshipping them will free them from problems. Many of the practices during the Halchowk Bhairav Festival are carried out to follow traditions and conserve heritage. The older generations are mainly interested in worshipping while the younger ones seem interested in taking photographs during the festival. But in between the festivity and fun, it is necessary that everyone should understand the significance of the festival series so that the coming generations can also relate to these ancient Newar traditions. Dance sequences at Halchowk Bhairav Jatra Masked dancing is a known ritual to the Kathmandu Valley denizens. The tradition of masked dancers impersonating as various deities (devgan) are witnessed in almost all the major festivities in Kathmandu and many other parts of the country with dense Newar communities. But unlike other masked dances, the Halchowk Bhairav Jatra witnesses a series of dance performances very close to the ancient theatre-style performance. There is a particular sequence of dances with slight changes in hymns and drumbeats for each dance. The live music is provided by Khi and Jhyali, the traditional Newar instruments while a Guthiyar, a board member of Halchowk Bhairav Guthi (guild), sings hymns that resonate from the nearby speakers. At the beginning, all the deities sitting around the stage, painted with traditional red mud, rise from their respective seats and encircle the stage. During all the dance sequences, the masked deities perform in tandem to the drumbeats and hymns. When the speaker resonates with hymns, the dancers pause momentarily and commence as the drumbeats replace the hymns. The dancers are required to follow the same steps at five different points; they repeat the steps at four different sides of the square and end by finishing at the center of the stage. The performance initiates with the duet of Chandi and Kumari. Both goddesses dressed in red attire stand opposite each other as if creating a mirror image of one another. Their dance moves are slow and subtle. The second performance is of Aakash Bhairav. The blue deity with a long sword has very aggressive dance moves. After a subtle sequence by Chandi and Kumari, the moves of Aakash Bhairav stun the audience. After the throbbing performance by Aakash Bhairav, the triumvirate of Mahadev, Parvati and Ganga take the stage. Mahadev and Parvati dressed in white while Ganga in green, the dance of these three deities is soothing. It is surprising that the dance is in stark contrast with Tandav, the popular dance of Mahadev. The dance can be described as rather romantic or calming. Aakash Devi and Barahi take on to the stage for the fourth performance. Akash Devi is dressed in green with a set of bow and arrow in her hands while Barahi has a peculiar mask that resembles the face of a boar dressed in red. The dance sequence of these two deities seems as if Aakash Devi is after Barahi while Barahi is teasing the fierce goddess. In the fifth and final performance, Dashinkali and Mahakali take to the stage. Dashinkali dressed in red and Mahakali dressed in blue, each of the deity carries a knife and they perform a duet. Their dance are medium paced and involves more hand and leg movements than other dances. After all the dances are completed, the deities go back to their respective seats. The dancers impersonating different deities should be commended for their efforts, as they need to dance in synchronization while bearing the weight of their heavy masks and costumes. And even though many of the performances at different places have already been taken place, you can still view the festival on following dates: May 4 in Tangal; May 5 in Kilagal, and May 11 in Ason. Do watch the performances because the next Akash Bhairav Dance Festival will take place in another 12 years – in 2025/26! Intangible heritage documentation Need of the hour As the devgans sit encircling the stage, a square painted with traditional red mud, people swarm around to get a closer look. They point their camera lenses at different gods and goddesses to capture the Halchowk Akash Bhairav Jatra that is organized once in every 12 years. “But it wasn’t like this in the last festival. Back then, very few people owned cameras and even the Guthi had little idea about documenting the festival,” says Sagar Putuwar, Guthi Naaya (chief) of the Halchowk Akash Bhairav Guthi. Putuwar, who had taken part in the festival as one of the devgans 12 years back, has no photographs of his performance as Kumari during the festival. Before the declaration of Nepal as a federal democratic republic, the documentation of these festivities was supposedly taken care by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Conservation Development Committee. Since the Committee was directly under the Royal Palace then, the documents preserved in it were out of reach. Saraswoti Singh, director of the present committee, says that after the abolishment of monarchy, important documents such as the list of objects in Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum were handed over to the committee but materials like photographs or written documents explaining processes of different festivals were never received by the new committee. “Those documents were not listed anywhere. So we don’t have any documentation of festivals, be it in photographs, videos or written documents,” she says. Documentation of these festivals, especially of those which take place in interval of many years, represents the history of the culture and heritage of the country. Technological advancement has proven to be a great benefit in documenting these heritages. But documentation alone cannot assist in keeping the records; systematic preservation of such missives also poses as a bigger challenge. To address this issue, the Culture Division at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is making efforts to document these heritages. “We’ve been recording all the activities of many festivals in order to create an archive that will act as historical documentation for future generations,” says Jaya Ram Shrestha, Under Secretary at the division. During this year’s Halchowk Aakash Bhairav Jatra, the Ministry has assigned a photographer to capture every activity that is carried out during the festival. The Ministry is also collecting such video and photographic documents from different stakeholders or freelance photographers of other different festivals that took place since the last two years. “Carrying out these festivals is a tedious task. We should appreciate the community for putting efforts to save the culture and heritage on their own. But at the same time, there are many such festivities which no longer take place,” says Shrestha, adding that the initiation of documentation of various festivities is to save them from being extinct. Though the process of documentation and inventory was customary since the founding of the culture division, Shrestha says that the new method of documentation is designed to be more genuine and elaborate. “Now the modality of documenting has changed. Earlier, the Ministry used to document these festivals on the basis of experts’ opinions but this has changed as we are now required to go to the community itself and collect the information,” he says. This new modality is followed as a fulfillment of agreement with UNESCO’s Culture Sector to preserve the intangible heritage of the country. As a state party, the government of Nepal is required to follow the standard modalities set  by UNESCO. “The new modality defies the hierarchical system that was prevalent in the culture sector. Now the government is required to go to the grassroots level and document the activities that are undertaken by the particular community,” he says. Putuwar, as Halchowk Akash Bhairav Guthi Naaya, is also positive about the government’s recent initiation. “The Ministry people themselves contacted us and asked for information. They also photographed and recorded videos of all the activities during the festival,” he says. He adds that these documentations are a good medium to preserve the history of their community and will be very helpful references to coming generations. “Apart from the Ministry’s efforts, we have our own photographer this year,” he adds. As present-day historians derive from ancient heritage and the history of the present-day lineage from different inscriptions, wood carvings and books, videos and photos may also serve the same purpose for future generations. Though many cultures and traditions in Nepal are handed down through oral messages and practices, the presence of these documents will further save the rich heritage from fading away. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54117 Whenever Sandhya Thapa, 23, a Bachelor’s-level student, steps out of her house and makes her way to the main street, she has to struggle through piles of garbage that are strewn along the way. Recently, when she opened the main gate of her home, she was appalled to find a huge pile of waste dumped right outside. This is almost a daily story of how she starts her day with. Sandhya lives in Maiti Devi and her area doesn’t have much open space but with lots of households around. What infuriates her more is that the accumulation of garbage dumped at random corners leaves foul smells. Though her neighbor has been warned several times for the misdemeanor, he turns a deaf ear.[break] “We clean our area and have our waste collected but our neighbor is reluctant to pay the garbage collector,” she says. She has even caught their neighbor throwing garbage near her home several times. “We haven’t been able to do anything about it till now. When there’s no support from people, it’s hard to keep a community clean,” she adds with a sigh. The Week File Photo There are many households in the capital who share similar woes like those of Sandhya’s. With improper waste management system and ignorance, the problem has rather intensified. In highly developed countries, waste is managed scientifically by separating recyclable and non-recyclable wastes right from home so that the waste is reduced and reused. But here, municipality workers are limited to just collecting and transferring waste. Moreover, as opposed to pragmatic practices abroad, the garbage here is left unattended for days, sometimes even leading it to rot. It is also not an uncommon scene to witness people conveniently throwing food wrappers on the streets and through the windows of their sleek vehicles as they pass by. There isn’t a day when you don’t get to see people spitting on the road. Moreover, street vendors, too, are seen on the sidewalks next to piles of garbage, showing how accustomed people have become to see waste being dumped just anywhere. “Many years back, garbage used to be dumped by riverbanks. Now, the waste of Kathmandu Valley is collected by vehicles and is dumped in the Sisdol landfill site of Okharpauwa Village in Nuwakot District. We follow the oldest form of waste treatment which is burial disposing,” says Rabin Man Shrestha, Environment Division Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). KMC has employed its workers in every municipal ward to collect waste thrice a week in the morning by 8 am. “But sometimes there’s problem when people don’t place their waste properly and scatter it and throw it on the main streets,” he says. As per the Solid Waste Management Act 2068, people can be fined from Rs 500 to even Rs 100,000, depending on seriousness of the breach of law. But that hasn’t deterred people from throwing garbage on the street anyway. Sampanna Shrestha, 35, and a banker by profession admits that he throws food wrappers when he is out. The idea of keeping trash in his pockets or a bag until he finds a dustbin doesn’t even cross his mind as he is habituated to toss it anywhere on the street. “There are hardly any dustbins kept on the roads and most of them are left open and are overflowing, so where should I dump the waste?” he questions. Some years back, one could see huge green containers on the streets. But now, a few small dustbins seem to have replaced them. What is further ridiculous is that most of the dustbins in the capital have holes at the bottom from where the waste spill out onto the streets. “I even saw one of the containers stolen and being used by a hospital in the capital. Some were burnt and the spots where containers are placed became filthier due to overflowing waste. Which is why they were removed from the streets. Many shops opposed the idea of putting a dustbin near their area, and with little support from them, we haven’t been able to place dustbins in all areas,” says Shrestha. According to KMC, the same Act also prohibits hospitals from mixing up their waste with household garbage. But there were instances of hazardous and non-hazardous waste from hospitals being dumped together and mixed with city garbage without following proper mechanism. KMC thus announced to defer from collecting hospital waste which poses high risks to public health. While KMC is headstrong on bringing in more refined system to manage waste, there are a few private organizations working in the sector of waste management. One such private organization that has been working since 1998 is The Environment Conservation Incentive Association Nepal (ECI) which collects waste on alternative days from households, restaurants and cold stores. Devi Prasad Ghimire, coordinator at ECI, informs that 65 to 70 percent of the waste of Kathmandu Valley is being collected and managed by the private sector. “Waste has been divided as house waste, industrial waste, business waste and cold stores waste which are all collected and dumped at the Sisdol landfill site,” he explains. The organization has been collecting waste from Budanilkantha and Chapali Village and of ward numbers 16 and 29 of Kathmandu Valley by charging Rs 200 to Rs 300 monthly per household. “We have also proposed the idea of segregating and composting waste to the government so that it can be recycled and reused,” says Ghimire. Recently, the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), a government authority, introduced a campaign to promote and encourage effective waste management technologies to generate energy for household and commercial purposes. According to Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, the Solid Waste Management Act was amended last year but the rules and regulations that come under the Act are still being drafted. “The first priority is to process waste so as to make it reusable and plan for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in support with the community, village development committees and wards,” he says and adds that people should pay waste tax in time and the Metropolitan City should also provide equal support. Dr Sumitra Amatya, Executive Director of Solid Waste Management Technical Support Centre of the Ministry of Urban Development, says that only 10 to 12 percent waste of Kathmandu Valley, like paper and plastic, is being recycled and used for compost. She explains that under the public-private partnership solid waste management program, the process of recycling waste has already been advocated and is in its final stage to be implemented. “Our main plan is to segregate waste and reuse, recycle and reduce maximum waste to lessen the problem of waste management,” she says. While the government authorities are carrying out their respective programs, meanwhile, local efforts have also paid off. Samir Khadka, 24, is a student who has been proactive in involving his neighbors to keep their area at Mandikatar clean. They come together every Saturday morning and to clean their area and everyone is happy with the results of their joint effort. “I’m just tired with people complaining about what Kathmandu has become – filthy with potholed streets and garbage everywhere. Instead of reflecting on how clean and green our city was, people should do something about it. Everything starts from home, so why not support cleaning campaigns themselves?” asks Samir. There are efforts from the government and public sector as well to manage waste. But unless there is equal participation from every individual, it will be hard to keep the city clean. Discipline should come as a second nature and efforts should start from home. Rather than playing the blame game, cleanliness and a garbage-free city is possible only if its citizens are aware and develop cleanliness as a virtue rather than an obligation. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54116 In 1962, when the Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given for discovering the structure of DNA, the BBC started its report with the following words: “In Stockholm today, five men are receiving Noble Prizes, the highest honors that international science has to offer for work that will eventually lead to the healing of sickness, and the preservation of human life.” James Watson, with Francis Crick, discovered the “structure of life” in 1953. Sixty years later, DNA has gone well beyond that realm and become an important tool in understanding and conserving the world’s wildlife and ecologies.[break] Here, 2013 will mark Nepal’s completion of its first genome project, the Nepal Tiger Genome Project (NTGP) conducted in a state-of-the-art laboratory in Kathmandu. “We collected a lot more shit than planned,” Dibesh Karmacharya, who developed NTGP and is the International Director of Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal (CMDN), said lightheartedly of the project that identifies tigers and its habitat based on the DNA information retrieved from tiger feces. After 216 days of collecting 1,200 samples of scat (the term used for feces of carnivores) from four national parks by multiple teams, the two-year project funded by USAID-Nepal comes to a close in June. But the crucial chapter of genetic study of wildlife in Nepal is only beginning. Photo Courtesy: Kashish Das Shresth “USAID set up the NTGP as a two-year project to build capacity in Nepal to do cutting-edge genetic research to inform wildlife conservation,” Bronwyn Llewellyn, Environment Officer, USAID Nepal, explained. “We considered this important because Nepal has a long history of traditional conservation and is ready to bring their efforts to the next level through advanced technology such as genetics.” Nepal Tiger Genome Project Nepal is by no means the first country to use DNA to study wildlife. India began its first DNA-based enumerations of tigers in 2007, and the San Diego Zoo Global Genome 10K Project is aiming to “assemble a genetic zoo” with a “collection of DNA sequences of 100,000 species” by 2015. Nepal, however, does not allow any biological samples to be taken out of the country. And this is what makes the current genetics studies in Nepal groundbreaking: simply the fact that these studies can finally be done here in Nepal itself, at the CMDN, established in 2007 as a non-profit-making non-government organization. In their 2011 preliminary study of snow leopards for WWF, CMDN worked to identify species and gender based on samples originally collected in late 2000s by WWF’s field biologists for a dietary survey. With the Tiger Genome Project, initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, and funded by USAID Nepal, CMDN is able to add the final crucial element: fingerprinting of the species identified; in this case, creating a unique ID for individual species that have been identified as a male or female [Royal Bengal] tiger. “We’re only creating a database of 700 samples, which is what the resources of the project allows us to do,” Dibesh explains. The DNA extraction takes three days, species identification then takes about a week, gender identification takes about three to four days, and finally another three days for “fingerprinting” the sample, i.e., creating a unique ID of that particular tiger. The team is currently establishing 10 DNA markers on each sample. Through NTGP, CMDN has also developed a customized software in which each sample’s details are carefully cataloged, accessible instantly by scanning a barcode. Indeed, the NTGP offers a long-term capacity for Nepal even after the project ends. The DNA Sequencer, which the USAID-funded project of little over $268,000 helped pay for, enables this local service provider to do what could not be done in Nepal before. That is to say, a technology brought in for tigers will serve many in the days to come, and already is. CMDN is also now working with several international researchers, mostly university researchers, who are not able to take their samples out of Nepal. “We’re extremely proud of what CMDN has accomplished in this timeframe. By setting up a lab with this capability, USAID has opened the door for more research as well,” Bronwyn added. “Other donors and projects are now coming to CMDN to work on everything from Rhinos to Snow Leopards. Nepal is becoming known as a leader in the region on genetics research, and we are confident that this ability is going to continue to grow.” Stanford University’s study Last week, at an environment-reporting workshop organized by the USAID-funded Hariyo Ban program, Secretary for the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation spoke about Nepal’s potential as an international research site. [Disclosure: the writer was moderating the workshop] The current emphasis on studying climate change and considering Nepal’s unique topography and ecology, the country is a hub for global research, the Secretary explained. One such researcher is Professor Elizabeth Hadly of Stanford University and her team. She is currently researching the impact of climate change on the Himalayan Pikas. “We could not have done the work without the collaboration of Dibesh and his team,” Prof. Hadly said over email. Describing her team’s research, Prof Hadly wrote, “Pikas cannot tolerate heat. And the climate in high elevation tropical areas such as Nepal and northern India is changing at a faster rate than other areas of the world. Our team is working on pikas in the Himalaya of Nepal and India for the main reason that they are very speciose there and because the species span a variety of elevations.” What is the genetics connection? “Not only have pikas never been studied genetically in Nepal, we aren´t really sure exactly how many species are present in your country!” she added. Another exciting development is a study by Uma Ramakrishnan, Prof. Hadly’s collaborator in India, and Nishma Dal, Uma´s grad student, who have revealed that “there is at least one species in the Himalayas that has never been identified before.” The CMDN team itself is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. As they wrap up the NTGP, they are already looking at ways in which to add more value to the data they have gathered and documented, namely, by using elements of GIS and Landsat images to get a broader scope of not just the tigers, but the way in which their population and human population has interacted over a certain period of time, and how they might move forward. It is the logical step forward that needs to be taken sooner rather than later. “I am interested in how animals respond to climate change,” Prof. Hadly said of her research. “I work in the past, using fossils I excavate from the last 20,000 years or so, to the present, using extant animals I live-trap in the wild, in order to understand how animals will react to our world of the future.” Nepal is considered to be the 13th most climate-vulnerable country in the world. In a race against a rapidly changing climate, heightened domestic deforestation and forest encroachments, illegal mining, and a bustling illicit wildlife parts trade, there has never been a more crucial time for Nepal to prepare for its world of the future. Additional references: 01: Nepal Tiger Genome Project: NTGP.org.np 02: Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal: CMDN.org.np 03: Stanford University’s Hadly Lab: http://www.stanford.edu/group/hadlylab/ Next week, the second part of this report will look into how DNA research is already helping Nepal’s conservation efforts, law enforcement agencies, and the potential this field holds for the country and international research. ~ kashish@350nepal.or http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54115 According to the Buddha, the Middle Way is a life lived between the extremes of self-denial and self-indulgence. Sabine Lehmann, the German lady living in Nepal for more than two decades, is an ardent believer of this principle. A successful hotelier with a beautiful theater in tow, she seems to have stricken a perfect balance between her passion and profession. Lehmann gets candid about art, nature, modernity and her latest play “The God of Carnage,” by Yasmine Reza, with The Week.[break] How would you describe yourself? I am an entrepreneur, an actor, a director and a playwright. Hotel Vajra is one of the oldest hotels in Nepal. But its identity is not just limited to that. We have a theater here by the name of Naga Theater. Studio 7 is the production unit that usually performs here. The hotel provides a strong financial background for the theater to run. It also helps in terms and food, space and props. Vajra is my profession. On the other hand, Naga Theater helps me express and emote. It gives artists a platform to start out, grow and develop. Now that is my passion. I also let orphanages use it at times and I don’t charge them anything. I believe everybody should have the right to express. Bhaswor Ojha How did you come to Nepal? It was a long, long journey. I was born in Berlin. And I always had a strong desire to see the world. I was also very interested in theater. I even went to theater schools back then. While in Berlin, I met an American theater group. They took me with them to America. That is where I learnt to build ships. The same American theater group started a project round the world. So I got a chance to travel far and wide. I have traveled half the world on a sail ship. I have crossed the Atlantic into the Red Sea. I have also covered The Indian Ocean. And it was during this travel spree that I landed up in Nepal. The theater group had a project here as well. So what was Nepal like when you first came here? There was so much space. There were cauliflowers, carrots and cabbages all over the place. There were fields and temples and pati pauwas where people could take shelter for a night free of cost. No house was built higher than a temple. There were trees and chautaris which provided fresh breath of air. When I first came here, Hotel Vajra was just starting to be built. A talented American architect had been working on this venture. It was being built according to the traditional Nepali structure with aankhijhyaals and carvings from Patan. However, there was one difference. It was being built in an earthquake-proof manner. So the locals were quite suspicious. They looked on skeptically at that unnaturally deep foundation and those big strong pillars and wondered what on earth was happening. You have traveled so much. How do you feel about it? I think traveling is one of the best teachers in the world. It gives you experiences like nothing else can. When you travel a lot, you understand the world better and that helps you get closer to the human soul. Having traveled all over the world and lived in Nepal for so long, in what ways do you find this country different from the others? Keeping a balance between the traditional and the modern is a tricky affair. In Nepal, spiritual experiences are still alive and breathing. The Machhindranath and other jaatras, cultural fests and festivals are good examples. So materialism has not completely taken over. However, I still miss that clean, green Kathmandu which is slowly being swallowed up by the emerging concrete jungle. Nepal is so rich in nature and culture. So why not create a market of national goods? And why smell a perfume when you have such beautiful flowers? Every country has its good times and bad times. But the only thing that bothers me about Nepal is that the rest of the world is pushing in. And if this continues, the old and original Nepal will become nostalgia, a mere memory. What does theater mean to you? Theater, for me, is life. Each time it is new in its relation to the audience. Anything can happen anytime. Everything may go right or everything may go wrong. There are different types of audience. There is generous audience and there is reserved audience. I love being on stage and being a part of this give-and-take relationship. It is a thrilling world to belong with. What is the theater scene like in Nepal at present? I believe it needs more financial backing. We have really talented theater people in Nepal. A lot of hard work and rehearsals go into a stage production before it is brought out onto the stage. And I want to salute the contemporary theaters like Gurukul, Mandala and Sarwanam for their work. I find them commendable and laud worthy. You believe you have stricken a perfect balance between your passion and profession? I deeply believe in following what Buddhism teaches us. You should be able to find a middle way between spirituality and materialism. You should learn to find equilibrium between your body and soul. You cannot afford to lose either of those two. You have to find a mid point. This is exactly what I am doing. In the world of modernity and industrialization, crowded with cement and concrete, a leaf, a flower or a bird become a rare sight. I have done all I can to preserve nature out here. I grow my own vegetables. I keep things green and simple. I run a hotel successfully and I do need the money at the end of the day. But I also take it at parallel with art, aestheticism and expression. So I find myself somewhere between the two extremes. You are directing a new play. What is that about? I love acting as well as directing. And I am having a great time working with all these talented actors. The play is called “The God of Carnage.” It is written by Yasmin Reza, a French-Iranian playwright. It is about modern life and modern people. It is about the egocentric arrogance of the modern world. It is about the horror story that takes place when people lose touch with their souls and commoditize themselves while riding the swelling tide of consumerism. The play is a sort of a warning bell. In the day of industries and apartments, human relationships are on the verge of distortion and destruction. You hear of bomb blasts and killing sprees all the time. So the play shouts and pleads for humanity to be restored. This is a play for intellectuals and for those who understand and care. What are your plans for the future? I just want to keep working with my theater and hotel. But I am getting old now. And if my health permits, I would like to get into movies. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54114 If dreams were winds, you could say that hers have shifted. When Renuka Sharma was a little girl, her ambitions and aspirations were like the weather: it came in bouts. Sometimes she wanted to become a teacher, sometimes a businesswoman and at other times someone really famous, irrespective of what career path she chose. However, at 39 today, Renuka is a housewife and has no regrets.[break] “I haven’t given up on my dreams. It’s just taken a temporary hiatus. Someday when my children go off to college, I’ll turn my dreams into reality,” says Renuka with a beaming smile, adding that she is already quite famous – among her daughter’s circle. “They think I’m the coolest mom.” Every household needs a caretaker, and women are generally better than men at handling those often mundane tasks; which is why women, broadly speaking, often seem to be the ones to give up on their dreams, at least temporarily. Also, when you’re in a marriage where both are working professionals and then there comes along a child, someone has to give up something in order to bring up the child properly. One parent takes the primary responsibility, and that almost always is the mother. Archana Rimal at her beauty parlor at Jawalakhel. Archana Rimal, 45, a housewife/beautician, also feels that this is very true in case of women who can’t juggle multiple tasks at the same time. It is a well established fact that women are brilliant at multitasking but there are always a few exceptions. For some women, handling personal and professional life at the same time comes with a lot of stress and emotional upheaval. And also for these women, no amount of professional success could console them if their family suffered because of them. “I chose to stay home after I got married because I wanted to give my family all my time and attention,” says Archana who has been married for 25 years. Then she had children, a son and a daughter, and being a mother became her fulltime job. But when her kids started going to school, Archana found herself being bored at home. She took courses in grooming and hairstyling and opened her own parlor at home. It has been ten years and she opens shop after her daughter, who is now a BDS student, goes off to college and closes before dusk so that she can attend to her family. For most women, some of whom end up being housewives by circumstances and some who opt for the lifestyle, something seems to be amiss when their children grow up and have lives of their own. Maybe it is the feeling of having too much time on their hands. Many such women choose to take up some work to keep themselves occupied and make some money at the same time. For Sharada Shrestha, 55, a seamstress, the story is pretty much the same. She got married when she was 19 and gave birth to three children that sealed her fate as a housewife. It was only years later when her children started going to school that she thought she should do something to keep herself busy as well as make some money to support her family. “I took a tailoring course since I was always good at sewing and stitching,” she says. Sharada then leased a small store and set up shop. Initially, it was just some friends and relatives who gave her work to encourage her in her endeavor. Then, slowly business picked up and she felt she was finally being noticed. Some years back, her husband also joined her and now they run their business together from a jointly owned store at Kumaripati. But all this isn’t as rosy as it sounds. Taking care of the family and running a business side by side has taken its toll on Sharada who admits that she’s exhausted by the end of the day. But she sheepishly admits that she wouldn’t have it any other way, either. Archana echoes Sharada’s sentiments. Though work has doubled, Archana too simply loves being a homemaker and also running her own beauty parlor from the comfort of her home. She wouldn’t give up on either one and makes sure neither ends up being compromised for the sake of the other. But if there is an even tiny family emergency, then she doesn’t hesitate a moment before shutting the shutters to her shop and focusing entirely on the issue at hand. Sharada. too, gets to work according to her schedule at home. One of the conveniences of running your own business is that you are in control of your routine and can prioritize accordingly. These ladies have always made home and family their topmost priorities, and running their own business rather than taking up a job ensures them the freedom to do so. Being a housewife is definitely not an easy task, say the homemakers. It is a fulltime job requiring you to be on your toes every single waking hour of the day. From being up before the break of dawn to make sure everything is in order before the rest of the family begins their day to retiring late at night, consumed with thoughts of tasks for the next day, these women definitely don’t have a minute’s respite. Add to that the fact that you have your own business to take care of, and there is hardly a minute to relax and unwind. “Still, when you tell people that you are a housewife, you’re taken as someone who just stays at home and rests. Even if you’re running your own business, they think nothing of it,” says Archana, adding that though running the beauty parlor comes second to taking care of her family, she likes to be able to take care of her own expenses and even give her children their allowances from her earnings instead of being completely dependent on her husband. Sharada Shrestha at work in her store at Kumaripati. Managing a home and a business simultaneously can be a rollercoaster ride, as it comes with a fair share of highs and lows. For Archana and Sharada, juggling home and work is a daily battle. “I have to manage everything at home before heading to work. Sometimes, the transition isn’t easy and pending work at home continues to plague my mind and I can’t concentrate at work,” says Archana. “If I wake up a minute later than usual, then the daily routine of my entire family suffers. Everything goes haywire,” adds Sharada, reinforcing Archana’s statement about how their lives continue to revolve around their family. This mindset will perhaps never change as after years of being “housewives,” they are pretty much still so at heart. But slowly women like them are changing the very notion and redefining the meaning of “housewives.” Maybe it is time to forget everything we have heard about stay-at-home moms. A new generation is starting their own businesses, and working from home and making “being a housewife” and “being a feminist” no longer mutually exclusive ideas. cillakhatry@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54113 With more and more operating systems gracing computer screens these days, people are not entirely limited to the workspace of a Windows system. People now have the luxury of choosing their own operating systems (OS) from a plethora of them. The most commonly used operating system, apart from commercial Windows or Macs, are the free for use Linux distributions. Since Linux is an open-source system, people are not restricted but encouraged to share, distribute and edit their operating systems to their liking. This means that Linux is free. Now even Google has come up with their own operating system titled the Chrome OS that works entirely on the cloud.[break] So many options! But how to go about installing and experimenting with them all? Many people would be forced to dual-boot with virtually partitioning their hard drives into two and installing a separate OS on each of them. But this usually causes many drive space and hardware issues. People want to experiment with all of these operating systems but installing a separate OS is not as simple as installing an application on Windows. Installing an OS can be quite tiresome and complicated, but today we talk about a system that lets you create a world within a world, like a portal to an alternate OS. Computer Virtualization is a simple process to do yet complex to understand. A virtual machine is a piece of software that emulates another computer so that there is a computer running within your computer. This piece of software reacts to you like a fresh piece of computer that is ready to accept any kind of OS you wish to apply on to it. If you want to experience Ubuntu, a distribution of the Linux system, then there is no need for you to go about formatting your hard drive and making a separate partition on to your drive. All this can be done within a screen of the OS that you are currently running. You will need a copy of the installation DVD or CD of your OS of choice, and you will need a software that enables you to create this virtual system. There are many software out there that help you create a virtual system. Two of the most common would be VirtualBox and VMWare. VirtualBox is free and basic whereas VMWare is paid and feature-rich. But for a normal home virtualization, VirtualBox would easily suffice. Your virtual machine will be running within your host OS and will be able to access any files that your host OS can access. After you have both, the operating system DVD or ISO and the virtual computing software ready, you will need to follow a few simple steps. Both VirtualBox and VMWare will present you with a window that has a ‘New’ button on the toolbar. Clicking this button will take you to a wizard that will help you create a new virtual machine. It will ask you how much of your total CPU and RAM power you want to make available for your virtual computer and will ask you to create a file to act as a hard drive for the virtual machine. Here, it will ask you for the size of the file, and if you want to create it as a fixed drive or dynamic. The fixed option will take up the set amount immediately and reserve it for your guest OS whereas the dynamic option will create a file that will increase in size as you go on filling it up. It will never exceed the amount you have specified, though. After that, all you need to do is select the drive with the installation DVD in it and the software will boot it up. After this, all you need to do is to follow the setup wizard of your operating system, and your guest OS should be ready for you. Installing a Mac on your Windows or Linux PC is also possible in this manner. But doing so would be illegal and complex. If you have, however, purchased a Mac disk from Apple, installing it on VirtualBox or VMWare would be possible, and a quick search on Google on how to perform it would yield great results. After you have your guest OS running smoothly within your virtual system window, make sure to install Guest Addons that both of these software provide. This option will install drivers, much like the drivers people install after a fresh install of Windows, on to your guest OS so that it will properly recognize the hardware that the software mimics. After that is done, give your guest OS access to all of your drives by finding your way to the Shared Folders tab within the properties of the Guest OS. Here you have the ability to add the drives you want to make available for use on the Guest OS. After this, you should be good to go. Virtualization not only opens doors for users to experiment with different OSs but also provides application developers to develop applications for different operating systems. The Guest OS will be limited in functionality because of it accessing your computer hardware on the secondhand basis but it should work well. Get your virtual system up and running and experience multiple operating systems within the one that you’re working with. The writer is The Week’s much loved techguru. Email us your tech queries at theweek@myrepublica.com and we’ll have him answer them for you. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54112 On the eve of the Nepali New Year 2070, I was in Bhaktapur with friends. We had planned to hang out around the old city for a few hours to celebrate the new year. Some in our group hadn’t realized that Bisket Jatra would be in full swing. As we walked towards Bhaktapur Durbar Square, we found the streets teeming with people. The first thing we did was have juju dhau. The moment the lady at the shop handed us a pot filled with the locally made yogurt, all of us swooped in. As we dug our spoons into the pot in quick succession to gobble up more than the others, the yogurt was finished in a few seconds. From there, we walked a few paces and turned to a shop that was selling locally made ice cream. The lady and her husband at the shop were too busy dealing with customers. Enjoying the ice cream in our hands, we walked past numerous vendors who were selling beads, souvenirs, local dishes and the shops that lined the street. All seemed to be doing brisk business.[break] Then we entered the temple complex. There were people everywhere: young, old, men, women, locals, tourists and foreigners. There was a group of old men sitting in a circle on the brick-laid floor and chanting hymns from a very old book. There were young people playing traditional musical instruments and running about carrying deities on palanquins. And there were revelers who cheered them from the distance. Some of those hyper-excited people where tipsy, no doubt, under the influence of locally made liquor called ‘aila.’ But in that supercharged festive fervor you didn’t need anything to make you feel intoxicated. Bhaswor Ojha I never knew that celebrations of the Nepali New Year took on such a boisterous proportion. The Kathmandu Valley has rich traditions of public festivals, all of which have the potential to become a carnival that could draw millions of tourists from around the world. Like the Tomato Festival of Spain and Brazil’s Rio Carnival that started in the first quarter of the 18th century as a grassroots event with people throwing water on each other. We need to think what turned an event that started out as our own Holi/Fagu festival into something synonymous to the word carnival and has no match in any part of the world in terms of its size. We could say that we don’t want to change our age-old customs and preserve the purity of purpose. Now that is definitely a noble thought, except that if we look at the trend, the public festivals of the Valley are losing their charm among the public, particularly, the young generation. During this year’s Ghode Jatra, the festival of horsemanship, a visitor squatting on the pavement told a reporter from this paper that she and her family might never come again to watch the festival because it has no proper seating arrangement for the public. A street vendor blamed the sharp drop in the number of visitors for his lackluster business this year. In another instance, the man at the center of Bisket Jatra celebrations said that he agreed to take the role, which involves piercing one’s tongue with a 13-inch metal skewer and carrying a heavy torch through the streets of Bode, because nobody else would do so and that he didn’t want the age-old tradition to die just like that. Likewise, grievances were heard from the artists who construct the chariots of Rato and Seto Machhindranaths that they don’t get paid enough for their hard labor, one of the reasons, they said, why younger generation did not like to engage in the work. If you can’t attract new artisans who have newer perspectives, and engage only those who toil just because they have no other choice, you are bound to see a decline in the quality of work. It is not that the people in the past devoted themselves to make these festivals successful solely out of their feeling for community service. Along with piety, there was a deeply ingrained belief that doing things for deities would herald bliss and good fortune in one’s life. So there was this sense of getting something in return. If the generation of today sees that return in terms of money, then this has to be seen as a fair expectation. It is up to the juju dhau and ice cream sellers, the local authority and the government, who are reaping the benefits from such festivals, to find ways to compensate these artists and youths for their hard work. They have to think of ways to attract more tourists, for example, by reinventing the attractions at such festivals, improving the quality of goods and services, building public conveniences and parking spaces, etc. As the festivals grow, so would the income of the business community and that of the government as well. A community’s or a nation’s identity is best reflected through its culture. It is unlikely that some traditions of the Kathmandu Valley that have survived for centuries would become extinct in the coming few years. And we may have to confront the question of whether or not to let them evolve and survive in newer forms or let them rot sooner than later. The writer is a copy editor at Republica. amendrapokharel@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54111 Mimi Alford’s confessional book isn’t as much of a potboiler as one would expect, considering that it’s the story of a 19-year-old girl’s affair with President John Kennedy. But it’s striking in its own ways. Though the writing skill is mediocre at best, the content is explosive, to say the least. From Mimi’s recounting of her moments with the President, it’s clear the President was a nice person who treated the people around him well. He teased and joked with Mimi, was always solicitous, rarely mistreated her, and generally made her feel good. But it’s also obvious that he never had strong feelings for her. After her first meeting with the President in a swimming pool, she’s invited to meet him again, and decides to go. After that meeting, she ruminates: “If I had missed the meeting, the President would have been slightly puzzled, but nothing more.” While Mimi was head over heels in love with the President, Kennedy regards her with, at most, cordial warmth. What then, is the meaning of love? Is the intensity in ordinary love only brought about by our social circumstances where we’re forced to choose one person to be with us? Did Kennedy never have strong feelings for her just because he could have any person he wanted? The possessiveness, the jealousy in our relations – are we conditioned to feel that way because we have no options? Would we all be as casual about love as Kennedy if we could have endless options like him?[break] Mimi recounts how she never resisted the relationship with Kennedy even though he was a married man many years her senior and she knew had no future with him. She was singled out by the President of America, arguably the most handsome and charismatic of them, for attention. And with the President discussing the Cuban Missile Crisis in front of her, she felt special being at the center of what the entire world was talking about. No wonder she was flattered and ready to do anything to stay on in the White House. Mimi gradually fell into a pattern where she was summoned by the President as and when he wanted to see her, and went away whenever he dismissed her. The reason she obeyed every command of his, even though she never got to dictate, or even negotiate, the terms of her relationship, was because she was so dazzled by him. While it’s easy to dismiss the President’s affection as philandering, for Mimi it was the most important experience of her life. She was willing to wait for hours in dingy motels, or hide underneath car seats, just so she could be close to the President. Kennedy’s power was a potent aphrodisiac, and she added to the fact that he was handsome, glamorous, charismatic, and most importantly, the president of USA, and he was a heady mix. people are willing to do many such undignified things for those they love, sometimes even wrong things. This creates a complex dynamic between love and power, with one person holding power over the other. But in real life, it’s not always easy to analyze love in terms of power relations. People may leverage anything from looks to charm to eloquence to hold power over the other person. But the stark difference in power between the President and Mimi makes it easy to spot. Mimi’s story offers us a tool to analyze real life relationships in terms of power differentials. The most striking moment in the book is perhaps Mimi’s first sexual encounter with the President, just four days into her job at the White House: “I had the thought that other women of my generation who were shielded from knowledge about their own bodies must have had: So that’s sex? I didn’t know if it had been good, bad, or indifferent. I did not know if it was meant to be slow or fast. I did not have an opinion about it being “caring” or “meaningful”. I had nothing to compare it to.” This was a woman in the 1960s in America, but it could almost be a woman in Nepal today. We are still just as naïve. Given our lack of experience and lack of communication regarding sex, we have nothing to compare anything to, not even stories from our friends, no narrative to judge it by. Mimi did not resist Kennedy’s advances, not because she did not want to, but because it never occurred to her. And then she describes the moment when she found meaning in sex. “There was a moment when after he knew it was my first time, he became more gentle and solicitous, and I felt close to him.” And then you realize that sex was supposed to make her feel close to the President, but most of the times it didn’t. Mimi’s confession throws up many questions, such as, Is sex supposed to make you feel close to a person? And why did Mimi want to continue the affair when it did not? Mimi had no answers, and spent the rest of her life figuring it out, letting the question eat her up from inside out and destroy her marriage. Her story highlights the fact that we too need to have honest discussions about such issues, else throughout our lives, we too will wander clueless, trying to figure out what the important moments of our lives mean. Mimi’s persona comes across as a regular, normal person. She comes from another era when her priority is not to gain press attention or manipulate the media in any way to favor herself. Her priority is to tell a secret, and so we hear a voice that is at all times honest. Since she has had so much time to digest what happened to her, all her responses come out measured. She has dealt with everything, guilt, deception, and has come out with a portrait of herself that is often unflattering in its quest for total honesty. Mimi’s book is a moving example of how love can change us and make us behave in ways that we never thought possible. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what love can do to a normal human being. The writer is with Republica’s op-ed desk. sewa.bhattarai@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54110 Dukha bhaneko andhyaro, sukha bhaneko ujyalo hunchha bhanchhan. Tara andhyaro ra ujyalo nabhai din bandaina. Ma ti dukhaka dinhaaru sanga kritagya chhu. Ti din mero jiwanma naayeka bhaye ma sangharsha garna sakne thiyina. Meri patni Meera Acharya lai maile bhautik roopma gumaye. Ti dinharuma ma sanga ansubahek aru kehi thiyena. Ma unailai samjhera yadharu lekna thaley. Lekda lekdai kagajma ansu tap tap khasera aksharharu fulthe. Cheena Harayeko Manche, Hari Bamsha Acharya This autobiography is the result of Acharya’s outpouring of feelings led by the tragic incident when he lost his wife. An unexpected tragedy is always powerful. Pessimists who often become victims of depression at times give up and even think of ending their lives but those who are positive, turn their pain and suffering into a powerful force and create something worthy – exactly like “Cheena Harayeko Manchhe.”[break] A multi-talented terrific comedian who could equally make people cry, Acharya needs no introduction as he has established himself as a master in the world of acting, and his personal life has been a journey of both happiness and sadness, just like an ECG graph. It was his impish nature and mischievous childhood that became the main foundation and reason that reached him to heights of his career in acting. He became orphan as a child but had always been strong enough even while growing up, despite the sufferings. But when his acting career, social life and popularity were at their best, the sudden shock of losing his wife brought upon night of tears. He spent his nights on sleeping pills and avoided his work for almost one and a half years. After getting suggestions from his family and friends, he then married Ramila Pathak who had also gone through similar woes like those of Acharya. When the book reaches this point of his life, it is really heartrending. After getting support from Ramila bhauju, the smile on his face has come back. He resumed his works and has again become active in social endeavors. Dipesh Shrestha I was with him from the time he wrote this book and till he got it published. Which is why I have observed that Acharya signifies simplicity, sensitivity, emotions and is an honest person who can work hard. This recollection of Acharya’s life in happiness and sadness is a page turner. It is not only entertaining but is equally inspiring as well. Acharya is an inspiration to many, including me. He is someone who can portray or play a role of any situation and present it in a realistic way, and he is a popular singer as well. Thus, Cheena Harayeko Manchhe is an interesting presentation of his journeys. About Rabindra Sameer By profession, Samir is a physician and a public health specialist, but he equally devotes his time to writing. He has published six collections of short stories which are “Tesro Ankha,” “Post Mortem,” “Bikiran,” “Chandiko ghera,” “Ishwarka Katha,” “Arjun Drishti” and “Anu ra Pahad,” and a collection of travelogue, “great wall ko great anubhuti,” among others. His father was a teacher, so there would always be books at home to read. This is how he started developing a keen interest to read. “I thought that I could also write and I started writing when I was sixteen but wasn’t confident enough to share my writing at first,” he says. Born in Gulmi, he came to Kathmandu in 1989 to pursue his further studies, and in the meantime, his stories started getting published in local papers. Till now, he has more than 700 short stories that have been published in various newspapers and magazines. His pieces continue to come in national and international journals a well. “I prefer the genre of short stories as there are many things that can be expressed with use of few words,” he says. He is currently working on a novel, the main character of which is a person who has depression. “I have been following the main character of the book for fifteen years as it is based on a real character but with a different name. The book touches human psychology and the problems of psychological stage like depression, Alzheimer’s along with the changes he goes through in the context of political and societal changes,” he explains. Writing started off as a hobby but he now writes to share his experiences and to learn the opinions of the readers as well. “Being a physician, my job is to directly interact with people on a daily basis where I get to meet people with various backgrounds and that acts as the main source of my inspiration,” he says. Sumnima by Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala This novel shows the situation of a love affair between two characters, Sumnima and Som Dutta, and has analyzed their sexual psychology. The main message of this book is that though physically two people who are in love maybe apart, they can feel closer in an emotional way. Based on sexual psychology, this book is commendable for its style of writing and the way the story has been told. The book also suggests us to get closer to nature and talks about how present happiness is more important. Besides the central character, the supporting characters of the book also feel realistic and are praiseworthy. Antarmanko Yatra by Jagdish Ghimire. The writer has described the treatment process in a simple but a very heartrending manner. Medicine can prevent death to some extent but that doesn’t make life any easier. The book is presented in such a way that anyone can see, understand and feel the writer’s situation. Though the book is very moving and poignant, there are instances of humor as well. The use of flashbacks and the overall writing style makes the book a must-read. Sharanarthi by Krishna Dharawasi This is a story of those Nepalis who have been forced in different ways to move out from Dajeeling, Meghalaya, Sikkim and then had to start new life in Nepal. All Nepalis can relate to this book, which is why this book was very popular in Nepali community of India as well. This is a poignant story of those people who are looking for their identity. Seto Dharti by Amar Neupane This Madan Puraskar-winning book is one of my favorites. It is a story of how in 1990s a person named Tara is born and was married at the age of seven. She got widowed at the age of nine and it shows the story of her suffering after she lost her husband. The supporting characters of the book also portray emotions in a powerful way and women’s psychology has been explained well in the book. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse The author stayed in India for six months and wrote the book. This is a very inspiring book which has a central theme that you should never follow others just for the sake of it, but should set your own path. When a river flows, it has to pass through stones and similarly people have to pass through a series of tests and struggle in life, but they should always follow their own direction and ideologies. As told to Nistha Rayamajh http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54109 On the ninth floor of a new building opposite the CG Mart in Dilli Bazaar is a serving of America called Brian’s Grill House. The moment you step out of the elevator, you enter a nice, sunny place quirkily decorated and tastefully designed. A spacious terrace is attached to the indoor dining hall. The view from the terrace is absolutely spectacular.[break] Attached to the terrace is a two-sided bar with a collection of liquors from all over the world. The walls are decorated with license plates that symbolize the fifty states of the USA. There is even a painting on a wall that shows the life of Mexico which looks quite similar to those of Nepal. “There are a lot of resemblances between Mexican food and Nepalese food,” says Brian Smith, the manager and chef at the restaurant. “There’s the rice and there are the spices. Personally, I’m a huge fan of spicy food, may it be Nepali or Mexican.” An engineer by training and profession, Brian had always been extremely interested in food. He loved cooking, eating and experimenting. It was this passion that took him to burger joints, cafes, restaurants and bars, working and learning the trades of the business. He remembers coming to Nepal as a tourist but was “blown away” by the country’s beauty and diversity. Photos Courtesy: Brian’s Grill “I decided to settle down here, and last year, Brian’s Grill House came into being,” he informed. As Brian puts it, America is a fusion of many cultures and cuisines. Therefore, this place, too, despite being an all-American food joint, offw ers a wide range of dishes in Asian, Mexican and Italian cuisines. The very first thing that catches one’s eye is the size of the menu. It’s huge but also extremely interesting. The license plates from the walls are found here as well. There’s Uncle Sam who wants you to eat BBQ; there are witty one-liners that ask you to believe in beer, and funny little goats and chicken to announce the food. There are even buffaloes with wings to portray the dish, Buffalo Wings. “Our menu is complex,” offers Brian. “People come here again and again because once isn’t enough to try out everything. Also, our portions are quite generous.” The restaurant believes in serving original, organic and healthy food items sans preservatives and artificial colors. Brian likes to make everything from the scratch. He visits the weekly market at 1905 to get cheese and ingredients for the sauces. “If you’re a foodie, you have to be able to tell one cheese from the other,” insists Brian who also gets some of the cheese from a lady in Pokhara. Since the ingredients are of the best quality and sometimes even imported from abroad, the restaurant is somewhat expensive. Burgers, BBQs and cocktails are the specialties of this place. But Buffalo Wings and nachos are quite popular too. For the Buffalo Wings sauce, the ingredients used are mayonnaise, Greek-style yoghurt, chilly pepper sauce, garlic and onions. In contrast to the spicy wings, this brings about a cool flavor. Nachos are good, too. They taste homey, owing to the toppings of beans, a good reminder of the Nepali bamboo shoot soup paired up with beans and potatoes. The sauce contains onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, Mexican spices and leaf. There’s quite an assortment of burgers at this restaurant. Mt. Everest Burger is possibly the largest burger in Nepal. In addition to being quite rich in itself, it comes on a glacial-size full pound of French Fries. The other popular burger is the Blue Apple Burger. It’s well baked and it comes with crumbled Gorgonzola, crispy bacon, slices of grilled apple and a side of Gorgonzola dip. The food is so large in quantity that an option to order half of it is also available. The bar is the main attraction of the place. Brian is quite particular about his drinks and their correct ratios. There are ten different liquors from the US. There are Vanilla Scotch, Martinis, Margaritas, Cosmos, and mocktails. The drinks are served in 120ml glasses. Desserts, too, are based on cocktails. There is butter scotch ice-cream with real scotch. A restaurant with around twenty staff, Brian’s Grill boasts variety and style. The ambience and the view are plus points, and it’s refreshing to find a restaurant of international standards away from the regular hub of Thamel, Jhamel, Kanti Path, Lazimpat, Uttar Dhoka, and Durbar Marg. The restaurant is worth a visit for the beautiful scenery and unique decoration. Foods come in a wide variety and there’s something for everyone. It’s just started out but it seems to have a lot of scope for the future. Fast facts Opening hours: 12 noon to 10 pm Budget: Rs 1,500–Rs. 3,000 for a meal for two Parking: Complimentary For reservation, call: 01-4422587 http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54108 Nepal is regarded as a major destination for bird watching in the world. Amateur bird watchers, mainly tourists, as well as professional ornithologists, are attracted by the variety of species of birds found in the country. But increasing pollution and dust in the city areas have forced the existing avifauna to migrate elsewhere. The thriving concretes with lesser greenery in the cities have also been a major drawback for the birds. In absence of the natural habitats, it’s only normal for the birds to migrate elsewhere.[break] Birds are known to be helpful beings. They are known to control insects, rodents and weed seeds that slow the growth of plants or are harmful to them. Birds also help in pollination. And apart from these functions, they are also good company to humans. There is definitely no better way to wake up in the morning than by hearing birds chirping. bird-feeder jgenvironmental.co.u So, even though, there is very less bird-friendly habitats left in the city, we can redefine the whole setting keeping birds in regard. There are ways to make your garden as bird-friendly as possible and you can even try these methods in your terrace, balcony or other small spaces. Nest help Birds are known to build their nests on tree branches. But since there are very few trees left in the city, there are equally few places for them to build a home. It is often seen that birds are building their nests in rather dangerous places where their nests can be destroyed through various means. Nest boxes, therefore, can be the perfect solution for our avian friends. These boxes, also known as bird boxes, will be a home for birds to bring up their families in spring and summer and a perfect shelter during winter. Different bird boxes will also attract different species of birds. So when choosing a bird box, think about the types of birds that already come into your garden and the types you would like to attract. You can also provide more natural home to birds by sparing a dead tree or a snag where they can build their home, or it can also be smartly used as anchors for bird boxes. Bird bath Birds absorb much of the water they need from foods. But they will also need open water sources for drinking and bathing. Birds need water not only for drinking but also to cool them in the heat of summer. Decorative bird baths serve the very purpose. But you can also use native gears such as copper utensils, mud basin or steel bowls that can act as a bird bath. But no matter what you use as a bird bath, make sure that it is no deeper than three inches at the deepest spots to prevent drowning. Bird baths will also require cleaning and refilling every day. To ensure added hygiene, make sure that you clean the apparatus with a stiff brush every week. Need those feeders In almost all temples in Nepal, devotees can be seen feeding birds as they hurl nuts and crops to them. But if you try that at home, you may be left with too much to clean up later. In addition, there are chances that the food will be blown away without birds getting to it. So it is important that bird feeders are used to attract them. Bird feeders are also especially useful if you only have a small garden or a balcony as they do not take up much room. You can order a custom-made feeder with multipurpose feeding stations that will also help you feed kitchen scraps and household wastes, or buy a basic feeder which can be filled with different nuts. Mess up a little Apart from feeders, birds find their food through different plants in the garden. However, a bird-friendly landscape is never perfectly manicured and neatly trimmed. A manicured lawn doesn’t provide much in the way of food or habitat for birds than a little messed up one. Leaf litter, longer grass and discarded brush piles are highly attractive to birds because they are rich sources of insects, nesting material and shelter. Dense vegetation with low-maintenance plants, including native wildflowers and grasses, and shrubs and woodland groundcovers, are also helpful to provide shelter to smaller birds; shielding them from hawks, falcons, cats or other predators. Avoid pesticides While tending your garden, it is advisable that you use natural and organic fertilizers that will not harm birds. Pesticides, being harmful chemicals, will also affect birds directly or indirectly. While some pesticides may harm birds directly, others kill or contaminate insects and other creatures on which many birds feed. Whether on your lawn or in other parts of your garden, use chemical pesticides only as a last resort, after all other measures have failed. You will bid farewell to the birds if you use them in excessive amount, and don’t forget that pesticides have the potential to harm humans as well. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54107 Whether you’re living alone or with friends or parents, chances are that your bedroom is where you’ll be spending most of your time. When it comes to designing and decorating a bedroom, it’s important that the room acts as a stylish, functional space where we feel relaxed and content. But that’s not to say all bedroom designs must follow the calm, muted sanctuary route: the room can also be a bold expression of your personality. There are a lot of things, small things, you can do to make your bedroom interesting and slowly create your dream bedroom. You’ll find your bedroom beckoning you to linger longer in the morning and retire earlier at night when you make the space about more than just sleeping. Create a restful paradise in your bedroom with a bit of effort and imagination. The Week gives you a few tips to get you started.[break] Focus on accent pieces Bigger pieces like that desk and the lamps trick your eyes into thinking that a small room is actually bigger. Prints don’t have to be reserved for the bedcovers; they are just as arresting when set on a modern-shaped lampshade. Make the most of the space between a headboard and ceiling with clever room accents. Deck the walls above a curved headboard with square picture frames, or above a square headboard with round frames for dramatic visual contrast. Or follow the curve of a headboard with a staggered arrangement of decorative objects, such as plates or framed artwork. When grouping art objects for display, harness the visual power of odd numbers for the most eye-pleasing results. Suspend artwork a foot or less above the highest point on a headboard to ensure that the two read as a single unit without an awkward sliver of space. Pay attention to your bed A soft pillow and comfy mattress will help make the transition to sleep easy, but bedding that glows with an invitation to snuggle in can be a great décor highlight in the bedroom. Bring a bed into full bloom by using a colorful combination of floral patterns. Just make sure you stick to a single palette for a unified look that’s easy on the eye. The same principle applies to combining striped, floral, and geometric patterns. Make sure each pattern features the same primary hue to make mixing and matching a success. Select cool or neutral hues to create a room that exudes serenity and calm. Look for bright and warm colors to foster a sense of good cheer, energy, and coziness. Also, pile on the pillows and cushions and don’t shy away from mixing patterns even here. Combine large prints with small ones and florals with geometrics. The right furniture pieces You can also use a side table to provide must-have storage. Where symmetry matters, use matching side tables to bookend the bed. However, there’s no rule that says tables must be copies of each other. If space allows, tuck a dresser bedside to provide a large space for nighttime essentials and loads of storage underneath. Or, cozy a writing desk and chair up to the bed. If you’re an avid reader, make sure your bedside table has shelves or drawers to help keep paper piles from stacking up. You can also use a coat stand next to the door or hang a quirky set of hooks behind the door to hang your bags and scarves. Pair a chair or two with a side table to create a cozy reading spot. Or make use of the often-wasted corner between two windows with a desk or dresser. Inject interesting accessories Hanging a graphic quilt is an easy solution to the “big blank wall” issue. You can also opt to print out some of your favorite pictures and create a personal collage that you can hang above your bed or at a neglected corner wall. Make your bedroom interesting with some fabulous yet functional updates. Some favorite accessories, fresh flowers, necklaces, candles and your prettiest cosmetics are all you need to get the look. Just jazz up your dresser with an interesting arrangement of these pieces and watch your bedroom come to life. If you want color without an all-out commitment, inject hits of it with art and accessories that you can change when the mood strikes. A cheery vibrant colored rug will add a burst of pop in a low-key room. For most bedrooms, a four-by-six-foot rug by the bed is ideal. Light it up The most successful lighting scheme is to blanket a room in layers of illumination. Use lamps on both sides of a bed to provide soft task lighting for nighttime reading. The bottom of the shade should fall at eye level when you’re seated. To create space on a bedside table, consider the style of lamp. Swing-arm lamps mounted to the wall behind a bed provide necessary lighting without taking up space on a nightstand. Shed ambient light around the entire room with a floor lamp. Nestled next to seating pieces, floor lamps add both vertical interest and a touch of mystique. You can also consider connecting all fixtures in a bedroom to a dimmer to control light intensity and mood. One of the simplest ways to add a little bit of drama is to drape some string lights over the dresser or mirror. Strings lights will glam up your space with minimal effort http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54106 The mercury is rising and you can feel it as the day progresses. So, how do you cope with the heat this summer? Besides the essentials, like applying tons of sunscreen lotion and putting on a hat while heading out, here are a few tips that will help you keep your cool in the sweltering summer! Cool off with damp sheets and a fan With rising temperatures in summer, it’s necessary to find ways to keep our bodies cool and protected from the heat. Cool down fast by treating the pulse spots of your body. Ice packs, cool compresses or cold water applied to these areas help chill your blood vessels effectively and consequently lower your overall body temperature.[break] Rehydrate Keep in mind that the symptoms of heat-related illnesses are caused not only when you become dehydrated but also when you lose salt through sweating. Heat exhaustion also causes you to lose salt through profuse sweating. So, sports drinks will replenish both water and salt. Also eat salty snacks. Envona.Com Don’t drink beverages with alcohol to rehydrate Such drinks may interfere with your body’s ability to control your temperature. Replace the fluids that your body has lost by drinking water, or other cool beverages (not alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which can work as a dietetic, and exasperate the condition). Drink plenty of liquids, coconut water, butter milk, fruit juices and at least 10 glasses of water daily. Eat the right foods Banana, bitter gourd, grapefruit, watermelon, tomatoes and pineapple are good for summer. Foods that are astringent are good for reducing body heat. Vegetables are cooling, and consuming lots of vegetables and vegetable juices help lower the body temperature considerably. Eat light food and avoid hot, spicy and oily foods. Also opt for foods high in water content, including fruits and salads. Wear light clothes Avoid wearing clothes made of polyester, blended and synthetic fibers. These fabrics don’t allow the skin to breathe as natural fabrics do. Choose loose-fitting cotton and linen clothes that let your body breathe and allow perspiration to evaporate. Also, light colors are generally cooler than dark ones. Open shoes with good support will keep your feet comfortable and cool. Some simple tips to keep you cool this summer l Blend 2/3 cucumbers with their peels and mix the blended cucumber paste with a small quantity of Fuller’s Earth so that you have a watery mixture. Apply this paste to your entire body and allow it to dry completely before rinsing it off with cold water. This is a cooling body pack that will help to cool and nourish your skin. l Apply a paste of Fuller’s Earth and sandalwood powder to the soles of your feet, neck and face. Wash off once the paste dries. This has cooling properties and prevents prickly heat. l Try a few mint or menthol products to cool your skin: slather on lotion with peppermint (avoid your face and eyes), shower with peppermint soap and use a minty foot soak, and powders with mint. Mint refreshes the skin and leaves a nice cooling sensation. l Have a cold water shower once or twice a day or pamper yourself with a short cold water soak. While cold water shower helps to cool down your skin, a cold water soak is very effective in cooling the entire body and bringing down your core temperature. l Remember to wear sunglasses and apply a good sunscreen to protect your skin. Wet face wipes are useful if you need to refresh and cleanse your skin while on the move. And don’t forget to take a bottle of cool filtered water and some fruits while going out. l You can also apply a paste of henna on your hair. This is believed to have a cooling effect and is also considered a good hair conditioner. Another home remedy is to apply cold slices of bottle gourd to the soles of your feet. Bottle gourd is believed to help the body release heat. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54105 The Second Himalayan Outdoor Festival is back with more of adventure sports, music and outdoor activities. The three-day event celebration is being held from May 2 to 5 at the serene ambience of Hattiban in Kirtipur. The festival is the brainchild of a passionate group of longtime climbers, trail runners and mountain bikers.[break] “The main idea behind the event was to promote adventure sports which are slowly picking up here. There are many people into cycling and there are plenty of spots for trail running and cycling. But many people are unaware, so we wanted to promote that as well,” says Yelamber Singh Adhikari, one of the organizers of the festival. At the festival, participants who include professional and amateur outdoor athletes will compete in three main sports: trail running, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Numerous other activities will include dyno competition, slackline competition, ice-axe pull-up, flying fox, zip lines, rappelling, mud run, and auto expo. In addition to adventure sports, the festival will also have live music, screening of adventure films, interactive exhibitions, discussions about pressing environmental issues, demo areas, food stalls, a trade fair and live music. The event is open to all, and the entrance is priced for Rs 200 and Rs 500 and above to compete in the adventure sports. For more information, check their facebook page Himalayan Outdoor Festival II or call 9841470186. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53701 KATHMANDU, April 26: Even though the country made historic progress by ensuring 33 percent women´s participation in the last constituent assembly (CA), the percentage might fall markedly this time if some alternatives are not considered. Experts calculate that the percentage could come down as the proposed proportional representation (PR) electoral system in the upcoming election will account for only 50 percent, whereas it was around 58 percent the last time. [break] The likely reduction of women´s representation has alarmed women activists and advocates of gender equality, and they have been coming together to organize one interaction program after another and to lobby for their cause. However, the intervention has not been fruitful so far as the political parties are yet to commit themselves to 33 percent women´s representation. Speaking at an interaction program in the capital on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner Nilkantha Upreti said only the political parties can ensure 33 percent women´s representation in the election. If they do not take it seriously now, women are not likely to get the earlier level of representation. Republica “We do not have any clear-cut election laws to ensure a certain level of representation for women. It depends on the parties how gender-inclusive they want to be. Women´s representation would be affected as all the marginalized groups have to be allocated a certain quota from the same pool of PR seats to ensure inclusiveness,” Upreti said.  “What we can do to ensure 33 percent women´s representation is give them 17 percent of seats under PR and 22 percent under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) scheme. But I cannot make that happen; the parties have to endorse it,” he added. Upreti further suggested that the parties provide at least one seat for women if they win 3 seats, a minimum of 4 seats if they capture 7, and so on. “Or else, women´s representation is sure to suffer,” he warned. The interaction program titled ´Ensuring women´s participation in the upcoming election´ was organized by Sancharika Samuha. Presenting a paper at the program, Prof. Krishna Khanal said that there should be 163 women candidates out of 491 in the CA in order to ensure 33 percent representation for women. If women are not provided odd numbers while preparing the PR list for the election, which is most likely, their number would decline further. On the other hand, it is quite certain that women´s representation cannot reach 33 percent if less than 45 women are elected through FPTP. “And overall, we can see that women will not make it to 33 percent if we are not ready to try some alternatives,” he said. “So, to retain the achievement of the past regarding women´s representation, we need to try a few things different,” he added. Khanal stated that the political parties can provide reservations for women under FPTP or expand the number of seats under PR, among other ways to ensure women´s 33 percent representation. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Situala informed that out of 300,000 active NC cadres, 50,000 to 52,000 are women. “We are in favor of gender inclusiveness,” he said, though he hesitated to say anything about whether the party will ensure women´s 33 percent representation in the election. Ishwor Pokhrel of CPN-UML claimed that his party would definitely be gender inclusive and that "anyone can take it down in writing as a guarantee". “We have 200,000 active cadres and around 11 percent of them are women," he said. Post Bahadur Bogati of CPN-Maoist said that his party cannot be compared to others and none of the others have been for ´inclusiveness´ as much as the Maoists. “We fought for inclusiveness and equality. We are always for proportional representation,” he said though he also could not give the audience hope of 33 percent representation for women. According to former lawmaker Binda Pandey, women´s representation in the election should have been even more as 55 percent of voters are women. “The census data shows that 2 million youths who could voter are abroad. The result is, 55 percent voters are going to be women,” she said. “It would be better if women are kept in the odd listing while preparing the PR list, and this will also make some difference. Otherwise women´s representation might fall to just around 22 percent.” http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53742 Kautilya in the fourth century BC wrote extensively on the art of statecraft. He called it ‘Arthashastra.’ Chanakya, the name by which Kautilya would be better known in later years, through this treatise, gave the all needed tools to the emperors, kings and oligarchs to justify their cruel acts of savagery and plundering for almost two millenniums. The rulers conveniently used tenets of Arthashastra for revenue collection from their subjects for filling up their coffers, and for paying the costs of their armies and bureaucracy in the name of maintaining order in societies they ruled over. The use of the name ‘Arthashastra’ to write about politics and governance goes on to establish that even in relatively isolated societies in the Gangetic Plains and Indus Valley some twenty five hundred years ago, politics and economics were considered inseparable. ‘Arthashastra,’ the word, is a Sanskrit equivalent of the English word ‘Economics.’[break] In the 21st century, politics has come to be seen as the only legitimate discipline for those aspiring to practice statecraft. Yet, like any other crafts, we cannot forget that politics too is just a tool – a means, and not an end in itself. Barring when an artist uses his/her craft just for self-indulgence, the success of a craft is measured only by its audience attaching ‘value’ to it. Fighting for social equity certainly is one value that people associate with politics. Yet, this value alone can never keep a politician afloat for long. Politics must have strong economic ‘value’ for its supposed beneficiaries. Unfortunately, the lack of economic value of the Nepali brand of politics makes it a mere self-indulgence tool of those practicing it. It is like a child begging to get a preferred gift from his parents. Parents do oblige the begging child just for emotional reasons for sometime but the moment they see their act as unjust to others, they share that gift with other children too. We Nepalis have been like that set of credulous parents being emotionally blackmailed by one child (read politician) after another though only for a short while in each case. And, this is not helping us by any means. Politics defines the relationship between the state and its subjects. Coming to power is an important signpost of success for politicians, and this should never be denied or ridiculed. But getting to ‘Power’ is just a milestone and not the destination itself. If we even cursorily look at the recent history of Nepal, most rulers, and usurpers of power whether through legitimate or illegitimate means, interpreted reaching the throne as an end, forgetting conveniently ‘what for’ they have come/been sent to that pedestal for. Had they used them-being-in-power for economic good of people at any substantial scale, they would not have been thrown out of power so routinely by us. As they say, those who do not learn from history get condemned to repeat it, and so we, both the rulers and the ruled in Nepal, have been repeating history in cycles, never to learn from it. Even today, on the eve of yet another ‘historic’ election, we are obediently enacting the same repetitive history, as if we are destined to do these. People with high-decibel rhetoric are making us believe that in their hands is our bright future and that of our children. Continuing to behave like our forefathers since medieval Nepal, we are either believing in them or are feeling plain lazy not to question them. Just like the rulers of the olden era, these 21st-century ambitious manipulators are taking turns to enthrall us with pomp and pageantry, singing and dancing their way to the throne, forgetting, devoid of ‘content’ and ‘economic value,’ they would get dethroned by us as routinely. So many politicians have come with much fanfare in recent times only to get lost in oblivion in no time. The question is, Who loses in this repetitive bargain? Do the power-grabbers lose? No, they do not lose a thing, as by the time they are thrown out of power by us, they have earned a huge economic and historic value for themselves – much more than they ever deserved. They laugh their way to a peaceful and graceful retirement in the warm security of their kinship and cronies. On the contrary, we the Nepali citizens, lose big time in enacting this repetitive cycle of honoring and dishonoring the incompetence. In every cycle, several generations lose their career prospects – never to reach where they deserved to be. The economy, and therefore the society, too, gets relegated to even more demoralizing lows, making us a laughingstock for the wider world. I saw many of my talented friends losing their way in the ’80s, thanks to the dreams sold by the then smooth talking politicians. They all came to the party, one after another: Lokendra B Chanda, Surya B Thapa, Nagendra P Rijal, Marich M Singh. So did the so-called reformed Panchayat system come to power at the behest of King Birendra. They all had a ball of a time while at the helm. They all got terminated unceremoniously. But analyzing their exploits in hindsight, they all got more than they bargained for. Some of these leaders happily retired, most of them designed new political outfits to suit the new dress code made obligatory by the multi-party democracy in ’90s. Nepal continued to become poorer by the day. Since the ’80s, for reference, South Korea, from being an economic laggard in South East Asia, has come to become a developed country with more than US$30,000 per capita income accomplished in 2010. Came the ’90s, and came democracy with crutches. Came KP Bhattarai, GP Koirala, Sher B Deuba, Manmohan Adhikari, and so on – most with mere words with no economic vision. And if they did have an economic vision (it largely remained invisible, though), they never could roll them out to us for the benefit of us, the citizens. Most lost their relevance fairly quickly. Some found them back partially by repackaging themselves in republican colors. Yet they continued to remain devoid of economic vision and thereby irrelevant in longer term for us, the people. Nepal continued to be relatively poorer by the day during the ’90s while our neighbors China and India gained new economic superpower status. Came the new millennium, came King Gyanendra. His handpicked gang took over Nepal amidst heartbreaking tragic incidents of gigantic proportions. One more time, the benefit of doubt of the Nepali people found a benefactor. One more time, our dreams were squandered. One more time, we, the Nepali people, threw the powerbroker in the garbage bins. Following the same old trend of smooth-Talking-poor-delivering came old-drink-in-new-bottle: GP Koirala, Madhav Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal. And then the bottles-with-untried-drink ones: Prachanda and Babu Ram Bhattarai. Once tried, each one of them was thrown out unceremoniously – many of them disgracefully, by us. While we, the citizens, kept taking sighs of relief with every single ouster, the departed ones continued to plan bouncing back in new attires, hoping the people would soon forget their disastrous performance the last time they were at the throne. Outrageous as it may sound, going even a step further, reflecting the bankruptcy of economic vision of an even higher order, the leaders-in-the-waiting have begun to visit India and China, asking them to do things that are their own prime job description. When will they understand that Nepal is not poor because of some colonial power sucking its life-blood, as was the case of India before Gandhi and Nehru. It is not poor because the imperial powers have split it into their pockets of influence, as was the case of China before Mao Zedong. Nepal is poor because of the intellectual bankruptcy, lack of economic vision and inferiority syndrome of its political leaders. Yes, Nepal needs politics – lots of it. But it needs politics of development. Nepali Politics must find a purpose that is more than just make-me-the-prime-minister plea. Issues like federalism needs to be examined from the spectacle of economic realities and opportunities, failing which those of us advocating it will be the first ones to discard it. Only economics will sustain the provinces, and allow the provinces’ leaders to deliver on their promises. The premise of social equity and ethic pride may bring a politician to power for a while, but it’s only the longer-term economic results that will earn him/her longevity. prashaantsingh@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53741 Women human rights activists have urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure 33 percent representation of women in the new Constituent Assembly (CA). Submitting a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety on Thursday, they also urged top EC officials to address their concerns before the polls. According to women human rights activist Renu Raj Bhandari, they urged EC to ensure at least 33 percent representation of women in the new CA.[break] “Our main concern is to ensure voting rights to the disabled, elderly and conflict-hit women,” said Bhandari, adding, “Even family members of the disabled women do not want them to acquire citizenship for fear that they would claim share in the parental property.” Women human rights activists also expressed concern over the threat issued to women who have been advocating for polls. “We also urged EC officials to address the security concern of such women,” Bhandari maintained. Similarly, they urged top EC officials to announce the poll date stating that the delay in announcement of a date would create uncertainties. In response, Chief Election Commissioner Uprety assured that the constitutional body is committed to add http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53740 Early detection helps improve prevailing condition When Dipankar Shakya was two years old, he would continue playing for hours with the same vehicle toy and preferred spending his time in isolation. He didn’t seem to care if his parents were around or not, and if he was hungry he would sometimes produce a shrill cry but he hardly made any eye contacts. Efforts to get his response would go futile and his family didn’t have much clue about his unusual behavior. It was only later his parents found out that their son had autism. Dipankar is now nine years old. “He would be busy playing the whole day with the same toy and everyone thought that he was very focused and easy to look after,” says Sijan Shakya, Dipanker’s mother who was perplexed by her son’s unusual behavior.[break] “One instance made me realize that something was wrong. When we were out, I directed him to look at a cow on the street but he totally ignored me. Kids normally tend to look at movements, but he didn’t seem to care,” she says. Autism Care Nepal Biraj Shrestha involved in the sensory integration activity at Autism Care Nepal Dipanker started walking late and showed signs of communication disorders, like not responding when called and avoiding eye contacts. When he was taken to a pediatrician, Sijan was informed that her child was the first case of autism that she had diagnosed. “We had earlier taken him to pediatricians who had no clue about autism and I realized that there is very little awareness regarding autism in the country,” she adds. Sijan then took a parent-child training of three months at Action for Autism in Delhi and she is currently working as a special educator at Autism Care Nepal, the only active autism organization in Nepal that works for autistic kids. A research at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found out that one in 88 children in the United States has autism spectrum disorder. But according to Dr Arun Kunwar, child and adolescence psychiatrist at Metro Clinic, Thapathali, there has not been any research conducted about autism rate in Nepal. Dr Kunwar has been handling two to three cases of autism weekly which proves the existing and growing rate of autism in the country. “Even three years back there wasn’t any facility to provide diagnosis for autistic kids but there seems to be some gradual positive changes,” he says. Dr Kunwar explains that there are two ways to communicate through, verbal or non verbal means, but autistic kids have communication problems and may have delay in speech. Though they may be able to speak, they usually utter sounds which may not be produced in meaningful ways. Normal people can comprehend what the other person in a group is saying through eye contacts but an autistic child won’t be able to do that. “They may tend to repeat the same words. There isn’t a proper coordination with their eyes and what they see or hear. So they won’t have consistent eye contacts and won’t be able to reciprocate,” he adds. With the number of autism cases on the rise, there is an urgent need to spread more awareness. According to Praveen Mishra, Secretary at the Ministry of Health & Population, the government will complete building the hospital, located at Manahara in Bhaktapur, for autistic children in the next fiscal year. “We plan to run the hospital in the next five to six months and also advocate more public health programs on autism,” he says. But parents with autistic children say that so far there has been no initiation from the government on providing facilities for such patients. Kalpana Ghimire Baral’s daughter Sylvia Baral had normal growth but she started showing little signs of verbal communication and that, too, very late. Sylvia was admitted to a daycare school but since she was four years old, Kalpana started noticing a delay in her overall growth as compared to other kids. Sylvia didn’t utter words and chose to stay aloof too. “She couldn’t take care of her normal day to day activities and couldn’t grasp things easily as compared to other kids,” says Kalpana. The child psychiatrists and doctors that she was taken to couldn’t diagnose the symptoms and the real cause of her delay in growth. It was only later through self-inspection of her behavior and through a family friend who understood her symptoms that they found out that she had autism. “This was some ten years back. Among all the doctors that we went to, only one psychiatrist had hinted that she could have been suffering from autism,” says Kalpana. The main challenge, she says, was that her daughter wasn’t afraid of heights and she would have to be very careful regarding her safety. With hardly any facilities provided for autistic children in the country, Kalpana’s husband Hem Sagar Baral opened Autism Care Nepal in 2008, a care center for kids with autism, to support autistic kids like their daughter Sylvia who is now thirteen years old. The center so far has trained more than 150 parents on how to take care of autistic children and has provided daycare services for more than 200 kids on various behavior trainings and treatment therapies through art and music. Raj Kaji Prajapati, Program Coordinator at Autism Care Nepal who has been working closely with autistic kids, says that autism is typically thought of as a neuro-developmental disorder or condition which causes an impairment of the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system. Autism spectrum disorders are also known as pervasive development disorders (PDD), characterized by delays in the development of basic functions like socialization and communication. “The real cause of autism hasn’t been identified though some research studies say that there might be some genetic link to it,” says Prajapati. People with autism live with the condition their whole life, and such kids may have a special attachment to a particular work or habit. It basically causes impairment or disturbance in social skills, communicative skills and in their repetitive and restricted behaviors. Every autistic kid has unique traits, and just because they have autism doesn’t mean they have low intellectual ability. “Many people associate autism with mental retardation where intelligence is low as compared to their chronological age. But, though the socialization skills of autistic kids may be lower according to their age, their IQ can be higher,” he states. He says that until a child is eight or nine months old, it will be hard to figure out anything, as many children have delay in growth. But signs of autism can be seen when the child is within eighteen months of age. Prajapati informs that the organization also provides facility of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is an instrument for diagnosing and assessing autism, that is available only at Autism Care Nepal. “Many parents may be irritated with the repeated behavior of their children but it’s important to maintain patience and is advisable to consult pediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists as soon as possible because the faster you can treat autistic children, there are chances of progress in their condition,” he says. Sijan Shakya, Dipanker’s mother and special educator for autistic kids at Autism Care Nepal, has been providing functional assessment classes for parents and children after evaluating the condition of their autistic children. The program is called IEP (individual education plan) which is followed worldwide and may differ country-wise. The teaching process is based on focusing on an individual child, depending on what the child is capable of doing or not. “The main intention is to differentiate the level of the kids and find out their fine motor skills, cognitive skills training and imitation skills. It also included training children on self-help, dressing up, their toilet habits and daily activities,” explains Sijan. She explains that even while bringing up a normal child who doesn’t understand much in his early days, parents tend to communicate with the child. But many parents who have autistic kids don’t talk much to the child and show different behavior, thinking that they won’t respond. “But it’s very important to be vocal with the child even if he’s grown up. For instance, you can say “khana” aloud when you’re serving food to the child, or when you’re going out, you can explain the place to him so that he can slowly understand what’s happening around. In case of blank communication, he’ll have no clue about what’s being said or done,” she says. She also explains that children usually cry if they want something and understand that they will get things if they cry. “So whenever you give something to a child, you can pronounce the word or show him signs or pictures so that he knows what he wants.” Pediatrician Merina Shrestha says that the symptoms of autism may range from mild to severe. Most parents are in denial about autism and unaware about the possibilities of improving the condition through structure teaching and behavior therapy. “Parents should be careful about the activities of their children, how they speak, walk or behave, so that it’s easier to diagnose the condition. If they have any doubts, they shouldn’t wait but should seek immediate medical help,” suggests Shrestha. Parents’ perspectives on raising autistic children When Neelam Chand’s son didn’t start to speak early like the rest of the kids nor showed much signs of interaction, she didn’t have the slightest clue that her child was autistic. “Many of our cousins and friends consoled us saying that some children usually tend to speak late and that it was nothing to worry about and gave example of other kids of the family who didn’t speak early. In that way we were kind of relieved,” says Neelam. Till her son was one year old, she thought that everything was just fine. But when he didn’t utter words until he was three years old, she started to get more anxious. He didn’t respond much and hardly made any eye contacts as well. After that, she took him to a therapist who also told her that some children speak a little late and since he had no hearing problem, everything seemed to be fine. Dikshyant Gautam, 10, busy playing at Autism Care Nepal. Neelam had never heard of autism before nor was she aware that her kid was autistic. After observing her son’s unusual behavior for a prolonged period of time and through some research on the Internet, she was confirmed that her child had autism. Her son, Dikshyant Gautam, is now ten years old and attends the daycare program at Autism Care Nepal. “It was very difficult to interact with him earlier but through behavior therapies and practice, his condition has improved a lot,” she says. Neelam was persistent to learn the right ways to deal with an autistic child. She learnt teaching methods and the ways to handle a child with autism and practiced the same at her home as well. She keeps a close watch on the daily activities of her son in order to keep track of his progress. It was very helpful for Neelam when she started using signs and pictures to communicate with her son. The daily activities was thus monitored and communicated. Neelam explains that when her son is hungry, he says “mam” and usually pronounces the first word of anything that he wants to express. A proper day schedule has been made at home and she has prepared cards with lunch, dinner, snacks and tea written which are used in order to interact with him. “My son is non verbal and it’s amazing how he has learnt the body languages himself by observing his surroundings, and that has made it very easy for us,’ she says. She explains that we have to be careful about how and in what ways we should speak to the child since autistic kids are not the same like other children. If they are kept happy, they can learn easily, and they shouldn’t be irritated because if their mood is off, they won’t learn much. “It’s better if you can have an early diagnosis and can find out about autism because the sooner you can provide therapy and give behavior training, faster the child can improve. Don’t try to limit the child at home but let him explore the outside environment,” she suggests. Sharing similar story to that of Neelam’s, Bidhan Shrestha says that his son wasn’t much active till he was one and a half years old. He also didn’t have eye contacts, like Dikshyant, but belonging to a traditional family, his elders had superstitious beliefs and took him to temples; but as expected, there was no chance of his son showing any progress. Bidhan then took him to a speech therapist and ear specialist but no one actually knew the real cause. He had once participated at a program where a child specialist had come from India. His son Biraj Shrestha was two years old then. “As soon as she saw my son’s activity, she told me that my son was autistic.” “My son didn’t socialize and had repetitive behavior, and when I looked up the Internet, I saw many symptoms of autism to be similar to my son’s,” he says. His wife also took mother and child training at Action for Autism organization in Delhi. He did everything, including expensive tests, but the behavior training which his wife learnt is what helped in improving the condition of his child. “My son is now seven years old and he can dress up on his own, goes to bathroom on his own, does his basic activity himself and expresses when he wants something,” says Biraj. Bidhan has been actively supporting the causes to improve the condition of autistic kids. “If more parents open up and support each other, we can help to develop awareness regarding autism,” he says. Autism affects the way the brain processes information and prevents autistic persons from properly understanding what they see, hear or otherwise sense, leading to challenging behavior sometimes. Signs and symptoms of autism The symptoms may range from mild learning and social disability to severe impairment. But early diagnosis and appropriate training can show significant progress. Like Neelam and Bidhan, if parents are conscious, aware and keep patience in monitoring the daily activities of autistic children, we can begin to see a lot of positive changes.     Aloof in manner     Inappropriate attachment to objects and may keep playing with the same toy for an unexpectedly a long period of time     Doesn’t respond when called and sometimes appears to be deaf     Inappropriate laughing and giggling     Avoids eye contact     Difficulty in interacting and playing with other children     No understanding of fear and real dangers     Lack of pretend play or unusual and repetitive pretend play     Likes sameness in everyday routine and doesn’t enjoy change     Echoes words and phrases     Enjoys spinning and rotating objects for a long period of time     Apparent insensitivity to pain     Unusual behavior or body movement such as flapping of hands or rocking and jumping     Crying tantrums, extreme distress for no apparent reason     No response to normal teaching methods     Extreme restlessness, hyperactivity or extreme passivity     Sometimes doesn’t like to be hugged or touched. nistha.rayamajhi11@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53738 Since the past two years, Acharya seems to have aged more than a decade. The drooping eyelids and wrinkles speak of his survival through his loss and heartache. On a cloudy morning, while spring rain is drizzling sporadically, Hari Bamsha Acharya sits in a café owned by his son, discussing about his autobiography, which is to be launched this Saturday. As he waits for others to arrive, who have been delayed by the unexpected rain, he begins to retell the story of his life. “I was born as a baby,” says Acharya in his peculiar style when he is asked to talk about his childhood. When the laughter dies down, he begins to go back to his memory lane once again.[break] He was basically brought up by his sisters. Among five sisters, three were already married and he remembers the youngest two being with him after their parents died when Acharya was a young boy. “I was a rather mischievous boy. I was very playful and naughty at times. When I look back now, I may have acted so because my sisters were like friends to me and I was a handful for them in absence of our parents’ guidance,” he says. But no matter how naughty he was, he never crossed his limits. “I was aware that I should not fall for bad company or do something that would hurt my family’s reputation. I was always conscious that I should not let down my sisters,” he says. Chandra Shekhar Karki He remembers that people used to find him funny and liked to be around him. “First, I thought that may be they laugh because I was too thin then. But later I realized that it was my humor that attracted them towards me.” And so, at the age of 13, he first took to the stage at a school cultural program and showcased his talent. After his friends and teachers praised him for his performance, he was encouraged to explore more and he decided to perform for larger crowds. “In those times, there used to be ‘Dabu Pyakha’ in almost every block in the Kathmandu Valley. And I decided to take part in those performances as well.” Then in 1976, he went to watch the “Gai Jatra Mahotsav” – the biggest platform for comedians – with the head of state and many high officials attending the program as audience. When he was closely looking at those performances, he realized that he could also perform similar shows. Therefore, the next year, in 1977, he registered his name for the performances. After a series of auditions, he was not only chosen as one of the finest performers but also won a gold medal for his performances the same year. This continued for another three to four years. “It was a big boost for me. I also started to earn some money from different stage shows, and it was also a motivation regarding the poor financial condition of my family,” he says. As Acharya looks back now, he believes that his mischievousness as a kid had also helped him a lot in his career. He has derived many characters from the person he used to be and has drawn inspiration to write scripts. He transferred all his playfulness into something constructive and his success stands as a witness to his efforts. After an accidental performance with Madan Krishna Shrestha in 1980 for a program for the Rastra Bank, the duo, now popularly known as the ‘MaHa’ Duo, gave many excellent stage shows, acted in TV series and a few films. After his partnership with Shrestha, his life has been an open book. “A team of two is always stronger than that of one,” says Acharya, whose team has been regarded as an example of true companionship and compassionate partnership that transcends their performances. The MaHa partnership was successful not only in earning them fame but it also helped them earn their living. “When we first released the audio cassettes of our stage performances, they were such big hits that I was able to build a house from the profits earned,” he says. And just when he was gaining popularity and his career was gradually soaring high, he fell in love. “At that time, Meera lived near my house at Naxal. When I started liking her, I did not pursue her; in fact, I was actually very scared to talk to her. I was at my prime of youth and had the confidence to take anyone. But my knees used to go weak at the sight of this girl. And I realized that it was what people called love,” he says, as his eyes speak of more compassion when he utters the name of the love of his life. At 25, he got married to Meera, who was seven years younger than him. They had two sons, Trilok and Mohit. He recounts his days with Meera as a golden period of his life when he lived in pure bliss. But when she died two years ago, Acharya was left shattered. The untimely demise of his wife left him depressed and lonely. His close friends described the two as very close. Acharya could not bring himself together for a long time. Keshab Thoker Hari Bamsha Acharya with his first wife Meera in 2009.  But he was not the one to give up. As he had translated his mischievousness into something constructive, it was time to do the same with his grief. His family and friends were of great support in bringing him back to what he used to be, says Acharya. “After Meera’s demise, I was unable to carry out my creative works. So I started pouring all my grief on paper and that’s how the book came into being,” he says. The book, entitled ‘Cheena Harayeko Manchhe’ and dedicated to Meera, is the recollections of his life. Acharya says that readers can expect to know all the details of his personal life, career, and of course, the humor in between them. “Moreover, readers will know that I have been a simple human being. I may have earned fame but my life is as ordinary as theirs,” he adds. The book also entails his decision to marry again after Meera’s passing away. “Humans are social beings, after all,” says Acharya as he prepares to explain his decision to marry Ramila eight months ago. “If Ramila hadn’t come to my life, I would’ve have been able to cope with my loneliness. I would’ve been depressed and probably found wrong ways to bring myself out of it. But that doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten Meera,” he clarifies. He has also established Meera Care Centre, a social organization that will work for childhood growth and development in his hometown at Sankhu in Panauti in memory of his wife. He has also decided to donate a part of the money made from the book to help run the organization. Published by FinePrint, his autobiography will be sold in both hardcover and paperback. The hardcover with his autograph on the cover will be sold at Rs 2,000 per copy and all the proceeds from the book will be donated to the organization. Acharya has already donated two ropanis of land for the same organization. Now busy with the preparation of the book launch, which falls exactly on the day that marks the second death anniversary of Meera, he seems to have moved on with his life. But since the past two years, Acharya seems to have aged more than a decade. The drooping eyelids and wrinkles speak of his survival through his loss and heartache. Though his smile has the same old aura that brightens up everyone around him, one can still see the flash of wetness in his eyes when he thinks of Meera. “Ramila is my companion now. She has made my life much easier. But Meera has become like a goddess to me; she’s always with me,” he says. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53737 One of the most promising fashion designers of Nepal, Subexya Bhadel has already proved her niche in a short span of three years. Initially, a student of business and hotel management, Bhadel had always been infatuated with art, design and colors. Also a social worker and a cook, this vivacious lady with a charming smile shares her experiences on life, career and dreams with The Week. How did you get into this field? As a kid, I always wanted to be a doctor. I had never imagined that fashion designing could be a career. But I loved colors and was extremely interested in art. My mother used to design “jamas” for me and my sisters. There used to be a Darjee Dai who would take our measurements and make the clothes. Those memories have always stayed with me. So, after I was done with high school, I decided to pursue the undergraduate course on Fashion Designing under Sikkim Manipal University. I also did internships in two export houses. This opened the doors to the world of colors, sketches and fabrics.[break] Who and what inspires you to design? My family is my greatest support system. They have been with me through thick and thin. Mother Nature has been extremely inspirational, too. I see designs everywhere in nature. It’s so vibrant, so full of colors and patters. I gain my musings from the moon, the sun, the stars, rivers, mountains and leaves. Butterflies fascinate me a lot. They are so delicate and pretty. Other than that, I’m a huge movie buff. I get loads of ideas from cinema. Moreover, there’s the Internet which helps me remain up to date with the latest trends. What’s been your greatest satisfaction and achievement in this field? I was overwhelmed when my gown worn by Nagma Shrestha won the best dress award at the Miss Earth beauty pageant in 2012. This was the first time Nepal had won an award in the best dress category at an international pageant. It was a moment of great pride and joy for me because it was also my first award. What’s the most interesting part about being a fashion designer? It’s an amazing field to be a part of. On one hand, you can fulfill a little girl’s fantasy of looking like a Barbie doll or a princess. And on the other hand, you have the opportunity for name, fame and variety. I’ve designed clothes for Manisha Koirala, Priyanka Karki, Nisha Adhikari, Shristi Shrestha, and Varun Rana. I’ve worked for Samsung, Bajaj, and Dabur. I’ve done over a dozen fashion shows. I’ve even designed for a few movies. It’s all been very interesting. How does it feel to see your work on stage or on screen? No matter how experienced I am, each time I expose my creation, I feel like I’m sitting for an exam. I keep my fingers crossed and pray that everything goes well. It’s so thrilling to see your work out in the open. When you’re a designer, your clothes become your children. You love what you’ve created. But I’m also open to constructive criticism so that I can polish myself and do better. What kind of fabrics do you use and where do you get them? I design all kinds of clothes, from saris and gowns to business suits and uniforms. I get my fabrics from Indra Chowk. From the very early days, it’s been the economic hub of Kathmandu. The fabrics I choose depend on the weather. For summer, I use cotton and linen. With winter comes the trend of wool and blazer. But there are some fabrics like georgette, chiffon and silk which never go out of fashion. Do you have any favorite designers and fashion icons? I’m a huge fan of Prabal Gurung and Stella McCartney. And I closely follow what Sonam Kapoor and Angelina Jolie wear. What were the major challenges when you first started out? It was really difficult. When I started my boutique Cross Road Apparel, I was a novice. I made a lot of mistakes. I couldn’t prepare the clothes in time. I couldn’t manage the budget well. But with time and practice, currently, my boutique is doing very well and all my clients are happy with me. Apart from designing, what else are you interested in? I enjoy cooking. I even wanted to become a chef at some point of time. Also, I love helping people. So, I’ve combined these two interests. We organize an event called Curry without Worry every Tuesday evening. It’s held at Basantapur where we cook and feed people. Apart from that, I’m also associated with Sikshya Nepal, an organization that works for children in remote parts of Nepal. We collect donated books in order to set up libraries in those districts. It was also an amazing experience be a part of an Instant relief program recently. We collected clothes and blankets and distributed them to the needy in the freezing weather of Rautahat. What’s more, this New Year, I visited Gorkha and attended an event organized by Gorkha Multitalented Group. There were thirteen visually impaired children whom I wanted to help. So, I’ve been arranging cassettes and special books that will help them study. I’m also planning to be legally associated with the organization. Keshab Thoker What message would you give to the upcoming designers of Nepal? You are all welcome to this wonderful and colorful world. But do come in with proper training and practice. This field requires a lot of focus and patience. When we were starting out, there were so few designers. But now, many colleges are giving quality education on fashion designing. Crash courses can also help. Never miss your practical classes and do all your assignments because even the smallest details help you in the long run. Our country is affluent in culture. We can derive innovative ideas from our own traditional attires and jewelry. We are all creative people. We must dare to dream and imagine. Any fashion tips? I think Kathmandu is getting a lot more open and fashion conscious. People know what to wear and when to wear them. I would just advise everyone to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, confident and attractive. Just remember, if you look into the mirror and feel good about how you look, that attire works for you. What are your future plans? I still have a long way to go. I want to work at an international level. By the end of this month, I’m launching my own brand. I even plan to start a chain of boutiques. Also, more social work is on the cards. I believe that if you can use what you already have to spread a little more joy, life becomes simply beautiful. younitya@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53736 Why have two of the most functional systems of government—one the oldest republic, another the biggest democracy—in the world failed so miserably in tackling social inequalities? Befitting its status as one of the premier institutions of higher learning, Yale University is housed in a magnificent campus. The university ground is dotted with grand stone buildings, stately trees, manicured lawns, paved walkways and a smooth road network. In addition to ample classrooms, comfortable dormitories, cozy art museums, cavernous conference halls, well-equipped seminar rooms, and some of the best stocked and managed libraries in the world, the Ivy League institution boasts of its own daily newspaper, a multi-media communication complex, a hospital, and its own complementary shuttle bus that connects all such facilities. Little wonder, townies look at Yale with a mixture of admiration and awe. The difference between communities of New Haven and the university campus is stark: Yale is overwhelmingly White while the majority of townies are people of myriad colors, Black being predominant. Even within the opulent campus, employees of color serve a primarily White body of faculty, senior administrators and students. The adoration and detestation of townies for the university is understandable: They can’t survive without it but find it impossible to endure it. Yale, after all, is the largest employer and the biggest taxpayer of the stagnating municipality.[break] vk.com The New Haven Greens—a leveled cemetery with the remains of the buried still below the ground—is often a place of encounter between townies and the islanders of Yale. Across the road beyond the Greens, several fast-food joints, posh apartments, swank shops and exotic restaurants attract the university crowd. Incidents of ‘Apple Picking’ have become so common in this area that the university advises its people to guard their iMacs, iPhones and other smart electronic devices whenever they go out into the town. Controlled by an eponymous corporation with a huge capital base, including endowments of over 19 billion dollars, Yale has reportedly spent more than four billion dollars over last few years in renovating its properties. Meanwhile, the city that houses the university is perpetually in need of funds to upgrade its infrastructure. New Delhi is a world away from New Haven, but Jawaharlal University—though a state-funded institution and relatively dilapidated in comparison to Yale—bears little resemblance to the metropolis where it belongs. The faculty at JNU is fashionably progressive, students take pride in being lefties, but the city is home to the poorest and the richest, the weakest and the most powerful, and the most erudite and the least educated of India. Someone has estimated that over 100,000 families or individuals in New Delhi hold property worth more than 1,000 Crores of Indian Rupees. In New Haven, mugging and homicide are ways of revenge. The middleclass of New Delhi turns its rage upon itself as rape and burglaries multiply with every decimal point increase in the GDP. Why have two of the most functional systems of government—one the oldest republic, another the biggest democracy—in the world failed so miserably in tackling social inequalities? In the replication of the Roman Empire, it is likely that the US Army would be made up of people different from those who would sit in its Senates and Board Rooms. Guards and cleaners of Gurgaon and NOIDA already look, behave and speak differently from the owners of houses who drive around in cars costing more than the entire revenue collection of small towns in the hinterland. The question is easier to pose than offer even a tentative answer. However, it is possible to add a supplementary question: Has it something to do with the way republicanism was—to use the title of a Bruce Springsteen song—“Born in the USA”? If that be the case, then new imaginations of democracy for the twenty-first century have perhaps become necessary. Unequal societies In describing the success of “Democracy in America,” Alexis de Tocqueville concluded in the mid-nineteenth century that inequalities had decreased to such a degree in the American society that flowering of republicanism was inevitable. He proposed building a “new political science” in order to “… purify its mores, to regulate its movements, to substitute little by little the science of affairs for its inexperience, and knowledge of its true instincts for its blind instincts; to adapt its government to time and place; to modify it according to circumstances and men: such is the first duty imposed on those who direct society in our day.” Karl Marx, probably oblivious of Tocqueville’s call, proposed such a “new political science,” but without paying any attention to the finer points of “mores, movements and instincts.” He claimed to have turned the Hegelian Dialectics of “Abstract-Negative-Concrete” into right-side—left-side would perhaps be a better characterization of his endeavor—up in the form of Materialistic Dialecticism: “My dialectic method is not only different from the Hegelian, but is its direct opposite. To Hegel, the life-process of the human brain, i.e. the process of thinking, which, under the name of ‘the Idea’, he even transforms into an independent subject, is the demiurgos of the real world, and the real world is only the external, phenomenal form of ‘the Idea’. With me, on the contrary, the ideal is nothing else than the material world reflected by the human mind, and translated into forms of thought.” The proletarian vanguard would be Tocqueville’s elite “who direct society in our day,” but they didn’t need to be conversant with the vernacular of the life of the mind. The obsession with materialism gave rise to tyrants such as the dynastic regime in North Korea or the aristocrats of China (Four out of the seven Xi Jinping’s colleagues on the Politburo Standing Committee in the People’s Republic of China are reportedly “Princelings”) who claim to hold monopoly over the right to decide what is best for the rest of the population. Max Weber, yet another German philosopher who thought it necessary to interpret the world in order to change it, took up the challenge of Tocqueville—of building a “new political science”—in a different manner. Monopoly of violence for the state and freedom of the capital class to build fortunes was a heady mix. It would conflate the power of the state with the wealth of capitalists and create an invincible corps of elites. Even more than the Soviet nomenklatura, Chinese mandarins perhaps exemplify Weber’s bureaucracy. The Soviet Union disintegrated. North Korea tethers on the brink of collapse and wouldn’t survive if the regime in Beijing withdrew its support. The Chinese, however, look robust. That may be so because it has found its own idiom of governance: nationalistic harmonization and materialistic synchronization under a one-party paternalistic state. These are ‘pure’ regime types. The problem of republics and democracies is that they tend to become hybrid. That’s their strength as well as weakness. Hybrid regimes—monarchic republic in the USA and anarchic democracy in India—give immense freedom to the crafty to prosper while they also provide diversities enough space to survive. That creates stability with dynamism. However, when inequalities cross a certain threshold in terms of spatial and ethnic compositions, ruling regimes have to resort to violence to maintain stability. Violence, unfortunately, begets even more violence, and the downward spiral becomes impossible to check. Egalitarian idioms The faculties of political economy at New England campuses are often multinational. The Chinese excel in subjects that have little to do with Shakespeare, such as pure sciences and advanced mathematics. South Asians are more comfortable with social sciences. Some of them appear to be surprisingly abreast of the political crisis in Nepal. The question thrown at visiting Nepalis is often similar in tone and tenor even though wordings sometimes change: Why has identity suddenly become such an important issue in Nepal despite Marxists, Leninists and Maoists? Once again, there is no easy answer. Probably it has emerged out of the successive failures of different narratives. [King] Mahendra considered nationalism to be more important than democracy. It alienated a majority of population from monarchy. BP Koirala flirted with socialism and paid the price of his beliefs by being expelled from national mainstream for life. [King] Birendra prioritized development. It failed to deliver emancipation. The post-1990 governments lacked all convictions and peddled snake oil in the name of liberalization, privatization and globalization. The Maoists too seem to have been cut from the same cloth. Who can blame then for the newfound popularity of the politics of identity? If patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, identity is the haven that shelters the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Americans can understand, even though most disagree with, the diagnosis. Lal contributes to the week with his biweekly column Reflections. He is one of the widely read poliitical analysts in Nepal http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53735 Kathmandu Metropolitan Traffic Police, with a work force of over 1,000 cops, have been doing their job to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city, but to no avail The traffic policeman waves his hand frantically in the air to stop the vehicles at the busy intersection at Tripureshwor but at least a dozen of them whiz by without a care. Pedestrians have to make way for the motorbikes that zoom past on the sidewalk when the roads are clogged. It’s not unusual for bikes to try and make their way between cars to reach the front of the queue. All in all, traffic in the capital is a messy situation. “I’ve been hit by motorbikes and been bruised numerous times while walking on the pavement,” says Sabita Basnet, 41, a banker who walks to work, adding that one can get hit by vehicles even while walking on the footpath. “No one follows the traffic rules and everyone seems to be doing as he pleases,” she says.[break] One of life’s conundrums in the capital is: “Why obey traffic rules?” as obeying rules, especially traffic rules, never seems to cross the denizens’ minds. From driving in the wrong lane to not stopping at intersections, drivers seem to be least bothered about traffic laws. Hence, traffic law enforcement remains one of the biggest challenges in Kathmandu in the present day. The Week File Photo People often don’t follow the traffic rules and being involved in an accident doesn’t create even a thought bubble. With a nothing-will-happen-to-me attitude, we jump lanes without so much as a glance at the rear view mirror, floor the accelerator so we can cross the intersection before the light turns red and never pay attention to the details like seatbelts and speed limits. Suresh Pandey, 32, pays attention to details while driving. He learnt his lesson the hard way. His current behavior was reinforced by the death of his 27-years-old friend Pratik three years back. Pratik was killed at 10 pm while heading home after a few drinks with Suresh and a few other friends. He was a passenger in the speeding car and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. “He used to crack jokes and could lighten up the mood even after a heated argument,” says Suresh with tears glistening in his eyes. The memories are all that’s left for Suresh to hang on to these days. “The experience of losing someone close to you will haunt you forever and you’ll never forget the day it happened,” he adds. In January, 373 road accidents occurred in the country which left 7 people dead and over 100 injured. Accidents are slowly rising be¬cause of the continued carelessness on the road and ignoring traffic rules, confirmed DIG Keshab Adhikari, spokesperson of Central Police. According to him, most road accidents are caused by the non-respect of basic traffic regulations by drivers such as bad maneuvering of motor¬cyclists, careless driving, speeding and ignoring road signs. Road fatalities have risen sharply in Kathmandu despite the DUI monitoring. More than 40,000 traffic violations were reported in Kathmandu during 2012 with at least two road-related deaths everyday. These accidents have been blamed on slack law enforcement, untrained drivers and poorly maintained roads. Kathmandu Metropolitan Traffic Police, with a work force of over 1,000 cops, have been doing their job to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city, but to no avail. City riders show no signs of discipline, none at all. Every now and then, the government seems to come up with new rules to curb traffic violations. A few years back, the Metropolitan Police decided to fine anyone driving on the pavements, and for a few weeks, it seemed like they had somewhat effectively managed to curb the problem. But within months, the rule fizzled out. DIG Adhikari, blames this on the lack of awareness and perhaps a bit of commonsense on the part of the citizens. He also mentions that another reason for rules fizzling out is because there is a serious dearth of resources in the state which leads to inadequate monitoring. “People need to understand that rules are there for their own good and obeying them isn’t just mandatory but it safeguards them as well,” he says. Oftentimes, simple rules and regulations protect us from ourselves, such as by not driving through an intersection when the light is red. Without rules and regulations, the society will plunge into chaos. There will be nothing protecting us from one another’s self-serving instincts and sometimes self-destructive habits. “Drivers in Kathmandu violate traffic rules when there are no cops around. They jump traffic lights and go the wrong way on one-way streets,” says DIG Adhikari. “What’s happening within Kathmandu is madness. One of the most basic reasons for most of the traffic jams in the Valley is the people’s unwillingness to follow traffic laws,” says DIG Adhikari, adding that it is also true that the traffic cops aren’t very efficient and experienced as well. Poor implementation of traffic rules and regulations by traffic enforcers who, besides lacking knowledge about traffic management, also find it hard to make people obey them, has resulted in a city that seems to go haywire during rush hours. It is an established fact that safe and efficient use of traffic environment is a learned behavior. The guidelines or the rules are there for reasons: to regulate people’s conduct towards each other, among other things. Every day people die on the roads due to reckless driving, speeding, etc and we blame the government for failing to provide good roads. But as responsible citizens, we can make the roads safer for all by simply following some basic traffic rules. “Bettering the traffic situation is a two way street. The traffic cops need to be more efficient and we’re working on that. Also, the people need to take the rules seriously and abide by them even when a cop isn’t around,” concludes DIG Adhikari. Strict adherence to road safety regulations is of paramount significance for safe stay in the capital, stresses the spokesperson. We have to agree that cameras to monitor speeding and fines for rule violators can only do so much and that until and unless we are individually aware of the importance of sticking to the rules, the scenario will only get worse. We would do well if we hammered home the point that not all rules are meant to be broken. Let’s just start with the basis here: Red light means stop, green means go and yellow means take it slow. And just because most of the traffic lights in the capital don’t work, doesn’t mean you rule the streets. cillakhatry@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53734 A tight warm hug from a friend you meet after ten years, a kiss from your fiancé, tears of joy when a mom sees her daughter married, capturing the ‘firsts’ in your child’s life, the twirl in a victory dance, the nudge of a newfound love, the euphoria of nostalgia – Happiness wrapped with ribbons of people, places and things. We oft hear that it is ubiquitous, but most of us rarely feel ‘happy’ unless something outstanding happens. In hustling through our daily lives, happiness is postponed for the future, almost to say tomorrow would make today seem worthwhile – in the process, though, after a while, sometimes a very long while, we realize that life has passed us by in the elusive pursuit of happiness. What is it really to be happy? I haven’t exactly been the ideal example of a happy person for most of my life but as time rolled by, I realized a couple of things. First, that sometimes, it’s good to be selfish – to put yourself in the front of every situation. Giving has its virtues, but at the risk of sounding obnoxious and probably amoral to many, I have to admit that the day I decided to do things ‘my way’ and as long as I understood the repercussions of my actions and it still felt good, I am entitled to have it that way![break] As extreme a notion as it may come across as, if you give it some thought, it might as well be just as reasonable because in the end, everything we do, say, believe in or enjoy are born out of an inherent desire to make our lives nothing but happy! Take for example, jobs. It is no news that many working people don’t enjoy what they do at all but it pays them well; there are others who work for peanuts but absolutely love what they do. The former group lives for weekends and holidays to catch up on their lives, bicker through the week, and then Thank God It’s Friday! The latter enjoy everyday of their lives because they are passionate about what they do and find joy in their work. Work doesn’t seem like a chore to them. 8tracks.Com Teresa Amabile, a Harvard Business School professor wrote in a New York Times op-ed article, and I quote – “Working adults spend more of their waking hours at work than anywhere else. Work should ennoble, not kill, the human spirit. Promoting workers’ well-being isn’t just ethical; it makes economic sense. Fostering positive inner lives sometimes requires leaders to better articulate meaning in the work for everyone across the organization.” The idea is not to sound preachy or spiritual when I say to be productive and at peace with ourselves, we need to find joy in the little things in life. Most of us are plagued by the larger picture we’re working towards, by the many unanswered questions, by our dreams and ambitions that we inadvertently take no notice of what we have at hand right now. The present is, more often than not, taken for granted. I was traveling with a friend in an auto in the Delhi heat when a small girl came to us at a traffic light, asking for us to buy a bouquet of wildflowers. I was half ignorant but my friend offered her the chilled cold drink she had. The little girl smiled and handed her a couple of flowers and said “aap bahut acche ho!” (You are very nice). In those few innocuous moments, they made each other’s day! My school English teacher and guide used to tell us that what’s important is not just to do extraordinary things but be extraordinary in ordinary things. I have come to believe that it’s just as true to how we observe happiness. Waiting on the big ‘achievements,’ like getting through a college of your choice, marrying the one you love, becoming the CEO of a Fortune500 company, becoming one of the richest people, writing a bestseller, or painting the next ‘Starry Night’ are definitely joyous occasions we all strive for but they are few and far between. Don Draper, the leading ad man character from the TV drama series “Mad Men,” says, “What is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more happiness” That moment, when you have dinner with an old friend, when your grandfather recovers from a knee surgery to walk like a young man, when you watch a 4D movie for the first time, when you unexpectedly see a mountain behind the huge cloud cover that suddenly clears out, when the sea slaps against your foot which is buried in the white sand shore, when your taxi driver stops his car to help a blind person cross the street, or when a good joke is cracked. It is in these surprisingly trifling moments that happiness resides and life happens – in the here and now, not then and when. We need to treat happiness as a constant state of mind, a way of living rather than an achievement. When I understood this, I decided to note down what made me happy each day to remind myself to find happiness within me and not seek it from someone or someplace else and at the most unassuming times! The scrumptious breakfast in front me makes me happy right now. What is it that you’re happy about in this instant? The writer has the mind of a maverick and fancies challenging the limits of her thoughts http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53733 A father recounts how his daughter struggled to adjust to her new school after coming back from the US. After spending four years at various American schools, my daughter had great trouble returning home last year. When my wife and I told her that we were moving back to Nepal, she vehemently resisted our decision. During her time in Nepal, she had developed an indelible impression of teacher brutality towards students. Ms. X in her former school in Nepal used to scold students bitterly and beat them up. Some teachers in the school used to bow to the principal with their head down. [break] Her experience in US schools was different. A feudal-like behavior of teachers is a matter of disgust in American schools where the basic principles of democracy are taught right from the start of schooling. Students call their teachers by their names, like Mrs. More and Mr. James. In my daughter’s American school, every morning they hugged their teachers, chatted with them in a friendly manner and asked for excuse if they missed anything important.[break] Abstaining from corporal punishment and encouraging kids to speak up their mind helps with their personality development and promotes a habit of expressing themselves uninhibited. But US school teachers also make it a point to teach every student to apologize if he or she does something wrong. During her four years of schooling in the US, my daughter had developed a habit of talking freely with people around her and arguing rationally on issues of her interest. She used to ask questions until her curiosity was sated. Before we left the US, I encouraged my daughter to maintain her inquisitiveness and present herself in a friendly manner with her teachers and fellow students even when she got back to Nepal. I asked my brother in Nepal to look for a school for our daughter. But every school he visited he got the same response that since there were no vacancies it was not possible to admit a new student. This is in comparison to the ease with which one can admit a child in a US school in the vicinity of one’s home. Back in Nepal, we were short on options. We thought of taking our daughter back to her previous school, an option she refused outright. There was one other school that my brother had found out. He told us that we could even go visit the vice principal. I was happy we could at least see the vice principal in this school. In the previous school our daughter attended in Nepal, parents had no easy access to the principal or vice principal. During our meeting with the vice principal at the new school, my daughter asked a simple question: ‘Are teachers mean here?’ The vice principal frowned. He might have slapped her if I was not there. However, he still yelled at her and loudly counteracted that teachers don’t come to school to be mean. My ten-year-old girl who had just returned from the US where kids love teachers more than parents and never like to miss their school because of friendly teachers looked at me with her red face. She didn’t have the courage to speak another word. Sheknows.Com We left the vice principal’s office in a somber mood. My daughter refused to come to the school again. But I had few options since it was already one month into the calendar year. It was hard for me and my wife to prepare our daughter for school next day. She was convinced only after I assured her that we could move back to the US after a few months if she really didn’t like her new school. She agreed. When I came back home that night, I found my daughter a little sullen. Clearly, something was bothering her. She didn’t speak with anyone. When her mother took her to the kitchen for dinner, she sat in front of her food with her head down. Abruptly, she stood up, came over to me and slapped me on my face, for the very first time in her ten years of life. She asked me why I had decided to come back to Nepal and why I brought her back to the school environment where classrooms are no bigger than bed rooms, teachers are rude and students are made to carry heavy backpacks. I looked on in amazement, speechless. Later, when she was a little relaxed, we gathered courage to ask her what had happened at school. Apparently, she had seen her some teachers hitting other kids. Now after nearly a year of her Nepal stay, she seems to feel pretty good about her friends and relatives, and seems at home with Nepali culture and festivals. She is also okay about her school. But she is no more inquisitive. She doesn’t like putting forth her views in a straightforward manner. She reads others’ mood before speaking her mind, even at home. The writer holds a PhD in Economics from Wayne State University, Michiga http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53732 Shall I break it down for you? Because in one sentence, the cold structure of the story can be summed up, as the writer, Carole Maso, herself does so in the book: “The diary of a girl who had not long to live.” Thirty-nine-year-old Ava in her hospital bed on her last day on earth. But it’s not really a diary, and to break down the story so goes nowhere near what the book is about. And it’s about a great many things. Well-written books defy a summary and the attempt to review is to grasp desperately at straws. Here, I am, grasping, desperately. Ava cannot be reviewed, only responded to. It cannot be written about, only read. And it is not an easy book to read. Maso’s philosophy on writing, and perhaps her idea in the process of writing, is sprinkled throughout Ava: “Shifting voices and constant breaks of mode let silence have its share and allow for a fuller meditative field than is possible in linear narrative or analysis.”[break] “Artist’s statement: I certainly admire many narrative and documentary films, but instead of re-creating or reproducing the familiar world it’s been more exciting to collect an odd assortment of images, both scripted and shot from real life, Today you could step off the end of the world and float.” A work of experimental fiction, Ava is a book of wonder, with phrases of excruciating beauty and moments of spacious thought. It leaps. It leaps from word to word, moment to moment, across a network of memories that make up Ava’s life. It is at once a tragic and a celebratory book. It is a book that celebrates her life, her loves, her literary loves, her musical loves, the places she’s traveled, the people she’s known. Experimental fiction is not for everyone and the criticism leveled against it is usually that too much focus is made on structure or highly-stylized writing takes away from the depth of the narrative. Maso’s Ava walks that thin line in between, and successfully too, being a highly-stylized paratactic fiction that is charged with emotion. It moves as our memory does from one subject to another, not like Virginia Woolf’s stream of consciousness, but rather as spurts of memories strung together by poignant silences. Less of a stream, more like rain. The first few pages can be bewildering because it disregards the traditional swathing form of the literary narrative and jump starts with poetic phrases. But there is something compelling in the writing, something that is beautiful and instinctive, that cannot be figured out, or written about, but can only be shown, because when you finish the book, you wonder at the form that is so large but is able to work on word/sentence level – Come sit in the morning garden for a while. Olives hang like earrings in late August. A perpetual pageant. Come quickly. The light in your eyes Precious. Unexpected things. The poetic phrases become refrains as the pages progress but in repetition, they accumulate meaning from the different contexts they are strung in. The reader quickly learns to read the book, to read it slowly, to pause, to think, to reread sentences, to wonder, leave, and return again like Ava’s refrains. It is a dance of the mind and as Danilo says, “I make no apologies... for these texts: unorthodox but not extravagant, self-indulgent but only slightly, and refuting, I hope, all that is pretentious, misleading, and false. I make no apologies.” Ava can appear pretentious because of such seemingly disconnected phrases but with the refrains, we get to know Ava better and get to know of what she thought of specific things and who she is as a person – a hopeless romantic, “a rare bird”, someone who lives “close to what one feels deeply: literature or science, languages. The whitewashed wall, the fragrant myrtle, music, the fountain.” We travel through Italy and France with her and meet her friends, her lovers, the people she met in passing. And always there are her literary influences – Samuel Beckett, Pablo Neruda, Garcia Lorca, Virginia Woolf, Anton Chekhov, Paul Celan, and Helene Cixous – mentioned many times, in thought, and in images. For instance: Samuel Beckett in a tree... Or Samuel Beckett learning to fly. ...Samuel Beckett waiting for reinforcements. It’s the war. But no reinforcements come. And Neruda believed poetic form to be as dynamic as the processes of transformation and discovery. Form and content constantly shape each other like the elements of the ecosystem and this allows truth, infinite possibilities for expressions. The stated Neruda’s belief holds true for Ava as a character and as the book: the content is dictated by form and the form by content. To fill in the spaces or to demand a traditional narrative is to write a different book and not one that matches the spirit of Ava. And Ava is spirited, celebrating the life in the mind and the memories of a person still so vibrant with life. We follow her to Cafe Pourquoi Pas, to Cafe de Rien, and to Cafe Tout Va Bien. Like her and like everyone else, we hold on to brief glimpses, bits of dialogues, and moments of feeling, As we struggle to make meaning, Where maybe there is none And so one let it all go. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53731 I was born twice: first as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again as a teenage boy in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974.” – Middlesex, Jefferey Euginides “Middlesex” is not just a name of a place in Michigan. It is about being in the intersection of two contrary grounds and trying to gain a foothold. It is a book that blurs the boundaries between two different cultures, the past and the present, and the male and the female. It follows the path mapped out for the quest of gender identity amidst sexual crisis. It tells the tale of pursuing the American Dream during the chaotic era of the Greco-Turkish war.[break] This fiction is written in the form of a memoir. The protagonist, Calliope, is a hermaphrodite who comes from a family of incest. While she is still in the womb, it is predicted that the child is going to be a boy. But she is born as a girl. She has a sexual awakening only at the age of fourteen when she feels an intense physical attraction towards her female best friend, the Obscure Object. As a result of the interbreeding between her parents and grandparents, Calliope becomes a victim of 5α-Reductase Deficiency (5-ARD) Syndrome which is caused due to recessive genetic mutation. In order to escape the prospect of a reassignment surgery, Calliope flees and assumes a male identity. She hitchhikes across the country and reaches San Francisco, where she joins a peep show at Sixty-Niner’s. Dipesh Shrestha The novel makes the reader aware that hermaphrodite was first identified in Greek civilization. What I found amusing in the story is the name of the characters such as Desdemona, Tiresias, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Milton, Theodora, Gizmo, Chapter Eleven and the Obscure Object. The book follows the principle that people are molded before their death. The Stephanides siblings board a ship amid the Great Fire of Smyrna and sail for the United States. They gain a new identity and dream a new dream. But what happens to Calliope, their grandchild? The question is out in the open for the readers to answer. Owing to the language and style in which the author has chosen to write, I found Middlesex to be one of the most complex reads of my life. Nevertheless, it is so intriguing that abandoning it would be a huge loss indeed. About Shah Shah describes herself as a passionate reader and a book lover. She reminisces, “During the final year of my Master’s, our teacher asked us what we wanted to do after achieving the degree. Everybody wanted to teach. I was the only one who wanted to read.” Her father was a national-level football player and her mother is a wonderful swimmer. She has always been an outdoor person with an exceptional zeal for adventure sports. She remembers this one incident when she almost lost her life during scuba diving. “It only wanted to make me swim deeper the next time,” she laughs. Skydiving is the next thing on her list. She is currently teaching English literature at Dilli Bazaar Kanya Campus. She is also working as a French language teacher at Silver Mountain College. For her, teaching is not just about giving lectures, taking notes or passing exams; it also means being a student’s friend, mentor, parent and sometimes even a doctor. She enjoys being with her students and is immensely popular for her friendliness and humility. She feels that literature is all about aesthetics. But teaching a new language is completely different. One has to start from the scratch which is challenging as well as interesting. Her affair with books started in 2007. She does not remember being much of a bookworm before that. And once she started reading, she wanted to talk about what she had read. She joined The Reader’s Club three years ago. Today, she is the executive member of the club and also the coordinator of regular book discussions. Shah opines that “feminist” has become a cliché in today’s day and era. However, she does not think there is anything wrong in talking about oneself as a woman. A free spirit with an adventurous streak, she is not scared to try out anything in life. In future, she wishes to continue reading and pursue further studies and research on the third gender. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi This is an aesthetically rich memoir of a woman who rebels against tyranny through the liberating power of censored literature. The book talks about living away from one’s homeland and the anguish of split identity. In the late 90s in Iran, Nafisi gathers a group of students to read and discuss such forbidden Western classics as Lolita, The Scarlet Letter, Madame Bovary, and The Great Gatsby. The author is currently a professor of literature and politics at John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington D.C. Don’t Ask Any Old Bloke for Direction by PG Tenzing It is a dark humor/memoir of IAS (Indian Administrative Services) officer Tenzing’s (the author) journey through India and Nepal on his Royal Enfield. Life on the road is full of potholes in more ways than one. Tenzing’s views on life, death, friendship and love are filled with dark humor. This book will always remain my favorite and I cannot thank my son enough for picking this up. He too has that traveler’s streak like me and wants to embark on a journey similar to Tenzing’s on his Enfield. I may do that myself. Little Princess by Connor Grennan Just before his exploratory trip around the world, twenty nine year old Irish American Connor Grennan decides to spend three months in Nepal, volunteering at the “Little Princes” in Godawari. In the three months that Connor spends in the country distraught with civil war, he gets to see a completely different world. Meanwhile, he also develops an attachment with the resilient children who would challenge and reward him with love and affection he had never dreamt of. Whenever we think of human trafficking, we only think of girls sold in brothels. But this book, written from a foreigner’s eyes, shows a stark reality of child trafficking in Nepal which is refreshing and depressing. The Difficulty of being Good by Gurcharan Das This book traces how, as rational beings, we are bound to interrogate conservatisms, ancestors, customs and consciousness. Set against the backdrop of the epic Mahabharata, the author draws comparisons to today’s worldly characters of uncertainty, malice, envy, greed and filthy politics. Das compares the sibling rivalry between the Ambani brothers to that of the Kauravas and the Pandavas and Draupadi’s question on the immortality of silence to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s silence regarding India’s President Pratibha Patel’s corruption charges. The book does not preach morality but discusses how difficult it becomes to keep one’s sanity unharmed in the world full of vices. Samsara by David Abramski I had never heard of this book before I started reading it. And initially, the only reason I decided to read it was because its author was a foreigner who spoke fluent Nepali. Samsara, according to the Buddhist ideology, means the wheel of suffering that every living being has to pass through. It is the never ending story of the human being’s eternal struggle to break free from the frequency of false facades and the reality of faces that remain underneath. The elements of the CIA and the Tibetan Freedom Fighters give a nice pace to the action that unfolds in the story. As told to Nitya Pandey http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53730 It’s wise to take a critical look at your expenses if you want to start saving. Write down everything you spend your money on for a couple weeks or a month. Be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases. Are you a spendthrift? Does your salary seem to vanish without you realizing what you spent the money on? If yes, then chances are that you aren’t managing your finances properly. Saving doesn’t just mean getting discounts on your purchases. It also means putting away money for a rainy day and pretending you never saw it; creating an emergency fund so that if something does go wrong, you won’t be sick with worry; wiping out debt once and for all; paying off those bills that never seem to go away; and, eventually, it means putting your money to work for you.[break] Keshab Thoker Saving money is one of those tasks that are so much easier said than done. There’s more to it than spending less money (although that part alone can be challenging). How much money will you save, where will you put it, and how can you make sure it stays there? There are three core principles on how to save money and build wealth. The Week tells you how to set realistic goals, how to keep your spending in check, and how to get the most for your money. Set savings goals For short-term goals, this is easy. If you want to buy a new phone, find out how much it costs; if you want to buy a flat, determine how much of a down payment you’ll need. For long-term goals, such as your children’s tuition fees and retirement, you’ll need to do a lot more planning and you’ll also need to figure out how investments will help you achieve your goals. “I recently bought a Mac Book Pro with money I had put aside for it. I started saving a quarter of my salary each month and in less than a year, I got my dream gadget,” says Surakshya Dhungana, 29, creative director of an advertising agency, adding that once you figure out how much you need to save in order to buy something, it’s not really that difficult to do it. “You should never ever spend all your salary. As soon as you get it, set aside a fixed amount each month and make sure you don’t touch this money unless it’s an emergency,” says Surakshya. Keep a record of your expenses “When you keep a track of your expenses, you come to realize how mindlessly you’re spending money and it becomes easier to curb your spending habit,” says Priya KC, 31, a teacher who has managed to save enough to buy the new Google Nexus tablet by just cutting back on petty expenses. “I didn’t realize I was spending a small fortune on cosmetics that I really didn’t need and things I could do without, like new mugs and knick knacks,” she says, adding when she started noting down her expenses, she came to the stark realization that so much money was being wasted. It’s wise to take a critical look at your expenses if you want to start saving. Write down everything you spend your money on for a couple weeks or a month. Be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases. Assign each purchase or expenditure a category such as Rent, Phone Bill, Gas, Food, Entertainment, etc. “When I added up my little purchases, it amounted to quite a bit. Now, by keeping a record of my spending, I’ve managed to save a lot of money,” says Priya. Take a good, hard look at your spending records after a month or two have passed. You’ll probably be surprised when you look back at your record of expenses, and you’ll likely see some obvious cuts you can make. Depending on how much you need to save, however, you may need to make some difficult decisions. Think about your priorities, and make cuts you can live with. Calculate how much those cuts will save you per year, and you’ll be much more motivated to pinch even petty paisas. Open a different savings account It’s a lot easier to keep track of your savings if you have them separate from your spending money. Open a separate account for your savings and don’t get a debit card for it. When you have a debit card to carry around for the account, you’ll most likely spend the money on impulsive buys because you know you have the required cash set aside. So the best way to nip the temptation will definitely be not to apply for a debit card. This way, your savings are safe and out of reach as well. You can also usually get better interest on savings accounts than on current accounts. You can also opt to invest in fixed deposits where the interest rates are higher. Rabi Adhikari, 33, a banker, has managed to save enough money to feel secure about his future by just keeping his savings separate from his spending money. “When you know how much money you have in the bank and especially if you carry your ATM or debit card, you’re much more likely to spend it when the urge hits,” says Rabi who deposits half his salary in a separate savings account each month. He says that depositing a portion of your paycheck into a savings account or arranging monthly transfers from your salary account to your savings account is the easiest way to get into a routine that adds to your final balance. “It works wonders. I can vouch for it,” says Rabi. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53729 Spending some of your leisure time in your kitchen garden can be a great way to bust all the stress of the day. And to top it off, you can also save yourself from all the chemical-laden vegetables you buy from the market by producing your own organic lot. Kitchen gardening will also save a lot of your money on fruits and green groceries. You can spare a small piece of land to be able to grow your own vegetables. Many people, especially those living in apartments, have started to create kitchen gardens of their own with the help of pots on their balconies or terraces.[break] Mushroom farming is also one of such culture that can be done regardless of having a proper kitchen garden. In fact, it can even be grown inside, but in a separate dark room. Though it needs ample knowledge and a good practice, you can nonetheless try for yourself and grow your own mushrooms. Mushrooms derive all of their energy and growth materials from their growth medium, through biochemical decomposition processes and it’s different than growing any other plants. mushroomfarmingbusiness.com The Week is here to help you with the basic processes to start you up with the idea. Choose the mushroom type There are different species of edible mushrooms. The most popular ones that are found in the market are white mushrooms or button mushrooms. Agaricus bisporus is the most popularly cultivated mushroom worldwide. There are other types of mushrooms too, like Shiitake, which particularly requires wooden log for cultivation. But here, we’ll be taking white mushroom cultivation in consideration. Start-up essentials Though growing mushrooms at home can take a lot of effort, it can be equally rewarding. Unlike most plants, mushrooms grow in different conditions. Therefore, you’ll first need to spot a dark space in your greenhouse or create one in one corner of your kitchen garden. After you’ve decided on the spot, you’ll need to have a cupboard frame that’ll allow you to cultivate larger number of mushroom in a small space, on straws, polythene sheets and mushroom spawns. One important thing about mushroom cultivation is that it grows in moist places. Therefore, it’ll need wet soil to grow. Water is of utmost importance as it’ll be required in excess than other plants. Creating the medium Since mushrooms are the fruits produced from fungi made up of thin, threadlike cells called mycelium, they require a growing medium that supports this mycelium. Mushrooms are regarded as recycler plants as they eat dead plants to extract the energy for their growth and need more fiber-filled environments. Though it may sound a little complicated, creating the medium isn’t difficult if you learn thoroughly about the process. First, you’ll need to boil water enough to soak the amount of straw necessary for the cultivation. It depends on your choice of quantity of the stock. After the water is boiled, place the straw in the boiling water and maintain the heat until the straw is quite soft and almost mushy. Then, remove the straw from the water let it cool down for a while so you can handle it properly. Subsequently, mix the straw with your mushroom spawn and place it on plastic sheeting. The plastic sheeting is the cover for the medium, so make sure that it can be packed tightly and can be stored in the form of solid log. For mushrooms to grow, they will need some air circulation. Therefore, take a knife and make several ventilation holes on the top of the log before placing it in a dark, warm, dry place in your greenhouse. Check regularly After placing the log in the dark and moist environment, you’ll need to check it regularly to know about the developments. Generally, the log isn’t watered until you see a white substance forming on the straw. After the white substance starts to appear, move the log to a cool place or set the temperature in such a way and water it regularly to help the mushrooms grow. Water is one of the most important factors in the growth of mushrooms. Since mushrooms grow through cell enlargement, ample water is required for the mycelium strands to form mushrooms by fusing together and reaching toward the surface. You should see edible mushrooms after about one week. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53728 Also known as Sakwo De to the Newars in their language (called Nepal Bhasa,) Sankhu is a typical Newar village located to the northeastern fringes of Kathmandu. The residents of Sakhu are credited for maintaining their traditional ways of life and the rich culture they have inherited. This small town boasts of some important historic temples such as the beautiful Bajra Yogini. On the Sankhu-Nagarkot trail, you can enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Sankhu and amazing views of the Himalayan ranges, including Mount Everest, from Nagarkot – one of the most popular scenic hilltops within the Kathmandu Valley, preferred by both domestic and international tourists for the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset apart from the panoramic mountain ranges.[break] Getting there In a private vehicle, you can drive to Sankhu township, taking the road that passes through Gokarna Reserve Forest. It will take you 30-40 minutes to reach Sankhu. You can also choose to take public transportation from the Old Bus Park in Kathmandu to Sankhu. It will take over an hour, depending on the traffic. Hike highlights Sankhu is a beautiful village presenting the visitors picturesque glimpses of traditional Newar life and take them through beautiful terraced rice fields and vegetable farms. The traditional animal husbandry in the village will also explain the ways by which the locals sustain themselves through traditional means. A right turn, after you reach Sankhu, will take you to a gravel road. This is the point from where the hike starts, the road taking you to Nagarkot. Throughout the hike you will experience life through different ethnic villages. As you pass Newar habitats, you will come across Indo-Aryan settlements with people of Bahun and Chhetri castes living in the neighboring villages. Tamang villages are on the way as you reach higher on the trail. Further on the hike, you will also have the opportunity to explore subtropical vegetation. Thickly covered pine trees and abundant rhododendron throughout the trail will make the hike more interesting. You will also be awed by the stunning views of the Himalaya once you reach the top of the hill range at Nagarkot. Weather The weather at this time of the year is basically warm, so it is wise to equip yourself with necessary precautions such as sun-block lotions, sunglasses and hats. Information courtesy: socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53727 What is a story without some twists? What is a canvas without a touch of color? What is life without a bit of action? While in Nepal, the land of hills, waters and forests, it would be unfortunate not to experience any of the gifts that Mother Nature has bestowed. So just pack your bags and get ready for the adrenaline rush that spices up your life. The Week has a list of five different stunts to perform that will bring an end to the routine, lethargy and monotony of your life.[break] Canyoning Canyoning is an activity that involves abseiling, sliding, jumping, swimming, and climbing down waterfalls through steep canyon walls to deep pools. This unique combination of skills gives the canyoneer the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful yet forbidden places in the world. You will be traveling through jungles, off the beaten paths, over deep pools and rocks. This sport requires good navigational skills, rope work, swimming abilities, upper body strength and overall fitness. For more information: The Last Resort Call: 01-4700525 Highestbridges.Com Mountain biking One of the best ways to explore the country is on a mountain bike. Nepal’s diverse terrain is a mountain biker’s dream come true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscapes and living heritage. There are plenty of dirt roads and trails in Nepal to meet every mountain biker’s wildest fantasies. Adventurous souls may even plan extended trips to exotic locales like Namche Bazaar, western Nepal, and the entire length of the country across the Tarai plains. For More Information: Everest Mountain Bike Call: 01-4701617 Bungee Bungee jumping is an extreme sport where you jump from a stationary structure –such as a crane or bridge – high in the air while attached to an elastic rope. As you hurtle downwards, the rope will stretch and extend, slowing your descent as it does. Once you have reached the maximum stretch point of the rope, you will be fired back up into the air again, much like a human yo-yo! The thrill of hurtling through the air is for some the closest experience to human flight, and the adrenaline rush from such a fearsome activity is second to none. For more information: The Last Resort Call: 01-4700525 Rock climbing If you want a cliffhanger experience in Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley perimeter offers some hair-raising spots. There are some terrific, dizzying places for those who get their kicks from crawling up vertical cliffs. Most of the spots are situated to the north and northwest of the valley, in the vicinity of the Nagarjun Forest and the Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve. Your rock climbing trip can therefore be combined with bird-watching, game-watching and experiencing some of the last of the valley’s wilderness. For more information: Hardcore Nepal Rock Climbing Call: 9813463599 Www.Explorehimalaya.Com Paintball Paintball is a more challenging and sophisticated combination of the childhood games of “tag” and “hide and seek.” Usually, a group of players will divide into two teams to play “capture the flag.” The object of the game is to go out and capture the other team’s flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate the opposing players by tagging them with a paintball (a round, thin-skinned gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside it) expelled from a special air gun called a “paint gun.” For more information: Ramailo Mela – The Fun Fair Call: 980317481 http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53726 Those who want a little change in their appearance often think of coloring their hair. If chosen the right shade, hair dyeing can do wonders not only in enhancing your looks but in improving the texture of your hair. But, though it may go right, it can turn out to be horribly wrong as well. So it’s very important to choose the color wisely and follow the right steps. Nitu Shah, beautician at Habib’s Hair & Beauty Saloon in Kumari Pati, Patan, says that it’s vital to know the condition or quality of your hair before you take the next step, and this applies to both men and women.[break] “Hair color won’t stay in hair which has been dyed or if henna has been used. Using hair color on such hair will not only make the hair look less shiny but makes it looks very unhealthy, too,” she says. Woohair.Com She informs that it’s important to use a trusted brand which comes with a protein serum as well. Using protein serum is a must as it prevents the hair from having split ends and helps the color to last longer. “Using a cheap product can lead to dry and brittle hair and will make it worse if you try to use curling or straightening iron to style your hair,” adds Shah. When selecting your hair color at home, it’s advisable to not go more than two shades lighter or darker than your current tone. If you’re a novice in the hair coloring department, it’s important to practice. You can take a few strands of hair and apply the color on it so that you’ll know how it might turn out and save yourself from ruining your whole hair if you’re unhappy with the result. “The hair color should be spread a little further from the roots and then applied all the way down to the tips,” says Shah. You shouldn’t be taking big sections of hair and instead use small subsection from one of the sections so that the color is applied evenly throughout your hair. Freshly washed hair may lack oil needed to absorb the dye, so it’s advisable to wait a day or two after you wash your hair to begin the process. After rinsing the color, don’t forget to apply conditioner and also wait at least a full day or two days before you wash your hair with shampoo so that it allows the hair color to completely penetrate your hair shaft. It’s also advisable to protect your hair from UV rays, so do regular hair massages with oil and use hair color shampoo which is easily accessible in the market. If you’re coloring your hair at home and are expecting salon-quality results, then you need to be extra careful if you aren’t aware of the basic process. “The chemicals present in hair dye may harm you skin or you can be allergic as well, so it’s advisable to visit a parlor and leave it in the hands of hair experts if you aren’t sure of hair coloring at home,” she recommends. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53725 In the world of beauty, there are endless tips and rules to keep you looking fabulous. In the list below, The Week breaks down all those tips to make grooming and your makeup sessions easier. Gorgeous hair Camouflage roots by zigzagging your part rather than making it straight.[break] Brush hair from roots to ends nightly. This distributes natural oils throughout the shaft and gives your hair a healthy sheen. Doing your dyeing yourself? Don’t make too drastic a change. Stay within one or two shades of your natural color. Comb wet hair like the pros: Hold a handful at a time and work from center to ends, then scalp to center. Always rinse out conditioner (which should go to hair ends) with cold water to seal the cuticles and promote shine. Avoid frizz by using only a wide-tooth comb, especially when hair is dry. Keep your blowdry to last days longer by sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase. Artleo.Com Pretty face Apply cream or cleanser by lightly pressing upward – never down. The delicate skin sags easily enough in time. Powder is the only makeup applied with a downward motion: You do this to smoothen down facial hairs. For the best color match, test foundation and powder either on your face or neck (the inside of your wrist is too pale). Use foundation, not concealer (which is lighter than your skin color), to cover up redness or blemishes. Before applying powder, gently blow the excess off your brush to prevent flaking. Freshen makeup by pressing a tissue on oily areas of the face— forehead, nose, chin. Then smoothen on a thin layer of pressed powder with a brush. To stop makeup from fading during the day, apply a primer before your foundation. Lovely lips Get lips soft and smooth by using a damp, warm washcloth at night to rub off the flaky dry bits; follow with a coat of lip balm. Ease the evening switch to a redder or darker lipstick by applying it over and blending it into your daytime color. To make lipstick last longer, allow it to set for a few minutes after applying, blot lips with tissue and dust them with powder, then apply another coat. For lipliner that glides on, warm it up first by pinching it with your fingertips. To keep lipstick from bleeding, pat a little concealer around your lips. Smile when you put on your lipstick: It’s the best way to ensure complete coverage, corners included. Smooth legs and feet Improve circulation in your legs and lower the risk of unsightly veins by elevating your feet when resting. Wait until after your shower to shave. The steam softens hairs for smoother results. Don’t use creams that contain heavy fragrance or alpha hydroxyl acids on freshly shaven legs. They’ll sting and cause rashes. Waxing your legs? Pull skin taut before applying the wax to make it easier to remove the strip in one clean motion. Remove leftover wax with a cotton ball dipped in baby oil. To prevent ingrown nails, trim toenails straight across, not down into the corners. Before using a pumice stone or foot file to remove a callus, be sure to soak your foot in warm water for at least five minutes. Follow with a little foot cream. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53386 Of the many reasons behind the endangerment of indigenous languages, the foremost is the biased attitude of the state to different mother tongues. Dev Kumar Sunuwar Surya Sunuwar, 30 a student of sociology at Tribhuvan University can speak Nepali as fluently as any other native speakers. But whenever he mutters, he automatically switches to his native language – Koinch (Sunuwar). “And sometimes I become a joker,” says Sunuwar. “It’s because I use Sunuwar language the most, (more than Nepali), at home (with my brothers in Kathmandu) and relatives with whom I spend most of my time.”[break] It is obvious, as he was born and raised in Khinji-Phalate in Okhaldhunga District where the Sunuwar indigenous community is densely populated and they mostly communicate in their Sunuwar mother tongue which is also prevalent in Ramechhap and Dolakha districts. NFDIN According to the National Census Report 2011, as many as 37,898 people can speak their Sunuwar mother tongue out of the total of 55,712 Sunuwars. As Surya enjoys the beauty of his mother tongue, so does Bhim Kisan, 30, of Mechi Municipality-4 in Jhapa. . However, he is worried that not many of his friends of same age and younger speak his mother tongue, despite its sweetness. “Our mother tongue Kisan is already near extinction,” says Kisan, a Master’s student in Linguistics at the Central Department of Linguistics in Tribhuvan University and has recently completed his thesis on the verb morphology of Kisan mother tongue. According to the National Census Report 2011, only 601 Kisans can speak Kisan of the total of 1,739 population. “Worse, hardly any children in the Kisan community can speak their mother language,” says Kisan. Nepal is considered a haven for linguistic studies. An informal data puts that between 130 to 160 languages are being spoken in Nepal, so do different researches that show similar findings. However, the Census 2011 puts the number at 123. Unfortunately, some of them have already disappeared while many others are under serious threat. Of the many multiple reasons behind the endangerment of indigenous languages, the foremost is the biased attitude and unequal treatment of the state to different mother tongues, migration of linguistic communities from their original places to urban areas and then abroad, and the biggest one is the lack of awareness and unwillingness of respective linguistic communities to use their languages, according to Prof. Dr. Dan Raj Regmi, Head of the Central Department of Linguistics at Tribhuvan University. “Out of total number of languages pegged in the recent Census report, only about 19 languages have approximately 96 percent of speakers, while the rest have merely 4 percent speakers,” says Yogendra P. Yadava, referring to his recent and yet unpublished study. He was former head of the linguistic department of Tribhuvan University. “Most mother tongues in Nepal are on the verge of extinction, their documentation is in urgent need.” Vanishing voices Nepal is home to as many as 123 languages, as per the recent Census and therefore is considered to be a haven for linguistic studies. But many languages in the country lie at various stages and several are on the verge of vanishing. “There are nearly 40 Rai languages, and about five of them are already dead, and only about a few like Chamling, Bantawa are documented and the rest have a few speakers and therefore, majority of Rai languages are seriously endangered, “ says Prof. Dr. Nobel Kishor Rai, linguist. “The languages spoken in Nepal are in need of comprehensive documentation, if not, they will vanish in about 50 years.” Linguists also opine that the reasons for endangerment of indigenous language communities are various, including declining speakers, transformation of the traditional habitat of a linguistic community through deforestation, or even natural disasters, migration from traditional habitats to urban and then abroad, to name a few. No more than three Kusunda speakers exist today, and as these speakers live in different places, Kusunda language is rarely spoken. “When two persons from different Rai languages get married, they resort to Nepali language in the family. It is similar with Kusunda, they are married with other communities like Magar, Thakuri etc. This has posed a serious challenge to the survival of mother tongues,” says Prof. Dr. Madhav Prasad Pokharel, at the Department of Linguistics, Tribhuvan University. The Baram language spoken in Gorkha district is on the verge of extinction, as there are only a handful of members of this community speak this language today. Similarly, the Puma language spoken in Khotang district, and Chhintang language spoken in Dhankuta have no different situation. These languages will completely be dead if there is no program for expansion and development of them by the next two or three generations. Tilung, which is spoken merely by a couple aged above 60, and only a handful can understand it, in the southern belt of Khotang is going to disappear within this generation. Dura language (once spoken in Gorkha) has no single speaker at all. There are 5,394, Duras, according to Census 2011. “Tangran is the language of the Duras, which is I am documenting through those handful of Dura language speaking people, but the surprise is that, they do not write down their surname as ‘Dura’, “ says Kedar Bilash Nagila, who is documenting critically endangered Dura Language for his a PhD dissertation. “In course of joining British force, some of them wrote either Gurung, or Ghale, Ale Magar, but while tracing their family linage, they are from the Dura communities.” According to him, even though there are not Dura speakers anymore, after it is documented well, it is likely to revive. The worst still is, nearly about 11 languages – Byangsi, Chonkha, Longaba, Mugali, Sambya, Pongyong, Bungla, Chukwa, Hedangba, Waling, and Khandung –have already vanished with no hope of recovery. Many other indigenous languages including Koche, Lhomi, Kisan, Kusunda, Lingkhim, Kagate, Chitntang are under serious threat with less than 100 speakers of these languages surviving. Perhaps not all languages are lost primarily for those who want their (comparably smaller) languages to revive and survive – the Maori language in New Zealand and Hebrew language in Israel are some of the best examples that a language can be brought back from the verge. Prof. Dr. Pokharel states that there is need of documenting endangered languages and teaching. Teaching the concerned people their languages are the only ways of preserving them. “Hebrew language, which was already dead, was revived and now is the national language of Israel,” he maintains. Towards inclusive language in education policy –promise and delivery The marginalization of indigenous languages in the country is said to have started right from the territorial expansion of the nation led by Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1768. During the repressive Shah, and Rana regimes, ‘one language, one culture, one religion’ policies adopted during Panchayat era had suppressed the demands of the linguistic rights of the indigenous peoples completely. Particularly after the restoration of democracy in 1990, the linguistic issue has been gradually gaining momentum. Although some of the previous legacy relating to the suppression of language was continued, the 1990 Constitution affirmed Nepal as a multilingual and multicultural country. The very same Constitution further stated that all languages spoken as mother tongues are the national language and further affirmed that every community residing within the country shall have the right to protect and develop its language, script, and culture, and equally the right to establish schools for providing education to the child up to the primary level in their mother tongue. The Interim Constitution in 2007 stated that all languages spoken in Nepal are national languages, further guaranteeing education in mother tongue and stated that local government offices can use any mother tongues as means of communication. Grounding on these provisions, the government, non-government agencies, indigenous peoples’ organizations (who advocated fiercely on the mother tongue issue) embarked on taking a number of initiatives, including developing literacy materials and implementation. The government has introduced a policy for teaching mother tongues as optional subjects at the primary level. Similarly, aiming to bring all children (especially from indigenous communities) to school, Nepal has launched an international initiative, ‘Education for All’ program. In 2007, with the technical assistance of the Government of Finland’s Department of Education (DoE), under the Ministry of Education (MoE), launched Mother-tongue-based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) as a pilot program primarily for eight mother tongues in seven schools in different districts – Tamang in Rasuwa, Aathaparia (Rai) in Dhankuta, Rana-Tharu language at Kanchanpur, Santhal and Rajbansi in Jhapa, Maithali and Urau in Sunsari, and Magar in Dhankuta. As the MLE yielded good results, the government scaled up to 21 schools. The school sector reform plan (2009-2015), another important education policy devised by MoE, aims to implement mother-tongue-based multilingual education in 7,500 schools. “Policy-wise, the government is very liberal and clear. But when it comes to the implementation part, it’s really weak,” says Amrit Yonjan-Tamang, linguist, who was the former National Technical Advisor in Multilingual Education Program DoE/MoE. “The different language speakers have responsibility to be aware of their linguistic rights, crave for the preserving and protecting of their mother tongues and press for government officials to fulfill their commitments expressed in the legal documents and national and international forums.” He also says that the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN), a sole body set up by the government for the welfare of indigenous nationalities, their socio-economic and political status, including language, has no adequate budget for the wellbeing of indigenous languages even though theILO Convention No. 169, the internationally binding treaty, which Nepal is party to, has the provision that it be translated into different mother tongues, has not been able to do so, except in Nepali language. It is the mother tongue-speaking commu,nities themselves who are more responsible in preserving and protecting the language. However, Dr. Lal-Shyakarelu Rapacha, linguist at NFDIN, opines that to some extent, NFDIN has been encouraging mother tongue speakers by carrying out publications on various indigenous languages and recently it has initiated a pilot program on linguistic survey starting from Dolakha District. A sign of hope In a bid to identify and analyze Nepal’s overall languages to produce an encyclopedia and linguistic data on endangered languages, the Central Department of Linguistics, Tribhuvan University, embarked on an ambitious interdisciplinary project known as Linguistic Survey of Nepal (LINSUN) in 2007. But due to lack of funds, the work has remained stagnant, say officials. Initially, the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Local Development, had granted a little fund along with the Ministry of Culture and State Restructuring and NFDIN. Initially, a basic glossary of words of 50 languages has been collected along with preparing textbooks. But there is no fund at all, according to Prof. Dr. Dan Raj Regmi, Head of central Department of Linguistics, Tribhuvan University. According to him, the last linguistic survey of Nepal of any kind was done about a century ago by the British when it conducted a Linguistic Survey of India between 1904 and 1928. Similarly, there also had been two earlier attempts at conducting surveys of the country’s languages — Grierson’s Survey (1898-1927) and German Research Council Survey (1981-1984) but both had to be abandoned due to lack of finances. The way out Written languages are at least preserved by written testimonies and there is always a chance to revive them later on.But many languages in the country are unwritten, which are dying away when the speakers of the particular language pass away. There is such a danger that they will disappear, leaving no traces at all except for names of people and places. Therefore it is urgent to work for the preservation of the indigenous languages before it is too late, according to linguists. Fact file Linguists also opine that education is of prime importance to reverse the present situation. The Mother-tongue-based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) up to primary level could be one of the best measures. For this, the government must allocate adequate budget for preparing textbooks, appointing mother tongue teachers and necessary stationeries. This will help not merely to address the linguistic rights of indigenous peoples and minorities but also to address multiple educational problems being faced by non-Nepali-speaking children. According to Census report 2011, Nepal is home to as many as 123 languages. Linguists estimate that between 6000 to 7000 languages are spoken in the world. Of which, largest number of languages are spoken in Asia. Nepal stands on the 20th position. (See table below). Number of languages spoken as per the geography SN  Regions    Language      spoken percentage 1.   Asia                  2,269                  32.8 2.  Africa                 2,092                   30.2 3.  Pacific                1,310                 19.0 4.  America              1002                  14.5 5.  Europe               239                     3.5 Tota languages   6,912                     100 Source: Slightly adopted from Amrit yonjan-Tamang, ‘Thunga--a collection of poems in mother tongues’ NFDIN 2013 World’s multilingual countries having more than 100 languages (Ethnologue, Report 2005) Ranking Countries                          languages 1. Popua New Guinea                           820 2. Indonesia                                         743 3. Nigeria                                              516 4. India                                                 427 5. United States of America (USA)          311 6. Maxico                                              297 7. Cameroon                                         280 8. Australia                                            275 9. China                                                 241 10. Congo                                             216 11. Zayer                                               210 12. Brazil                                              200 13. Philippines                                       180 14. Malaysia                                          147 15. Canada                                            145 16. Sudan                                              134 17. Chad                                                 133 18. Russia                                               129 19. Tanzania                                            128 20. Nepal                                                125 21. Vanuatu                                             115 22. Myanmar (Burma)                              113 23. Vietnam                                            104 Total languages spoken                        5989 Source: Slightly adopted from Amrit yonjan-Tamang, ‘Thunga’--a collection of poems in mother tongues, NFDIN, 2013 Language in Census 2011 According to Census 2011, there are 123 languages spoken in Nepal as mother tongue. Nepali is spoken as mother tongue by 44.6 % of the total population, followed by Maithili by 11.7 %, Bhojpuri by 6 %, Tharu by 5.8, Tamang by 5.1 %; Newar by 3.2 %; Bajjika by 3.0%, Magar 3.0%, Doteli by 3.0 and Urdu by 2.6% of the total population of the country. Ranking     Language percentage population 1. Nepali                44.6 11,826,953 2. Maithili               11.7 3,092,530 3. Bhojpuri               6.0 1,584,958 4. Tharu                  5.8 1,529,875 5. Tamang               5.1 1,353,311 6. Newar                 3.2 846,557 7. Bajjika                3 793,418 8. Magar                 3 788,530 9. Doteli                  3 787,827 10. Urdu                  2.6 691,546 Source: Census Report 2011, CBS A scenario of language endangerment of Nepal 1. Safe languages (13) (having a large number of speakers and a lot of educational materials) Newar, Limbu, Magar, Tharu, Tamang, Bantawa, Gurung, Rajbangsi, Tibetan, Sherpa, Khaling, Kham and Sign language 2. Almost safe languages (13) (having at least a frequent use of them in media) Chamling, Santhali, Chepang, Danuwar, Dhangar/Jhangar, Thangmi, Kulung, Dhimal, Yakkha, Thulung, Sangpang, Darai and Dolpo 3. Potentially endangered languages (8) (having only a few elderly and fewer adult speakers) Kumal, Thakali, Chantyal, Dumi, Jirel, Athpariya, Mugali and Belhare 4. Endangered languages (22) (Spoken by less than 500 people) Umbule, Puma, Yholmo, Nacchering, Dura, Meche, Pahari, Lepcha, Bote, Bahing, Koi, Raji, Hayu, Byangsi, Yamphu, Ghale, Khariya, Chhiling, Lohorung, Sunuwar, Majhi and Bhujel 5. Seriously endangered languages (12) (Spoken by less than 500 people) Mewahang, Kaike, Raute, Kisan, Chuarauti, Baram, Tilung, Jerung, Dungmali, Baragaunle, Nar-phu and Manangwa 6. Moribund languages (7) (having below 100 speakers) Lingkhim, Kusunda, Koce, Sam, Kagate, Chhintang and Lhomi 7. Extinct or nearly extinct languages (11) (Having no speakers at all) Byangsi, Chonkha, Longaba, Mugali, Sambya, Pongyong, Bungla, Chukwa, Hedangba, Waling and Khandung Source: slightly adopted from Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang CNAS/T Sunuwar is a freelance feature writDev Kumar Sunuwar http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53384 When Suresh Bista was 48, he thought he wouldn’t live to be 50. A chronic alcoholic for the past decade, he had reached a point where he was in a constant state of drunkenness. Every time he felt sober, he would be consumed by a strong urge to drink all over again and would very easily give in to the temptation and gulp down a few pegs. The good news is that Suresh is now 51 and has been sober for a little over a year. Quitting wasn’t an easy decision for Suresh but he decided he had to do it after a violent vomiting episode following which he almost collapsed in the bathroom and had to be rushed to the hospital.[break] “When I was at the hospital, I made up my mind to quit for good. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but the first step to quitting is deciding to do so,” he says, adding that his family was his pillar of support throughout his recovery period which lasted for almost two years. Photo:Bijay Gajmer “My family had given up on me after trying to make me to quit numerous times,” says Suresh who had quite a few relapses during the course of his quitting process. Strong commitment on the alcoholic’s part and then motivation from family and friends play huge roles in an addict’s journey to recovery. Dr Kamal Raj Thapa, Medical Officer at Bir Hospital, says that while quitting is definitely not easy, it’s also not as difficult as people make it out to be. “Any addiction is difficult to get rid of mainly because you can’t bring yourself to let go of the habit,” says Dr Thapa, stressing on the fact that once you condition your mind to believe you can change your habit, then it becomes easy to actually do so. But Dr Thapa also mentions that conditioning of the mind is easier said than done. The toughest part of quitting any addiction is making up your mind to do so and sticking to it once you’ve started. Chances of a relapse are extremely high when your willpower isn’t that strong. It is at times like these when factors like family support and encouragement from friends come into play. In the case of Suresh, he was lucky to have a strong support system in his wife and children who did everything they could to curb his drinking habit. “When you’re a full-blown alcoholic, every aspect of your life suffers. Your health, relationships, career as well as your emotional wellbeing, everything suffers. The more you spiral into the self-destructive cycle of alcoholism, the more damage you do to every facet of your life,” says Suresh. However, addiction not only hampers addicts’ lives but creates turmoil in the lives of their family members as well. Kalpana Pradhan, 41, lost her father when she was just twelve. Her family had suffered in silence for many years before his death. His alcohol addiction had taken its toll on the family. They had to sell off whatever little remained of their property to pay the bills when her father was hospitalized during the last few days of his life. “My father had already sold much of our property to sustain his drinking habits. Besides the emotional trauma we had to go through because of his addiction, life was tough because our finances were dwindling and we felt very insecure,” says Kalpana. When someone in the family becomes addicted to alcohol, the effect ripples throughout the family. While living with alcohol abuse is difficult on the addict, the family members suffer more from the painful effects of the addiction. Its far-reaching effects result in not only health problems for alcoholics but also may result in psychological and financial problems for the other members of the family. The family members who are so greatly affected may not ever recover from the traumas inflicted upon them. Alcoholism’s effects on family can be very disastrous and in many cases are long-lasting. Many therapists call alcoholism a family disease because it subjects all members of a household to continuous stress and fears, and thus, to a large extent, all the members are affected. “I grew up watching my mother’s life crumble before my very eyes. She was a very happy-go-lucky person but when my father started drinking too much, she started becoming depressed,” says Kalpana, adding that her father’s refusal to seek help for his condition further worsened their family life. “My father refused to admit he had a drinking problem. When he eventually did, it was too late. He was already hospitalized with a severe case of liver cirrhosis,” says Kalpana with tears glistening in her eyes. It can be extremely hard for someone who is addicted to alcohol to seek assistance. The shame often associated with alcoholism, as well as denial, can be an obstacle to getting help as many people don’t often realize until it is too late that they are alcoholics. Dr Thapa, on the other hand, believes that it is the family’s responsibility to see to it that chronic alcoholics get medical help they are in dire need of. “You have to convince them. It’s a difficult job but the family members have to do it,” he says. Those few who have been affected by alcoholism realize that by protecting the alcoholic with little lies and excuses, the family members themselves sometimes create a situation that makes it easier for the addict to continue and progress in his downward spiral. Rather than help the alcoholic, the family members unwittingly aid him to get worse. “Suresh had always been a drinker and when we got married I never thought he would ultimately be drinking on a daily basis,” says Prabha Bista, 49, Suresh’s wife of 25 years, adding that his drinking habits led to a lot of fights and issues between them.“We almost got divorced at one point,” she mentions with an embarrassed smile. “But she changed her mind because of our children. She felt they were already suffering, having to deal with an alcoholic father that she couldn’t put them through the trauma of a broken home, and I’m thankful to her for that,” says Suresh, cutting in as Prabha speaks. Prabha, on the other hand, acknowledges her role in her husband’s alcoholism and mentions that, in retrospect, she now thinks she contributed to Suresh’s addiction. It may start out with casually accepting unacceptable behavior by dismissing them with a simple comment like “He just had too much to drink last night.” A few years down the road, the behavior slowly becomes more and more intolerable until, without realizing it, the occasional drinker morphs into a full-fledged alcoholic. “When people started commenting on Suresh’s drinking habits, I brushed it aside with casual remarks. Instead of telling him to cut down on his drinking habits, I used to make excuses for his behavior. Now I know how wrong I had been to do that,” says Prabha. Whatever the case might be, Suresh has recovered and come out of his addiction. And he believes that the quality of his life has greatly improved because of it. Contrary to popular belief, quitting is not really that difficult once you make up your mind, agree alcoholics unanimously. Alcoholism can be tackled with a determination and family support. And if that’s not enough, one shouldn’t be hesitant to seek medical help. “Quitting alcohol will not only give you an immediate improvement in your overall health, it will also allow you to slowly put your life back together. It isn’t really that difficult once you decide on it,” says Suresh who now advices the very friends he used to drink with to give up and get their life back on track. On quitting drinking Easy does it While deciding to quit is definitely a good thing, it’s not advisable for chronic alcoholics to go cold turkey. The sudden absence of alcohol can cause great havoc in your system and lead to depressive tendencies, panic attacks, severe anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, making it all the more difficult to quit. You’re bound to reach for the bottle or order a peg and then one more in no time. “If you think you may be dependent on alcohol and decide to stop drinking completely, plan the process. It’s much more effective when you prepare yourself. Also, sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking can be life-threatening. Doing it slowly is the key to a safe recovery,” says Dr Kamal Raj Thapa, Medical Officer at Bir Hospital. “Quitting alcohol is a matter of mind over body for some people. While chronic alcoholics might need medical help, anyone can quit if they condition themselves accordingly,” he adds. The Week, with Dr Thapa’s help, has listed the top three tips that might be helpful if you’re thinking of quitting. Keep track of your drinking To help you reach your goal, keep a drink diary. For example, write down every time you have a drink for a week. Try to keep your diary for 3-4 weeks. This will show you how much you drink and which will be immensely helpful while planning to quit. This way, you can set a goal and track your progress. You can also pick a day or two each week when you will not drink at all. Think about how you feel physically and emotionally on these days. When you succeed and feel better, you may find it easier to cut down for good. First, reduce the quantity of alcohol intake You’re probably not going to kick your habit in a week. Accept that, but remember small victories beget bigger ones. So, in the beginning, simply try to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Going straight from heavy drinker to cold turkey is a recipe for physical and emotional disaster. Start by cutting down on the number of drinks. Even if you only reduce your daily drinking by one drink, it’s a success. Keep working on reducing the alcohol you consume. Every week, cut down the total number of drinks by at least one. If you want to be more ambitious, try halving the number of drinks you allow yourself each week. The idea is to set a reasonable goal and then push yourself to slowly surpass that. Avoid triggers If you’re serious about getting rid of your drinking habit, then be ready to leave some of your drinking buddies or watering holes behind. If you tend to drink at home, keep very little alcohol in stash. If visiting a particular friend is the time you drink too much, then avoid heading over to his place. The idea is also to keep yourself engaged at the time when you would normally be drinking. So think of your hobbies or other activities and renew your interest in them. If you started as a social drinker and then moved on to needing and craving alcohol on a daily basis, then try to find alternatives to distract you. If you’ve relied on alcohol to be more comfortable at social gatherings and cope with problems, then look for healthier alternatives to deal with those issues. On being raised by alcoholics Do children of alcoholics become alcoholics? Ankit Bhandari, son of a chronic alcoholic, certainly seems to think so. And that is, because he is one now. Ankit remembers his father staggering home late at night, screaming at his mother, then heading off to sleep without taking a bite of the food his mother would warm up as soon as she heard his footsteps at the door. “All my childhood was spent in complete disharmony. Fights were so common at home that I dreaded returning from school. Not only did I have to face a drunken father, I would also have to comfort another wailing parent,” he says. Sworup Nhasiju Ankit also remembers promising to himself that he wouldn’t be like his father. But at the age of 19, he started drinking. By 24, he was drinking every week, sometimes even twice or thrice a week. Now at 27, he drinks almost every single day. While he doesn’t blame his father for his own dependency on alcohol, he does admit that his drinking habit stemmed from being raised in a household where nothing was stable and everything was in some way broken, if not shattered. Many might not understand what exactly Ankit is trying to say when he talks about broken households but for Neha Dhakal, 25, the statement strikes a chord. “Nothing seemed right in my house while I was growing up,” says Neha, adding that she had a very traumatic childhood as her father was an alcoholic and her mother was a ‘social drinker’ by her own admittance. Neha can never recall a moment in her childhood when she was truly happy. Everyday was an ordeal for this young lady who now drinks regularly with her friends and finds that alcohol calms her otherwise jittery nerves and instills a can-do attitude in her. “I was a teetotaler till a few years back. I don’t remember how I started drinking. One day, I just did, I guess,” she says, adding that she drinks to keep her emotions in check. Alcoholism runs in families, and children of alcoholics are more likely than other children to become alcoholics themselves. In general, children of alcoholics are at greater risk for having emotional problems than children whose parents are not alcoholics. Compounding the psychological impact of being raised by a parent who is suffering from alcohol abuse is the fact that most children of alcoholics have experienced some form of neglect or abuse. “I used to pity myself and my mother and hate my father. In fact, the word ‘hate’ doesn’t even begin to describe the intensity of anger I felt for my father who in my opinion had completely ruined our family life,” says Ankit who had to take care of himself because his father was always drunk and his mother was too busy to attend to him since all her time was spent trying to adapt to her husband’s drunken ways. When there’s an alcoholic in the family, life automatically revolves around the addict and the rest of the family members must learn to keep their family going, however they can. Both Ankit and Neha admit to being forced to grow up before time due to the circumstances at home. “My friends always thought I was very precocious. I was too wise for my age, they said,” says Neha. It is not unlikely for children of alcoholics to cope by taking the role of responsible ‘parents’ within the family and among friends. They may become controlled, successful and overachievers throughout school and at the same time be emotionally isolated from other children and teachers. But no matter what the child of an alcoholic does, they cannot ‘fix’ their parent or their family. They may be able to take care of the wrongdoer, but they are unable to sort out the root of the problem: the addiction and relating family dysfunction that stems from it. “Everything I did fell short when I was a child. No matter how good I was at studies or extracurricular activities, none of it made any difference in my life because no one paid any attention to it. No one seemed to care,” says Ankit. Additionally, the child of an alcoholic or addict may blame him/herself for bad things that happen in the family, and are frequently guilt-ridden for reasons beyond their control. However, their emotional problems may show only when they are adults. A child being raised by a parent who is suffering from alcohol abuse may have a myriad of conflicting emotions and may even grow up to become alcoholics themselves. Also, growing up in a family where one or both of the parents are alcoholic can prove to be so painful and emotionally traumatic that many years later the adult child will still be suffering from the scars. “Being raised by alcoholic parents will have long-term repercussions. The child might never be normal,” says Neha who admits to having depressive spells even after all these years. cillakhatry@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53383 The first Nepali attorney to be licensed in the US, Khagendra Gharti-Chhetry has experience of almost three decades in the legal field. He is the founding partner of Chhetry & Associates P.C., a service law firm based in New York which opened its Nepal branch recently in Kathmandu. In his years of legal experiences, Chhetry has been providing legal services to individuals as well as businesses, corporations and has trained novice lawyers under his supervision. He was admitted to New York Bar in 1987 and has extensive experience in immigration law matters, including litigation, divorce, business law, real estate, bankruptcy, corporate law and hydro investment.[break] Apart from providing help to sort out the legal problems of Nepalis in the US, Chhetry has also rescued many illegal Nepali immigrants who were put into detention. Through the newly opened Nepal branch, he plans to provide services to government agencies in cases of international treaties and create a legal environment for the investors in America to invest in Nepal, and vice versa. Besides that, the Nepal branch will also provide comprehensive legal services in corporate transaction, cross border investment, intellectual property rights and legal outsourcing, to name a few. The Week met Chhetry to talk more about his legal experience, the situation of Nepali immigrants in the US and the services provided by his company’s newly opened branch. Photo:Bhaswor Ojha Tell us about your journey of becoming the first Nepali attorney to be licensed in the US. I always wanted to be a lawyer, so I studied law in Nepal and then studied further in India. I then took up teaching at law campus in Nepal for a year. I wanted to study in the US, so I pursued my L.L.M in Columbia University in 1984 and received my Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Fordham University. After I completed my education, I was about to return to Nepal but my senior lawyers recommended that it would be better if I understood the legal practices of the US. In that context, I gave bar examinations and I became the first Nepali to be admitted to New York Bar in 1987. Then I started working in association with private lawyers but later I worked as human rights commission lawyer in New York City. In 1994, I started private practice and started Chhetry & Associates which is where I currently work.[break] What are the challenges that you faced to establish yourself as a lawyer in the US? It was very difficult for me as initially being a foreigner in the US, it was hard to find a job. In today’s age, the number of Nepalis has increased a lot. Even the Indians population increased after the ’90s, including immigrants from many other countries. It was difficult to enter the legal market and there was a lot of struggle. But I took up those challenges, and after my admission at the bar in 1987, it became easy to work. I then started by working for lawyers in New York City and later practiced law in my own private law firm. What kind of services does your private company provide? There are three offices in New York and one in Pennsylvania. Our team has expert lawyers who have excellent experiences in law. We provide legal services to different communities. In the initial days, there were less Nepalis, so we were dealing with cases of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Chinese and South Americans as well as people from other countries and also for local businessmen and companies. There are lots of lawyers who came to study in the US and I’ve trained a few lawyers as well. There were eight lawyers who worked in my office and they have already started practicing in the US by starting their own offices. I’m currently training few Nepali and American lawyers as well. How did you come up with the idea of starting a branch in Nepal? Nepal’s population is growing. In the US, there are more than 150,000 Nepalis, and at the same time, the number of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese population is also increasing. Those Nepalis who are settled there want me to provide them with services while some want to look after the legal problems they have in Nepal from the US. So, in such cases I had to search for lawyers in Nepal and sometimes there would be problems in providing references as well. That’s why we wanted to create a platform where we can provide services from Nepal itself. The main objective is also to open up a branch to create a legal environment for the investors in America to invest in Nepal. The sectors that they can invest in are hydroelectricity, business, and telecommunication. We also provide legal framework and recommendations for those who want to invest in America from here regarding where they can invest, the requirements and we also make sure that they don’t lose their money. What are the other services that you look forward to providing? We also want to help Nepal government by providing services to government agencies in cases of international treaties, contracts and negotiations. When we look historically, Nepal government has suffered a lot in cases where legal drafting wasn’t done properly and they lost millions of dollars in those deals. We aren’t saying that Nepali lawyers aren’t competent but sometimes they may not be aware of the culture of how deals are made. Since we have lots of experience, we want to help in such matters. What are the differences between law practices in Nepal and the US? There is a huge difference between the legal systems in the US and Nepal. Lawyers are identified in different ways here. In order for the lawyers to make legal profession respectful, they need to try to make this profession better. There are good and bad lawyers as well in the legal profession of the US but the regulations are so strong that if you are a bad lawyer you can’t continue working, and that’s why lawyers are trusted. That kind of practice hasn’t been developed here yet, so it’s difficult for people to trust lawyers. So Nepali lawyers should make their profession respectful in public so that the public also trusts them and it helps in the rule of law as well. What’s the situation of Nepali immigrants in the US? The number of Nepalis illegally going to America has increased, and as a lawyer I’ve rescued many who were in detention for illegally entering the US. There are many sad stories that we get to hear as well, like many coming to the US without any basic idea and just dying there due to various circumstances. Historically, there weren’t cases of Nepalis entering illegally but now I can see and hear lots of such cases. We’ve heard many sad incidents where people have suffered in car accidents and those suffered from emergency and personal injuries as well. In such circumstances, we’re trying to create a legal framework where we can help the families here to get the information. Recently, two Nepalis died in New Jersey as they didn’t know that they should use the zebra crossing and crossed the roads haphazardly. Similarly, in one case, a young person was working alone in a night shift at a gas station and wasn’t aware that the area was dangerous and he was shot to death. Such cases could have been avoided if they had proper idea about the safety issues system of the US. What could be done to make Nepalis aware to avoid illegal entry in the US? America has invested lots of money and resources for border control but even then many cross borders illegally every year. I think that those Nepalis who go from here should get educated about the system there as many are not even aware that there are strict actions taken in the US and the situation can get more complicated than you expect. Many choose to go illegally even after knowing the consequences. But if they are made aware of the difficulties ahead, a lot of complications can be prevented from happening. Do you have any suggestions for those lawyers and other Nepalis who are looking forward to come to the US? For those who want to do business in the US and want to invest for long terms, they should first learn about the legal framework in the US and also learn about due diligence and be informed about how much you should invest. Not only us but there are many lawyers one can go to for recommendations. It’s a struggle for every Nepali in the US and if the person is ready to take up hardships and struggles, then they will make a successful story. If they aren’t ready, then it’s hard to succeed. If you’re uneducated and unaware, then it’ll be difficult for anyone from any age group. During my time, there were fewer Nepalis and it would be hard to get information about important things and I had to put in a lot of effort. But now there are lots of Nepalis there with lots of facilities, so even a person who can just speak Nepali can survive there which wasn’t the scenario until a few years back. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53382 “Caste is nothing,” she laughs, her eyes crinkling, “We fight; we get furious with each other and don’t speak for days. But in the end, we’re still a family. And that is all that matters.” A sleek car drives by, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. Old Baneshwor is just waking up as a pale sun peeks sleepily from behind the clouds. At a small roadside teashop, tea brews in a kettle. The counter is full of bread, doughnuts, milk, eggs, utensils, aaloo matar, chana and chiura. Anandi, 38, smiles with a twinkle in her kohl-laden eyes, “Do you take sugar in your tea?”[break] This has been her daily routine for the past twenty years ever since she got married. Theirs was an inter-caste marriage. Back then, caste system was an extremely rigid social norm. Caste-based hierarchy was at its peak. If someone fell in love outside one’s own caste, it would bring disgrace to the whole family. Since she was a Rai and her husband a Newar, their marriage was automatically considered a taboo by the society. “So we had to elope from Dhankuta and came to Kathmandu,” she reminisces. Photo: Bhaswor Ojha She remembers herself as a starry-eyed young bride of eighteen when she first came to the capital. Dreams were all that the young couple had. Her husband borrowed some money from friends to start their first business – a small teashop. Since there were no elders around to tell them what to do, they had a tricky relationship with money. They never made much. And they did not save much, either. “We were both so young,” she reveals as she chops some onions. “We had never been on our own before. We spent a lot on entertainment, especially on movies.” Their only child, a son, was born a year later. Suddenly, the center of her universe shifted. Everyday, she woke up and worked a little harder to make his life a little better.  Sometimes, while doing dishes at the teashop and cooking supper for the customers, her mind wandered back to her past. Youth had crept in even before the carefree days of childhood were over. She had tied the knot just after SLC. She had always been sharp in studies. She had always wanted to acquire higher education. But once the baby was born, any thought of continuing with school vanished from her mind. As her priorities changed, instead of becoming a teacher as she had always dreamt of, she decided to become a homemaker and a mother. With nobody to help her with the baby, the first few years were extremely difficult. A young mother in a strange city who had married against the wishes of her family was a difficult position to be in. But her husband was her rock. They decided not to have a second baby and give the one that they already had the best they could. Fortunately, their bundle of joy turned out to be a bright one. He never stood second in the class. By the time he passed high school with flying colors, he was already fulfilling some of those ambitions that had once visited his mother’s heart. Working at the teashop day after day, all she cared for was her son’s career and success. However, the couple shared mixed feelings when their son decided to join Chartered Accountancy course. It is known to be one of the toughest in the world of academics. Although she might not understand the things written in the bulky books, she perfectly understood that her son had chosen a difficult path for himself. It was then that she bequeathed all her prayers to him. However, she also realizes that it can be challenging to play the roles of a mother and a wife at the same time. Whatever little squabbles the couple has, happen over their son. Both want the best for him. But at times, their approaches turn out to be different. “Chhora is doing such an amazing job,” she says, her face glowing with fondness and pride. “But his father thinks I’m too lenient with him. I say, aren’t all mothers exactly the same?” Her happiness is completely associated with her son’s, and for that reason; she is not really concerned regarding the caste of the girl that he would choose to marry. This very discrimination was what made them leave their home all those years ago. Things are now in a state of gradual progress. She is warmly welcomed back home by her in-laws. Nevertheless, she still holds those memories of being alone and abandoned close to her heart. That being said, despite the financial difficulties and other hardships, she has never regretted her marriage. “Caste is nothing,” she laughs, her eyes crinkling, “We fight; we get furious with each other and don’t speak for days. But in the end, we’re still a family. And that is all that matters.” Her life has been a multihued canvas of bittersweet moments. She is clad in a simple kurta. Her long curly hair is piled up in a bun. She removes a stray lock of hair from her face and finishes peeling the potatoes. Her husband comes in and starts kneading the flour. Although he has recently started to work as a security guard at the UMN (United Mission to Nepal), he always helps her at the teashop whenever he is free. She hurries off to light the stove and get the oil nicely heated for the samosas. They steal smiles at each other as they work. The couple does not have any big plans for the future. However, Anandi now has a new dream. She wishes to save a little money and buy some land. She wants to build a small house where she can welcome her son and husband home after a long day of work. “You had nothing with you when you were born. You don’t take anything with you when you die,” she wipes the table and collects the glasses. “But you have to leave some things behind for your children. Love and property. What is life without a little bit of both?” younitya@gmail.co http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53381 Single-child myths and sibling experiences When her friends come to know that Resha Parajuli, 24, is a single child, they voice their disbelief. They tell her that she is not anything like an only child. “I come across such comments very often and it makes me wonder how exactly single children are supposed to behave,” she says. It is a worldwide practice of stereotyping single children as ‘spoiled brats.’ Single children are supposed to be aggressive, lacking social skills and are insecure than children who have siblings. There have been many researches regarding the single child phenomenon with many supporting such statement while others concluding that these beliefs are actually false.[break] “There are times when someone behaves in a certain way and if he turns out to be a single child, then people take it normally. The myth still persists,” says Parajuli. She believes that the reason that her friends do not think of her as being a single child is because she grew up with her cousins. “Though I was the only child, I was very close with my cousins and we still share that special bond,” she says. During her growing up years, she was always accompanied by her cousins – at school and at home. Photo Courtesy: Mohan Duwal Mohan Duwal, 32, with his wife Sushma Rajkarnikar and four year old daughter Snehi. the couple is planning to have a second child so that their daughter does not miss out on the sibling experience. Parajuli, however, is not the only single child who relied on her cousins to seek company. Another single child, Pratistha Singh, 28, also reminisces being with her cousins during her growing up days. “When I was a kid, I never felt alone even though we were not really together all the time,” she says. Though the trend of nuclear family has started some two decades ago, families lived nearby during those times and children used to have close knitted relationship with their cousins. But unlike those times, now families have drifted apart due to various reasons, such as lack of housing space, over population and career-oriented attitude. In a decade’s gap between 2001 and 2011, though the census of Nepal shows that the household size has decreased to only 4.88 from 5.44, family relationships are not as close in recent times. With many people deciding to settle abroad, family gatherings have become thinner and consequently such social and traditional events within families are decreasing. “A young child today will have very less social interactions than I had during my childhood days,” says Parajuli, pointing out that a single child may face several complications today than what she had to experience. Namrata Gopalan, 34, also agrees with Parajuli. Mother of a two and a half years old child, Gopalan says that she is planning to have her second child after a healthy gap. “Since I grew up with an older sister, I really feel that a sibling can play a very important part in your life,” she says, adding that her decision to have a second child is solely because she believes that siblings can be each other’s support system and she does not want her son to miss out on that. But having a single child has its own perks. Most single children do not have to fight for their space at home and do not have to deal with sibling rivalry, and also parents of single children find it easier to provide more financially. And in today’s fast-paced world, a single child also means that parents can easily combine their work and social commitments other than complying with parental responsibilities. These benefits are sometimes also criticized for being parent-centric rather than child-centric. But Parajauli says that financial resources can be equally helpful to a child as much as to his parents. “My parents were able to help me financially even when I was studying at a US university, This probably would have been difficult if my parents had to plan for their second child as well,” she says. However, Mohan Duwal, 32, father of a four and half years old, who plans to have a second child in the near future, says that fulfilling parental obligations and handling work and social commitments might have discouraged him to have another child if he had not been living in a joint family. “Now we can rely on our family to take care of our children. But if we were living separately, there would have been some pressure handling work and home,” he says. But regarding financial responsibilities, he argues that it all depends on proper management. Like Gopalan, his decision to have two kids is primarily because he does not want his children to miss out on the sibling experience. “Even if you look around among friends, it is normal to have at least two kids. Having two children seems to make a family whole,” he says. Parajuli and Singh also agree that they did miss the sibling experience. “Most of the times, you are the center of the attention of your parents and that can be too overwhelming at times,” says Parajuli. Singh, on the other hand, says, “People may see us being pampered but it is actually awkward at times. I may get whatever I ask for, but then I also feel responsible towards my parents than my friends do.” Though they both crave for a sibling, they don’t agree on the single-child myth. “The personality of any person depends on his influence during his growing up days. And though I was the only child, my parents were really strict and they did not compromise in discipline,” Parajuli says. She adds that shaping a child’s personality is in the hands of his parents, especially if he is a single child. But having multiple children isn’t any different, either. Many parents these days prefer to have their parental experience limited to a single child. Many factors, such as late marriage in urban areas, career prospects and financial conditions, also lead parents to resort to have only one child. However, whether parents decide to have a single child or many, it is necessary that one is exposed to enough social interactions, so that the child does not feel isolated or lonely. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53380 Obesity has multiple effects on children and those children at risk are not usually those who are not active but consume high calories which are more than required by their bodies. Eight-year-old Debesh Rana had a sudden blackout while he was playing at home. After a week, his parents took him to Delhi for checkup and were stunned by the medical reports. Their son had high cholesterol and triglyceride.[break] Plump Debesh was 140 cm tall and his weight was 49 kgs. Considering his height and age, the doctors informed that his ideal weight should actually be 33 kgs and warned him to watch his diet as excessive weight could take a toll on his health. His day started with a heavy breakfast, including cheesy and butter-laden white bread sandwiches, followed by lots of oily snacks and junk food throughout the day. Being a food lover, it has however been torturous for Debesh to break his unhealthy eating habits. “He couldn’t resist keeping his hands off junk food but now we have tried really hard to change his diet and cut down on all the high-calorie food items,” says Slesha Rana who is anxious about her son’s health issues at such a tender age. She has completely stopped giving him white bread and instead makes him have soup, fruits and boiled vegetables for breakfast. “It’s been like a punishment for my son who craves the food he previously used to have and often questions why he isn’t allowed to have junk food. We should’ve changed his eating habits long time back so that he would’ve been used to eating healthy by now,” says Slesha. But on the brighter side, Debesh’s weight has now gone down to 43 kgs and his mother is positive that he will slowly reach his ideal size. Many urban children can relate to Debesh’s story, as from early on they are accustomed to junk food products which are easily accessible in the market and lured to such comfort foods by the marketing strategies of the products. But there is high risk of being prone to obesity and inviting serious ailments. Dr Narayan Bahadur Basnet, senior consultant pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist, says that frequent cases of obese children with health problems are reported to his clinic. “Obese children are prone to diabetes as the glucose in the body doesn’t get digested which increases the glucose level in the body,” he says and adds that obese children may also suffer from respiratory problems like difficulty in breathing, asthma and even sleep apnea which causes pauses in breathing or waking up several times during the night due to difficulty in breathing. “Obesity can even lead to hypertension, coronary artery diseases and heart attacks, and even children aged 10 to 15 years can also be at risk,” says Basnet, also the Director of Children´s Medical Diagnosis Center (CMDC). Kids who are obese are also prone to blood pressures. There are numerous such risk factors that contribute to developing high blood pressure, and one of the secondary causes is due to obesity. Obese people are two to six times more at risk of developing high blood pressure than people who have healthy weight. “Obesity has multiple effects on children and those children at risk are not usually those who are not active but consume high calories which are more than required by their bodies,” he explains. Ria Shrestha is fifteen years old and she prefers to stay aloof and is usually lost in her own world. Rather than socializing with the other kids in the neighborhood, she prefers to get engrossed in front of the television with a pack of potato chips and aerated drinks. The main reason for her anti-social behavior is her weight issues. She also recently got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a case where the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin which is necessary for the body to use glucose for energy, the basic fuel for cells. Such a form of diabetes was hardly seen in children before the 1990s but sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits have changed the whole scenario. Dr Basnet informs that besides diabetes, there is also risk of cholesterol getting stored slowly in the artery of obese kids which might even lead to stroke. “Such cases might not be that frequent to hear and may not be as common like in adults but the risks are high,” he says. Parents too are often at fault for causing weight gain among their children. They tend to overfeed their children, thinking that more the children will eat, the healthier they will become. Such is the case of Sailesh Manandhar who encouraged his child to eat more even when the child often complained of being full already. Even after a heavy lunch or dinner, he would be happy to treat his chubby daughter to sugary delicacies. With time, the appetite of his child has tremendously increased and she has even developed unhealthy eating habits. “When she was having overweight issues and would find it even difficult to run or stay active like other normal kids, I later learnt that I was doing it the wrong way all the while,” regrets Sailesh. Dr Basnet also blames the growing fad of video games for further causing inactiveness and overweight problems among urban kids. “Though we don’t see cases of obese children with health issues coming everyday, we frequently see it, at least a few in a week. This in itself is alarming,” he adds. Shrijana Shrestha, Professor of Pediatrics at Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, says that obesity can lead to high cholesterol but sometimes it can also be due to genetic conditions. “The only way to fight these problems however is by having healthy diet and exercising daily,” she says. She states that when obese children reach the period of young adulthood, they are more at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases or heart attacks. This is because obese kids are likely to be obese as adults and may also face bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes and strokes. “Heart attacks were common to those who crossed the age of 40, but that concept has changed. Though familial conditions may trigger health issues, obesity can cause numerous such health ailments,” says Srijana. Similar to the case of Ria, she says that obese children may also face psychological problems and have to bear social discrimination. They might develop poor self-esteem which can even hinder their academic and overall growth and functioning. “Therefore, parents too need to be aware of lifestyle modifications of their kids,” she says. Dr Basnet suggests that children should have high fiber diets and also diet including proper proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and fat. “In the diet calorie supplement, people shouldn’t take more than 30 percent of calories from only fat. This applies to both children and adult,” he informs. Faulty eating habits and inactive lifestyle are increasing the cases of obesity among children, and with awareness levels being low, it is important for such children to adopt healthy lifestyle. Basnet says that any child who is obese should start with proper exercises and should also cut down on sugary food. “Since children keep on growing which is not the same for elders, they have more chances of losing fat early. Therefore, it is imperative that we raise awareness so that we can avoid health problems from occurring and hindering the proper growth of children,” he concludes. nistha.rayamajhi11@gma http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53379 Having to deal with sarkari babus, given the way our officialdom works, is definitely not a pleasing prospect. Residents of Gothatar in Bhaktapur are realizing just how frustrating it is to get a government agency to act to address the problems faced by public. Ignoring the pleas of more than 500 residents of Gothatar, the government officials at Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB) have been acting in favor of a few commercial bore wells operators in the area.[break] Residents accuse that rampant and, in many cases, unauthorized commercial-scale extraction of groundwater has led to a sudden and significant drop in the water table of the area. But KVWSMB that issues licenses for commercial extraction has been doing so, it seems, without following its own guidelines. According to the Kathmandu Valley Underground Water Management Policy, 2069, commercial extraction of groundwater in shallow aquifers should be discouraged to ensure the availability of that water for household purpose. Water level down to 30 meters is considered shallow aquifer and below that level deep aquifer. Though the policy has empowered the KVWSMB to set limits on extraction of water based on the situation of aquifers and water needs of the locals, the way commercial extractors are operating in Gothatar, there seem to be no other plausible explanations than official collusion. Some operators have been given license for deep boring but they have been extracting water from shallow aquifers, the ones residents depend on for water for daily use, including drinking. And yet there are others who have been using more wells than they have been authorized, meaning they are operating illegally. These facts were uncovered by none other than the inspection team appointed by the KVWSMB itself. Yet the Board hasn’t taken action against any of the illegal operators. Deep boring at some commercial extraction sites were just a sham as the machines for deep tube wells were unused. Instead, the inspection team found extractors trying to cover up five to six shallow boring tube wells at the site, for which they didn’t have license. I met the coordinator of the Gothatar stakeholders’ committee who said the wells in the area are drying up and so is the patience of Gothatar residents. Depletion of water table by more than 10 feet in a year can be attributed to nothing but the commercial tube wells operating in the area, he said. Findings of many researches on the Valley’s hydrological state available on the Internet also point out that sharp reduction in water level is directly attributable to rampant extraction of groundwater. Gothatar residents say that they want the commercial tube wells operators to halt extraction of groundwater immediately. At present, they are mulling over the proposal of the Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development who has proposed that both sides agree to setting up an expert committee and then abide by its findings. If the expert team finds that the depletion of water table is caused by commercial extraction, the operations would be halted. But they can continue if no correlation is established. Officially, the residents have no choice but to agree to the proposal as Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Board Regulations, 2064, states that the Board can (it’s worth noting that the rule does not say “must”) consult experts from related fields before halting commercial extractions. It is funny, however, to see how our sarkari babus know how to ignore one kind of regulation and invoke another to suit their interests. Lecturers at the Central Department of Geology of the Tribhuvan University, Dr Rama Mohan Pokhrel, Deo Kumar Limbu and Suhana Mool said it was obvious that the water table in Gothatar dropped due to rampant extraction and that is what any scientific study would show. This confirms the Gothatar residents’ suspicion that commercial extractors are pushing for an expert study just to buy time. “Ever since we started the agitation demanding an immediate stop to extraction, they have been looking for ways to extend the time for as long as possible,” the stakeholders’ coordinator said. “We know that everyday we allow them to operate, they suck out water that’s going to take years to recharge.” No wonder, frustration runs deep among the locals not just against the commercial extractors but also against the KVWSMB. And their anger is not unfounded. Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Board Regulations, 2064, says that the Board can conduct regular monitoring and set regulations for underground water. If any commercial extractor is found violating the terms and conditions, the Board has the power to cancel its license. Also, after receiving the application for running deep tube wells, the Board should inspect the site without delay, check the geological conditions and get the consent of local users. But the Board hasn’t been acting as per the guidelines before issuing licenses. An independent organization appointed by the KVWSMB has said in its report, after conducting a survey at Gothatar VDC, that the use of tube wells running minimum 260 meters and maximum 270 meters deep is feasible in the area. None of the tube wells, including the deep ones, currently in operation at Gothatar go to a depth that is even closer. It is almost as if the Board officials are turning a blind eye to the illegal practices so that they can use the threat of regulations to extract bribes from commercial operators, a practice entrenched in Nepali officialdom. The writer is a copy editor at Republica.amendrapokharel@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53378 In today’s day and age, taking a picture has become more of a daily activity that has attached itself with online photographic services like Instagram and Flickr. These days, a picture is taken more for social networking sites rather than the artistic side of it. Also, with the coming of cheap and easy to use cameras, photography is accessible to all; but even with a point and shoot camera, people can create stunning photographs, one of them being the wide-angled panoramic pictures. Many new age cameras and phones come with a panorama feature built in but you truly desire to take a full length professional looking panoramic picture, the use of a computer application is a necessity. If you have a DSLR, it’s even better because most DSLRs don’t come equipped with a panorama feature and the use of a computer application paired up with the DSLR’s high resolution imaging has the ability to make a truly breathtaking panorama.[break] To create a panorama, two stages need to be performed. The first is taking pictures that stitches up to turn into a panorama; and second, the act of using those single pictures and stitching them together to create a long seamless panoramic image. Since a panoramic image uses single images that lengthen into a long wide-angle image, a normal DSLR with the kit-lens (18-55mm) should be enough; but even if you don’t own a DSLR, a normal point and shoot camera should also suffice. But before beginning, make sure to turn off all automatic features on your point and shoot because if there is any change in the brightness or the color of the picture, the panorama will be a mixture of varying colors. The first stage of making a panorama will involve taking single shots of a wide view. Frame your shots in such a way that it begins from one side and keep taking pictures till the end of the view. But make sure that there are ample areas that overlap with each other, this makes it easier for the software to recognize vital points in the pictures and matches it up with your second picture. While using a DSLR, one vital point would be to shoot in Manual mode because automatic settings will not change and you will get the same feel throughout your series of pictures. One trick to getting the right exposure throughout the series would be to set up your camera setting to the best exposure on the brightest part of your panorama and then locking them. Once you have your series of pictures, the second stage begins with you importing your pictures onto your computer. There are many applications that can help you out here but two of the best ones would be Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE) and Hugin. Both of these software are free of cost but Microsoft ICE is only Windows based whereas Hugin is a cross-platform open source application that will run on Windows, Mac and Linux. Also to ensure that these applications work perfectly with your computer, you also need to install an additional application called AutoPano. Macs have this application pre-installed but Windows and Linux users may have to install it separately. AutoPano is a script that helps your computer recognize the control points on your pictures that help connect them together. Among these two applications, Microsoft ICE is definitely the easier one to use but is quite restricted when it comes to features. Using ICE is easy with a very straight forward interface and most of the work you need to do to create a panorama is already done for you and there is little you can do to change that compilation, except change the crop and a few features. When the application starts a simple interface will greet you and all you have to do is collect your series of pictures and drag them to the application windows and the application will do the rest for you. After the panorama has been stitched, you will have the option to change the camera motion and give it a range of different looks and the crop tool that gives you the option to save only a select part of the picture. Apart from these two options and an export option, there is little you can do to change your panorama within this application. The second option, Hugin, in contrast, is a powerhouse. So, if you happen to be a beginner to cameras and camera concepts, Hugin might be a little confusing for you but even though, using Hugin for basic stitching is easy. Much like ICE, Hugin comes equipped for basic users as well with an assistant, much like a wizard, to help you through the process. There are many options within the application that you can explore through but if you want to stitch a panorama together, the assistant is the easiest way. The assistant is the primary tab that greets you once the application is open. Hugin will ask you to load your images as step one. After Hugin is done with analyzing the picture, a second option button titled ‘Align’ is focused. Aligning the picture will take some time but will create the panorama for you, after that a third option of ‘Create Panorama’ will help you save you image. A simple panorama with very little input from the user can be created in this way in Hugin but there are a plethora of options to help you get that perfect panoramic image if you are aware of what you are doing. Photographers use many software to bring that extra edge to their photos. High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is made possible by application on the computer and even photographic post-production is heavily dependent on application on the computer. Photography is art, so experiment with your camera and take pictures that come out as pieces of art. The writer is The Week’s much loved techguru. Email us your tech queries at theweek@myrepublica.com and we’ll have him answer them for you. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53377 “The Godfather” written by Mario Puzo and the classic movie based on it, starring Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, top his list of all-time favorites. If movies are the best way to unwind, he thinks, books are the best way to learn, unlearn and relearn. The more you read, the more you come to terms with life, the world and everything that’s there to know Winners don’t do different things. They do things differently. - You Can Win, Shiva Khera This book presents each person as a winner or someone who has the ability to win. However, human values and sentiments are of equal importance as you pave your own road to success. These lines are quite inspirational. Nobody’s born special or better than anybody else. But it’s your own choices and decisions that take you where you are, and more importantly, succeed in keeping you there.[break]  Photo: Bhaswor Ojha There is this one particularly touching story in the book that often comes to my mind. It’s about two friends. Both are soldiers. They are fighting in a war. Unfortunately, one of them gets shot and is mortally injured. Now, their commander, believing that it would weaken the other soldier’s spirits, forbids him from meeting his dying friend. But the soldier defies the commander’s orders and goes to his friend who is very happy to see him before he breathes his last. Upon returning, his commander asks him what good it did to him to go and see a man on his deathbed. The soldier answers that it was worth the world’s wealth since he was able to fulfill his best friend’s last wish. This book had created a great hype in the market at one point of time. This is not a typical novel with a single theme. It is, in fact, a collection of some truly wonderful stories. They motivate you to strive to become not just a skillful manager but also a good human being. Without sounding boring or routinely didactic, they teach you the right attitude to deal with the world and its affairs. Someone had recommended it to me in 2004. And after I had finished reading it, I was so inspired that I wrote a few articles on it. Moreover, I was so happy with them that I had even got them published. I’m the kind of person who is more into watching movies than reading books or writing about them. Therefore, it had been a matter of pleasant surprise for everyone around me. In a way, “You Can Win” taught me the value of reading. About Agrawal Agrawal has been the Director of Himalaya Television ever since it started, which is, for the past three years. He likes to compare this experience with that of a rollercoaster ride. He has traveled to many parts of the world: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Singapore, and Europe. He always makes it a point to google or read about the places before he actually visits them. He has always been fond of gaining knowledge about different people, cuisines and cultures. He believes that reading and traveling are a much better way of educating oneself than the rote-learning methods used in classrooms via school textbooks. Also a student of eMBA at Ace Institute of Management, he juggles his work expertly with his studies and hobbies. A great movie buff, he watches a movie whenever he’s free. He’s also appreciative of the books that many movies are originally based on. “The Godfather” written by Mario Puzo and the classic movie based on it, starring Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, top his list of all-time favorites. If movies are the best way to unwind, he thinks, books are the best way to learn, unlearn and relearn. The more you read, the more you come to terms with life, the world and everything that’s there to know. Agrawal loves interacting with new people; and being associated with media gives him opportunities to do exactly that. Working as the head of a television channel and lending a helping hand in his family business of carpet export, he’s one of the youngest faces in the world of business today. His future plans include coming up with more industries and taking Himalaya Television to new heights. He also plans to read more and travel more. An enthusiastic trekker and an avid lover of simple dal, bhat, tarkari, he concludes that books lead you inward on an intellectual journey just like travel takes you out on a physical one. Agrawal’s five picks Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat It’s basically a fun book for some light reading. But the issue it raises is of utmost importance. The education system in our part of the world is still rigid and traditional. From an early age, we’re taught to fret over our grades. Our caliber is judged on the basis of the marks that we score in the exams. There’s little room for originality and creativity. These issues may sound really simple but are actually quite serious. And they have been dealt with interestingly in this novel with a nice touch of humor. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks One may call it a chick lit or a candy floss romance, but I find it to be a beautifully written book. Romance is at the core of the story but there’s so much more to it than merely that. It’s very humane and natural. Deep down, everyone harbors a desire to love and be loved in return. Everyone wants a healthy and happy life. But things don’t always go right. The book shows us how to make them right even if they aren’t. It teaches us how to face life and death with a brave smile and find reasons to live on even during the darkest of hours. The Best Year of Your Life by Debbie Ford It’s an amazing and inspirational read. Most people are always complaining about the things that happened in the past. Many others are always worried about the days to come. It’s this constant battle between the past and the future that ruins the most beautiful time – the present. Our today is the bridge between all our yesterdays and tomorrows. And ironically, we’re so engaged in what has already happened and can’t be changed and what may happen and still can’t be changed that we care little about what’s actually in our hands at the moment. This idea of living in the moment has been expressed effectively in this book. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King This novella tells the story of a man who is sent to prison for the double murder of his adulterous wife and her lover. Once he’s behind the bars, he befriends his fellow prison mates and even the cops. After staying in the prison for many years, he finally escapes through a man-sized hole on the prison wall covered by a poster of an actress. It’s the same hole that he had been digging for a long time. The story ends with him being free and one of his friends from the prison released on parole following his directions to join him in Mexico. The Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler This is a business-related book but it’s hardly a dry course book filled with facts and figures. It is, in fact, full of interesting little stories. All of them unfold the principles of marketing and the theoretical framework behind how the world of business operates in reality. They portray the behaviors and attitudes of the consumers and the producers and how they react to certain kinds of changes in the market. These short stories and case studies help the readers gain a better and a more convenient understanding about commerce, market, production of goods and their consumption. As told to Nitya Pandey http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53373 On “Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov “Manuscripts don’t burn,” wrote Mikhail (Afanasyevich) Bulgakov in Master and Margarita. And thank goodness for that, because he burnt his first draft of the book, seeing no prospects as a writer in Stalin’s Russia. But the book lived on in his head, and a year later, he began working on it again. He worked on it for six years, even until a few weeks before his death. He knew the novel couldn’t be published in the Soviet Union and it was nearly 26 years after his death that the book finally made it to print. When it did, what a storm it made! Bulgakov’s is a name that often falls through the cracks when one talks of Russian Masters, but those who know of his works, especially Master and Margarita, agree on his unparalleled skills as a writer. His books aren’t physically hefty like some of Tolstoy’s and Dostoevsky’s but they are perhaps heftier in their material. It would be wrong to classify Master and Margarita as any one thing because it’s a large, complex novel, spun from satire, magical realism, audacious rewriting of history, and retelling of facts. It’s also a love story and an experiment that questions popular atheism in Russia then, a Faustian piece with Satan’s visit to Moscow, literature that re-imagines the day of Jesus’ Crucifixion, and so much more. It’s also a witty novel, or just a novel that can be read for fun.[break] The novel begins with the meeting of three men in a park near the Patriarch’s Pond. They are Berlioz, the head of the MASSOLIT; Ivan Homeless the poet; and Woland, who is Satan in disguise. But Satan is dressed only to look like a human; he doesn’t hide his knowledge or attempt to draw the characters into evil. Rather, he attempts to reason and argue with them and tells them of the day when Jesus was crucified, of how Pontius Pilate felt, of what the day was like, because he was there. Berlioz and Ivan listen to him but aren’t sure whether or not to believe him. Berlioz, who is in a hurry, decides to leave the two on the bench to make it to a MASSOLIT meeting. Satan tells him that he’ll not make it because Annushka has bought sunflower oil. The statement doesn’t make sense to Ivan or Berlioz, until Berlioz slips on some spilled oil by the train tracks and his head is severed from his body. Thus unfurls the narrative and we’re led into a deeply troubled world. Bulgakov’s Satan isn’t your staple evil power, not even like the Faustian devil, even though Woland is a variant name from Christopher Marlowe’s play. Satan here rather exposes evil and seems to compliment Jesus or Yeshua Ha-Nozri’s work. Toward the end, we find that he does his bidding. As Bulgakov’s Satan says: “What would your good do if evil didn’t exist, and what would the earth look like if all the shadows disappeared? After all, shadows are cast by things and people. Here is the shadow of my sword. But shadows also come from trees and living beings. Do you want to strip the earth of all trees and living things just because of your fantasy of enjoying naked light?” And Yeshua (Jesus) is also not the Jesus that is popularized but someone who has a sense of humor, and can also be manipulative. Pontius Pilate himself is caught in a limbo, made to pay for one moon with 24,000 moons. Despite everything I say, everything that can be written about this book, nothing can quite prepare you for the ride. Salman Rushdie admitted to being influenced by Bulgakov when writing The Satanic Verses. Great art breeds great art. Nevertheless, no writer can please or set out to please their readers.  And Bulgakov wrote in a regime where he wasn’t allowed to write freely, so don’t expect this to be an easy reading. There are parts that may seem a little dated, such as his jabs at Jazz, but all of that falls away when compared with priceless moments such as these: “You’re not Dostoevsky,” said the citizeness, who was getting muddled by Koroviev. “Well, who knows, who knows,” he replied. “Dostoevsky’s dead,” said the citizeness, but somehow not very confidently. “I protest!” Behemoth (a large black cat) exclaimed hotly. “Dostoevsky is immortal!” When you’ve read it once, you can follow the subtitled televised version of the book or even the graphic novel version online. Once you begin to know of Bulgakov, you never stop hearing about skills. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53372 Revamping your home decor needn’t always be a major project and you don’t always have to spend a fortune to do it. From wallpapering a window shade to reupholstering furniture with old curtains, simple makeovers, that don’t take much time or money, can make a big difference. Ideas that call for a little imagination can add instant style to any decor. Paint, fabric and a little creativity go a long way when you want to update your home’s decor. The Week brings you five easy ways to breathe new life into your home in record time – without breaking your budget. So, get ready to refresh your space with these easy ideas this weekend.[break] Update: Change or paint! One of the easiest and budget-friendly things you can do is to update lampshades with new ones in more contemporary shapes, or simply fresh white shades. Also, paint is the classic makeover potion. Instead of repainting a whole room, just paint one wall in a focal color or paint a contrasting rectangle over a sofa to use as a gallery space. You can also paint the insides of bookshelves in an unexpected color, or paint your ceiling a lighter version of the wall color. Update your kitchen with paint or any other space in your home. Update your window dressings. You can make your own from sheets or lengths of saris even and hang them from attractive new curtain rods. Photo-Courtesy-Arjun-Shah Focus on the accessories A simple but effective tip: Edit your accessories. Too much of a good thing is too much. Try taking all your home decor accessories and putting them in a box, then putting them back one by one where they’ll have the most impact. Take down all your paintings and other art objects and move them around to different walls or different rooms. It’ll be like seeing them for the first time. You can also create a gallery wall of family photos and other small pictures in matching or contrasting frames, arranged in a collage on a large wall on the stairwell or hallway. Revamp your bedroom essentials The most personal space in your home should be the coziest of retreats; and, since most of your time in this room is probably spent in bed, it makes sense to pay careful attention to your bedding, in terms of both comfort and style. And you’ll find that options abound: beautifully hand-embroidered covers, handmade quilts and soft sheets, all easy to coordinate for one of the simplest weekend makeovers of all. But remember, bed linens don’t all have to match. You can shop at sales for sheets and blankets. then pick up one tone in the main pattern of the comforter and then tie it all together with a lightweight throw at the end of the bed. Pay attention to the details Small things can make a huge difference, especially when you don’t want to make drastic changes and don’t have much money to work with. Without even repainting or replacing the doors, you can use knobs and pulls to lift your old cabinetry out of the doldrums. Whether you go for sleek stainless steel handles, Victorian-style bin pulls, glass knobs or something whimsical, such as butterfly-shaped knobs and pulls, such hardware can lend immediate personality to your cabinets, be it in the living room or the kitchen. Before you visit the stores, figure out how many knobs and pulls you will need. Next, take measurements to make sure your choice will work. Think about comfort as well as style. After you find the perfect hardware, it’ll just take 10 minutes for installation – and voila! Jazz it up with carpets Few elements make as dramatic an impact on a room as well-chosen carpets and rugs. Wall-to-wall is a comfortable, beautiful choice. But it must be professionally installed. If you would prefer a do-it-yourself option, consider laying a neutral-toned piece of bound carpet almost as big as your room. In an instant, the whole space will seem softer and more inviting. Neutral-colored carpet doesn’t have to be dull; it can bring in interesting texture and even hints of color. You can skip the carpeting altogether and go straight to the myriad choices in area rugs, from rich Orientals to jazzy geometrics. Or, pick up an inexpensive rug in a color that complements your room. It will brighten up everything around it with virtually no effort on your part. If you already have wall-to-wall you’re not crazy about, a few strategically placed throw rugs can make it fade into the background. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53371 This is an ideal overnight hike through the lush forest located west of Shivapuri National Park to the north of Kathmandu Valley. The trail that follows though a protected forest area where you can take moments to wonder amongst the diverse wild flora and fauna and perhaps even spot leopards if you are lucky. The hike will begin from Kakani and you have the option of hiking through two different routes – the northern route where you’ll see the mountain range, or the southern route with views of the Kathmandu Valley. Getting there You can take a public vehicle from the Old Bus Park to Kakani. The ride on the public bus might take one hour to one and a half hours to reach the destination. If you opt for a private vehicle, you can drive towards Balaju and take the road via Nagarjun until you reach Kakani where you can park your vehicle. The drive takes approximately 45-50 minutes from Kathmandu.[break] From Kakani, the hike will take approximately four hours until you reach Shivapuri Village. You can stay overnight in the village at an eco-friendly lodge established in the village that focuses on sustainable tourism. The night’s stay can be a rejuvenating experience of a perfect outdoor activity for families. Early morning the next day, you can set off to make your way back down and it is recommended that you take the southern route while returning from the Shivapuri village. Hike highlights While starting the hike, it is recommended that you take the trail through Kakani. From the northern route through the north side of the National Park, you can see glimpses of the Langtang Range on a clear day. The trail also abounds with wildlife such as wild orchards in full bloom, wild berries and butterflies during this time of year. The current spring season is also a perfect time for bird watching. Weather With hotter weather and the mercury rising especially during the day, it is wise to make sure to take necessary precautions such as donning light clothing, drinking plenty of water and saving your skin by sunscreen on the exposed parts. Bare essentials A backpack Water bottle Sunglasses Sun-block Hat Good walking shoes Light warm jacket Light snacks An extra pair of clothes Hike level The hike is easy to moderate. You will enjoy the hike more and will also be easier if you decide to stay overnight at Shivapuri Village. Information courtesy: socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53370 Have you ever experienced a sudden sharp pain shooting down your calf while walking? Have you ever felt a jolt of inexplicable pain around the ribcage while drifting off to sleep? These cramps may happen anytime to anybody. And they don’t exactly come with a warning sign.[break]  Regular cramps happen due to several reasons. They include:  Poor blood circulation  Over-exertion which causes muscle fatigue  Excessive heat which causes sweating and dehydration  Magnesium, sodium and potassium deficiency  Ion imbalance caused by vomiting or diarrhea  Intake of medication for diseases like osteoporosis, asthma, high blood pressure, cholesterol, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Some of the more severe health conditions that cause muscle cramps include:  Cerebral palsy  Multiple sclerosis  Nerve damage  Nervous system toxins  Neurodegenerative diseases  Spinal cord injury  Stroke  Trauma  Anxiety universalsport.ch Cramps usually happen where the thick bundles of muscles are present. The most common location for cramps are thighs, calves, forearm, arches of feet and likewise. It is easier for the muscles in these locations to spasm and contract involuntarily, causing a blinding pain that makes you go blank, panicked and immobile for a second. Experts believe that diet can be of huge help in preventing, reducing or getting rid of muscle cramps. Some of the foodstuffs include: Fluids Plain water is the best defense when it comes to cramps. To prevent muscle cramps associated with dehydration, consume plentiful amounts of beverages and foods rich in water, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, soup, juice, smoothies and herbal tea. Fish and seafood Fish and seafood provide valuable amounts of protein and nutrients that may help prevent muscle cramping, including magnesium and calcium. Fish and seafood particularly rich in magnesium include prawns, oysters, herring, haddock, halibut, salmon, mackerel, lobster and sardines. Canned sardines, salmon and tuna, which contain trace amounts of bone, provide valuable amounts of calcium. Dairy products Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese, are top dietary sources of calcium for preventing muscle cramps related to calcium deficiency. To add calcium to foods, prepare oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soups and smoothies with low fat milk in place of water. Low fat yogurt also contains modest amounts of magnesium while dairy-based beverages promote hydration. Beans and seeds Dried beans, including soy, navy and black varieties, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, contain the essential nutrient of magnesium. Fruits and vegetables Potassium is an electrolyte as well as a nutrient, and it helps the human body maintain its pH balance. Potassium also promotes proper nerve and muscle function. People who are low in potassium could experience leg cramps. A wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium. According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, apricots, bell peppers, carrots, eggplant, green beans, squash, tomatoes, asparagus and beets are good food sources of potassium. Although cramps are a common problem faced by many, it is usually athletes with bulky band of muscles and a lot of physical mobility who are most prone to it. When athletes sweat and lose salt, their muscles start to cramp. These can include hamstrings, quads and even the small muscles in the feet or hands. One must not lose his/her calm when cramps occur. The immediate action under such circumstances is to pull the part of the body containing the cramped muscle in the opposite direction to which it is actually supposed to work. Muscle cramps, especially around the legs, are a common occurrence among pregnant women due to their increasing weight. Moreover, their body may also be suffering from the imbalance or deficiency of electrolytes like calcium, magnesium or potassium. Warm bath, light exercises, plenty of fluid, sufficient rest and a comfortable sleeping position are the common remedies in such situations. Some women experience menstrual cramps which may vary in severity and duration. Aching pain in the abdomen is experienced due to the contractions in the uterus, which is a muscle. Mild menstrual cramps can be relieved by taking painkillers or placing a hot water bag on the abdomen. The long-term solution is to take ample rest, massage the abdomen and lower back frequently and avoid smoking, drinking, and intake of caffeine and salt. If these measures don’t work, the doctor can prescribe medication like ibuprofen or oral contraceptives. Cramps are usually a part of our daily lives. But if it persists for a long time and causes problems with the regular functioning of the body, it is best to visit a medical professional for help. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53369 Located at the busy Lainchaur-Lazimpat Street right opposite Hotel Ambassador, Vootoo, Food Voutique, has been catering to food lovers for one and half years. The trademark dishes like Vootoo Aloo and Sapu Mhicha, spinoffs of traditional Newar dishes, have been popular among its patrons. But the team that enjoys putting creativity on their table, literally, has been brainstorming and experimenting with new ideas to offer unique yet tasteful dishes. The restaurant, set on the second floor, is smartly set to accommodate couch, indoor and terrace seating. The restaurant will shortly go through renovation, but the minimal interior can be easily forgotten once your orders make it to your table.[break] The name Vootoo comes from the Newari word “Bhutu” which means traditional Newari wood-fire kitchen. And true to its name, the restaurant serves traditional Newar dishes cleverly merging them with other Continental dishes. For instance, it serves Fokso, Kachila, Jibro – all Newar meat platters – along with other regular snacks. Similarly Aloo Tama is one of the soups you can choose from other regulars, like chicken soup or vegetable soup. In addition, the menu offers choices for varieties of traditional Newar dishes. Photos: Asmita Manandhar You can start off your meal with one of those traditional dishes like Bara. Chicken-and-egg Bara can be a good starter, which is plain and not too spicy like the traditional ones. But it isn’t bad at all; it is in fact better as the dish isn’t too oily,either. But it isn’t the same with Chatamari, another traditional newari dish. The outer wrap of the Chatamari should have been crunchy at the sides and soft in the middle but instead it is a bit thick. It also seems to lack flavor and is way too plain. However, for both dishes, the traditional side pickle of tomato, local herbs and Szechwan pepper should be credited for accentuating their tastes. Go Green Salad, however, is an ideal choice when it comes to appetizers. It is refreshing with green lettuce and neatly diced tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and chicken pieces with two small-sized breads. The mild taste is just right and perfect for summer. After starting off with some light dishes, Pak Choy with rice, the Chinese main course, is just the thing you would want to try at Vootoo. It can be the perfect choice whether you are at lunch or dinner. The boneless chicken pieces are mouthful and the soup has the right Chinese flavor. You will be surprised by the simplicity of the dish and its elegant taste. The rice is also soft, and equally compliments the taste of the soup. Pak Choy with rice is one of the top picks of The Week. We strongly recommend it. If you are lover of Chinese treats, this is a must. You can conclude your meal with a newly introduced dessert served with fried bananas and chocolate pudding. The chocolate pudding is the spin-off of traditional Nepali “halwa” while the fried bananas give a blissful tickle to your taste buds. The unique dessert is just the right way to end the lovely meal. It allows you to savor all the tasty dishes while the sweet taste lingers. The prices are reasonable, and not just for food but also for drinks. But if you are a foodie, you may get disheartened by the quantity, though the dishes served are sufficient for one. And if you are planning to have a drink or two with your friends, then this place may be just right for you. The prices of the liquors are not too high, like in many restaurants, and the bar has a variety to offer you. Apart from the food and beverages, the hospitality at Vootoo is excellent. The waiters are polite, kind and well informed with swift service. You will not have to bear your hungry growls for long at the restaurant as they are moderately quick to serve the orders. It is certainly a great place to be with your family and friends. Being located on a busy street, it is surprisingly peaceful and the ambience is really calming. Also, Vootoo seems to be certainly looking out to surprise its patrons with the addition of new dishes in their newly revised menu and it is definitely worth checking them out! Fast Facts Opening hours: 12 noon to 10 pm Budget: Rs 1,500-2,000 for a dinner for two Parking: Complimentary Contact: 4005222 http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53368 The heat is on but let that not stop you from eating well and enjoying the summer. The body needs light foods this season, and staying hydrated is also of utmost importance. Very often we don’t realize that excessive sweating or dryness can lead to dehydration in this weather. In extremely dry conditions, the body temperature rises and it’s dehydrated. This manifests itself in headaches, dizziness, cramps, irritability and even loss of consciousness in extreme cases. Excessive sweating can also lead to loss of electrolytes and body salts such as potassium and sodium, impairing the functions of vital organs.[break] Sunwarior.Co However, the good news is that all of these are readily available in foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. The Week tells you what you can do to keep yourself healthy and cool throughout the scorching summer days. Keep yourself hydrated • Drink at least two liters of water every day. • Sugarcane juice is a refreshing drink to beat the heat. It tastes great with a dash of mint and ginger. • Lemon juice with a pinch of sugar and salt is the eternal summer drink. • Nothing beats lassi in summer. Not only is it cooling, there’s an added bonus from curd. It contains healthy bacteria that aid digestion. Make fruits your best friend • Melons with their high water content can keep you hydrated on a hot day. They are also good sources of Vitamin C and fiber. • Papaya is cooling and rich in beta carotene and Vitamin C. The fiber and enzyme papain found in the fruit keeps your digestion in check. • Apricots are a good source of Vitamin C and beta carotene too. • Plums are luscious fruits and their juice is excellent for parched throats. • Mangoes are rich in anti-oxidants and their juice is an effective remedy to beat the summer heat. Feast on salads and veggies • Salads are light and nutritious. Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce and capsicum tossed together make a crunchy delicacy. These veggies are loaded with nutrients. Teamed with grilled fish, chicken or tofu, they make a healthy summer meal. You can add sprouts and seeds to your salad to make it more nutritious and healthy. • Gourds are also cooling and great for your digestive system. Bitter gourd has digestive and antiseptic properties that keep breakouts and infections at bay. You should include one item from the gourd family in your diet if you want to strengthen your immune system. • Pumpkins are also great summer veggies which are cooling and great for your tummy. • Also, add roasted cumin to your veggies. It has a cooling effect. Go easy on: Spicy, salty & oily foods They are hard to digest and generate a lot of heat in the body. Too much salt have unhealthy repercussions from elevated blood pressure to kidney diseases. Have fruits and vegetables; they have enough sodium to meet our dietary needs. Heavy meals Keep your meals light for easy digestion. You can also keep munching on nuts or fruits in frequent intervals to keep your metabolism up. Caffeinated/aerated drinks These are diuretics. Avoid them as far as possible. Opt for fresh juices and herbal or green tea instead. Chilled foods and drinks They interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanism. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53014 Recent report highlights structural inequality between Madheshi Dalits and non-Dalits Even as the issues of people living in the Madhesh gained significant grounds in the past few years, the plight of Dalits in Madhesh are still being ignored. The Madheshi Dalit community is one of the most vulnerable and excluded groups in Nepal due to the centralized and feudalistic nature of the state formulated on the basis of Hinduism. The centralized state has left Madheshi people in general as second-class citizens, and the situation of the Dalits in Madhesh is even worse. They have been facing severe untouchability and caste-based discrimination for centuries. These types of discriminatory practices are based on the structure of the particular Madheshi society’s construct and developed from the fourfold Varna system of Hinduism. At the top are the Brahmins, followed by Kshetriyas, Baishyas, and Shudra at the bottom. During the course of perverse traditions, the Shudras have been severely mistreated and coined as ‘Untouchables’ by the higher castes through the caste-based discrimination and occupational divisions. Historically, Nepali society holds deep roots in the Hindu caste system with the hierarchy of different groups of people within the system. Dalits are one of the groups of people within this Hindu caste system who are the lowest in social, economic and political rungs compared to other groups. This age-old caste system has left Madheshi Dalits suffering more than anyone else.[break] A Dalit woman sleeps besides her baby Though Nepali society is regarded as multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-lingual, the feudalistic Hindu caste system still maintains the deep division among various caste groups. The caste system which has its roots in the ancient religious texts, codes and traditions derived from them, was formalized by the 1854 Civil Code. Although it was legally abolished by an amendment of the old Civil Code in 1963, the caste system, including untouchability, is still rampant in the Nepali society. Despite legal provisions that prohibit discrimination on the basis of caste, discrimination against Dalits is still widespread. The social structure of Madhesh is more unequal and hierarchical than in the hills due to lack of awareness. Madheshi Dalits are compelled to face different kinds of caste-based discrimination along with extreme economic exploitation. For instance, they are indentured laborers, in Haruwa-Charuwa and Kamad systems. These factors have created structural inequality between Madheshi Dalits and non-Dalits. This study focuses on how the complex social structure of Madhesh has contributed to economic exploitation and caste-based discrimination of Madheshi Dalits in the Madheshi society. In this research, structural inequality means the social construction of caste-based discrimination and the economic exploitation of Dalits created by social institutions. Major findings The research study conducted in two VDCs – Brahmangochhari and Pidariya – of Siraha District revealed that among the total number of 156 illiterate respondents, 92 percent faced discrimination at workplace as Dalits. This fact can be taken as a strong indicator of untouchability prevalence in the Tarai Madhesh region. Among 199 respondents, 184 were found to have faced untouchability practices which clearly indicate that untouchability practice is rampant in these villages. Due to their poor economic condition, most Dalits in these villages are compelled to work for their landlords for survival. The survey data shows that 26 percent of Dalit children are working as child labors. Among them, 31 percent are under pressure to work in their landlords’ houses. Most Madheshi Dalits are landless and economically backward and their children are compelled to work for their landlords, mostly herding cattle or working in the field along with their parents. Due to their work pressure, these children have been deprived of their rights to education. The survey data indicates that there is also labor wage discrimination between Dalits and non-Dalits in Tarai Madhesh. Non-Dalits get more wage than Dalits for the same work. Moreover, Dalits mostly get their wages in kind, like paddy, wheat, grains as per the decision of the landlords. Thus, labor wage discrimination remains as one of the key factors for structural inequality between Madheshi Dalits and non-Dalits. The wage labor practice is known as Haruwa-Charuwa in the region. One fourth of the respondents in the survey reported that they have been working as Haruwa-Charuwa for their landlords. Among the 199 respondents, 178 have felt labor exploitation and discrimination. The situation of Dalit women in Madhesh is more serious because they face domestic violence along with the Haruwa-Charuwa system’s explotations. One of the main reasons behind this discrimination against Madheshi Dalits is that they don’t own their own land which forces them to work for their landlords. The survey data reveals that more than 39 percent of respondents are landless while almost 50 percent of them have marginal landholding of less than one Kattha, not enough to survive. Only 2.5 percent of respondents have one Bigha of land and above. Land is the key variable for structural inequality of Madheshi Dalits. The survey also revealed that Madheshi Dalits face caste-based discrimination due to the deeply rooted Hindu caste system. Of 199 respondents, 121 found discriminated against by religion, and among these discriminated, 69.4 percent felt that discrimination is due to the Hindu caste system. This structural inequality is also seen in the employment sector, as the Madheshi Dalits are less likely to get employed compared to other groups. Eighty five percent of respondents have faced employment discrimination on the basis of their caste when they tried to get into the services like offices, hospitals, hotels and schools. In the case of employment discrimination, 87.60 percent faced domestic work discrimination, 10.70 percent faced discrimination in local product selling, 9.50 percent faced discrimination in hotels, and 3.60 percent faced discrimination in schools and 2.40 percent I in hospitals or health posts. This is prevalent among Madheshi Dalits due to lack of education opportunities and awareness. For the major reasons behind the unemployment of Madheshi Dalits, 49.20 percent revealed the reason as caste-based discrimination, 23.60 percent cited lack of technical education, 23.10 percent mentioned lack of appropriate policy to uplift Dalits, and 7.50 percent felt it was due to lack of social networks. Due to their low status in society, Madheshi Dalits are further discriminated against in other spheres of public life. Hence, they do not have the ownership of whatever happens in the local society. Most Dalits are hardly involved in the decision-making processes as they are not represented at the local bodies like consumer committee or public construction committee. Only 22.6 percent of respondents said that they have been represented in the local socio-economic development groups. Out of 199 respondents, 45 said they have participated in socio-economic development committees while 154 said they are yet to be represented in these committees. Out of those being involved, 40 percent is engaged in microfinance, 22.20 percent in women’s groups, 15.60 percent in community forestry user groups, 8.90 percent in school management committees, and 4.40 percent in health management committees. But things are changing Having highlighted the various discriminatory practices against the Madheshi Dalits, one should not think, however, that nothing has happened in the changing society. The majority of respondents during the survey said that the practices of untouchability and caste-based discrimination are gradually decreasing after the political changes of 1990. Out of the 199 respondents, 184 felt that the incidents of caste-based discrimination have decreased since 1990 but they felt a lot needs to be done to bring about radical changes in the society and provide equal opportunities to Madheshi Dalits. The reasons behind this change are the role of I/NGOs in awareness building, increase in education, improvement in economic status and increase in participation. Despite all these, however, Madheshi Dalits are still discriminated against when it comes to marriages, worshipping at temples or eating at public eateries. A shy Madheshi Dalit woman covers her face while she’s being interviewed. Conclusion The research basically proves that Madheshi Dalits are still being discriminated against and a lot must be done to bring them into the mainstream of overall development. And structural inequality between Madheshi Dalits and non-Dalits still remains. Labor exploitation, caste-based discrimination at workplace, especially in the domestic sector, and severe poverty are the main reasons behind the said structural inequality, according to the findings of the abovementioned survey. To overcome this grave human rights situation, constant efforts are necessary from all the government and non-government entities to take the Madheshi Dalit children out of the bonded labor system of Haruwa-Charuwa and enroll them in schools. A conscious effort is also needed to ensure these Dalits’ participation in the decision-making bodies at the local level which would not only empower them to feel the ownership of the overall development process but would also make them aware of their rights and responsibilities. The discrimination over the labor wages should be meted out immediately and introduce technical education to them which would help them make necessary income, thereby improving their livelihood. Fact file Some facts from the research study entitled “Structural inequality between Madheshi Dalits and non-Dalits” conducted by Ranjit Kanaujiya. The study was conducted in two villages – Brahmangochhari and Pidariya – of Siraha district from January 2010 to July 2012. The two villages were selected due to existence of mixed community and prevalence of Haruw-Charuwa, the system of attached labor who plough land for landlords in exchange of payment in cash or kind. The study has tried to explore the structural inequality between Dalits and non-Dalits in Madhesh and to analyze the exclusionary practices based on their occupation and labor and existing practices of caste-based discrimination. Caste and ethnic composition Musahar 49 % Chamar/Ram 28 % Dusadh (Paswan) 14 % Others 9 % Educational Status Illiterate 51 % Literate (but not schooling) 11 % Primary 22 % Lower Secondary 11 % Secondary 2 % SLC and above 4 % Occupational Status Agriculture (Own) 8 % Labor (agriculture and non-agriculture) 75 % Service 2 % Foreign employment 3 % Small business 0.44 % Caste-based occupation 1.5 % Housewife 11 % Language and Religion 100 % of the population have Maithali as a mother tongue 57 % of respondents don’t understand Nepali 100 % Madheshi Dalits are Hindu Landownership 39 % of respondents are landless; Among 61 % landownership: <1 Kattha – 50 %, 1-Kattha to 1 Bigha - 48 % and >1 Bigha – 2 % Employment discrimination 85 % have faced employment discrimination on the basis of caste Ownership discrimination Only 22.6 % of respondent’s representative in different socio-economic development groups at local level. And the types of representation are elected - 26 % and nominated - 74 % Attached labor discrimination 25 % respondents are working as Haruwa Charuwa. Attached labor discrimination is the key for structural inequality in Tarai-Madhesh. Madheshi Dalits are working as attached labor. They are mostly known as Haruwa-Charuwa in the region. Child labor discrimination 26 % of children worked as child labor. Among them 31 % are forcefully worked as domestic child labor at landlords’ houses Discrimination in wages 30 % reported that they have given low wage than non-Dalits in the same work. This type of discrimination existed in both agriculture and non-agriculture sector. Most of the Madheshi Dalits get wage in kind rather than cash. Untouchability practices 95 % faced untouchability practices in their village The causes of untouchability, respondents shared: Due to Hinduism 5% Due to biased policy 30% Due to poverty 39% Due to lack of awareness 20% Others cause 8% Changes in untouchability practices Incidents of caste based discrimination have reduced after 1990: 95 % agreed and reasons of reduction in cases of discrimination are: Role of I/NGOs - 68% (127 Person); Due to increase in education - 55% (103 Person); and Improvement in economic status - 12% (23 Person) Participation Level Only 22% were found having participation in socio-economic development organizations at local level - In micro finance - 40%; Women’s group - 22%; Community Forest User Groups - 15%; SMC - 9% and HMC - 5% Major Reasons Behind the Unemployment: Caste based discrimination 49% Lack of technical education 24% Lack of appropriate policy 23% Lack of financial capital 48% Lack of social networks 7% The writer conducted his survey under the aegis of the Harka Gurung Fellowship provided by Social Inclusion Research Fund. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53012 On any usual day, the Taumadhi Square is one of the busiest areas in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. With tourists visiting the famous nine-storey temple Nyatapola and the adjacent Bhimsen Temple and locals basking around the nearby shops and dabalis, there is never a dull moment. But Taumadhi Square becomes more vibrant and lively around the time when the Nepali calendar turns into a fresh new year. The most famous festival of Bhaktapur, Bisket Jatra, is celebrated for nine consecutive days, starting usually four days before the New Year and lasting for another four days. The festival, managed by the Guthi Sansthan of Bhaktapur, is celebrated through a series of elaborate ceremonies.[break] “The preparations for the festival begin a month before. Guthi Sansthan coordinates with the Department of Forest to bring Sandan wood from Makwanpur to build the chariot,” says Lekhnath Sapkota, office chief at Guthi Sansthan. Though the chariot procession of Goddess Bhadrakali and God Bhairav are more popular during Bisket Jatra, erecting and subsequent lowering of the ‘Yeo-sin-deo’ pole is actually the most important tradition in the festival. In fact, the myth regarding the beginning of the festival is signified by the pole and flags of a pair of serpents attached to it. Dipesh Shreshta The locals of Bhaktapur swarm around the chariot of God Bhairab at the Taumadhi Square. On the first day of the nine day long Bisket Jatra, a tug of war ensues between the eastern and western side of the town as both sides tries to pull the chariot to their direction. Though there are different legends to signify the beginning of this festival among the native residents, according to the most popular legend, a Bhaktapur princess could never have a happy married life as her husband would be killed by two serpents that transformed from tiny germs that came out of the princess’s nostril on the first night of her marriage. However, a brave prince dared to marry the princess but stayed alert the whole night. And when the serpents appeared in front of him, he took his sword and chopped off their heads. The next morning, the serpents were publicly displayed on poles. Tejeshwar Babu Gongah, a culture expert and local resident of Bhaktapur, says that the myth is actually a retelling of the sexual encounters of the princess. “The serpent symbolizes the princess’s sexual needs and the prince’s victory over the serpent symbolizes that he was able to fulfill those needs,” he says. He compares the erecting and lowering of the Yeo-sin-deo pole as the symbol of natural process of a male reproductive organ before and after the sexual intercourse. “It’s purely a celebration of sexuality. On New Year’s Day, after the pole is lowered, the chariot of Goddess Bhadrakali is slammed with that of God Bhairav at the Gahiti Square. This is also a symbol of sexual yearning,” says Gongah. The locals around the Durbar Square area also agree with Gongah’s interpretation of the legend. “The two male and female deities are regarded as husband and wife, often citing the prince and princess from the legend,” says Kanchhi Tamakhu, 60, a Gahiti resident. But the legend is not regarded with as much significance while celebrating the festival. The Guthi Sansthan and the locals seem to focus more on the traditional and cultural aspect. While Guthi Sansthan brings out its own itinerary of the festival, with details of the necessary pujas during any celebration, listing everything according to date and time, the locals are more excited about the processions and street festivals. During the nine-day celebration, everyday carries a significant importance and a unique ceremony. On the first day of the festival, the chariot of Bhairav parked at Taumadhi Square is tied with two different ropes for the famous tug of war between the eastern and western sides of the town. “It’s hard to say which side of the town will be successful in bringing the chariot to their side. But whichever side wins, the chariot at the end has to be brought to Gahiti which lies in the western side,” says Suraj Ranjit, 25, a history student who lives at Golmadhi, which lies on the eastern side. The next two days are a break in terms of street festivals. But the Puja ceremonies and offerings to the deities by their respective caretaker priests will continue. Those days are also taken as an opportunity to maintain the chariots that may have been damaged during the tug of war on the first day. Then on the fourth day or the day of New Year, both chariots are taken to Bhelukhel where the Yeo-sin-deo pole will be erected in the presence of the chariot gods. The next day, the pole will be lowered and the chariots are taken to Gahiti Square. For the procession of chariots to Gahiti, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square will be lit up all night and the ceremonies at Gahiti Square are even conducted past midnight. “One of the most interesting days to witness the rich heritage and culture of Bhaktapur Square is on the second last day,” says Ranjit. On that day, all the deities are displayed out of their temples in every block and a musical procession from each block encircles the Durbar Square before coming back to their place. This festival is also called ‘deo-sagan-biyagu’, meaning wishing good luck to all deities. Since all the gods are displayed out from their respective sanctums, devotees make offerings to them all over Bhaktapur town before they return to their respective sanctorum. “The fifth day is when the street festivals reach their peak,” says Tamakhu. On the last day of the festival, the tug of war again continues. This tradition has a history of turning violent at times. Tamakhu is also one of the victims of the chaos during the fifth day celebrations. “Even my shop had been vandalized many years back,” she says. “For the people who know very less about the cultural importance of the festival, they take it as a chaotic festival. But that’s not the case. The violence during the chariot procession has been decreasing significantly,” says Sapkota. According to him, during the street festivals in Bisket Jatra, the streets and squares around the Durbar Square will be swarmed with thousands of people, but one can equally enjoy the greatest celebration of Nepali New Year if you take certain precautions. “If you want to go near the chariots, you better have a friend who is a native of Bhaktapur and has experience in chariot pulling. Otherwise, it’s wise to stay on the rooftops of restaurants or houses and enjoy the spectacle and stay safe at the same time,” he advises. Cultural experts say that the festival has evolved from a two-day ceremony to the current nine-day festival. Originally, the celebration of the festival was signified by displaying the two long flags commemorating the dead serpents on a wooden pole. “The street festival must have been elaborated in order to ensure participation of the locals. The tug of war signifies that the concept of festival must have originally started to have equal participation from all sides of the town,” says Gongah. This year, the Bisket Jatra will be celebrated from April 10 to April18. Celebrating the start of spring and the Nepali New Year according to the Vikram calendar in the beautiful Bhaktapur Durbar Square can be a memorable experience. Bisket Jatra is also an opportunity to witness the rich cultural heritage of the Bhaktapur natives and view the ancient deities of the city, who otherwise are out of view for the public throughout the year. It is also an ideal time to visit the nearby villages and settlements like Thimi, Sano Thimi, Bode and Nagadesh where the locals celebrate the festival in their own unique ways. Guide to Bisket Jatra The biggest annual street festival in Bhaktapur Wednesday, April 10 The evening of the first day of the festival sees the Bisket Jatra commencing with the chariot pulling of God Bhairab and Goddess Bhadra Kali. The priests of both deities perform rituals from the morning. The procession at the Taumadhi Square starts at around four o’clock in the afternoon. The tug of war between the eastern and western parts of Bhaktapur City is the main spectacle of the day before the chariots are taken to Gahiti. Visitors are advised to view the procession from a safe distance to avoid any untoward accidents. Thursday, April 11 After the chariots reach Gahiti, the deities are taken out from their chariots to be enshrined in their respective ‘dya-chen’ or sanctums. These deities are put in temporary residence as per tradition that they cannot return to their permanent places before the nine-day festival ends. Friday, April 12 Various rituals are performed by the priests during the deities’ stay at their temporary residences. Since the second and third days are restful in terms of street festivals during the Jatra, there will be no open-air processions. Meanwhile, Guthi volunteers will prepare the ‘Yeo-sin deo’ pole to be erected the following day. During these two days, visitors can walk around the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and look at the preparations. This can be an ideal time to mingle and have a firsthand experience of the rich heritage of Bhaktapur. Saturday, April 13 – New Year’s Eve The respective priests will offer rituals to Lord Bhairab Nath and Goddess Bhadra Kali in the morning. The chariots of the deities will be taken to Bhelukhel where the ‘Yeo-sin deo’ is to be erected. This will take place in the afternoon, around 2-4 pm. As the chariots face the direction of the pole, the volunteers will erect the pole. This generally takes place after five in the evening. Sunday, April 14 – Nepali New Year’s Day There will be more rituals performed by the priests. In addition to the offerings made to Bhairab Nath, they will also perform rituals to Goddess Indrayani. After completing the required rituals, the pole at Bhelukhel is lowered, at around five in the evening. After that, the chariots of Bhairab and Bhadra Kali are pulled back to Gahiti where the chariot of Bhadrakali will be repeatedly slammed against the one of Bhairab’s. Monday, April 15 The sixth day is the festival of Goddesses Maha Laxmi and Maha Kali. In the afternoon, the goddesses are taken out of their chariots and brought together to meet each other. This is regarded as an annual reunion of the two sister goddesses. Tuesday, April 16 On the seventh day of the festival, offerings are made to goddess Brahmayani. The procession of the goddess is made by sixteen caretakers who carry her on a chariot that rests on two long shoulders poles. A musical band leads the chariot and devotees singing hymns follow it. The day also marks the festival of the elephant-headed god called ‘Chuma Gane deo’ or Lord Ganesh. Wednesday, April 17 On the penultimate day of the festival, the natives of Bhaktapur will circumambulate the Durbar Square, making offerings to the deities who are taken out of their respective sanctums. Musical processions are also seen encircling the Durbar Square. Visitors can witness the beautiful and vibrant cultural heritage of Bhaktapur. The processions start in the morning, from around 8 am. Thursday, April 18 God Bhairab and Goddess Bhadra Kali complete their nine-day outings. The last day of Bisket Jatra again witnesses the tug of war between the two sides of the town at the Taumadhi Square. Even though it is the final day, people don’t seem to get tired of the chariot festival, and the festivities continue well into the night. As advised on the first day of the festival, visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from the celebrating crowds to keep away from any (un)likely accidents. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53013 The tongue piercing festival during the Bisket Jatra After climbing the flight of stairs leading to the second floor, one can notice Juju Bhai Basan’s artworks displayed in the room. He sits at the corner of the bed, empty canvases stuffed right behind him. His peaceful residence at Bode village is soon going to be a busy headquarters on the second day of Nepali New Year, a festival that will witness Basan piercing his tongue with a metal skewer for the fifth time. Basan was 28 years old when he decided to step in the shoes of Buddha Krishna Baga who was the centre of the annual festival of Bode, a small village in Bhaktapur District. Baga had pierced his tongue for four consecutive years before he had to step back due to his mother’s demise.[break] “I read in the newspapers that the annual festival in Bode was coming to a halt as nobody was ready to take up the responsibility,” says Basan, an artist and a fine arts teacher by profession. When he enquired with his fellow villagers, they all seemed to have given up hope over conducting the annual festival. “The festival is a cultural heritage of Bode, probably the one which introduces Bode to other people, and it was sad to see the tradition fading away,” he reminisces his feelings back then. “Organizing the festival came on the shoulders of every resident of Bode, but being an artist, I felt that it was my duty to facilitate the continuity of the festival,” he adds. Chandra Shekhar Karki Juju Bhai Basan shares a light moment with his wife Purna Keshari, at his residence at Bode village in Bhaktapur district. The couple is busy preparing for the big day when Basan will pierce his toungue for the fifth time this year on April 15. In the annual festival, which is celebrated simultaneously with the Bisket Jatra of Bhaktapur, a person pierces his tongue with a long metal skewer, carries heavy lights on his shoulders called Mahadip and walks barefoot through the village for around three hours. “On the festival day, the elders of the village and my friends come to my place to help me carry out the procession,” he says. The elders also include the past tongue piercers. The eldest one alive is Chandrasen Gho who pierced his tongue seven times. Dil Kumar Khape Shrestha succeeded Gho before he handed down the responsibility to Krishna Chandra Baga Shrestha after seven consecutive years. Baga Shrestha pierced his tongue for 12 years before Budhha Krishna Baga took up the responsibility. And now it is Basan who is keeping the heritage alive. According to tradition, he is required to organize a big fiesta for all the volunteers on the day, although he is required to fast until the procession completes in the evening. “The preparation for the festival starts two weeks before the intended day. We need to brew alcohol and take care of all the delicacies,” he says. Though the festival is celebrated by the whole Bode village, when it comes to organizing, it is the family of the person piercing the tongue which is held accountable. Purna Keshari, Basan’s wife, says that it is not easy to accomplish all the preparations. “I had no experience regarding any of these. Now I ask the elderly around the neighborhood to make sure the tasks are done correctly,” says Purna Keshari, a former mathematics teacher. Five years back, when he had decided to take up the responsibility, he had not given thought to any of these. He also had the slightest idea of the financial stress he would have to face. Now at 32, married for two years with a 16-month-old son, Basan shares that absence of any committees to organize the festivals has been adding to his responsibilities. On his part, he has been collecting financial contributions that have been provided by different individuals and organizations for five years time and saving it as a fund. “I have already collected sixty thousand Rupees and aim to make it up to two hundred thousand,” he says. He adds that he is doing so because he wants to ease the financial burden on his successors. “Getting oneself mentally and physically prepared for this ardent task is certainly necessary. But apart from that, financial issues can also dissuade one from taking this responsibility and I want to ease this for the future generations,” he says. For a person to be eligible to pierce his tongue for the festival, he needs to be a resident of Bode village and must come from a Newar community. When asked if the tradition will fade away if Basan has to turn down due to various reasons, he says that he is hopeful that it will not. “When I started, there was a serious dearth of people interested in the festival. But I believe that people have rediscovered the importance of this heritage,” he says, adding, “I will be more than happy to hand the responsibility over if somebody is ready for it.” Purna Keshari, on the other hand, though, is facing many difficulties while helping her husband continue the heritage of Bode, says that she will always be a strong support to her husband’s commitments. “I believe that he’s a great man with much patience, calmness and a passion to work selflessly,” says the proud wife. mail2asmita@gmail.com http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53011 An anecdote is extremely difficult to authenticate. The challenge gets even more complicated when the rumor involves the prime ministers of two countries. That is the reason why such stories need to be considered false unless proven otherwise. However, even imagined realities offer lessons in understanding personalities involved in the story if the tale is told without malice. When the Maoists emerged as the largest party in the dissolved Constituent Assembly, its Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal probably summarized that he had won the last battle of his ‘People’s War’ and deserved to be considered as the final arbiter of the future of the country. According to those in the know, when he wrote a letter—perhaps an informal one seeking the support of his Indian counterpart for the new government—he referred to himself as Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Nepal. The letter set multiple alarm bells ringing in the Indian capital.[break] It is said that Dahal could never again regain the confidence of the Indian establishment after that fateful missive. Hardliners in New Delhi almost certainly concluded, and with good reasons, that when the leader of a party without a majority in the legislature had the temerity to rename a “Federal Democratic” country as the “People’s Republic,” such a politico was unworthy of their trust. That note, if it really existed, probably sealed the fate of the Constituent Assembly where the Maoists could be cornered with great efforts—the desperate coalition between Nepali Congress, Madheshis, and the UML couldn’t have happened without some strong chaperon shepherding these antagonistic groups into one place—but they couldn’t be ignored, much less wished away. Bhaswor Ojha/Republica Dahal failed to read meanings in the political correctness of Indian diplomats. He wanted to visit Beijing first as the prime minister of a Maoist-led coalition government. When informed of his decision, he was probably told that as the head of government of a sovereign country, he was free to set his own priorities as long as he kept the specialty of Indo-Nepal relations in mind. The former guerilla leader failed to read veiled warnings and went ahead with his planned trip. With his successive decisions based on the new-fangled doctrine of equidistance—even a cursory reading of the map without considering compulsions of geopolitics would have shown him that Beijing is much farther from Kathmandu than New Delhi—Dahal began to fall into the trap of his own making. The drama of his engineered showdown with the office of the President over the dismissal of the army chief appears so theatrical that it is difficult to accept the whole affair as natural. Ultimately, he had to vacate Baluwatar. The disgraceful Old Nepal tradition of an elected leader being humbled by the military establishment was given continuity under the New Republican regime. The diminution of Dahal, however, has not benefited the NC, the UML or even the Madheshis. When a political leader of Dahal’s stature falls off the pedestal in such a manner, the standing of every other politico diminishes almost in proportion. Girija Prasad Koirala probably knew that Dahal was being targeted, but the entire political class that has facilitated his rehabilitation in mainstream politics was being kept under watch. Until his last moment, Koirala struggled to save Dahal not out of love for the Maoists but because he realized that for a functioning democracy, towering leaders opposed to one’s views were as important, if not more, as committed followers. This sounds elementary in democratic politics. Messrs Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalnath Khanal, however, came from Marxist schooling background where collaborators are friends and competitors are enemies. In Marxist-Leninist-Maoist (MaLeMa) lexicon—the grammar of politics that binds Messrs Dahal, Nepal and Khanal together—enmification (such a term actually exists in social psychology) is an important component of being. To take liberty with the Rene Descartes maxim: I have enemies, therefore I am. All statements of Marxist-Leninist-Maoist leaders are undergirded with the assumption that successes are all their own while every failure can conveniently be assigned to the designs of enemies. The plural term is perhaps a misnomer. In the vocabulary of Nepal’s ‘nationalist and leftist’ forces, the enemy word is spelled with an ‘I’ instead of ‘e’ and is invariably mentioned in singular. Tone and tenorOn a bright sunny afternoon, an immigration officer at the JFK Airport in New York is in a cheery and expansive mood. He quizzes a patiently waiting visitor holding a Nepalese passport, “Do you speak English?” The answer is in the negative. The respondent has never set foot on the English soil. The next question sounds more logical, “Do you speak American”? The answer is again in the negative. The officer is immensely pleased by the answer and wonders about the language in which the conversation has been taking place. The visitor thinks that it is perhaps an exchange between ‘Indianese’ and American. He is firmly rebuked, “There is no such language. What you are speaking is definitely not American, but there is no harm in calling it English.” “No harm” is perhaps the operative phrase in the statement of an immigration officer who seemed to know more about Adam Smith, Ricardo and Keynes than politics of a poor country lost somewhere on the map of Asia. Despite centuries of standardization, no two person—let alone two countries—speak exactly the same language. Languages are carriers of meaning, and only the speaker knows what she wants to convey. The listener is then free to find messages that meet his understanding. Perhaps that is the reason the speaker has to be careful about what is being uttered. As a popular saying in Nepali goes, a bullet fired and a term pronounced cannot be withdrawn. The problem with the vocabularies of Nepal’s ‘leftist-nationalist’ parties is that they were never told by their mentors of the Panchayat regime that when fringe forces come into the mainstream, their words begin to be scrutinized for intentions and meanings. Dahal’s ‘foreign master’ phrase, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai’s unguarded comments about ‘keys’ being elsewhere, or Sushil Koirala’s purported statements about games being played by spooks demeaned their standing without in any way harming the interests of the powerful force that they intended to malign. The logical corollary of Charles De Gaulle’s diplomacy dictum—nations have no friends, only interests—could only be that countries have no enemies, either. Enmification is then as much a linguistic construct as an ideological one. Ideologies are remarkably pertinacious. The fall of the Soviet Union dispirited some of the people for some of the time, but the lure of Marxist-Leninist convictions in Nepal has not weakened much. It has been quite a while since the empire Mao built embraced corporatism, but Mohan Baidya and his ilk continue to be blissfully unaware of its repercussions upon communist beliefs. Dogmas are called so precisely because they fall beyond the pale of logic. Language, however, is surprisingly amenable to correction. Media matters Politicos would always be what they are. They pursue power with single-mindedness and tend to ignore likely repercussions of their offhand comments. Perhaps this is where the role of the media becomes important. Sensationalizing is easy and scoops sell, but it is possible to inform without being malicious. The inevitability of “Indian Interests” is an inescapable part of Nepal’s political existence—it took an economic blockade in late-1980s to make the then King Birendra realize its centrality—but persistent enmification vitiates the atmosphere of understanding and coexistence. However, the national discourse cannot change without change in the attitude of media persons. “I am not an Indian” is a negative identity. The immigration officer holding a strange-looking passport in his hands is unlikely to be impressed by statements of distinction and differences such as “The country of Mount Everest” or “Where Buddha was born.” The Cold War ended long ago. Americans now realize that India may be poor and flailing but its sheer size makes it the preeminent power of South Asia. Nepalis would have to learn to change their vocabulary to suit the changed realities of geopolitics. Probably Dahal will get to hear such inanities once again during his nth trip to Beijing. Lal contributes to the week with his biweekly column Reflections. He is one of the widely read poliitical analysts in Nepal. http://theweek.myrepublica.com/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53010 Clad in casual attire and her hair neatly tied up, clutching a bundle of files, Radha Paudel makes her way to her office in Thapathali. One of the walls of the room has a poster with the slogan, “Birthplace of an individual is not by choice,” which she explains is a constant reminder of the circumstances that changed her life. When Radha begins to speak of her experience, one is left in awe. This 40-year-old lady has suffered a lot but at the same time given back so much to the society despite the constant upheavals put on her way.[break] “I was born twice,” says Radha who chose to walk the difficult way in life though aware that the journey would never be easy. Born in Chitwan, social worker Radha worked in Jumla even during the Maoist insurgency decade, where she faced near-death experiences everyday. She even survived horrific hours of crossfire and constant bombings, making her believe that she was given a second chance to live for a reason. Her connection with Jumla dates back many years and her life story is not an ordinary one. Brought up in Chitwan, her family wasn’t financially secure. She was the fourth girl child and she still remembers how her mother had to face discrimination and oppression for not be