Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Stop. Stop? STOP! October 31, 2009 The Kathmandu Post
OCT 31 - Stop, stop, stop…” from the middle of the road, a traffic police tells me to park my motorbike on the side of the road. It’s around eight in the morning. I sideline my vehicle, and show my license and blue-book to the man who is asking me to prove that I was driving legitimately. Everything goes well and my daily route and routine to work continues.
The next day, at the same place—near Chovar—I see the traffic crew again. Once again I see a policeman indicating, telling me to stop my bike. Doesn’t matter, I think. I should help them, because they are looking at every other car, truck, and bike on the road; not just mine. Without any delay, I show them my documents, being conscious as I was of the many reckless drivers that had mowed down numerous people, causing accident after accident on Kathmandu’s roads. I am informed that many illegal vehicles were running on the roads, hence the checking. I am all in favour of the traffic police making efforts to at least to enquire about the vehicles in an effort to minimise road accidents and control illegal vehicles.
Day three. On the way to work from Kirtipur to Hattiban, the process is repeated. As always, a policeman is whipping towards me—stop, stop, stop! Left with no alternative, I stop my bike, again. I am a little bewildered at having the same process repeated every day and asked the man if I will be required to show my license everyday henceforth. The policeman tells me to take off my helmet and face-mask—which I have on everyday to protect myself from the Valley’s pollution— and I do so.
The fourth day, I am late for work. As always, I put on my face-mask, sling my office bag over my back, and drive, fast. At the same place, I find the inevitable police crew ushering me to sideline my bike. I decide that I have had enough. Why should I stop my bike to prove myself that I was a legal rider? And how many times?
I try to drive quickly past the police so I can reach work on time, but I am made to stop and repeat the same ritual that I have done for the past three days. I object to the policeman’s action and tell him that I cannot show my license everyday. I tell him that for three days I have been stopping my bike at the same place and for the same reason, and I ask again—Do I need to show my license everyday?
He seems confused and tells me that he doesn’t remember checking me every day. Now I am confused. I tell him that it might not be him, but I get stopped everyday, regardless. To this, his response is that the police crew is in constant circulation, and this might have caused the confusion.
I feel that THAT is a problem the police need to deal with. Why should they force me to stop my bike everyday? I unmask myself and tell the policeman that I do not have time to show my license everyday because I am in a hurry get to work. “Please note my bike number and let me go; I will not stop to show my license from tomorrow.” I say. He starts muttering and cursing.
I am always surprised by the attitudes and behaviour of Kathmandu’s traffic police. Why can’t they keep a record of bikers, instead of stopping them every time? Why do they think that people driving on the road may not have their own priorities? They must understand that even an understanding public will refuse to co-operate with their current method of dealing.
Sometimes, when I am about to be checked at the university gate in Kirtipur, I zoom straight ahead. I then find the traffic crew at Sanepa. Oops! Zip ahead, and again, I find another crew at Ekantakuna, doing the same thing. The other way, from Satdobato to Hattiban, and another squad is on the street. I feel a sense of nausea with all the crews that are out there.
I do not understand. Should I stop every single time or ignore them all save one? How many places should I stop my bike to help the police? If I have to listen to them, how can I reach work on time?
The days continue to pass. Come Monday, and the same process repeats itself. A police ushers me to sideline my bike but I am all geared up, and zip ahead at full speed, ignoring him, and I escape. He yells, “stop, stop, stop!” Hey, I ignore him, and now, I can’t even understand why I stopped so often for an unnecessary check.
abamritofficial@gmail.com
Thursday, October 22, 2009
What’s in a Namaste- Published in KATHMANDU POST, OCT 22, 09
She was greeting all the passengers entering the aircraft with her dazzling smile. The passengers seemed to be in a rush to board the plane to Pokhara. The Namaste offered by the air hostess was greeted differently by different people. When it was my turn to get in, she again greeted me with an energetic smile and Namste. I greeted back with Namaste too. Each time I travel by domestic plane, I see the same greeting from the air hostess. By in the first time I boarded a domestic flight, I was very confused to watch passengers ignoring the greeting offered by the air hostess.
The last time I had got into the plane, a question hit me. Why almost all passengers from Nepal ignore the greeting? Foreign passengers, I found, always returned the greeting. Basically, Namaste is a respectful greeting. It honours people and in our culture indicates the respect and admiration for those being greeted. It brings people closer. In the same way, we find people from other countries greet with hello, hi and other greetings.
I just couldn’t get the cavalier attitude of Nepali passengers out of my mind. To placate my curiosity, I talked with an air hostess serving in a domestic airline on my way to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Why did she think most Nepali passengers never bothered to acknowledge her greeting? She said, “People believe that since they have paid for the journey, they need not do any more. These self-important people make me laugh.”
Nilima has experienced that many Nepalis travelling in domestic aeroplane, especially the rich ones, never respond to her greeting. “Look, the foreigners always respond without hesitation. They honour us for we honour them,” Nilima says. To say that Nilima is disappointed at the cold response of her fellow countrymen while the foreigners treat her with respect would be a huge understatement.
I don’t get it. Why wear our pride on our sleeves unnecessarily to make others feel bad and sad? Doing Namaste is our culture and we should try to respond to it gracefully. During my last trip, when the aeroplane landed in Pokhara and as people were getting out, the air hostess, as usual, offered her Namastes; unfortunately almost all Nepali passengers totally ignored her.
If we want to get respect from others we need to know how to respect them. If not, we won’t even be able to respect ourselves. No matter who greets you, you give a measure of your acculturisation and civility responding to the greeting. When I greeted the air hostess at Pokhara with a, she smiled back coyly. I bid goodbye her and disappeared into Pokhara city.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
IT village- Amrit Bhandari THE KATHMANDU POST Monday October 12, 2009
The next day I find another villager calling up a tiller. “Hello, Numlal, are you free today? I have planned to plough my land,” he says. Numlal nodded in affirmative. The villager again dialled up his neighbour, requesting for oxen. “Could you please provide me your oxen for a day?” The neighbour agreed. Job done!
The next evening Bahun Ba (the village priest) was talking on his cell. A villager was requested him to perform Rudri Puja (a process of worshiping god to avoid any untoward incident). He whipped out his cell to confirm the time and date for puja. These are just a few events I noticed in the rural outpost of Wangla.
The use of cell phone has brought people closer and made their lives more comfortable. Isn't mine a real global village, I thought. People here use cell phones for all kinds of tasks. No matter how far the destination, one dial of the cell brings the wished for service to one's doorstep. Ambulance, doctors, consumer goods - all a call away.
I heard about three guys who got married thanks to their cells. “I saw a girl in the bus while going from Sandhikharka to Balkot. I liked her, got her cell number and started sending messages. Without any delay we fell in love and got married,” a newly married guy says. The news and events we hear here in Kathmandu are not new for villagers. The villagers are equally aware, thanks to their cells.
When I noticed these developments in my village, a question sprang to my mind. If my village could produce good vegetables and corns, how beautiful the village would be! The income from these products could help villagers lift their living standards. Expenses on cell phone cannot be compensated without good income. Hence, the government must formulate new policies to motivate the villagers to till their lands, and, in the process, help them earn a good income. I also wish the use of communication can be used for more income generating activities and in exploring new markets.
However, I am happy to see new infrastructures like electricity, motor road, telephone service in my village. How many of them are here because someone dialled up, I wonder. Modern technology, if used properly, can bring a sea change in the lives of rural folks. Are the authorities listening? I just rang up.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
झ्याम्म झ्याम्म पानी पर्यो मन यसै अतासीयो ।
डाँडामाथि चौतारीमा पीपल त्यसै बतासीयो ।।
दुरसम्म मेरा आँखा तिमीलाइ नै हेरिरहे ।
पलपल गोधुलिले प्रर्कितिलाइ चुमीरहयो ।।
आकाशमा कालो बादल मडारीदै घुमीरहयो ।
मेरो मन पानीसँगै भिजीभिजी झुमीरहयो ।।
आशा मेरो तिमी आउँने डाँडामाथि आकाशियो ।
पर्खिएन मधान्यले चौतारीमा बसिरहे ।।
अन्धकारले मलाइ घेर्यो रातभरी फसीरहे ।
मेरो मन पानीसँगै भिजीभिजी झुमीरहयो ।।
आशा मेरो तिमी आउँने अझ गाढा आकाशियो ।।
झ्याम्म झ्याम्म पानी पर्यो मन यसै अतासीयो ।
डाँडामाथि चौतारीमा पीपल त्यसै बतासीयो ।।
तिम्रो प्रितका प्यालाहरु मेरो मनलाइ डसीरहे ।
अन्धकारले मलाइ घेर्यो रातभरी फसीरहे ।।
छपछप छपछप तिमी आयौ पाइतालाको आवाज सुने ।
अन्धकारमै तिमीसँगै प्रिती साट्ने आशा बुने ।।
सुवास छर्यौ टाढाबाटै मेरो मनलाइ मात लाग्यो ।
अन्धकारको अत्यास त तिम्लाइ देखी टाढा भाग्यो ।।
झ्याम्म झ्याम्म पानी पर्यो मन यसै अतासीयो ।
डाँडामाथि चौतारीमा पीपल त्यसै बतासीयो ।।
अग्गालोमा तिमीलाइ राखे मायाप्रिती आकाशियो ।
पलपल गोधुलिले प्रर्कितिलाइ चुमीरहयो ।।
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Social mirror
“Hello, Babu, do you teach computer at your institute?” Bisworaj Pokharel from Kirtipur Municipality-13 was asking a computer institute owner in Kirtipur. The owner nodded indicating that they offered basic computer courses. Bisworaj inquired about the time and fee with the owner and expressed his desire to join. Most of the staff at the institute burst into laughter. The owner inquired if the old man was mistaken. Hadn’t he instead been trying to admit his son or grandchildren? Bisworaj said, “I want to learn computer myself.” But still, no one in the institute believed a 65-year-old man could learn anything, let alone computer. The owner said, “No, no, I don’t believe you! You are here to admit your son, aren’t you?”
Bisworaj was completely baffled. However, in the end, he somehow managed to get himself admitted for a computer course. The callous remarks of the institute owner had pained him no end. He had felt humiliated. He later said, “I thought about my humiliation seriously. What a sorrow! A so-called civilised place like Kathmandu laughs at old people who want to do something. If you have courage and determination, age really does not matter.” A few days later Bisworaj changed his mind and decided he would not, after all, go to the institute. He had already paid half the course fee. “Where people laugh at my enthusiasm to learn and have no respect for me, why should I go there? I would forgo computer literacy rather than compromise my honour.”
I later learned that he wanted to learn computer because his sons and daughters were abroad. He has computer at home. But it remains dysfunctional. He wanted to learn computer “so that I could email my children. I have internet service at my home.”
We make much noise about equality and freedom in modern Nepal. But a society which cannot honour its elderly, someone rightly said, cannot boast of any achievement. Like the old man in this story, many people his age are discouraged and humiliated when they try to learn something new. Other old folks are looked down upon as feeble and good for nothing fellows.
What more do the elderly have save a little self-respect? Is it too much to ask for the elderly that the young generation recognise their contribution and offer them due recognition? After toiling all their lives for their family and society, it hurts when at the fag end their contributions are forgotten and they are looked upon as burdens. Everyone has to get old one day. This is no rocket science! The way we treat our elders today, so will our children treat us when we get old.
Case of topi
One of my friends working in an INGO is always suited and with a tie around in his neck. However, it is the Nepali cap on his head which stands out. A couple of weeks ago, I was taking to him about how the topi added to his personality. Turns out, his attachment with his headgear is not just a matter of dressing elegantly.
Last November, my friend was to return to Nepal from the U.S. En route, he had to fly from Little Rock, Colorado to Los Angeles, California. He completed the journey safely but at his arrival in LA, he learned that he had swapped his air-ticket for a connecting flight with his friend’s. There was no one he knew of in LA; and he didn’t carry phone numbers of his friends.
My friend was getting restless. He was told he had to wait for another day to get a new ticket. My friend sat in a corner, dejected, helpless. There may be many Nepalis living in LA, but how could he find them? Luckily, a few guys from Chitwan were in the airport to see off one of their friends. Spotting one of their countrymen — thanks to my friend’s distinct topi — in apparent distress, they inquired about his problem. They then took him to their LA apartment where he stayed for three days. They also pitched in for his ticket.
What more, at bed time, they sang folk songs to help relieve his tension. “It felt as if I was in Nepal,” he says. With his engaging personality, my friend does not take time to make friends. After waiting three days waiting for ticket, the day came to fly. All the friends waved him goodbye with tearful eyes. “I too was emotional with their hospitality. It was then that I developed new love for my cap,” he says.
The more we are westernised, the more we tend to assimilate the cultures of others, all the while forgetting our own. Furthermore, it’s the habit of quite a few Nepalis to forget everything back home when they land in developed countries. There are some Nepalis living abroad who would not give a fellow Nepali second glance. Getting farther and farther away from their roots, their growing (and misplaced) megalomania will only bring them more suffering. Those who prosper are the ones who carry the pleasure of being Nepalis wherever they go. The hand of support the LA Nepalis extended to my friend in trouble should be a lesson to all other Nepalis. This is again not a call to reach out to people of the same colour and ethnicity, but to embrace the diverse Nepali culture wherever one goes.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Resolution amidst Challenges
Keshab Khanal, the husband of
Keshab did not see alternatives amidst the hustle and bustle of the family’s situation at home and decided to leave the country to go to
Born on 1965,
After few months with no reliable income in
The days continued to pass, but the family had not given up hope of having son. When
Once again, Keshab asked for property from his home, but the answer was the same: a man who did not have a son was not eligible to property possession. The scornful and perpetual rejection made Keshab seek out any alternative to have a son, and he decided to try a new marriage. The sudden decision was a shock and surprise to
Unfortunate days
The continuous squabble between the family members deteriorated the situation further. Their circumstances seemed so bleak that Januka attempted to commit suicide. She took a rope in her hands and pretended to go cut grass. She climbed up in a big tree, hung the rope in a branch and tied the rope around her neck. As she remembered her sister’s deteriorating health and saw glimpses of the daughters dancing in her eyes, she said, “I could not commit suicide. I decided to live for the children.”
The excruciating days in cow-shed were long and hard. Keshab fell deeper into a depression when his martinet mother beat him mercilessly. “There was a pineapple tree. I found three pineapples ripe and got them. I gave one to my neighbor, one to my mother and took one for my family. That was the issue my mother escalated and beat me,” Keshab said. Fortunately, his wives saved him by snatching the stick away from his mother. The mother is now in bed as she suffers from diseases. Although she is ignored by her other sons, Keshab is tending to her needs. She cannot speak, but she makes murmuring and buzzing noises. Keshab thought perhaps it was her cruel past that had returned to burn her. “What can I do? She gave me birth and she is my mother. If I do not look after her who will,” Keshab questioned.
As my conversation continued with Keshab about his past, we discussed the new marriage to Januka, which gave hope of having a son and the ability to gain property from home. After some time, both of his wives became pregnant simultaneously. (Oops!) Once again life deceived him, as Januka gave birth to a daughter! There were no words to interpret the hurt Keshab’s family felt.
Happiness kissed
Then, life brought new hope when
Then, both of his wives became pregnant again, and the same process repeated itself;
The days ahead
Finally, Keshab received 12 Khatta of land from his family, but there was still quarrelling between the two wives. On 2003,
Trainings
“I noticed a wonderful change in
“My sister wept the whole night and made us weep, too. She said that she wanted to do something and asked us to help her. We were tearful and forced to think,” Januka said.
“It was the happiest day to me,” Keshab said. “I decided to do something as part of the group.” Keshab started to work hourly from his own home and taught everyone to do the same. He understood the ideal of living in harmony. Keshab applied all the knowledge he received from
Group Support
On 2006, the Milijuli Women’s Group gave the gift of goats and other materials to the Gagrit Women’s Group, which was formed under
On The Way to Economic Prosperity
Thoughts of Group Members about
“
Community Work under
- Provide encouragement to helpless people
- Inspire and help pregnant women by visiting hospital
- Help the community’s children to go school and read at home
- Advocate for social justice
- Help to other Women’s Groups and provide suggestion and guideline
- Share ideas to increase income with the poor women in the village
- Establish a local children club
- Monitor the group
Affiliation
- Member of Agriculture Group
- Member of Cooperative Institution
Conclusion
Life is full of struggle. Regardless of place in life, hard times are inevitable. People desire happiness in their lives, but even for those who get the opportunity to enjoy a meaningful life, only few practice it. The key is to apply the knowledge and ideas in every step of life. It is easy to understand that how dreadful and miserable life was for
By Amrit Bhandari
Monday, June 1, 2009
Exploring the new horizon
Keeping together is a progress
Working together is a success
-Henry Ford
People came together, kept their ideas together and worked together to celebrate the April, Passing on the Gift Month. The efforts Heifer participants made has raised the hope of new journey of Passing on the Gift across Heifer project areas in Nepal. It has been a success beyond the expectation. The gifts during April have brought optimism and smiles on the faces of more than 1900 families. People internalized the Cornerstones and committed to Heifer's mission have surprisingly increased the plan for 67 events to 87.
The 87 self-help groups tied their humble relationship with same number of groups gifting 3666 animals in total. The groups gifted 3371 goats, 81 bucks, 35 buffalo, 37 sheep, 77 piglets, 3 cow, 2 bulls, 8 oxen and 3.46 acres land equivalent to RS 1, 60000. An incident from Nawalparsi proved how amazing and exciting the celebration remained.
80 years of old Bikinimaya despite her paralysis affected body, with her all effort came to the yard of her home and watched the Passing on the Gift Ceremony. Sita Mahato her daughter-in-law was about to receive two goats that day and the years-long desire of raising goats of Bikinimaya quenched. The program has washed away the tears of many helpless people like Sita's family. Families disregarded among their neighbor, fighting for basic needs, receiving countless intolerable remarks from the riches, desperate to love and help were the groups Heifer gifted.
“After I joined in group and received trainings from Heifer. I grew hope. Furthermore, my hope multiplied when I got 0.165 acres of land for cultivation. I started making income from the land. I earned RS 48,000 within a year from vegetable cultivation. It was beyond my imagination that I could have such huge amount of money at a time. Oh my god! There was no limitation of my HAPPINESS. I decided to diversify my income from other activities and bought a buffalo from the money I earned. I bought buffalo in RS 22,000. I have 4 children studying and now I am able to continue their education,” says Renu Sahani from Krishna Women Group in Bagahi village of Routahat district.
These are two examples among dozens of inspirational changes in poor communities. In the ceremony I talked with many participants surprisingly I found all of them were equally dedicated and aware to meet the Heifer's mission. Some story and interviews made me understand how complicated life is, some taught me what struggle is all about, some allows me to comprehend what dedication is and its consequences in life. It astonished me to find a woman with many roles. They not only lead their families towards prosperity but their contribution to community is also commendable. The dozen of stationeries to poor children proved what the power these women gained.
The Passing on the Gift Month, April caught the attention from journalists to government officials, students to teachers, children to elderly, wives to husbands, daughters-in-laws to mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law and every walk of life.
I was wondering how the celebration would be as I was assigned to participate the ceremonies and document the report. I kept all my assignments aside and set my journey of 30 days during April that has emboldened my conviction, consolidated my commitment and raised hope to bring smiles on the face of thousands of people in the days to come. The disintegrated and deconstructed communities were found to bond in unity and harmony. People kissed their jealousy, outrage, arrogance, superior behavior etc goodbye and selflessly presented themselves to gift to families in need.
The journey I embarked on from Baglung included Parbat, Tanahun, Kaski, from Pokhara region, Morang, Sarlahi, Mohottari, Routahat from Janakpur region and Chitwan and Nawalparasi from Bharatpur region. I, in rush managed my time to participate 43 events out of 89 across the project areas.
My Gift
Being a Heifer staff, I was wondering how I should celebrate the Passing on the Gift ceremony. The idea I found in Heifer's website encouraged me to be associated with Face-book. I linked our ideas to celebrate the Passing on the Gift ceremony during April and asked somebody if interested to contribute to poor communities. Fortunately, Bridge Club Nepal, Branch of Bridge Club Japan came to my contact and showed its interest to provide 9 packets of clothes to poor children. I was delighted to find their generosity and immediately visited them and received clothes.
On 3 April I loaded the clothes and my bags in our vehicles. I went to various communities but Routahat has always drawn my attention. There are various tarai ethnicities marginalized, back-warded. I gifted 3 packets of clothes there. In Sunsari, in our project areas many people are living under desperation, scarcity and miserable situation as the flood washed everything they had, that convinced me to help them and gifted 3 packets of clothes to them. I gifted some in Baglung, Tanahun, Parbat and Nawalparasi.
It was my gift to our participants. This is how I celebrated the PoG month. It has emboldened my confidence and I will do the best in coming days. I have realized how painful the grievance, scarcity and hopelessness. It inspired to create new ideas to provide support to these poor communities. The opportunity to visit many groups allows my ideas flourished exploring the alternatives what I can do most and differently.
यति ठूलो भिड माझ तिमीलाइ नै रोजेको छु ।
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
चाडै आउ फकाउँ न
काला तिम्रा ठूला आँखा हेर्दै मलाइ नजाउँ न ।
सितल तिम्रो सुवास फेरि मैरै अघि नछाउँ न ।
सक्छौ भने आजै मेरो आत्मा भित्र आइ बस ।
पंश्न गर्छ आफ्नै मन सक्या छैन दिन जस ।
मुस्किल पर्यो भन्नै आज दिन गन्दै गए ।
संसार छेउमा हुदा पनि सधै एक्लो भए ।
तिमी आउ, तिमी बस धडकन सधै नबढाउँ न ।
काला तिम्रा ठूला आँखा हेर्दै मलाइ नजाउँ न ।
तिम्लाइ थाहा छ मेरो पीडा कति सक्छयौ सताउँ न ।
छिट्टै आउ मेरी प्यारी मेरो मनलाइ फकाउँ न ।
तिम्रै छेउ आइ बसे ओठ त्यसै थरथरायो ।
भन्छु भन्ने शब्द त्यसै घाटी भित्रै धरमरायो ।
केहि छिनमा तिमी हिड्यौ मनमै रहे मनका कुरा ।
आज फेरि तिम्रै यादमा मायापिर्ति जुरमुरायो ।
काला तिम्रा ठूला आँखा हेर्दै मलाइ नजाउँ न ।
पीडा भयो साह्रै आज चाडै आउ फकाउँ न ।
Sunday, January 18, 2009
अपराधीको चंगुलमा माओवादी-From-http://ekantipur.com/kolnepalinews.php?nid=175913
राणाकालीन राज्य व्यवस्था हटाउँदा जनतालाई विश्वास दिलाइयो कि अब बन्ने सरकारले नयाँ नेपालको सिर्जना गर्नेछ । पञ्चायती व्यवस्थाको स्थापना भयो । सीमित व्यक्तिले देश बिगारेको आरोप लगाइयो । पुनः जनता परिचालित गरियो र पञ्चायत व्यवस्थालाई हटाइयो । अनि सत्ताको साँचो राजनीतिक पार्टीले समाते । प्रजातन्त्रको समशब्द खोजेर लोकतन्त्र ल्याउने भनेर हल्ला चलाइयो । फेरिे जनता परिचालित भए ।
यति हुँदा पनि जनताको जीवनस्तरमा कुनै गुणात्मक वा मात्रात्मक परिवर्तन हुन सकेको छैन । परिवर्तन गर्नेहरू पुरानो सत्ताका विरासतमात्र बन्न पुगे । परिवर्तित व्यवस्थालाई परिचालन गर्नेबाट तिनै तानाशाहको सहयोग मागियो र उनीहरूकै चंगुलमा राजनीति फस्यो । २०४६ सालको परिवर्तनपछि नेपाली कांग्रेसको दबदबा रह्यो र पुराना सत्ताका अवशेषले कांग्रेसको चाकडी गरे, हो मा हो मिलाए र कांग्रेसको सिद्धान्त एकातिर, मुलुक सञ्चालन गर्ने परिपाटी अर्कैतिर पारिदिए । कांग्रेस तिनै मण्डले र तानाशाहको इसारामा चल्यो । त्यसबाट गरिएको आशामा तुसारापात भयो । परिणामस्वरूप देश दस वर्षको युद्धमा होमियो ।
विगतबाटै नेपालका राजनीतिक पार्टीहरू पूर्वशासकबाट परिचालित भए र जनताको इच्छाबमोजिम राज्यसत्ता सञ्चालन गर्न सकेनन् । पटकपटक राजनीतिक पार्टी मुलुकको भलो नचाहने समूहको घेरामा बाँधियो । त्यसको क्रमभंग राजाको अवशेषपछि हुने र माओवादीबाट जनताका पक्षमा काम हुने आशामा नेपाली जनताले एकपटक फेरि क्रान्तिकारी विचारधाराबाट अगाडि बढेको माओवादीलाई साँचो सुम्पिए । खालि देसलाई परीक्षणको स्थल बनाउने काम भयो ।
अहिलेको व्यवस्थामा जनताको आशाको मापदण्ड अधिक थियो । तर माओवादीका क्रियाकलापले विगतका राजनीतिक दलको निरन्तरताको छनक दिन थालेको छ । पार्टी प्रवेश गर्नेको लहर माओवादी सत्तामा जाने देखिएपछि बढ्दै गयो ।
कानुनी राज्यलाई मान्ने हो भने यस्ता गतिविधिमा लागेका मानिसलाई पार्टी प्रवेस गराउनुको कुनै औचित्य नै छैन । आपराधिक गतिविधिमा लागेको गिरोहले बदनाम गरेर माओवादीलाई सिध्याउने छन् । यस्ता व्यक्तिको संरक्षण गरेर मुलुकलाई कब्जामा लिने दिवास्वप्नमा माओवादी छ भने अब त्यो सपना नदेखे हुन्छ । जनताको इच्छाबमोजिम न्याय र कानुनको राज्यमा माओवादीले विश्वास गर्न सक्नुपर्दछ । र जोसुकै भए पनि अपराधीलाई कारबाही गर्न पछि पर्नुहुँदैन, अनि मात्र जनताको शक्तिलाई जित्न सकिन्छ ।
राजनीतिलाई गुन्डा र अपराधीबाट सञ्चालन गर्ने विगतको सोचबाट माओवादी पर हट्नु जरुरी छ । पार्टीकै व्यक्तिबाट आपराधिक गतिविधि बढ्नुको कारण माथि उल्लिखित जमातलाई माओवादीमा प्रवेश गराउनुको परिणाम हो । विगतमा गाउँमा हुने गरेका अत्याचारविरुद्ध माओवादीले न्याय दिलाउँदा जनता खुसी भएकै थिए । विगतमा कहिले रक्सीको विरोध गर्ने, कहिले महिला अधिकारका लागि अन्यायमा परेका महिलाका लागि सहयोग पुर्याउँदा विश्वास पनि बढ्न थालेको थियो । तर आफैं सत्तामा बसेको समयमा तीव्र रूपमा बढेको दण्डहीनता र अपराधीको पक्षपोषण हुन थालेपछि त्रास बढेको छ ।
यस्तै परिवेश रहेमा बाहिरी हस्तक्षेप हुन सक्दैन भन्न सकिँदैन । कतिको हत्या गर्ने र माफी माग्दै जाने अनि अपराधीलाई खुला रूपमा हिंड्न दिने ? माओवादीले विचार गर्ने समय गुजि्रन थालेको छ । बेलैमा बुद्धि पुर्याएर समस्याको समाधान नभएमा
विकराल स्थिति सिर्जना हुनेछ । अनि मुलुक पुनः उनै हुक्का चिलिमेको हातमा जानेछ ।
प्रधानमन्त्रीजस्तो मानिसमा बोलीमा शालीनता हुन जरुरी छ । व्यक्तित्व र विचारलाई जथाभावी प्रदर्शन गर्ने हो भने आफ्नै अस्तित्व जोखिममा पर्ने छ । धेरै भाषण र सभा-समारोहमा सहभागिता र गलाभरिको माला देखाउँदैमा व्यक्तित्व विकास भएको मानिदैन । मार्गचित्रका आधारमा विशेषज्ञको सल्लाह लिएर मुलुकलाई अगाडि बढाउनुको विकल्प छैन ।
The Writer has done his Masters in Anthropology.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
यौनका विषयमा पाकाको चासो-http://kantipuronline.com/kolnepalinews
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
परेर पनि कहिल्यै सिक्न नजान्ने हामी-From Dainikee.com
अमृत भण्डारी विद्यालयको गाडी चालक सामान्य चालक मात्र होइन । उसको व्यवहार र गाडी हकाइले पनि विद्यार्थीमा मानसिक प्रभाव पार्न सक्छ। तर यहाँ त स्कुलका गाडी चलाउनेले समेत बेतोडसँग हाँक्ने, अरुलाई पेल्दै गुडाउने र बीच बाटोमा गाडी रोकेर फोहर बोल्दै अरुलाई गाली गरेको पाइन्छ।काठमाडौमै चल्ने स्कुलका गाडीको बारेमा चर्चा गर्ने हो भने अधिकांशले जिम्मेवारीबोध गरेको पाइँदैन। विद्यालयको भौतिक संरचना राम्रो बनाउँदैमा र विदेशी स्तरको शिक्षा दिने व्यानर तथा टेलिभिज विज्ञापनले मात्रै विद्यालय सञ्चालनको दायित्त्व पूरा हुँदैन। विद्यालय सञ्चालनमा संलग्न र प्रयोग हुने सबै इकाइमा अनुशासन हुनु अनिवार्य हुन्छ। अझ विद्यार्थीको जीवनलाई एउटा स्टेरिङमा राखेर गाडी चलाउने चालक त झन् संयमी र सभ्य हुन जरुरी छ। विहान रिङरोड हुदै हात्तिवनसम्म पुग्दा धेरै विद्यालयका स्कुले नानी बोकेका थुप्रै गाडी देख्ने मौका पाउँछु। मैले काठमाडौंका सडकमा हिड्ने अधिकांश विद्यालयका गाडीका चालकले आफूलाई जिम्मेवार बनाएर गाडी चलाएको देखेको छैन। विद्यालयको गाडी चालक त सामान्य चालक होइन । उसको व्यवहार र गाडी हकाइले पनि विद्यार्थीमा मानसिक प्रभाव पार्न सक्छ। तर यहाँ त स्कुलका गाडी चलाउनेले समेत बेजोड हाँक्ने, अरुलाई पेल्दै गुडाउने र बीच बाटोमा गाडी रोकेर फोहर बोल्दै अरुलाई गाली गरेको पाइन्छ। विद्यालयको गाडी चलाउने चालक सभ्य र संयमी हुन जरुरी ठान्दैनन् विद्यालय खोलेर महगो शुल्क उठाउने सञ्चालकले पनि। वास्तवमा चालकको बोलीले साना नानीको मानसिकतामा गहिरो छाप पर्न सक्छ। नराम्रो बोली बालबालिकाले पनि सिक्न सक्छन् भन्नेमा विद्यालयका सञ्चालक वा शिक्षकसमेत सचेत छैनन्। स्कुलको गाडी चलाउने चालकलाई विद्यालयले विशेष तालिम नै दिनु जरुरी हुन्छ। विद्यार्थीलाई दिनुपर्ने माया र सीकाउनुपर्ने अनुशासन चालकले पिन दिन र सिकाउन सक्छन्। गाडीमा बस्दा एक अर्कालाई सहयोग गर्ने सानो बालकलाई ठूलाले प्राथमिकता दिने जस्ता कुरा चालकबाट बालबालिकाले सिक्न सक्छन्। तर चालकले गाडी विद्यार्थीको अगाडि लगेर चिच्याउँदै ´छिडो बस´ भनेर हप्काएको बाटोबाटोमा देखिन्छ। एक दिन म हात्तिवनको बाटो हुदै सातदोबाटोतिर गएँको थिए। विद्यार्थी बोकेको एउटा बसका चालकले अनियन्त्रित गतिमा ओरालोमा गाडी हुइँक्याउँदा मेरो मोटरसाइकललाई नै ढलाउन खोज्यो। गाडी हुत्तिएकाले भित्र रहेका विद्यार्थी चिच्याए। मैले गाडीको पछाडिपछाडि गएर ´कम्प्लेन´ गर्ने विचार गरे तर आफू नै गाडीको वेगले आत्तिएको थिएँ। त्यसैले बिस्तारै आफ्नै बाटो लागे। खासगरी सातदोबाटोबाट हात्तिवन जाने स्कुले गाडीले बेजोड हाँक्ने र अकस्मात ब्रेक लगाउने गरेको दिनहुँ जसो देखेको छु। यसरी विद्यार्थी बोक्ने गाडी अनियन्त्रितरुपमा चलाउँदा एकातिर ठूलो दुर्घटना हुन सक्छ भने अर्कोतिर विद्यार्थीको मानसिकतामा असर पर्नसक्छ। त्यसलाई विद्यालयका जिम्मेवार व्यक्तिले तुरुन्तै सच्याउनुपर्ने देखिन्छ। अर्को अनौठो के छ भने विद्यालयमा वातावरण सुधार गर्नुपर्छ, वातावरण बिगार्नमा सहरमा थोत्रा गाडीले फ्याक्ने धुँवा पनि प्रमुख कारक हो भनेर विद्यार्थीलाई अध्यापन गराइन्छ। तर आफ्नै विद्यालयको गाडी दशकौं चलेर थोत्रिएर धुँवा उडाउँदै तिनै विद्यार्थीलाई बोक्ने गर्दछ। जुन काम आफूले नै गरिंदैन त्यही विद्यार्थीलाई पढाउने यो कस्तो खालको शिक्षा हो? अभिभावकबाट थुप्रो रकम असुलेर आफू बस्ने भवन र कार्यालय राम्रो बनाउँदैमा विद्यालय राम्रो भइहाल्ने हो र? विद्यालय व्यवस्थित गर्न विद्यार्थीको वातावरण र उनीहरुसँग सम्बन्धित मानिसलाईसमेत सभ्य र संयमी बनाउन जरुरी हुन्छ। आफूले बोल्ने कुरा आफैंले पनि कार्यान्वयन गर्नुपर्छ। विदेशमा यस्ता विद्यालयका बालबालिका बोक्ने गाडीमा सिट बेल्टसमेत राखिएको हुन्छ। नेपालमा अझ भनौ काठमाडौंकै नाम चलेका निजी स्कुलका कति गाडीमा सिट बेल्टको व्यवस्था होला? यसका लागि अभिभावक पनि सचेत हुन जरुरी छ। साथै बाटोमा हिड्ने गाडीका लागि व्यवस्थापन गर्न उभिने ट्राफिक पनि दिनभर सडकमा उभिएर मात्रै पुग्दैन। ट्राफिक नियम उल्लङ्घन गर्ने र अनियन्त्रित गतिमा कुदाउने गाडीका चालकलाई तत्कालै कारबाही गर्ने हो भने पनि धेरै हदसम्म दुर्घटनाबाट जोगिन सकिन्छ। ट्राफिक प्रहरीले बिनाकाममा दुख दिने गरेको त पाइन्छ तर नियम मिच्नेलाई कडा कारबाही भएको देखिंदैन। त्यसैले पनि चालकले ट्राफिक प्रहरीकै अगाडि नियम उल्लङघन गरेर हिड्छन्। विद्यालयका गाडीका बारेमा अभिभावक र विद्यालयका सम्बन्धित सरोकारवालाले तत्कालै छलफल चलाउन जरुरी छ। त्यसैगरी ट्राफिक प्रहरीले पनि बाटोमा चल्ने गाडीलाई नियममा चलाउन कडा कदम उठाउनु पर्दछ। त्यसो भएमा सडक दुर्घटनामा कमी त हुन्छ नै बालबालिका पनि सुरक्षित हुनेछन्।
कार्यस्थलमा यौनदुराचार र त्यसको प्रभाव-From dainikee.com
अमृत भण्डारी abamritofficial@gmail.com
The writer is an Anthropologist.
हत्यारालाई कारबाही नै सच्चा श्रद्धाञ्जली-From dainikee.com
उमाको हत्याले अन्य पत्रकारमा डर जन्माउन सक्छ र समाजका विकृतिको विरुद्धमा आवाज कम हुन सक्छ। तसर्थ उनका हत्यारालाई सरकारले कानुनको कठघरामा नल्याउँदासम्म पत्रकार महासंधले विरोधको आवाज कम गर्नु हुदैन।
सरकार अपराधीलाई कारवाहL गर्न अक्षम छ भने राजिनामा दिन सक्नुपर्दछ। होइन भने देसको चौथो अंगको हत्या तथा धम्कीलाई निस्तेज गर्नुपर्दछ। साथै यस घटनाबाट पत्रकारहरू निरुत्साहित हुने हो भने यस्ता घटनाले अझ प्रश्रय पाउँनेछन् र देशमा अझ बढी दण्डहीनताको स्थिति सिर्जना हुनसक्छ। तसर्थ विकृतिको विरुद्धमा कलम चलाउन छाड्नु हुदैन। प्राय: जसो जिल्लामा काम गर्ने पत्रकार त्यहाँका धेरै जनसाधारणका प्यारा हुन्छन् भने जो भष्ट्राचार, दुराचारमा संलग्न भएकाको आँखाको कसिंगर। अन्याय वा सामाजिक विकृतिका विरुद्धमा कलम चलाउने पत्रकारलाई नागरिक समाज तथा जनसाधारणले पनि सहयोग पुर्याउनु जरुरी हुन्छ। उसको पेसागत हितका लागि आवाज उठाउनु पर्छ। उमाले आफ्नो लेखमा लेखेकी थिइन् –“समाजमा जातीय आधारमा हुने छुवाछूतबारे त सडकदेखि संसदसम्म मुद्धा उठ्छ। तर परिवारभित्र हुने छुवाछूत उन्मूलनका लागि अहिलेसम्म कसैले मुद्दा उठाएको खासै देखिदैन। जस्तो कि बोलीचालीमा भाइबुहारीले सम्बोधन गर्दा जेठाजुलाई दाजु नै भन्ने गरे पनि उनीहरुबीचको नाता त्यति सहज देखिएको छैन। लोग्नेको दाजु स्वास्नीको पनि दाजु नै हुन्छ तर दाजुसँग बोल्न नमिल्ने, उसको अगाडि घुम्टो काडर तथा मुख छोपेर हिड्नु पर्ने, जेठाजुले प्रयोग गर्ने खाट, कुर्ची तथा लत्ताकपडालगायतका अन्य समान बुहरीले छुन नपाउने परम्परा मधेसी समाजमा पर्याप्त छ।” उनको लेखले समाजको निकै मार्मिक विषयलाई उढाएको छ। उमा नेपाली पत्रकारिताकी एक सहिद हुन् जसलाई म सलाम गर्न चाहन्छु। उनले बारम्बारको धम्कीबीच पनि जनकपुर छाडिनन् र विकृतिकाविरुद्धमा कलम र आवाज नरोकी मृत्युवरण गरीन्। उनी पेसाप्रति इमानदार नभएकी भए सायद धम्कीलाई बेचेरै राजधानी आउँथिन होला। उनको मृत्युले नेपालले एक होनहार र निडर पत्रकार गुमाएको छ। उनको हत्यारालाई कानुनबमोजिम सजाय दिलाउन सक्नु नै उनी प्रतिको सच्चा श्रद्धाञ्जली हुनेछ। होइन भने मारिने पत्रकारको तथ्यांक संकलन गर्ने र रिपोर्ट बनाउँने अनि मारिदै जाने शृङ्खला बढ्दै जानेछ। र, उमाप्रतिको कर्तव्य पूरा हुने छैन। उमाको हत्या अब पत्रकारको अन्तिम हत्या होस्।
The writer is Anthropologist.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A profession in Jeopardy
The Bishwokarmas of Wangla VDC, Arghakhanchi district entirely represent a majority of Nepali districts. "During my grandfather's professional years approximately 300 "Bistas" used to take service from him", says Krishna Bahadur Bishwokarma from Wangla VDC, Adityapur village. But the distant "Bistas" have been minimized after the widely available service on the every nook and corner of the villages. After the alternation of the agricultural profession by the locals, the constructional profession has been in dire state. "I have only 25 "Bistas" decreased from the 300 during my grandfather's time", says the disappointed Krishna. The decreasing numbers of "Bistas" is because of the decreased in agricultural productivity which is ultimately a threat to the Bishwokarma's profession in Aran. The remuneration in the form of agricultural production is nominal for the Bishwokarmas. As a result, they have applied alternate source for their survival.
Krishna, the follower of his forefather's profession (the constructional work in Aran*), has undertaken this profession after the insufficiency for his survival from the income of Indian employment, is now disappointed, as his present profession is in jeopardy. Because of the implacable agricultural production the farmers changed their occupation. Similarly, majority of the youth applied the foreign employment especially in gulf countries and the rest who are educated started teaching and these all reasons resulted peril for not only Krishna's profession but the whole Bishwokarmas community is in dilemma for preserving their endangered conventional profession.
In Wangla VDC, at present, the increased population of Bishwokarma has become the ultimate cause to establish the representative Arans of 200 years old historical Aran in the newly residential places like Saldada, Siudeni, Amdada, Deuralidada, the local villages in the same VDC. As a result, the "Bistas" have to be shared among different Bishwokarmas which is the sole cause for decreasing consumers. In addition, the Arans in majority are just the temporary huts which have been disturbed by the rainfall even in the winter season and there is no room for the continuation in rainy season. Apart form this, the depleting condition of bellow has dispersed Krishna and thus he says," if the limited numbers of his Bistas cooperate, I continue my Aran's constructional service, and otherwise this profession would become a fable".
In this Aran of Bishwokarma mainly the following agricultural instruments are constructed and reformed: -Khurpa (a big sickle)
-Hansiya (a small sickle)
- Phali (an iron instrument fixed at the top of the plough)
-Bancharo (an axe)
-Kodalo (a spade)
-Dau (a big knife)
-Syangi (a small knife)
-Pharuwa (a shovel)
-Gal (an iron bar sharpened at one end used to dig a dip or breaking big rocks)
-Gaiti (a pickaxe)
-Baisakhi (an instrument used to make hole for fixing the supporter for vines)
The above mentioned instruments are indispensable instruments for agricultural profession in village. An old woman of eight years Masuri Bishwokarma who gained five decades experience in this sector narrates," in the time of my husband we used to earn abundant for our servivial. Bistas also used to give enough grains. Production rate was also very high. On the contrary, at present the Bistas hesitate to give food grains. In fact, they also lack production enough for their survival. In this context, we also find helpless to ask more". From her instance, we can infer that this occupation of Bishwokarma, constructing agricultural equipments in now in danger.
The desperation seen among the 80% agricultural population has made us dependant towards the foreign countries for food. The whole agricultural profession in the country is now facing grim situation because of conventional agriculture and lack of government security. Even in the case of remote village in hilly region, if the government does not modernize the agriculture by interfering it, the whole agriculture in this region will certainly be disappeared and one can not save from its bad impact in all walks of society. In present context because of the insecure agriculture food crisis has been started influencing the whole world and Nepali cities are not separated from it. It is the point embarrassing fact that in such situation of global food crisis the agricultural country like Nepal is also influenced from it instead, she should be exporting agricultural production and earning foreign currency. So it is the high time for government to modernize agriculture, provide security to it and to motivate the farmers by making good strategy.
* Bishwokarma is the Nepali equivalent of the English word goldsmith.
* Aran is the Nepali version of the English word anvil.
The writer has done his Masters in Anthropology.
Joy of Books
As I walked through the village of Peepaltar in the Nuwakot, I came across a wooden walled tin roof structure with the word "library" scribbled on the wall. I came to know from the locals that it was in fact a library built in the initiation of Heifer’s Self-Help Groups, Jalpa and Bhoomisthan Mahila Smuha (Women’s Group) for Fulbari Bal Samuha (Children’s Group). I looked at the walls of this building that were the pride and joy of the people who built them. With a heavy heart, I returned home with a desire to do my best to help.
Month’s later, two high school students from Kathmandu visited the village for an educational tour. With the money given by their father as a birthday gift, they bought books worth USD 36 for the library. My will to do something was strengthened even further.
I had just finished reading John Wood’s, “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World.” His emotional journey in the book was so similar to what I went through at Peepaltar that I could not resist the temptation to gather my thoughts and write to him. The e-mail address at the end of the book coaxed me to give into my temptation. I jotted a range of emotions similar to his and sent him an e-mail. A reply from John was not expected. But it was hoped for. So the disappointment of having nothing in my inbox the next day was buffered by the realization that it would be impossible for him to answer everyone who wrote to him about the book. However, the next day an e-mail from John made my day. Within the couple of e-mails that we exchanged in a few days, I managed to tell him about the library in Peepaltar and my determination to help them.
John Wood is the founder of “Room to Read,” an organization that is dedicated to providing education to children deprived of it by setting up libraries. Call it coincident or fate, but our goals were the same. I contacted the director for Nepal and arranged to materialize our visions. With around 500 english and nepali books under my supervision, I headed for Peepaltar with a content heart and a mission fulfilled.
Amrit Bhandari
Kathmandu, Nepal
Mobile:-00977-9841369872