Why to celerate World AIDS Day???

Today is DECEMBER 1st, the day we celebrate the unity against HIV/AIDS. Today is the WORLD AIDS DAY. According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 39.5 million people living with HIV, including 2.3 million children, and during 2006 some 4.3 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

If you talk of Nepal, according to data of National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) as of 31 October 2006, 8073 Nepalis are living with HIV, and 1186 are in the state of AIDS. 358 people have already succumbed to death because of AIDS. But UNAIDS and other organisation believes that around 75,000 Nepalis are living with HIV and most importantly many of those don't even know. So the risk of further transmission of HIV is increasing very dangerously.

Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

The theme for World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day was originally organised by UNAIDS, who chose the theme after consultation with other organisations. However, in 2005 UNAIDS handed over responsibility for World AIDS Day to an independent organisation known as The World AIDS Campaign (WAC).

The WAC’s slogan for their work is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise", which is an appeal to governments, policy makers and regional health authorities to ensure that they meet the many targets that have been set in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This campaign will run until 2010, with a related theme chosen for World AIDS Day each year.

This year's theme, "accountability", is designed to inspire citizens across the globe to hold their political leaders accountable for the promises they have made on AIDS. Targets such as the All by 2010 pledge made by world leaders last year, and the Millennium Development Goal to halt and reverse the spread of AIDS by 2015, are in serious danger of being sidelined or ignored, and much more needs to be done to ensure that these critical promises are kept. By supporting a broad movement of civil society organisations in their campaigning around this theme, the World AIDS Campaign hope to develop a sense of joint identity and common purpose and ensure that more people are made aware of the AIDS epidemic this year than ever before.

World AIDS Day themes over the years have included:

• 2006 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Accountability
• 2005 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise
• 2004 - Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
• 2003 - Stigma & Discrimination
• 2002 - Stigma & Discrimination
• 2001 - I care. Do you?
• 2000 - AIDS : Men make a difference
• 1999 - Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
• 1998 - Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
• 1997 - Children Living in a World with AIDS
• 1996 - One World, One Hope
• 1995 - Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
• 1994 - AIDS & the Family
• 1993 - Act
• 1992 - Community Commitment
• 1991 - Sharing the Challenge
• 1990 - Women & AIDS
• 1989 - Youth
• 1988 - Communication

To learn more about what is happening around the world, or to list any events that you may be holding locally this World AIDS Day, please visit the WAC's events calendar.

The red ribbon

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort, and as a result there is no one official red ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!

What can I do to support World AIDS Day?

There are many ways in which you can support World AIDS Day. For example:

• Raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in your area
• Wear a red ribbon and ask others to do the same
• Protect yourself and your partners - this is the first and best way to stop the spread of HIV
• If you are worried - get tested.

At school or work, you can support World AIDS Day by:

• Having a dressing up, down or fancy dress day
• Putting up some posters - get people talking
• Making and selling red ribbons
• Organising a creative writing/poster campaign
• Setting up a debate or a quiz - there're lots of ideas for topics on our site
• Cooking an international meal or having a cake sale
• Arranging a sponsored three-legged race or balloon release
• Getting your friends, family, colleagues or pupils to express their feelings and expand their knowledge about AIDS
• Using your imagination!

Today's Kathmandu............

Kathmandu is the city of rupees, contracts and city of dreams – for peep show professionals to international extortionist and from buff to beef eaters; that are adequate but partial descriptions. It is all this and much, much more. While we admire Kathmandu’s exuberance, its vitality, its generosity, its resilience, its sincerity, we cannot ignore its contradictions and paradoxes—and, yes, its meanness. It is a city at once blessed and cursed, lucky and unlucky, unique and commonplace. It is blessed because the Lord Pashupatinath favors it extravagantly while goddess Laxmi never but of course in exception to the politicians.

Consider the city’s violent youths and gangsters. We will find every variety in Kathmandu’s neo-social structure. From global contractors for nation’s development to petty contractors for street demonstrations, micro credit customers to billionaires with billions loan under default pursuing to be in the list of Forbes, from South America’s Che’s supporters to neighbor Mao and most importantly, the regular followers of BP photo frame to group of people who visits royal palace driveling the mass republicans to facilitate in king’s birthday. We are brave. We are unique. We were the people of non-colonial nation having independent mindsets. Our history proves this. Our great people are rewriting the essays of Nepal. As a capital, it is a stinging rebuke to narrow ideologies. Still, we must appreciate the spirit of great Nepalese for their outstanding performance.

Nepalese are lucky too. Nepal experienced several economies some of them sometimes not matched to Noble laureate’s fundamentals – closed economy, open economy, conflict economy, transition economy, parallel economy, and may be more. But, Nepal is still lucky that its economy is begging based economy that is to go for generations. Our progress ladder is outstanding. We have so many best practices that can be replicated – citing example beggars become rulers. Thanks to our judicial system who just today certified the beggars to the billionaires. Good governance is the buzzword to our beggars turned rulers.

We are blessed too - reputed people pay tax to two governments in one nation. We must be sincere in thanking them for their wonderful capability. We merely have to note their contribution to the country’s personal and corporate tax. Great people talk for big things – establishing republic to IT professionals export or to introduce Silican in the country!!! Of course, we are exporting all professionals in the form of brain drain rather than export for nation’s capital. We pass motion in the parliament for constitutional assembly, an easy exit for republic. But our great politicians advocates for ceremonial king on latter days. We followed mixed economy in the past, but we are following two polarized political principles at present. Our economists are still engaged in purging national treasury at the cost of taxpayers. The time has come that Kathmanduities must realize whether the city’s social and economic fabric has blessed or cursed. There is no doubt that we are cursed politically as the city burns every week. Billions of dollars are assured and pouring, annual budget is stretching its digits, the capital is to fill up with sky scrappers within a decade or so, development indicators in reports are satisfactory, however, the Gurkhas are turning into bloodless and skinny as can be witnessed in screens and in Kathmandu’s streets. Still, we do not know yet whether we are sustaining or nourishing. We wonder whether this is the same Kantipuri nagari as quoted centuries back!!

By:Freedom Lover,
www.blogs.cjnepal.org
Photo Source: tibettrip.com

The Morning Drama : My everyday's story

By Rabin

Today also I didn't go to college. I don't know why I found it very difficult to wake up in the morning and go to the college. Today also I assured myself saying "It's not even that early. It's already 5.45 am. And I have to go to college." But all in vain because instantly my other mind argued. 'So what's the heck??? It's so cold outside. You will freeze.' My first mind snapped back, 'So??? You have got to study. Remember the courses are very hard and it needs your full concentration.' My second mind replied, 'You got a year to study them. I am talking about only today. From tomorrow I will go to college.' And my second mind won. I slept till 7.15 in the morning.

When I woke up, it was already time to go to office. Grumpily I left my bed. My second mind was still arguing but I throttled my second mind. Taking break fast like "Fast Man" I rushed to my office. Damn there's no micro bus. It was already late and here I was waiting for micro (this is the biggest disadvantage of having no bikes). Then it came and was so packed there was even no place to put my tiny feet and the conductor was urging me to get in. I snapped back, 'Am I supposed to sit on the heads??' He stared me furiously and asked his boss (the driver – who was busy in talking in his mobile) to move ahead.

I waited another 5 minutes then finally another micro came. I had made up my mind that I would get in no matter how many people already there but luckily it was not so packed. Feeling good I get in. After sometime, small but raunchy conductor asked me the fare. I gave him 10 Rs. note and told him I have got Student's Identity Card (In Nepal Student's Identity card provides you 33% discount on bus fares). He demanded to see my card. Feeling irksome I handed over my card. He took it and with his eagle eyes scrutinized my card. And suddenly he told me I can't get discount because validity of my card is over. My head became hot with rage. I asked him has he ever been to college. I asked him duration of undergraduate course (in Nepal it's 3 years), he replied no. I told him flatly the card is valid and I get discount because I am undergraduate student. He was also not in mood to let it go. He argued back whatever the case, the validity is over. I had a row with him and other passengers were staring back to us. Here I was fighting for 2 Rs though I earn a lot than this. After my heated debate he seemed to get some idea and gave me my discount. Swelling with pride I put that 2 Rs in my pocket and told him to watch out. I haven't had got time to renew my card so I thought tomorrow I am gonna go to college and renew it any how.

Then finally I reached the Ratna Park and it was already 8.10 (And my office starts at 8.00 sharp). I reminded myself everyone gets late, so just make an excuse. Then I saw there standing tall and swelling like brass a Traffic Police. This was the last thing I wanted to see at this eleventh hour. (Remind you that NO MICRO BUSES TO LAGANKHEL WITH ROUTE NO. 14 ARE ALLOWED HERE TO WAIT FOR PASSENGER, or haven't I told you??? If so keep in mind) So no micros there for me. Cursing the traffic officer, I walked for another 3 minutes where micros of Lagankhel are parked. I reached there and get in to the micro but unfortunately it was empty. I waited there in an empty micro praying it would get filled soon and move ahead. It took whole 10 minutes to get filled. Finally I was on my way toward my dear office. I reached there at 8.35 and everyone were already there (those who used to reach late are also there on time). Smiling like I am participating in dental showcase, I said sorry and began working.

Kartik arrived late for dogs, by two whole months!

By Sishir K. Rana

The polar ice caps are indeed melting! Global warming is not a hoax after all! I should stop reading and 'believing' those damn conspiracy theorists.

It rained today. It was only a drizzle. No, the rain didn't turn my hair green or burn holes through my jacket. It was just before it rained, just before I left for work, and just after I opened the gate. There she was—my dear bitch busy getting off in an orgy.

Man, those dogs were getting at it like there's no tomorrow. Well, it's understandable, given that their libido shoots up only once a year. And boy, do they shoot up frigging crazy or what? And it's understandable again, given that they strictly abstain for a whole year. I couldn't see my bitch—my sweet Pomeranian— being screwed up by six horny alpha males including my neighbor's hunky German Shepherd.

I was infuriated. I can watch a dozen rugged bikers taking turns for a foursome on a blonde chick in a porno flick; but this, no. I picked up a brick and hurled it at the black Labrador who was romping on my dear Pom like hell had just unleashed. The Lab yelped from pain and dragged my Pomey along with him.

"No, he didn't," I told myself and slung another piece of brick at the black devil. "No, he didn't," I told myself again. Then I realized, and I blushed. Duh! They're dogs—a work half done is getting stuck together 'down there' until the work is fully done.

I shooed away other testosterone dribbling beasts so that the Lab could finish off his business without constant interference. The dogs sniffed my bitch one last time and went away grumbling, stiff legged. They all gathered at a distance and drooled with anticipation.

It took longer than I anticipated. I was getting late for work. Family first and everything second I thought and decided to wait till they were able to 'come' out of each other. It took precisely 34 min and 26 sec give or take. Kicked off the Lab, stashed back the Pom, and went off to work.

On the way, I got to thinking. Riding a motorcycle alone for thirty minutes does give you a plenty of time to sing and lip-synch. Half way through, two 3 Doors Down, one Keith Urban and two Janis Joplin songs later, while I was doing a bad rendition of Me and Bobby McGee, I passed by what could only be a flashback of the smaller version of the morning's spectacle.

"Maybe that bitch wasn't attractive enough," I thought, a dog-owner's pride surging with paternal love.

When I arrived at the office gate, there were three dogs sniffing and growling at each other. "Where's the bitch?" I thought. "Is homosexuality really possible in animals," I started to ponder while parking my motorcycle.

There wasn't much work to do at the office, thanks to my colleague, who values his work ethics gravely. Maybe I can learn something from him, but I still can't put my finger on what it is.

Like I said, as there was no work, I decided—as always—to browse through the internet. There was this article on global warming on this website which gave helluva lot of information my indolent brain couldn't comprehend. All I understood was that global warming was a conspiracy cooked up by some crazy scientists stuck in Antarctica.

Ooh! Information overload. I looked over the window, and there it was again—an all too familiar sight.

I looked up the calendar to check on what day the New Year fell on. It was on Sunday and I said 'Yippee', but not too loudly. Actually, only to myself. I can't disclose why. Sensitive information!

Anyways, the picture of Machapuchre on the calendar was breathtaking, and the Fewa Lake, and the Lalu Pates, and Poush 9. "Poush!" I screamed. I mean, I almost screamed. How can it already be Poush? The all too familiar dogs-on-dog scenes since morning told otherwise. When did Kartik come and go?

I went back to finally finishing the article, and all of a sudden it struck me like a bolt of lightning. Duh! It's the global warming, silly. If dogs can sense impending earthquakes, surely they can sense global warming! Surely Kartik arrived two months late for them—those only-once-a-year horny bastards—in the middle of winter instead of autumn.

* Kartik and Poush are Nepali calendar months.
Kartik - starts mid October
Poush - starts mid December

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You can also read his articles at www.offthebeat.blogspot.com.

Everything finally fit like a condom

By Sishir K. Rana

Either Mars or some planet must be retrograde or my archenemy must be chanting voodoo and mixing lizard feet and monkey brains in his cauldron. The past couple of weeks have indeed been a series of unfortunate events.

First it was my motorcycle. I should have taken it for servicing the first time it didn't start. I had to take a cab back home that night. As we all know, there is no night life in Kathmandu, and I mean that literally. Traffic dies just after 8 pm, i.e., the public transport (the minis, micros and mini-micros) snooze off early, except for a couple of cabs with meters that run as fast as the cabs themselves on empty streets. Since I get off from work at 8 pm, it was at least Rs 150 for the fare way home.

That was about two weeks ago. Next day, I came back to the office on time (mind you, not earlier), took the bike to a workshop and had it fixed. Turned out, the spark plug was clogged with dirt. Well, I'm not surprised. The last thing you'd see me is with a sponge and a bucket of foam.

The bike was good and running, not until a week ago. First the cursing, then the cussing, and then an expensive ride home. Next day, it was the same routine. The spark plug needed to be cleaned. Doink! Who woulda thunk that?

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. On that note, I took the bike to Jamal for servicing. But, alas, I was late by three whole hours. Procrastinator that I am, I thought, like always, "Maybe, umm..., next week."

Well, I guess the Lord above still wanted to teach me a lesson. The bike broke down again three days ago. I guess third time's a charm. So, I came back to the office early next morning—even before the early bird managed to make a shrill chirp—and took the bike for servicing.

Well, the series of unfortunate events didn't end there. Yesterday the bike started, but rattled crazy. Had to take to a workshop and have the chain tightened.

The biggest bomber was when we didn't get tickets for King Kong. Damn all the tickets, except for a few rows up in the front, were sold out. Even on a Monday afternoon. Zees! It took approximately 15 min for reality to hit me and my two other friends. Damn! We had been so anticipating watching the movie, like, for the past two weeks. And Monday's my only day off. Evening show was of the question (not being the night crawlers), we went to good ol' New road.

As we were about to step into our favorite Almond Restaurant, my variety loving mouth suggested Jeans. So we went there. The cafe took us completely by surprise. Not just the decor, which by the way looks like one of those sets of one of those Hindi tele-flicks, but the prices. And we all thought we would fill our I-am-so-hungry-that-I-could-eat-a-horse appetite with a 120 rupees pizza. It had the thinnest crust ever. It was like some grated cheese and a couple of thin capsicum rings topped over a naan.

P.s.: One of our friend's a vegetarian. And, pssst: I still don't understand vegetarians.

Anyways, the pizza and parathas only served to whet our appetite. No way was we to make further orders.

As expected of Space Time, all the cable channels were gone except for NTV Metro. Who watches NTV Metro? I decided to watch past episodes of Sex and the City. Alas, the DVD was not working. Tired of being surly, I hit the sack early that night after reading a bit of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.

I woke up next morning in not so bright mood as usual. Had to go to the Transportation Office to get my Blue Book renewed and pay my dad's mobile phone bill.

Actually half the work was already done, or rather half the work didn't get done the other week at the Transportation Office. Well, you all know how Nepali Government offices are like, right? Went there and got the bill paid. Was then directed to room no. 10, and not in the least genial manner if I might add. By the time I found room 10, it was already 2 pm. The office window with Room 10 written with a ball pen on a piece of paper stared back at me sardonically.

Today, however, I went straight to Room 10. Got the blue book signed. I was then directed to other unnumbered room. I followed my instincts, asked a dozen people, and came upon a part of a hallway where there was a man with stamps. Got it stamped and whizzed to Nepal Telecom at Jawalakhel. The line was unbelievable, five of them in total—zigzag, serpentine and banana-shaped. Took quite a while to figure out where the queue started and where it ended. Anyways, like a true Nepali who has previously undergone innumerable bewildering experiences at government offices, I made it through.

I was surprised how things got done so efficiently. Maybe Mars or some other planet must have gone direct.

Back at my office, I looked up my weekly horoscope (in my free time of course). It said, "But this is only temporary - things should be back on track within a day or so."

In my own words, I'd like to say, "Today, everything finally fit like a condom."

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"Thanx to Sishir for providing us such good and humorous article. He has promised us with good articles in future course also. You can also read his write-ups at www.offthebeat.blogspot.com."

Youth : We have Lots to Say

Why do people don't take young people seriously. Young people are not always weird, wacky, careless and insensitive as portrayed but instead they are very sensitive, sensible and responsible as any adult.

Yes young people love to party and spend money on various stuffs like alcohol, tobacco etc. But every good thing has bad part also. Because of these only, young people couldn't be blamed of being insensitive, moral less, weird, freak or irresponsible. The frustrations of not being able to do anything affect young people and encourage them to lead unhealthy lifestyles. So its society's responsibility to provide them platform to prove themselves. Our conservative and closed society has system of not listening to younger generation. Talking about sexual reproductive health, love, marriage, career etc with parents is considered as taboos. They are side lined in decision making level terming not capable. This is what creates all the misunderstanding, problems and chaos. Until and unless they are recognised as genuine force and accepted in decision making level, society cannot move ahead.

Well can't you believe youths are doing lots for society??? Then you have to meet some young people and let them work on their own and you will see. There are many events going on around the city but hardly any people want to know. Most of those events are either organised by young people themselves or are helping others to make it success. On November 26, 2006 students of Ratna Rajya College (proposed Nepal Manaviki Campus) organised the blood donation campaign in association with Nepal Red Cross Society. According to reports, Kathmandu valley is now seeing crunch of blood. Many hospitals and even blood bank of Red Cross are not being able to provide required blood to save dying patients. In such situation, students of RR College have shown that young people are equally concerned about their society and have sense of responsibilities. They are always searching for breaks or chances to serve the society or the nation.

Politics might not interest them but they are keen to know what's going on?? If you ask any youth about politics, he might not want to talk on subject matter, but when he starts, he fires the difficult questions and detailed analysis which is lacked even in our senior politicians. Here we shouldn't forget that students have played major role in fighting for democracy. But the topic of politics in student life is itself in controversy. If we leave it aside, we will see young people have lot to say in political field also.

Many people working with youth have praised them for their sensible and responsible behaviour. Their sense of responsibility and hard working has helped many organisations to stand tall. Now everyone is talking about building NEW NEPAL, but the dream is almost impossible without active participation of youths. Whether accept or not, New Nepal is on youths. So get up and be ready to prove society. We have lots to SAY.