Drinking green tea could help in the fight against HIV

Issues on HIV has always been one of my interest. Being myself working in BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) field, also focuing on HIV, I always try to update myself on such issues. This news from BBC Online is really exciting in the fight against HIV. Read on and if you feel to write something, please go on.

BBC NEWS:
Scientists found a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells by getting there first. Once EGCG has bound to immune system cells there is no room for HIV to take hold in its usual fashion. However, experts said the joint UK and US work, which appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was at a very preliminary stage.

Researcher Professor Mike Williamson, of the University of Sheffield, said: "Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV. "It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.

"Future research is also currently under way in order to determine how much effect can be expected from different amounts of tea."

More work needed

Keith Alcorn, senior editor of the Aidsmap web service, said tests on animals would be needed before any conclusions could be safely drawn on the potential protective effect of drinking green tea. "This study only looks at the ability of a chemical in green tea to block HIV binding to human CD4 immune cells in the test tube.

"Many substances shown to prevent HIV infection in the test tube turn out to have little or no effect in real life, so I think there's a long way to go before anyone should rely on green tea to protect against HIV infection." Lisa Power, head of policy at the HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust said: "Condoms keep HIV at bay. Anything that boosts your immune system is beneficial for people with HIV, but green tea can't be a substitute for proper medication and prevention techniques."

Green tea has been linked to a positive effect on a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Why credit cards are priceless?

There are loads of advertisement of creditcards that says, like moments, cards too are priceless. Used to wonder why they call it priceless....in the sea of web, i found this reasyy cool article why credit cards are priceless. Go to http://bhupen.k6yar.com/ and see his more articles....till then enjoy this.

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Ask anyone, “Is having a credit card worth it?”

They will probably tell you, yes and no.

Yes:
if you would like to build your credit score and buy something online and also to use it in case of emergency.

No:
If you already have money in the bank.

If you are not following me, please read this : In developed countries such as the United States, UK, etc, a person’s creditworthiness is computed by agencies based on your history of purchases and bank balance. Banks work with agencies to secure their transactions such as giving someone credits / loans. Lets face it. Will you give your hard earned or even free money to someone for a while then expect them to pay back to you on time. In Nepal, only a handful of people have credit cards, the monthly payments on credit card bills are made by rich parents, fancy jobs, and corruptions. Nearly 99% of Nepalese do not own a credit card. In Nepal there are no credit agencies. Credit cards are issued by banks verifying bank balance and reference from employer.

Doing shopping online without a credit card is next to impossible, although there are some websites (such as amazon.com) that allows you to purchase items without using a credit card. It offers the option “pay on delivery”. But this is only limited to particular shipping destinations such as within the country; like United States or Canada. So most online transactions do require you to have at least a debit or credit card. So having at least one of them helps.

To build credit score, you start by giving your money to a bank. That amount remains as your credit limit. Your purchase and monthly payments goes to the credit agencies database. As your history is reviewed, they assign you a credit score. Nobody knows just how they do this or what kind of formula is set, generally speaking paying well ahead of the due date, purchasing costly items and paying them well ahead of the monthly due date gives better score. Getting the wrong credit card can have you pay bunches of interest, late fees, activation fees, etc. You know it was your money and that even makes you depressed! Terms and conditions of a contract are written using the smallest possible fonts - so it’s worth buying a magnifying glass to read it thoroughly before getting credit cards! You will be glad you did it! You might also use it to read other advertisements by such as Direct TV, Virizon, Cingular, and you name it. Anything that looks so unreal has a string attached to it and they are hidden in those tiny fonts!

Ok, lets come to the point. I thought this would be an interesting way to finish this post.
An Advertisement (Ad) that we all are too familiar with….

Activation Fee $ 49.99
Annual Account Maintenance Fee $ 99,99
Interest Amount $2451.25, Rate being 20%
Balance This Month : $10512.00
Must pay this Month $250.00
Interest Amount $2451.25, Rate being 20%
bla bla bla $0.99
bla bla bla $999.99

Credit Card… It’s priceless!

When will Maoist Change ?

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In pursuit of Happiness

I have heard many people shouting how ugly this world is. "The whole world and life sucks!!", this is very common comment. People seek happiness but don’t get any. In pursuit of happiness, they have so much tantrums but forget that happiness is all around us. I too am one of them. Today also I was feeling low and lonely, loaded with my work and duties trying to find reasons to make myself smile and energetic to finish all these due stuffs. Then I came across this story, simple yet powerful. It was retrospective of how beautiful this world is.

Here goes the story this way:

A little boy wanted to meet God.
He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug.
She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.
She asked him, "What did you do today that made you look so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

The term God here is just a symbol of happiness. Some people find solace in the name of god, some in others. But the main point is, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Like we don't know what God will look like or he even exits or not, we sometimes push away the happiness that's around us."

People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Pursuit happiness in people you love and their company then you will see how beautiful the world is.

Good News: Load-Shedding reduced to 24 Hrs/week

Owing to lesser electricity demand than what had been forecasted for the last one month period, which led to the saving of considerable volume of water in the reservoir feeding the two Kulekhani projects in Makawanpur district, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is reducing nationwide load-shedding by 16 hours per week effective from Wednesday.

 

There  will be no load-shedding during nights from Wednesday, while the daytime load-shedding will remain constant. This means every consumer will face only 24 hours of load-shedding per week from tomorrow, as opposed to 40 hours per week they had been facing, officially speaking.

 

Lower demand than what had been expected for the month of Falgun conserved approximately six meters of water in the Kulekhani reservoir. The reservoir feeds the two Kulekhani projects that have a total capacity of 92 megawatts and are the only storage projects in the country.

 

Weeks of violence in terai, which led to suspension of activities in various industrial towns in the southern belt, contributed to saving of power - one of the major factors behind the reduction in load-shedding hours.

Additionally, the 70-megawatt Marsyangdi project that had been shut two weeks ago for repairs of a draft tube at its tailrace has resumed operation from Tuesday.

Goher Mumtaz of JAL's Last Words

Dont' got to the title, its a section of the Magazine "in YOur face"' that comes in the last page. I had a chance to interview Goher Mumtaz from JAL and here you people get to read it. It got published in IN YOUR Face Feb 07 Edition. This is the un-edited version so exclusive to YOUNNOVATION.

Good-looking and talented Goher Mumtaz is the creative mind behind the astonishing success of the Pakistani band Jal. He is the lead and rhythm guitarist, lyricist and composer from Faisalabad. Multifaceted Goher has also proven his vocal skills in songs like Dil Haarey and Panchhi. He sold his cycle to get a guitar when he was 21. Gohar first came up with the songs of Aadat back when he broke his leg in Faisalabad and was bed-ridden for 6 months. Unexplored by the media but he is the real man at the rear of all the success and popularity Jal has tasted.

Last time you were not satisfied with the lyrics you jotted/wrote?

No such experience as the lyrics is discussed amongst us and if anything is not satisfactory or incompatible it is discarded or replaced by something convincing. I don’t really remember a situation to be unsatisfied of as I’m pretty convinced about writing the stuff.

Last time you were really impressed by your own song?

I must say it’s Teri Yaad and title song from our album Aadat, there is another song from our new album Payal but I’ll disclose it only after the album releases.

Last time you all really felt like home in a foreign land?

Difficult question…Ah… I think it has to be New Delhi, India because its close to culture of Pakistan and the girls there are similar to Pakistan. The people the whole environment is like that of Pakistan.

Last time you were bored by a concert/performance you had to deliver?

Something that we had to perform was last time in Road Killa, India. We had to take a flight from Delhi to Calcutta which as two and half hours, there we were told that the place was at a 6 hours drive from Calcutta to Road Killa but it turned out to be a 13 hour drive. We were all tired and didn’t even get chance to change. I didn’t shave and was in my sandal and the ‘sardion wali’ cap, but we did perform.

Last time you were bored by a concert/performance you had to witness?

Actually, I’m a crasher kind of a person. I like going to concerts and things. I used to go to concerts by Junoon, Strings, Fuzon, EP back in Pakistan. I was convinced by all of the bands performances. Above all I liked Mikal Hasan Band’s performance. I love the performances.

Last time you argued over shade/goggles?

I’m a very good shopper. I know how to shop. Last time I bought a shade was in New Delhi, I paid IC Rs. 7000 for it and that’s worth it.

Last time you debated over Pakistani music?

Just last night, I had a discussion with the organizers. We had a huge discussion over the music, what is the importance of music, what kind a content makes a song successful. We had a huge debate on Urdu, Pakistani bands like all the bands including Jal.

Last time you visited your own official website?

(Giggling)… A month back, we had made a few changes at that point of time and visited to check the updates are done right by the webmaster.

Last time you composed/arranged a song not for Jal?

None, I’ll always compose for Jal. My every song will be for Jal.

Last time you thought of changing profession?

Actually…I’m satisfied with what I’m doing. I think I don’t want to change it. The respect and fame we have got is something totally unexpected. I’m definitely happy with it and this is what I always wanted to do. There are some ups and downs but I’m pretty much Ok with it.

Last time you thought of climbing Mt. Everest?

I’ve never been to Mt. Everest, How can I… But I really want to see Mt. Everest. Next time when we will come probably if February in Pokhara for the concert I’ll see it at least. This time due to lack of time it was not possible.

Last time you bunked classes?

Ah…I’m doing my MBA, I’ve taken up my semester break which started in September. I always bunk classes as we have to do a lot of things including practice and concerts. I regret being a celebrity as all the professors know my face and my other friends can try proxy attendance and still get away with it, but I can’t.

Last time you had a nightmare?

Nightmare… I’m really tensed about the happenings from the last one week. We came to Nepal and want to take good memories back to Pakistan but the circumstances are not that good. It is our first time in Nepal but the events haven’t turned out as planned.

Last time you really felt like a rock star?

Well, for being a rock star you got to have the attitude. And I think… I don’t know people can tell that I am a rock star but I believe that I don’t have an attitude to behave like a rock star. I’m kind of introvert, but when I’m in a bad mood I become the rock star. So I try not to get in that mood.

Last time you three jammed for hours without knowing about it?

Lot of times, back in Pakistan we jammed for 2 o’ clock. When me, Farhan, Salman and Shazi we all forget to see our watches and try to sing and sing. It has happened many times, last time was before coming to Nepal we were in India. It happened one and half months back.

Last time you liked being lectured at?

It was just last week when I went to Pakistan Embassy here in Nepal. He didn’t give a lecture but he guided me really well. I really liked that as there was someone who took care of us. He guided me like a father.

Last time you liked being in a class?

It was our class of Macro economics when the professor asked me to give a presentation. I did it very well and got the highest marks in the class, it was good.

Last time you were home and had food cooked by your mom?

It was on 23^rd November, when it was my younger sister’s birthday party. There was a family gathering and I enjoyed it very much.

Last time you said this is the last time?

I just said that. (Giggle...) I actually think a lot of about other persons. Persons who are really close to me I’m over-worried about them. Last time I had to think so deeply about a person but I cannot help it.

Last words for our readers.

Well read this interview. I would like to say thanks for the love and respect you have given. Thanks to all people who came to the concert, the turnout was huge. This is the first time, next time we will come we will have more concerts. I want to tell them to come to our concert. Enjoy and thank you.

Geshan Manandhar

(About the Image: Its clicked by Professional Photographer AJ, All rights reserved to him and don't go deep into what's written in the image.)

Confusing Choice

Ever since I passed my +2 exams, I have found myself in dilemma. The tough question has been how I should proceed and what I should study now. After passing S.L.C., I decided to join Humanities stream to study journalism. My clear intention was to become a journalist one day. However, after two years I find myself again asking the same questions again and again. That clear intention is now being blurred. Sometimes I feel I should join social sciences, sometimes development studies, sometimes environmental sciences; and again there's a question of courses available in Nepal. From beginning of my +2 days, I always said that I'll continue my studies here in Nepal and won't go abroad. So I didn't do TOEFL, SAT, IELTS or whatever though my friends and family insisted. I always ignored them and told them I'll stay here in Nepal.

You may wonder why I am confused though I've already decided to study journalism. Well due to conflict and restriction on free press this field is becoming more and more insecure and less fruitful. This is what my parents think. They don't want me to continue with journalism. I tried to pursued them but they shut their ears. Instead they started to brainwash me. And the result is confusion.

Everyone is confused. The moment has come to decide about their future and here confusion has gripped everyone. So to escape this confusion my friend Utsav has decided to join the army. He is as confused as I am. Sometimes he talks about joining photojournalism, and sometimes fine arts. His latest whim is joining the army. I don't know whether he'll join the army or not but definitely he has started to do physical training and I find myself giving him company and doing the same. Not to mention I have my own purpose to do so.

I was so confused about my future that one day I asked my brother if he also felt the same. The reply was yes and he told me that whatever I do I should analyze the situation and my heart. Though mom and dad pressed him to study MBBS he joined BBA and he's doing great now. So we should listen to our heart and should possess clear way to move ahead. After his advice, I made a decision to continue journalism. But again I find myself lost in confusion. Which college should I join? And which field should I go? Print media or electronic, reporting or production? I think confusion is going to be parennial problem.

Never mind, I'll decide one day and I know that day is coming soon. But again the main point is when that the day coming? Many of my friends have already decided about their future course. Some are going abroad, some are trying for MBBS, some BE, some BBA, BBS or the courses they choose. I did have clear plans and dreams but now all are blurred. And only God knows what my destiny will be. And I am relying on one silly phrase, "Whatever happens, happens for good." and my destiny will definitely lead me ahead. Adios.

Tarabaji Lai Lai : Reminiscence of chidhood/adolecences memories

Note For Firefox/Flock or other browser user than Internet explorer: This is written in Nepali Unicode Font, So other browser than IE may not support this unicode and might become hard for you to read this article. To read this article, please switch your browser to IE.

बाल्यकालको झझल्को अझै पनि बलियो बनेर यो मुटुमा रहेको छ । स्कुल जाँदाको किस्साहरु, साथीभाई सँग खेल्दाको क्षणहरु अनि सानो सानो कुरामा चित्त नबुझेर रिसाएको क्षणहरु अझै स्पष्टसँग यो आँखामा झलझली आइरहन्छ । कहिले काही जब म एक्लै हुन्छु … मन भारी हुन्छ तब वितेका ती रमाइला क्षणहरु सम्झिन्छु मन हलुको भएर आउँछ । तर विर्सने बानी भएर हो कि के हो कति कुराहरु भने विर्सिन्छु । तर हिजो गुरुकुलको नाटक ताराबाजी लै लै हेरिसकेपछि भने बाल्यकालको क्षण झनै बढेर आयो । कति विर्सेका कुराहरु पनि याद आए । पढाई हुँदा हुँदै सरलाई छलेर भागेको क्षण, क्लासमा प्रश्न सोध्दा नआएर लाज लागेका क्षणहरु अनि त्यो लाजलाई हाँकमा बदलेको क्षण… धेरै कुराहरु चित्र झै झलझली याद आयो …नाटक हेरिन्जेल र हेरिसकेपछि पनि ।

साँच्चिकै ताराबाजी लै लै हेरिसकेपछि जिवनलाई फेरी एकपटक फर्केर हेर्न मन लाग्छ । यस नाटकको विशेषता हो कि यसको प्रत्येक पात्रमा दर्शकले आफुलाई कुनै न कुनै रुपमा महसुस गर्छ । कहिले आफुलाई भोला झैँ सोझो पात्रको रुपमा देख्छ जसको सोझोपनको फाइदा अरुले उठाइरहेका हुन्छन् वा कहिले के । पहिलो पहिलो प्रेमको स्मरण सँगै प्रेमलाई हेर्ने आफ्नो नजर पनि त्यहाँ महसुस गर्छ दर्शककले । बालापनको निर्दोषन किशोरअवस्थाको रमाइलो क्षणहरु अनि तन्नेरी भइसकेपछिको विपरित लिङ्गी तर्फको आकर्षण (यहाँ विवाद आउला कि?) सबै विस्तारै सम्झिदै जान्छ ।

सुरुवातको काठमाण्डौ ब्लुज गीत र काठमाण्डौको वातावरणको दृष्य साँच्चिकै मनमोहक थियो ..... निकै सरल र वास्तविक पनि । पात्रहरु एकदम वास्तविक देखिन्थे र कुनै कृत्रिमता त्यहाँ थिएन । लाग्थ्यो उनीहरु आफ्नो कथा आफै भनिरहेका छन् र सँगसँगै आफ्नो वितेको जिवनलाई पनि सम्झिरहेका छन् । निर्देशकको अब्बलता र सोचाइ निकै नै उत्कृष्ट छ र सानो ठाउँलाई थोरै सामानको प्रयोग गरेर १० वर्षको अन्तराल देखाउन सक्नु उनको र सहभागी सबै कलाकारहरुको विशेषता मान्नुपर्छ । उनीहरुको बालसुलभ व्यवहारको प्रस्तुति साँच्चै नै उत्कृष्ट थियो ।

थाहा छैन यो विशेषता हो कि गुरुकुलको, जे कुरालाई पनि एकदमै मज्जाले दर्शकको भावसँग मिलाउनु वा त्यसलाई टपक्क टिपेर कथा बुन्न सक्नु । ताराबाजी लै लै गुरुकुलको अर्को यस्तै उत्कृष्ट नमुना हो । भनिन्छ जीवनलाई कसरी हेर्ने हेर्ने व्यक्तिको आँखामा भर पर्छ रे खुशी भएर हेर्यो भने जीवन रमाइलो लाग्छ रे तर दुःखी भएर हेरे साह्रै पिडादायक देखिन्छ रे । सायद साँच्चिकै यो कुरा साँचो हुन सक्छ । तारावाजी लै लै हेरेपछि त्यस्तै अनुभव भएर आउँछ ।
धन्यवाद ताराबाजी लै लै लाई मेरो बाल्यकाल र विद्यार्थी अवस्थाको झझल्कोलाई पुन एक पल्ट याद गराइदिएकोमा ।

Stop Burning Tire: कहिले रोकिने होला टायर बल्न ?

नेपालीलाई के भएको होला… जो देखे पनि खाली सडक कब्जा गर्न र टायर बाल्न मात्र अघि बढेको देखिन्छ । जन आन्दोलन भाग २ मा पनि खुबै टायर बल्यो । त्यो बेला तत्कालीन शाही सरकारको गोली र लट्ठी खाएकाहरु त चर्चामा आए… कतिको उपचार राज्यले गर्यो भने कतिलाई वेवास्ता पनि । तर त्यो टायरको धुँवा खाएर ढलेका या विरामी भएकाहरुको भने कसैले वास्ता गरेनन् । हुन त टायरको धुँवा र प्रदुषणको कारण विरामी भएर ढलेका कतिलाई त थाहा पनि भएन होला उनीहरु किन विरामी भए भनेर । आखीर कसले यहाँ टायर बाल्नुको खराबीको बारेमा चेतना फैलाएको छ र भन्या ।
त्यसपछि मधेश जल्यो…। अनि हरेक सानो सानो कुरामा टायर जल्दै आएको छ । दुर्घटना भयो भने तुरुन्तै टायर बल्छ सडकको गति रोकिन्छ… अझ हाँसो लाग्दो कुरो त के भने ती टायर बाल्नेहरुलाई नै थाहा हुन्न बाल्नुको खास कारण । हल्ला फैलिन्छ कुन गाडीले बच्चा या मान्छे मार्यो अनि क्षण भरमै सडक रोकिन्छ र टायरको कालो धुँवा हावामा फैलिन्छ । को मर्यो वा साँच्चिकै हो वा हैन कस्को गल्ती थियो केही हेरिन्न ।
अझ यो लोकतन्त्र आएर हो कि के हो सबैलाई अधिकार चाहिएको छ तर आफ्नो जिम्मेबारीको बोध भने कसैलाई भएको देखिन्न । कति माग जायज छन् तर कति त किन मागिएको नै बुझ्न सकिन्न ।
बाल्नेहरुलाई पक्कै पनि चेतना छैन होला बलेको टायरले के गर्न सक्छ भनेर । अब ठुलो कुरा गर्नेहरुले यस्ता सानो सानो कुरामा के ध्यान पुर्याउथे होला र भन्या । तर यस्तै सानो सानो कुराले त हाम्रो सभ्यता र विकास दर्साउँछ र मलाई लाग्छ हामी किन विकासको क्रममा पछाडी परेका हौँ भनेर बुझ्ने सानो मापन पनि हो हाम्रो यस्तै सानो भनेर हेप्ने व्यवहार ।

बलेको टायरको धुँवाले क्यान्सर गराउन सक्छ, श्वासप्रश्वास सम्बन्धी रोगहरु निम्त्याउँछ, वातावरणलाई प्रदुषित गरी भोली जीवनमाथि नै प्रश्न चिन्ह लगाउन सक्छ । यो बारेमा अझ धेरै त यही तल टायर बाल्नेको लागि भनेर लेख नै प्रकाशित भइसकेको छ ।

यहाँ मैले टायरको खाली केही नराम्रो कुरा मात्र दर्साउन खोजेको हैन ...हामी भित्रको जिम्मेवारीको खोजी गर्न पनि खोजेको हुँ । अधिकारको नाममा वा अन्य कुनै नाममा टायर बाल्दा हामीले कसरी अर्काको स्वस्थ पुर्वक बाँच्न पाउनुपर्ने अधिकारको हनन गरिरहेका छौँ । के आफ्नो अधिकार माग्न अरुको अधिकारको इज्जत गर्न नसक्नेले अधिकार पाएपछि सही उपयोग गर्ला ? लोकतन्त्र र मानव अधिकार भनेको त अरुको अधिकारको सम्मान गर्नु र आफ्नो अधिकारको सही उपयोग गर्नु हो । अधिकार माग्ने हक सबैलाई छ तर अरुको अधिकारमाथि खेलबाड गर्ने अधिकार त मैले संविधानको कुनै पनि धारामा देखिन त । राजालाई जनआन्दोलनमा गरिएको दमनको विरोधमा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय अदालतमा उभ्याउनुपर्ने माग गर्नेहरुले टायर बाल्नेहरुको विरोधमा कहिले बोल्ने हुन् खै ?

अस्थायी शिक्षकलाई स्थायी गर्न भएको अस्थायी शिक्षकको आन्दोलन अनि त्यसपछि शिक्षकको माग पुरा गरिएको विरोधमा विद्यार्थी आन्दोलन, खानेपानी नीजिकरण गर्न बनेको विधेयक पास भएको विरोधमा अर्को आन्दोलन, कमैयाको आन्दोलन, माओवादी पीडितको आन्दोलन, मधेशीको आन्दोलन अनि जनजातीको आन्दोलन, कहि न कही कुनै न कुनै दिन टायर बलेरै छाड्यो । यो आन्दोलनको बाढीसँगै बढेको टायरको प्रदुषण… कहिले सकिने होला ?

यो दोष बाल्नेहरुको मात्र होइन सरकारको पनि हो । टायर बाले पछि मात्र सरकारले कुरो सुन्छ नत्र त के हो के हो । तर बाल्नेहरु यसको नकारात्मक पक्ष प्रति सजग भइदिए र विरोधको अर्को कुनै नयाँ तरिका जुनले अरुलाई दुःख नहुने तर सरकारको पनि कान सम्म सुन्ने उपाय अपनाए त प्रदुषण केही भए पनि कम हुन्थ्यो होला नि… अनि विरोध र बन्दले गर्दा हुने हाम्रो पीडा पनि ।
नत्र फेरी कुनै दिन टायर बालेको विरोधमा टायर आफै बलेर विरोध जनाउला नि ।

Health hazards of Burning tires

This was not the first time that I saw burning tires on the streets of Kathmandu and i know it wont be the last too. I also know I am not the only one to witness this. Burning tires has been like a fashion these days. If you want to make your voice heard, you've got to burn some freaking smelly tires. Needless to say, but this fashion has some serious adverse effects on health. I am not a doctor or an environmentalist, so I am not sure about the exact health hazards that burning tires cause. So I thought of surfing the net searching for Health hazards of Burning tires which i did eventually. And finally, i ended up with this article:

"Burning Tires: Health Hazards" by Thakur Amgai.
Source: http://www.nepalnews.com (VOL. 24, NO. 10, SEPT 10 - SEPT 16 2004 ( BHADRA 25, 2061 B.S. )).

As thousands of people resort to burning tires and other stuffs during agitations and demonstrations, they are obliviously exposing their body to the risk of getting cancer, experts say. The substances used in the composition of tires as well as those formed and released during the process of burning are very likely to cause cancer. Such substances are called carcinogen.

Tires that are made up of natural and synthetic rubber and petroleum products contain 17 types of heavy metals including bromium, lead, benzene and mercury and many other organic substances. Such metals are not only carcinogens but also lead to many other health hazards like poisoning. When tires are burnt, these metals are released to the atmosphere and can easily enter the human body.

In addition, the burning itself is an undesirable process for environment and public health. As tires are composed of organic materials, the process of burning produces harmful gases like benzene, styrene and 1, 2, 3-butadine.

Not only such harmful gaseous pollutants but very small particulate matters that can enter circulatory system of our body are also released.

According to Bhusan Tuladhar, an environmentalist, while fine particulate matters enter the respiratory tract and invite problems in trachea and lungs, the ultra-fine particles which can include the heavy metals, goes to the inner lungs and enters the circulatory system. The particles that have entered the circulatory system can go to any part of the body along with the blood and cause various kinds of health hazards. Mercury can cause penetration of tissues leading to the cancer of that part while lead causes lead poisoning.

The gaseous pollutants like dioxins formed and released during the process of burning is a very potent carcinogen. "In addition to the heavy metals, dioxin is produced during the process," said Dr. Toran Sharma, an environmental scientist. "Dioxin is one of the most harmful gases in the world and it is very harmful to public health."

Although a detailed study has not been conducted about the health hazards caused by burning tires in the cities, there have been a lot of complaints of respiratory problems when people are exposed to fumes of burning tires.

The oft-repeated modus operandi during the demonstrations suggests that burning tires has emerged as a major threat to public health. Tires are burnt at almost every intersection frequently to protest various things.

The threat to the public health is aggravated by the place and situation when the tires are burnt. Says Tuladhar, "Not only that the tires are burnt in densely populated area, there are a lot of people demonstrating around places where they are burnt. So, many people are exposed to the pollutants."

Children are more vulnerable to the risk created by burning tires. They breathe faster and take in more air and their lungs and other system is not well developed.

Seemingly the problem created by burning tires is a short-term problem. But it has long-term impacts in the environment and public health. The dust of the debris and burnt materials remain in the streets for days after being burnt and are released to the atmosphere every time a vehicle plies over it. People are re-exposed to such substances and they breathe in the particulate matters when they walk or drive in the streets even days after the burning.

Moreover, when such substances are washed away by rainwater, it also pollutes the water. The heavy metals present in the tires never disappear and it is hazardous to plants and animals in water as well. The water containing such heavy metals is unfit for drinking and cooking. It also disturbs the ecosystem.

This article is dedicated to all the dumb heads who feel burning tires is a "REAL FUN"