Extra Innings: Changes due to Cricket

क्रीकेट विश्वकप २००७ ले अहिले सबैको ध्यान खिचेको छ । विश्वकपको रन्कोले सबैलाई तताइरहेको बेला समय अन्तरका कारण नेपालमा खेल राती हुने भए पनि यसले नेपाली खेल प्रेमीहरुलाई कुनै असर पारेको छैन तर भारत र पाकिस्तानको छिटो घर फिर्तिले भने सबैको नजरमा यो क्रीकेट विश्वकप खल्लो भएको छ ।

विश्वकप सकिएको छैन मैदान खाली हुन सुरु भइसकेको छ र टेलिभिजन विज्ञापनमा कमि आउन थालिसकेको छ । भारतको बाहिरीले विश्वकप आयोजकहरुको मात्र होइन टेलिभिजन प्रसारक र विज्ञापनदाताहरुलाई पनि ठुलो समस्या परेको छ । भारतको विदाईसँगै खेलप्रेमीहरुमा खेलाडीहरु प्रति पनि अचम्मको रिस देखियो । भारतभरि विरोध प्रदर्शन भयो । केही खेलाडीहरुको घर, अफिसमा आक्रमणको प्रयास भयो । प्रहरीले उनीहरुको घर अफिसमात्र नभई ससुरालीसम्ममा सुरक्षा बढाउनुपर्यो । अझ यो रिस पोखिनुमा भारतीय मिडियाहरुले पनि ठुलो भुमिका खेले । विश्वकपबाट बाहिरिएको लगत्तै स्टार न्युजले धिक्कार खेलाडी भनेर समाचार प्रशारण गर्यो । स्टारले त्यस समाचारमा कसरी भारतीय खेलाडीहरु खाली विज्ञापनको लागि मात्र उत्कृष्ट छन् भनेर देखायो । यतिमात्र नभई स्टारले त भारतीय खेलाडीहरुलाई म क्रीकेटर हुँ भन्नु भन्दा मोडल हुँ भनेर भन्न समेत भन्यो । आजतक एनडिटिभी आदि अनेकौँ मिडिया पनि किन पछि पर्थे र भन्या उनीहरु पनि भारतीय टिममाथि खनिए पछि त जनताको के लागोस् र ।

भारतको हार लगत्तै विज्ञापनदाताहरुमा पनि ठुलो समस्या देखियो । पेप्सीले भारतिय बजार हेरेर ३०० करोड भारु खर्च गरेर ब्लु विलियन (Blue Billion) को विज्ञापन बनाएको थियो तर भारतिय िसंहहरु मैदानमा टिक्न नसकेपछि पेप्सीले सो विज्ञापन रोकेको छ । त्यसै गरि सान्सुई (SANSUI), एल.जी (LG), भिडियोकन (VIDEOCON) जस्ता थुप्रै कम्पनिहरुले पनि विज्ञापनमाथिको करौडोको खर्च गरेका थिए र अहिले घाटा भोग्नुपरेको छ । बलिउडलाई क्रीकेटको लागि भनेर विदा गरेका प्रायोजकहरु फेरी बलिउडतिरै फर्कनुपरेको छ । भारतको विश्वकपको सपनासँगै यसरी करौडौको सपना र रुपैयाँ टुकि्रएको छ ।

टुकि्रएको सपनासँगै अहिले भारतमा विश्वकपको हारको कारक को हो भनेर बलिको बोको खोज्ने काम सुरु भएको छ । कतिले कोच ग्रेग चेपललाई दोष दिइरहेका छन् भने कोचले अनुभवि र ठुला भनिएका खेलाडीहरुलाई… कप्तान राहुल द्रविडको राजिनामा माग गर्नेहरुको थुप्रो पनि कम छैन । कागजी सिँह ठहरिएका खेलाडीहरुले प्रदर्शन गर्न नसकेपछि भारतमा अहिले खेलाडी कोच भारतिय क्रीकेट वोर्ड विसिसिआई र आम जनता विच दोहोरीको हंगामा मच्चिरहेको छ । तर अन्तमा हार खानु परेको छ कोच चेपलले । सबैले दोषी मानेपछि के गरोस् विचरा चेपल । अन्ततः पारिवारिक कारण देखाउदै ४ अप्रिलमा राजीनामा दिए । उनको विदाई सँगै खुशी हुनेहरुको लर्को लागेको छ । हुनपनि उनी मुर्ख त मुर्खै हुन् अब कहाँ भारत जस्तो देशमा विश्वकपबाट बाहिरिनुको दोष खेलाडीलाई लगाएका भन्या । भारतियहरुको लागि क्रीकेट खेलमात्र होइन यो त एक नशा हो । जहाँ सचिन तेन्दुलकरलाई भगवान भन्दा ठुलो ठानिन्छ त्यही सचिनलाई दोष दिनु त अलि हजम नभएकै हो ।

उता पाकिस्तानका पनि यस पटकको चाँडो घरफिर्तिले अर्को हंगामा मच्चिएको छ । यही क्रीकेटकै कारण उनीहरुले आफ्नो कोच बब उल्मरलाई गुमाउनुपरेको छ भने कप्तान इन्जमाम उल हकले पनि एकदिवसिय खेलबाट विदा लिए । उल्मरको हत्याले आयरल्याण्डसँगको अविश्वनिय हारबाट आघातमा परेको पाकिस्तानले अर्को चोट भोग्यो र फेरी अर्को भुकम्प बनेर आयो इन्जमामको त्याग । यो सबै घटनाले पाकिस्तानी क्रीकेटलाई नै शंकामा पारिदिएको छ । आयरल्याण्ड र पाकिस्तान विचको खेल फिक्स भएको आरोप लगाउनेहरुलाई कोच उल्मरको हत्याले बल मिलेको छ । जमैका प्रहरीको भनाइ अनुसार पनि उनको हत्या फिक्सिङ कै कारण भएको हो । समाचारहरुका अनुसार उनी आफ्नो जीवनी प्रकाशित गर्ने सिलसिलामा थिए र उक्त किताबमा उनले क्रीकेटमा हुने म्याच फिक्सिङको बारेमा उल्लेख गरेको थिए । त्यसैलाई रोक्न उनको हत्या भएको प्रहरीको अनुमान छ । एक पछि अर्को चोट बेहोरेको पाकिस्तानमा पनि विश्वकपको चाँडो विदाइको दोष कसलाई थोपर्ने भनेर खेल सुरु भइसकेको छ । कप्तानले खेलाडीहरुले आफुलाई साथ र सहयोग नगरेको जनाएका छन् भने अरु पनि किन पछि हट्थे र ?

उता पाकिस्तान र भारतको छिटो घर फिर्ती र दक्षिण अपि्रुका माथिको विजयले अब अस्ट्रेलियाको विश्वकप जित्ने सम्भावना अझै बढेको विश्लेषकहरुको भनाई छ । एसियाबाट श्रीलंका र बंगलादेश दोस्रो चरणमा प्रवेश गरेपनि उनीहरुलाई पत्याउनेहरु निकै कम छन् । इंगल्याण्डको लडखडाउदो उपस्थिति आयोजक वेस्ट इण्डिजको लगातारको पराजयले अजय अस्ट्रेलिया नै यो पटकको विजेता बन्ने लक्षण देखिन्छ र उसको एउटै दह्रो प्रतिस्पर्धि हुन सक्छ कालो विरालोको उपमा पाएको न्यु जिल्याण्ड । तर क्रीकेट आश्चार्यले भरिएको खेल भएको हुनाले जे पनि हुन सक्छ ।

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.

Tarabaji Lai Lai : Reminiscence of chidhood/adolecences memories

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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 ।

Friendship: Relax Relationship

I was cruising through web pages, and i landed on one article at bignepal.com. I found this article very nice, so sharing through blog. Hope you will enjoy it. If you want to go to original page, scroll below and click on link. Enjoy the Story!!

I've been spending some amount of time in my thinking to explain to myself what a friend is, and is not. Friendship is the bigger statement. Lots of people are lovers but aren't friends. Lots of people are relatives and aren't friends. Lots of people work together who aren't friends. You can appreciate or admire someone, but that doesn't make them a friend.

We're take friendship as a casual word, but sometimes things happen that take the casualness out of it. When I had my near-death experience last year and the following long recuperation, I had a lot of time to think about what makes someone a friend. If they are scared of you when you need help, sorry, that's not friendship. If their attitude is "for better or worse," if they stick by you through thick and thin, that's when you can tell it's friendship. I do have some friends, but not as many as I thought.

My uncle used to say no matter what your family is there for you when you need them. Last time we talked about this, after my catastrophe, I said him "we know that's not true." And there was a time, when he really needed me that I didn't come through for him. I remember hanging out in my happy suburban house, with the statuesque friend, and the freshly minted fortune, and not getting on a damned plane to help him through the loss of his GF. Luckily I did get to apologize for that, in this lifetime. As always, with me at least, he didn't bear a grudge, he just waved it off as not important.

Most people use the term Friend far too casually. But if they had reason to pause, to think if so and so is really a friend, they would realize they either don't know (the relationship hasn't been tested), or they are not.

I don't have a tidy answer about me and friendship. Sometimes we were friends, and other times, clearly, not. But I guess there's something remarkable in two people overcoming the barriers to friendship that family imposes, especially one as brutal as ours, to find some real communication at some point. Just to connect, for just a few moments, is rare, exceptionally rare.

By: miss contingency
htt://bignepal.com

Stop Monkey Business

I was passing through Maitighar Mandala and I saw one hoarding board just below the hoarding board of "Hinsha Birodh, Shanti Athot" on Rhesus Monkey's export to University of Washington, US in the name of research. There's picture of monkey with research tools added to it's body/head and saying Stop Monkey Business.

Following the Indian ban on the export of rhesus monkeys for use in bio-medical research, Western research labs now seem to be eyeing Nepali monkeys. Washington National Primate Center (WNPC) and its Nepali counterpart, Nepal Natural History Society (NHS), have established a breeding centre for Nepali rhesus monkeys at Lele, Kathmandu Valley. The monkeys in future are to be exported to the US and undergo painful and sometimes deadly tests.

Rhesus macaques are preferred subjects for biomedical and behavioral research primarily because of their willingness to breed in captivity. But often monkeys are caged in solitary confinement and develop self-injurious habits such as biting their own bodies, hair-pulling, and repetitive motions.

Animal rights activists express concern that Nepal's decision will open the floodgates to export Nepali monkeys and other animals to countries like Japan and Germany, for medical research. The decision comes at a time when research institutions are increasingly finding alternatives to the use of non-human primates in research, which is why a growing number of countries have banned such research.

Critics allege that the US is looking for lab monkeys to conduct bio-terrorism experiments. The government can earn up to US $300 per monkey for sale to American labs. Nepali Government should not allow Nepali monkeys to die a slow and painful death there just for the sake of enriching a few dollars.

Monkeys and snakes aren't the only animals under threat. Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation spokesperson Mohan Prasad Wagle says the government will facilitate the commercial breeding of other wildlife species like crocodiles, black bucks, pheasants, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar deer, hog deer and various kinds of birds.

Let's be united to save Nepali Monkey and other animals from painful deaths and deadly tests. In the past also, America and other developed countries have used Nepali people or animals to test their products like Hepatitis Vaccine, Family Planning methods like pills etc. among others. We Nepali either human or animal are not subject to tests and research. Let's start it with pressuring government to stop monkey business.

Workaholic: Am I?

Am I being workaholic? The question began hitting me ever since I began working in new project and pondering over scripts. I am thinking about my work wherever I go. Whether I am on the bus or with friends, I think about how to make my drama wonderful or script catchy and interesting. Most of times even with my friends instead of talking about other aspect of life, I talk about my working life - My office is moving this way now, I am working on it or my character of drama is like this or I have to go for interview and such questions I need to ask or etc. So I tried to find out the definition of workaholic. Wikipedia defines term workaholic as " A workaholic is a person addicted to work. This addiction may be pleasurable to the victim or it may be burdensome and troubling." Wondering why I am feeling so, it's because now I have started liking working extra hours, think about the work even while not working. So I decided to find it out more.

Wikipedia further defines, "Workaholism is believed by some to be a disease, akin to obsessive compulsive disorder. The problem is that workaholics believe that if they do not work, their world will collapse. If a person thinks he or she is the only person capable of performing their work, he or she is most likely a workaholic. Although most workaholism is associated with a paying job, it can also be associated with people who excessively practice sports, music, art, or blogging, for example."

Well I do not think so much that not working would make my world collapse but it surely makes me feel good if I am engaged in some sort of work either that's official or others. And I do have feeling that I am the best in my work no matter how poor my evaluation results are. I do whatever I feel like I could do or whatever that interests me. Blogging, working, studying, involving in various activities etc all are pointing towards same. Then I saw another line, "The term is often used inaccurately to describe an energetic person who devotes a lot of time to work despite having good relations with co-workers, taking pleasure in other non-remunerative activities, being well rested, and attending properly to family and social life. Workaholics do not necessarily love their work or try to excel in their work." But I love my work and I always try to excel. I love to be in gatherings, parties and other social activities. I always care about my dear ones and give high priority to them. I do my work not just because others want me to do but also because I love to do. So may be I am not workaholic instead energetic person. May be…….

Story of Grasshopper and Ant: Is it applying to Nepal?

I just got this email and it made me think about Nepal's present scenario. Instead of working for New Nepal, we all are busy demanding this or that. Many demands are surely urgently needs to be addressed but many……. God Knows. People come to street protesting road accident instead of letting police to do it's job. Property worth millions are destroyed, roads are turned to black (if pitched one then more black) with burning tires, many injured or even death. This is just a small example, you know rest. Please read below and give thought a chance.

OLD VERSION.....

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.

MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving and calls for a Nepal Bandh to protest this 'Soshan'. Kantipur, Image and Nepal 1 show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. The nation is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? The Civil Society steps in and stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house and a concerned group goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter. Amnesty International and Ban ki Moon, the eighth Secretary General of the UN, criticizes the Nepali Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance). Immediately laws are tabled to prevent Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers. Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter. The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by all TV and media. Everyone hails it as "a triumph of justice and revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden". Ban ki Moon invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly. Many years later... The ant having lost everything has since migrated to the US in despair and set up a multi billion dollar company in Silicon Valley. As for the grasshopper well thousands of grasshoppers continue to die of starvation…..

The morale is, if we don't act sensibly now, may be our country might be full of such grasshoppers and hardworking people like ants be forced to migrate and Nepal would be doomed. So pelase let's think twice before we act. Many people are relating this story with Nepal's need of democracy and even began questioning democracy, but we believe Democracy is the basic thing for human if he wants to live as human. If there's no democracy, there's no life. Such hard times come and passes as well. Democracy is like a tree, which needs time to grow up as big tree but gives immense fruits when it's ready as well.

Revisiting Nora: Putaliko Ghar

Last time when I met Nora, she was waiting for bus to go to her parent's home. She had just left Hemanta, her husband. She had realized that above all she's human first then only someone's wife, someone's mother etc. I was left with question that why she had left Hemanta. After all he had realized his mistake. She should have forgiven him and stayed with him happily.

I got another chance to revisit her and see her full story from the beginning. She was living happily with her 3 kids and husband, Hemanta. He cares her very much and calls her "Meri Maina Chari". He loves her much. She shares her everything to hemanta except one thing. She has one secret which only she knows until she shares with her friend, Leena Bista. She has taken loan from Kedar Adhikari, a lawyer with dreadful past, to save her husband. Kedar had done forgery and to save himself from law, had done another morally unacceptable works. Doctor had advised Nora to take Hemanta away to Madesh otherwise he wouldn't live. She couldn't get money from anyone and at last has taken loan from Kedar. But he had one condition that is she must have her father's signature as witness. But before she could take her father's signature, her father died. So she made forgery signature to take loan. She has been paying regularly but destiny has something in her store. Hemanta has been made manager of bank where Kedar works. Hemanta and Kedar are school friends but because of Kedar's past. So he fires him and Kedar uses Nora's secret to reinstate him. Nora now falls in great problem. She fears if her husband knows then he would die to save her but she doesn't want that. She wishes to die rather than see him in problem. But when Kedar's letter reaches Hemanta, everything is opposite. He becomes too scared about his social status and when Nora tries o explain why she had to take loan, he doesn't listen. For him, she has done great mistake. He decides they can't be together as husband and. For social fear, he cannot send her out of home. Social prestige and status is greater for him rather than his wife's love. But later when Kedar sends another letter stating he won't tell this to anyone and wants to close the chapter, Hemanta becomes very happy. Now he realizes he's safe, so again he wants Nora to be with him. But Nora has seen and understands that she has been living together with stranger for past 8 years. For the first time they become serious and sit together to discuss. He had treated her as his doll, a possession, material property, a thing that can only speak and act strictly as per his command and desires. She searches dignity, humanity and love in her husband but for her but there's none. He had prevented any opportunity for her to realize her potentials as an individual. She has woken up from dream. She realizes she has been wrong in one of her most cherished hopes and beliefs, the belief that her husband would sacrifice his honor at least when he realizes how much she has sacrificed her honor, dreams, and life. So she leaves him.

I don't know how justifiable is Nora's exit but when I saw her and tried to feel her putting myself in her shoes, I find her decision a right one. Relationship is not just about supporting each other in happy times, but also lending arms in sour times. Marriage is that string which joins two souls together. There should be respect, love, tenderness, faith, trust etc. for each other. But in Nora's case I feel there's none. Hemanta had treated her as doll only with whom he can play whenever he wanted. There's no liberty for her. She's lost in doll's house. May be people might question what kind of mother she is, but still deep somewhere I feel she did right thing. I may sound feminist, but searching own identity is not feminism. If Hemanta has left Nora like this, people wouldn't have had problem. See the story in different angle. Not from "the glass is half full" ideology but from "glass is half empty" then may be it would make sense.

This play is adapted from Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House but with Nepali. There have been intense debates about her exit. People in Europe especially Germans couldn't digest the ending and made their own version. Even dramatist Henrik Ibsen had to rewrite another version with happy ending but later he regretted.

There are numbers of Nora in our Nepali society. Some dares to live like her some don't. Have you seen her lately? What's she's doing? If so please don't forget to write.

And how do you feel about her exit? Is it justified? Please comment.

Aarohan Theater Festival is going on at Guruku everyday till February 12 at 4.30 pm. Be there to taste the Theater experience.

Terai Unrest: Criminals take Charge of Demonstrations

Even after Prime Minister's address to the nation, terai hasn't come to rest. Reports say Sadvabana (A), one of the alliances of government, is considering to get out from the government. In this transitional time, when everyone should been united, the bloody political game is going on. We all understand and support the demands of Madhesi people, but is this the right way to put pressure on? Biratnagar is in indefinite curfew and even during curfew a police post is attacked and Sub-Inspector is killed, arms are looted. What kind of peaceful demonstration is this? What is Madhesi People's Right Forum (MRPF), organizer of demonstration doing? Press is under attacked, reporters are threatened or displaced. If they cannot accept free press and human rights, how they claim they are protesting for people's right. Can't they control their so called peaceful protestors? Or they also are being played by so called regressive forces? Are they going to take responsibilities for all this? The big questions are rising up.

The follow up article is from blog.com.np. This article has genuinely analyzed how criminals are infiltrating the demonstration.

With the heinous killing of Assistant Sub Inspector Naresh Jung Karki in Biratnagar this evening, it has become crystal clear that the ongoing movement in eastern Terai is more than just an expression of political dissatisfaction: it is overwhelmingly dominated by criminal intentions. To carry swords, iron rods and go on rampage in residential area can't be a political demonstration. To demand federalism and proportional representation in election is a political work but to continue with murderous activities even after listening the genuine answer from the government established by the peoples' movement is a deplorable act. Today's killing of the policeman and other violent activities in the recent past in eastern Terai marks the spectacular comeback of royalist elements in political scenario that were sidelined by people in April. It was an open secret that they would seek ways for comeback to try their best to make democracy a failure. They will do anything to create the impression that monarchy is needed in Nepal. They used the Maoist movement in the past for the same and now they are trying to deliver this message: look what's happening when king is sidelined. They will do everything to turn these demonstrations into full fledged communal conflict in Nepal which will ultimately weaken peoples' united power to run the government.

How can anyone justify the brutal killing of a policeman? [ASI Naresh Jung Karki was leading a 13-member police team at Buddhanagar, Biratnagar at 5 pm this evening. Criminals associating themselves with the Madheshi Peoples' Rights Forum (MPRF) surrounded the police team and barbarically killed Karki to death by using knives and swords. The protesters, according to eKantipur, also abducted three other policemen after attacking them with sharp weapons, sources said. The criminals also took away 2 rifles and a pistol from the policemen. In retaliation, the police had opened fire on them. The bloody protests in southeastern Nepal have already claimed the lives of ten people over the past two weeks.] How can you justify a movement that, it seems, doesn't believe in talks? Even the Maoists, who were waging a violent war, came to the talks table and engaged themselves in peace process. But these elements that are spreading violence in Madhesh under the cover of political demands are exposing themselves as days are passing. They will put forward one nonsense demand after another as the government goes on addressing them. The government must use its machinery to expose infiltrating criminal elements. It has partially done so by arresting Kamal Thapa, Badri Mandal and Salim Ansari but this must be intensified. We are running out of time.

Source: blog.com.np

Nobel Peace Prize for Girija or Prachanda?

Lately there's been one ad getting printed everyday on The Himalayan Times. It says, "Should Girija Prashad Koirala be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize?" or "Should Prachanda be nominated for Noble Peace Prize?" People are being asked to vote via their mobile.

Because of their continuous effort and desire to bring peace in Nepal, now we are in today's state. But this doesn't mean we, the people didn't do anything. We did more than them, but they gave us leadership. Democracy has been restored and people are going to write their own constitution via Constituent Assembly Polls. For the first time in Nepali history, King has been made a simple man. His powers has been cut and bestowed upon people. Peace has returned and new hopes are high to build new Nepal. Without their effort and people's support, this wouldn't have been possible.

But if we go back the date, Girija is the man who started all this fiasco. After 1990 uprising, political parties and their leaders showed greed and hunger for power and money. Girija also couldn't stop his greed. He played many political games or plans to defeat or remove his opponents from power and remain in power. He got involved in various corruption cases be it Dhamisa case or Lauda case. His followers also walked in his footprints. Coarruption escalated and people's hope of prosperity and development dashed. CPN Maoist went to jungle to establish Communist Republic Nepal. Prachanda's army created havoc and government's forces added more spice to the conflict. Human Rights violation escalated and development works ceased. People's aspirations to live life freely and peacefully were shattered. King Gyanendra tried to use situation in his benefit. He sacked the democratic government and imposed his tyranny rule. People have hoped that their king would save them from their problem but he too used powers for his and his men's benefit only. For him also, "who are people? Hell". Finally Seven Political Party Alliance (SPA) and Maoist came together and tried to find peaceful ending of this bloody war. Unanimously SPA chose Girija as their leader and he commanded the peaceful April Uprising. Uprising toppled the king and his autocratic rule and restored democracy here. After successful revolution also, Girija worked hard despite his poor health. Now there's no alternative to him.

In this past 10 years, Nepal's political scenario has changed. Now I believe may be their contribution to establish peace and democracy should be recognized. But what do you think? Should they be nominated or even awarded? Or only Prachanda or Girija should be given the Prize? Or they shouldn't be nominated at all? Share your thoughts with us.

Big Brother and the Racism

Shilpa Shetty has won the reality television show Big Brother. The show created huge hue and cry over so called racist comment made by one of the participants Jane Goody on her fellow participant Shilpa Shetty. This controversy once again united world against any form of racism. Even British PM Tony Blair, British Finance Minister Gordon Brown , key Indian Ministers/officials had to speak on this. British FM's India visit was over showed by this controversy where he had to condemn the racism repeatedly. Oxfam, the British televisions regulator received more than 35,000 complaints and the host channel "Channel 4 " alone received more than 4000 comments directly.

 

Whole media across the globe, be it Nepal television or BBC, covered the news with great news value. In this whole affair how Indian media could be left behind. They not only condemned the racism but compared this affair with pride of India. They denounce every form of racism by whites in various forms. In hush, they forgot they also are racist and follow another form of racism.

 

If you see Indian films or soaps or ads, they present Nepali people as idiot, illiterate watchman "Bahadur". I am not pointing bahadur as low class job, every job has their own wonderful status, but pointing out this how Indian media are full of mediocre mind. Either it's Yes Boss, Krishh, Sleep Well's ad or Gharwali Baharwali, they all have shown Nepali as stupid guard who is just able to be watchman. Gharwali baharwali even crossed the limit and showed that Nepali always like khaki color because they are bound to be watchman. Agreed many Nepalis are forced to go to India and work as menial labor because of low economic status or lack of opportunities.

 

Isn't portraying Nepali people like this a form of racism? Ask some Indians who are Nepali people, they will answer Bahadur or Gurkha are. May be it's not in terms of color or race, but is a form of racism in terms of work and economy/talent. How fair is it to show whole Nepali as illiterate who cannot speak well and only serve others. And irony is Nepali people also find such roles funny and so called Gurkha or Bahadur enjoys watching such movies or ads or soaps. Big question for you all Nepali accross, "Will you still love watching movies like Krissh or Bhagam Bhag or Gharwali baharwali and laugh on yourself?"

 

Tampering with meters

You are riding taxi from New Road to Thamel via Jamal. How much it would cost you? You would say it costs you around Rs. 35 to Rs. 45. Not more than that. What if you are charged Rs. 81? Then you would say, "Man the taxi's meter is tampered!" Yes we were charged Rs. 81 for mere 10 minutes distance. The taxi with number plate Ba. 1. Ja. 4402 charged Rs. 81. And when bargained he simply slashed down charge to Rs. 60. This is just a single case. Daily hundreds of people are cheated like this. Government has implemented the standard meter and rates and legal punishments for those convicted. But still Taxi drivers and owners are not hesitating to tamper with meter and cheat passengers. To prevent this we all must be aware, but sometimes the problem is we don't know the rates because most of us hardly ride taxi unless it's emergency.

So what precautions should be taken then? What measure should be applied to prevent such cases? Come let's haunt those who tamper meter and try to cheat us. If you have any cases or incidents, share with us.

Bitter Realities of Domestic Violence

"My husband tried to kill me by putting me on fire because I didn't follow his order to heat the food. Luckily my neighbors came in time. Otherwise I would have become dead. "

Srijana (Name changed) shared her painful story with tears in her eyes. She couldn't resist herself from crying while sharing her stories. Tears were tickling down through her chins and I was just speechless.

This is just a single case how domestic violence takes place in our society. Though the half sky of Nepal is covered by women, they are the ones who are assaulted or discriminate and made to suffer by their male partners. Home is the place where one feels safe and comfort but in many cases torture begins at home. Instead of protection they face torture and are abused. Either in the name of dowry, education, or any other excuses, women are made forced to suffer violence at home.

Domestic violence is a widespread but unreported problem in Nepal. Data on the issue is hard to come by, as there are very few studies on the subject. Many form of violence against women and girls are not even recognized as violence, but ignored or justified by quoting religious, cultural or traditional beliefs and practices. Legal and even judicial institutions fail to provide adequate safeguards for women and girls against violence. State institutions lack both the sensitivity and capacity to deal with gender-specific violence, and enforcing the law often fails. Judicial pronouncements have frequently reflected biases that indicate the strong influence of prevalent social attitudes. Women thus become victims not only of the violence they suffer, but also of social and legal attitudes, which are often indifferent to their plight and sometimes even hold them responsible for it. Such a trivialization of violence against women is due to the failure to recognize that it infringes on their right to life, to bodily security, and freedom from torture, to which all citizens are entitled.

While Nepali society upholds the chastity and virginity of girls as a measure of the ultimate prestige and dignity of a family, the socialization process encourages girls and women to become victims as it installs the values of suffering in silence, tolerance and non-retaliation in them. This is perhaps why cases of rape are under-reported in Nepal. Awareness is also extremely low so this remains the hidden problem of Nepal.

The majority of violence is non-fatal however health effects can last forever. Physically women may experience a vast range of injuries, many affecting their reproductive health, and increasing vulnerability to sexual dysfunction, HIV/AIDS and death. Psychologically, women may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and even attempt suicide. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to gender based violence: Women who experience violence from their partners run twice the risk of miscarriage and four times the risk of having a low birth-weight baby. Although it is underreported, domestic violence may cause as mush disease, disability, and death as many other illnesses combined: gender based violence is itself a significant high-risk health factor for women of reproductive age.

Since the Maoist movement began in 1996, thousands of innocent men and women have been killed, critically injured or rendered homeless, and property worth millions has been destroyed. Looting, extortion, harassment, torture, seizure of home and land, rape and kidnapping are bitter realities in insurgency-affected areas. Women and children have no place to go for immediate relief and support. Women are the victims of mental and physical abuse, rape and other human right violations by both Maoists and government security forces.

There are no mechanism to rehabilitate, support or record the plight of these victims; and no information on the women who have joined the Maoist movement or on their condition. The worst affected areas are the remote villages of far western region. As most men in these areas have either been killed or have fled from their hometowns, the household burden of women has increased. In Nepal, where the social stigma on widowhood is high, women who lose their husbands in conflict suffer not only grief but also social exclusion, and less access to food, nourishment, and basic services for the rest of their lives.

Perpetrators of domestic violence are generally not prosecuted in the Nepali criminal justice system. The National Code does not require the state to prosecute the crime of assault. Accordingly, assault is usually left to private prosecution. The state prosecutes some assaults that disturb the public peace, as violations of a lesser, ancillary law. Because women lack the financial resources to seek private legal relief and given the non-public nature of most assaults on women, domestic violence has been relegated to a second class crime. Women rarely report incidents of domestic violence to the police. When a report is made, an arrest is very unlikely and police usually encourage the woman to reconcile with her partner. Unless domestic violence rises to the level of murder or attempted murder, state prosecutors will generally not pursue the cases.

Social, cultural, economic and religious factors reiterate male dominance and allow systematic discrimination and violence to pervade women’s lives. According to the Nepal Human Development Report 2004, women’s literacy rate is 35 per cent as compared 63 per cent for men; maternal mortality rates of Nepali women rank among the highest in the world; one out of every 185 women dies because of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Nepal has one of the highest indices of son preference in the world and estimates by local NGOs show organized gangs traffick some 5,000 to 12,000 Nepalese girls to work in brothels each year.

It is extremely difficult for a woman to prove that she is being abused within her home in Nepal. Women who do decide to come forth and demand justice face an uphill task. Unless community attitudes change and people recognize violence against women to be a crime, women will continue to suffer daily abuse at the hands of their partners and within their very homes.

Secular Nepal : Right Move or Wrong?

“This is the first time we are celebrating Lhosar as an equal and free citizen.” An elated and jubilant Gurung boy said. Nepal has never been colonized and 1990’s constitution had acknowledged basic human rights. So how come this is the first time Gurung people are celebrating Lhosar as a free man. He replied, “Nepal is now secular country. We don’t have to bear tag of being Hindu Kingdom any longer. We all are equal and have our own religion. My country doesn’t have primary religion and I don’t have to nod when any foreigner told me Nepal’s Hindu Kingdom feeling as if me and my religion don’t belong to Nepal.

Yes, Nepal is secular state now. After the April Revolution, Nepal has witnessed many changes in state mechanism that is bound to have future significance. On Jestha 4, 2063 (18 May, 2006) reinstated House of Representatives declared itself sovereign and sovereign House declared Nepal as secular country. Soon after its announcement euphoric indigenous and people of other religion than Hindu came to street to celebrate. Declaring Nepal as secular state had been demand for long time. While drafting 1990’s constitution also this voice roused. Drafters put this demand in the constitution and sent it to royal palace for final approval. But when it came out, it has declared Nepal as Hindu Kingdom not secular as demanded. Finally people’s demand for secular Nepal is fulfilled.

But not everyone feel the same way. Orthodox and extreme Hindus have also come to street demanding Nepal be declared Hindu Kingdom not secular one. Many general public also share this view. They are not just yet ready to accept the changes. They argue that despite being Hindu Kingdom, people of other religion were never discriminated and Nepal hasn’t witnessed any communal violence. Now it has been declared secular state, communal violence might pick up. Asked how, they reply that by declaring secular, state has given chance to Hindu extremities like Shiva Sena etc. to play their game. In 2061 Bhadra, Nepal witnessed the worst communal violence after 12 Nepalis were killed in Iraq by insurgents. As response to the brutal murder, mob attacked Mosques, Muslim’s houses and their religious places. Analysts believe many extremist Hindu organizations like Shiva Sena etc. were behind this. So declaring Nepal as secular would be a big mistake. They also argue that every religion was given equal space and liberty.

But those for secularism don’t feel so. They say only they know the pain and discrimination they faced during those times. Prior to 1990 carrying Bible was like a crime. They were sent to jails or tortured on the accusation of converting people’s religion. People of other religions were laden with many Hindu Systems and processions. They were given 15 day long holidays during Dashain but not in Christmas or Lhosar or Eid etc. In 2058 when King Birendra and his entire family were killed, government ordered all of its service men to go bald though many religions like Islam or Sikhism prohibits people to be bald. Other religions values and sentiments were not considered. This is major example of how primary religion of a nation plays major role in state mechanism. Many laws, rules and regulations of Nepal were made according to Hindu religion or sentiments. Still there are many laws carrying Hindu spirits.

But people for Hinduism as primary religion of Nepal believe that now their identity is in big crisis. There have been many allegations that Hindus are being converted to other religions by showing them money or other promises especially by Christians. They fear such cases would rise.

Even if we see the census of 1991 and 2001, we can see surge of population of other religion than Hindus especially of Christians. So a big question arises i.e. is really conversion taking place? But there are also defenders of such allegations. They say that every human has right to choose his or her religion. If someone likes other religion and wants to convert, it shouldn’t be a big issue. If we want to clip this, then talking about democracy and freedom would be total nonsense.

Whatever the accusations are, declaring Nepal as secular state has been definitely a positive step towards inclusive democratic process. Though it made extremist unhappy, it would be nonsense talking about New Nepal if some religion or community were left behind. By declaring Nepal as secular and recognizing indigenous and marginalized community’s demand, government and concerned parties have acknowledged that Nepal can be re-structured only if everyone is united. So let’s be united as Nepali rather than as Hindus or Muslims or Christians etc. and help in building new Nepal where freedom, democracy, prosperity and peace awaits.

But how do you feel about it? Are you in favor of secular Nepal or of Hindu Nepal? Come lets discuss.

Budha boy found with sword

Yesterday's Kantipur Television's news drew my attention to the lost Buddha boy. At last HE is found in the midst of jungle and also with sword. The so called Buddha Boy, Ram Bahadur Bomjan, had disappeared nine months before from jungle of Ratanpuri reappeared near by jungle. He shot to fame after claiming to be meditating without any food or water for ten months (which I doubt). But he suddenly disappeared from his meditating place and has told people that he would be back after six years of meditation along with peace. But everything didn't work as he had said. Barely 2 months after his disappearance, April revolution brought peace.

Hunters found him yesterday's night and human rights activist and local journalists have reached the jungle yesterday. When he was asked why he's carrying the sword he replied that Buddha also needs security (strange answer). But his devotees have begun flocking to see him.

He still claims that he is not having any foods but only herbal medicines, but what types only he knows. He said that he will continue his meditation as said before for six years but not in noisy place.

Many people didn't believe him at all while many worshipped him as god. But strange part is that he has similarities to share with Gautam Buddha who got enlightenment 2500 yrs before. Buddha was born only 257 km (160 miles) from Bara, where Bomjon is now, in 540BC. Interestingly, Bomjon's mother's name, too, is Maya Devi- the name of Buddha's mother.

Santa tracked over Himalayas (Nepal)????

Dec. 24: The Himalayas — Just 40 minutes after he was spotted over the Great Wall of China, Santa was heard urging his reindeer over the Himalayan mountains in Nepal. “First we heard the bells jingling, and then we heard Santa call out all of his reindeer by name,” said one 7-year-old Himalayan local, “I’m so excited I can’t go back to sleep!”

This is the text taken from msnbc.com. But does he exist in real world??? This is the major question. NORAD, a bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace defense of the United States and Canada, claims it uses four high-tech systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft. This year too it tracked Santa at many places including Birjung To know more u can go here noradsanta.org. Every year norad tries to track Santa since last 50 years. How the tradition was born? here's story:

NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa. The tradition began after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. store advertisement for children to call Santa on a special "hotline" included an inadvertently misprinted telephone number. Instead of Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, received the first "Santa" call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born.

Since then government of US and Canada has jointly tried to track Santa and many have claimed they have spotted him indeed. This year MSNBC with NORAD tried to trackSanta's track. But dunno this whole affair is just a joke or a really serious topic. But we enjoyed reading about him and tracking him, so why not joining to track him (if he's really there flying).

Father, Son studying in same class!!!!

Saying goes "It's never too late to study." but it's very hard to find people following the saying. But reading kantipuronline's news story made me feel there are still people who believe in power of education. According to the report, father Khadga Bahadur Rai and his son Bir Bikram Rai both studies at class eleven in Thakurdevi Higher Secondary School of Ankhisalla, Dhankuta. Interestingly father Khadga passed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) the year his son Bir was born. Rai said that he wanted to study further but couldn't. But now high school is established in village and he couldn't help himself joining the class. His son Bir says that he felt awkward in the beginning but now it's great fun to have his father in his class. And to add more spice, his mother is a member of school management committee.

Now days we heard many people saying there's no value of studying. "We study hard but what we do get in return except the certificates. Neither I get decent jobs nor opportunities. If I have to work like menial labour, then what's the point of studying?" Such voices are increasing day by day. In reality also sometimes, we feel they are right but not always. Agreed they got good marks in exams but are they equally qualified for practical life also? Now employers don't see only good marks but also capabilities which we can build ourselves. But they also need to have good educational background capabilities and qualifications; both are part of a coin. So the power of education is still rising and we can only cash if we see it's real power.

And such examples definitely help people to recognize the value of education. If there was no significance of education, people like Rai won't have joined the college despite having family and social responsibilities. Accept or not, education definitely helps to shape future and make people ready to face the bitter world. Not only this, education makes people humans.

Merry X-Mas

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Every kid (who is familiar to Christmas and Santa Claus) might be singing this carol and wishing and praying for all those lovely gifts and presents from Santa. After all many of them had been good all year and behaved very nicely. So every kid deserves something from Santa. But what about us? We, the so called grown up ones, haven't behaved well or does Santa presumes we can't behave good at all. That's why he doesn't order his elves to make presents for us. May be the later one is true. Santa has prejudiced thoughts regarding adults.

But as a child also I never got anything from him. He never ventured in my room to give me presents. (I didn't have chimney from where he can drop his gifts or come to put those gifts near my bedside but that can't be the reason for not getting any gifts.) May be Santa also discriminates on race, religion or colour. I never became Christian (I am agonist) and I am of Asian origin. May be I didn't meet his requirements so I wasn't given any gifts at all. But he made enormous error. Now there are many international and national laws to prevent such discrimination. So I am thinking to sue him and get all those gifts meant for me with extra gifts as punishment. But I guess I can't make his elves to work as punishment. So I have decided that he (Santa himself) would be making gifts for me all night this Christmas. But don't worry kids I would be riding his sleigh and handing over gifts to all children around the world. So behave well because I am keeping my eyes on you.

And good news for adults too, I am also going to give gifts to them. As a first gift, you have got this blog to read and enjoy. Plus there are other gifts too. You will get good party mood (in festival seasons only, mind it) and nice sleep all the year. Ain't that good enough????

So HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND SEASONS HOLIDAY TO ALL OF YOU HOHOHOHOHOHO