Expressions!!!!

Most awaited Constitution!

2012-01-06T03:16:00.001-08:00

‘When will we get to see the constitution andwill our voice be included in it?’ the question that had once been in the mindof every Nepali is drowning down in the drain.

After the continuousextension of the constitution making process, people are frustrated by lookingat the act of our political leaders and waiting for the amended constitution. TheConstituent Assembly (CA) has been extended for four times. First on May 28,2010 for a year then on May 28, 2011 for three months, thirdly on August 29,2011 for another three months and finally on November 29, 2011 for another sixmonths.

As Martin Luther Kinghad dreamt of having racial justice and an integrated society, every Nepali isdreaming about a peaceful country with equal justice and opportunity through‘New Constitution’. It might not be a justifiable comparison though, butanalyzing our leaders’ attitude and concern towards the country, peace seems tobe a dream. The formation of constituent assembly with 601 members had broughtrays of hope among us and it seemed possible then. But even after waiting formore than four years desperately for the amended constitution and so called‘New Nepal’, nothing has changed in the country except the prime minister.

CA members are alwaysbusy discussing their own agenda. How will they bring peace in the country whenthey themselves can’t solve their internal party conflict? In the tenure ofconstitution making process, numbers of prime ministers have changed and everypolitical party has had the taste of this ‘prestigious’ position rather than a‘responsible’ position as I say it. The taste is so good that they don’t wantto let go of it. Every leader promise to do this and that, but as the daypasses, they forget about their promises and obligations.

The issue of inclusivenessand equality allowed every leader to form numbers of small independent partieswith handful of members, who got to have direct voice on this statute making butstill this was unable solve the problem. In this crucial state where country isgoing nowhere, our CA members should be concerned about their goals andobjectives rather than their own interest and their seats. Or if they arewaiting to find the other job that pays them more as their current position, it’shigh time they speed up their process.

However, even after thedeclaration by Supreme Court for the final six months, there will be nothingshameful than this if the members are not serious regarding the constitutionmaking process. I hope they show some dignity and respect towards theirprofession. My fingers are crossed to get the first draft of glorious constitutionby the end of January as our CA members promised.

Nepalese Youth and Entrepreneurship

2011-12-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

http://samriddhi.org/userfiles/aartha/issue%202%20volume%202.pdf

Understanding the importance of education, numbers of people have started enrolling into schools and colleges these days even in rural areas. Out of these literate bunches, only few choose to stay back and explore the possibilities in the country. Rest goes to abroad and secures their future even by doing every kind of work that they call not-my-type in their home country. Even the selected youths who choose to stay back searches for the right jobs to earn for their livelihood. But these youths never think that they themselves can create jobs and help uplift the economy of the country.

According to working paper of ILO, more than 1 billion people are between the age of 15 to 25. Eighty five percent of these young people live in developing countries. In Nepal, 300,000 people enter the job market every year out of which most are youths. The disability to address the solution of unemployment problem in the country has led the youth to land in foreign countries both for work and quality education. However, these migrant workers have benefited the national economy through remittances. According to the Central Bank, Nepal has received Rs. 38.4 billion in the second month of the current fiscal year which decreased than last year due to weak global economy. The government data shows that around 294,094 Nepali migrant workers left for the destination countries in the last fiscal year. Nepal cannot rely on remittances only but start looking for alternatives that is promotion of entrepreneurship inside the country as well.

The lack of knowledge about the entrepreneurship has led the youth to be job seekers rather the job creators. People think they can start their business only after having enough experience and money for investment. What they don’t realize is that only an innovative idea and its initiation is required to start their own business. Entrepreneurship is all about making 1000 from 1. However, the story of few successful young entrepreneurs can be an inspiration for my reader.

Usha Gurung of age 24 has been successfully running three businesses currently. She has a clothing store, Pink, a b-boy dance institute and a bingo parlor. She started her business at the age of 14 with Rs. 5000 given by her father. She bought clothes from Khasa and sold it to the shops of Kathmandu. With the profit she made, she opened a shop in Nayabazar. After completing her SLC, she went to Bangkok and the clothes she brought from there were sold to the retailer shop in Kathmandu. Though she couldn’t study after SLC due to financial problem, with the business in her mind at the very early age, she now owns a big shop in Durbarmarg along with other two businesses.

Similarly, a 23 year old Sushant Shrestha works in a clothing shop with a few of his friends in the crowded street of Thamel. They create exclusive and customizable designs to suit every type of customer and then emboss them on the spot. Instead of working under someone else, he is earning for his livelihood with his imagination by creating different designs in clothes.

Despite the political and financial factors, they were able to become young entrepreneurs while we keep on complaining about the situations that restrict us to be the one. All we need is the zeal and commitment towards what we decide to do. Youths are considered as the backbone of the nation. If these youths opt to go to foreign land, then who will lead the country?

According to a study by UNDP, the South Asian youth entrepreneurs have to face more challenges compared to their counterparts in the world. The study said the challenges that youth have to face are lack of skilled manpower, financial resources, management skill and low profit rate, unfriendly government policies, etc. Nevertheless, these challenges can be minimized if we start working from the grass-root level. For this, entrepreneurship should be taken as a serious issue for economic growth. Education system should include this subject as a core one that can help to build entrepreneurial mindset and attitude for students. Awareness about the Small Enterprises to be self employed is required. Not only the literate people but also the uneducated ones should be made aware of these skills through trainings and counseling. Young people can be source of growth and development; this should be understood by all. Besides, successful entrepreneurs should act as mentors to help foster the entrepreneurship by supporting the beginners through guidance about the tricks of business world and with financial support as well. Hence, if these things can be implemented, then Nepal is not far to go ahead with its economic development.

Nepal Unites peace protest in Bagmati Bridge

2011-07-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

Sangam Silpakar,

Tripureshwor, July 14

Nepal Unites, a facebook movement for change, protested in Bagmati Bridge against the government pressurizing them to end the constitution in time.

The peaceful protest carried out by waving of the national flag and displaying various slogans as ‘Jyala pura liyau, aba sambidhan deu’, ‘Mero Nepal, Mero dayitwa’, ‘Nepali bana, nepali bhana, bachau Nepal lai’, ‘tapai hami nai nalage kasle?’. The protest began at 5:30 pm and lasted for an hour.

Anil Chitrakar, social entrepreneur and founder of social unites says, “We are trying to unite Nepal and everybody is excited about it but what really unites Nepal?” He further adds, “It can be anything, football, music or Demi Moore. The thing is we want to unite Nepal but in peaceful way.”

Nepal Unites is a campaign started through virtual network and has spread in other districts as well as other countries like USA, UK where Nepalis are living. It organized pressure rallies in the run up to the May 28 CA extension. It has been organizing protests and rallies against strike. Though its short term goal is to complete the constitution in time, its long term goal is to unite Nepalis to bring positive change and ultimately peace in the country. It has another protest in July 15 in Bagmati Bridge. They plan to paint the walls of the bridge and make it political slogans free.

A student who was present as protestor, Sagar Prasain says, “We are here for a silent protest and it is a silent speak campaign. We are working for our country to establish peace. We are lobbying to complete the constitution in time.”

“We are here because of the half way mark for the constitution to be made. So we are here to protest for the accountability of the politicians. This campaign will help to bring out the city, the responsibility to stand out, stand out, speak up and showing up. That needs to happen”, Ujwal Thapa, member of Nepal Unites says.

Thapa further says, “It’s time for us to stand up and voice out what we want to say. It is also to inform leaders that citizens are not silent. They are speaking out and becoming responsible and they are asking out to do your job.”

The campaign’s main motive is to unite all Nepalis for change by sharing ideas. The innovative ways that appeal young people like music, football and any other ways that helps to unite Nepalis.

Social media

2011-07-04T02:33:00.001-07:00

With the boom of technology, social media are taking lots of space in the digital arena. These days,we find it surprising when we hear an urban youth not connected with facebook or twitter.

Social media such as facebook, twitter, blogs, etc are playing dominant role in web world. People would not have been using internet 24/7, had there been no social media.Earlier it was used for getting connected with each other but now it is used for marketing and promotion of certain products or services. Corporate houses, which used to block these sites, has started making it the default pages. It was internet that had made the world so small, global village but now, these media has made it more smaller and easier to get connected with each other.

Facebook has benefited to individuals and organizations. It has not only helped to promote ideas or products, but also has worked to generate revenue. But as the saying goes ,'good things come with bad ones', it has brought lots of problems alongwith. Though it is banned for children below 13, they are still using it. Afterall its the virtual world, who would come and check the age of the user. Besides, it has also raised the question of identity. It is not always true that the user name is real. It has also created crimes.

Everything has positive and negative effects. It depends on us to choose the right or wrong ones.

with nature.....

2010-11-18T02:09:00.000-08:00

A Painted House by John Grisham

2010-10-04T03:18:00.000-07:00

Every year, farmers from the village of Arkansas hire people to pick up the cotton in their farms. Mexicans and Spruill family from hill arrive at the same day in a seven year old boy's house named Luke. They lived in a house that had never been painted.

With the house being painted secretly by Trot, from hill family, Luke goes through many experiences that his parents wouldn't have been happy if they had known. Keeping those as secrets, he encounters the feelings of pleasures to frustrations and fear. He works hard to earn his Cardinal jacket that he had once seen being advertised. Though Cardinals lose the game to go to the finals in American series, he always dreams to become cardinal. But before the completion of the harvest of cotton crop, both Spruills and Mexicans had to leave due to flooding that enters into their field.

Tally, one of the girl from Spruill, becomes good friend of Luke and shares some of the secrets breaks his heart by running away with the cowboy, one of the Mexicans. Still he prays god to protect her. Till the end Spruills becomes unaware of what happened with their son Hank.

Filled with suspense in A Painted House, Grisham describes with exact words through a young boy's narration who goes through different challenges to deal with his secrets that makes him a little more mature than his age. He symbolizes the change in Luke's life by the change in his house being painted.While reading the novel, it feels like you are just there with Luke and watching the scenes that he describes.

Principle of Self Determination

2010-06-20T00:25:00.000-07:00

Determinism is the theory that everything in the universe is totally ruled by causal laws. Accordingly, every event has a prior condition, and all events are at least theoretically predictable if all the prior conditions are known. The principle of determinism is widely used by sciences of psychology, sociology, and anthropology in accounting for human behavior.

Self-determinism accepts the doctrine of determinism that nothing can happen without a cause. It follows that out free acts are caused acts. In the case of human decisions and conduct, humans themselves are the cause of the act. When individuals choose, their choices are not made by something else outside or inside the person, but are the acts of the very person. Indeed, the very meaning of person, say self- determinists, implies someone who makes his or her own choices. They say individual functions as free agents. They can produce anyone of several alternative effects on the basis of a choice. Thus, individuals cause their own acts. While it is true that we are strongly influenced by motives and must deliberate between them, in the final analysis we are not necessitated by them either way. In the end, we choose for ourselves. Hence, self-determination is the free choice of one’s own acts without external compulsion. It is the idea of a positive freedom, a freedom for actions that we originate, actions that are "up to us." Such acts constitute the essence of free will.

According to Rousseau, “humans are free in that they are self-determining, or capable of self-determination, rather than driven by their desires or instincts, and therefore, self-authoritative or ‘sovereign’, i.e. having ultimate authority over themselves.

Kant thinks of humans realising their innate capacity for self-determination in the course of history. He goes further in asking what self-determination would involve, saying that if I think and decide for myself then in the end this means that I must act rationally. The commands of rationality are called ‘imperatives’, and the most fundamental ones are ‘categorical imperatives’ which means if you desire one thing, then rationally you should do another thing to attain it.

So, the principle of self determination is an individual himself since he/she is the one to take his/her decision. ‘I’ is sole principle of self determination. Our essence as humans is to be (or become) self-determining beings. Self-determination entails rational deliberation about how to act; rational deliberation entails treating oneself as self-authoritative (as an ‘end’). Rationally this entails that we must treat other humans as self-authoritative too (this is the essential content of morality)

Self-determination also entails that we may pressurize each other so as to guarantee each a sphere of freedom, in the sense of external unconstraint, for their own choices, for such a sphere is necessary for self-determination. But in doing so we must all treat each other in the same way for we are all equally self-determining beings. So this coercion must conform to the principle of guaranteeing individual freedom under universal rules (the principle of right).

Self-determination entails that we must establish a common authority to implement the principle of right in positive laws, for without this we will be unable to coerce each other in a consistent way.

Kant believes that when we act on morally then we are actually acting on our own true will, and in carrying out those actions we realise our own freedom which is self determination. In choosing a moral life-style, we are really defining a large part of ourselves. Any moral code we follow must be our own, not in the sense that we alone follow it, but in the sense that we have arrived at it through our powers of reason and reflection on our experience. Granted, we cannot fully escape our social, cultural, and religious backgrounds; nor would we want to. Nevertheless, if our morality is to be an expression of self, we must carefully reflect on the values we have inherited, weighing their merits and liabilities in the light of our own lives, times, and circumstances. Such reflection places heavy emphasis on self-growth, especially on increasing our knowledge and awareness of self and the world and on being willing to adjust our moral views as relevant new discoveries arise. Self determination is concerned with the motivation behind the choices that people make. Therefore, self determination is about remaining true to the inbuilt purpose of ourselves, which, if we follow ‘What is Enlightenment?’, is to become self-determining. Hence one can be self determining being moral and making rightful decision.

Reference
Valesquer, Manuel and Barry, Vincent. A Text With Readings (3rd Ed.). Wordsworth Publishing Company. Belmont, California.

Websites
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Users/sefd0/crsold/tt1034/tt1034kant.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/secularismseparation/a/SelfDetermin.htm
http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/writing/emerson.htm

School and its influence over students

2010-06-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

Unlike in earlier days, people have started giving much importance to education. Education is given high priority these days. People have understood that education is the key to success and one cannot be independent without it. The more educated you are, the more competitive you become. Before, the ideal age for a child to go to school was 4 or 5 but now not even a year old child is sent to school. Schools, these days, can be classified into 3 types: Government or Public School, Private School and Over-priced private school. However, the personality of children is determined by the type of school they attend.

Children who attend the first type of school, i.e. government school, have very introvert character. They are shy to express themselves and are not stubborn in nature. Mostly, children having poor economic background attend government schools. These children are not ambitious and are satisfied with what they learn in school. Their fluency in language and intelligence is also poor. They lack confidence and are afraid of competition. They go to school only for getting knowledge inside the book.

The second type of school is attended by most of the children. Children who attend this type are moderately shy. They aim for big achievements but are not sure to achieve it. Children, mostly from middle class belong to this group. These children are friendly in nature and are kind to people. They can manage themselves in any situation and are not afraid of competition. They are confident but their shyness behavior can sometimes overshadow their confidence level. They expect their school to make them talented.

Another type of school, where children having good economic background attend, is over-priced private schools. Children attending this type of school are outspoken and over confident. They believe that they can achieve anything if they want. They are highly stubborn and are more inclined towards western culture. They get many facilities from their school. Competition doesn’t scare them. They take it as challenge and face it as it comes. They are very passionate about their life. They are outgoing but not social in nature and cannot mold themselves in every environment.

The attitude of any children is shaped by the kind of school they attend. Schools play significant role in forming one’s personality. However, not only school is the major factor to determine how the person is, but also their culture and background.

Significance of Research in Mass Media

2009-09-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Mass media denotes a section of the media specifically designed to reach a very large audience such as the population of a nation state.Mass media are defined as media which have their proper program and constitute their own audience. Mass media research, accordingly, deals with the production of programs and the consumption of the audience. For both perspectives, research topics are justified, data sources are introduced, and recommendation for the research infrastructure are given.

Research is an attempt to discover something. The importance of research becomes clear when we understand something about business(although this understanding also relates to everyday personal life such as relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.)
Researchers are the people who find out what people want and need so that decision-makers can give it to them. Researchers also get involved in the other two steps of the process. Researchers find out the best way to accomplish desires of what people want.

Research is involved in every step of the process. And regardless of whether we are involved in; writing, production, talent, advertising, distribution or any other area, research is involved. There is no area of mass media that is not affected by research.

Research can be very informal, with few, if any, specific plans or steps, or it can be formal, with the researcher following highly defined and exactly procedures. All research, whether formal or informal, begins with a basic question or proposition about a specific phenomenon. These questions can be answered to some degree with well-designed research studies.

Research helps us to learn the best way to collect information and analyze it. For radio program, research help to understand the target audience, audience’s interest. Research in mass media is used to verify or refute gut feelings or intuition for decision makers. Although common sense is sometimes accurate, media decision makes need additional objective information to evaluate problems, especially when they make decisions that involve large sums of money.

Research is not limited only to decision making situation. It is also widely used in theoretical areas to attempt to describe the media, to analyze media effects on consumers, to understand audience behavior, and so on. Everyday, there are references in the media to audience surveys, public opinion polls, growth projections or status reports of one medium or another, or advertising or public relations campaigns.

The explosion of mass media research is mainly attributable to the rapidly developing technology of the media industry. Because of this growth in research, both applied and theoretical approaches have taken on more significance in the decision-making process of the mass media and in our understanding of media.

Research in media can be done in various ways like qualitative research, quantitative research, content analysis, surveys, etc. The effectiveness of messages that are sent by mass media is measured by different research method which help to improve its content and introduce itself in better way.
Research is used extensively in all of the mass media:
• Electronic media research provides information about what audience likes and dislikes, analyses of different types of programming, demographic and lifestyle information about the audience.
• Print- It does research in readership, circulation, management, etc.
• Advertising and public relations- It does research on copy testing (research on the effectiveness of advertising), reach and frequency, campaign assessment (success of an ad campaign), public relations, etc.
• Internet- It is useful for on-line research, website research, music testing, etc.

It is because of research in media, we have been able to grow media as an industry. Research has made a significant development in the field of media. It help us get new information. It has helped to use new technology for its development. It is only due to research, we get valid knowledge that we can prove and trust it without any hesitation. Therefore, for all these reasons, research is very significant in mass media.

Reference
Adhikary Nirmala Mani (2006) Understanding Mass Media Research (1st ed.)
Prashanti Pustak Bhandar
Wimmer, R. D., & Dominick, J. R. (2003). Mass media research: An introduction (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Website
www.books.google.com
www.ideas.repec.org
www.ratswd.de

Development journalism

2009-06-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Media has played very important role in development but the agenda of development hasn’t been understood. There is misunderstanding that development means construction and infrastructure. At very basic level, there is the problem of illiteracy. Development is such agenda that is bringing people together.
Development journalism should focus on the needs of the poor, the deprived, the marginalized and emphasis their effective participation in development planning. Development is about ‘highlighting what people are doing to help transform their lives. It is seen as humanity’s common objective and a means to eradicate poverty and protect the environment.
Development can be seen in two ways; Infrastructural development like constructions of road, health post, electricity, etc and Freedom, which is related with human rights protection, human development, economic development, etc. Development must be talked of in concrete and measurable terms.
There are three reasons of poverty- because of conflict, due to natural disasters and due to recklessness of government. Media has done reporting in these three causes. Besides these, development projects and plans should be reported in critical way. There are many global issues but we are not being able to criticize these issues.
Western media says development journalism is outdated practice. Nepal has signed ‘Millennium development goals’ which was introduced to reduce poverty and impacts of HIV/AIDS, malaria, to empower women, to reduce mortality rate, death rate, etc. But media is not able to do critical analysis. We hardly find the issues related to development. News analyses are there but they are guided by political analysis. There is no specialization in development journalism. There can be reporter who can do entertainment reporting in morning and in evening, reporting related with development.
Media access in Nepali life is very low because of development. Government has promised to provide TV in every household but there is no electricity in houses. Radios in rural areas are used to know time. There are no people to invest their money in development. People seek for profit only.
Government should help journalists to get information throughout the nation. Governments can help to educate their citizens and enlist cooperation on major development projects. However, a government can also use the idea of development to restrict freedom of speech for journalists. Journalists are told not to report on certain issues because it will impact the developmental activities of the nation in question, and therefore citizens are not actually being given access to the whole picture.
Development journalism should have become applied subject. But it has just become an intellectual subject. Journalists committed to development should look at the situation beyond just reporting it. Reporters have not been able to bring glamour in part of development. News brings change through persuasion and pressure. Newstory doesn’t serve the both interest. There is no access. Even if they write, they use jargons which can be understood by many people. There needs to be followup then only development journalism can flourish in Nepal.
Lecture by Laxman Datt Pant in Martin Chautari,28th May 2009

Trip to Radio Nepal

2009-06-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

On May 20th, 2009, Bachelors in Media Studies(1st and 2nd year) students of Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, made a trip to the national Radio Station, Radio Nepal facilitated by Nirmala Mani Adhikari.All students were very excited for the visit. After 1 and half an hour drive from Dhulikhel, students reached to their destination but they were very exhausted to wait for 1 hr outside the Singha Durbar for the permission to enter. However, after entering to the Singha Durbar, everyone's energy boosted up to see the very nice and clean premises of Singha Durbar.

Radio Nepal was established on 1st April 1951. Initially, the transmission covered duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes through a 250 Watt SW transmitter. Over the years, Radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity considerably and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and coverage. Radio Nepal airs programmes on Short Wave, Medium Wave and FM frequencies. Radio Nepal recognizes that its primary obligation is to serve its listeners. It has been providing various programs aimed at creating mass awareness in its attempt to reflect the views of all sections of the society.

Radio Nepal has its own studios for programme production, music recording, drama recording, talk shows and news broadcasts. Everyone tried their hand in the newsroom by having their voice record through mic and headphone. A music library at its premises in Singh Durbar has a collection of about 40,000 songs including lok geet to pop songs. Students got very delighted to meet the famous singer, Meera Rana, who is currently looking after the tape department.

The Broadcasting Headquarters at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu has two broadcasting houses consisting of one drama studio, two music studios, one reporting studio, three continuity studios, one news studio and seven programme production studios. One of the music studios is equipped with a 24 track recording facility. This studio is open for hiring purposes for anyone desirous of recording music digitally whether solo track or for albums after payment of studio charges which are very relatively reasonable compared to other private studios. The complex also has one open air live theatre facility for functions and musical performances. Foreign broadcasting Stations also make use of this Studio facilities and transmitters for live and other broadcasts on a rental basis. Like other transmitting stations, the Head quarters also has a 100 kVA stand by diesel generator to cope with occasional power failure.

Nevertheless, the trip was organized to make the students familiar with the environment of Radio station and its work. It was very fruitful, informative and entertaining.

Book fair rocked for booklovers

2009-06-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Though many easily accessible and cheap media are available, book hasnt stopped attracting people. All book lovers must have visited the fair which started from 15th May till 23rd May, 2009.

The 13th Nepal Education and Book Fair was held at Bhrikuti Mandap which was organized by Global Exposition and Management Servicing Pvt. Ltd. with the cooperation with National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal and sponsors Padmashree Group of Insitutions, Informatics College, Ekta, Indo-World, Worldlink and Himalayan Infosys. Around 1,50,000 visitors were expected. There were total of 160 stalls. Many famous Book Sellers like Mandala Book Point, Pairavi Prakashan, Ratna Pustak Bhandar had participated in the fair. Students from different schools like Princeton International Boarding School, Bright Future H.S.S., Pacific Academy,Shikhar Boarding School, etc had come to visit the fair.

People argue that books are much more expensive but the money hasnt stopped its lovers from buying it. The fair had novels, course book, programming books, biographies, childrens' book and many more. One of the visitors, Sanjay Bajracharya bought 3 books worth Rs. 5000 while another visitor, Bibek had a list of books to buy.

Beside the Book Fair, Nepal Science and Exhibition and Competition also attracted many visitors. It started from 21st May till 23rd May. Goldengate College, V.S. Niketan had participated in the exhibiition. Keshab Khatri, manager of GEMS, shared, “this type of science exhibition is held for the first time in Nepa. It has given platform to students to expose their talent not only in their college but also outside the college. It has also increased the interest of people to visit the fair.”

However, more and more people are getting into reading books even in this busy schedule. It has become one of the entertainment means for many and for others, a source for learning. This type of exhibition has made all book lovers to buy varieties of books in same floor and in cheaper price.

Founder of Changu Narayan; not Mandev

2009-06-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

Changu Narayan Temple, one of the most beautiful World Heritage Sites, stands on a hilltop at the eastern end of the valley, about 6km north of Bhaktapur and 22km from Kathmandu. It came in existence in 4th century. Whenever we ask anyone about the establishment of this traditional beauty, everyone says it’s Mandev who built Changu Narayan. But people are not aware of the fact that it was not Mandev, it was King Haridutta Burma who actually built the Changu Narayan.
King Haridutta was the ruler 9yrs before Mandev. In the inscription of Mandev, the works for making guthis and land has been mentioned but there is nothing about Mandev's contribution in building the temple. Had it be the Mandev, there would have been the name of the founder as Mandev. There are other works mentioned in the inscription but not about the establishment.

Gonzo Journalism

2009-05-09T00:08:00.001-07:00

Gonzo journalism is a style of journalism which is written subjectively, often including the reporter as part of the story through a first person narrative. The style tends to blend factual and fictional elements to emphasize an underlying message and engage the reader. The word Gonzo was first used in 1970 to describe an article by Hunter S. Thompson, who later popularized the style. The term has since been applied to other subjective artistic endeavors.

Gonzo journalism tends to favor style over accuracy and often uses personal experiences and emotions to provide context for the topic or event being covered. It disregards the 'polished' edited product favored by newspaper media and strives for the gritty factor. Use of quotations, sarcasm, humor, exaggeration, and even profanity is common. The use of Gonzo journalism suggests that journalism can be truthful without striving for objectivity and is loosely equivalent to an editorial.
Gonzo Journalism is reporting fact like fiction after the first hand experience of reporter that is subjective.
In gonzo journalism, a journalist is free to participate in events and circumstances which may themselves be considered newsworthy. A gonzo journalist can actively participate in a political candidate's campaign without making any effort to appear politically neutral or unbiased.
The purpose of gonzo journalism would be to produce a brutally honest or highly subjective journalistic piece based on the real experience of a trained reporter writing from the inside. A gonzo journalist is not necessarily protected from law enforcement efforts, so even the legal ramifications of the journalist's actions could become part of the news story.
Critics of gonzo journalism consider the practice to be little more than sanctioned hedonism. Responsible journalists should not take it upon themselves to instigate news items or become completely immersed in the very culture or circumstances they have been assigned to observe. Gonzo journalists are a rare breed of writer, often possessing larger-than-life personalities and a "gonzo" or go-for-broke approach to the subject at hand.
Example of Gonzo Journalism is travel and living show. They travel to different places and explain it to the viewers according to their experience.

Journalism and Democracy

2009-05-03T22:21:00.002-07:00

Journalism is a special branch of mass communication and is playing vital role in modern society. The journalism is mainly intended to inform the audiences regarding what is happening around them. The importance of journalism comes from the people's right to opinion and expression. Journalism is taken as inseparable part of nay democratic system. The press plays vital role in democratic society. It is an institution in its own right. Journalism has been considered as the fourth state in democratic system.
Journalism is the 'voice of voiceless' and it plays the role of 'watchdog' in the society. It is strong bridge between concerning authorities and the people. It handles people issues. In fact, press is the people's open forum. Press makes such an environment where people get information and be prepared in taking part in democracy. People's participation is the foundation of democracy. Press is the pillar of democracy.
Media functions in democracy as
•Informing the public
•Investigation
•Analysis
•Social Surveillance
•Public forum
•Mobilization
Mass media act as a link between the government and the people, thus building up the political fabric of the democracy. There are several channels through which the political leaders can express their views and rally public support for their policies. Through the mass media, the government can inform, explain and convince the public over their program .
The news media play also the vital role as 'watchdog' over the government, looking out for instances of malfunction and corruption. The public would have far less control over the affairs of the government without the probing questions of investigative reporters.
Access to information is essential to the health of democracy for at least two reasons. First, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Second, information serves a “checking function” by ensuring that elected representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elected them.
In some societies, an antagonistic relationship between media and government represents a vital and healthy element of fully functioning democracies. In post-conflict or ethnically homogenous societies such a conflictual, tensionridden relationship may not be appropriate, but the role of the press to disseminate information as a way of mediating between the state and all facets of civil society remains critical.
While media is considered to be a part of the civil society arena, it is well known that media overlaps other functional areas of democracy and governance. For example, support for media may yield results in governance activities, particularly those related to decentralization, anti-corruption, and citizen participation in the policy process. The rule of law may be further institutionalized by support for an independent media that keeps a check on the judiciary, reports on the courts, and promotes a legal enabling environment suitable for press freedom. Free and fair elections conducted through transparent processes require a media sector which gives candidates equal access, and relationship between media and society, and the most effective ways to strengthen the media's contribution to democracy. Given this, some missions have been hesitant to engage in media sector support, even though they recognize the important role it plays in democratic transition and consolidation. Other missions, daunted by the difficulty of reporting results in this field, have decided not to undertake media activities or to focus exclusively on training. Contextual factors such as the lack of a legal enabling environment and political will within the government, business, or civil society to support media freedom all constrain missions' efforts in media sector support.
Within the context of supporting democratic transitions, the goal of media development generally should be to move the media from one that is directed or even overtly controlled by government or private interests to one that is more open and has a degree of editorial independence that serves the public interest. If the media is to have any meaningful role in democracy, then the ultimate goal of media assistance should be to develop a range of diverse mediums and voices that are credible, and to create and strengthen a sector that promotes such outlets. Credible outlets enable citizens to have access to information that they need to make informed decisions and to participate in society.
A media sector supportive of democracy would be one that has a degree of editorial independence, is financially viable, has diverse and plural voices, and serves the public interest.
The public interest is defined as representing a plurality of voices both through a greater number of outlets and through the diversity of views and voices reflected within one outlet.
Sibert, Peterson and Schramm tried to understand the intterrelationship between political system and media system. In four theories of press, Sibert, Peterson and Schramm assert that the press is always a reflection of the social and political configuration within which it operates. As they exist in free and democratic nations, the North American press then, espouses Liberal ideas and principles. These principles that comprise two major theories of study, the Social Responsibility and Libertarian theory, are the basis upon which the free press should and does run in a democratic society.
In Authoritarian theory, the state system requires direct governmental control of the mass media.The media in authoritarian class are not allowed to print or broadcast anything, which could undermine the established authority, and any offense to the existing political values is avoided. Authoritarian system can be found in Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, etc. Press works as mouthpiece of government.
In libertarian theory, media serves to provide a forum in which people can exchange ideasThe media and government are interdependent of each other, and the media frequently challenges government.
In Soviet Theory, as authoritarian, acknowledge the government as superior to the media institutions. The mass media in Soviet model is expected to self regulatory with regard to the content of their messages. The government owns the media and uses for its own greater causes. It accepts no challenges to its authority. Free expression in not valued in this system and is often punishable.
In Social Responsibility theory, media are free and have editorial independence. Government and media are separate but both interact with each other. The press on its own sees its role as serving both its financial needs and serving the public's need for information.
Journalism plays a role of mediator between citizens and politicians. People’s voices are heard through media. Media gives citizens direct access to the public sphere, in the form of open forums, talk shows, live phone calling programs, studio debates about public affairs etc.
The representative function of journalism is today enhanced by the availability of fast, interactive technologies such as e-mail, text messaging, blogging and many more. All of which provide new ways for citizens to communicate with politicians and participate in public debate. These technologies fuel the democracy to become more developed.
Media played important role in bringing democratic struggle of our country. During the Janaandolan II, King Gyanendra took power and attacked Nepali press. Lots of foreign news channels were banned to broadcast in Nepal. Kantipur contributed a lot during this period. News papers were not allowed to publish against the government and F.M. radios were not allowed to broadcast news. But, after democracy, many new channels like Sagarmatha, A venues and other radio stations started.
Democracy also ensures press freedom. Media are controlled by the government in China. People are deprived of getting information but in democratic country like ours, people enjoy the right of getting information.
A responsible media equally helps in socialization of people into citizenship, democratization of the State and political society, institutionalization of civic culture through unfettered flow of information, and rationalized use of power in social relations. In a nascent democracy like Nepal, media can also help voters with the contents of civic and political education and strengthen the culture of democracy.
Media thus perform vital tasks of informing, socializing, communicating and articulating the power of the public and preparing them for social transformation and good governance.
It is government who regulates the nation so media should cooperate with government. The government has significant role in regulating. By various means, sometime government regulates, sometimes facilitates and sometimes develops the press. In the country like ours, government is the major advertisers like advertising about poliothopa, vaccination, use of CFL bulb. Besides, government needs to communicate with people and they choose media as tool.
Media can have editorial independence only if there is democracy. It can work freely without the intervention of government. Hence, journalism and democracy are interdependent.

Reference
www.adrianmonck.com
www.nepalnews.com.np
www.usaid.gov
www.8rooks.com

Role of Culture in forming Personality

2009-05-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Personality is the key factor in defining individual uniqueness and shaping an individual's course through life. Culture is the way of life. Culture is not only our conscious values, but also it's our assumptions about the way things are. Humans perceive and believe according to their cultural development. Culture represents one of the important factors of the personality modeling. The study of culture and personality seeks to understand the growth and development of personal or social identity as it relates to the surrounding social environment.
The cultural features of a society generate certain distinctive features in the children’s socialization. By using some common socializing elements and mechanisms, there may be formed common features of personality or a configuration of personality features typical for the members of a society. Within each society, there are one or several types of personality that the children have to copy. In the European cultures or in those of European type, to the main type of personality are associated the following features: sociability, kindness, co-operation, and even competitiveness, orientation to practice and efficiency, punctuality. The family and other factors of socialization transmit to the children these features, the conformation to them being controlled at a societal level.
The relation between culture and personality is obvious, while the personality forming consists mostly in the internalisation of the elements of a culture. In a stable and integrated culture, the personality is an individual aspect of the culture, and the culture is a collective aspect of the personality. In each society, the dominant culture coexists with a certain number of subcultures and countercultures. The socialization made within a subculture adds specific elements to the modal personality features. Thus, there appear differentiated personalities in relation to the subcultures (these latter being constituted on ethnical, social class, religious and occupational criteria.). One can differentiate the personality of a villager from that of a townsman, the personality of a worker from that of an intellectual, the personality of a Jew from that of a Turk etc.
Margaret Mead, a well-known pioneer in the field of Psychological Anthropology, studied cross-cultural patterns of child rearing. Mead's most famous study took place in 1925 in Samoa. Mead studied Samoan adolescents and determined that they were not marked by tension and rebellion as were adolescents in the United States. During her study, Samoan children were found to have more casual relationships with their parents and they also learn about sexuality naturally in the course of their daily lives. It was Mead's determination that American teenagers find adolescence stressful because they learn about sexuality at the same time they must break strong bonds with their parents. Mead also studied gender roles in three New Guinea groups and concluded that gender roles are not entirely biologically determined, but are learned during the process of enculturation.
Cultural psychologists have noted that some aspects of personality differ across cultural groups. For example, Americans and Asians have slightly different conceptions of self. American culture promotes a view of the self as independent. American children tend to describe themselves in terms of personal attributes, values, and achievements and they learn to be self-reliant, to compete with others, and to value their uniqueness.
Many Asian cultures, such as those of Japan and China, promote a view of the self as interdependent. Children from these cultures tend to describe themselves in terms of which groups they belong to. They learn to rely on others, to be modest about achievements, and to fit into groups.
Starting in infancy, we learn how to be human through interactions with other people in our culture. Without social stimulation, love, modeling and communication with others, a child does not become a normal social creature because it does not adequately develop language, or emotional expressiveness, or expected social responsiveness, or personality.
Culture cannot be separated from personality; culture mediates all thought. Human experiences and social interactions form personality marked by thought, communication, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of a racial, ethnic, religious, and social group type.
Personal identity is deeply tied to cultural identity. We often believe we are destined to be like our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents; to a great extent we are like them and their culture. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are the carriers of our cultural heritage that forms an essential part of our personal identity. It is possible, but difficult to change our understanding of our culture, but it is not possible to totally separate our personal identity from our culture. How we judge another person is a product in part of how well the individual lives up to the cultural values we ourselves have learned from our parents, teachers, and the others of significance around us.
Personality is shaped by both genetic and environmental influences. Among the most important of the latter are cultural influences. Culture is transmitted through language and the modeling of behavior when conditions permit humans to communicate through shared language, by living in the same historic period, and when they are sufficiently proximal to influence each other. Ecology, among other factors, shapes the culture, which in turn shapes the socialization patterns, which shape some of the variance of personality.Broad empirical support for such a model does exist. In addition to these factors, we consider other constructs that are needed for a better understanding of the way culture influences personality.

Reference
www.accessmylibrary.com
www.answers.yahoo.com
www.as.ua.edu
www.blogs.psychologytoday.com
www.directessays.com
www.lonnd.com
www.sparknotes.com

पल्पसा क्याफे --पुस्तक समिक्षा

2008-12-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

पल्पसा क्याफे
पुस्तक समिक्षा

नेपाली दैनिक पत्रिका कान्तिपुर’का सम्पादक नारायण वाग्लेद्वारा लिखित पल्पसा क्याफे’ एउटा आधुनिक उपन्यास हो । यसमा लेखकले निकै सरल र सहज ढङ्गमा पत्रपत्रिका भाषाको प्रयोग गरेको छ ।
यस उपन्यासमा नेपाली आम जनता भन्दा अलि उच्च स्तरको व्यक्तिलाई मुख्य पात्रका रुपमा प्रस्क्तत गरेको छ जसमा सामाजिक तथा भौतिक जीवनको पनि उत्तिकै महत्व रहेको छ । बाथरुम जाँदा पनि आधुनिक कम्प्यूटर ल्यापटपको प्रयोग गर्नु च्याट इमेल रेस्टूराँ जाने र त्यहाँ बब् मार्लीको सङ्गीत सुन्ने विदेश जाने प्रवृति बोल्दा बोल्दै वीचमा अङ्रेजी भाषाको प्रयोग गर्ने आदिले हाम्रो देशमा आधुनिकरण भित्रिसकेका छन् भन्ने बारेमा स्पष्ट रुपमा बताउँछ ।
बिगत दश वर्षे जनआन्दोलनमा बलि भएका सहिदहरु र देशले भोग्नु परेका पिडाहरु प्ानि निकै राम्ररी प्रस्तुत गरेका छन् यस उपन्यासमा । नेपाली जनता मुख्यतया गाउँवासी नेपालीलाई कसरी असर परेको थियो र कति डरलाग्दो स्थिति थियो भन्ने कुरा जीवन्त रुपमा प्रकट गरेको छ । सहरमा बस्ने मानिसहरुले त समाचारबाट मात्र सुनेका थियो तर यो पढेपछि ती घटेका दुःखदायी घटनाहरु आफैले प्रत्यक्ष रुपमा भोगेको जस्तै महसुस हुन्छ । कसरी मानिसहरु भेला भइ जङ्गल पसे र कसरी युद्ध सुरु भयो भन्ने बारेमा चर्चा गरिएको छ ।
यस उपन्यासमा मुख्य पात्रका रुपमा दृश्य पल्पसा छिरिङ फूलन सिद्धार्थ आदि र अन्य सहयोगी पात्रका रुपमा रहेका छन् । हरेक पात्रको भूमिका फरक फरक रहेको छ र सबैका आ-आफ्ना विशेष्ता रहेका छन् ।
दृश्य एक चित्रकार हो । उ देश विदेश घुमी चित्र कोर्ने गर्दछ । मानिसहरु भन्छन् चित्रकारहरुको स्वभाव आम मानिसभन्दा अलि भिन्दै हुन्छ । यस उपन्यासमा पनि दृश्यको चरित्र अलि भिन्दै छ । उसलाई शान्त वातावरण मनपर्छ र एकान्तमा बस्न रुचाउँछ । अरु कसैसगँ उसको त्यती मेलमिलाप छैन । उसले आफ्नो चित्रहरु सङ्कलन गरी आफ्ना कृतिहरु प्रकाशित गरेका छन् । यीनै कृतिले गर्दा दृश्य र पल्पसाको भेट भारतीय शहर गोवामा हुन्छ । पल्पसा दृश्यका ती कृतिहरुबाट निकै प्रभावित हुन्छे र त्यसै कारणले तिनीहरुको मित्रता बढ्छ ।
पल्पसा एउटी तरुनी युवती हुन् जो भख्खरै विदशबाट नेपालमा बस्ने भनेर फरकेको हुन्छ । विदेशमा हुर्कीएकोले उनी नेपाली बोल्दा वीचमा अङ्रेजी भाषाको प्रयोग गर्छे चाचल स्वभावकी छ र जे कुरा पनि खुलस्त रुपमा भन्छिन् । उनलाई विदेश फर्कने रहर छैन । दृश्यलाई भेटेपछि नेपालमा बस्ने इच्छा अझै बढ्छ । उनलाई आफ्नो हजूरआमासगँ बसी यहीँ काम गर्ने इच्छा छ । पल्पसासगँको मित्रता बढेपछि दृश्य हजूरआमासगँ पनि नजिक हन्छ र हजूरआमालाई पनि दृश्य आफ्नो छोरा जस्तै लाग्छ । त्यसैगरी अरु पात्र छिरिङ दृश्यको मिल्ने मित्र हो । फूलन दृश्यको सेक्रेटरी हो । अन्तिममा दृश्यलाई पल्पसाको नाममा एउटा क्याफे खोल्ने इच्छा हुन्छ जसमा उ पल्पसा सिरिज भनि आफ्नो पल्पसाका बारेमा चित्रहरु प्रस्तूत गर्न चाहन्छ ।
काठमाडौँमा एक दिन बडो नराम्रो घटना हुन्छ । ह्ाम्रो पुजनीय राजा बिरेन्द्र तथा राजदरबार हत्याकाण्डको असहिय घटना घट्छ र देशलाई अशान्तिको कालो बादलले ढाक्छ । देशमा प्रलय आउँछ । बन्द हडताल कर्पु्यू बम बिस्फोटन नैराश्यता दुःख पिडा आदिको आगमन हुन्छ । विस्तारै जङ्गल पस्न गाउँ-गाउँबाट मानिसहरु पार्न शुरु हुन्छ । यसरी नै हाम्रो देशमा सङ्कटकालले पाइला टेक्छ र यु¢ तथा आन्दोलन हुन्छ । यसै गरी बिभिन्न अपि्रय घटनाका साथ कथा अगाडि बढ्छ ।
प्रेमको मिठास संसगैँ यु¢को भयलाई साथसाथै लगेको छ । आफ्नो गाउँघरप्रतिको प्रेम देशप्रतिको प्रेम लेखकप्रतिको प्रेम कलाप्रतिको प्रेम प्रेम-प्रेमिकावीचको प्रेम आदिले प्रेमको परिभाषा दिएको छ । त्यसैगरी पुस्तान्तरको प्रतिध्वनि पनि प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ । लोकतन्त्रको गुाजन पनि पाइन्छ यसमा । आप्रवासी चेतनाको पनि वर्णन छ । भूमण्डलीकरणले गर्दा यूवा पिडीमा प्रभाव परीसकेको भन्दै देखाउँदै नयु संस्कृतिले घेर्दै गएको पनि प्रस्तुत गरेको छ ।
वाग्लेले आफ्नो कथाले सबैको मन छुन सफल भएको छ । कथालाई निकै रोचक ढङ्गले अगाडि बढाएको छ । यस उपन्यासले हरेक नेपालीको मर्मलाई शब्दमा उतार्ने कोशिश गरेको छ र सफल पनि भएको छ । तसर्थ मदन पुरसकार प्राप्त गर्ने यो उपन्यास नारायण वाग्लेको एउटा उत्कृष्ट रचना हो भने फरक नपर्ला ।

हिटलर र यहुदी पढेपछिको मेरो अनूभव

2008-12-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

अस्तित्ववादी उपन्यासकार विश्वेशवरप्रसाद कोइरालाद्वारा लिखित हिटलर र यहुदीले मेरो मन छोएको छ । यसमा हिटलरले यहुदीहरुसँग गरेका दुरव्यवहारलाई निकै मार्मिक ढङ्गले प्रस्तुत गरिएका छन् । ुमु पात्र लक्ष्मी नारायणन रेवा डेवीड थियोडोरा जस्ता पात्रहरुले आआफ्ना किसिमले आफ्नो विचार प्रस्फुटन गरेका छन् र सबैको प्रस्तुती उत्कृष्ट बनेका छन् । यो उपन्यास पढेपछि ममा हिटलरप्रति अझ घृणा जागृत भयो । एउटा मानिसले अर्को मानिसलाई जिउँदो जलाउँदा उसको मनमा पिडा भएन यु¢बाट साठीलाख यहुदीहरुको निर्ममतापूर्वक हत्या गरेर सिवाय तिरस्कार र निन्दाबाहेक के पायो उसले मानवसंहार गरेर के पायो उसले यस्तै किसिमका अनेक प्रश्नहरुको हुरी चलेको छ मेरो मनमा ।

प्रस्तुत उपन्यासमा ुमु पात्र स्वयं लेखक नै हन् । विश्वेशवरप्रसाद कोइराला वास्तविक जीवनमा जेल परेको कुरा त सबैलाई थाहै छ । जेलमा नै उहुलाई क्यान्सर जस्ता भयानक रोगले छोएको थियो र यसैको उपचारका लागि उनी यूरोप तथा अमेरिकासम्म पुगेका थिए । कोइराला आफ्नो जीवनकालमा इजरायल पनि पुगेका थिए भन्ने यिनको जीवन अध्ययन गर्दा थाहा हुन्छ । यी सबै कुराले ुमु पात्र स्वयं लेखक विश्वेशवरप्रसाद कोइराला नै हॊ र प्रस्तुत उपन्यास उनको आफ्नौ यात्रावृत्तान्त हॊ भन्न सकिन्छ ।

आत्मपरक शैलीमा लेखिएका यस उपन्यासमा लेखकले जीवनलाई अस्तित्ववादी दृष्टीले नियालेका छन् । जीवन एकदम जटिल छ । मानिसले बाँच्न ठूलो सङ्घर्ष गरिरहेको हन्छ । जस्तो सुकै कठिनाई भएपनि उसले आफ्नो जीवन एक्लै बिताउनु पर्ने हुन्छ । मान्छेहरु बाँच्न विवश छन् । जतिसुकै समस्याहरु भएपनि मान्छेहरु आफ्ना पिडालाई एक्लाएक्लै भोगेर बाँच्न बाध्य हुनाले कसैको जीव्ान पनि दुःख्ारहित छैन । त्यसैले कोही मानिस पनि एक्लो छैन ।

जीवन एउटा यात्रा हो । यसमा धेरै उकालो तथा ओरालोहरु आउँछन् । त्यसैले जीवन बाँच्नु भनेको पनि एउटा कला हो । जीवनमा आउने समस्याहरु सहन अथवा झेल्नका लागि बुि¢ लगाउन जान्नुपर्छ र कुनैपनि क्षणमा आउने सुखलाई केही नसोची भोग गरिहाल्नुपर्छ । हरेक मानिसको जीवनमा मृत्यु निश्चय छ तर त्यो कुन बेला आँउछ कसैलाई थाहा छ । बाँच्दाबाँच्दै एउटा क्षणमा अचानक मृत्यु हुन सक्छ । प्रत्येकको जीवनले यस्तो भयानक सत्य बोकिरहेको हुन्छ तरपनि मर्नुअगाडिको क्ष्।ण सामान्य नै लाग्छ । यी सत्यका कराहरु हामीले अनुभवबाट सिकेका हौं ।

प्रस्तुत उपन्यासमा हिटलरले यहुदीहरुसँग गरेका दुव्र्यवहार हामीले पढेर महसुस गर्न खोज्यौं तर जसले यी सत्य भोगेका र देखेका छन् तिनीहरुको भाव र पीडा त व्यक्त पनि गर्न सकिदैन । हामीलाई सुन्दा नै जीउ शिरिङ्ग हुन्छ भने भोग गरेकालाई कस्तो सास्ती भयो होला हिटलरले यस्तो कुकर्म गर्दा उसको हृदयमा अलिकति पनि छिया परेन होला

यु¢बाट कसैलाई पनि खुशी प्राप्त हंुदैन । यसले प्रलय बाहेक केही ल्याउदैन । यु¢ले मलाई हाम्रो आफ्नौ देशको सम्झना गराउँछ । हाम्रो देशमा पनि बिगत दश वषेँ यु¢बाट धेरै सहिद भए घरविहिन भए टुहुरो भए । यसले कसैको पनि हीत गरेन । यसले केवल गरिबी र अश्ाान्तिमात्र बढाँउछ । लडाइ समस्याको समाधान होइन भन्ने कुरालाई पनि यस उपन्यासमा दर्शाएको छ ।

with each sunrise, we start a new

2008-12-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

Radio : the most influential media outlet in Nepal

2008-12-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

The terminology ‘mass media’ is composed of two words ‘mass’ and ‘media’. It is the shorter form of ‘mass communication media’. Literally, ‘mass’ denotes the large number of people and ‘media’ are any physical tools used to communicate. Thus, ‘mass media’ means communication vehicles, such as newspaper, radio, TV, film, online, etc. which reach mass populations. These mass medium strengthen message to reach large audience. These are the means to carry messages to mass audiences.
In this age of science and technology, importance of mass media cannot be overestimated. It is felt difficult to spend a single day without the use of mass media. Deferent aspects of our social, political, economics, and personal are being influenced by mass media. Mass media work as an instrument for forming public opinion and expanding our national economy through advertising and publicity. They create as well as reflect people’s tastes, needs and requirements which lead to industrial and commercial enterprises.
In case of Nepal, Radio has proved to be the most influential mass media.Influence of radio on social relations is extremely significant. No aspect of our behavior, relationships and habits escapes the impact of radio.

Current scenario of Media in Nepal
The evolution of mass media in Nepal began with the introduction of the hand press in 1851 A.D. The printing of the first monthly magazine “Sudha Sagar” in 1891 actually signifies the beginning of Nepali journalism. Two years later in 1901, the first weekly newspaper was published which was converted into a daily newspaper in 1960. The first state owned “Gorkhapatra Corporation” came into being in 1964 and first English daily “The Rising Nepal” was brought out in 1965. With it, electronic broadcast as well was being established. The first radio station, Radio Nepal was established in 1951.
The information and communication revolution in Nepal seems to be centralized in the cities, mostly in Kathmandu valley. Most of the mass media, except few locally operating media, are focused to urban population. There is still lack of skilled manpower in this field.
Modern mass media have contributed reasonably to general awareness and development programs in various parts of the world. But, in case of Nepal, much still needs to be achieved in this regard. Most of our population lives in rural areas, yet the modern mass media are largely confined to the cities. Relying only in the modern and new media could create a communication gap between the relatively few modernized and educated urban dwellers and the mass of people who still live in rural areas. Such type of communication gap exists in Nepal.
Communication in less developed countries is constrained by economics, educational demographic factors. So is the case of Nepal too, low level of literacy means that broadcast media are of greater importance for reaching the masses than is the printed word.
The transportation system of Nepal has not been well developed. Similarly, the vast majority of Nepali people are still deprived of electricity. The condition of such infrastructural development obviously affects the development of mass media. Perhaps the political instability and violent conflict are the major problems. The situation of journalists and mass media industry as well is being very difficult and risky.

Newspaper
Although 85 percent of Nepalese live in rural areas, most mainstream Nepalese media published in the Kathmandu Valley ignores issues specific to those areas. Fifty-five percent of Nepal's 24 million population are illiterate, and poor roads and infrastructure limit print media distribution.
According to the latest report issued by the Press Council of Nepal, there are 205 regular news publications in circulation-35 dailies, 147 weeklies, 10 fortnightlies and 13 monthlies.
Because of poor road and transportation network, national newspapers reach only one-third of the district headquarters within 24 hours after publication. Nearly one-third of the other district headquarters has to make do with several days old papers.

Television
Beginning in December 1985, the state-owned Nepal Television Corporation began airing programs several hours daily. By the twenty-first century, there were 79,000 televisions in Nepal. Viewers often use satellite dishes to receive international broadcasts from CNN and the BBC in addition to Indian and foreign programs. Television is limited because only 15 percent of homes have electricity. Much broadcast media consists of entertainment rather than news.
Several private sector agencies have applied for licenses to operate their own television services. Cable networks offering various foreign channels are thriving-spread as they are in most urban parts. But they are prevented from extensive reach since less than 14 per cent of the population has access to electricity supply. Additionally, according to the highly underestimated official figure, more than 40 per cent of the population lives below poverty line. Television viewers in Nepal spend more time watching foreign channels than local channels simply because local channel basically means Nepal Television.
Nepal has witnessed rapid development in the field of television after the restoration of democracy. Now we have number of Nepali television channels and some others are likely to come. Thus increase in quantity is there. But they all are bring criticized for dominance of entertaining program, imitation of foreign channels, lack of educational and public awareness programs and lack of professionalism. Besides, television set is out of reach for the people of rural areas and most of the people in Nepal live in rural areas.

Internet
During the last decade of the 20th century, the advent of the World Wide Web marked the first era in which any individual could have a means of exposure on the scale of mass media.
Internet access is Nepal is limited by lack of equipment and related expenses. Journalists do not regularly use the Internet to research. Some sites post articles from the Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post online. However, in context of Nepal, internet is not the suitable mass medium. There is literacy barrier and internet is comparatively expensive than other media.

Radio
Radio is the most powerful media at present. It can transport its voice to millions of persons each day to far away places. Radio sets can be fit in private cars, taxis, buses, lorries. Radio transmission can cover a vast area with natural barriers and one can listen to radio programmes very well while he is engage in any physical even in intellectual work. The infrastructure required for radio transmission is also not so sophisticated and expensive like that for TV transmission. There are more radios than television in Nepal. Physically, radios are smaller, portable.

Importance of Radio
Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of mass communications in Nepal. In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved to be a very effective medium for disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses.
In case of Nepal, the large number of people is still unable to use print media. The illiteracy spread over the country is the barrier. There is question of purchasing power because you have to pay for every issue of magazines and newspapers. The ill transportation system discourages the distribution of print media and decreases the peoples’ access. In case of television, the sets are costlier. The lack of electricity also restricts the use of television. Thus radio medium is the only alternative for the people. Its easiness of being used while doing other works is also notable. There are various other reasons that depict radio as the most mass medium for Nepal.

Languages used in FM Radio
Since Nepal is a multilingual country, there are many languages used in FM stations. Some languages used are Newari, Tamang, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magar, Tharu, Gurung, Limbu, Awadi and Rai languages.

Current Status of radio stations in Nepal (as on April 15, 2008)

• Number of FM radio licenses issued: 272
• Operational FM radio stations: 136
• Operational FM radio transmitters: 161
• Multiple channel FM broadcasters: 4
• Multiple site FM radio broadcasters: 5
• FM broadcasters with satellite uplink: 5

Closed/dissolved radio stations
• Manakamana FM 92.24 Hz (Hetauda) - 500 watts (Private)
• HBC FM 94.0 MHz (Kathmandu) - 1000 watts (Private)

According to the research, the reasons for tuning or specifying the radio station as the favorite one were found to be largely based on the following reasons as mentioned by the respondents:
• Selection of songs/music
• Programs with superior content
• Style and language of program presentation
• The technical quality of the sound
• Friendly approach
• Content relevant to the community

Facts about Radio
• The Broadcast Audience Survey (BAS 2006-2007) shows that 65% of the country is covered by one of more of the FM radio signals for comfortable tuning to the radio frequencies. This percentage increases to 75% when calculated for the lowest signal level that can be received by a highly sensitive radio set.
• Housewives and shop owners are the most radio listening group in the country (32% each) while students (13%) are found to be the next most listening group in the country.
• Radio is available and accessible in 82% of Nepalese household while 59% of household has television, telephone 30%, newspaper 13%, magazines 5% and internet 1%.
• 76% of radio sets owned have both AM and FM tuners while around 7% of radio sets are only tunable to AM bands such as Medium Wave and Short wave.
• 56% of radio sets owned in the country are Chinese brands, while 37% of radio sets are Indian and 2.7% Japanese. 1.8 percent of radio sets are from rest of the countries.
• Radio is the most preferred source of information and entertainment with 64%, followed by television - 35%, newspapers 0.8% and internet 0.1%.
• FM radio is the most preferred (84.7%) frequency band among the radio bands, followed by Medium Wave (MW – 44.6%) and Short Wave (SW – 16.5%).
• The peak radio listening time is 6:00am – 8:00am in the morning and 6:00pm -10:00pm in the evening.

Conclusion
Media enrich our lives and brings us all information together, provide us with satisfying entertainment that relieves stress, and make us more aware of important public issues and problems. Technological advancement has made communication easier and the media has made the world smaller.
In Nepal, FM radios has proved to be effective among all manner of people, be they children, youths or elderly in terms of age, the poor or middle. Every people from any classes, age or caste have started thinking radio as one of the most effective mass media. It is the most suitable mass medium considering the geographical state as well. Hence in context of Nepal, radio is the most influential media outlet.

Reference
1. Adikari, Nirmala Mani. Advertising, Public Relatios and Media Issues, Prashanti Pustak Bhandari, Kathmandu, Nepal
2. Adikari, Nirmala Mani, 2008. Communication, Media and Journalism and Integrated Study, Prashanti Pustak Bhandari.
3. Guragain,Gopal Toya Ghimire.2005.Role aSthiti ra Pravriti, Kathmandu, M.S. Nepal.
4. Kharel, P., 2001. Media Issues in Nepal, Nepal Association of Media Education(NAME).
5. Sapkota, Premdarshan and Pradhan Paribesh et al. FM Radios as Source for News, Social Science Baha
6. Sinclair, John and Turner, Graeme. Contemporary World Television, British Film Institute.
7. Singh, U.K., Sudarshan, K.A. Discovery publishing House, New Delhi.
8. The Right to tell: The Role of Mass Media in Economic Development, WBIv Development Studies, 2002, Washington D.C.

Websites
www.asiawaves.net
www.fesnepal.org
www.gfa.org
www.mondotimes.com
www.nepaldemocracy.org
www.nepalradio.org
www.radionepal.org
www.radiostationworld.org
www.pressreference.com
www.sarai.net
www.socyberty.com
www.stateofthenewsmedia.org
www.wikipedia.org

Its high time we save our culture

2008-12-29T05:51:00.000-08:00

The Kite Runner

2008-12-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel, ‘The Kite Runner’, is an extremely wonderful piece that tells about the beauty of Afghanistan and the change after war. The writer’s way of expressing and describing the feelings of characters and background is excellent. When I read the book, I dealt with all of my emotions. It had been able to create vivid images of characters and surroundings. This book has portrayed the beautiful part of Afghanistan which we mostly don’t think of and has shown the changes brought by terror.

The Kite Runner has the two main characters; Amir, privileged Pastun boy and Hassan, a low class Hazaara boy who lived in Kabul. They both were very fond of flying kite. They used to climb trees in driveway of their house and Amir always used to read his story books for Hassan since he was uneducated. Hassan’s bravery and loyalty nature was one of the reasons for Amir’s hatred toward Hassan. Though Hassan, one day, faces the tragic sexual harassment by Assef, Amir doesn’t go ahead to save him which marks the turning point of the story. Amir’s jealousy towards the love for Hassan from his father compels Hassan to leave the house. Then the story follows as Amir also leaves the country because of war. The challenges they both face for being privileged and unprivileged is the most heart saddening part of the story.

The story depicts about the war and its consequences in Afghanistan and the autocratic rule of Taliban. However, Hosseini with his simple language has elucidated the real meaning life and hardship we suffer. The line by Hassan, for you a thousand times, to Amir at the end becomes the line for Sohrab, Hassan’s son, which was bestowed to Hassan for his brotherly friendship. Overall, the story is about loss of lives, friendship, emotions, joy and pride. But the best part of the story is it ends with hope.

Mimamsa and globalization

2008-12-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

Mimamsa(Sanskrit, investigation) is one of the six orthodox schools (darshanas) of Hindu philosophy.

The Mimamsaka philosophers, following the principles of Jaimini, stress fruitive activity and say that if there is a God, He must be under the laws of fruitive activity. In other words, if one performs his duties very nicely in the material world, God is obliged to give one the desired result. According to these philosophers, there is no need to become a devotee of God. If one strictly follows moral principles, one will be recognized by the Lord, who will give the desired reward. Such philosophers do not accept the Vedic principle of bhakti-yoga. Instead, they give stress to following one's prescribed duty.

The main objective of the Purva ("earlier") Mimamsa school was to establish the authority of the Vedas. Consequently this school's most valuable contribution to Hinduism was its formulation of the rules of Vedic interpretation. Its adherents believed that revelation must be proved by reasoning, that it should not be accepted blindly as dogma. In keeping with this belief, they laid great emphasis on dharma, which they understood as the performance of Vedic rituals. The Mimamsa accepted the logical and philosophical teachings of the other schools, but felt that these paid insufficient attention to right action. They believed that the other schools of thought, which pursued moksha(release) as their ultimate aim, were not completely free from desire and selfishness. In hinduism, we are all illuminated under the light of god. When we have moksha, we believe that we become closer to god. According to the Mimamsa, the very striving for liberation stemmed from a selfish desire to be free. Only by acting in accordance with the prescriptions of the Vedas could one attain salvation (rather than liberation). At a later stage, however, the Mimamsa school changed its views in this regard and began to teach the doctrines of God and mukti (freedom). Its adherents then advocated the release or escape from the soul from its constraints through what was known as jnana (enlightened activity). While Mimamsa does not receive much scholarly attention these days, its influence can be felt in the life of the practising Hindu. All Hindu ritual, ceremony and religious law is influenced by it and it is all because of globalization.
The mimamsa philosophy, believes in fruitive activity, has led people to work hard. The hard working results in development in every sector like technology, communication, economics, etc and with it brings negative effects and it can be explained it terms of globalisation.

Dashain aayo!!!

2008-10-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Dashain, the most awaiting occasion for every Nepali people,has brought much excitement and happiness in everyone's face.For some, it might be 'dasha' but for others, it is the festival to throw all the tensions at one side and enjoy as much as they can. Everyone has packed their bags and has headed towards their destination,their home place. People are excited to fly into linge ping and get lost in playing cards.However, no matter how we celebrate it, we should always be in certain limits.

The Nepali American Dreamers

2008-10-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

The term “American Dream” was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book ‘The Epic of America’ which was written in 1931. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are certain unalienable rights. These sentiments can be considered as the foundation of the American dream.

In his essay ‘the American dream’ which was published back in the October 1973 issue of The Freemen, John E. Nestler reflects “American dream was once equated with certain principles of freedom, it is now equated with things. The American dream has undergone a metamorphosis from principles to materialism… When people are concerned more with attainment of things than with the maintenance of principles, it is a sign of moral decay. And it is through such decay that loss of freedom occurs.”

The American Dream can be described as a belief in freedom that allows all citizens and non residents of the United States of America to achieve their goals in life through hard work. Today, in America it generally refers to the idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work, not on a rigid class structure, though the meaning of the phrase has changed over America's history. For some, it is the opportunity to achieve more prosperity than they could in their countries of origin; for others, it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and career opportunities; for others, it is the opportunity to be an individual without the constraints imposed by class, caste, race, or ethnicity. While the term "American Dream" today is often associated with immigrants, native-born Americans can also be described as "pursuing the American Dream", "living the American Dream" or "living the Dream."
The American Dream is the fulfillment of America's promise of equal freedoms, equal opportunities and equal protections.
Different people have different perception on American dream throughout the world. Some say that American dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity yet others look towards a new American dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple fulfilling life.

Even people in Nepal have their own little American Dream where they aim to go to America someday for a better education and a better life. America to Nepalese is synonymous to opportunity, success and wealth. We view America as the land of opportunities and wouldn’t hesitate to go there at any chance we get.

More and more youth are going to the United States for education and many more go there for better job prospects. Every year when the forms of Direct Visa (DV) are distributed, thousands of Nepalese fill the form with the hope that they will get to go to America-the land of opportunity.

Currently a huge number of Nepali youths are abroad studying and the number is increasing day by day. The flow of Nepali students abroad has surged in recent years, making Nepal one of the major countries of origin for foreign students in western and Australian universities.

The United States tops the list of most preferred destination countries for Nepali students. In the academic year 2004/05 alone, 4,861 Nepali students went to US universities, up by 11 percent compared to the previous year. The figure is growing so fast that Nepal is now amongst the top 25 countries (ranking 23rd) that send students to the US, and the fastest growing country of origin, according to a survey by US-based Institute of International Education (IIE). In other words, no other country matched Nepal's growth rate in 2005 for sending students to the US. The United States Education Foundation (USEF), citing worldwide policy, refused to provide information about how many Nepalese actually applied for US student visas. But it did say that the foundation had 47,000 visitors in 2004.

We can go to any country around the world to make a fresh start but most Nepalese prefer to go to America. Though there are many other countries which can fulfill their dreams, America is always the first choice. The Nepalese that go to America have their own perception of the American dream. For most, it is a degree from a nice university, a car and a well paying job but still the different individuals view the dream differently.

Sujata is a shy, 20 yr old, freshmen at Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania who hopes to graduate with good grades and find a good job. She wishes to come back to Nepal someday. Her first priority is education followed by family and career. She thinks it is much more difficult for Nepalese to achieve the American dream than it is for the Americans.

Rabin, 27 yrs old, went to the US after he got DV lottery 5 yrs back. He considers that he has achieved a better life for himself and his family after getting to America. He lives there alone and sends money to his family living back in Nepal. He plans to come to Nepal for his retirement.

Binita, 21 yrs old, works 50 hrs per week to support herself. She never have thought it would be so difficult. According to her, when staying in America, the things you will have to struggle constantly with are-adjustment, money and food. But she believes that her problems will get easier once she graduates.

Niti, 23yrs old, just got her degree in engineering and she plans to go to the U.S. for her masters. She had tried to go to the U.S. even for her undergrad but she didn’t get the visa. This time, she is determined to land there. She believes that she can explore her potentials in the U.S. and that she will get better opportunities and will earn more in America. Most of all, she wants to live away from her family and make it as an independent woman.

Sheetal, 31 yrs old, a doctor, went to US 2 yrs back to work as a doctor and she has got a license for working as doctor but hasn’t got job yet. So she works as a temp in a lot of places. She could have earned a lot here in Nepal but she wishes to pursue her dream in the U.S.
Causes of Nepalese going to the U.S.

1. Education system

The education system isn’t so good in Nepal. In Nepal, courses are based more on theories and student feel the lack of pratical knowledge. So, people go to the US with the dream of getting quality education. People consider that if you are a graduate from an American University, it is always an advantage. Even in the job market, a graduate from America is given more priority than a graduate from a Nepali University irrespective of the grades and the university they are from. Due to continuous strikes, a course of 1 year can even take an extra six months to complete. Students sometimes have to wait for an entire year for their results. If the education process was much smoother, people might have stayed here.

2. Economic system

Nepal is a third world country. Nepal is rich in natural resources though it has not been able to utilize its resources in a sustainable way. It has affected the economic system of Nepal resulting into unemployment. Since people can’t find proper work in their country, they tend to search for prospects elsewhere. People get degrees but they cannot find a job they like. They feel they cannot find a job that suits their qualification. Even if they do, they get paid much less than their expectations. The prices of every goods are raising day by day. People are getting frustrated because of the sky high living expenses. There is shortage of everything. There is lack of petrol, water, electricity, facilities, etc. People spend a lot on their education but they dont feel they get much in return. People think investing in Nepal is useless. So instead of investing their money in their country, they invest it in other countries hoping they will get a good response.

3. Political System

For a long time, Nepal has been facing political instability and so the development areas have been in a virtual standstill. Noone knows what is going to happen next. There are always strikes because of political reasons. Even the education and the economic sector have suffered a lot. Due to the lack of stability and security, people prefer to go outside where they think a better future is a guarantee. People believe that their talent and their struggle will never be valued in Nepal so they look for places where their effort will be recognized.

4. Preconceived notion

People believe that in the US, everything will be Ok. They think they’ll get a good job, better lifestyle. They believe they can achieve everything after they step to US. What they do not realize is they will have to work hard to earn it.

5. Bandwagon

So many youngsters are going abroad. Any one member from each family is going to America. So people follow the same rule. When all your friends are leaving one by one, it only seems logical that you follow them too.
Mass media has also played an important role in this. We hear about so many rags to riches stories of Americans and we are hopeful that we will be one of them. In today's world of globalization, American culture dominates the popular culture all around the world. The American way of life has been made popular by movies, music and so on. Hence the youngsters have the rage to go to the US and live the American dream.

6. Social aspects

We all have our own social values and assumptions. We are bound with cultural beliefs. Nowadays, most youngsters prefer to live their life in their own way. For them, these cultures seem to be obstacles for their happiness. So they prefer to go abroad and live their life in the way they wish to. Besides, the families whose member has gone to US are considered more important. They are treated with special deference.

Advantages of studying in US
• America is considered the center for Academic excellence.
• More options career wise and course wise.
• Well recognized degree all over the world.
• Opportunity to be independent and learn life skills.

When asked, “Why do you want to go to the US?”, Chahana,19, who is trying for her US visa, answered, “Because I am not satisfied with the course I am doing here.”
“Leaving your country for further study does not mean that you don’t love your country and not leaving it does not necessarily prove that you love it. Sometimes it is good to make decision which might seem ‘non-patriotic’ at first but in the long run it will prove to be more effective.”
She also says, “I want to go the US because I want to learn and explore the world and as of today there is no better place than us for studying as well as learning “Life Skills.” I have plans to return. As a more experienced person who can give much to the development of Nepal. And yea it is after all the Land of opportunities.”

Conclusion
The American dream has a universal appeal. It talks about values of equality, hard work, equal opportunity. At a time, when we are talking about Naya Nepal and about inclusion , the American dream seems very appropriate, we can adopt the American dream and work together as equals to achieve the dream of Naya Nepal.

We can achieve the American Dream anywhere we are, provided that we are willing to work hard and willing to face any obstruction in the way of success.

The trend of going to the US is still on the rise. People have so many dreams when they go to the US, some people are successful but others are not.

So many Nepalese regret going to America but most of them do not return because of the investment they had put in. But despite of all these failures, Nepalese have not stopped dreaming the American dream.

Decide your future!

2008-09-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

It’s been a month that the iron gate of every student, SLC examination, has finished. This examination has taken much preference in life of each student. And now all examinees are enthusiastic to go into high school. Most of them are preparing themselves by taking bridge course to get into good colleges and institution with enough scholarships. Even computer institutions are packed with students. Only few students spend their holiday by enjoying.

As soon as result is published, students will be busy looking for the colleges and get admitted. It is obvious that there will be bewilderment in choosing the right subject. No wonder most of the 1st division or distinction holder students will give priority to science and the rest will select commerce or humanities accordingly to their percentages. It’s not because of their interest but because of the stereotype that people have about the subject “science”. People believe that science is the best subject one should choose to achieve the success.

Generally, people think science students are masterminds, smart and hard workers. They say these students know the actual meaning of hard work. No matter how he behaves, he is good and painstaking and deserves respect.

Every parent has dream of making their child a doctor or an engineer but why do they only value these professions. There are many other jobs which not only have good position but also have satisfaction as well as happiness.

Many people forfeit their feelings by not studying the subject they have interest in. They tend to do so for the sake of their parents or for the image that society has. It leads them to flunk their subject resulting them into frustration and then let their life be miserable; the desire to study will go in vain hence get them into abusive works. It has happened with most of my friends too.

It’s true that science is a very hard subject and you need much effort. Likewise, other subjects as well are not easy. They also need to pay off equal effort and dedication. Why don’t people understand that every subject has its own charmness? Science teaches you to see the world scientifically and technically. Commerce teaches you to become competitive and tricky while humanities teach you to become creative and make you think beyond the door.

The intermediate level plays an important role in shaping your future and career. Thus it is very essential to choose right path according to what you aspire to become. What value most is your commitment to the subject matter and desire to achieve your goal. It is you who is going to study not others. Don’t hang-up your wishes. Then only you will be enjoying your study. It is high time to think for yourself. So be careful in deciding for your future.

Fed up with Bandas

2008-09-07T15:24:00.001-07:00

I used to be very happy when I didn’t have to go to college. A day banda was like a rest at home or refreshing day. I used to think there must be at least one such holiday every month. And this time, my wish came true as a series of days as holiday. But now I have realized how illiterate I was to think in such a way without imagining about its consequences. It is harming every individual’s life knowingly or unknowingly.

For the past couple of months, Nepal has been facing bandas continuously; sometimes by political leaders or by relatives of those killed in accidents or taxi drivers or petroleum suppliers or by transport entrepreneurs or by students and so on. The strike callers are of all varieties and it has got endless list. If anyone is not satisfied with what is happening in the country, they are free to protest anywhere at any time no matter what emergency is there with other people.

Everyone knows even a day banda can cause crores of loss but also no one cares about it since people think it’s not their problem, its government’s. It seems banda is the only solution for every problem regardless what the problem is. These bandas have become a part of our culture. We have to declare it for every chance we get to do it. And to celebrate it, we need to burn tyres and protest everywhere.

We are constantly talking about “Naya Ganatantric Nepal” hoping that it would bring peace in the country and it really is happening. There are no vehicles on the streets, no traffic jams and no noises, no pollution, no need to go to colleges and schools, no exams and so no tension at all. Yes, New Nepal is all about peace and harmony and it’s really very serene nowadays.

We say our country is economically poor and these bandas are making it poorer than before. The most affected people through these activities are the underprivileged one. Rich people can get through anyway. They have diverse source of income. But people who have to survive through daily wages are victimized. Their lives have become not less than living in a hell.

We, citizens, are the most powerful part of our nation. When we unite, we can do anything and we all know it. Loktantric Ganatantra Nepal is the proof of unity. But in case of strikes, it seems like we are misusing our power. We tend to look only to the positive sides of these strikes but beside it, there are more negative effects to everyone living in this country. It is not only the way to fulfill our wishes. There might be many other alternatives. Without destructing the lives of our own, cant we go for any other ways?