Wish you a Happy Dashain, wonderful Ramdan and a Mindblowing Vacation!

Hatyo Sara Hilo Mailo
Harayo Paniko Barsha
Bhawani ko bhayo puja
Chalyo Anandako Barsha
Thula Sana Sabai Bhanchan
Dashain aayo, dashain aayo………………………….

Leknath Poudel

Its an uninhabited part of the city, so close to it yet so far from its hustle and bustle. Blue skies above and a vast expanse of green below, I could spend a lifetime staring outside the window or lying on the terrace below the cloudless sky.

The holidays have begun and what more its DASHAIN! And nothing can beat the experience of being in Kathmandu during this time of the year. Flower blossoms, the humming bees,birds flying in flocks across the blue skies and the perfect amount of sunshine, just enough to warm your skin. The feeling is plain Heavenly! Take a walk down the streets and you can see white mountains peeping into the valley from their regular hideouts. Its the capital at its best. Stop for a while to look around while crossin the road ( even the busiest of traffic as in Baneshwore and Koteshwore ) and the world of beauty unfolds. Kathmandu is the melange of the Good, Bad and the Ugly. You walk beside the garbage dump while your eyes savor the sight of the mountains and the dark green painful hills. Can’t see any reason not to fall in love with this city

And before my writing takes up any whacko turns I would like to wish everyone a Mindblowing Dashain and a Wonderful Ramadan!( esp to Hysh and Gazi).

Hmm…given that I am not a social character, what’s the fuss about Dashain? The best part is the weather, ( DUH!)…then nothing really, ah..how can I forget the money part! Very selfish, but after all money is the third-eye opener even for Lord Shiva, I am but a mere mortal. LOL But just got the news that someone passed away So much for earning that extra “Do”. Maybe I will realize the importance of festivals and being with relatives if I am far from them someday. But “Fat Chance” a weirdo like me could be locked in a room, good music and good books take away the phone, television, even computer ( even though I am da Net ko Kira as my frens say) I would do perfectly fine. And even if I tried to be in the social gang, just can’t. I don’t know how to do anything other than make “Card houses”with the so called interesting cards, by the way what is Langur burja???!! Veggies don’t like the smell of meat too, and am just sick and tired of answering why Gave up meat question too! Come on, how many times do I need to say that : Was six years old and then gave up because they told me in school that killing animals for food was bad. Thank god, my parents respected the choice of a stubborn 6 yr old So sweet of my buda-budi.

Cabbage RoX

And what about the shopping? It makes me roar with laughter. As a kid, I would cry, yell and throw a tantrum everytime we had to go shopping.Now, I go out with Dhungz and anything I bring home is welcomed with a question :” What’s this, some new cloth to wipe the floor?” What respect of my shopping sense. I am still attempting to improve it. Any tip is most welcome. If I buy a t-shirt for 600 bucks, my sister goes its worth only 200, if its something that cost only 200, she says only 100, that’s the maximum cost and if its 100 she goes: “wouldn’t have bought it even if it were only Rs 2″! And if the 100 thing is a surprise to you, don’t be this year every thing in town has gone really cheap. The purchasing power parity of us students has surely gone up. I bought a real cool jeans at mere 275 but “Say” told me she bought her pair at 190!!! I would surely love to know where she shops! Wear Cheap, think big and act smart: that’s my style. What’s yours? Not that I wouldn’t love to be a branded person but then a Reebok t-shirt for some thousand bucks! Yeso ganti heri haad nilnu paryo ni, kamai zero and luga chahin hero! That so uncool. It sucks actually.But if you just can’t resist that lifestyle then head to “Bluebird Bird Mall” a new shopping paradise in town, over 60 or so branded shops. Haven’t been there though, just heard of it. Can’t afford a Price Induced Heart Attack, so young.

Moving on to the other aspect of Dashain is “Being with friends and relatives is the best part of festivals” cliche. To begin with “Being with friends” is a white lie, who doesn’t know friends will be busy with their relatives ( in case both aren’t far from their families) and relatives, I feel as though I am forced to know them! It’s a lot easier dealing you people you chose to know isn’t it? But relatives are a compulsion,never an option. As kids you are the inseparables, but as time passes cousins turn into mere familiar faces. Where’s the fun in being together when all that you converse in your rare meetings is what you study, which year and then a abrupt halt. Like a car coming to a screeching halt, knowing not where to head for or rather unwilling to go any further. As kids we were crazy about a sister of ours, always yelling ” …dijju” and all, then we went to hostel, barely saw her family, she went abroad, he went away too and now it only a “Lalmohan khane” place for us! The family bond isn’t so strong in nuclear families I guess. Sometimes I wish ours was a large family too, like a lot of Bahuni sathis I have hahaha..seems like the Bahuns( not trying to be ‘castist’ if the word exists as every “term” seems to erupt a controversy these days and the ambiguos meaning is always there) really yielded to that ” Santan le Dadakada dhakos” blessing in dashain. They seem to have folks living all over the country, all parts of the capital, just everywhere. A fren of mine has over 1000 members in the immediate family tree!!So kool..in my case am the eldest grandchild in my maternal side, come 4-5th in the paternal side too. No one my age, and am not exactly great with kids too. And what more, I and my sister are responsible for naming any new kid born to my maternal uncles!! Have been doing the job since I was 10! Am working on the name of a baby boy at the moment too! Hahaha

Whatever the case, its Dashain so a compulsory time to Relax and have fun! So have the time of your lives flying kites, playing cards, drinking , dancing anything that makes you feel good. (I for one am enjoying these cool fast tracks in my stereo, can’t remember how many times I have jumped out of my chair for a dance as I write this entry.) And my heartfelt condolences to all the little hens, ducks, Bhedas and Chyangras along with the Khasi bokas in line to be murdered for food. Bohohohoohoh Not to forget the big eyed buffaloes all in the name of an Angry Goddess ( apologies lord). Thank God these Non-Vegs haven’t moved on to eating the Vegs! Well, can’t say don’t eat em but don’t overeat to an extent that you can barely leave one place to put Tika in the other.

Happy Holidays!!

(Well, I am heading for my Mamaghar ( after 10 years man)morrow morning! Yahoo, finally going somewhere Miss me . Not sure of the others but Kale is surely gonna miss me. Hehehehe I think I am going insane , so excited man.C ya on the other side of Dashain.)

The small creature is not at all confused about what it wants, unlike men and women, who have the ability to conceal their deepest desires. Men and women, after all, can hide their love away.Men don’t chase after cars. Women don’t throw themselves upon cement doorsteps curled up in a heap until somebody opens the door and finally lets them inside.

Among men and women, those in love do not always announce themselves, with declarations and vows. But they are the ones who weep when you’re gone. Who miss you every single night, especially when the sky is so deep and beautiful, and the ground so very cold.

Alice Hoffman (Here on Earth)

Da Party

The Warrior knows that no man is an island.
He cannot fight alone:whatever his plan, he depends on other people.He needs to discuss his strategy, to ask for help, and -moments of relaxation-to have someone with whom he can sit by the fire, someone he can regale with tales of battle.
But he does not allow people to confuse this camaraderie with insecurity. He is transparent in his actions and secretive in his plans.
A warrior of light dances with his companions, but does not place the responsibility for his actions on anyone else.

Paulo Coelho ( Manual of the Warrior of Light)

(Hey, hope this Paulo Coelho doesn’t look as though I philosophize everything in life like my name! I just love these lines so putting it here hai. Now with that word of clarification let me just hit the bull’s eye.)

“Its so simple to be difficult but so difficult to be simple.” I heard these lines first from Vijay Kumar in one of his Dishanirdesh episodes. Liked the saying, so has stuck to my brain cells for a really long time. But is was only yesterday I attained that “BrahmaGyan”! ( Surprised by the choice of word? Don’t be. There’s so much more to The Real Me other than Howde Keti Ka Kura) ..So one needs to go through something to internalize anything don’t they? Make an attempt to guess my experience. Feeling somewhat funny, weird, shy and whatever writing this but I dare myself to say it all…Hahaha I broke my own boundaries! Didn’t undergo a total transformation as to being totally Unrecognizable but the black thing Nils put around my eyes and the matching earrings ( felt so heavy man) were enough.Does that make me a chor? I wonder. Nevertheless still retained the punk touch with my favorite sneakers with a lot of shoe literature like: “Alive and Kickin”, “Daz RoX”, “Get a Life Man” and “Let me be Me” scribbled on it.

The learning was indeed ,its soooooooo damn easy to be just another face in the crowd, going with the flow, being lost in the colors of eyeshadows and keeping the party tradition alive but try making an attempt at being The One in the crowd and the world of difference unfolds. I don’t say social gatherings provide so much of mental stimulation for nothing! Anyone can look hot or sexy given the reservation that they make an attempt, its a matter of choice. To stay the way you are, plain and pathetic( for fashionistas ) is a matter of guts. And if black lines around the eyes can make me realize such wonderful things maybe should plan of being a total Whacko next time. I might just attain Buddhahood!

I told her about it the moment the thought struck me. And she had something better to say:” Whatever the case, we are the students of an Integrated subject, and this crowd just represents that. We might feel out of place or anything else but there is no other place we would be feeling better too, just us.”

Then the show Kickstarted with a Bang!! It was well coordinated and the sing and dance sequences were great with some exceptions. Missed Kali’s dance, but Jaz rocked the stage with the “Tamang Selo” and Anupama just set the stage on fire. Hers was a solo performance a medley of Eng and Hindi numbers which had all eyes glued to her flexible body. Now, that you don’t know her, here’s a hint :she is Shakira and Beyonce combination. The Girl Can Surely Dance, no wonder the continuos “Once More” from the crowd. Simply Awesome! Just Mindblowing!

Talking of the so-so part was a disastrous performance by a junior of “One” by U2. But being a spectator is way lot easy that being out on the stage. So I still admire his guts. The “Like a Stone” by Audioslave performance was okie-dokie. The performers interested me more than the performance! hahaha. Well, it was by the freshers of BDevs and BDFins so a chance to see them too! One guitarist wore an earring had “halka dadi” too , the other wore a t-shirt with the “Swastika” sign on it while the drummer ( who already seems to be popular among the girls) had his eyebrows pierced. But what fate man, they’re our juniors. Guess, its exploitation to be making passes at little brothers! LOL But looks matter less once you speak out and reveal that Unkool side of yours. That’s what exactly happened in case of the drummer. He was one of the contestants in “Mr Fresher” program as nominated by his friends. Actually if I were the judge would’ve given a big zero to all the guys.

When asked “Why do you think your friends nominated you as a contestant?” A long haired guy answered ” It was a mistake.” What an answer!
The other had a short “No” for an answer to the question “Do you think cell phones should be allowed in the class?” Oh give me a break!
The other spent more time thinking with his “Hmmm…..” than answering. As for the drummer guy though he won the Mr Fresher title I don’t remember his answer other than complementing the Devs Society President for looking so pretty. It was just as terrible as the rest. But at least he played drums well.

The Miss Fresher had gave an interesting answer to the overheard question ” What would you do if you won a million dollars?” “I would donate half a million dollars to the college so that they would have better infrastructures, a larger canteen and then I would be able to perform on a stage within the college itself. With the rest I would freak out.” It had us cheering and clapping. The administration budas sure got a “Jhatka”. I think someone from the back yelled it to the teachers too! And with the stage performance over, it was time for the most awaited part “Da Dance”.

Most of the numbers played were Hindi ones, they even had the dance version of a slow number like “Jiya Dhadak” from “Kalyug” which really surprised me but less compared to his action, taking my hand for a duet! LOL He later told me it was the first time he’d ever danced in public so the uncoordinated moves can be considered. But don’t be fooled he was dancing with every girl in sight. It was loads of fun especially dancing in “Tal ko pani” by Nepathya with another guy .

So, after dancing continuosly in the fast numbers I slipped away to take a break. He was back beside me asking “What’s wrong?”
“Feeling damn hot, man.” I answered.
Which brought the Line of the Night for an answer:” Tyo kina bhako bhane , bhitra ra bahira duwai ko aago ekachoti baliracha!” ( that’s because the internal and external fire have both been lighted.” Give it all to him for coming up with such dialogues.

He called me later and had very interesting insights about the party. One of which was the disco lights that provide psychological stimulation resulting in the male and female dance!! Anyways we have more females in college than males, so they are a scarce resource . But talking of the dance, the freshers seem to have had a great time dancing with us ( the experienced 3rd yr gals) hahaha. Well, I would keep ending up in front of this new guy , intially felt funny but after ending up together innumerous time grew used to him LOL. The best part was dancing( not with the fresher though) in “Kya mujhe Pyar he” from the yet to be released movie “Woh Lamhe” …….I simply LooooooVe the song: the video ,the lyrics, Shiney Ahuja, everything about it. Let me type the starting lines:
“Kyun aja kal nid kam khwaab jyaada hai,
Lagta khuda ka koi nek irada hai,
Kal tha fakir, aja Dil Sehejada hai,
Kya mujhe pyar hai, kesa khumar he ya…..” WOW!

The program came to an end at 8( began at 1pm) with the final dance in “Koi Kahe” from Dil Chahata Hai. A youth anthem I would say. A Rocking Night For sure! Something we will talk about for quite sometime in college

For the warrior there is no such thing as an impossible love.
He is not intimidated by silence, indifference or rejection. He knows that, behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire.
This is why the warrior takes more risks than other people. He is constantly seeking the love of someone, even if that means often having to hear the word ‘no’, returning home defeated and feeling rejected in body and soul.
A warrior never gives in to fear when he is searching for what he needs. Without love, he is nothing.

Paulo Coelho (Manual of the Warrior of Light)

Somewhere I belong

The warrior of light behaves like a child.
People are shocked, they have forgotten that a child needs to have fun and to play, to be slightly irrevelant and to ask awkward, childish questions, to talk nonsense that not even he believes in.
And they say, horrified: ‘So this is the spiritual path, is it? He’s so immature!’
The warrior feels proud of such comments. And he remains in touch with God through his innocence and his joy, without ever losing sight of his mission.

Paulo Coelho ( Manual of the Warrior of Light)

Its supposed to be a family joke but “making me laugh” is the last thing the so called Gr8 Joke will ever do. Was eight to be exact and was caught red handed talking to a Buffalo Don’t know if you find that weird or whatever but it passes as a perfectly sane activity for me. My folks seem to hold a different view, therefore the joke. Its like “Oh I this so this is the Buffalo Whisperer daughter!! “.But that doesn’t deter me from doing the same till date..I walk around in Ktm town passin my “hullo Lonely bull”, “hey sleepy dog” loud and clear. Kamlesh does the same I know, at least he did while on the Jiri Trip going “Oie hawa bol na”. Psycho! . Bear with me, this psycho guff written above is a necessary evil for what I have to say below.

Am not a social person if “Social animal” holds the exact defination as it did in School Social Studies book. If it is something like the “Bees are a social insect” thing then I am social, well can work in group for that matter. But then…My “Bee like social” nature doesn’t pass me for a interesting character in social gatherings etc. So detecting the weird trait in my early childhood itself, mom and dad held the regular “Spend more time mingling with human species and less talking with animals” session every single holiday while home from hostel. As a kid I did go through them all making a face but now they well know its like banging their head against the wall so am Free!!..

You could call me a Loner, am good with people but then making friends, partying the night away isn’t my idea of fun…well love dancing, being out with frens and laughing my heart out, my signature “hahahaha” but then..when it comes to parties like we’re having one morrow “Welcome Party” they say..I feel totally out of place. Its like the overwhelming “Wherever I go, I am the absence” taking over me. The dress babble, the make up chatter ah..leaves me wishing for the umpteenth time that there were at least 5 gals like me. Hmmm..then we could be something like the Geek Gang in “Never Been Kissed” who are Barrymore’s friend coming to the Prom nite dressed up as Gymnasts or astronauts! LOL

Well, last time I turned up in Da Welcome party in the College t-shirt. But the great excuse was we had the Japanese Project work going on, so no dressing up! But I guess when you don’t enhance your girly instincts with time you turn into some kind of weirdo. The Punk style is a great solace but the “Bal Matlab” style doesn’t always work. Well, I have plenty of experience. Trust me.

This time, the usual worries are already there but worst part is Dhungz won’t be there. The chit of a gal is leaving for Tehrathum morrow morn. Bohooohohoh , just bid her a long Hug Farewell. Others dudes are busy trying out halters and tanktops. God, will miss dancing with her like last time especially in “Dus Bahane” karke legai dil! hmm….looking forward to dance in “Promiscuous Girl” or boy, whatever by Nelly. Love the beat..but no Akon’s “Lonely”, come on its not something to dance it( not for me atleast).

Nyways my mind is attacked by a myriad of thoughts whenever I am in such places. Everything around me provides so much of food for thought: Girls making sure every one’s complimented them on their good looks, guys watching them from a safe distance across the room, the latest Beyonce dance moves, the show offs, this that…and yah I won’t sulk in the corner for sure. After all I would do anything for a little bit of mental stimulation, just anything for it! hahahah Talking of which there’s a Documentary called “Arms for the Poor” being shown at Martin Chautari at 3pm today, only 26 minutes..Be there if you want! N ya if you see any girl in braces..that will be me. Say a Hello! Don’t be scared hai, braces aren’t “Arms” of destruction for sure! LOL As for me..gotta head home now, growing hungry.

( this writing must be damn winding and wht not! Bear with me..But who Cares!)
Ani jada jadai… Happy International Peace Day!! N just got the news that there’s a Peace rally being held at around 5:30 too…Be there if you want to give a Shot at Bringing Peace By Rallying!! Byeeeeee

A warrior of light knows that certain moments repeat themselves.
He often finds himself faced by the same problems and situations, and seeing these difficult situations return, he grows depressed, thinking that he is incapable of making any progress in life.
‘I’ve been through all this before,’ he says to his heart.
‘Yes, you have been through all this before,’ replies his heart.
‘But you have never been beyond it.’
Then the warrior realizes that these repeated experiences have but one aim: to teach him what he does not want to learn.

Paulo Coelho (Manual of the Warrior of Light)

Just a Little Crush..I accept! hahaha

Hmm seems like I have this space to my divine eyes only! hahah kool I can write about all the nuisance going on it life.. Kool nuisance actually! like realizing it was Vartan all along that I liked! hahah let me help myself decipher my code( now that I don’t have any unknown visitors, as it seems ) Well, years ago when I was a kid, I watched the movie “Never Been Kissed” , am sure everyone has! I loved it, don’t know why but could relate to the Barrymore character there. Didn’t put braces then, and wasn’t unpopular as such too but something in the movie just touched me! hehehehe..and I loved the guy who finally kisses Drew..Hahaha!

Yesterday it was on Star Movies, and only then did I come to know It was the Man Michael Vartan Himself! Well, I have a huugge crush on him..I liked the “the then unknown guy in NBK” years before I turned into a Huge ALIAS fan, I thought Jennifer Garner and Vartan Looked great, don’t know if Axn still airs it, our cable’s got some problem so don’t have the channel. Nyways realizing that Vartan had been the man years later Felt soooo good! I couldn’t even sleep at nine( that’s my regular Doze off time) had to re-read interesting smses .. no, not vulgar jokes..don’t have them really…its like when u turn off the lights and read the sms…it strains the eyes! And back to Sleeep!

Back to Vartan, repeatin what I have already said above, and be will be re-stating that again and again. Be prepared! My Real Long Crush. Pierce Brosnan was my first crush, was 13 then and man was soooo hard to accept. And these crushes do we always have them ..like till you grow old or once in a committed relation is it strictly prohibited! I wonder. Hahahaha Whatever the case I think its kool to have a crush, you never wish to see them, talk to them ( as if it would materialize into reality even if you wished!) but just admire them from a real safe distance. I remember so much of Vartan from ALIAS, his entry in the show rocked, ah the raising of the eyebrows, the lines on his forehead. Yar, totally Fida! hahaha..Now let me stop before I become tooooo Revealing and someone rings to hire me as a Male Body Inspector LOL.

What about your crushes visitors i.e. if there is anyone other than Michael Vartan himself!

विचित्रका विरोध

Published in today’s Kantipur

‘के म राजेन्द्र भण्डारी हुँ ?’ गाडी चल्न छाडेको सुनेपछि बालुवाटारदेखि बालाजु पुग्नुपर्ने मेरा साथीले आक्रोश व्यक्त गरे । दुई साताअघि एका बिहानै अप्रत्याशित विरोध कार्यक्रमअन्तर्गत केही घन्टामै सडक अवरुद्ध पारिँदा साथीले हिँड्नुपर्ने भएको थियो । केही दिनअघि फेरि परिस्थिति दोहोरियो । ‘आज पनि राजेन्द्र भण्डारी भयौ त ?’ मैले उसलाई जिस्काएँ । ‘अरू त थाहा छैन,’ उसले जवाफ फर्कायो- ‘यस्तै हिँडिरहनुपरे अबको ‘साग’ मा पक्कै भाग लिनेछु ।’
हामी दुवै हिँड्न रुचाउँछौं । मध्यदिनको घाम होस् या साउने झरी, काठमाडौंका सडकमा हिँड्नुको मज्जा बेग्लै छ । एक बेरोजगार विद्यार्थीले पैदलयात्राको पक्षमा तर्क गर्दा तपाईंलाई ‘राम्रो बहाना’ जस्तो लाग्न सक्छ । तर चर्को भाडादरबाट तर्सेर पैदलयात्रीमा परिणत विद्यार्थीको काठमाडौंमा कुनै कमी छैन । कम्तीमा पनि हप्ताको एकपटक खुट्टा भाँचिनेगरी बाध्य भएर हिँड्नु नपरे त मलाई काठमाडौंको बासिन्दा हु भन्नेमै शंका हुन थाल्छ । हतारिँदै बिहान कलेज पुग्यो, दुई घन्टापछि सडक सुनसान पाउँदा पटक्कै आश्चर्य लाग्दैन । मानौं, राजधानीका सडक स्टेज हुन् र यहाँका घरी आक्रोशित त घरी हषिर्त जमातचाहिँ कलाकार । सरकारको पक्षमा होस् या विपक्षमा, मूल्य बढेको या घटेको, ड्राइभरद्वारा पैदलयात्री मारिएको या आपराधिक गुटले ट्याक्सीचालक हत्या गरेको निहुँमा हुने विरोधको काठमाडौंका सडकमा कुनै कमी छैन । विरोधको नाममा विरोध गर्नु यहाँको नवसंस्कृति हो भन्दा अत्युक्ति नहोला ।

१९ दिने अपि्रल क्रान्तिले जनतालाई अधिकार सम्पन्न तुल्यायो । देशलाई निरंकुशताबाट मुक्ति दिलायो तर त्यसले एउटा ‘लिगेसी’ पनि छाडेर गयो । आफ्नो अवाज सुनाउन सडक नै तताउनुपर्छ या विरोध सबैभन्दा प्रभावशाली माध्यम हो भन्ने गलत छाप छाड्यो । १९ दिनमा सम्पूर्ण राज्य व्यवस्था परिवर्तन हुन्छ भने आफ्नो दुनो सोझ्याउन एक दिन धर्ना र अनशन किन नबस्ने ? हामीलाई स्वतन्त्रताको पर्याप्त अनुभूति भएको छ तर लोकतन्त्रको बुझाइ बाइक हुइँक्याइ भएको छ । हेल्मेट नलगाउनुको मज्जा नै बेग्लै छ अरे । सायद सडक दुर्घटनामा परी सजिलै सुइँकिन होला । मोटरसाइकलमा तीन मात्रै किन, मान्छेको पिरामिड बनाएर वरपर गर्न पाउनुपर्छ भन्ने माग आउन बेर छैन।

बढुवाको निहँुमा निजामती कर्मचारीको विरोध, स्थायी हुन विश्वविद्यालय शिक्षकहरूको अनशन, त्यो माग पूरा भएको विरोधमा विद्यार्थीहरूको हाँसो जुलुस र सुविधाको माग गर्दै स्वस्थ्यकर्मीको हडताल । कम अंक आएको निहँुमा विद्यार्थीहरूद्वारा विश्वविद्यालयमा आगजनीको चलन त छँदैछ । हामी स्वयंलाई बाहेक वरपरका सबै कुरा परिवर्तन गर्ने हास्यास्पद चाह लिएर बढिरहेका छौं सबै लोकतन्त्रको नाममा ।

तेस्रो श्रेणी त्यही स्तरको अंक ल्याउनेहरूका लागि व्यवस्था गरिएको न हो । प्रतिस्पर्धा गरेर नियुत्तिm पाउ“m भन्नु त कहाँ हो कहाँ स्वतः नियुक्ति खोज्नेहरूको विरुद्धमा हाँसो जुलुस मात्रै होइन, महाअट्टाहास जुलुस निस्कनुपर्ने । समाजका विविध वर्ग र तप्काले नयाँ संरचनामा आफ्नो स्थान सुरक्षित गराउन खोज्नु स्वाभाविक होला तर संक्रमणकालमा यस्तै हो भन्ने बहाना पनि पुरानो भइसक्यो । हिंसाबिना विश्वइतिहासमै अभूतपूर्व परिवर्तन ल्याउने हामी नेपाली जनता त उदाहरण पो हुनुपर्ने होइन र ? विश्वका अन्य जनताको तुलनामा राजनीतिक दृष्टिले बढी चेलनशील भनिएका हामीले के त्यसको सही प्रयोग गरिरहेका छौं ?

बरु सदावहार विरोधका लागि बेलायतको लन्डनमा हाइड पार्क प्रयोग गरिएजस्तै काठमाडौंमा कुनै एउटा स्थायी व्यवस्था गरे कसो होला ? ३ सय ५० एकडको त्यस पार्कमा थरीथरीका प्रदर्शन हुन्छन् । स्याल मार्न पाऊँ भन्नेदेखि गाँजा खान पाउनुपर्‍यो भन्नेसम्मका र इन्धन मूल्यवृद्धिदेखि प्रहरी बलमिच्याइँविरुद्धका आवाज लिएर मान्छे त्यहाँ पुग्छन् । काठमाडौंमा पनि एउटा हाइड पार्क शैलीको विरोध क्षेत्रको आवश्यकता खड्केको छ । बरु सरकारले त्यो स्थायी विरोधस्थलमा एकजना प्रतिनिधि खटाइदिए हुन्छ ताकि त्यहाँ उठाइएका आवाजको रेकर्ड होस्् ।

अघिकार माग्दै हिँड्न साह्रै सजिलो छ तर कहिलेकाहीँ त कर्तव्यको पनि कुरा गरौं न । प्रसंग बाटोकै ल्याउँ । ठाउँठाउँमा ट्राफिक लाइटको व्यवस्था छ । पैदलयात्रीको अधैर्यलाई ध्यानमा राखेरै होला केही ठाउँमा सेकेन्डको गन्ती गर्न थालिएको छ । अक्षर नबुझ्नेका लागि हरियो र रातो मान्छेले पक्कै केही संकेत गर्छ होला । पढ्नेका लागि त भँगेराटाउके अक्षरमा ‘रातो बत्तीमा बाटो नकाट्नुहोला’ लेखिएकै हुन्छ । अरूको के कुरा, सर्ट पाइन्टमा ठाँटिएका विद्यार्थीले समेत बारखरी भुसुक्कै बिर्सेको नाटक गर्दै रातोमै बाटो काट्छन् ।

हरेकले आफ्नो दायित्व पूरा गर्ने हो भने बेथितिको सिर्जना हुने ठाउँ नै हुँदैन, होइन र ? अहिले हरेक क्ष्ाेत्रमा खोजिएको परिवर्तन त आफैंबाट सुरु हुनुपर्छ । अधिकारको प्राप्तिका लागि पहिले आफ्नो कर्तव्य पूरा गरेर त्यसको लायक हुनुपर्‍यो । जुलुस, धर्ना प्रजातन्त्रमा अधिकार माग्ने प्रचलित उपाय हुन् तर एउटा वर्ग या समूहकेन्दि्रत मागका लागि हजारौंको जीवनशैलीमा बाधा सिर्जना गर्नु कत्तिको जायज हो ? सडक र सार्वजनिक यातायात सबैको सरोकारको विषय हो । हिँड्नेहरूको स्वतन्त्रतामा कसैले दखल पुर्‍याउनु हुन्न । मनपराउनेहरू रुचिले हिँड्नु एउटा कुरा तर पुर्खा पहाडबाटै झरे पनि, सधै बालुवाटारदेखि लोकन्थलीसम्म पैदल हिँड्ने म पनि म्यारियन जोन्स पक्कै हैन ।

कलेज ड्रपआउटका कुरा

अभिनाशी पौडेल

Hey this was published in the Kantipur. Of course Written by AvinashiI loved it, take a read.

भदौ २९
पोहोर चैतमा स्नातक तह तेस्रो सेमेस्टरको परीक्षाको मुखैमा आएर मैले क्याम्पस छोड्ने निर्णय गरेँ । ‘ल ! किन ? के भयो ?’ प्रश्नै-प्रश्न ओइरो लागे । उत्तर दिनु सजिलो थिएन । छोडेँ त छोडेँ, अब कसैलाई कारण किन दिइरहनु ? त्यो निर्णयका पछाडि कारण नै नभएको चाहिँ होइन । न त त्यो कदम कुनै लहडीपन, आवेश वा मूर्खताको पराकाष्ठ नै थियो ।
‘कलेज ड्रपआउट ! ‘मैले जसरी क्याम्पस पढ्न छोडेकाहरूलाई संसारभरि दिइएको नाम । सुन्दा रमाइलो लाग्छ । संसारकै सबभन्दा धनी मान्छे माइक्रोसफ्टका बिल गेट्स पनि कलेज ड्रपआउट थिए रे । हा हा, चित्त बुझाउने बाटो । गुगलमा खोजे अरू पनि थुप्रै भेटिएलान् ।

‘कलेज ड्रपआउट’ हुनुमा मजा पनि छ, विशेषगरी पुनर्ताजगीे, तनावहीन र फरक अनुभवको तर यसमा धेरै बाध्यता छ, घाटा छ र साथै अनिश्चितता पनि । ‘पढ्न नसक्नेले क्याम्पस छाड्छन्,’ कलेज ड्रपआउटहरूको सन्दर्भमा आमधारणा हो यो । पछिल्लो समयमा देशमा स्कुल/कलेज ड्रपआउटहरूको संख्या ह्वात्तै बढेर गएको छ । हाम्रोमा सामान्यतया चार किसिमका स्कुल/कलेज ड्रपआउटहरू छन्- पहिलो, गरिबी वा अन्य पारिवारिक बाध्यताका कारण पढाइ छोडेर भारत, खाडी मुलुक वा अन्य देश गएकाहरू, दोस्रो सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वमा होमिएकाहरू, तेस्रो बिहेवारी वा बालबच्चा भएका कारण पढाइ छोडेकाहरू र

चौथो शैक्षिक असफलता वा अरुचिका कारण पढाइ छोडेकाहरू -जस्तै म) ।

मेरै कुरा खोतलौं, क्याम्पस छोड्नुको कारण थियो- दोस्रो सेमेस्टरको असफलता । म फेल भएँ किन भने मैले पढिनँ । मैले पढिनँ किन भने मलाई म फेल भएको विषय मनै पर्दैनथ्यो । अर्को कुरा, म राम्रो अंक ल्याएर पास पनि हुनसक्थेँ तैपनि म फेल भएँ किन भनेे सँगै परीक्षा दिने साथीको ‘कपी’ चिट गर्न मैले चाहिनँ । मैले जत्ति पनि नपढेका साथीहरू बरु पास भए तर मैले परीक्षाहलमा साथीको ‘कपी’ गर्नुभन्दा कलम टोकेर बस्नु उचित सम्झेँ । सायद म त्यतिबेला भीएस नयपालको उपन्यास ‘हाफ अ लाइफ’ को एउटा पात्रजस्तै मूर्ख स्वाभिमानी भएकी थिएँ, जसले महात्मा गान्धीको ‘अंग्रेजी शिक्षा बहिष्कार’ अभियानको प्रेरणाले परीक्षाको मुखैमा आएर आफ्ना सबै अंग्रेजी किताब जलाएको थियो । अहिले त्यो क्षण सम्झँदा हाँसो उठ्छ, कता कता दुःख पनि लाग्छ, ‘मैले किन चोरिन ?’ भनेर होइन कि हाम्रो शिक्षा र परीक्षा प्रणाली सम्झेर ।

परीक्षाको कुरा गर्दा मलाई याद आयो, मेरी कान्छीभाउजु, बिहे र बच्चा भएपछि कलेज जान पाउनुभएन र झन्डैझन्डै कलेज छोड्ने मनस्थितिमा पुग्नुभएको थियो तर अस्ति, पास हुने शून्य प्रतिशत आशाले परीक्षा दिन जानुभएको उहाँले फर्केर भन्नुभयो- ‘अर्को वर्ष त स्योर पास, किन छोड्नुपर्‍यो कलेज ? यो पालि पनि गाइड लेर गएको भए त ….!’

विशेषगरी अहिले धमाधम खुलिरहेका मोफसलका क्याम्पसको परीक्षा प्रणाली निकै लापरबाहीपूर्ण छ । तर विडम्बना, यही परीक्षाको तीन घन्टाले हाम्रो भाग्य कोर्छ । प्रश्नपत्रमा पढे-पढेको आयो भने, चिट ल्याएको आयो भने वा छेउछाउको नक्कल गर्न सकियो भने पास, नत्र वर्षभरि जति पढे पनि, जति जाने पनि, जति सक्रिय भए पनि फेल ।

मैले अघि पनि भनेँ, यो दसवर्षे सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वले देशलाई हजारौं स्कुल/कलेज ड्रपआउटहरू दिएर गयो -आशा गरौं, यो फेरि आउँदैन) । धेरै विद्यार्थीले माओवादी कार्यकर्ता वा छापामार हुनका लागि ‘यो बुर्जुवा शिक्षा’ भन्दै पढाइ छोडे । अब उनीहरूको भविष्य के होला ? आज बन्दुकको भरमा गाउँ, सहरलाई तर्साइरहेकाले भोलि हतियार व्यवस्थापन र शान्तिवार्ता सफल भयो भने यही ‘बुर्जुवा’ शिक्षा पढेर घच्चीका ‘प्रोलेटेरियट’ नेता बनेका पुष्पकमल र बाबुरामले -नेता त अरू पनि छन् तर माओवादी पार्टी भन्नेबित्तिकै आम जनमानसमा यिनै दुई नाम आउँछन्) ती ड्रपआउटलाई उनीहरूको आवश्यकता र महत्त्वकांक्षा अनुसारको रोजगारीको व्यवस्था कसरी गर्लान् ?

हुन त पढाइ छोड्नु भनेको रोजगारी वा सुखद् भविष्यबाट विमुख हुनु होइन । जस्तै मलाई नै हेर्नुस्, मैले क्याम्पस छोडेलगत्तै आफ्नो रुचिअनुसारको काम पाएँ, त्यो पनि पारदर्शी छनौटबाट । मेरा थुप्रै साथी छन्, विद्यार्थी जीवनमा असफल भए पनि पेसागत जीवनमा सफल । एकजना सफल पत्रकार मित्र छन्, न्यूज रुममा सफल भए पनि क्याम्पसमा त्यही विषयमा धेरैपल्ट फेल भए । पढाइ भनेको साँचो अर्थमा सिकाइ हो । स्कुल/कलेजमा फेल भए पनि हामीले ‘पढाइ’ बाट सधैं केही न केही जीवनोपयोगी कुरा सिकिरहेका हुन्छौं ।

मैले भन्न खोजेको के भने, विविध बाध्यता र विवशताले गर्दा पढाइ छोडेका वा बिगि्रएकाको कथा बेग्लै छ । त्यसमा धेरै हदसम्म राज्यको दोष छ -त्यसो त हाम्रो देशको कुनचाहिँ मामिलामा राज्यको दोष छैन र ?) तर मजस्तै स्वतस्र्फूत रूपमा ड्रप गरेकालाई समाजमा हेरिने दृष्टिकोण फरक छ, जुन फेरिनुु जरुरी छ । कलेज ड्रप गरेर, एक/दुई वर्ष वा अर्थ गुमाएर कुनै एउटा विद्यार्थीको जीवनमा आकाशै खस्छ जस्तो गर्नु भएन । मैले पढाइ छोड्ने कुराको वकालत गरेको होइन । तर हाम्रो शिक्षाको जुन ट्रेन्ड छ, अत्यन्त पट्यारलाग्दो तरिकाले वर्षौवर्ष कलेज धाइरहन पर्ने र तीनघन्टे मूल्यांकनको आधारमा पाइएको एउटा कागजको ‘खोस्टो’ -सर्टिफिकेट) लिएर रोजगारीका लागि अफिस-अफिस धाउँदै हिंड्नुपर्ने, यो अत्यन्त निराशाजनक छ । आमनेपाली युवामा छाएको चरम हतास मानसिकता पनि यसैको उपज हुन सक्छ ।

युवा स्वभावैले विद्रोही हुन्छन्, सधैँ नयाँ र फरक चिज चाहन्छन् । तर देशमा खाली एउटा सर्टिफिकेटका लागि वर्षौवर्ष कलेज धाएर जीवनका महत्त्वपूूर्ण समय कुनै रचनात्मक र सिर्जनात्मक उपयोगिताबिना खेर फाल्ने धेरै युवा छन् । कलेजमा राम्रोसँग पढ्नु र राम्रो अंक ल्याएर पास गर्नु धेरै राम्रो कुरा हो तर खाली सर्टिफिकेटको मुख ताकेर अरू शिक्षा इतर क्रियाकलापलाई गौण सम्झनुुचाहिँ ठूलो मूर्खता हो । मेरो मतलव, हाम्रो अगाडि विकल्पहरू धेरै छन् । यो गर्न सकिन्छ, त्यो गर्न सकिन्छ, सधैँ प|mस्ट्रेड भएर कलेजकै किताब वरिपरि घुमिरहनु ुपर्ने जरुरत छैन । विज्ञान र अन्य प्राविधिक विषयका विद्यार्थीका लागि मार्कसिट र सर्टिफिकेट महत्त्वपूर्ण हुन सक्छ तर अन्य सामाजिक विषयका लागि भने अहिलेको प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक जमानामा पढाइबाहेक अरू पनि क्रियाकलापमा संलग्न हुनु जरुरी हुन्छ । दुई कदम अगाडि बढ्नका लागि एक कदम पछाडि हट्नु जायज हुन्छ ।

पढाइको साथसाथै अन्य आपmनो रुचिअनुसारको रचनात्मक क्रियाकलापमा संलग्न हुनुले हामीलाई अझ बढी सिर्जनशील, मेहनती, जिम्मेवार र सीपयुक्त बनाउँछ र पढाइको महत्त्व बुझ्न र पढाइप्रति अझ बढी जवाफदेही हुन सिकाउँछ । जस्तै- अहिले मैले मेरो विद्यार्थी जीवनलाई पछाडि फर्केर हेर्दा, मेरो पढ्ने बानी तौरतरिका र कमीकमजोरीको राम्रो मूल्यांकन गर्न सक्छु र भोलि -म छिट्टै नै अर्को क्याम्पस भर्ना हुँदैछु) फेरि मैले पढ्न सुरु गर्दा मेरो विगतको शैक्षिक अनुभव र अहिलेको पेसागत अनुभवले मलाई सफल हुन धेरै सहयोग गर्नेछ । फेरि परीक्षा प्रणाली उही हो ! भैगो, धेरै निराशावादी कुरा नगरौं तर मेरो आत्मविश्वास छ, मेरो अबको शैक्षिक गतिविधि पहिलाको भन्दा धेरै चुस्त गतिमा जानेछ ।

Chor BLOG!

WELL, GUYS WISH ME LUCK.. AM TAKIN A RIDE ON A REAL WILD SIDE DUDES!! AND if turns out to be wilder than my expectation will surely blog about it… for now here’s another song, one among Toshi Dear’s “rock songs” collection.. Its old old old, but Really Good… heheheh I have a serious Hangover of this song! Till I put some honest entry here.. have Fun with my Chor style!

SAY YOU WILL – FOREIGNER LYRICS

Say you will, say you wont
Make up your mind tonight
Say you do, say you dont
Wanna be mine

Say you will, say you wont
Make up your mind this time
Say you will, say you wont
Be mine tonight

I cant sleep I keep dreaming Im losing you
Feel so alone in the night, scared to open my eyes
Im in too deep, Im in over my head this time
Cant get you out of my mind no matter how hard I try
So wont you

Say you will, say you wont
Make up your mind tonight
Say you do, say you wont
Be my guiding light

Say you will, say you wont
Make up your mind this time
Say you do, say you do
You wanna be mine

I get the feeling Ive never been here before
cause no one Ive knowns ever moved me the way
That you do
And I know this is the real thing
Its all Ive been searching for
Ive put it all on the line now Im hoping you feel
That way too
(and if you do) why dont you

Say you will, say you won’t
Make up your mind tonight
Say you do, say you dont
Wanna be mine
Now will you
Say you will, you say you wont
Make up your mind this time
Say you will, say you will
Youll be mine tonight
(break)
Will you tell me how much I mean to you
Will you say you always will be true
I need more than a come-on sign
So wont you say you will be mine

Now wont you say you will, say you wont
Make up your mind tonight
Say you will, say you will
Be my guiding light

Say you will, say you will
Make up your mind this time
Say you do, say you do
You wanna be mine

Come on come on
Say you will make up your mind tonight
Say you will, say you will
Be mine tonight

When you are gone…

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