The Last Man...“What is the cost of war, Serge...?”

10:30 PM: Ten soldiers were having their meals on their chamber when the first fire passed through the northern window and hit one of them on the back of his helmet. The soldier stared at his friends and dipped his head on his night’s meal. Others saw blood oozing from the fallen soldier. There was no time to mourn the dead as other soldiers rushed to alert others and then, take positions. Their meals—which were to be their last meals—were trampled with boots. One of the fellow soldiers had sounded the warning alert, breaking stillness of the otherwise quiet night.

The alarm suddenly brought life to the barrack. Doors opened and slammed down as a thousand combat boots ran out and about in confusion, but quickly reorganized themselves following their chain of command and took position to secure the barrack and ready to shoot. But Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) struck the barrack from all sides. Soon, bodies of some colleagues lay on the ground. Seeing the ambush, other soldiers queried what fate held for them. As the soldiers exchanged fires with the enemies, more and more RPGs and mortar rounds struck the roof of the barrack and its peripheries—burning armored vehicles and demolishing the barrack and its posts. Some soldiers were crushed by the falling roofs and buildings, while some were charred to death. The two days retreat from violence now rattled with bullets. Pungent smoke of gasoline and that of charred soldiers along with the debris frequently obscured the men-in-uniform to breathe and see past the flames. As the military backfired and ran, fear gripped their minds. With every shot they fired from their Maverick M4A1, Krieg 552, CV-47, IDF Defenders and other machine guns, they suddenly saw their worst nightmare—something they had repeatedly extended for a dozen times. But this time, this unexpected intrusion, this circled rampage was as much a shock as it was their last ritual’s hymn through rattling bullets and not that of the temple bells which promised sanctity.

The insurgents had cordoned the barrack from all sides and were weighing mighty. The ambush steadily outnumbered the army and the latter were continually shrinking. With every soldier falling down, spare arms and ammunition lay abundantly on the grounds until the enemy stripped them off from the dead soldiers. More than living soldiers, many rested eternally. Those alive stared at the peaceful soldiers and queried the cost of war, the reasons of battles as much as they feared their awaiting silences.

*********

“Man down! Man down! General, we are being outnumbered. We need backup” a Sergeant said over his radio.

“Sergeant, hold as much as possible. Backup will be there in 20 minutes,” the General’s voice spoke from the other end, 150 kilometers away—safe from the battleground.

“20 minutes?” the Sergeant barked from the other end as dodged a bullet. “We need immediate backup Sir!”

 *********

 Ducking bullets as he ran, a soldier reached the Sergeant, panting. He stopped to hold his breath—“Sir, around 300 of us are left. What do we do?” the soldier said as fear gripped his face.

“We will soon have backup—till then, we need to hold as long as possible. Everything will be fine now,” the Sergeant said. He then spoke over his radio which was stuck on his right chest.

 *********

“Alfa One, Alfa One…I repeat, Alfa One” “Yes Sergeant,” the familiar voice of the General replied back.

“How long is there for backup General? We are only 300 good soldiers left” the Sergeant said.

“15 minutes Serge” the General replied. “I hope the backup comes soon Sir,” the Sergeant replied coolly, only to hide his fear in front of the soldier and the line went dead. The soldier had heard the conversation. He looked at the Sergeant with innocence and asked, “What is the cost of war Serge? Why do we fight?”

*********

 These were simple questions that had no answers. The only ones who could answer them laid in silence for eternity. The Sergeant looked at the soldier’s face in bleak light—he was a tall young man of around 5’10 with physique of an athlete. “He must be around 23” the Sergeant said to himself and looked at the fine strokes of youth that reflected on his face. As he observed the soldier’s features, the Sergeant stared at his eyes. The soldier’s eyes resembled to that of someone whom he had left behind—someone whom he had promised that he would be back and that they’d go for fishing and Water Kingdom and zoo. He remembered his son.

 As the Sergeant continued to observe the soldier’s features, the latter’s mouth kept forming shapes—first, his lower jaw lowered down and then, moved up and again lowered down—as if in some unknown rhythm and cohesion. “Sir…Sir… …SSSSSS…..IIIIII…….RRRRRR”. The soldier shook the Sergeant’s arms and he was back to the deafening reality. Just when he looked at the soldier, rounds of bullets seared past the soldier from the back and thudded on the front of his body armor. The soldier fell over the Sergeant and both lay on the ground. The soldier’s aspiring youth, his fine features and his future all silenced with the bullets. Tears filled the soldier’s eyes as he held his stomach….smiled and bid a farewell to his Serge.

 As the soldier fell, he saw his son falling and immediately rushed for support. In angst, he screamed his son’s name, asking him to wake up, promising him that they’d go fishing and to the Water Kingdom and zoo. He shook the soldier ferociously, yelling his son’s name. When the soldier didn’t wake up, he embraced him and wept like a child. “Daddy, what is the cost of war?” his son seemed to say. Only after the gun slipped from the soldier’s hands did he come back to reality.

 As the Sergeant attempted to get up, he heard encroaching footsteps of some enemies. He closed his eyes and lay on the same position—he looked dead with blood from the dead soldier covering his face.

 “Make sure no one lives,” one of the five said. One of them kicked the dead soldier, smiled and said, “As dead as good”. Another lit a cigarette and they conversed—“it was such a brilliant plan from the Major. These two were the last two.”

 The Sergeant had his eyes closed so he could not see any of them except hearing their voices. Tears filled his eyes and he tried to breathe when he heard that he was the last man. A voice broke from an enemy’s radio—“Captain, are all dead?”

 The Sergeant once again heard a familiar voice that had first kicked the young soldier. “Yes Major. I shot the last two.”

 “Good” the voice replied back and after a pause, asked them to return. In turn, the five militias once again kicked the young dead soldier and went along. Then, there was silence—an uneasy silence that attempted to speak but faltered every time it tried to utter a word.

 *********

 Amidst the memories of the rattling bullets and far cries, fires and ashes, the Sergeant immersed into himself—lost wondering what fate had befallen upon him. He remembered his son, his wife and daughter. He remembered the promises he had made. His eyes moistened with tears and they gently rolled over his cheeks and onto the ground. Suddenly, the young soldier’s voice and his son’s voice echoed in unison, “Serge, what is the cost of war? Why do we fight?” and he was fiercely pulled back to the battleground.

 “These were the last ones Major”, the Sergeant remembered the Captain saying. He then walked—limping—to see the damage. The sight of dead bodies covered with thousands of flies swarming and humming filled him with remorse. Everyone had died except him. He was the last man standing—and he did not win—he was alone. “What is the cost of war?” the soldier’s voice echoed once again and the Sergeant cried like a child. “I do not know the cost of war…” he said frantically. “I DON’T KNOW THE COST OF WAR” the Sergeant cried and there was silence.

 This silence was deafening pain—the cacophonous sounds of the guns in his memories were never-ending. Soldiers all lay dead till his eyes could see. The 30 mile barrack, home to the enormous troop of a 1,000 soldiers, were witnesses to the horror of the night’s battle—not without sustaining blows that demolished the posts—as swiftly as soldiers were blown by the unexpected gunfire. It was also their graves—their burial grounds where leaders would soon mourn the dead and vow revenge.

 The 999 boots made no sounds. The only combat boot that made sound was a dragging sound—that from the Sergeant’s. The Sergeant screamed and cried over and over again. Suddenly, a bullet thudded on the Sergeant’s right temple. It seared through the other end. The Sergeant fell back and his revolver fell from his hand. The Sergeant rested on the ground, and he was the last man. Fresh blood flowed from his temples

  NATION’S BLACKEST DAY
By: FREEDOM REPORTER Sept. 25,
 IN A DISTANT COUNTRY

 All the 1000 soldiers stationed at the barrack, and another 200 soldiers who had gone for backup were killed after armed insurgents attacked them at 10 PM on Monday. The Barrack was completely destroyed. 

“Seeing the damage, we believe that the insurgents far exceeded the soldiers. So far, we have found 500 dead insurgents,” Communication officer of the Army Office said. “The barracks have been completely damaged,” the Officer added.
 According to the Army Headquarter, 96 had been crushed by the demolitions, 50 charred to death and the remaining 854 were killed in crossfire.
“Seeing traces of fresh blood from the Sergeant, we believe that he was the last man killed,” the press release issued by the Headquarter read. Security forces involved in the rescue operation expressed the scene as horrific.
 “The scene was heart-rending. Soldier lay everywhere. Flies swarmed over their bodies, scavenger birds gnawed and ripped off meat from the dead bodies,” a soldier said. “This is the blackest day in the country’s history,” the President said as he addressed the country.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that the act was heart-rending and assured the bereaved ones of compensation worth five million rupees. “They were brave soldiers. May their souls rest in peace,” was all the Army’s General said.
 “What was the cost of war? Why did my husband had to die? Why many husbands, sons and brothers had to die? What did we get after the deaths?” a widow of a deceased soldier from the barrack said as she cried.

A note on Romanticism

The Romantic era was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that started in Europe
during the end of the 18th century. The movement was at its apex during 1800 to 1840 AD when the Industrial Revolution had swept across Europe and French revolution in France. As many youths were moving to the city in search of employment, romantics believed that men were losing touch with nature—and if that was to go on, humanity would essentially be doomed. In such case, William Wordsworth, in his sonnet, ‘The world is too much with us’ writes: “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: /Little we see in Nature that is ours;/ We have given our hearts away…” Since we have lost touch with nature, the poet laments that we are “out of tune” and the sight of nature and God does not “move us”. It is such loss that romanticism primarily depicted—a wakeup call from romantics to their fellow beings urging them to stay surrounded by nature because it would physically and mentally sanctify their souls.

In such case, we can argue that while Romanticism celebrated nature, God and pagan life, it also lamented when people were increasingly going away from nature due to Industrial revolution. As a result, we can say that the Romantic era was a reaction to Industrial Revolution, a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature.

Five poets dominated the English romantic canon of poesy – William Blake, William Wordsworth, John Keats, P.B. Shelly, Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The graveyard school of poets preceded romantic poets. The former had always depicted deaths and decay in their works. Romanticism, on the other hand, focused on pageantry life, celebrated love, nature, God and His creations. When Coleridge and Wordsworth produced the ‘’Lyrical Ballads’, the Ballads signaled a new trend in poetry—a break with neoclassical traditions. To Wordsworth, the subjects for poetry were to be “incidents and situations from common life,” which were to be written in language “really used by men”.

Though each poet differed from the other in their poetic style, the Romantic poets as a group tended to be radical in their politics – they sympathized with the American and French revolutions, spoke against royalty and slavery and were transcendental in their philosophy where they rejoiced in seeing nature as symbolic to God’s presence, and natural creation as analogous to the lesser creations of imaginative human beings.

“Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright/In the forests of the night/What immortal hand or eye/Could frame thy fearful symmetry?” William Blake questions in his poem, ‘The Tyger’. In his query, Blake brings in two crucial elements of God’s creation: while nature looks majestic from distance, upon close arrivals, they are to be feared—just like the tiger, which, from distance looks beautiful with its stripes, but is easily feared by all when one approaches it.

Romanticism treasured itself in aesthetic experience—“art for art sake” and nothing more. In doing so, they enjoyed untamed nature and were enticed by the surprises it brought. Moreover, while they were horrified and terrorized by the fatalities that nature brought when people tried to tame it, they also realized human futilities to domesticate nature because the romantics knew that human craft would never assimilate with nature, and nature, on the other hand would never submerge with artifacts. It rather would rise against an intruder and overpower the petty object with its diversity. Wallace Stevens shows the same bond in his poem, ‘Anecdote of the Jar’. Stevens writes, “I placed a jar in Tennessee…/The wilderness rose up to it,/ And sprawled around/…The jar was gray and bare/It did not give of bird or bush/”.

By retaliating the human shifts to revolutions and developments and celebrating pagan life and man’s touch with nature, Romanticism helped to revive the medievalism—primarily to escape through the fast developments and growing population. For this reason, romantics were often cited as having escapist attitudes—mainly because they could not cope with the current developments. In turn they retreated to the past—imagining a place that was distant from the maddening crowds and sounds of V-8 engines. To shield themselves with the accusations, romantics argued that men should be close to nature because it was mentally and morally healthy. For such reason, William Butler Yeats, in his poem, ‘Sailing to Byzantium’ writes: “That is no country for old men…”because it is morally corrupt and where “the young (lie in) one another’s arms”. Yeats adds that those young generation have no respect to “those dying (older)generations at their song” because they are “caught in that sensual music (that)all neglect”. For such reason, Yeats expresses his desire to sail to Byzantium, a holy place—a place of old people.

To conclude, romantic era in Europe sprawled across the continents as an attack against the industrial revolution, French revolution—against the potent deaths of dear ones and the increasingly loss of human touch with nature. However, later, when it immersed itself in praising nature, God, the pagan life and human bond, it also brought with it medievalism.

In present day life, romanticism is of paramount importance because we have repeatedly failed to unite with nature and cherish the joys it brings. We continually try to know answers of nature through scientific rationalization, just like the Higgs Boson theory of ‘God particle’. With ever growing violence across the world, romanticism at times could help us question ourselves—the validity and worth of what we are doing against humanity and nature. Therefore, while the Romantic era concluded in 1840 AD, its relevance, its humble but unattainable questions (especially when we now have engrossed ourselves so much with science and technology and steadily lost touch with nature) keeps haunting us.

National media not inclusive

When Ang Kaji Sherpa, General Secretary of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) accused national media and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists for not bringing into light the movement of Tharus and undivided Far West, the scene turned violent after journalists shouted heftily and forced Sherpa to walk out from Reporters Club. After sometime, I started to see the reason of Sherpa's words and wondered if the allegations against media really was true or not, and if it were, to what extent. Since I, myself am learning the knacks of journalism in The New Paper, the topic became my curiosity. However, after talking to experts and journalists, I came to know that Nepal's national media haven't been inclusive at all—not just to indigenous people.

"In many national dailies, programs, cultures, traditions and issues related to indigenous people are seldom broadcast or published," Sherpa said over a telephone call, citing examples of Shiva Ratri (an auspicious Hindu festival where Lord Shiva is worshipped) and Chaat parva (an auspicious festival of the Terai). "National media overwhelmingly cover Shiva Ratri, the silent streets of Kathmandu during Dashain for free of cost. Yet, when it comes to issues related to indigenous people and their rituals, it seldom is the case, and many times, we've paid sum of around Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 200,000 a day for a broadcast." Sherpa added.

Sherpa argues that what national media are doing is a complete bias. "These 'so called media houses' haven't been friendly to indigenous people even when they comprise of a media's circulation, readership and viewership. Nepal's Population Report 2011 AD, which was published by the Ministry of Health and Population Division shows that while Chettri and Brahmins make only around 28 per cent of the country’s total ethnicity, the remaining fall under other caste groups. "It therefore is essential that media incorporates issues of indigenous people because covering their issues will bring in larger number of circulation, readership and viewership—primarily because indigenous people's population of the country overwhelmingly outnumbers that of Brahmin and Chettris,” Sherpa said.

While Sherpa shouldn't have had publicly alleged media, Prof. P. Kharel, chairman of Nepal Press Institute (NPI) believes that they should have come for a dialouge and then moved ahead. Nevertheless, Kharel believes that the incident was worth a recall—primarily because national media of the country have repeatedly faltered on covering national issues and being inclusive. Kharel said, "It has opened up new horizons for media to retrospect on what it does and what it should do from now on."

"What indigenous people are seeking for their rights aren't wrong at all. It rather is about the moral and ethical stance that media has failed to take notice of," Kharel said adding that many journalists have been superficial to the information they bring and publish. "Normally, journalists simply take what the source said and seldom go to areas from where issues are brought in, bring in peoples plight and so forth."

Kharel argues that it is not just the indigenous people that national media have given less space to—the gap between national media and the nation is too big to bridge. "National media published from Kathmandu have seldom prioritized issues and people that live outside of the valley," Kharel said, adding, "Take for example when budget is passed in the country. For expert opinions, journalists take quotes of scholars that reside within the valley. Yet, we have equally capable scholars beyond Kathmandu whose views are seldom taken a note of."

To Kharel, inclusiveness incorporates content, community, people, sex, age group, subject, topography, geography and professional groups that national media has repeatedly faltered in being inclusive. "If one surfs through any newspaper, of the total pages, half are dedicated to international news stories, and national issues that essentially should find place in a newspaper because of proximity are sidelined." Kharel said. In its failure, Kharel opined that national media have failed to be properly inclusive.

Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, editor of The Himalayan Times, one of the country's leading English newspapers approves Kharel. "There have been faults within the media to bring in inclusive issues." However, Khanal argues that an essential fault lies in journalists who haven't learnt much about media ethics in classrooms. Khanal shared that during media classes, students are taught to respect diversity (a core value of mass media)-a case that seldom is seen in Nepal's national media. Nevertheless, Khanal believes that journalists who are well versed in media ethics have seldom bought out their biases in a news story.

Contrary to Kharel, Khanal, said that Sherpa's words were generalized remarks and not every media fell to his category. "Ang Kaji's words are a generalization and an allegation to mainstream media. However, I don't think that major media have been biased." When queried about if media is really biased to indigenous people and their issues, the Editor said that much depended on a journalist's perspective. "Some media might have consciously been biased to issues of indigenous people and some, unconsciously," Khanal said, adding that to see if a media is biased to their issues, one needs to see a newspaper's editorial line and its content.

While journalism preaches the values of Accuracy, Balance and Credibility, Khanal said that such theories were not always practical and possible. "News stories are a matter of presentation and no matter how hard one tries to push aside their biases, their perspective and personal ideologies unconsciously comes into play to result in differences."

It is in such story angles that Sherpa and Kharel find differences, and in turn, see an urgency for correction. Sherpa believes that national media wears 'dual spectacles' to view and present stories of upper caste people and the indigenous people and seeks justice. "National media needs to be fair and factual and unbiased," Sherpa said, adding that if national media published and broadcast criticized and praised both the strata of people, they'd be happy. "We're not complaining of not coming into limelight. We are just complaining of not being fair and accurate in what media broadcast or print," Sherpa added.

A DREAM DEFERRED *

PRATIK RIMAL

When Tika Bomjon, 34, came to know that he qualified for Nepal Army (NA), he was jubilant. Eldest of the three siblings, he had become a part of an institution that none of his family members had been. For such reason, his parents were optimistic that their son would do something. However, destiny had something else for Tika, a resident of Rajghat, Sarlahi.

Since his childhood, Tika had a strong desire to serve his country, and the moment had come—not just to serve his country but also to wear the institution’s uniform that he had envied since his upbringing. “I had always desired to wear NA’s uniform, and when I was selected, I was very euphoric,” Tika recalls in joy. Four years had passed when he was sent to Nagarkot's Dur Sanchar Barrack on 2002/2003 AD. “It was a time when one wouldn’t know if s/he would return home alive,” Tika remembers, and it was then that Tika’s destiny, his dreams and life changed forever.

November 29, 2002 AD, Dur Sanchar Barrack, Nagarkot…around 5:00 PM: Army personals stationed at the barrack rest after having their meals. Just then, Nepal Army’s intelligence reports of an expected fire from Maoists and orders soldiers stationed at the barrack to stay on high alert position. Upon hearing the information, soldiers position themselves but for almost three hours, they notice nothing.

Around 8 PM: Bullet sounds are heard from distance. Steadily, the sounds grow louder and soldiers stationed at the barrack start to backfire with some hiatuses until 4 AM. Weary soldiers head back to the barrack and take some rest. No human causalities on the army's side is reported.

November 30, around 9:00 AM: Soldiers make their way to see and repair damages that the night's fire had caused. “The barrack was almost destroyed and electricity poles had collapsed creating short-circuit,” Tika recalls.

“While going to repair the post, I slipped from a hill. As I tried to control myself, I held a short-circuit wire and got electrocuted,” Tika vividly recalls. By the time Tika came to know of the incidents that followed, he was heading to Birendra Sainik Hospital, Chhauni and had been unconscious for an hour or two. After gaining consciousness, he started to stammer, blabber whatever came to his mind and run frantically to ease his pain. In turn, the doctors injected Tika, and he lay unconscious for around five days. "When I woke up after around five days, I saw that my left hand was amputated and my right hand heavily bandaged," Tika recalls. "The doctors had asked me to slowly move my right hand but I couldn't. After 10 days, I lost my other hand, and had it not been removed, doctors said I'd have cancer." In such way, Tika's dream of serving his country until his death and his dreams about his life all vanished.

At the hospital, Tika's pain had passed to his parents and his wife. His friends had informed his parents and they had come for a visit. Seeing that her son had no arms, his grief-stricken mother was severely traumatized. "My mother still hasn't recovered from the shock," Tika confides. As he recalls the moment, his eyes fill with tears. "I was the eldest of the family and my parents believed that I'd do something. Yet, they found the opposite," Tika choked.

In his poem, 'A Dream Deferred', American poet, Langston Hughes, (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967), queries 'What happens to a dream deferred' and after various elective answers, the poet concludes 'Or does it explode?' After losing both of his arms at an early age of 21, Tika's dream of serving his country until his death deferred forever, and he did 'explode'.

"I continuously cried for six months and attempted suicide many times. Seeing what I could do, my friends never left a door or window open," Tika narrates. "I wanted to die because all of my dreams had perished…" his eyes, once again, well up with tears. "Back then, I felt as if I was a living dead. I had my breath and nothing else." Tika shared that had it not been the NA and his friends, he would not be where he now is. "Had it not been NA, I'd have been on footpath begging for survival," Tika expressed.

As life moves on, events that precede and follow sometimes hurt us. Yet, time eventually heals, but it does not fail to leaves behind scars. "I still cannot express the pain of not having my hands. Even now, I wish I had my hands, and such revelations strike the deepest when I'm alone." Tika shared. After crying for six months, Tika heard the name of Sudarshan Gautam, who, too had no hands. Yet, he drove a car with his legs. "Initially, he was a great source of inspiration, and that was when I decided that I too had to move on," Tika recalls.

If a person becomes a poet at the touch of a lover, as Plato (429–347 B.C.E) said, pain further outcries heart-rending emotions to express itself on words. Hands move feverishly and idle tears roll down one's cheeks and spills over the paper to leave a mark. However, when one has no hands to write their emotions, but he persistently wants to express his pains, he seeks an outlet—through legs and sometimes, mouth. "I had so much pain within me that I wanted to express it as long as I got tired. Then, I tried to write with my feet but could not. After that, I started writing with my mouth," Tika shares. "In the initial days, I wrote Shayaris and later, songs.

Married a year after getting into Army, Tika's wife has been his greatest inspiration and his God since his incident. "My wife taught me to write songs and it is because of her that I am here. Every time I write something, I first show it to her. She is my biggest supporter...she is my hands…my God," Tika shared in joy. Such togetherness led Tika to produce an album on his own cost on 2003 /2004 AD. "The album's sales was more than what I had expected, and it further inspired me to overcome my disability." By now, Tika has written around 150 songs where many famous singers like Ishwor Amatya, Karna Shakya and others have lent their voices.
Like many people, Tika too believes that whatever happens, happens for good. "When I miss my hands, I recall that what counts is action and not passivity. Such thoughts inspires and consoles me," Tika shares. As people move on with knowledge, experience and lack, their dreams slowly changes, and Tika's dream too changed. "Now, I want to express my pain through my songs and be an inspiration to many disabled people," he shared, adding, "If one believes in oneself and has strong determination, anything is possible." Now, Tika has a different dream—"I want to set a World Record by composing six impromptu songs in an hour, stay in music and compose patriotic songs and in turn, hope to continue my deferred dream."

(The story's title comes from Langston Hughes's poem, 'A Dream Deferred'.)

The Future of History

Eight artists attempted to analyze and interpret a state of mind shaped by harmonization of the Rato Matsyendranath Jatra with modern times in a collaborative art project entitled, “Future of History,” at Park Gallery in Pulchowk.

Through the 50 paintings, they attempted to search the point of integration between ancient culture and modern lifestyle. Ambar Gurung, chief guest at the inauguration program on March 13, lauded the artists for their attempt. “Culture distinguishes us from other living beings, and we cannot live without it. It is something we must respect and recognize,” Gurung said in his short inaugural speech.

What is the future of history?
Mukesh Malla, Research Coordinator of the team fears that the future of our history would be doomed if today’s society fails to continue age-old customs and traditions. He says that the present is due to the past, and the future-in turn will be a result of our present. “We all have our roots, and they define what we do and don’t. It therefore is important to preserve our history,” Malla said. If Malla’s words hold true, “We’re probably diverted to a point where culture and modernity do not meet,” said Saroj Bajracharya, Project Coordinator.

Can modernity and history meet?
One of the themes that the artists explored in the exhibition was whether modernity and history could meet. Unlike common beliefs, modern life and ancient culture are not disparate, Bajracharya argues. “They have their roots in culture itself. It is only degrees of variation that causes distortion and transformation,” adds Bajracharya who painted the Roots of Coincidence piece. Since the roots are the same, Malla believes that these two can meet - solely with culture as the circumstance.

Simplicity in modernity
Although technological advancements have helped ease our lives, it has also added more chaos to it. Harmonization and simplicity can be achieved nonetheless says Bajracharya adding, “In order to reach simplicity, we first need to see the object of focus—simplify and understand it. Only then, can we work to reach the state of simplicity.” He conveys the same feeling in his painting -Roots of Coincidence, which depicts a red dressing table with many linked and disparate paths. Pointing to his painting, he explains that in order to achieve simplicity, “We only need to look at the object, the red dressing table. Once the object is clear, we need to find the simplest route that leads to the object.”

Changing forms, one belief
Rato Matsyendranath’s chariot is created every year to commence the festival and is dismantled later to indicate its completion. It is because of this that we do not have a single idol of Matsyendranath. Despite this, “The belief towards the deity remains as powerful a force,” adds Malla. This feeling has been expressed well in Sheelasha Rajbhandari’s painting, “24 Changing Skins and One Evolving Soul”. In it, Rajbhandari has created 24 different images of the deity as seen by 24 different perspectives.

The exhibition that supported by Park Gallery concluded on March 26. The team comprised of painters Mukesh Malla, Gopal Kalapremi Shrestha, Saroj Bajracharya, Manish Lal Shrestha, Hitman Gurung, Sundar Lama, Sheelasha Rajbhandari and theatre artist Ashesh Malla.

Round the world in 3650 Days

When fear enters a person’s mind, it brings to mind the most improbable thing: ghosts. And Pushkar Shah, who set on his journey to spread a message encountered just that when he was in China. Shah had asked for directions from a man who couldn’t be of much help due to the language barrier. Consequently, this man on a mission walked through a forest all day but to no avail. Shah ended up sleeping in the forest, surviving on water and orange peels, which he wished were more abundant. “As the night progressed, my hunger eased away and was replaced by fear. I thought what if bears or tigers attack me? So I drew my khukuri and said to myself, ‘I’ll fight.’ Just then I realized, ‘What if ghosts come?’” Shah’s laughter resounds in the meeting room.


“I wanted to spread the message of peace from a small country called Nepal,” Shah, who was gun shot during the movement of 1990 says. Dissatisfied with the insignificant stride towards establishing peace, as was his father who served in the Indian Army, Shah set out on his journey. “It was my courage and determination that pushed me,” Shah says. A graduate of education and fine arts from Kathmandu University, Shah pondered on traveling the world and explored possibilities. “Since majority of Nepalis are economically backward, even if we want to, we cannot afford to do so,” Shah says. “While exploring my options, I suddenly thought of cycling, and that’s how it all started with the zeal of my youth,” Shah, who set on his journey on 29 November 1998, adds.


But to his mother for whom the world was as much as her eyes could see, the thought was absurd, and when he shared it with people, they thought he was bluffing. “Obviously no one believed me then,” Shah reminisces. But the young man set on his journey and he did travel, a tiring journey of 10 years to others’ amusement. Did he have money? One’s sure to ask; he did have a 100 rupee note that his mother, Naram Kumari, gave him. Off went the young man with his mother’s blessing and a bicycle (that cost 14,000 rupees) that actor Sharmila Malla had given him. The young man in his twenties returned home at the age of “IC 26,” as he puts it (IC for Indian Currency with the conversion rate of 1.6).


A decade of cycling endlessly must have been tiring but he says that was the only problem he faced on his journey back home. “Apart from the physical exertion, there was no other problem. Throughout the journey, I was never sick,” Shah, 41, says as he recalls his yesteryears.


Ten years of cycling across countries undoubtedly is an astounding feat. But did Shah’s courage and determination always push him beyond borders? Did he ever think of abandoning the journey and heading back to his village home in Makaibari VDC in Dolakha? Did he ever seem to have lost his purpose, like most of us generally tend to? Shah says yes. “When I traveled hungry, surviving on water and sleeping in jungles and deserts, I thought, ‘Why am I doing this?’” Shah says. However, those doubts dissolved with the dawn of another day and he traveled across frontiers for 3650 days to make it through. “I cycled around nine to ten hours every day. The longest I paddled was in Canada when I crossed a length of 220 km in 15 hours,” Shah says. Where would he rest then? “I rested and slept at parks, stations, streets, wherever it was free,” Shah says without a qualm.


When Shah had set on his journey, Internet was new to the country and only a few had access to computers. As he cycled across countries, Internet was slowly growing back home. On his return, the country had changed with the advent of computer and technology. Shah shares, “When I told people I was cycling around the world, they’d ask for my email address, something I hadn’t heard of or known before. Nishant KC, son of a military attaché at the Nepalese embassy in Beijing created one for me.”


As he paddled to the West, Nepalis residing there proposed that he quit his journey and settle with them. He could have and no one would know. “There had been proposals from Nepalis living abroad but I couldn’t do that,” Shah, who carried the Nepali national flag with him, says. “Regardless of the luring economic prospects, I couldn’t dishonor my flag,” Shah, also an Everest summiteer explains.

Enabling the differently-abled

Pratik Rimal/ TNP
Kathmandu, April 26: Ram Chandra Karki, 35 is just like any other individual. Karki holds a job, lives with his family—a wife and their two children who go to Chelsea International at Mid Baneshwor to pursue their education. However, Karki distinguishes himself from the language he speaks—sign language.

For the past 10 years, Karki has been working as a waiter in The Bakery Café at New Baneshwor. While many differently-able people across the country are dependent to other people for their living, Karki earns a handsome salary, has his provident fund, medical insurance, food and education allowances, overtime money and so forth to make a living.

A sign language teacher who taught his fellows for eight years before joining the Café, Karki is glad to have an opportunity to eke out a living. “Initially it was difficult, probably because of my fears, but slowly and steadily, I learnt the knacks. I’ve grown with experience, and am very much content with my job,” Karki shares adding, “With age, I will surely be bidden a farewell, and then, I plan to open my own restaurant with other friends. For that, I’ve saved my earnings,” Karki shares. With such earning, Karki feels independent, and hopes that other institutions, too, come up with such initiations.

At a time when many ‘able’ people looked down upon differently able people, and when the term was ‘disabled people’ rather than the present one, the Bakery Café employed differently able people since 2052 BS. At present, the Café employs around 60 differently able people in its seven major outlets at New Baneshwor, Pulchowk, Jawlakhel, Boudha, Gwarko and Maharajgunj’s Bhatbhateni.

Nirmal Shah has been with the Bakery Café for the past 12 years. As a manager, Shah shares that there has been a lot of change regarding how able people look at those that are differently-able people. “Initially, many customers disliked when they were approached and served by differently able people. Now, that is no longer the case,” Shah shares, adding, “When we began the project, it was difficult because they were unaware of how they had to act."

“Only seldom can these people understand when a customer beats around the bush. Most don’t and they prefer direct communication because that is what they most easily understand,” Shah said.

Asmita Oli, 28 is another differently able waiter the Café at New Baneshwor employs to cater its services to customers. Oli has been working in the Café for the past nine years. Married around two years ago, Oli has a year old son. Like Karki, Oli is happy with what she is doing. Like Karki, Oli too, opines that she’d not be a part of the institution forever. When she leaves, she intends to work as a tailor. “I have experience with tailoring. I used to work as a tailor before too.” Oli shares.
While those employed are jubilant of the opportunity they have, many fall behind the race, and as a result, they still are dependent on others for their living. “Many come looking for a job, and it’s not always feasible,” Shah shares, adding qualifications too does matter.

“We choose people who have some degree of qualifications and prefer those who’ve completed their School Leaving Certificate or have studied up to grade 10,” Shah said, adding that the Café focused more with people who live beyond the valley. “Many differently able people from the valley have little problem for food and shelter. To it, there are a lot of unions that work for them. For this reason, we prefer people that are differently able in village areas,” Shah shares.

Shah explained that selected candidates were trained until they learnt the job’s skills, and would then be employed. Seeing that differently able people too can work, many cafes

and restaurants within the capital are employing them. “We’ve shown that disabled people too can work, and I do hope that other institutions, too, introduce differently able people in the job markets and help them be independent.”

“I’m little aware about sign language but I can communicate by pointing at what I want. I really appreciate what the Café is doing, and am happy with the service,” Sharawin Paudel, a customer at the Café said.

Caution: educated women easy to traffic

Pratik Rimal/TNP
Kathmandu, April 10

(Image courtesy: Getty Images)

While women residing in rural areas are more prone to trafficking and continue to be at a high risk because of low literacy and awareness, it is not just them. Any person is vulnerable to trafficking, and those most at risk are girls below 24 years. Moreover, media has also reported cases where educated urban women including college girls are also trafficked, and the trend seems to climb steadily, Achyut Kumar Nepal, Information Officer at Maiti Nepal said.

Citing his research with 128 traffickers imprisoned in Kathmandu, Shyam Kumar Pokhrel, Managing Director at Samrakshak Samuha Nepal (SASANE), an NGO supporting trafficked victims cites said, "Traffickers have often shared with me that it was easier for them to sell educated girls because they would seldom slip and the chances of being cordoned at checkpoints were slim. However, with rural girls, things were worse because despite repeated guidance, they'd slip somewhere, and there was high probability of being caught."

"As parents continually try to fulfill their child's wish, increased love to technological and other modern products in city areas too work to result in urban human trafficking," Achyut said, adding, since the definition of human trafficking has broadened, the gaps too have grown bigger. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines: "Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. It involves an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them."

Although Nepal is one of the leading countries from where many people are trafficked every year, no data regarding the country's rising or falling trafficking trend is recorded after 2001 AD. The 2001 AD's research showed that every year, around 12,000 women and girls were trafficked from the country to India as sex workers alone while around 8000 girls worked in various cabin restaurants, bars and massage parlors within the valley.

As the number of people opting foreign employment continually increases, (last year, around 250,000 had gone legally, and around the same number illegally), Pokhrel said trafficking was at rise in the form of 'foreign employment'. "Last year's foreign employment record showed that around 250,000 people legally went abroad for foreign employment and around the same numbers left the country illegally. 90 per cent of those who had gone illegally are vulnerable to trafficking," Pokhrel said adding that newer destinations for the human trade were South Africa, Cyprus, European countries and Gulf countries. For this reason, the country has no concrete data regarding trafficking at present.

As a result, things look grey and opinions sway regarding the country's trafficking rate. With so many non-governmental and international non-governmental organizations working in human trafficking, some argue of reduced trafficking rate.
However, others, on the other hand, argue that the numbers have climbed. Citing increasing access to the West and foreign employment, Pokhrel said that trafficking was undoubtedly on rise. "Trafficking is on rise. We cannot furnish complete data, but I firmly believe that the trade is increasing." However, Achyut said, "At the moment, we can only assume and even if research were to be done, it was difficult because trafficking is illegal."

VICTIMS OF VALLEY ROAD WIDENING DRIVE

Pratik Rimal
Kathmandu, March 27

There’s a disappointing side to the widely appreciated story of the government's road expansion drive in the Kathmandu Valley, untold and unheard so far: the laborers who have been working hard to to make the government's road widening drive a success haven't been paid their wages. This has made it quite difficult for them to eke out a living.

These poor laborers haven't got their wages because the contractors hired by different community groups to carry out the demolition of houses and buildings on the sides of the roads haven't been paid. The community groups haven't been able to pay the contractors because they themselves are yet to get paid by the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee (KVTDC). And the KVTDC hasn't paid the community groups because the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is yet to relase the funds.
“It is very difficult because I have a family of five to feed,” Krishna Pun, a laborer at Chabahil said. Pun, his wife and their elder son were all working to demolish houses at Chabahil. “We go to the contractor and he says he doesn’t have money, and that he’d inform us as soon as he has the cash. We’ve been waiting for a month, but there’s no money, and we are living on credit,” said a distressed Pun, who has to collect altogether a sum of Rs. 50,000. Another laborer at New Baneshwor shared the same plight.

The scene of KVTDC is also troubling. Members of the 30-concerned committees elected by it to assist the road expansion drive throng its premises demanding their shares. Following assurances from the MoF it had assured the community groups to pay them as soon as they complete their assignements. However, months down the line, it has nothing to give to the community group except narrating that the MoF has been mum.
“The road expansion drive was not given on tender. It was handed to community groups, and for this reason, it has been successful,” Indra Kumar Chamling, one of the members of 30-community groups said. Though their contribution has made the drive a success and completed their assignements with six months, they are left high and dry. “We bought construction materials on credit by promising that we'd repay them immediately after we complete our work. Now, shopkeepers are claiming the dues. And we don’t have money to pay them because KVTDC hasn’t paid us,” Chamling said, claiming that his group is at the receiving end of around four million rupees from KVTDC.

What concerns stakeholders is the silence of MoF. So far, the MoF has neither reimbursed the community groups, nor has said that it does not have money to pay. Tiwari and Chamling both say that the ministry frustrates them. “If they didn’t have money, why did they start the drive, and if they have the money, why aren’t they paying back our labor,” Chamling queried.

A higher source said that when the government started the move, MoF had shown the money that it never had. “When the government started the drive, they actually didn’t have money. Yet, they assured elected community groups that once they complete their job, they’d be paid back,” a source who preferred anonymity said.
Dr. Bhai Kaji Tiwari, Town Controller at KVTDC repeatedly consoles the community group’s representative with the same refrain, “We don’t have money because the Ministry isn’t paying us.” Tiwari added that so far, there has been no response from MoF. "When we reach them, we are told that there's no minister and secretary. What they are doing is very irresponsible," Tiwari said.
FEAR OF A HIATUS

So far, the drive has succeeded in expanding 22 kilometers of roads. If the government falters to its words, Tiwari fears that the road expansion drive could come to a halt. Although few people had created a scene on house demolitions, the larger number of Kathmandu dwellers who owned a house had readily renounced a part of their property to appreciate the government’s move. “So far, the move has been successful because people had willingly participated. Community groups had raised money from houses with promises to repay them. It's painful to see that the ‘promised’ words are not happening,” Tiwari said adding, “People could lose their faith on government, and the expansion could stop abruptly,” Chamling cautioned.
KVTDC had initially asked Rs. 110.65 million rupees to FM. Since FM declined the offer, the former had asked for Rs. 50 millions on Tuesday. “That way, we can continue the drive. Otherwise, it soon will wind up,” Tiwari warned. The FM could not be reached for its version despite numerous attempts.

HEALTH AILMENTS

Shova Baral, 23 is a resident of Chabahel. Allergic to dust pollution since her childhood, Baral, these days, is finding it difficult to bear the demolition drive. Although she has fully covered herself, Baral still finds it difficult, especially because of the season. "The temperature's so hot, and I'm sweating within. Yet, I need to cover my hands because I am allergic to dust. The bustling traffic, honking horns, ever-flowing dust and the hot Sun. How do you escape it," Baral argued. Baral is not the only one to suffer from the 'praised' demolition drive. Amrit Shakya of Jorpati and his friends too share the same troubles.

Udita Khanal, a resident doctor at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital said that people living close to demolition and those passing the demolished area are likely to suffer from various forms of skin and eye allergies. "Moreover, the pollution could also heighten chronic cases like asthama and atopy," Khanal said.

DRAINAGE WOES LIKELY TO OCCUR
As the sweltering heat of summer will soon welcome rainy season, experts on drainage system worry of a flooded valley if construction wastes are not cleared sooner. "Our drainage system are not designed systematically and do not adhere to standard norms. Unless we flush them with jet pipes, there could be blockades in the coming days," Birendra Man Pradhan, an expert said, adding that since the debris is higher this time, the frequency of flushing must happen more often.

Music has the power to change

Defenders of Metal concluded 'Metal Mayhem IV' with mayhem. The show however was put to a stop after locals complained of noise at 9:30 PM. In the concert, Pratik Rimal had the opportunity to interact with Mark Barney Greenway, lead singer of Napalm Death, a British band, for a few minutes before they geared up to rock the crowd.

TNP: Your musical journey of 32 years. How does it feel?
Mark: Well, to be honest, it was very uninteresting. There have been a lot of changes in the band line. It was a hurried start. We were young and had our spirits too high, it had resulted in differences.

TNP: It is easy to form a band, but harder to stick together. What keeps you going?
Mark: That is true. However, not everything is easy; everyone has his or her own differences. What matters is how you respond to that. I have been in the band for 20 years and as far as I know, there have been a lot of differences to sort out. To keep going, it is very important that everyone work together, have a common goal and a common way to achieve it.

TNP: People say music is free from all forms of religious and political messages. However, you address a variety of 'anarchist concerns' in tradition of ‘anarcho punk movement’ with themes like anti-racism, feminism, anti-militarism and anti-capitalism.
Mark: I would not like to call it 'anti' because I am speaking my mind, and everyone has the right to differ. What we sing is not against religion and other issues. It rather is about a country's failure to address issues like women empowerment, discrimination, social stigmas and oppression.

TNP: You were initially influenced by anarcho punk movement. Has the band's theme evolved over time, or do you still sing on the same theme?
Mark: Yeah, we still sing the same genre and our theme has not changed. See, the fact is music has the power to change. It helps you to understand religion and humanity which is often forgotten because of power, and men do anything for power. Music can change that, and that's what we sing for, and that’s why we sing.

TNP: Your song, 'You Suffer' holds a Guinness World Record for the shortest song (micro song) of 1.3 seconds. What actually is a micro song?
Mark: Yes we do, but it was not deliberate. We have always been spontaneous with what we do, be it lyrics or our music. The term, 'micro song' is just lame and there’s nothing called a micro song.

TNP: How do you see Napalm Death 30 years ago, and now?
Mark: There have been differences. When I look at the yesteryears, I see how we've improved with what we do, what we sing, and the music we bring to our audience. Right now, we feel great, but we make sure to take a day at a time. We have also matured by experience, and have gained better understanding of what a good music is.

TNP: Did you self-learn music or were you taught?
Mark: No one taught us what we play. We just learnt over time.

TNP: What has music taught you?
Mark: Well, music has taught me to be myself. In its journey of 30 years, band members have changed, but it has never changed me. It also has taught me that what one does in the long run counts, and it is important that one should not be corruptive. That's what matters at the end of the day.

We love music as much as we love death –ARSAMES

Formed in 2002 AD, ARSAMES is an Iranian death metal band that sings about Persian history, mythology, folklores and literature. Consequently, the five men band call themselves ‘ancient death metal’. "People tend to quickly forget history, and it is good to remind them time and again," Armin Ghauforian, band manager of Arsames said. The band likes to infuse the essence of ‘extremism’ in their music which they love as much as they love death. Pratik Rimal had the opportunity to know more about the band:



Usually death metal bands name themselves with darker and devilish imagery. Your band's name comes from one of the Persian kings during the Achaemenid dynasty.

Death metal has come to be a broad genre these days and so has the names. Death metal does not just confine to death growl music. Nowadays, it also includes history, mythologies, and literatures. Therefore, it is natural for bands to choose a familiar name, and that is how we chose Arsames. Moreover, our band's name goes well with the lyrics we make, and that counts. However, newer bands are coming, and they are starting to choose awkward names.

Why are you are called as illegal and considered ‘satanic’ by the Iranian government?

We try to wipe out the theme of being called ‘satanic’ because we love and are passionate for music. In a sense, we are illegal because the Iranian government has banned us to promote our albums, or have concerts in Iran. We practice in basements. The government has not just banned us, it has banned every metal band, and sometimes rock bands too, share the brunt. For all these reasons, we travel abroad. Nonetheless, there are many underground heavy metal bands in Iran. Since we cannot promote ourselves from any media in Iran, we go online and connect with other underground metal bands.

Your debut song was ‘Adiposere’ in 2005 A.D. How was the record received in Iran and elsewhere across the world?

We would not like to call it a debut. It was more of a demo song. Nonetheless, it was our first death metal song. Because of the government's ban, we used to share it on MySpace. We now use Facebook to promote our videos and songs. We continue to receive good feedback from our audience.

How do you feel to be called as the Iron Maiden of Iran?

Iron Maiden was our earlier influence, and because of the melody, we were called so. Persia has its own unique melody and we try to use them in our songs. However, nowadays, we are completely death metals.

One of your major themes is of Persian history and mythology. You describe your music as ‘ancient death metal'. Why have you selected Persian history and mythology? How do you define ‘ancient death metal’?

Persia is rich in history, and we have so much to choose from its literature, mythology and folklores. It talks from the early human civilization to everything and anything up to modern age. We share Persian history not just because we are Iranian, but also to share what we know. We are a part of world culture.

In July 2011, you released your album, Persian Death Metal Tribute to Warriors of Metal. How was it received?

It is good to know that since our initial days, we have been receiving good feedback from our audience. The album was an appreciation to all the bands that we have listened, to reach where we are now. Like the demo song, we received good reviews and it was encouraging.

Why do you prioritize Persian history and mythology? By prioritizing it, what do you intend to say?

We are a global citizen, and we all share parts of our history. People tend to forget history quickly, and it is good to recall them time and often. However, yes, we are proud to have our roots from a rich culture.

What are your influences?

Our earlier influences on heavy metals were Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest and various other metal bands.

How did you go into Death metal?

Tape trading culture was very difficult in Iran because we had to hide it from the police. If they caught us, there would be hassles. Our relatives, who lived abroad, would send us tapes, and we would share it. That is how we got into the genre.

Do you have any songs about the Iranian revolution?

We have a lot to talk about apart from our political system, and we do not deal with political themes. That is not our priority. We focus on music and by its help, we try to show a different face of Iran. We are global and just like any other person.

Who plays what instrument?

Morteza Sharami and Ahmad Tokalou are on guitars, Ali Madarshahi on vocals, Saeed Shariat on drums and Saeed Makari on bass guitars.

What is music to Arsames?

Music is more than entertainment for us. It is something that releases you from reality and focus. It also takes you to a different dream, imagination and creativity. It also helps you to meditate, and there is meditation in death metal too. It also has been our asylum. Music has pulled us together and it has been with us in both good and bad times. We have felt close with it and are continually intrigued by its world.

What are your future plans?

We are optimistic to be global, and we will make out. We are also working on our next album, and it will be an eye catchy one.

IMPACTS OF TV ADS ON CHILDREN

PRATIK RIMAL

Do your children stay glued to the television set, and seldom hear what you say? Every time a difficulty arises, they seem to take a melodramatic stance which you know, is not workable. More often, they complain and argue to have something they see, inside the square television set—loads of junk foods, cosmetic products, toys, and others.



Bhawani Karki, 15, an eighth grader at Davis School, Nilo Pul, shares, “I usually watch reality shows and live programs.” She also watches soap operas if she gets free time. “There’s little time after I complete my school’s assignments. I usually finish my homework at 10 PM, and then, it’s time to sleep,” Karki shares. But she sometimes watches ‘serials’ after completing her assignments for about an hour or half.



“I am not interested on advertisements,” Karki shares. When inquired if she brought things that were displayed on ads, she shares that she has never felt like buying an item just because they are aired on television channels. “The claims advertisements make are doubtful, and I don’t trust them,” Karki shares, adding, “I buy things when I need them, and, not get influenced by adverts.”



Yadav Raj KC, 45 of Pharping is a father of three children. “My daughter usually watches films. Since she and her elder brother have grown up to some extent, they do not demand things shown in advertisements, but my youngest son does,” KC adds. He is worried how his son is in love with junk foods and toys shown in cartoon channels like Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.



“If I can afford to purchase, I think over it again to see its utility before I buy it,” KC shares, adding how parents are sandwiched between love for their children and their materialistic lifestyle. “We love our children, and they love toys, candies, clothes, shoes, gadgets and countless number of products shown on television. They make a fuss over an item, and we do not like to see them cry. So, I often buy what my children ask for,” Ambika Thapa, 35, shares.



"Nepal and India closely share its values, beliefs, cultures and traditions with each other. Likewise, Indian and Nepali television channels share and reflect same ads, a factor that could reinforce a child’s vulnerability," Sanjeev Pokharel, an anthropologist, opines, "Awareness is the key to fight back with the negative impacts of advertisements."



Furthermore, unethical practices of concerned stakeholders (producers, distributors, weak state policy, and inability of people to filter content, and media) too have their roles in misleading the masses by the advertisements, Pokharel opines. “Awareness doesn’t just restrict to formal education. It also has to do with a person’s exposure level, and their critical thought processing ability,” Pokharel adds, “If we can develop ad awareness, we can safeguard ourselves from the fraudulent behaviors of advertisements.” Pokharel further adds, “A section of the conscious class can only shield from ad impacts, while the general masses, those who are less conscious are highly at risk of being misled,” Pokharel shares.



AD EFFECTS:



Advertisements are visually appealing, and its impacts can be reflected on a person’s lifestyle and consuming pattern. “Junk food and cosmetic products top the list,” Pokharel shares. “While it bankrupts you financially, it also ruins one’s health,” Pokharel adds. However, an ad’s effect isn’t limited only to economy. It also affects the human psychology, and especially, child psychology.



“A basic factor that reflects the effects of advertisements is personality,” Archana Baral, a hypnotherapist shares. “Fair skin children will generally be loved and appreciated by everyone. Such acts result in higher self-esteem. However, "dark skins" tend to have a lower level of self esteem because they are ‘dark’ and not ‘fair’.” Baral adds, "Such incidents increase feeling of negativity amongst children, despite the love and care given by their parents and elders.



By the time a child turns three, s/he starts to learn language, and picks up everything they hear. When a child is too much exposed to television and its advertisements, it results in mature expression, Baral shares. “Such ‘skipped’ growth highly affects a child, and sometimes, could result in regrets in their later life,” Baral adds.



“Moreover, excess view of commercials could alter a child’s growth and could reshape it into those shown in advertisements,” Baral shares, adding, such views can dull a child’s creativity. The age between eight and 14 is considered fertile for creativity.



SOLUTION:



Baral opines that limited exposure to television and its contents, and especially advertisements, could help prevent its impacts. Furthermore, he shares that, parents too should play an important role to help their children get engaged on various other activities besides the tele and other media alike. “Apart from doing so, parents must also show what’s true and what’s false in any form of media content."

KIDNEY TURNS KILLER

Pratik Rimal/TNP

Kathmandu, March 8



There are around 10,000 known kidney patients in Nepal. However, only 10 per cent of them are undergoing treatment because of the high costs.



It is believed that around 500 million people around the world have some form of renal diseases. One out of every 10 people suffers from some kidney ailments. “You might look fit from the outside, but you never know if you have renal diseases," Dr. Rishi Raj Kafle, Executive Director of National Kidney Center (NKC) said.



In order to mark the World Kidney Day, NKC organized a free kidney checkup at Chettrapati Hospital. Out of the 317 people who came to take a free test, 30 were found to have some sort of problems related to kidney. "Kidney diseases have no symptoms, and that's why it's even more threatening," Kafle said, adding, "By the time a patient encounters symptoms, they are critical."



A vast majority of the country's population still lag behind on regular medical checkups. As a result, they are unlikely to know what is going inside their bodies. “Moreover, with no symptoms to cast doubts about renal ailments, every individual must have regular screening of blood and urine,” Kafle asserted.



Prevention, way better than Cure



"You don't know when you suffer, and prevention here, is much better than cure." Kafle shared. However, very few people care to do so. They usually turn up for treatment at critical stages. "At such final stages, all we can do is prolong a patient's life; ease their sufferings through dialysis," Kafle added.



Bimal Baral, administrative officer at NKC said that, given the high costs involved, precautions should be taken earlier. "When you go into treatment for kidney failures, it means dialysis, and it's very expensive," Baral said, adding, that even the wealthiest cannot afford the treatment for long due to high costs involved. "A patient spends around Rs. 30,000 a week," Baral shared.



A woman from Dhading is undergoing treatment at NKC. She has been receiving dialysis treatment for the last three years. The costs have already pushed her family towards the depths of poverty. "In three years, I've spent around three million rupees," the woman, who seeks anonymity shares. Tears fill her eyes when she recalls what her husband, a government school teacher at Pokhara, faces every day. "It is so hard to manage money. Until now, I've been taking help from every relative, but how long will they support?" she laments. "This treatment will ruin a family," the woman shares in tears, adding, how she can neither die, nor afford the treatment any longer.



Dr. Sudha Khakurel of KIST Medical College said that renal failures could be prevented in three stages. "The first is primary prevention. Here, we ask people to live a healthy life, control their weight, and exercise," Khakurel said, adding, kidney failures can be easily cured at this stage.



"In secondary stage, kidney slowly starts to get damaged. Here, it is important that people control their sugar level, blood pressure and do regular screenings of urine."



The final prevention is only to prolong life. "It is called tertiary prevention. At this stage, we can only work to save further damage of the kidney," Khakurel said.



AWARENESS IS THE KEY



Another way of prevention is awareness, Khakurel said. "It is important that we aware people of all ages start from the younger ones," Khakurel said, adding, "It is important that schools, colleges, and other private or government institutions inform and educate everyone regarding renal diseases and their prevention," Khakurel said.



Khakurel sees awareness and healthy lifestyles as the key to stay away from renal diseases. However, Khakurel adds that, few myths have also barred timely identification of the disease. "When one sees a swollen ankle, people blame the cold weather, and facial puffiness with a snake's bite," Khakurel said about possible symptoms of renal diseases. "Other symptoms are frothy urine, red urine, backache, and poor urinary stream," Khakurel said.



What seems interesting is that anyone can suffer from diseases related to kidney. However, Khakurel sees some categories as high-risk people. "People suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and those above 40 are at high risk," he said. Apart from that, family history of kidney ailments, diabetes or hypertension too could contribute to renal diseases in the long run, Khakurel explained.



The 2012 Campaign will focus on the positive outcome of kidney transplantation and the life-saving aspect of organ donation. The slogan for this year's campaign is Donate - Kidneys for Life - Receive.



Some striking figures:



- Recent reports from the United States estimate that nearly half a million patients in the United States were treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2004 and by 2010 this figure is expected to increase by approximately 40%.



- The cumulative global cost for dialysis and transplantation over the next decade is predicted to exceed US$ 1 trillion. This economic burden could strain healthcare budgets in developed countries. For lower income countries it is impossible to meet such costs.



- The economic burden for developing countries is particularly severe, partly because Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) generally occurs at a younger age. For example, in Guatemala, 40% of patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) are under 40. In China, the economy will lose US$558 billion over the next decade due to effects on death and disability attributable to chronic cardiovascular and renal disease. For more information please see the diagram



- The number of people with renal replacement therapy has increased from 26,000 in 1990 to 1.5 million in 2000 and is expected to rise to 2.5 million by 2010.



- In Europe, it is estimated that screening for urinary protein loss exceeding 50 mg/day costs 7,000 Euros per life year gained, according to the PREVEND study, which is largely cost-effective.



- More than 80% of individuals receiving RRT live in the developed world because in developing countries it is largely unaffordable. In countries such as India and Pakistan, less than 10% of all patients who need it receive any kind of renal replacement therapy. In many African countries there is little or no access to RRT, meaning many people simply die.

- Chronic Kidney diseases are not curable, the patient needs care for the rest of his life

- If CKD are not detected early enough, the patient will suffer from kidney failure which requires Renal Replacement Therapy (dialysis or transplantation), which is extremely costly and weighs heavily on healthcare budgets.



8 Golden Rules

Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect your quality of life. There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.
1. Keeping fit and active
2. Keep regular control of your blood sugar level
3. Monitor your blood pressure
4. Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
5. Maintain a healthy fluid intake
6. Do not smoke
7. Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
8. Check your kidney function if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors

( Credit: Worldkidneyday.com)

Foreseen Fire Kills Six

Pratik Rimal

Kalimati, March 4



10:00 PM, load-shedding ends at Kalimati area. A short-circuit causes a small fire at the mid section of Kalimati’s vegetable market. Within minutes, the small fire spreads wild leaving six dead and one injured.



Six people were charred to death while a woman sustained injuries after a short-circuit at the mid section of the vegetable market at 10:00 PM on Saturday. Guards, locals and police personnel at the site speak of horror on how a single spark spread to an uncontrollable wild-fire within five minutes.



An armed police personnel who seeks anonymity said how he could not rescue a boy who was later charred to death. “The fire was too big and had completely engulfed him. We were helpless spectators of this horror; could only watch this poor kid burn to death”. “Later, only his bones were found,” the police said. The boy was later identified as Om Kumar Shah, 15 of Birgunj.



In an attempt to cease fire, fire brigades from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police and Juddha Barun Yantra had come to the rescue. However, by the time the extinguishers arrived, the fire was uncontrollable. “At one point, the fire brigades backed due to the growing flames,” a guard within the market area said. “While the fire extinguishers were on their way, we tried to control the fire, but we couldn’t,” another guard adds.



Officers at the market are puzzled as how the fire broke out. What further looks confusing is how a small fire could spread in such a short span of time to collapse the buildings and tons of groceries. “We have no clue of how the short-circuit occurred, and how it triggered such a catastrophe,” Binay Shrestha, Chief Planning Officer at the market said, adding that, the fire was under control only after 3:00 AM and investigation was on the way.



The guards at the market had foreseen such a calamity. It has come to surface that the guards had warned and requested the management to remove dry bamboos, plastic-shades and crates within the market area. However the management turned their blind eyes despite such 50 repetitive requests.



“If only they had considered the warning, such magnitude of ill fate wouldn’t have occured,” Bimala Karki, and other guards at the market said. “No one listened, now see what has happened,” other guards echo. However, Shrestha blames the vendors for their carelessness, but admits of having learnt a valuable lesson.



"We repeatedly held discussions with stakeholders and vendors to caution them about such probable occurrences, but the businessmen were, and still are, too concerned on money making," Shrestha said, blaming how their recklessness caused such an irreplaceable disaster. She said that they were estimating the cost of damage, and are working to clear the debris as soon as possible. Girija Prasad Gupta, president of Terai Fruit and Vegetable Association estimates a damage of more than a billion rupees. "Everything's gone, and the building too has cracked and burnt in many places," Gupta elaborates on his estimation.



With the damage, speculations are rife amongst consumers of food shortage and probable price hike. While some consumers keep their cool, others are too worried about the price hike. "I'm sure they'll hike the price by evening," Amrita Sharma, a local at Kalimati said. What Sharma opines stands true to what vegetable vendors have to say. Rabin Khadka and other agro entrepreneurs have lined their trucks loaded with vegetables and fruits at Balkhu. These businessmen have no place to unload their groceries, and in turn, have asked farmers not to load more trucks for the time being. The en-route trucks will arrive in the valley till today, but after that, it won't," Khadka said, adding that the prices could escalate twice the sum. "With what we have, we can only supply 10 per cent of the population for today. After that, we cannot," Khadka said.



"We have cleared the wastes, and we’ll start unloading trucks from tomorrow," Shrestha said, adding that the work wouldn’t have been successful without the help of Nepal Police, Army, Armed Police Force, and employees. A total of around 300 people had worked throughout the day to clear the night’s damage.



While clearing the wreckage is important to meet the feared food shortage, building the damaged infrastructure too is a priority. "The buildings can collapse anytime, and another fatality could occur," Khadka said.



The deceased include Hira Bahadur Pun, his two daughters, Shanti (16), Neera (14) and son Neerajan (12), Shah and one unidentified person. Pun's wife, Hikka is undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital, Chauni. Pun sustained burns injury. "She sustained 18 per cent burn injury, and as of now, is out of danger," Brig. Gen. Dr. Bachchu Ram K.C., commandant at the hospital said. Pun sustained injuries on her stomach, her right thigh and shoulders.



Nandan Kumar Datta, minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives expressed his shock, and disbelief to the incident. “I cannot express the shock I got this morning. Even now, it's difficult to breathe, I just cannot imagine what it was like when the fire was uncontrollable,” Datta said, assuring the victims with appropriate compensations.


HOW THE FIRE WENT WILD

A short-circuit triggered a small fire at the mid portion of the market. It slowly crept to sacks and dry bamboos. Within a few minutes, the fire started to grow. Later, two gas cylinders burst to exhume liquefied petroleum gas across the passage—only to result in uncontrolled fire.

A NEPALI NURSE WITH NIGHTINGALE'S HEART

Prabha Sharma used to read books on Florence Nightingale, an English nurse who helped soldiers of the Crimean war (October 1853 – February 1856) when she was young. Sharma was so much influenced by the life of the Lady with the Lamp that she decided her to pursue a career in nursing. However, Sharma's parents turned down her request to become a nurse. "Girls in my family weren't allowed to work. Becoming a nurse was very difficult for me," says Sharma with a smile as she goes down memory lane.



As the saying goes, hope shines brightest in the darkest of times. A small ray of light did shine for Sharma when her schoolteacher filled her form for nursing and asked her elder brother to sign it as Sharma's guardian. “I wanted to stand on my own feet,” Sharma shares. With her brother’s signature on the application, Sharma’s journey to become a nurse started. She has now spent four decades in the profession and continues to cherish her decision to become a nurse.

After passing her PCL in nursing in 1970 from Bir Hospital under government’s scholarship, Sharma started working at the hospital as a Staff Nurse. “I got a chance to work at Bir, while some of my batch mates were sent to different hospitals across the country,” Sharma shares.



During her stay at the hospital, Sharma received training in intensive care from Japanese nurses, and later qualified for a German scholarship scheme for nurses. In Germnay, too, she received training in ICU and Coronary Care Unit (CCU). “Four medical practitioners, Dhananjay Prasad Rimal, Dr. Pushkar Raj Satal, Nirmala Joshi, a technician named Gangalal Shrestha and I went to West Germany,” Sharma shares, adding that from there, she and Nirmala went to Veniceburg University to receive training in hemodialysis.



Although both could have become the country’s first nurses trained in hemodialysis, Joshi never stepped into the field. So, Sharma became the country’s first nurse trained in dialysis service. After completing her training, Sharma worked in Germany for two years.



Sharma was still in Germany when her mother died back in Nepal. She had already lost her father at the tender age of 12. Her mother's death was too much to bear with. So, she chose not to come back to Nepal, and instead went to the UK where she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London for two years. Thus, she became the first registered Nepali nurse in the UK.



Sharma’s eyes well up with tears when she talks about her mother's demise. She wipes her tears and says, “I just did not feel like coming back to Kathmandu. Instead, I went to the UK and later, to the United States.” After staying for two years in the States, Sharma returned home and rejoined Bir Hospital.



Bir Begins dialysis service in Nepal



A decade after Sharma received her training in hemodailysis, Bir Hospital started dialysis at the joint initiative of Dr. Rishi Kumar Kafle and Sharma on Sept. 29, 1988. However, the hospital treated only clean cases (those who were not positive of tuberculosis and hepatitis).



On April 8, 1997, Sharma collaborated with Dr. Kafle to start the Healthcare Foundation-Nepal, (HECAF-N) a non-profit and non-governmental organization to treat clean as well as positive cases of dialysis. “During the last years of my stay at Bir, a patient came for dialysis. However, his blood test showed that he had TB. Since Bir didn't treat positive cases (it still doesn't), he was left to die. Then we thought of starting the National Kidney Center (NKC) under HECAF-N,” Sharma shares.



Since its establishment, HECAF-N has been training nurses in dialysis treatment. It has also helped start dialysis service at the Military Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Nepal Medical College, and a few hospitals at Nepalgunj, Pokhara and Bharatpur.

Qualities of a nurse: Benevolence personified

PRATIK RIMAL



Groping his left hand across the wall for a support, an old man panted and walked at a pace that seemed like eternity to reach his room, a few doors away from where he stood. “Excuse me, let me help you”, a nurse, clad in complete white dress at Om Hospital, Chabahil, gently said with a smile. Upon hearing the voice, he turned his head with a feeling of relief. Careful not to hurt the patient, she gently, but firmly held him and led him to his ward.



Menaka Adhikari has spent 30 years of her life in nursing profession. An assistant matron at Om Hospital and Research Center, Chabahil, Menaka passed her PCL in 2028 BS, and since then, has been in the profession. “I worked for 19 years at Bir Hospital, and have been working at Om Hospital since its establishment 12 years ago,” Adhikari shares.

Being involved in the profession for such a long time, she shares what it takes to be a good nurse, and what qualities budding nurses need to possess if they are to succeed. “A nurse should be polite,” Adhikari says, adding, “If they are not polite, they’ll cast a negative impression on the patient and their attendants. Such polite nurses should also have a smiling face, as it can win a person’s heart. “When you smile, it gives a feeling of assurance that everything will be alright. And this will boost the willpower and confidence of the patients,” Adhikari shares. However, she clarifies that it is not always easy to smile because nurses too have mood swings and conflicting emotions.



Other qualities that a nurse needs to possess are punctuality, tidiness and flexibility of time. If a nurse isn’t punctual or tidy, she would disappoint the patients and the service she is supposed to cater loses value. “A nurse should also be flexible. When they are asked to attend on duty at specific wards all of a sudden, they should make it on time,” Adhikrai adds.



Sharmila Lamichhane, a nurse at Deluxe Ward of the hospital shared what she learnt at her curriculum and was taught at the hospital itself. “A nurse should be tactful, disciplined, confident, hardworking and patient.”



“We get different patients and face difficult circumstances. I think we should have the tact, confidence and patience to gently, but firmly assure patients and their visitors that what we’re doing is for their own good,” Lamichhane adds.

“The nurses here are more polite and friendly than in other hospitals,” Raman Chettri, 43, a visitor of a patient at room 110 of the hospital opines.



Beena Bhattarai, a PCL pass out from Sushma Koirala Memorial Nursing College, Old Baneshwor, further adds the qualities a nurse should have. “Since we see deaths and serious injuries every day, we need to be emotionally strong,” She also regards communication skills, attentiveness to details as other qualities a nurse should acquire. “We deal with different patients and their visitors. Regardless of the number, we have to be able to attentively listen to the details they give, and reply in simple and clear language,” Bhattarai opines, adding that they should also possess the knack for problem solving.



What Adhikari, Lamichhane, and Bhattarai highlight are qualities that not only nurse, but all people need to possess. These qualities are universal human virtues that people must continually work and rework to pursue. Indeed, people need to be polite, but confident of what they speak. They also need to value time and thus be punctual. Patience is a human virtue which helps one to endure difficulties with tactfulness.

KATHMANDU'S EMERGING SEX TOY MARKET

PRATIK RIMAL

The sex toy market in the capital has witnessed a steady growth over the past few years. The reason is the conservative Nepali society is gradually becoming liberal about sex. More and more people are opening up about sex, and sex related issues. And they no more hesitate to experiment if it enhances their sexual pleasure.

The number of people flying abroad for education or employment has been on a constant rise for the past many years. This has brought in not only brought remittance but also western cultures. "Increasing access to the media, Western culture and the rapidly changing socio-cultural and economic dynamics too have contributed to a change in the sexual behavior of Nepalis," said Sanjeev Pokharel, an anthropologist.

However, such changes were hardly noticeable when The Condom House and Sweet Secret were established three and five years ago, respectively. Yubaraj Neupane, proprietor of Condom House shared that his business was disappointing in the first year because very few people would enter his store. "Nepalis were not used to a public display of sexual items. Also, many would look down upon the shop as sex and sex-related issues were still a taboo for them," he said, "but things have changed over the past couple of years."

Each country has its own social and cultural beliefs. While these beliefs have their own value, they hold an individual back from trying something new, or say, doing something out of the blue and thus, learn through experiments. As a country opens up, it slowly breaks away with the social, cultural beliefs that are more restrictions than rules and Nepal is not an exception. "Things have really changed in Nepal over the past few years," Neupane shared.

"One of my friends is getting married. I am going to gift him condoms," Ayush Shrestha (name changed), a customer at the store shared. Shrestha, who himself buys condoms knows the importance of safe sex. "People should be open about sex with their partners. If you're open, you can be helped. If you are not, you are likely to get into one or the other problem," Shrestha said.

CONDOMS AND THEIR USE

There are many types of condoms in the market and one should know the kind of condoms to use on different occasions with different persons. Confused? Let truth be told: condoms are not as simple as they seem to be, and ignorance, here, is not a bliss.

Condoms aren't used only to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. They also enhance the sexual pleasure, according to Neupane. "If the female partner is a virgin, one should use light, thin and lubricated condoms without dots," Neupane said. One should use such condoms because the girl's genital is yet to open and using dotted condoms could injure her during intercourse.

If it’s a woman who's already been pregnant, once or twice, the male partner should use extra dotted condoms with lubricant because the woman's genital has already eased and relaxed. Using dotted condoms will heighten her sexual pleasure.

If it is a prostitute, one should use plain, lubricated and dot less condom. Since prostitutes do it more for money than pleasure, it's likely that her genital is dry. Using a dotted condom could cause friction and tear it.

SEX TOYS

Sex toys are objects or devices that are primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure. Many popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and may be vibrating or non-vibrating. A range of sex toys can be found in the market. Varying in the degree of features, male sex toys cost from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 25,000 while, for females, the price of sex toys ranges from Rs. 2800 to Rs. 8000.

Sex toys are sometimes seen as catalysts for sex, and are totally harmless if used properly. Neupane said that for sanitation, one should use condoms while playing with sex toys. "If they carelessly use and put it away, and then use it again, they could get infected," Neupane said, adding that sex toys were not for sharing. "No one should share sex toys," Neupane added.

BUSINESS

Neupane and Manjit Poudel, CEO of Sweet Secrets, started their business with an investment of around Rs. 800,000 and Rs 2.5 mill respectively. With little sales in the first year, Neupane doubted if he had taken the right decision. However, things have changed now. Neupane's business has been growing at a steady rate. People of all age groups come to his store to buy condoms. "Customers range from teenagers starting from 16 to as old as 70," Neupane said, "But sex toys business is yet to grow into a good business."

However, when Paudel introduced sex toys and condoms in the market five years ago, the response he got from people was that of appreciation. Nevertheless, Paudel did have some doubts on how the audience would view their shop. "We had apprehensions. But the feedback we got was startling," Paudel shared, adding, that more than 90 per cent of the people appreciated their work.

Paudel also says that sex toys are already a good business. He sells more than 100 sex toys a month. "Sixty percent of the buyers are males, while the remaining 40 per cent are females," Paudel informed.

The Condom House displays a range of condoms and sex toys for both men and women. The shop sees around 100 customers a day on an average. "People don't just come to buy condoms or sex toys. They also come for information regarding condoms and safe sex and ways to enhance sexual pleasure," Neupane said.

According to Neupane, the price of condoms ranges from a rupee to Rs. 700 per piece. "We do not have a condom manufacturing industry here, and therefore import from abroad," Neuapne said, adding that the store imports condoms from India, Japan, London, China, Malaysia, and Korea.