Farewell Speech

A warm good afternoon honorable CEO, Respected principal, teachers, faculty members, staffs, my beloved friends, my seniors, my juniors and everyone present out here.  I am deeply honored to get an opportunity to speak in front of people who have come from different walks of life and who have so much of potential, knowledge and experiences to share with.

These three years of bachelor’s degree has an indelible presence in my life and these years were the most challenging years of my entire life where I had to prove myself in each and every step I took. In these three years I have met genuinely beautiful souls who have studded my life with precious memories and others who have helped me to learn lessons of life and helped me to learn the essence of struggle.

Somewhere in between principle of acceptance, principle of confidentiality, theory of feminism, psychoanalysis, ethics of a journalist and yellow journalism my three years has come to an end. Standing here in the threshold of my life I have some valuable lessons to share that I have learnt.

1

      1. Work smart

If only hard work would yield results trust me the African women would have become millionaires. Learn how to hit opportunities with skills.

2 Harness skills, polish them, refine them and become a better person

This is the age of making mistakes, falling and rising again and developing skills. Nepal still lacks visionary and skillful people. I believe the current political scenario is the perfect evidence to prove my argument. Get out of your comfort zone, convert your weaknesses to strength and challenges to opportunities.  Money will come along.

3 Develop your own network and connections

Might sound bitter but connections usually overpower effort and hard work. So go to different places, socialize and meet new people. When you have good people around you you will get your work done in a snap.

Finally Compare yourself with no one else than yourself. Every one of us are special in our own ways expecting a fish to climb a tree and an elephant to run like a cheetah is nothing else but a mere foolishness. You were born to stand out and make your life worthwhile. Remember you had to win millions of sperms to get this life that you’re living. You were a conqueror, are a conqueror and will have to remain a conqueror because history only remembers the successful one.
  

Most of us will leave this city and maybe this country as well in few months and fate knows whether we will meet each other again or not. But if my prayers work, I wish all of you present out here get your aspirations fulfilled and have a blissful life ahead.

Thank you one and all and enjoy the evening :)

No Reservation Please

Dear government,

Whenever I reach to any place for an interview or selection the very first thing I do is go through the list of candidates . Not because I doubt on my capabilities but I fear that my “surname” might turn out to be a bain for me. Had I been a Brahman almost hundred years ago the situation might have been completely different.

But alas belonging to the so called superior hierarchy today has itself become a tragedy to me and especially to all those Brahman and Chhetri men who are systematically denied from opportunities just because they were born as Brahmans or Chhetris.

It might seem queer that a woman who is highly benefited by 33% reservation is writing this message but the provision itself seems and sounds like a fabricated favor to minorities (either women or men belonging to different ethnic groups) where they are proved to be less capable. Well the concept of reservation was brought up for a noble cause. But has this reservation actually been empowering people?

Well I don’t believe so. The system has crippled people in such a way that once the system ends all the people will be scattered into distorted mass. It has made people so much parasitic that tomorrow if they don’t get similar opportunities they will definitely choose the way of conflict and why not? Why to work hard day and night when the thing you pine for comes in your life with so less efforts just because you are an individual from minorities.

A Brahman needs to score above 85% while an individual from minority only needs to cross 70 %. A Brahman man has to spend years to obtain one thing while in very few efforts a man/woman from minority does it all in a snap.I am not undermining the efforts of those individual of minority but I know the pain when your efforts do not yield result automatically discouraging people and killing their motivation. Even the INGOS that belongs to countries like U.S.A and U.K which is guided by the principle that all are born equal drastically change their philosophies as soon as they step in Nepal and ask provisions for minorities. I hardly see Brahman and Chhetri men in INGOs and embassies as the vacancies favors a minority. Programs on empowerment of people belonging to minority are conducted in four star or five star hotels where the maximum funds are spent. The already empowered people are invited, speeches are delivered, delicacies are served, people exchange customary greetings and the fund as well as the program ends. Who is benefited here? The hotel owner and yes the organization for adding program in its list.

Until and unless you don’t reach to the root of the problem the situation will remain constant. I know it’s hard for you as well. When we cannot make all our family members happy however hard we try you have countless families to look after. But I also know that had my mother not treated me and my sister equally, it might have resulted into sibling rivalry. This system will not only create crevasses and gaps in the relation of  men and women or the people belonging to different ethnic groups which will be very difficult to bridge in but might also lead to communal riot. The bitterness might completely break these relationships. 

Example: A son/daughter of Madhesi, Janajati and Dalit doctor/industrialist/business tycoon has equal opportunity as a son/daughter of Brahmin and Chhetri to develop himself/herself. But rather then reaching to the financially weak and uneducated people, rich minority benefit from it. I have seen people getting selected for quotas by fooling the government officials where they study in private schools until grade nine and study at government schools in grade ten with home tutions to be applicable for the quota system. While a child whose family cannot even offer the child two meals a day has to sacrifice his/her aspirations as s/he was born Brahman. The people in Terai manage to live in a whatsoever manner while people in hilly and mountain regions die as they have no transportation facility and have to walk miles to even get to a health facility. There are many Brahmans in far western and mid western development region who are living lives which is even hard to imagine. In this case who seems the actual vulnerable?  Aren’t they the citizens of Nepal? Or should they be punished because some of the Brahmans have reached to a high post? Isn’t it your responsibility to address their needs and demands as well? The reservation for differently able people can be justifiable as their body doesn’t support them in every task. But others do have their hands and legs which can help them to gain success if they work hard. With 45% reservation seat and only 55% of free competition how can we expect quality?

You can take the example of the recent results of Tribhuvan University as well where many people were agitated as the toppers were Brahman. Does the government need to start a new system as a non minority topper and minority topper now? Or should people be judged by their capabilities?

Martin Luther King had once said in his speech that he envisions the world not to judge his children by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I too envision a Nepal where people get success by their hard work rather than their surname. Otherwise the day isn’t far where Brahmins will be the suppressed ones. I know very well how much the people from Dalit groups and Janajati groups had to suffer due to untouchability and how hard is it for them to emerge out from their past. But I also know injustice cannot be a solution for removing injustice. The  provision of reservation must be time bound. As our constitution isn’t rigid and can be reformed at required time changes must take place.

My only request to you is to help them to help themselves. Give equal opportunities to all. work on minimizing the differences between haves and have not's . Improve the quality of the government schools so that people will not have to migrate in Kathmandu and can live in their own places. Create a plane from where people of all sex, caste, creed and color can reach to any place as they wish and let them be on their own. Create an independent individual not a parasite. I hope another individual like me will not have to write a letter as such again in the years to come.

Yours Sincerely,

A Nepali citizen

Welcoming 2016

Flipping the pages back, the year 2015 was a beautiful journey with numerous ups and downs, surprises, achievements, as well as challenges and difficulties. Looking the year surfatially life was full of struggles shaken by earthquake, strangled by embargo, deaths, terror and violence everywhere but when I plunge deep there were pretty beautiful moments to celebrate. The slight touch of old people with eyes full of gratitude, the tight hug of children, the happiness when your students pass with hundred percent results, the satisfaction when your efforts yield results, the smile you earn after serving the needy and the remembrances of people whose lives you have touched are the memories which will always be cherished.

This year made me realize that my life was much easier than that of many individuals of Nepal. It made me feel the afflictions of people as well as helped me realize the potentials of youth after seeing their rigorous efforts during earthquake. I saw god in those helping hands while I saw devils on those people who were using the aids for their personal gains. Individually the year 2015 helped me identify true friends and the fake ones and made me a strong woman. Life threw me to the wolves and I returned leading a pack. I learnt that life doesn’t get easier we just tend to get stronger. The only regret of this year was I wasted too much of time on people who weren’t worth it.

Nevertheless realizing the quicker we let go our past the sooner a brighter path will await, I am really excited for 2016. I don’t have any resolution as such but I have made my mind to utilize the upcoming days to an optimum level (remembering to take breaths). I will make sure this year will be much more awesome than last year and I will indulge myself in those activities which will make me happy. At the end of the day isn’t life all about happiness?

Humanities: Brighter than Before

Previously I was a student of science faculty. Even after spending two precious years of my life in this stream I found it fruitless in finding the width of intestines and knowing the chemical structure of the elements I would never use in my entire life. Whenever I attended social gatherings every single individual would either be talking about politics, malfunctions of the society or the socio-economical or the cultural situation of the country. No one ever asked me about the formulae of anti derivative or the enzymes present in saliva there.  Some people also suggested me to give a try for MBBS. But after calculating the investments I had to make, I didn’t find it to be profitable. Even after 10 years of study( 4 years in MBBS,1 year internship,2 years in MD and 3 more years for higher studies) and investment of minimum 1 crore rupees people would call me a junior doctor at least until my hair turned white. It was evident that I could never save that much money until and unless I choose the wrong ways.  If I would invest equal amount of hard work and time on any other fields the results would be huge. Telling in short I had already realized that science and me, we were entirely opposite to each other and didn’t attract in any circumstances. Thus I finally decided to put brakes on my relationship with science and connect with social science. It doesn’t mean that science is not a fruitful subject. Every single field has its uniqueness, its scope and opportunities. Even a social worker needs doctors, engineers and many more people in the course of their job.  The only thing was that we weren’t fit for each other.

“21^st century” as soon as we hear this, the word that immediately comes to our mind is cut throat competition, modernization and advancement and a “degree” has a pivotal role in this era. By nature I am extrovert, I love exploring things and helping people.  Thus in order to achieve the same “degree” with the essence besides, I opened the gates of GoldenGate. Travelling down the memory lane I still remember my first day in the college: Spiral notebooks, fresh set of pens, crisp ironed uniform and me. Now I am standing in the last year of my “BSW” life with hardly two months of studies left.  These three years flew in such a swift manner that it was hard to believe. People say that science is a practical based subject while humanities isn’t.  If only they could know how the life of social work students is I assure you they would change their minds. Every single student who is studying BSW must work 260 hours in an organization compulsorily. He has to go to many more organizations to conduct research, prepare seminar papers, reports and presentations. He/she has to develop programs and only then can they attain good marks and finish the course.

In this very three years I have been through hundreds of organizations, attended much more seminars and have been able to develop a good network which will turn out to be beneficial in the coming future. I have been able to see those things which are hard to believe that they even exist. I have seen the worst and best things life has to offer. I have seen how low people leap for money and I have also seen how high people can reach with kindness and simplicity. In these three years I have learned so many things that would take me entire lifetime to learn had I chosen another subject. The best part I can earn money by helping people and will not have to be stuck on any sort of ethical dilemma for monetary cause.

Few years back I believed people were right when they said that you don’t need to read social work to become a social worker. Till today I believe the same thing but to become a professional one it’s mandatory.  In a fish market a fish shopkeeper who knows the variety of fish, has a good speaking capacity and knows how to cut the fish into fine slices sells well but the one who knows different ways to prepare it as well sells a packet of mustard seeds more and maybe a kilo of fish more. The same is in this case. The way to interact with the clients, the principles, the approaches, the practice systems involved in social work, the tools and methods required for proper functioning and the proper use of media for minimizing the existing problems can only be learnt after one has academic knowledge of social work. GoldenGate has always helped me to learn new insights, has opened up avenues for me, has helped me to harness my skills and has provided me a platform to express myself. One of the reasons why I have achieved this much is due to the supporting faculty of the college and the opportunities I have received. Thus I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of them who have helped me to make this journey a worthwhile one.

Step back Narendra Modi

“I have come here with the goodwill and love from one and a quarter billion people of India. Nepal India relations are as old as the Himalayas and the Ganga. Our relations have not moved forward with mere documents but through the hearts of people. We have always believed that it is not our work to interfere in what you do but to support you in the path you decide to take. Our only wish is that Nepal’s progress reaches as high as the Himalayas”

After listening to the speech that Narendra Modi delivered during the SAARC summit the entire constitution assembly hall was echoing with applause. He had won hearts of thousands of Nepalese and had left them spellbound. With his eloquent speech he had mesmerized all. People were gathered in roads through which he passed by just to have a look. Pashupatinath was beautifully decorated like a bride just to welcome him. Simply putting it into words the 45 minutes speech that Narendra Modi had delivered had entirely changed the perception of Nepalese towards Indians. When the rattle had shaken Nepal it was India who extended its hand for help once again Indian government had won the hearts of millions of Nepalese. Yes the news of border encroachment issues, Indian media issues and issues of expired food supply had become the headlines but we were still ignoring it as we had trust on Narendra Modi. We believed that he was a man with noble heart and now and then we were comparing our leaders with Narendra Modi. But after going through the seven points suggestions to alter the provision of our new constitution in an article of Indian express our viewpoint towards Narendra modi have completely changed. After observing such an unusual and unexpected act by the Indian government we were stuck in a dilemma on which side to believe and what not to. Are these actually suggestions by Modi lead government or by the conspirators who want Nepal to remain as it is? Is it appropriate for a sovereign nation to interfere in the internal issues of another sovereign nation?

Mr. Modi presently you have been constantly lobbying adoptive citizenship in Nepal but wasn’t it Bharatiya Janta Party which had sparked the issues of citizenship of Sonia Gandhi seventeen years ago to stop her from being the prime minister? If you were not agreeing to adoptive citizenship in the past and are still not agreeing with it today in context of India then why are you trying to impose the idea of adoptive citizenship in Nepal? Indeed your strategy of playing with the sentiments of madhesi Nepalese has worked and has aroused public agitation but you have evidently fallen in people’s eyes but conducting such an act opposing to the diplomatic behavior. Nepal is a sovereign country and Indian government should not cross its limitation and should act accordingly as a neighbor. The strategy of colonizing Nepal will never be successful and we will never allow and Indian to be our prime minister or president.

If you believe these suggestions will threaten Nepalese Mr. Modi well its crystal clear that you have had your hair and beard turned white without maturity. Those suggestions have once again united Nepalese. Finally federalism, inclusion and democracy have been institutionalized. After ten years of debate and rigorous efforts and approval of ninety percentages of C.A members we finally have crispy constitution in our hands. It might not be flawless but we have intellectuals to cope up with it in our country itself. If by any chance India seals the border, presently Nepal seems to be in loss but if we observe the situation in the longer run its India which will have to face a major loss. We have to develop a collaborative and co-operative relationship with our neighbors for our smooth functioning. With already existing cat and dog fights with Pakistan and newly emerged issues with Nepal we don’t think India will develop in a similar pace. Yes we are poor but we value independence and freedom much more than money. It’s worthless to sing “sayaun thunga fulka haami “if the country is broken up into fragments. We are not your slaves to follow everything as you say. Mr. Modi your dream of becoming world conqueror will split before your eyes. Thus India must curb its hegemonic perception and must stop interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal. We don’t need $600,000 for sandalwood. We don’t need slippery sugarcoated words. We don’t need a neighbor who attacks us behind our backs. All we need is a neighbor who genuinely wants us to develop.

Napoleon Bonaparte has correctly stated that necessity is the mother of invention.  International community will never allow India to take such an action but even if by any circumstance India seals the India Nepal border, local Nepalese products will flourish. We will start searching for alternative sources of energy. Our relationship with China will strengthen. Rather than importing apples from india we will be developing roads to bring apples from helambu. We will stand on our own feet rather than living a parasitic life forever. The millions and billions rupees we provide to India to import things will be stopped. Industries, trade and business will flourish. The farmers will be motivated.We will use our own manpower rather than using biharis for labor resulting to decrease in labor deficit. Newer job opportunities will emerge.

Professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Kamal Mitra Chinoy has clearly stated in his interview with NDTV that Nepal’s constitution is better than that compared to India as it provides quota for women, marginalized groups and madhesis. Nepals constitution is for Nepal not for India. Make bridges in Gujarat, make the women in Delhi feel safer feed the inhabitants of Maharastra who are still under the poverty line. Nepal doesn’t need you but India desperately does. Yes you might be wearing dresses worth lakhs of rupees but your mentality will remain one of a chaaywala.  Step back Narendra Modi.

Challenges and Opportunities of Rural Education

On the occasion of 36th Education day and International Literacy Day 2015, USYC Nepal organized a discussion session with Mr Binod Shahi, Mr. Samden Sherpa, and Mr. Nawang Thora Sherpa about the challenges and opportunities of rural education system.

Samden Sherpa the first fellow of Teach for Nepal (TFN) and member of first cohort of USYC in his early years of youth dreamt of going to abroad to pursue his career as majority of the Nepali students dream to. Even after rigorous efforts he was rejected by U.S Embassy and the same rejection turned out to be a major turning point for him. He realized that his life was meant for his own people and started working for it.  After working in Ikkudol, Samden learnt that a teacher’s capacity, ideology and quality have a vital role on developing the children’s personality. He stated that though Nepal has developed in educational sector in terms of quantity it hasn’t developed in terms of quality. He believes that the major problem in rural education in Nepal is the lack of motivation among students and minimal participation of parents.

Nawang Thora Sherpa a TFN fellow and the member of USYC 2015 was raised by a single mother and his aunt and uncle. Keeping the fact in the mind that every single individual is not fortunate enough to have uncle and aunt like his, he started working in the education sector. At the initial of his teaching he conducted a diagnostic test and was shocked to see when the students of grade six couldn’t pass the curriculum of grade 2.  He amplified the lack of motivation and newness in teachers and the fact that the parents have no investment leads to lack of ownership causing the setback in rural education. Contradicting the point of Samden, Nawang believes that the teachers of government schools are qualitative but as the system of rewarding and punishment and proper monitoring is lacking the teachers are unable to function properly.

Binod Shahi a volunteer teacher in upper Dolpa has opened up a school with the aids of government and individual funds. According to him, the life of Dolpalis is similar to that of people in the Stone Age who do not have faint access to advancement and technology.  He highlighted that the people working in the government sector are benefitted from the problems rather than development. Thus, for individual development they do not allow the situation to flourish which is the main reason behind the backwardness of rural education. He believes that creative study is the utmost requirement in rural education so that they can utilize the local resources aiding to individual development as well as enhancement of the entire community.

After the guests shared their experiences the floor was opened for question and answer session. After a brief question and answer session the program came to an end at 4:30 p.m. 

Interaction with Visitors under Students US Speaker Program

With a motive to have an open discussion on issues concerning to youth in Nepal and United States and discuss about the cross cultural differences among these countries Alexandria Ellison and Maria Perry visited USYC members. Total 35 members participated in the open discussion that was held on 26^th August at Innovation Hub, Teku. The program mainly focused on the impact of earthquake in Nepalese lifestyle, Nepalese politics, American politics and importance of social networking sites to disseminate information.  The program made the first move with a brief introduction session. For Alexandria , Nepal was the very first Asian country she had visited and she was thrilled by the wonderful architecture of buildings in Kathmandu, vibrancy of colors throughout  and the spices used in the foods in Nepal.

Maria highlighted in the pivotal role of social networking sites in order to render aids and grants from countries worldwide. Sharing her own anecdotes she also highlighted on the importance of facebook and other medias as it had helped them to donate money to earthquake victims.  She stated that in order to bring lives back to normalcy the major focus should be driven towards promotion of tourism. Comparing to Haiti, Nepal was already known for its pristine beauty and people were attracted towards the country pre-earthquake. She was happy and pleased to see the youths carrying the responsibilities themselves in their arms rather than depending on someone else. She strictly believes that a nation doesn’t require foreign grants for development but it does act as a helping hand. She also emphasized on the proper documentation and recording of the events as these documents will help in future reference and help our future generations to have well acquaintance with it.

On the other hand Alexandria amplified on the importance of grass root organizations to address and cope up with the crisis resulted due to earthquake. She also highlighted briefly about the American Politics and election system and the current presidential election situation. Along with the political talks, the guests were also very much interested to know about the efforts made by the USYC members regarding the relief and restoration after the devastating earthquake of April 25^th, 2015. They also conferred on the role of government during the earthquake. They also highlighted that the political situation existing in Nepal is really troublesome in compared to that of Europe’s and United States. With this the program which had kicked off at 2:00 p.m came to an end.

Memories with USYC 2015

Every morning I wake up and just switch on  wifi my cell phone vibrates like anything and there are almost 1000 messages that need to be replied. No it's not spam at all and you are again wrong for assuming that I am super busy girl with lots of things to plan. It's love which I constantly receive from 52 lovely youths belonging to various parts of our country. For some the plan of staying in a hall for approximately 3 days from 8 in the morning to   8 in the evening might not seem fun at all but for me it was one of the best days of my life. Words seem pretty less to describe the time that I spent with the USYC 2015 team but nevertheless I am compelled to do so. 

From the very first letter I received till today, my journey with USYC has been a roller coaster ride of happiness and challenges. Getting selected in USYC itself is a major victory as it is believed that you are one of those best youths that the nation has to offer. When we stepped at the hotel and opened up the curtains then did we realize why Pokhara was termed as a tourist paradise. Machhapuchhre was clearly visible from the windows and the aroma of the wet earth was enchanting. After the introduction and dinner majority of the participants were bedridden due to exhaustion. And a few of us were eager to enjoy the night life of Pokhara. We walked almost an hour and then we saw pokhara at night time. we heard a party going on at a restaurant and without wasting a single moment we danced till the cafe  closed. As soon as we stepped out it started raining and we had to rush back. The next day we woke up with a message from YUWA then did our formal program start. Though it was hectic at times but after listening to speakers like Leelamani Poudel, Peter Bode, Rajesh Hamal, Lucky Sherpa and many more unknowingly we learned many things.

From the introductory session to all those fun filled breakfasts and dinners, acoustic nights, dance sessions, dance by R.K Shahi, partying in Busy Bee, interaction with the speakers, drama, comedy sessions, presentations,inspiring session by Saunak Bhatta, boating in Phewa lake and  all those efforts put on by YUWA is and will remain fresh in my mind forever.

 The orientation was just a beginning and the journey hasn’t yet started for us. Lots of challenges are yet to be faced and we are yet to accomplish a lot of things. But I am definitely sure they will also be equally interesting as the orientation and there's much more in store for us.

नसकिने के छ

Impossible remains to be impossible until someone proves otherwise. People found the idea of flight for humans to be impossible until wright brothers took the first solid steps and proved it to be otherwise. 100 meters in a meager 9.58 secs is impossible to us but the continuous effort and dedication of USAIN BOLT made it possible.

In a land where the government is corrupt, people are drowning in poverty and strikes are our weekly national holidays, people have lost hope for their nation and for themselves. Living in a fairy dream that gold trees sprout in the foreign land, 1500 Nepalese emigrate in the hope of a brighter future through foreign employment. Our market is very unstructured and the supply to demand ratio isn’t equal, but with relentless effort we’ll be able to crack it.

A 3 storied building and boarding schools for his children is a dream of every low living Nepali and a reality for a ‘PaniPuri’ vendor in Surunga, Jhapa. Many of us might have heard about Honacha, a newari restaurant in mangalbazar and some of us might have been there as well. Do you believe that the owner of Honacha is richer than many of us present out here. See! The thing is not to inherit tons of property and a lucrative opportunity, but to create opportunities.

 Looking back to my initiative ‘SCARF MOVEMENT’, there were voices saying it wouldn’t be a success, let alone make a positive difference. These voices got to me at times and I doubted if it would reach its marks as it was 10 days after the acid and infant rape incident. Then I took it as a challenge to prove them wrong and make a change. I cant recall the number of schools and colleges, organizations and clubs to F.M. stations I went in a narrow time frame of two days, for all I intended was the voices to be heard and not for popularity or for monetary  causes.

True inspiration comes from the source of our motive. Interviewing the survivor in her disfigured yet unflinching courageous state, it fueled my motive and as a result thousand’s gathered in Basantapur with placards, banners and slogans to fight with Sangita, the acid attack survivor. Good media coverage helped to make a difference and within few days the perpetrator Jiwan B.K. was caught. The thing is not to boast about my movement but a personal experence to prove that “If we want something Wholeheartedly. The entire universe conspires to make it ours”. Jiwan B.K. was caught just a few days after our movement but still I don't regard the movement has been successful. I hope that the government takes the required action, builds up a strong legislative and emphasize on her treatment and rehabilitation.

It’s always hard to resist inertia. Having stated that, its really difficult to take a tiny step in the very early phase. But as steps go on, it gains momentum and the journey ahead gets easier. The motive behind the movement wasn’t to gain sympathy but empathy and collective hands. We as human beings shouldn’t just feel sorry for the other soul, but make their pain our very own, to imagine ourselves in the very shoes of the other, and then and only then can true change come.

We are more than happy to oblige being enslaved in foreign land, but becomes a matter of shame here. The lovely daughters and sons of the so called ‘GHARANIYA PARIWAR’ who never had to raise a plate for themselves are waiting tables at Mc. Donalds, KFC and food courts. How wonderful it is that they boast about their job, their somewhat independence from their parental income. Believe me no work is small and no profession is due for disgrace. its our narrow spectrum with which we see the world that make professions and professionals seem small. Everyone is important in their own way, Regardless of the professions we embrace. We should try to excel in it, be a leader and aspire others to someday be leaders and aspire others similarly.

Strategizing for others downfall, gossiping a rumor, inhibiting someone’s growth has never helped someone grow. It simply holds the others for a while only for them to come stronger and smarter. What choice do you make, act the villain or the co-star to success and growth? A talking mouth or a helping hand? A loved one or a hated one? The choice is yours to make.

Earthquake and Child Psychology

The rattling that shook the whole nation has shaken our mindset even harder. Scientists claim that the clash of the Indian and the Eurasian plates gave birth to the massive earthquake while some people state that it is due to god Shivaa's leela. Whatever the reason is the fact is that the 7.9 magnitude jolt shook the country and has left thousands dead and many more injured. Places that once were homes are now nothing more than piles of rubble and sites for mass graveyard. Dead bodies have still been left unattended and people have lost hope of finding any belongings in a usable state. It feels like we have been engulfed into darkness and in every lightning corpses are produced.

Some are fortunate enough that even today their houses in which they live are intact and habitable. However there are thousands who have become homeless and are forced to live in open regardless of the harsh weather. Thus in order to provide a helping hand to those we made a focal point: to help children. UN estimates that more than 1 million children are affected by the recent earthquake and these problems should be addressed as soon as possible. In order to assess the impacts we went to Kavre, Sindupalchok, Dhading and Kathmandu. The assessment in Dhading was easier due to abundance in stationery and the guidance of psychologist Ganga Pathak.

While in Kathmandu we are still conducting daily observation of the children. When asked to draw cracked buildings, injured people ,hospitals and black Dharara were all they could come up with, portraying their mindset which has been heavily disturbed by earthquake. Some children tightly clung to their parents with every minor aftershocks while some never let tears off their eyes, some had become claustrophobic and insomniac while some never let their parents off their sight. According to the parents the children under tarpaulins had lost their appetite and refused to return to their homes even after a week of the quake and would just gaze away.

After reaching to the disaster zones it could be analyzed that the places which gained attention wanes were mounted and piled up with relief materials and funds while others who were equally hit by the quake were empty handed. From the numerous field visits it could be concluded that children from the villages were in a better mental state compared to that of city. .Some of the reasons behind are:

1) Free space: Unplanned urbanization and few open spaces compel people into crowded situations with unknown people making the children feel uneasy to move around. False rumors quickly spread in such places further contributing to fear and the terror.

2) Media: With the media outlets concentrated in the city, the children are quickly exposed to the depressing news of deaths and injuries further traumatizing them.

3) No means of distraction: Usually in the village areas the children are engaged in something or other. They have to look after the livestock and commit to household chores. But it’s not so for the urban area. Closed entertainment centers, schools, malls and no proper access to technology has further worsened the situation making it hard for them to open up.

In "Child friendly Spaces" a program organized by UNICEF, World Education foundation and CWISH I as a teacher found the students confined to themselves in the initial phase. With the days that passed by, games, dance, activities and story books gradually returned them to their normal self. Taking a glance at the children's situation they are in dire need of motivation, counseling and psychological treatment. Some may be able to cope up and heal with time while for those who are deeply affected by the quake must go under creative expression therapies, counseling and various other therapies under expert guidance

Children are raw and immature to the immensity of the devastation and problems. Children have a lot to learn and are very sensitive to situations and being so imagine the trauma and wound inflicted upon the minds of innocence and compassion. If the problems are not addressed immediately then it might leave them scarred for life.

Violence Against Women

With the increase in number of seminars, conferences, movements, rallies and literacy rate, it is legitimate to expect cases of violence against women to stop. But why do we still find stories of pain and why doesn't it take a name to stop? Why have complains regarding women violence been soaring up in alarming rate? Why isn't education helping to improve the present scenario? Why don’t people lodge complains against the perpetrators even when they know that whatever is happening with them is wrong? Well I believe it is all because of society.

However educated a woman or a girl is she still fears the social stigma because she knows that she will be looked at with scornful eyes even when she is proven to be innocent and the perpetrator to be guilty. She knows that speaking a word against the patriarchal members of the society will defame and bring dishonor to her family .She silently accepts what’s happening because she is inculcated to do so.

Two girls preparing for their S.L.C exams are attacked with acid in the center of the capital city. After rigorous efforts, movements, campaigns demanding stronger legislation, investigation and constant attacks by media the accused gets caught one month later. It becomes sensational news to the media. When he laughs remorselessly in the press release outrage is sparked in social media.  People salute Nepal police for their success. Then two days later the criminal turns out to be portrayed as a victim of untouchability .He is said to be a depression patient. Suddenly all the women right activists keep quiet. People start believing whatever he says. People forget that no reason is valid for the heinous crime he has done. People forget that every criminal has a dark past. People forget that a person who lies to his parents can easily trick others. People forget how remorselessly he had attacked the girls. People forget that the attack was not done when he was criticized or when he was regarded as untouchable but after he got thrown out of the selection in army. People forget that he crossed his boundaries as a teacher and established relation with a student. Suddenly his letters start  getting published in online portals where he states that he had done everything with Sangita except having a physical relationship. He proudly states that he doesn't regret for his monstrous act. People start feeling pity on him and the case is totally diverged. Not a single reporter again goes to the victim to verify the truth.Why? Because that’s what happens when a girl rejects a guy who establishes a relationship in the base of lie.  The victim’s family regrets for lodging the case.

A police constable is accused to rape a 13 year old child in Doti . I don’t think she was provoking enough or she was dressed in such a manner to get pregnant.  But still she was raped. But trust one day or the other she will be pointed at on her character. Guys will think 1000 times before marrying her. Even when the society knows when it was not her mistake and she did not approach for it.

People might present the case of 6 year old Puja Sah. Yes, I agree that it was justice in her case but there are thousands of Puja who have become voiceless.  But the solutions are so simple. Just change your mentality, don’t run after the current and change your actions. If everyone will do so there will be no violence against men or women.  

The Seventy Two hours

Those three days were the most terrifying days of my life. We just didn't lose thousands of our brothers and sisters, all our hopes were shattered into fragments, our cultural heritage sites turned into rubble and many small entities of our life lost. Seeing people wounded, crying for treatment, wailing in memory of their lost ones and trauma and affliction everywhere is a sight no one would ever wish to see or feel even in their worst nightmares.

Once again mother nature had proven that no man made invention is stronger than her. Nepal has once again lost thousands of its children and has been pushed 10 years back. Like after every rainfall there appears a beautiful rainbow, like after every sunset there is a sunrise I hope the wounds will gradually heal, new hopes will emerge and people will once again start their lives anew.

And How Do I Feel

"The criminal should be caught and should be sentenced to death. He should also feel the same pain that I am going through didi" with her eyes full of tears she said to me. I looked at her burnt face. The acid had not only burnt her skin but it had killed her from inside.

Suddenly my inner voice spoke to me , "You might find yourself in her shoes some years later with your face burnt and you will find no one to help you" And trust me I shuddered. Then I started my movement "LETS UNITE AGAINST ACID ATTACK" A SCARF MOVEMENT.3 days.4 hours of sleep every day and working crazily. Calling people,dropping letters,reaching out to different organizations had become my schedule.And the weather was at its worst with high thunderstorms,heavy rainfall and wind.The day arrived; 1000 people before my eyes, females with their scarves on, journalists ready to cover the movement and a journalist asked me how I felt. I smiled and said I feel happy but what did I actually feel? I felt really bad as I had to start this movement.And why so here's the reason.

When I was a child I never had to fear criminals. I could get lost in the streets...I could fearlessly walk in unknown alleyways..I could talk to whomever I wanted in a whatsoever manner.But today due to increasing crimes believe me no one can walk that fearlessly.No one can dare to get lost and talk to unknown people. Why?Because we fear that we might get harmed. That a Nepali might hurt another Nepali. 

I was sad as I could only see 1000 people standing to raise their voice who could actually internalize the affliction of victims.I was sad to see that we had become so busy that offering one hour for justice and for a better and peaceful future had become such a big deal.I was sad when people choose to shout at the Karaoke bars rather than shouting for justice.

Then the journalist asked what will u do next? I said that I would continue the awareness program but what I actually felt like doing?I felt like stopping all these sort of movements.I wanted to return back to that time when there was no need of such movements when the women could do as their heart wanted.

I feel that the happiest day in my life will be when actually a movement like this won't even be required.