Images & Ideas
I was privately thinking about starting my own blog. I was cocksure that I am the only one. But, as I logged into www.blogspot.com I discovered, to my utter surprise, many a soul desperate to be heard over this virtual world. I shared my interest with Ujjwal, co-founder of United We Blog! that gave me the platform (Thank you Dinesh and Ujjwal). He confided me that he has his own site, The Radiant Star, a Nepali version of Global Voices where he makes a daily round on Nepali bloggers. But I didn't quite like the idea of dragging (if that is the right word) his better half over the blogosphere.
It was a pleasant surprise to know that my mate Nishchal Chapagain, also an innovative photographer, has started a photo blog. Similarly, after contributing to UWB a couple of times, our spiritual fellow Leelaraj Khatiwada has come up with a blog aptly titled Nirvana. But he rarely updates. I too am finding hard to maintain "a blog a day." It may keep my job away. Still, instead of keeping my diary at home, I found it thrilling to post it over here and let you people read. Happy reading!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Friday, January 06, 2006
French Connection
Do you want to learn French? Or, you want to make friends in the name of French language? Some people just waste their time learning Greek, French etc., that can not, in anyway, enhance skills in that the world's most invaluable corpus is available in English.
Many language institutes are mushrooming all over Kathmandu city that teach you every language on earth. While I was in UAE, I learned few Arabic words just to communicate with the customers. But in Nepal, I don't see any point learning French or Japanese for that matter. No, I am not against learning any language. But what's the use if you learn a language and never use it afterwards?
I lament that hailing from Brahmin stock, Nepali is my mother tongue; I can't use it as my second language. Nepal is amazingly diverse country where hundreds of languages, a number of variants of Nepali language itself, are spoken. One fruit of democracy in Nepal is that many supressed and marginalised ethnic languages are revived or are in the process of revival. Now, we have Limbu-English Dictionary and so on.
However, unlike Limbus, Tamangs, Newars, Gurungs and Tharus, I don't have any language related with my root. Nepali, also the national language, is thrust upon me willy-nilly. Sanskrit? It's a big no. Though, there is a huge episteme in it, only a vigorous learning can result in the grasp of that ancient language. Some even declare it dead language.
A year ago, my younger brother learned Japanese in order to fly to Japan. But finally, neither he flew nor did he learn that language. I am sure he can not utter a word now. So, learn the way of the world; learn some good manners and ideas from your neighbor, your mates. This French connection obviously smells rat!
Many language institutes are mushrooming all over Kathmandu city that teach you every language on earth. While I was in UAE, I learned few Arabic words just to communicate with the customers. But in Nepal, I don't see any point learning French or Japanese for that matter. No, I am not against learning any language. But what's the use if you learn a language and never use it afterwards?
I lament that hailing from Brahmin stock, Nepali is my mother tongue; I can't use it as my second language. Nepal is amazingly diverse country where hundreds of languages, a number of variants of Nepali language itself, are spoken. One fruit of democracy in Nepal is that many supressed and marginalised ethnic languages are revived or are in the process of revival. Now, we have Limbu-English Dictionary and so on.
However, unlike Limbus, Tamangs, Newars, Gurungs and Tharus, I don't have any language related with my root. Nepali, also the national language, is thrust upon me willy-nilly. Sanskrit? It's a big no. Though, there is a huge episteme in it, only a vigorous learning can result in the grasp of that ancient language. Some even declare it dead language.
A year ago, my younger brother learned Japanese in order to fly to Japan. But finally, neither he flew nor did he learn that language. I am sure he can not utter a word now. So, learn the way of the world; learn some good manners and ideas from your neighbor, your mates. This French connection obviously smells rat!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Identity Crisis?
Last few days, I was busy with collecting money sent by my uncles from eastern Nepal. My brother is applying for a student visa for Ireland and I, as his guardian, am busy arranging for his application. During this money collection spree, I ran into few ladies who after I showed my citizenship card (pic), frowned at me and threw an air of disbelief. After my makeover in a salon recently, people are reacting in strange ways. Some say I look like a gay, others simply quip: "Oh, you look great." At times, I forget my new hairdo and am baffled by people's comments.
Recently, in a private bank, the lady in the reception was attributing my citizenship card to my brother. In a gold shop near my residence at Ghattekulo, the lady in charge scrutinized the card and asked me if I were the same chap. I retorted that it's almost one and half decade old and I've undergone a sea-change. I prepared that card in 1992. After some 14 years, I look entirely different and my card's pic needs to be changed. Now-a-days, my country's king is in his state visit in my hometown, Phidim, Panchthar. It's been three years since I stepped there last time and am not going anytime soon. I have to travel all the way to Phidim to change my pic.Notice that in my old pic, am wearing my national Nepali traditional cap that my country folks (esp. oldies and village folks) are wearing since time immemorial. I had worn that cap only in couple of occasions. It is better than the baseball cap, but I can not think of wearing it again.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Here I Am!
I am the most authentic person on earth to dwell upon myself. Or so I believe. However, as a journalist accustomed in portraying others on words, I realized that jotting down about oneself can be tough too.
I would like to describe myself as a fun loving, pleasure seeking and adorable man of letters in his early thirty. I am happy being a hack which is why I term my brief non-journalistic stint in UAE as less funny and more learning-lessons-of-life odyssey.
I love three things most: Books in English, Hindi songs and Nepali food. Writing for me is both passion and profession. Of late, blog has become my favorite e-hanging out spot with like-minded people.
I confess: I am an avid collector of aphorisms. I offer one by EM Forster: "There are many types of failures, some of which succeed." Add to that, Henry Ford consoles any crestfallen person: "Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently." In a nutshell, there is no dearth of failures in life, but I am never afraid of those. Politically speaking, ditto with UWB, I am an ardent supporter of democracy. Apart from this, I don't wear any dogmatic hues, so I don't have any axe to grind.
I am never tired of serenading, reading and treading. Moreover, I am an artful voyeur; you may discover me peeking through hmm …Okay, forget about it.
Ending with John Lennon: "Reality leaves a lot to imagination." So, here I leave ample space for you to indulge in imagination about me. Cheers!
I would like to describe myself as a fun loving, pleasure seeking and adorable man of letters in his early thirty. I am happy being a hack which is why I term my brief non-journalistic stint in UAE as less funny and more learning-lessons-of-life odyssey.
I love three things most: Books in English, Hindi songs and Nepali food. Writing for me is both passion and profession. Of late, blog has become my favorite e-hanging out spot with like-minded people.
I confess: I am an avid collector of aphorisms. I offer one by EM Forster: "There are many types of failures, some of which succeed." Add to that, Henry Ford consoles any crestfallen person: "Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently." In a nutshell, there is no dearth of failures in life, but I am never afraid of those. Politically speaking, ditto with UWB, I am an ardent supporter of democracy. Apart from this, I don't wear any dogmatic hues, so I don't have any axe to grind.
I am never tired of serenading, reading and treading. Moreover, I am an artful voyeur; you may discover me peeking through hmm …Okay, forget about it.
Ending with John Lennon: "Reality leaves a lot to imagination." So, here I leave ample space for you to indulge in imagination about me. Cheers!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
An Editor Calls It A Day
Every calling is great if greatly pursued
A tall and lean and thin guy was admitted in Amrit Science Campus, Lainchaur aka ASCOL in the winter of 1990. Apparently, he either wanted to be a doctor or an engineer, as a science student is generally expected to be. But, as fate would have it, he opted for an entirely different career.
He transfered his second year to Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, Biratnagar and appeared in exam from there. Like most other Nepali lads, after completing his certificate level in Biratnagar, he embarked upon a journey to Kathmandu, obviously looking for fortune, fame and beautiful future. This journey, as it turned out later, was a catalyst for one of the most widely read bylines in contemporary Nepali journalism.
Yes, I am talking about Sudheer Sharma, erstwhile roving reporter of Himal Khabarpatrika and until recently energetic editor of Nepal Magazine. His (abrupt for us, but for him well-planned) decision to call it a day as editor was received with shock and awe by his staffs, acquaintances and well-wishers alike. It triggered a small scale tsunami in Nepali journo fraternity. It's my privilege to mention that I've known him for almost a decade. We worked together even after he left Jana Astha Weekly (which I briefly joined) and joined Kathmandu Today magazine. Then, leaving (rather baffling) my the then colleagues Sudheer, Rajaram and Nishchal behind, I boarded a Qatar Airways flight for UAE work for McDonald's. Sounds weird ? In retrospect, that was not entirely a wrong decision.
But, coincidently, while I was making innumerable burgers in the UAE, he seemed to have scooped one story after another in Himal Khabarpatrika. I was in touch with him even during my vacation trips. In sum, as a close observer of Sudheer phenomenon in Nepali journalism, all I can say is its unbelievable how soon he leapt in his career whereas others are merely creeping. What is this Sudheer phenomenon in Nepali journalism? I'll try to explain.
Sudheer, as saying goes, started from the scratch. Though, he was an avid reader of magazines, novels, newspapers etc. (in other words, he devoured all the printed words) in his school days in Dhulabari, a small town of Jhapa near Indo-Nepal border, he started his career as entertainment reporter for now defunct Parda Weekly in 1994. Later, coincidently, his one of the areas of expertise in reporting happened to be Indo-Nepal border dispute. As a rookie reporter, he was reserved, kept distance with other reporters and focused chiefly in his job. Initially, in his full-fledged magazine journalism (in his terms magazine-karita), he indulged in investigative reporting.
When I returned back and decided to rejoin journalism after 4 year hiatus, he stood by me. His period as assistant editor and later editor of Nepal Magazine, as they say, is a history. While in Himal Khabarpatrika and most importantly in Nepal Magazine, he established himself as an adept reporter of Maoist insurgency. He, however, has unquestionable journalistic acumen in other areas as well. In the last issue of Nepal Weekly in his capacity of editor, he writes in Notebook column: "People often blame that Nepal Magazine gave undue coverage to insurgency (Maoist). Of course, we gave priority to the ongoing violent conflict. In my opinion, we should give more, for this issue has become the biggest challenge our nation is facing today." However, as a leader of a newsmagazine, he was not flawless. He left the team in the throes of its remarkably progressive period. One Achilles heel (that I believe he possesses) I could not stop from telling: Though, he invariably encouraged teamwork, he was a lone wolf. He primarily focused on his own job and gave least time in observing, criticizing and evaluating his subordinates.
By leaving Nepal magazine, he says, he is carving a new niche. If so, it will pave a way for other journalists as well. But, if he is disappearing from the scene, he is going to pay a heavy price. Media person's fame is fickle. If you are out of sight, you are out of the mind of readers. Readers are the real assets and you have to be present to exhort and awaken them. Finally, I wish him good luck for future endeavor and hope this renunciation will not be his professional obituary.
Note: After a hiatus of a year and a half, Sudheer has rejoined Nepal Weekly as editor.
A tall and lean and thin guy was admitted in Amrit Science Campus, Lainchaur aka ASCOL in the winter of 1990. Apparently, he either wanted to be a doctor or an engineer, as a science student is generally expected to be. But, as fate would have it, he opted for an entirely different career.
He transfered his second year to Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, Biratnagar and appeared in exam from there. Like most other Nepali lads, after completing his certificate level in Biratnagar, he embarked upon a journey to Kathmandu, obviously looking for fortune, fame and beautiful future. This journey, as it turned out later, was a catalyst for one of the most widely read bylines in contemporary Nepali journalism.
Yes, I am talking about Sudheer Sharma, erstwhile roving reporter of Himal Khabarpatrika and until recently energetic editor of Nepal Magazine. His (abrupt for us, but for him well-planned) decision to call it a day as editor was received with shock and awe by his staffs, acquaintances and well-wishers alike. It triggered a small scale tsunami in Nepali journo fraternity. It's my privilege to mention that I've known him for almost a decade. We worked together even after he left Jana Astha Weekly (which I briefly joined) and joined Kathmandu Today magazine. Then, leaving (rather baffling) my the then colleagues Sudheer, Rajaram and Nishchal behind, I boarded a Qatar Airways flight for UAE work for McDonald's. Sounds weird ? In retrospect, that was not entirely a wrong decision.
But, coincidently, while I was making innumerable burgers in the UAE, he seemed to have scooped one story after another in Himal Khabarpatrika. I was in touch with him even during my vacation trips. In sum, as a close observer of Sudheer phenomenon in Nepali journalism, all I can say is its unbelievable how soon he leapt in his career whereas others are merely creeping. What is this Sudheer phenomenon in Nepali journalism? I'll try to explain.
Sudheer, as saying goes, started from the scratch. Though, he was an avid reader of magazines, novels, newspapers etc. (in other words, he devoured all the printed words) in his school days in Dhulabari, a small town of Jhapa near Indo-Nepal border, he started his career as entertainment reporter for now defunct Parda Weekly in 1994. Later, coincidently, his one of the areas of expertise in reporting happened to be Indo-Nepal border dispute. As a rookie reporter, he was reserved, kept distance with other reporters and focused chiefly in his job. Initially, in his full-fledged magazine journalism (in his terms magazine-karita), he indulged in investigative reporting.
When I returned back and decided to rejoin journalism after 4 year hiatus, he stood by me. His period as assistant editor and later editor of Nepal Magazine, as they say, is a history. While in Himal Khabarpatrika and most importantly in Nepal Magazine, he established himself as an adept reporter of Maoist insurgency. He, however, has unquestionable journalistic acumen in other areas as well. In the last issue of Nepal Weekly in his capacity of editor, he writes in Notebook column: "People often blame that Nepal Magazine gave undue coverage to insurgency (Maoist). Of course, we gave priority to the ongoing violent conflict. In my opinion, we should give more, for this issue has become the biggest challenge our nation is facing today." However, as a leader of a newsmagazine, he was not flawless. He left the team in the throes of its remarkably progressive period. One Achilles heel (that I believe he possesses) I could not stop from telling: Though, he invariably encouraged teamwork, he was a lone wolf. He primarily focused on his own job and gave least time in observing, criticizing and evaluating his subordinates.
By leaving Nepal magazine, he says, he is carving a new niche. If so, it will pave a way for other journalists as well. But, if he is disappearing from the scene, he is going to pay a heavy price. Media person's fame is fickle. If you are out of sight, you are out of the mind of readers. Readers are the real assets and you have to be present to exhort and awaken them. Finally, I wish him good luck for future endeavor and hope this renunciation will not be his professional obituary.
Note: After a hiatus of a year and a half, Sudheer has rejoined Nepal Weekly as editor.
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