Pro activism

Do we all envision of better Nepal? A big question!! Who is going to make real New Nepal? The obvious answers we get from general people would be, “The Government”. Though they are right to some extent but not hundred percent. Every individual from all the sectors should contribute o make our country developed and progressive one. But, unfortunately we are always looking towards government, we want it to be active and carry out developmental activities. There is no doubt that the government being the primary responsible agency to make country developed however one should not forget that citizens are also equally responsible towards their nation.

If we really want to see changed and developed Nepal first we need to become pro active and start thinking on possible ways that we can contribute from our side to make Nepal really New looking. Yatra, a youth led organization has now started working with youth encouraging pro activism in social issues. Yatra defines pro activism as not looking towards any body to solve your problem or towards making your place beautiful rather being self motivated to change or improve it. Youth themselves should vision their future and should work towards achieving it. They should not wait any one else to make their vision achieved. In the initial phase Yatra is working on making youth understand their responsibilities. They are reminded for the small things that they can do to make their place beautiful. Now we need to be creative and prove that Nepalese are capable of making New Nepal.

Similarly different organizations have started doing several pro active works to make New Nepal. We all know Kathmandu valley has been facing different kind of pollution, visual pollution is one of the pollutions that we are facing and the issue is not taken into the consideration at all. Kathmandu valley is loosing its aesthetic value due to the Advertisement boards (hoarding boards) placed without planning and with no control. However, one organization has started to use billboard for giving social message at the heart of Kathmandu, their work is really very appreciable. By the means of creative art they are giving social messages using billboards. Usually billboards are used for the commercial purpose, but this time and I think first time ever in Nepal the concept has been implemented where the commercial place and tools are used for giving the social message. While walking down the street from Singhdurbar to Putalisadak chowk one can observe many commercial billboard, on the same street, these days we can observe one billboard giving different message. I suggest my readers to visit the place and find the different billboard and send your suggestion and feedback to mailto:lasanaa07@20gmail.com and if you want to find more details about this initiation please check http://www.differentvoices.org/.

Our voice always counts… so give your different opinion and ideas that can be useful and be pro active, don’t wait others to solve your problems.

P.S. Photosource www.differentvoices.org

Reducing Food Crisis..

These days, especially developing countries are facing food shortage. I am sure that economic experts, government and other stakeholders are doing their homework, for solving out this current problem. From my point of view every citizen should also now take initiation to get rid of famine. What I believe is that efforts of every individual can help to minimize the current shortage. Based on my everyday observation here I am going to mention some points that how our culture is responsible to promote scarcity.

Every Thursday and Saturday I go to temples for peace and tranquility of mind. What I observe is that especially Hindu throw grains at the temple, I know that is a part of our culture and we have been practicing this from the centuries. Similarly, we use maximum grains to worship the statue of Deity which is not either edible or useful in any sense. One thing that we always forget now is that during our forefathers’ periods there were enough food supply and less population. But now the situation is entirely different as the world’s population is increasing day by day. And we in the name of culture we are exploiting everything enhancing the food scarcity without realizing the reality even for a moment. Is it necessary to worship Gods with grain, can’t we think of other alternatives?

Similarly, we have a habit of wasting foods. In my office all the staffs take lunch together. I am always disappointed by their attitude of throwing foods. They are educated and are working in the social sector however one can easily find them wasting foods almost everyday. They take food more than and ultimately come up with leftovers. Is it necessary to take food more than we eat, can’t we control ourselves?

Likewise what I believe that we even need to change our regular food habit. We, Nepalese people eat maximum rice because there used to be enough production within the country then. However, now these days Nepal has to import rice and in this situation we should think about other alternatives which are nutritious and abundant in the country. Or may be we can also start skipping dinner as done by People of Thailand to minimize food crisis…yes at least we who lives in city, or who are suffering from obesity can do this. I believe such kinds of behavior will no doubt contribute towards solving the issue.

PS: Posted in http://niraj.instablogs.com on July 16, 2008

New Words To Learn English Alphabet for Beginners

Yesterday while I was busy on my own work I suddenly heard my niece chanting aloud. Then I came to know that she was trying to memorize something. Whatever she was trying to remember was quite interesting. I found that she and her friends in grade three are trying to make new way of remembering English alphabet which was based on our current political condition.

Though they have not completed all, I found it so interesting that I couldn't stop posting in my blog. Hope you will also contribute to make new methodology of learning English alphabet in new Nepal.

"A" for Andolan
"B" for Bandh
"C" for Chakkajam
"D" for Dhungahanahan
"E" for Eetaa hanahan
"F" for Fight
"G" for Ghoos
"H" for Hadtal
“I” for ………..?

What could be other?

It is not the matter of joke or laughing stuff but it is a very serious matter. It is important that the concern authorities should take serious consideration on the issue and declare school as peace zone, other wise the impacts of poor child psychology might destroy everything in long run that nobody can even predict

Living at Threshold …….

In the recent years I have learnt many things which helped me to grow professionally. My travel to different places inside and outside the country provided me insight of life. As I am working in youth issues since the commencement of my career, I want to explore more and want to do something for betterment of young people.

Comparing the demands of youth from two different thresholds of 21st century I have tried to write few words, I would like to thank Youth Telecenter for publishing my write up in the e-notice board.

“In the year 2008 when youth of Japan were talking about world tour, young people o f Karnali, for the first time got a chance to travel in a vehicle on June 2, 2008.”

Since 2003, I am fortunate with several exposure opportunities to travel nationally and abroad from my home town. I went Japan twice, visited Malaysia and Sri Lanka for once as my professional visits in last three years and visited India for three times for my personal work. At this span of life I have visited to twenty five districts of Nepal some of which were very remote and lost. More

Leaving a Paid Job to realize A Dream

Yesterday I received many acknowledgements from my friends. The reason was to resign from my paid job…no salaries from August 2008.

From the year 2000 to 2007, I was never jobless but was never paid. During those periods I volunteered in few developmental organizations gaining experiences in the social sector. On May 2007, one reputed organization offered me a job which I accepted. I was very happy to get that job and for a year I was quite satisfied with my job. I got opportunities to grow professionally; travel to very remote part of Nepal and my earning was also not bad (for a single person like me). Still, there are many opportunities at the organization which I am going to leave from 31 July 2008.

However, in recent days I was in a dilemma and was frequently asking myself about my dreams and work that I really wanted to do in my life? Or are there other kinds of jobs that fascinate me more? I questioned about my interests, my passion, for visions which I have more dedication, enthusiasm, and energy for creation. There were queries in my mind like, is it possible? Or do I have a dedicated team? Well, frankly I was knocked with these questions after I read the book “Leaving Microsoft to change the World” by Mr. John Wood. (Should I thank Mr. Wood?)

After questioning myself for a long time, finally I got answer. I decided to quit my current job.I am still not sure that if this was a right action? Rather I am aware that it is a big challenging question for my whole life. I was aware, that these days it is very difficult to get job especially for people like me who is a man from the capital of the country and belongs to Brahmin caste (so called high caste group). These days’ organizations are focusing on inclusion, gender and representation, so there is almost no space for man like me (you can easily find 10:3 female and male ration in some of the leading organization. Is that a gender balance?). Another most probable disqualifying factor for me not getting new job is that I don’t have relatives at high level position (it is a must to get a decent job). I am sure that it will be very hard for me to find similar job. But for this moment my insight and intuition tells me that I have chosen the right decision no matter what may happen in the future.

The reason for leaving this job is my dream, my vision and the most my satisfaction and happiness. One of the reasons for me leaving the current job is that I want to focus in life. I have tried many things in last few years, now I realized that I was not being focused on what I was/am doing. My interest and work are two different thresholds. I felt that I want to move on to one edge but was never following the right path. These days I am confused on what I was doing. During my working days some times I felt so unproductive and was sticking on the same job. I questioned myself, why am I so obligated to this particular job? Why I am simply killing my days working on what I am not made for rather than fulfilling my dreams and achieving my vision. So what is the reason of being here and occupying this space?

That day I listed pros and cons of leaving this job. First I listed the things that I wanted to do in my life, my interest and where I want to be in rest of the life. My result showed that current job will not help me to achieve my dreams and vision.

During the time I was planning to leave the job, many questions came into my mind, some of them were too ridiculous but practical as well such as, as I was planning of getting married in a year or a so and when I quit this paying job, I will not be earning and not sure how much time will it take me to start earning myself. So will the girl’s parents ready to give their daughter to the man who doesn’t earn? Several similar questions came into my mind, but I answered myself that this is not the right time to answer those questions. If I really work hard, I am confident that I will earn that will help me to survive and support my family. I don’t want luxury life; I simply want to be happy and satisfied throughout my life.

In the recent years in my professional life I have tried few things, in some of the matters I consider myself successful. I don’t compare my success with others’; I know there are many people of my age who have done far better than me, have achieved more. But I am happy with my progress but not satisfied because I don’t forget my reality and my background. Whatever I am today, I know, I am more than what I deserve. Now I have decided that I will be more progressive, I will do whatever my mind suggest me to do, more than that I will do the work that I enjoy most.

Now I will try to be focus, and I will continue with my own organization Yatra. Now I will accomplish those dreams set by myself and my friends for our organization. I know my organization might not pay me at this moment, but I also believe that the money will be the last constraint. There is a saying “If you are really passionate towards your work, don’t think about money; keep on doing your duty”. I believe this…

I assume there are only very few persons who left their job to fulfill their dreams, now I am in the list and I am very happy for that. I don’t know my decision is right or wrong, and this is not the appropriate time to find the answer. My performance and outcomes in the upcoming days will give the answer to my decision, and I am confident the answer will be positive.

Now I am again a volunteer, and I am ready to volunteer in the cost of fulfilling my dreams. The last thing I can predict for me is that I will never have to be jobless, never…

Salute to Mr. John Wood

My interest and mood often changes from time to time. Some times I get lost into musical world and sometimes I crazily drop everything for my work. Every now and then my priorities are changed however my interests remains same. Though I manage to fulfill my hobbies and interest but it follows like a chain, one following the other and some times simultaneously.

Among few of my interests, these days I am fond of reading and writing however, actually reading and writing are not of my primary interest. Though, usually I don’t have time to read but get carried away with my friends’ suggestions which enforce me to jumble up with few books. And if I ever happen to read, I prefer motivational books rather than any fiction books or detective solving a murder-suicidal case story. Motivational books inspire and fascinate me to read and even sometimes urge me to write.

These days I am going through Nepali version of “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World” which is known as “Microsoft dekhi Bahundada samma”. The author of the book is Mr. John Wood, founder of Room to Read and Mr. Khagendra Sangrula translated it in Nepali. In the recent years I have gone through similar kinds of inspirational and motivational books like How to Change the World, Monk who sold his Ferrari and few book on social entrepreneurship also. The knowledge provided by these books helped me to explore and figure out to some extent the meaning of life…….particularly my own life.

I would also like to thank Mr. Wood for writing such an inspiring book as the book is very encouraging and inspiring people to contribute to bring change to better humankind in all the society. I found hopes for being daring, innovative after this book. The story of John Wood realized me that I have already chose a thread in my life which attempts to change myself, society and the whole world. The organization that I have established with my friends in 2004, Yatra has already sparkled the light to make change. That’s why after reading the book, my passion for social work again waked up thus I am planning to do something really meaningful that I always wanted to do for my society.

Though, I am confused on making difference in the society from my individual effort. But at this moment I really want to make contribution to the Room to Read. During the time while I was thinking on how I can contribute to Room To Read, I went to website of the book where I found various direct and indirect ways that one can contribute. I was happy to know that I have already started contributing to Room To Read, immediately after purchasing the book. However, I don’t want to stop contributing myself in Mr. Wood’s initiation. To support this noble initiation I am searching for the most viable way to support, still I am not convinced. I am pretty sure that in long run I will certainly contribute significantly but what for now? How can I make contribution that will satisfy myself and support in this noble cause of educating millions of children.

I know that I am not in any position to support Mr. Wood initiation significantly; however, I can do few things to contribute further. As suggested by Mr. Wood in his website, I decided to write about the book in my blog and also to circulate this book among my friends and relatives, I also decided to buy another book in the English version (which I have just bought). I am sure all these small contributions are not going to give any big impacts, but will satisfy me. I was again thinking of any other possible way to support this campaign and an answer came into my mind. If I ever happen to travel in the project site of Room to Read, yes, I can monitor their libraries and schools and report Room to Read or can post case studies in my blog. I know I don’t have any authority to monitor their projects but I suppose that such kind of monitoring will make people more accountable.

I convinced myself that all of these activities can be done voluntarily which will satisfy me as well as support the campaign initiated by Room to Read.

I wish all the success to Room to Read.

Mr. John Wood is the founder of Room to Read. Mr. Wood left Microsoft to do social work at the age of 35 by helping establishing libraries and schools in the remote part of the Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and other third world countries.

What is good at Kathmandu Valley?

In workshop organized on the occasion of World Environment Day 2006 by Yatra, Ms. Renchin Yonzon, a social architect, asked participant to write three things that they find good and bad about the environment of Kathmandu Valley. Participant wrote three bad things in no time, however, in the context of good, entire participants were finding hard time to answer. Every one was asking each other but Ms. Yonzon strictly restricted participants to ask. Though, I was the organizer of the workshop but I was also not the exceptional.

Since, that workshop I am in search of good aspects of the Kathmandu valley. In that workshop we were supposed to talk about environment only however, these days I am not restricted to see from environmental perspective only. So, I am in the search of every other good thing in Kathmandu valley. And sometimes, as I don’t see any good thing, I consider myself as a pessimist who sees darkness everywhere, which I am not and I feel very bad about it. Sometimes I question myself, are there few things left that are really good at Kathmandu valley? I answer myself, certainly yes. There are still many things left which are very exceptional and unique and pride of Kathmandu (I expect answers from readers).

For example, in few days back I was very happy to see the duty performed by the lady traffic police at Thapathali-Kupondol junction. This junction is one of the places where most of the time lady traffic police are on the duty, according to my own observation. Though people those who are walking and driving don’t often enjoy following traffic rules, the traffic police are working really very hard to make them to follow the rules. I spent in an average of one minute at that particular junction every day on the way to my office. So, I everyday get opportunity to be the spectator of one of the very few positive aspects of the Kathmandu valley and at other side I also see attitude of many uncivilized people. I salute women police officer for their performance, also in a real difficult situation. I would like to thank them because they helped me to get an answer on the good aspects of Kathmandu valley.


P.S Dear readers you are requested to put your views on the good and positive aspect of Kathmandu Valley.

Future of Stray Animals at Kathmandu

" I am innocent, my owner left me in the busy street... I didn't know where to go? I didn't know who was going to take care of me?" - June 2, 2008

"I died on the street, still no body cared" - June 19, 2008

No Petrol!!! Is there any solution?

Who is going to talk about these issues? Where are so called civil society leaders?

Per Bottle NRS 150.oo only

No Petrol, sleeping while waiting

Our Past, present and can be our future, we need to think very seriously. Youth should be more serious. We need to take action.

Civil Society in Nepal

Mainly three actors are categorized as responsible agencies for nation building viz. state, market and civil society. Currently, in Nepal the State is very weak due to the unstable political changes which are rapid and unavoidable creating the anomalous situation all over the country. In fact, it will take time to come to the normal situation, which is quite explicable.

In Nepal, due to lack of strong governance the state of impunity is increasing day by day with the poor functioning or absence of the social security system as well as no control towards inflation. Thus, in such situation where the market itself is weak there arises no question of investing personal property for establishing new industries or other business.

Civil society with their forms, features and function opened to broader extent than any I/NGOs has an active and imperative role in the social transformation. In Nepal, though civil society most of the time perform as watch dogs seldom raise voices for people. In the current context of Nepal civil society should have seen presenting strongly and strategically pro people however they are limiting their roles for power and money which might make them hyperactive towards political issues.

Majority of the civil society in the country are party aligned and are very political rather than social. In other words, we can say that the political parties are leading the social and civil department of the political parties through the civil society. Currently, in the political debate about the position of the President of Nepal, some of the major parties proposed names from civil society actors as future President. This can be understood as the clever alliance between the people of Civil society and political leaders. Rather than working for people are so called visionary leaders from Civil society are again showing their greed for power, position and politics. Not a single civil society has yet remarked on shortage of fuel or outcry pro people against implications of inflation where each day prices of commodities prices are increasing like nothing. Similarly, no civil society is against garbage and litters at the street at the Kathmandu valley, does any one agitated against the Municipality to take responsibility? No, when it comes to the matter of position and politics they are ready at the street and collect money for supporting livelihood of ex-king but have they ever fund raised or just provided their expertise to control traffics or air pollution?

In Nepal, civil society leaders are generally very familiar faces yet they are trusted by general citizen for advocating for their rights. However, the general mass should also be able to asses their representative rather than blindly following their so called civil leaders who doesn't have ethics and moral. They are not raising their voice when issues are affecting daily life of the citizen. In this background we can conclude that civil society in Nepal is not yet visionary and strategic rather are politicized and popularized. To be very specific they are not representing citizens rather are representatives of political parties. We all agree that Civil society should raise voices on the political issues which should favor for people but they should not limit their role as political agents but should open up being critical, essential and real change makers!


Now it is a high time for the emergence of new groups who really represent the citizen not the political parties’ agents.


Author: Niraj Khanal
Editor: Deepti Khakurel

Blogging again...

Dear all, I am back to blogging after a year. As Nepal moved through the great political turn over, I personally feel that every Nepalese should express their feelings and provide inputs to the policy makers to revive the nation. At the same time I believe all of us are equally capable of giving valuable suggestions or at least a feedback on nation's issues. During informal discussions with my friends, colleagues and relatives, generally I find them very critical on their views and some of their thoughts and ideas are very creative and unique. Though having better ideas, we don't open up easily rather suppress our feelings without the knowledge of such places where we can/should share our feelings.

To all those who shared wonderful feelings with me, I suggested them to write article and publish it to newspaper. However, most of us are not used to writing despite of the fact that how good attempter we are when it comes to giving speech. This is because we never try to write. I also don’t enjoying writing but writing is the only means through which our thoughts become visible and aspirations to others. I have suggested some of my friends and colleague to start blogging, though I myself was not doing since a year. Now from today onwards I have started to blog, I will express myself, I don’t know whether I am right or wrong. And I look forward for all of yours critical comments and suggestion on my writing and thoughts.

Start blogging because all of ours voice counts.