as Life goes on…

By this time, the country has got  a new Prime minster. I had typed this yesterday before the election.

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The tiring race for PM in Nepal has to come in another phase. Thanks to the strange constitutional provisions endowed by our lawmakers, for the last 6 months all of us saw 16^th round of elections with always same result that is no new PM.

The same old as well as boring faces have nominated for the post, as if no party has any other guys who is able to sit in the chair of PM. This sit on the chair is so because no one really expects much from these guys. The online version of Nagariknews yesterday posted the photos of the candidates of three largest parties. The photos are still there by the time I am typing this. Prachanda from UCPN-Maoists, Ramchandra Paudel of Nepali Congress and Jhalanath Khanal of CPN UML, in the order of their status in the house. Prachanda and Khanla are surrounded by the media and were pretending very serious mood. The photo of Ramchandra Paudel is of bit different.  He has his two aides by right and left. He himself holding a piece of white paper which must be the nomination form, over which there is a white piece of paper that must be his photo to be attached on the form. In front of him, on the table lies his half opened wallet and a improperly positioned cell phone. So by this we can understand that he has opened his wallet to take out the photo to patch on the nomination form. The photo might be a normal if there was another layman than Ramchandra Padel. He is the probable next PM! Interestingly, he was also the only PM candidate in the world who has lost the elction for 17 times in the house!! I was saddened by this crazy photo and wished he should have prepared well for his nomination.

This morning, I saw the online version of Kantipur daily (http://www.ekantipur.com/np/2067/10/19/full-story/324499.html) and made myself clear about the photo I was thinking earlier. Poor Ramchandra even forgot that the nomination form needs his photo!! How could he remember, he had lost the previous 16 elections with a single nomination which was filed about 6 months earlier.

The next PM has to do some jobs that is hugely crucial for the unity, integrity of the country. Writing a pro-people constitution in less than 5 months and two huge works for the logical end of the peace process – integration of the Maoists army into security forces including Nepal Army, and defining the federal structure of the country, which the politicians have made the people dreamt for it. With leaders who doesnot even prepare for a trifle like filing a  nomination for the post of PM, how we can be sure that these people have a strategy and chalked out plan for the future of people ?????

Sunday, thought to take a full day rest. However, could not do so. What else to do? Just browse, chat.

Browsed through the online news portals of Nepal.I guess with the so called “agreement that saved the country” among the top three parties- the trios of problems. There was not much sensational news for Nepalese readers like us who always get excited and carried away with the news lines. Because, there is agreement, for sometime there ts no exciting news.

All seems old wine in new bottles!

It seems the May 29th deadline was wasted in national interests! All the contributors blockade the house, bargained, organized strikes for the people and for the interest of Nepal! They even bargained their interests for extension of the Constitution Assembly for a last minute agreement. The agreement, what it is said is still unknown to people. Seems win win for leaders but not the same for people. The midnight unity has vanished in day light. It was evident on the Republic Day ceremony organized by government. In speech, PM did not mention about the invisible agreement. He rehorted his own mind, the fouling odor that was lasting from few days. In the backside, the Maoists celebrated the Republic Day by announcing their version of the “Peoples Constitution of Federal Republic of Nepal”. The Maoists deputy did not stop saying  the agreement was a cheque  that might bounce back!!

The May 29th agreement has remained invisible. Like in typical Nepalese style politics this agreement has been made. Hidden and invisible from the people, and so will be defined and defended on the interests of the players. None of the political party thinks that it is necessary to honor the right of people to  know about what the leaders elected by them are doing. Many times in the history and recent past, this has happened. Why a respected and influential leaders whom a big mass of people trust cannot be transparent to the people who vote to them? After 48 hours of the so called agreement, the political parties have started defining the agreement on their own self. Had it been the made public it would not be like this!!

The agreement done for a year to write a constitution has not even trusted for a day!!!

There are news- awards of excellences for the contribution for country, in the day of Republic Day, cheering the day. This too has became a vague, for the extraordinary contributions!!! The contributions which cannot be defined or remarked. The system that nominated and awarded the to be prestigious awards and token did nothing but dishonest the awards. The second Republic Day ceremony has awarded also the people who are prescribed to be investigated/punished for their roles in suppressing the movement that sacrificed for the Republic Day. As in tyrannic Panchayat regime the high government officials who are to nominate the candidates nomitaed themselves.  Ex-army cheif Rukmangat Katwal who is not only fond guilty by the commission but also has remained controversial many times, is awarded. Defamed DIG of Nepal Police Durj Kumar Rai is  also awarded for his extraordinary contributions!! His pictures in news media aiming his pistol to the protesters is still in the hatered memory of many of us!!! How to trust the things have changed with so called pro-people leaders on the power? I thank noted journalist Yuwaraj Ghimire for rejecting the award given to him with the cause he had shown today.!!

Even after all this bad goings, the government of Madhav Kumar Nepal does not want to review what it is doing. Idoubt if he knew whom he was awarding the honors? One after another this man is proving himself as one of the incapable fellow in Nepali politics and shortening his already shortened height!!! I guess in few years terms the only thing left to be remembered about this man will be his funny mustache and the picture hugging the English singer!!!

Again same old story- again old wine new bottle!!

Away from home, you forget the moments that you always want be a part of! Even late, I have realized the day!!  I could not sleep without writing this…

Today is the 17^th death anniversary of Late Madan Bhandari, a leader whom I like very much who pulls the strings on my mind and heart . 17 years ago, he was killed in so called accident which has remained still a mystery. I think this was one of the incidents which impacted hugely for this situation of the country now.

I still remember that evening, Jestha 3, 17 years back, I was in school as a bordered  student, for preparation of my sent up tests. I heard about that cruel murder. I wanted to go the very place where this happened, and was wishing Com Bhandari be alive!!! I tried a lot but I was not allowed to go out. The next day also I tried to go out, but could not. I could not even go to the historic rally which forbade the physical presence of Madan Bhandari from us. This was one of the moments which I always hate about the school.  Later in media, and also from my friends, family members, uncles, sisters – from everyone, I heard and was told, how people had mourned that loss of the nation. He had even won the death!!

My father was politically aware even before the days I was born. He was heavily impressed by the socialist movements.  The movement which had the promise of destroying the Hindu caste system, and for justice and equality – this is how the socialist esp communist movement was developed in our society and was loved by laymen.  I too had this impression. Communist parities and activists surfaced after the great first people’s movement in 1990. Madan Bhandari had become the face of that movement for general public and teenagers like me.

I have seen and felt Madan Bhandari  closer during the election campaigns. Oh!!!  that way of speech, that can penetrate your body and make your hairs stand up, make  you spellbound!!! No other had/has that ability. Not even Prachanda! Madan never came to the low level of language that has now often become the part of Prachanda’s revolutionary speech!! No one has forgotten Madan’s landmark speech during elections in which he had challenged the then king Birendra for competing in election if he had wanted to have a position beyond the constitutional king. It as noble but enough!!

He radicalized the communist movement with his theory of Peoples’ Multi Party Democracy. It also made his party the largest in the house. Even after 17 years, his killing has remained a mystery. Many of his followers have established themselves by selling his name. Many opponents still argue, who knew, he was not in power, how one could judge him when he was away from power and governance? The bitter truth was he was not allowed to be in power, he was killed, murdered. However, he is still in our hearts and mind, not only in the stones, pictures and portraits. He will live for a long long time!!

The general strikes organized by Communist Party of Nepal Unified Maoists have been withdrawn!! There cannot be any other relieving news for Nepal than this, at least for this day. I am also overwhelmed with this wise decision of Maoists. It has not only relieved people but have given a respectful exit before they face much more fierce civil disobey against strikes. I thank them and also wish their legitimate and logical demands must be addressed with proper way. Now there must be a way to bring them in mainstream in order to write the constitution at the earliest and to pave a solid way for logical end of peace process.

Thanks to all the courageous Nepalese who themselves came to streets against the extremism. Tons of thanks to Madan Krishna and Hari Bansha who courageously took the lead to make the politicians aware of what people are facing day by amidst the deadlock I salute their courageous lead and responsibility towards people. They indeed have won our heart, not the politicians!!

Last October I was in Delhi. I had met a senior activist who lobbies for farmers and homeless in India.  She congratulated us for the achievements that Nepalese people won by the Peoples’ Movement 2. She had also expressed happiness over the transformation of Nepalese society in terms of political awareness and especially to the awareness level of Nepalese women and oppressed people. She had also mentioned the landmark Supreme Court decision on third gender. I was happy for that. I had thought in the days to come these achievements on papers and spirits would transform into daily lives in a palpable way.

Unfortunately, we are the witness of our hard times since then. The Maoists thought that the votes people gave to them were to hijack the political system but not to transform themselves to a civilian party and understand people. This was probably the wrong analysis which has cost a lot to them. The other political parties including Nepali congress and CPN (UML) also have not played their part fairly.  The awareness and achievements are never transformed in life styles. Our leaders are always hurdles in this much needed process.

In order to be in power, parties showcased many dramas. Finally came this general strikes which has beaten all the previous strikes. The preparation, propaganda and terror by it -all were of new standards. Polices has publicized large quantity of catapults, explosives including grenades, inflammable liquids that can be used to make situation worse.  The Maoists cadres have used all they could do this time. During the clashes and extremes, police had arrested activists of Maoists and also Youth Forces sharp weapons and pistols. So, general public had hell lot of reasons to worry about. I have found the roles of police this time very different than before. Their wise role had avoided big losses in many parts of the country.

Nepalese people through the Constitutional Assembly gave the historical trust and responsibility to legitimate the achievements of Peoples Movement 2 and make a solid base to start the transformation process of Kingdom of Nepal into new Republic of Nepal. The every other day, leaders of three top parties engaged in the dialogues in star hotels and resorts but with no outcomes. People had waited since long.

For more than 6 days, Nepalese in every part and especially in the cities were having hard times. For me, is no different, every time I hooked up in internet and see the live updates – curiosity what would happen next? It obstructed my daily work here. Back in home, the streets were on the fire, however, there was no fire in kitchen. There was nothing in the market – vegetables to medicine. Slowly the people had to raise voices and then came the spontaneous disobey to the strike. Youth wings of ruling parties started fuelling the antistrike rallies. At the same time, the protestors were also getting frustrated and turning violent as governing parties had no intention to listen them. As Maoists nightmare, the USA spoke against of the strikes and foreign diplomats started to send their citizens back.

The detrimental blow came yesterday when thousands of people came to the streets asking for end of the deadlock. The rallies organized by the businessmen and industrialists also got the support of prominent figures. In Kathmandu, despite the Maoists obstructions, huge rally turned out and was led by popular figures Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya. Hari Bansha Acharya sent a big blow to against the strikes and even demanded the deadlock be ended by evening!! I guess in Kathmandu, this would be enough for people to come and protest against the strikes. I salute them for their courageous lead. Maoists have withdrawn the strikes. However, the governing parties should not think it is their win but now it is their turn to do all in order to ensure the logical end to the peace process.

Let us hope the leaders will show some responsibilities to us and our dreams. They do try to achieve the dreams that they have been showing innocent people for years. The verdict of people against these strikes should be consolidated and should create an environment which can make sensitive areas as no strike zones. Once again the people of Nepal showed their wisdom and power to avoid the immediate fears. Hope leaders learn from this and act sensibly. It’s the power of people. It’s the fear of words when people like MAHA start raise their voices.

 The festive celebration of spring festival is not yet over. Tomorrow it is a holiday here in Korea as it is the first full moon of the traditional New Year. It is so amazing- how stars have influenced the lifestyle- festive day on two different names with a same reason. Far away from here, back in home, its festive holiday as well. The reason- the first full moon of the Spring! Yes its Fagu Purnima or Holi. Today my neighborhood is colorful, cheering; here, I am colorless but still my heart is colorful.

Today is the first full moon day of Falgun, the 11^th month of 2066. Its Fagu Purnima, more popularly known as Holi- the festival of colors. Holi hooooooooo!!!  It’s a day to exchange wishes and spread harmony. Three years back, I had enjoyed Fagu/Holi with my close friends. I had only less than a week to leave for Korea for longer time and to miss Holi for another few years, not only Holi but many more festive days.

Another National Festival

In Hindu myths, Fagu Purnima is linked to Lord Bishnu and Krishna and their so called victory upon the demonic characters. In Kathmandu valley there is a unique of Gurupama demon. It is also the story of love.

In Kathmandu valley, around a week before, a specially selected pole is erected in Basantapur which marks the beginning of Fagu, and people worship it. Fagu purnima ends when this pole is burnt and people use the ash as tika on forehead. Similar events occur in other parts of country. This year I am surprised to know that in Tharu community also the similar procedure is observed. They also erect such pole, however it contains the immortal images of female and male sex organs and images of love making. Once the pole is erected, for a time period till Holi, youths are allowed to talk vulgar among them!! I did not know this before. In the other communities of Terai, the plain land boredering India, it’s a huge celebrations marking both cultural and religious importance. In websites I had also seem picture of people of Far-western region of Doti celebrated Holi in their own way in capital. Thakali community which is largely Buddhist also celebrate this this day. I did not realize that people in these communities celebrate Holi. So, it seems Holi is much more in culture of Nepal than I have thought or seen. So it is in a way is another National Festival of Nepal, and it is a part of Nepali culture. The better sides of this festival must be inherited.

Chir, the Fagu pole in Basantapur

Fagu Purnima or Holi is observed by all ages; however, it is much more enjoyed and actively participated by youths. The cultural aspect of this festival is to increase the cordial harmony among people. So, this part of the festival should be well utilized to overcome the hate and ill-feelings among the youths.

Fagu Purnima/Holi

Fagu or Holi which is proper, I am still in confusion. People in Kathmandu valley and hilly areas people traditionally celebrated this as Fagu Purnima or simply Fagu; whereas the plain land across the country celebrates it as Holi on the next day of Fagu Purnima.  I remember one of my neighborhood uncles arguing Fagu as much proper as Holi. Few years back I had heard him saying that someone in the office he worked marked the day an off as Holi. Later he strike off and overwrote Fagu arguing that Holi is more like Hindi language and Fagu seemed proper to Nepali language!! I also had similar feeling. However, in the media today Holi is used much commonly than Fagu.

Holi in my earliest memory was the festival of colors, only colors. My fathers and uncle generation celebrated with traditional colors- abir (vermillionl/crimison), keshari (yellow color). In following years, when we playing holis with frens, many colors started to appear, use of water filled ballons-Lolas, and water tubes-pichkaris. These days, Holi is also celebrated with liquid paints mixed with various colors that give not only trouble cleaning but also adversely affect the health.

For most of us, every Fagu started with tika of red crimson on forehead by elders, in my case my grandmother who used to worship the deities on full moon day. A red tika, patches of crimson powder symbolizing the victory or happiness begins the various colors on the day to follow.

I did not like Fagu or Holi..

Fagu poornima/Holi is generally considered as a way to make other troubled in Kathmandu. I had played with full swing only twice as I remember. When I was high school student, many schools used to close few days before the actual day. The reason was misbehaving of boys to girls. Small balloons filled with water (most of times dirty water) called Lolas were used to hit the girls which made then uneasy to move out of the home. Similarly, on the day of festival also, people were colored without their interests. So I had not much liking of this day. Moreover, once the days went down, the intense itching due to chemicals on color made a nuisance. For few days, the colors used to remain in the body. So I had not like this festival much, because I had seen worse sides than better.  My father used to tell me, “Rather spending money on holi in putting colors and buying ballons, you better buy some peanuts and eat!!” I had

One particular incident had made me stop playing this. I was student of Tri-chandra college which is at the heart of Kathmandu. The footpath just outside the compound is used by thousands of city dwellers and students. That was also the major way to girls’ college Padma Kanya College. Boys of Tri-chandra used the roofs and compound of college used to heavily make nuisance. Once I also followed girl, and then hit closely on her back which was like half open. She just turned back to me. She was in pain, humility, and that face I still remember. So I felt really sorry and felt very guilt for what I had done and from that day I promised not to do that ever!!

My last Holi..

Last Holi I observed was three years back in 2007 just before coming to Korea. I thought of making it a time with my close friends. So we instantly planned to go to a nearby district and to spend the day around the Khulekhani dam of Khulekhani Hydroelectricity Project. We all set on bike through a shortcut narrow hilly area. All the way we had to bear the splashing of waters. One steep way, a group of young people splashed very turbid and stinking water that imbalanced the bike! I had nothing to do. This was the part of the day I did not like! We rode up and breathed clean air. We saw the majestic mountain range, bright red Rhodendron flowers and a clear bird’s eye view of unorganized Kathmandu valley. The beauty of valley is slowly fading with unorganized urban planning. Once we crossed the historic gorge we saw the dam, and villages in distance, but we dropped the idea of going further as it started become cold. We sat on the green ground, gossiped and came down for some snacks. We drank a bit, and on the way back I almost hit a lady, I felt down.

Modern colors of Holi

(All pictures from www.nagariknews.com and www.ekantipur.com ) 

Boys enjoying colors

I did not sing “Johny Johny” in my kid-days. I had born much earlier than the mothers in my neighbourhood were able to sing this rhyme for their kids. I did not learn in kindergarten as well  because I started my schooling in a government school where we sat on dusty and stinking mats till class 3 or 4.  The teachers hardly used to remain and teach what they had to teach!!! Generally they used to leave us in a room and they used to gossip the whole world. There were not even benches. So, no way to even think  what Johny said !! However, when I joined the private school (I was too old for Johny Johny by that time), I had heard the imported “Darjeeling madams” singing for the kids. These days, my sisters and other ladies on my neighbourhoods started singing with their kids. Things have changed now.

It had been long since I heard the traditional “Johny Johny”. Sometimes I feel sad that I could not enjoy this popular children rhyme!! However, I was happy at this stage. Finally, I have got a “JohnyJohny” for me as well. Thanks to Padmaja who sent me in a forwarded mail. I did ask about the author, but could not find, so without any permission I have posted here, hope the copyright act does not hold in this case. I guess this fits to many like me!!

Johny Johny ?
Yes Papa !
PhD Going on ?
Yes Papa !
Any Motivation ?
No Papa !
Many Tensions ?
Yes Papa !
Do u Sleep well ?
No Papa !
International Conference Opportunity?
No papa !
Complaints of guide??
Yes Papa !
Submission Date ???
Ha ha ha …………………:)

Today is the Chinese New Year Day. Korea also celebrates this traditional new year day. The year of Ox has passed over and the year of Tiger has started. First of all, Saehae Bok Mani Baduseyo- Happy New Year in Korean. For more than a month, I have seen advertisement on buses and other things in which kids are seen swinging in a tail of a tiger!! Coincidently, in Nepal, Sherpa community is also observing the first day of year of tiger in the form of Lhosar.  In fact this new year is also celebrated by Vietnamese people. Most of my Chinese and Vietnamese friends visit their homes.

In New Year’s Day, as my friends told me, Korean go to elders home and it’s a family get together- eat and drink, and spend time together. Wishing and getting blessed by ancestors is an important part of the day. Even though English calendar is followed for official use, the traditional lunar calendar is still followed for cultural life and even new generation of Koreans are used to it comfortably.

The traditional delicacy for today is  tahk – rice cake. The gifts that one gets here is also little different. In the stores, the gifts sets were made with fruits packs, traditional drinks, red ginseng drinks, and other beverages. The gift sets displayed that is generally given this time is very typical and may be unusual for us. A gift set that came to my boss looked very big, a rectangular paper box with a beautiful carry bag. When we opened it was full with day to day useable. It contained 4 different flavored tooth pastes, soaps, shampoos, hand wash. Most of the gift sets those were displayed in mart were also similar. And it is interesting to know that these gift sets are even produced/marketed by big names like LG and Samsung!! I did not expect that before.

The New Year’s Day this time has overlapped with another day of celebration – Valentine’s Day, but there is no trace of Valentine’s Day, New Years Day has engulfed Valentine ’s Day. In the nearby biggest store, Emart, there is a small corner of chocolates for Vday, whereas the whole store seemed celebrating for New Year – special gift sets, packages, salesmen and saleswomen in traditional Korean dresses, and traditional Korean music in background.

One typical thing about Korean Valentine’s Day is that only girls gift to the boys. I had asked a junior of mine as which one was he going to celebrate and what he going to present his girlfriend? He replied that he would go to his home and his girlfriend would give him chocolates. A girl gives chocolates to all of her male friends in group or class. And probably next year 14 or 15 the boy repays to girls. Is not interesting?

…………………….

Twice in a year, the surrounding seems like a deserted land. This is what I have been seeing in my university. Once in the during the Chusak (harvesting festival) in September/October and once now (New Year).

Most of the Koreans, and many non-Koreans also, are enjoying now. But for a foreign student like me, it’s a hard time. Its harder when you are alone from your country. The hostel is like a haunted house. Generally the university dormitories accommodate around 3000 students. In the vacation this number gets halved. However, in these days, there are hardly 20-40 students. In my floor there is only another foreign student from Philippines. Its so dark and quite. Moreover, the cafeteria gets closed and we are not allowed to cook in the rooms!! All we have to eat is ready made foods and juices, noodles and fruits. None of the restaurants are opened now. So, we need to buy before the stores get closed. Sometimes I wish some of our friends who are staying outside rooms at least call for a lunch!!

Many times I had wanted to know which year is this? Or how Chinese new  year also became such a huge celebration of Koreans? But I couldn’t get answers of these from my friends. One guy told me that, there is no such numerical counts of years like English years or our Bikram Sambat  has. He just told it’s a year of tiger. The Sherpa New year that began today in Nepal – Loshar is also the year of tiger, however it has the numerical count that is today is the beginning of Loshar Year 2137, much ahead of Bikram Sambat and English year. The Sherpas are mainly the inhabitants of higher altitudes, on the bases of mountain. Is this the influence of Tibetan culture or it has its own description of celebration? I have no idea.

Finally,

Saehae Bok Mani Baduseyo!!!!!

Was not updating for a while, even though these days I feel like to update it and think about it (even doubting whether my blog is able to get some readers or not). I guess it does not matter anyone if I don’t post or update. But hope, for a while, just be a lonesome runner..

My mood of writing something good was just shattered with the effects of the mega-earthquake in Haiti. Pinched with the heart-paining pictures in all media across the internet, I did not feel like to write about any other thing on my mind. Wanted to write about it, but what I could write about it. Just gazed and watched when the humanity was helpless and human spirit was fighting against the unpredicted and unavoidable act of mother Nature for what a CNN reporter called as stupid death! The earthquake was too much to handle even for a developed nation, what to mention about countries like Haiti. It was relieving to see all the capable countries reaching the devastated people of Haiti. But still seemed so less. I was also delighted to see Nepalese Army mission in Haiti as a part of UN Peacekeeping Mission helping them and Nepalese Army doctors treating the Haitians. Rest of the days we all are watching, it was so amazed to see that even after 15 days lucky ones are safely rescued from the rubbles. A 16 year girl called Darlene Ettinne kept her alive at odds by just drinking water from a nearby bath!!Human spirit is amazing, I just felt anguished for those who commit suicide. Lets hope things get better to Haiti sooner and they could return to normalcy.

The other day, I wanted to post a blog was on the day of 20^th January- the Saraswati Pooja (Saraswati is regarded as the Goddess of learning and knowledge). I wanted to post a memoirs of this day when I used to be a schoolboy. However, the stupid killing of an innocent  boy Santosh Karki by “the unofficial Maoist gun”, turned down my optimism to write again. This was truly a stupid loss of a potential life. The term the CNN reporter on Haiti used was appropriately matching here – stupid death. There are innumerous lives are dead in this row of stupid deaths. Unforced deaths, not even thought in nightmare. A jubilant schoolboy Santosh was returning to home after participating the usual programs on the school in the day of Saraswati Pooja, where he was admired for his hard work to put himself as the first ranker in his class. He could not even show his happiness to his parents. And the parents who had been waiting for the son to express his happiness have now been in shock forever.

This representative story of Nepal- parents are guardians are cannot relieve unless they see their sons and daughters enter the home after school. Everyday. The UNMIN has just now farewell the disqualified fighters of Maoist cantonments. They were disqualified on the norms of UNMIN, yet they have a hangover of wartimes, seemingly easier approach and thrive for weapons. Considering the killing of schoolboy Kishor with the people near to Maoist revolutionary YCL and company, it is always a matter of worry as how these disqualified combatants behave themselves. How government is going to rehabilitate them? How the society whom once the combatants saw retrogressive, will behave to them? What will be the synergy among these stakeholders?

Finally, today is the Martyrs Day. It has been practiced in the country since the downfall of the Rana regime. I don’t know whether the leaders of New Nepal also has bypassed this day in the name of “discontinuation of traditions of yesterday”. As usual, leaders might have said highs of those people who knowingly/ unknowingly sacrificed their lives for people and country, the dust on their pictures and statues might have washed and wiped off until next year. These leaders in their hearts might be thankful to those proud sons and daughters of Nepal who lost their lives and on those names they are prospering their families and clans.

 Many heartfelt condolences and high respects to those heroes and all those who are still trying to follow the path and spirits of these heroes.

Today is Poush 27^th – the birth anniversary of Late King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Until few years, this day used to be the National Unity Day, a public holiday and day of celebrations. Statues of late King Prithivi Narayan Shah used to be decorated and media used to highlight his actions as heroic steps towards the foundation of Modern Nepal. But the things have changed; the country has entered into republic era, being the newest republic. The monarchy has gone, and so are the celebrations and glory of P N Shah. The worsening has not ended here – some groups and parties have started breaking down the statues of P N Shah and even portrayed him as a cruel king who destroyed the existence of about more than 50 smaller states. Some politicians have now formulated the reconstruction of federal states on these similar structures whom he united to make the present day Nepal.

Since childhood, I am a great fan of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. I liked reading history textbooks, and I still like. History textbooks had descriptions how P N Shah, expanded a bigger territory from a small Grokha state with his astuteness and war skills. My village Tinthana (a major base for P N Shah to attack Kritipur) borders Kritipur sub-municipality, the then Kingdom of Kritipur. Being in those strategic points for penetration into Kathmandu valley which are still in my neighborhood, I used to imagine the tales of the history texts.

After the victory, victorious Gorkha state humiliated the losers. It was also documented that soldiers of P N Shah cut the nose of the local residents. These bitter scars of P N Shah’s victorious celebrations have created enough hatred. Until recently a feeling of hate among the two neighboring villagers had existed-just because one side belonged to the very land while the others were migrated to valley with P N Shah.

I know history is the record of winners. Looser, how good they are, they are not in history as they were or are. History texts that I read in my childhood were certainly a record of winners, glorifying the actions of the winners. However, I have seen him as an ambitious King who wanted to expand the territory of Nepal as much as he could.

Today, there was no news about P N Shah and the so-called National Unity Day. Since I myself was confused when this day (as I am not much aware of Nepalese calendar here in Korea), I asked some of my friends back in home, the reply was – “let me see calendar!!!” I have never thought the day which had been observed for long would be so easily forgotten. Had all these Poush 27’s been observed jut by force or we just simply enjoyed one more extra day of leisure?

Sometimes I wonder how such a tiny country always kept its sovereignty in between two huge countries. We fought with British, Tibetans who were helped by the great Chinese empire. We marched up to Kuman and Gadwal, Sutluj, Teesta, and much more, which are all now in India. With the numerous processes of shrinkage and expansion, (some shrinkage were just because of our politicians), we are now confined to a small territory. But still independent, (and officially) not being any under any modern empires. The initiatives P N Shah initiated did have a great contribution to protect the sovereignty, and to proudly claim the remained territory as Nepal. Even we consider he did this to become a great, victorious Emperor, he had laid the foundation of Nepal.

Some noted political analyst like C K Lal, argue that P N Shah only tried to expand his state to make himself a  Emperor. He cannot be a hero but a tribal leader of Kshetriyas and people living in hills. C K Lal belongs to terai, plain land, and I think it is not his wisdom speaking. Which ruler in the history had followed the human rights formulated by  presented  day UN? Some argue, if he was a true hero for modern Nepal, why he shifted the capital from difficult terrain of Gorkha to comfortable and much beautiful Kathmandu? Territories were expanded by politics of power, and sword and gun. I think it was the story of those days.

Until recently, there used to be hanging p papers which read what we know as “Prithivi Narayan Shaha ka Divyauadesh” (the wisdoms of P N Shah). Before 1990, these were found in all government offices. It listed many quotations, like “those who give and receive bribes are enemy of country” (below this quotation our government officers used to receive bribes!!). If they were not exaggerated for a victorious king, they were in good for the state. If those were true, P N Shah was a reformer also.

As many other Nepalis, I am much confused, how a foundation of a modern state is laid? How we can compare the times now and two thousand years back? Let it be his ambition to be a victorious Emperor, he brought the people across distances together through geographical nearness by expanding the territory. Had he not initiated the unification, where we would be? Had he been like his ancestors who just enjoyed the hill of small Gorkha, had we still been Nepali? Is there any other significant leader like  figure that actually imagine a greater country that would have eventually laid the foundation of modern Nepal? I agree that in addition to P N Shah, there are many others, like King Janak, the Malla kings who gave culture and art to Nepal, and many others who have significantly contributed to the cultural unity of Nepal. But I think there should not be any doubt that the ambitions of P N Shah (whatever it might be) did inherit the modern Nepal to us.

Transformation of kingdom of Nepal into republic, to make a New Nepal, should not shadow the heroes of the past who left us the geographical territory, culture and civilization and the form of present Nepal as a state. I am not advocating for monarchy, but if we compare Gyanendra Shah and P N Shah in a same balance, it is not fair at all. Political leaders have freedom to create hate for Prithive Narayan, just because he was a Shah king. We all sovereign people have started transforming Rajmarg into Lokmark because we are just happy, as our leaders, to lend new words to make New Nepal.

Let us make the National Unity Day more inclusive, lets honor all other Heroes, as our founding heroes, but let us not humiliate or dishonor Prithivi Narayan, just as we are republicans now. How can we just ignore a person who actually initiated the laborious work for territory that we proudly say as Nepal?It is not only dishonor to him but also the Nepalese history.

My sleep broke about 8 AM with the vibration of my cellphone, Even though I was slept, I had an idea it was not the wake up alarm, that was still 45 minutes beyond. I picked it and saw there was a text message in Korean. I annoyed and slept again. But the morning seemed bit colder than before. After a while, there was a call. It was from my friend, he asked me to see outside.  And I was like WOWWW..

Yes, today was the record snowfall here in Yongin and Seoul. In Seoul, it was the record highest with 25.7 cms. It has replaced the previous high of 25.6 centimeters on Jan. 28, 1969.The Korea Meteorological Administration said the snowfall could be considered a historic high. Here in Yogin, it was 20 plus in average. A text message  from a small friend in outskirt  Seoul read – “we are hit by snow bomb!!!” For many of my Korean friends, it was the first such snowfall

The message which had earlier annoyed me was “heavy snow fall alert” from the authorities. Wish I could read them, would have thanked them.!! Later, we also got some messages suggesting the sections of highways to be avoided and recommendations for avoiding certain roads leading to hilly areas. In Korea, in numerous occasions I have seen these kinds of messages. Let it be for alert on swine flu, or alerts in humid summer season for using facial cream, sun screens or to measures to avoid fires. The authorities concerned are much serious about these things. And people also do rely on these.

This was the first day when most of the students and Professors did not come to university in a working day. This heavy snow had been forecasted a few days back, but this was more than expected, according to my Korean friends. When it snows heavily it’s a trouble for some people those who makes the road clean everyday and to the Security officers of the buildings. The Security officers, who are generally retired servicemen of police and army, need to clear all the snows in the main gates and make a trail to walk. Especially today, these senior citizens had a very hard time – the amount and time span of the snowfall. Generally snows remain on the roads for about weeks once it fell down. I don’t know how many days these will remain. The roads become really dirty. It will be chilling for few days.

Here in Yongin, there was almost complete pause on the vehicular moment till afternoon. The cars which were parked since earlier night were fully covered in snow. The trees looked like Christmas tree. To see it was beautiful but it was troublesome to walk on the way. Many shops around were closed. In Seoul, the traffic system was severely hit. The subways were overloaded. My Professor returned to home half way. All the domestic flights were cancelled today. Many international flights were delayed. The cabinet meeting after long vacation was delayed. Some residents of Seoul Metropolitan are angry to the authorities saying, the concerned authorities were not able to cope up with the snowfall in time. The government authorities also called for helping hands to  private sectors for clearing the snow-havoc. Newspapers here have quoted such dissatisfaction of the local people. This may be a logical argument for a metro like Seoul. I don’t know. Some people were skiing on the roads, internet pictures showed so. Some said it as unique experiences.

Many guys enjoyed the snow in full here also in university- skidding from slopes, making snowman, going home early – as they wanted. Vietnamese student enjoyed the day as any others. They had a good number for this and they don’t miss anything. For many of us, it was a relaxed day, as bosses were away. Honestly, there was almost no work today. It was cold and mentally we were not feeling like to work. Some guys had much more freedom as their boss used to be with them till late night. So, my friends decided to go to Norebang (singing room). For about three hours we sang and came back. Snowfall was refreshing!