Two Afghan MPs throw punches.

Why should only men in Afghanistan have the right to punch each other, its time for the women to share the responsibility as well.

Here is the video of two MPs in Afghanistan duke it out. Plus this is what Pakistan's involvement in Afghanistan politics does- Are we beginning to see signs of civil strife?

Sikhs at home in Peshawar

Finally some positive news out of Pakistan! I thought the day would never come. Sikhs and Muslims living amongst each other in Peshawar. Bloody brilliant! There is still hope, I say. There is still hope!!



The Sub-continent has always been a melting pot. So don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It has always welcomed all kinds of people into the society. And that is what makes the region a web of the most complex contradictions. It is only when we have stubborned ourselves in our “dreary desert sand of dead habit” that we have digressed from what South Asia has historically been.

Whatsobloodyever may be the official state policy, we as people, have always welcomed cultural diversity; and we should not allow extremist to voice our regional –and personal –narrative whether they be Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or Buddhist.

A Comment on Nepal's Other Neighbour

Nepal police has explicitly warned Tibetans against chanting anti-China slogans in Nepal reads the attached link.

The Nepali Governments’ shameless attempt to pacify the “other neighbor” has made it lose track of what this State led repression does to Nepals social fiber. The Government of Nepal supports the One China policy and that is alright with me –I perosnally support the Dalai Lama’s position on Tibet-China relationship, which does not seek complete independence, - but not allowing the Tibetans, many of whom are Nepali citizens, to speak their minds is legally and morally wrong.

There is a large Tibetan population in Nepal, and they are an important part of our society. It is the duty of the State to protect their right of free speech. And if that freedom means shouting anti-China slogans then so be it. Or has the Nepali state decided to handpick the people who “deserve” freedom and those who do not! The Nepali-Tibetan community regardless of where they have come from, or what their ideological stance is deserve all the protection a democratic state promises to give to its people.

The biggest problem for Nepal being a stronger democracy is the Government. By threating to use force against people who want to speak their minds the government is encroaching on individual rights –or can we exercise that only when it’s convenient?

The problem here is not so much the Chinese government as the Nepali government. China may not be a democratic country and it does not pretend to be one. Nepal pretends to be a democratic country all the while cowering to the pressure from Beijing. There I said it!

The Nepali civil society has to wake up from this kiss- China’s rear mentality. We are very good at criticizing India, but I hope we do the same to China when it deserves it. And its arm twisting of the Nepali government regarding anti-China rallies, and the Nepali governments harsh and repressive actions against pro-Tibet activists deserve criticism.

Do not get me wrong, if people within Nepals boundary were to pick up arms against China, I support action against them; but this is not the case. Regardless of how good China is to us what is wrong is wrong!



Image taken from AsiaNews.it

All's well in the States

American Nepalese Association just concluded its 29th annual convention. A candid look for those who missed it.

You would have thought someone important was getting married. Women in flashy sarees, men in pristine topees, the countless handshakes, million namastes, loud music, men eyeing women, women eying men, drunks, cacophony of guffaws and shhs, aunts and uncle connecting family trees, and countless kids running amok under signs that read “Welcome to 29th ANA Convention, Washington DC July 1- 3, 2011”.

Around 4000+ Nepalis from all over North America gathered at the Westfield Marriott Hotel, Chantilly, Virginia for the 29th annual Association of Nepalese in Americas (ANA) convention –the largest gathering of non-residential Nepalis in the world. Amazed by this grand orgy of the American Nepali diaspora, the few non-Nepali guests at the Marriot where left bewildered by the ecstatic chaos that we Nepalis seem to bring along.

There was mix of Americans, Nepalis, and American-Nepalis –one poet called them Nepalicans –who were kept busy by a host of programs: Poetry festivals, yoga sessions, movies, speed dating, discussion forums, food stalls, and cultural and fashion shows were organized. And while laurels are due for the ambitious plans of the organizing committee, constant delays wreaked havoc all convention long to the annoyance of everybody present.

Anyone who doubts the adage absence makes the heart grow fonder should talk to a Nepali away from home. Like all Nepali gatherings in far of lands, national flags were waved and long speeches’ about our responsibility to give back to the motherland were delivered. And while some walked the walk other walked away from N.G.O booths that actually help build schools for children in rural Nepal. It was good to see young professional from all over America laboring for their causes, and that good hearted and deep pocketed people insured a successful fund raising initiative. The two notable fund raisers promoting their cause were Grassroot Movement in Nepal (GMIN), and Nepalese Youth Foundation.

Fundraising was on everyone’s mind. Congressman hopeful Darsan Rauniyar was also spotted touching base with the Nepali community. Mr. Rauniyar was well received and is quickly becoming the hot topic in Nepali households. As the first person with Nepali origin to run for Congress, Mr. Rauniyar has kicked open many doors –is the diaspora is finally coming of age?

There is a genuine sense of pride amongst people here about his decision to run for the U.S. Congress from Washington States, 1st Congressional District. But if pride and blessings alone won you elections my mother would ensure I became Prime Minister. This is America and money talks. Mr. Rauniyar hopes that along with the good wishes Nepalis in the U.S. will also wriggle their pockets to help him win the seat. As an immigrant himself he is passionate about immigration reform and believes everyone should have a fair shot at the American Dream. He also hopes to strengthen the Nepali voice in the Congress.

At night, with the children and oldies gone, the drinking crowd was seen loosely swaying away at the bar. Under the careful eye of the hefty bouncers, Nepalis were clinking glasses –social networking at its finest. The bar would have made more money had it not been for the hopelessly slow service, and the good old Nepali sensibility of bringing liquor from home and drinking it in the room.

Once the bar shut, there was a mass exodus of people towards the nearest exist where hundreds could also be seen puffing away at their cigarettes. And in pure Nepali style most of them refused to throw the stub in the bin –who said we don’t stick to our roots!

The cultural program was one of the main attractions of the event. There was an entertaining jumble of shows: Lakhe dance, pop song from a number of Nepali artists, martial arts, prayer, and folk dancing. However, even as the rhetoric about the need to pass on the Nepali culture to the next generation dominated the event the only people missing were the next generation. Kids that grew up in America were a no-show in large numbers. I talked to some of these kids who made for the door exactly 3.5 minutes into the program; they thought that the program was catered for “the pure Nepali types” and just not their thing. It must be said that there were a small number of American born Nepalis who did show up and even put on a good show.

ANA also showcased the sporting abilities of the Nepali diaspora. A variety of sports competitions were organized that saw a number of teams and individuals from multiple U.S. cities duel it out. The younger crowd was enthusiastic about its participation and one could sense genuine rivalries brewing.

The long awaited DJ Night saw a mass of sober, semi-sober, semi-drunk and absolutely drunk Nepali’s party it out. It was a gala time for the young and old alike who grooved to classic Nepali and English tunes. There was additional entertainment for the controversy hounds when an impromptu mini-julus broke out after the event. Hordes of dissatisfied patrons could be heard shouting “ANA sucks!” after the DJ began to pack his bags at 1. Apologizes were sought, explanations were given, angry words were exchanged, and the security crew was alerted.

All in all the 29th ANA was a success. There are disappointments and criticisms but that is part and parcel of organizing an event of this magnitude. This annual gatherings of Nepalis in America is a must visit for anyone looking to get in touch with his/her roots while having an interesting time (understatement!). Now that the event is over, 4000+ Nepali are returning to their homes in America having found friends and family; and reconfirmed their Nepali identity.

Found in Neil Douglas-Klotz: The Sufi Book of Life.

In the tarot, the high princess
expresses that veiled self
that cocoons mystery.
Like her, you seem to guides me into the realm
of back stage,
as if to keep me protected from behind woven
images of firmness,
as if to preserve me
till the time is ripe
to be given openly again.

Cycles, Oil and National Security

Does the boring wait outside Kathmandu petrol pumps count as torture under the United Nations Convention against Torture? It might as well. The physiologically and psychologically devastating wait at the petrol pump (gas station) from the moment you stand in the line to when that black gold finally fills your tank wastes the entire day. Imagine all the things we could be doing.

And it’s not just the wait. It’s the entire setting that takes its toll: the narrow streets, the traffic, the (c) rowdy Micro buses, the slow Safa-tempos, the holy roads, the constant honking, the pollution, the dirt, the poverty, the ugly billboards, the even uglier Bagmati, the street kids, the garbage, the street dogs, the anger —Surly this has an aftermath in our physical and mental wellbeing.

All that time spent standing the line, cooped up in a car or on a bike- in the heat- in the rain- has beat down on us. It has turned this once tranquil loving city into a nightmare of a town. Imagine what the exotica searching tourists are whispering about us. Never ending peace and love, ya right!


We have created a system that feeds into this fire, says Anil Bhattarai, in his April 18th, 2011 Oped (un) Common Sense in the Kathmandu Post. He explains Nepal’s helplessness to tackle the supply side of the oil market and the urgency to address our demand. This is a zest, of how the aforementioned system works-- when the public transportation is inefficient and private vehicle is a status symbol, cars become more popular, leading to an excessive surge in traffic in an ill-constructed city, which in turn makes motor bikes more popular, which in turn worsens the traffic; all the while increasing our demand for oil. And since we don’t have any oil it’s important we control how and why we demand it.

Plus this over dependence on oil is weakening our national security, both in terms of defense and the environment. Notice how we seem so vulnerable every time India decides to cut oil supply. No one nation should be so reliant on this one commodity that it buys almost exclusively from this one nation. Our present national security policy is a joke. The answer is clear: controlling our oil usage can trigger a lot of positive changes.

The article suggests some eco-friendly approaches. Encouraging a (bi)cycle friendly culture could be a gate to other avenues of change. As more people get on their cycles, or use public transport we can collectively demand better service and more efficient roads. This can snowball into a solution that can address many woes. So far the (bi)cycle has been the uncool choice of conveyance- a play thing of the children. The Cycle, as we call it, has been replaced by the more alluring motor bikes. But motor bikes, like cars and taxi's burn oil - an energy source we do not own. The grand Cycle is one of the solutions to our so many problems. I think everyone should hop on their cycles, and this taboo against the adults and “respectable” people riding cycle is ridiculous. It’s ecologically responsible, way cheaper, and better for our national security. Plus it’s plain old fun.

As citizens of Earth, consider the implication oil extraction has elsewhere. Our dependence of oil effects ecologies and communities where oil is extracted, whether it be the Middle East or the Niger Delta. And our use is having a notable effect at home. This surly has to affect our rational.

Clearly this initiative to make Kathmandu into "an eco-friendly city" will need political will but that political will shall never come till there is social push for it. Shall we as free people do nothing till the Government decides to do something? Are we that dependent on the government that we cannot move till the oligarchy wishes us to move. This is not a UML vs Congress vs Monarchist vs Maobadi’s vs Madhesi’s vs Khas vs Kiratis vs etc…issue. This is about our city, our community, our home.

Support groups like Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 - Ride with Pride!!. The goal of this group is to Make Kathmandu a cycle friendly city till 2020. Contact them regarding what you can do to help.

The cost of using oil goes beyond just what you pay in the pump. The more oil we use the worse our community gets. Our over dependence on oil is the reason we stand in lines at petrol pumps leading us to feel mentally beat down, it’s the reason why our national sovereignty is so compromised, it’s the reason for our unhealthiness. And this won’t change till we change our lifestyles.





Related article: More energy, please; Paavan Mathema, Nepali Times, FROM ISSUE #552 (06 MAY 2011 - 12 MAY 2011)

A Kathmandu Sunset

The sun left a myriad blue in its wake.
A moment to gaze the
legacy of weepy Monsoons.
Grandmothers graze terraces,
moving between cloth lines,
and playground deprived children.
And babas honk and curse
to reach home
to bell jingling ammas
calling the attention of million gods
to thank them for the terrace,
the air,
and lights that swallow stars.