Last week, I met an Australian lady. A discussion about power –cut followed up. She told about the drought in her country. She further said they had to save the water: by not using flush in the restrooms, by not washing clothes etc. She proudly said they did that voluntarily. The local government appeals to the citizens to mitigate the problems and the citizens regard it for their sake. Similarly last year Bangladesh government appealed its citizens to eat potatoes to fight the food crisis. The above two examples are representatives. The welfare countries bring new measures to mitigate the challenges. Does not this government come up with similar plans to minimize the present power shedding which has crippled our lives?
Today we have power cut. This is the largest power crisis in its history. The government must calculate the impact of power cut after six months and bring strategic plan to reduce it. Possibly industries will cut the employment very soon or the working hour would be cut as a result the salaries would be minimized. The next year the situation would be horrible. Can YCL and other Trade Unions keep on protesting for reappointing those people who are out of the job in that time? It is high time these trade unions and YCL, the sister organization of Maoist party have to awake the government that the workers have to go through very difficult time in absence of power in the industries. What about the gross domestic production by the end of this fiscal year? Surely the proposed budget is prone to be affected by the lack of enough revenue collection. The situation of today many industries has already halved the productions due to power shedding. After few months the industries would be locked if no alternatives are explored.
Realizing the above situation, government should discover the measures to provide power to the industries, hospitals, and households, etc. Along with efficient crisis management, Stepping ahead foreseeing the situation after two years for making middle and large scale hydro power projects, and identifying alternative source of energy for the future are urgent.
First and foremost the electricity theft must be fully controlled by taking help of communities. Statistics say 6% load shedding would be minimized by abolishing theft. The mostly government offices are the places where power is consumed irresponsibly. We can visit the government offices and know how it is consumed. The heaters are on all the time, lights are on in the enough day lights, computers are not closed for hours even though they are not in use. In many communities, the street lamps are alight during the whole day.
Subsidy the power efficient CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) and appeal every households to use them. This subsidy should be logical to make the industries being operated to continue so that there won’t be any domino effect like unemployment increment, loss of revenue, multiplication of crimes, etc. Affluent and well off families should be appealed to volunteer by not using electrical gadgets which consumes high power and requesting them to use power-efficient appliances. For effective application strategic communication plans should be developed and applied. Communities can be taken for scrutiny.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has been recently suggested by a committee to increase the rate of the electricity price. Such increment must be used to deal the power emergency. The increment policy must be made to use power efficient electric appliances. The less consumption and get reward in payment. High consumption and pay high charges. This policy will help automatically to consume less power. This must be differently to the large industries. This pricing policy must be for only emergency period.
BY Rudra Pangeni
Rudra.pangeni@gmail.com
Sanothimi Bhaktapur
Student of Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism
Monday, January 5, 2009
Nominate democratically
This letter refers to the editorial titled ‘Sacred agents’ published on 1st Jan 2009. The topic chosen for editorial is relevant. The protests against government’s decision to fire the priest of Pashupatinath are going on. I agree with the editorial view the intervention in the selection of the priests; other necessary reforms are urgent making the Pashupatinath temple an institution inclusive and universal. But few other points are also need to be considered. Financial irregularities should be raised to reform the religious institution. I disagree with the view that this decision violates the deep rooted tradition. The government to reform like allowing non-Brahmins to be priest, opening the entry for all, etc. But presenting an editorial viewpoint of defending the nontransparent priestly tendencies does not sound logical. If the editorial view is for revoking the situation that existed before the April uprising of 2006, there is nothing to say. Otherwise, sustaining those priests for corruption and irregularities must not be voiced anyway.
The editorial sounds logical in the matter of making appointment at the will of the people who are engaged in the religious institution. I strongly support the view of appointment of the priests should be passed through others involved in Pashupatinath temple. But the doubt of financial irregularities must be made transparent. The priests must be kept at the house and passed as other heads of the institutions are done. Social audits and hearing are essential to further democratize the current decision-making process of the government.
By Rudra Pangeni
Rudra.pangeni@gmail.com
The editorial sounds logical in the matter of making appointment at the will of the people who are engaged in the religious institution. I strongly support the view of appointment of the priests should be passed through others involved in Pashupatinath temple. But the doubt of financial irregularities must be made transparent. The priests must be kept at the house and passed as other heads of the institutions are done. Social audits and hearing are essential to further democratize the current decision-making process of the government.
By Rudra Pangeni
Rudra.pangeni@gmail.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
Should FM Radio be forced to broadcast centrally made news or programs ?
By Rudra Pangeni
FM radios have to depend on few networking institutions for few highly qualitative and prime time programs. An interaction program on the topic “impact of centre on local radio: Practice and experience of Radio networking” hold by Martin Chautari in association with Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD). The discussion was followed by the paper presentation of the four community FM Radios from Radio Janakpur, Sunklaphanta FM, Radio Rupakot, Radio Palung. All of them broadcast more or less networking news or programs from the Kathmandu.
Sheetal shah, the Station manager of Radio Janakpur said the listeners have less attention to the networking programs because of language and grass root people do not have any concern to such networked programs too.
Whereas Dhirendra Sinal, the station manager of Sunklaphant F M claims that the concern of local people about center is fulfilled by networked programs like BBC Nepali Sewa, Kayakairan and Nepal Darpan. But also the programs of Antenna Foundation and Equal Access are highly qualitative and good programs they have become good ingredients to the whole broadcastings. Local producers are learning to produce better programs but the quality of local programs are less effective than the programs from the center. He further said just 33% programs they have taken from the center. Others are locally made. The programs from the networking has also helped to make a little lump of budget to the total budget of the FM.
Manohar Dhakal, the station manager of Palung FM focused on the importance of FM in the community where majority of people are farmers. The programs of Palung has not only empowered farmers but also women empowerment. Children’s programs, and other local language programs are other remarkable things of this FM. He added that few networked programs have not only informed about center but also got financial support for the FM stations.
Radio Rupakot stands a unique FM. The share is distributed to all the common people ie farmers, local teachers, local business people etc. Both news and other programs are fully prepared by the local people. Its structure of the committee and members are nomitated democratically. Deepak Thapa, the station maager claimed that all the programs are on the basis of local value. The local advertisement of the people which is for common purpose are played at lower cost and others are differently charged. The BBC Nepali service is only one networking news because many people in the locality have concern to their kiths and kins in British. Just five people are fulltimers and paid but rest of all are volunteers. According to him many programs are made by volunteer students or other volunteers from different walks of life.
The discussion helped to come up with the ideas that the local purpose and programs must be broadcasted at the local time. Centrally made programs does not make any sense to the need of the locality. Many experts asserted the state should have notified the condition of networking and the spirit of FM must not be hindered by the networking in the name of moneymaking business. The state should have strategic plan for the management of the FM.
FM radios have to depend on few networking institutions for few highly qualitative and prime time programs. An interaction program on the topic “impact of centre on local radio: Practice and experience of Radio networking” hold by Martin Chautari in association with Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD). The discussion was followed by the paper presentation of the four community FM Radios from Radio Janakpur, Sunklaphanta FM, Radio Rupakot, Radio Palung. All of them broadcast more or less networking news or programs from the Kathmandu.
Sheetal shah, the Station manager of Radio Janakpur said the listeners have less attention to the networking programs because of language and grass root people do not have any concern to such networked programs too.
Whereas Dhirendra Sinal, the station manager of Sunklaphant F M claims that the concern of local people about center is fulfilled by networked programs like BBC Nepali Sewa, Kayakairan and Nepal Darpan. But also the programs of Antenna Foundation and Equal Access are highly qualitative and good programs they have become good ingredients to the whole broadcastings. Local producers are learning to produce better programs but the quality of local programs are less effective than the programs from the center. He further said just 33% programs they have taken from the center. Others are locally made. The programs from the networking has also helped to make a little lump of budget to the total budget of the FM.
Manohar Dhakal, the station manager of Palung FM focused on the importance of FM in the community where majority of people are farmers. The programs of Palung has not only empowered farmers but also women empowerment. Children’s programs, and other local language programs are other remarkable things of this FM. He added that few networked programs have not only informed about center but also got financial support for the FM stations.
Radio Rupakot stands a unique FM. The share is distributed to all the common people ie farmers, local teachers, local business people etc. Both news and other programs are fully prepared by the local people. Its structure of the committee and members are nomitated democratically. Deepak Thapa, the station maager claimed that all the programs are on the basis of local value. The local advertisement of the people which is for common purpose are played at lower cost and others are differently charged. The BBC Nepali service is only one networking news because many people in the locality have concern to their kiths and kins in British. Just five people are fulltimers and paid but rest of all are volunteers. According to him many programs are made by volunteer students or other volunteers from different walks of life.
The discussion helped to come up with the ideas that the local purpose and programs must be broadcasted at the local time. Centrally made programs does not make any sense to the need of the locality. Many experts asserted the state should have notified the condition of networking and the spirit of FM must not be hindered by the networking in the name of moneymaking business. The state should have strategic plan for the management of the FM.
“The New Year Celebrated: 1129”
Thimi, Bhaktapur
October 29, 2008
Newar community has celebrated 1129 new year ( Nhu Daya Vintuna1129; means Happy New Year 1129). Recently government of Nepal has declared this sambat as a national sambat.
Priminister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachand garlanded to the statue of Shankkhdhar Shankhwa, the founder of this Newa Sambat in a program organized by Newa Dabu in Thimi. He said that this sambat remarks the nationality as well as the step to omit the stratified class struggle in Nepali society. He further said Sankhadhar Shankhwa had freed poors by paying their laon is a significant example of social justice.
Newar community celebrate the Mha Puja in the evening of this day. Mha Puja is the festival of worshipping oneself. This means the god inside oneself is worshipped.
October 29, 2008
Newar community has celebrated 1129 new year ( Nhu Daya Vintuna1129; means Happy New Year 1129). Recently government of Nepal has declared this sambat as a national sambat.
Priminister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachand garlanded to the statue of Shankkhdhar Shankhwa, the founder of this Newa Sambat in a program organized by Newa Dabu in Thimi. He said that this sambat remarks the nationality as well as the step to omit the stratified class struggle in Nepali society. He further said Sankhadhar Shankhwa had freed poors by paying their laon is a significant example of social justice.
Newar community celebrate the Mha Puja in the evening of this day. Mha Puja is the festival of worshipping oneself. This means the god inside oneself is worshipped.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
“The need for promoting Bhadgaunle Topi like Darjelinges”
Kathmandu
October 20, 2008
Balkrishna Sahankhakarma is highly motivated when people in Gorkhaland made a strict rule for the inhabitants of Darjeeling and neighboring districts. The rule is wearing Bhadgaunle topi ( a trditionally prepared black cap) compulsorily during festivals by Darjeeling people and other neighboring people who have demand of separate Gorkhaland. Sankhakarmi is only one industrialist of kalo topi, for which Bhaktapur is well known. Other about half a dozen families has subsistence and pastime job of cap making in addition to Shakhakarmi.
He further says that they need at least 2 million caps but it is hard to meet the supply with this less manpower. Shankhankarimi has trained many poor people though it is still very poorly paid job. He further added if this situation remains that cap making cottage industry will progress better. But government is reluctant to support such historic and traditional profession and identity of Nepali cap.
Leela Subbha, a business man who has come to Bhaktpur from Kakarnbhitta ( a bordering city of Nepal with Darjeeling) to purchase the caps that there is high demand of caps.
As the situation seems easier the Bhaktapures has to work hard to fulfill the need of Darjeeling. Shankhakarmi says that if the locals get better income in this job many people would join it. It is high time we ourselves should wear such caps to assist our Nepalese identity.
It can be suggested why not compulsory wearing the black cap to the employee of GoN.
October 20, 2008
Balkrishna Sahankhakarma is highly motivated when people in Gorkhaland made a strict rule for the inhabitants of Darjeeling and neighboring districts. The rule is wearing Bhadgaunle topi ( a trditionally prepared black cap) compulsorily during festivals by Darjeeling people and other neighboring people who have demand of separate Gorkhaland. Sankhakarmi is only one industrialist of kalo topi, for which Bhaktapur is well known. Other about half a dozen families has subsistence and pastime job of cap making in addition to Shakhakarmi.
He further says that they need at least 2 million caps but it is hard to meet the supply with this less manpower. Shankhankarimi has trained many poor people though it is still very poorly paid job. He further added if this situation remains that cap making cottage industry will progress better. But government is reluctant to support such historic and traditional profession and identity of Nepali cap.
Leela Subbha, a business man who has come to Bhaktpur from Kakarnbhitta ( a bordering city of Nepal with Darjeeling) to purchase the caps that there is high demand of caps.
As the situation seems easier the Bhaktapures has to work hard to fulfill the need of Darjeeling. Shankhakarmi says that if the locals get better income in this job many people would join it. It is high time we ourselves should wear such caps to assist our Nepalese identity.
It can be suggested why not compulsory wearing the black cap to the employee of GoN.
“No Longer Tigani is Known for Beaten Rice”
Kathmandu
Mankumari Rajbaha, a 60 year woman of Tigani only can remember the taste of beaten rice. About 32 household had the main profession of preparing the beaten rice 40 years ago but it was suddenly stopped by the arrival of machinery productions.
The beaten rice, prepared by using the tools like Lusi and Urgal, was very popular among the neighboring people and the Ason Tol was the main selling place of beaten rice about 40 years ago. Now the Lusi and Urgals are stored in Buingal (attic room of the house) in few houses. Kanchi maya recollects the days from the early morning when she used to be busy in the beaten rice making. But people were forcefully engaged in other subsistence farming.
Tigani, a village in the northern part of Madhyapur municipality of Bhaktapur, is famous for beaten rice since time immemorial. During the time of election the leaders come up with fascinating ideas of making the traditional village a protected village but goes unnoticed then after.
Maila Rajbaha says that the beaten rice for exhibition was produced and the late prince Deependra had tasted in 2058.
Mankumari Rajbaha, a 60 year woman of Tigani only can remember the taste of beaten rice. About 32 household had the main profession of preparing the beaten rice 40 years ago but it was suddenly stopped by the arrival of machinery productions.
The beaten rice, prepared by using the tools like Lusi and Urgal, was very popular among the neighboring people and the Ason Tol was the main selling place of beaten rice about 40 years ago. Now the Lusi and Urgals are stored in Buingal (attic room of the house) in few houses. Kanchi maya recollects the days from the early morning when she used to be busy in the beaten rice making. But people were forcefully engaged in other subsistence farming.
Tigani, a village in the northern part of Madhyapur municipality of Bhaktapur, is famous for beaten rice since time immemorial. During the time of election the leaders come up with fascinating ideas of making the traditional village a protected village but goes unnoticed then after.
Maila Rajbaha says that the beaten rice for exhibition was produced and the late prince Deependra had tasted in 2058.
“Promote agro products to reduce trade deficit”
Rampur, Palpa
October 12, 2008
Surya Adhikari, a farmer in Rampur VDC, palpa has expressed mournful situation when his products went wastage like chilies, cauliflowers etc. He is just an example representing hundreds of experienced farmers suffering from lack of market due to lack of transport. Rampur is linked to the network of road by earthen road which remains closed during rainy seasons. He says he has scraped the product because there is no market. He says there are hundreds of farmers with possibilities of progress and prosperity by farming in Rampur Valley.
Surya has doubt to the present Maoist government for facilitating the farmers. Bhola Regmi, a farmer who produces milk, appeals the government to manage the storage and market of the products. He further added disinterest of new generation to farming is alarming for whole agriculture field.
Jivnath Dungana, another farmer who has just brought few Jerseys ( a cow which gives more milk) and has started to give dairy services in joint venture, complains their surplus milk during June –August cannot be sent to the towns due to lack of permanent transportation.
The above representative cases have brought forward the root cause is lack of blacktopped permanent road. Besides lack of transportation, amicable suggestions from JTA and agro-related training programs are in need.
“Agro-based community co-work must be taken a measure key to success for farmers,” said Regmi.
The Maoist’s revolutionary steps in agriculture must address those farmers who really help for gross domestic product and minimize the trade deficit to foreign countries by large sum of production in the land of her own.
October 12, 2008
Surya Adhikari, a farmer in Rampur VDC, palpa has expressed mournful situation when his products went wastage like chilies, cauliflowers etc. He is just an example representing hundreds of experienced farmers suffering from lack of market due to lack of transport. Rampur is linked to the network of road by earthen road which remains closed during rainy seasons. He says he has scraped the product because there is no market. He says there are hundreds of farmers with possibilities of progress and prosperity by farming in Rampur Valley.
Surya has doubt to the present Maoist government for facilitating the farmers. Bhola Regmi, a farmer who produces milk, appeals the government to manage the storage and market of the products. He further added disinterest of new generation to farming is alarming for whole agriculture field.
Jivnath Dungana, another farmer who has just brought few Jerseys ( a cow which gives more milk) and has started to give dairy services in joint venture, complains their surplus milk during June –August cannot be sent to the towns due to lack of permanent transportation.
The above representative cases have brought forward the root cause is lack of blacktopped permanent road. Besides lack of transportation, amicable suggestions from JTA and agro-related training programs are in need.
“Agro-based community co-work must be taken a measure key to success for farmers,” said Regmi.
The Maoist’s revolutionary steps in agriculture must address those farmers who really help for gross domestic product and minimize the trade deficit to foreign countries by large sum of production in the land of her own.
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