दुई रुपैया

सधै जस्तै अलार्मको आवाजमा बिउँझीन्छु म
जिउ तन्काउदै सिरक पन्छ्याउछु अल्छि मान्दै
छेउमै भएको मोबाईल मा आउछ एउटा टेक्स्ट मेसेज
'आज ११ बजे मलमा आउ है?'

लस्याङ लुसुङ गर्दै नुहाउछु गिजरको पानी तताउदै
फर्केर कोठामा आउँदा तातो ततातोतो कफि कुरिरहेको हुन्छ
कफिको चुस्की सँगै म समाचार हेर्छु बिहानको
र साहानूभुति दिन्छु गरीबी पीडितलाई।

समाचारमा देखाउछ भोकमरी पीडित मानिसहरु
म आफुलाई त्यो स्थानमा राखेर कल्पना पनि गर्न सक्दिन
एकछिन पछी मन नलागी नलागी किचनमा जान्छु
मल जन तयार हुन्छु खाना खाइ सिध्याइ।

केहीबेर शपिङ हुन्छ मलमा, साथैमा मेरा साथी भाई
खाजा खान्छु त्यही को स्पेसीयालिटी रेस्टुरेन्टमा
त्यसपछी न्यूरोडको बाटो समात्छौ बशन्तपुर घुम्नलाई।

हिड्दा हिड्दै मेरो खुट्टा एउटा कचौरामा ठोकिन्छ
'सरी है' भन्छु म, छेउमा एउटा आन्धो बच्चा हुन्छ
म आफुले समाचारमा देखेको भोकमरी पीडित सम्झिन्छु
अनी पर्सेबाट दुई रुपैयाको सिक्का झिकेर त्यही कचौरामा रखिदिन्छु।

अली पर पुग्छु म जुद्द सालिक निर
तर भुगोल पार्कमा त्यो बच्चाले बजाएको मादल घन्किन्छ
मैले दिएको सिक्काको दुई पाटा जस्तै हो हामी दुई को जिन्दगी
मेरो'हेड' अनी तेस्को 'टेल'।

Dream Driven...

म सपना देख्छु

हरेक दिन म त्यही सपना बुन्छु
तर म सधैं झस्केर बिउँझीन्छु
सपना पुरा होला नहोला, दोसांधमा हुन्छु
त्यही पनि म त्यही सपना बुन्छु।

म लालायित हुन्छु सपनाको पछी लाग्न
म त्यस्कै पछी दगुर्छु
बाटोको हरेक अवरोधलाई पन्छ्याउछु म
म अगाडि लम्किरहन्छु।

टोलाउछु म सपनाको चिन्तनमा
सपना पुरा नहोला भनेर आत्तिन्छु
सुस्ताएका पाइलालाई तन्क्याउछु म
गन्त्ब्यतर्फ अघी बद्छु।

रुन्छु म अनी कराउछु कहिले
कहिले म जोड जोड चिच्याउछु
झुक्छु,निहुरिन्छु समय समयमा
सपना पुरा गर्न हर काम गर्न तयार हुन्छु।

बेला बखत अत्तिन्छु म, लर्खराउछन मेरा पाइला
सन्त्रासमा पनि म सपना कै बाटो समात्छु
दुनियाँ सँग बाद्छु म मेर सपना
म सपना पुर गर्न चाहन्छु।

निस्तेज भएक आँखाले पनि
म स्वतन्त्र भविश्यको सपना देख्छु
गौरवशाली ईतिहास सम्झिन्छु म
त्यही ईतिहास सबल बनाउन खोज्छु।

हरेक श्वासमा म सपनाको गीत सुसेल्छु
सपनाकै गीतलाई म दुनियाँ सामु सुनाउन चाहन्छु
धुवाँ झैं बिलाईजाने यो जीवनमा
म सपना सँगै समाधि लिन चाहन्छु।

म हुँ आम नेपाली नगरिक
शान्तिको सपना देख्छु
आफ्नो जीवन त्यसकै निमित्त अर्पण गर्छु
म शान्तिको सपना देख्छु।

शिवानी..

हरेक दिन जस्तै शिवानी मुख फुलाउदै घर फर्की। रुँदा रुँदा सुन्निएका आँखा अनी राता भएका गालाले फेरी स्कुलमा दोहोरिएको त्यही घटना को बर्णन गर्दै थियो। ढोका खोल्न नपाउदै आफ्नी आमालाई घप्लक्क आँगलो मार्दै आँसुको गंगा-जमुना बग्न थाले ति निर्दोस आँखाबाट।
आमाले आँसु पुछ्नलाई आफ्नी छोरीको अनुहार हेरिन् र फेरी पनि नाजवाफ भईन्। प्रत्येक दिन छोरीको आँखामा त्यही प्रश्न हुन्थ्यो-"आमा मैले के बिरायें र? किन सबै जना मलाई हेप्छन्?"
बल्ल बल्ल थामेका आस्रुधारालाई पुछेर आमाले शिवानीको मुख धोइदिईन् र बोकेर कोठा सम्म पूर्याइन्। दुबै आमा छोरी चुपचाप भएकाले सधैं झै त्यो घर सुन्सान थियो। केटाकेटी भएका अरु घर जस्तो बातावरण त्यँहा थिएन। लुगा फेराएपछी भान्छामा खाजा बनाउन आमा हतार गर्न थालिन् र शिवानीलाई किताब कपी दिएर हिँडिन्।
त्यो बालमस्तिस्कमा दिनभरिका कुरा खेल्न थाले, सधैं जस्तै। थाहा नपाई हातमा बोकेको कलम फुत्त भुइँमा खस्यो। खाटमा बसेकी त्यो सानी केटीले सकी नसकी भुइँमा ओर्लेर कलम त टिपी तर फेरी कसरी चडने भन्ने ठम्याउन नसकेर ठुस्स परेर बसी। त्यही बेला तातो तातो खाजा लिएर आमा कोठामा आइन् र खाट माथि पत्रीका ओच्छ्याएर खाजा राखिन्। केही प्रतिकृया नदिइ उनले छोरीलाई पहिलेकै ठाउँमा बसाइदिइन्। दुबैले सुमुसुमु खाजा खाईसिद्याएका मात्र थिए ढोकामा घन्टीको आवाज आयो। हत्तारिदै आमाले ढोका खोलिन् र खुशीले उथल पुथल भएको आवाजमा भनिन्-"नानु बाबा आउनु भयो।"
"शिवानीलाई यहाँ लिएर आऊ छिटो!" बाबाले भने। आमाको अंगालोमा बेरिएर आउँदै गरेकी शिवनी बाबालाई देखेर हुत्तिदै अगाडि आई। "बाबा,ब त म पनि हिँडन् सक्ने हुन्छु है? आज बैशाखी ल्याइदिनु भएछ है?"
"हो नानु, अब तिमीलाई कसैले हिँड्न नसक्ने भनेर हेप्दैन। पोलियो लाग्दैमा के भयो त, पढाईमा त तिमी तगडा छौ नि हैन?"

Nature!!

Travelling Chobi Mela

Photography is a powerful tool for expression especially in a country like Nepal where the majority of the people are illiterate. Even in Photo Journalism we study that what you cannot convey in 1000 words, you can convey with a single picture. For most photojournalists and citizens alike, photography is one of the few universal languages that can be shared and understood with common feeling. International Festival of Photography, Travelling Chobi Mela V was held at Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal with the same concept of universality. The festival began from May 22 and lasted till the 28th. Artists from nine countries participated in the festival that showcased 12 exhibitions. The festival included several presentations and workshops that enlightened professional as well as amateur photographers and photojournalists on several notions and issues related to photography
Chobi Mela, meaning photo festival in Bengali, is the first festival of photography in Asia, and was conceived in December 2000 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Western photographers were receiving world-wide fame when South Asian countries were not even aware of photographers in their neighboring countries. Non-western photographs were not given the due recognition they deserved. The concept of Chobi Mela was born to bridge this gap since in Bangladesh, like other South Asian countries, majority of the people cannot read or write and photography is one of the few ways to reach the average person.

When I think of Radio Nepal, I think about RJing!!

From last seven years my day starts with the national anthem at five which I listen when my grand parents switch on to Radio Nepal early in the morning to listen Bhajans( Except in case of loadshedding)! Sometimes I get irritated but its interesting some other time to listen to ‘Prawachans’. I remember myself listening to Balkaryakram at the age of 8 which used to ( I think it is still running…) get broadcasted from Radio Nepal and there was a section where Bal Samachar was aired in voice of kids like us. I quarreled with my parents to take me there as I was really interested in listening my own voice in radio!
With the flow of time, childhood interests were gone and even my desire of listening myself. But then when I reached the premises of Radio Nepal some days back, I was tempted to listen my voice in recording room. As soon as we passes through the corridors of Radio Nepal and entered in recording room, few of my friends were already speaking through microphone in such a professional manner that I didn’t dare go around them again! Then I consoled myself saying that I would fail in voice testing anyways. I was taking pictures of Radio Nepal premises and also of my friends after which Alina took my picture in front of recording room where the red light of ‘ON AIR’ was still on. After returning back from the trip, I kept the same picture of Radio Nepal as my profile picture in Facebook and many people actually thought I was a RJ!! It was already burning my desire of being RJ and now, after the completion of media project under the supervision of Mr. Stan Brand and his comment on my recordable voice(His line- “You have got really nice and professional voice for recording and RJing” ) I can’t stop thinking about RJing!
Though I am not sure to pass the voice testing of Radio Nepal!

Development Journalism

The day when there was lecture on Development Journalism at Martin Chautari by scholar Laxman Dutta Pant, I was panicking in my bed due to the leg cramp. I couldn’t attend the program but still there were some questions regarding Development Journalism inside my mind. The best way to get informed about the missing lecture was either from my friend’s blog or from the hands out which the speaker had provided. So, I have tried to sum up what I have understood about Development Journalism from those sources!
Most of the time Development Journalism is mistaken for infrastructural development or advancement related reporting. But in core, Development Journalism refers to the human development. It is related to human rights and freedom of expression. Development journalism focuses on the needs of the poor, the deprived, the marginalized and emphasis their effective participation in development planning. Development is about ‘highlighting what people are doing to help transform their lives. It is seen as humanity’s common objective and a means to eradicate poverty and protect the environment. There are three reasons of poverty- because of conflict, due to natural disasters and due to recklessness of government. Media has done reporting in these three causes. Besides these, development projects and plans should be reported in critical way. There are many global issues but we are not being able to criticize these issues.
According to Laxman Dutta Pant, Nepal still is lagging behind in the professionalism of journalist as a whole. Journalism has become a hobby rather than job. He added people from other profession can join journalism and this is creating some sort of snag for Journalism to grow as a profession. He gave his analysis about development journalism emphasizing national identity, integration, creation of public awareness, promoting people’s participation and rural development. Pant provided a good overview on how effectively development communication can provide a strong base for the development of the 3rd world countries like Nepal. As a tool for social justice, development journalism can be very valuable. By speaking for those who cannot, a development journalist can inform the rest of the world about important issues within developing nations. Looking at the strengths and weaknesses of a country may also help identify ways in which the nation can be helped. This style of development journalism is a tool for empowerment.

Evening Shots......

Nature!!

म, मनसुन र तिमी

मनसूनको पानी जस्तो तिम्रो आगमन
क्षणभरलाई हरियाली दिएर जाने
मन मस्तिस्कमा तरंग ल्याउने तिमी
फेरी खडेरिमै म बाचिरहेछु।

उजाड र रुखो मौसममा पहिलो थोपाको सुगन्ध
त्यही सुगन्ध छर्ने तिम्रो आगमन
फेरी सोही बासनाको आनन्द लिन
अर्कोपल्टको त्यही मौसम म कुर्दै छु।

रसिलो बातावरणमा पाउलिने यो मन
मायाको प्याला तिम्रो चाहदैछ
तिम्रो त्यो भरिलो मायाको आसमा
मेरो मन मनसुन कुर्दै छ।

आँखामा माया

शब्द खोज्दा शब्दकोश सकियो
भेटिन कुनै एक
माया यो अचम्म को
बुझिन्छ बोली बाहेक

आँखा को भाखा आनौठो लग्ने
सुरिलो सुर झै मिठो
तिर्खा हो कस्तो मेटिन्न कहिले
तर बित्छ हरेक पल छिटो

मनमा कुरा लुकाउन खोज्दा
आँखाले सबै बोल्यो
होइन भनी ओठले भने
तर लाजले आँखा निहुरियो ।

मन

बिछिप्त मन को बेदना
बेगले बग्ने आसुको बहाव
विकराल छ मनको मर्म
बुझिदिने को छ खै?

निरिह भई निहुरिएका नयन
निरासाले निमिट्यान्न भएका हासो
निर्मोहिका ति निरस वचन
बिर्साइदिने छ र कोही?

सपनाको त्यो सुन्दर सहर
सुनौलो संसारको सुकुमार
सोच्दैछु म त्यो सपना
सम्भव बनाउने सौभाग्य होला कतै?

Media and Democracy

It is always emphasized that if democracy is to exist, the existence of a free and pluralistic media system is necessary. Media is considered as the fourth estate of nation after three major ones namely executive, legislative and judiciary. All the four bodies needs to function well in order to foster democracy in the country. As the executive or the working government executes the power, media needs to deal with the government. On one hand, government makes the rules and guidelines for media to follow assuming them to be implemented. Then the judiciary punishes media for violation of the rule if it is not being well followed. On the other hand, the media observes and scrutinizes each and every step of the government working as a watchdog.
Democracy is the practice where people are freely allowed to opine themselves and the same practice contributes for the improvement and well function of mass media. Democracy is required for media as it allows getting the rights of press freedom, freedom of expression, safety of journalist and others that are essential for the existence of media. There is no democracy in true sense where media cannot freely exist. Similarly, Media democracy is a production and distribution model, which promotes a system that informs and empowers all members of society, and enhances democratic values. Democratizing the media involves reforming the mass media, strengthening public service broadcasting and developing independent media. If media continues to face hurdles and contradictions that hinder in bringing about a dynamic information-rich social structure, strong enough to sustain the democratic polity and the freedom that comes with it.
Democratic and independent media performs the role or watchdog against the malfunctions of government and warns against corrupt practices. It ensures to encourage public to opine themselves when government needs the public support or suggestion for the betterment of the country. It not only informs public about the happenings around us but also performs the role of bridge between government and mass. Media provides platform for government to express their concepts and for mass to criticize or praise the government. It even uncovers the wrong deeds so that public can see what politicians and government are falling for. During the time of elections as well, media provides the platform for politicians to endorse their view so that public can choose their desire candidate thus making democracy meaningful and strong.
Media is an industry, which is basically meant for service purpose but needs to run itself commercially so as to earn living for contributors and further survival of industry. Due to the same reason media depends on advertisement which tends to be their oxygen. In a democratic country, government is the major advertiser contributing in the revenue collection. Without advertisement no media can survive for long and the most relevant example for this is Christian Science Monitor and Chicago Tribune which were shut down due to lack of advertisements. Government gives out notification and makes their announcements through the media. Also, the government can help to provide printing papers at cheap rate and increase the number of supply by getting membership in all offices under government control.
The government has considerable role in facilitating and regulating media. It makes laws to keep media in track so as to develop it. If the ethics and laws determined by democratic government is not followed by media then it is sure to get punished. Like the media functions as watchdog, government watches over the actions of the mass media if it is violating laws in the name of freedom. This two-way relationship between media and government can help to flourish democracy and make it strong. Media and democratic political system depends on the efficient, accurate, and complete transmission of social, political, and cultural information in society where voters and citizens are able to participate knowledgeably in public policy debates.
Even inside of media house, democracy is equally important as it is in case of country. Those media houses where democratic concept does not prevail cannot be fair enough as those where it does. For the media to be democratic, it is outmost important to have editorial freedom. Those media house where editors are scrutinized while functioning cannot be called democratic. Reporters should be allowed to raise their voice in public interest leaving behind the boundary of caste, class and ideology. There should be is financially viability.

Media is designated for maintaining accuracy, balance and credibility of the provided information which without democracy may hamper its authenticity. It is also well known that an independent and credible media can contribute in public awareness, political consciousness and also preventing the chances difficulties by bewaring in time.

Precision Journalism

Precision journalism is the use of social and behavioral science where a scientific method of investigation or research technique is used as a tool of reporting. Journalists work hard to gather and analyze data beyond anecdotal evidence. Although it can be practiced without computers, precision journalism is usually a subset of “computer-assisted reporting,” the catch-all term for anything from using the Internet for gathering information to developing newsroom intranets for sharing information among reporters. Precision journalism may expand most in places with high concentrations of computers, where public records exist in electronic form, but internationally journalists practice it using any available techniques if they can get access to information and have sufficient training to carry out an analysis. The term “Precision journalism,” and the central idea behind it was popularized by the 1973 book of the same name written by Knight-Ridder reporter Philip Meyer.

Gift of Love!

Life- is unpredictable.
From highs of Love to lows of Insecurity and raindrops of Fear to sunshine of Excitement, a mysterious rainbow appears in our life and in no time disappears with indifference!
I always had a fear if that rainbow would never appear in my life; although it would vanish with none notice. As bright as the color of rainbow, I found my love dazzling by my side!
Dark and gray was his color- he said later on but now I wonder how it shone for me. That arrogance, our first debate and his rude comments was beginning of everything... That's when my rainfall started!
When he first stepped on my shoe in a club, instead of saying sorry he created an embarrassing situation for me. I cried for quite a while and left the club; how would I know he was drunk because he was in pain and all he was showing was that frustration?

A week later I went same club with same friends, saw him around and tried to get far from him though eyeing on his persona! I wound never want another humiliation. To my fear, I could see him coming towards me and I tried to avoid his eyes...
Those footsteps were actually targeting me. No time was left for me to hide or walk when he said:
"I'm really sorry for such a shameful act. My friend said what I did. I hope you understand I really mean sorry when I say it though I can't explain what went wrong with me."
Oh! It was time to respond.
"It's all right but hope you won't make anyone else suffer because you are in pain from now on."

"Was I rude then? May be I should not have advised him after-all guys hate being warned by an unknown girl or any girl." That was what I thought for few days. His thoughts were coming back and forth in my mind sometime with negative images and other while a positive one. With it, Friendship Day arrived and I went with my friend to celebrate as usual.

I was reprised to see the guy again whom I didn't know more than his voice! I should admit now that I had secret crush on him. My heart started pounding making a loud thud whenever he would make a move and it made me tempted to budge by his side. My heartbeat increased not only because of the bass of music also the reason was his nearness. By then we were compelled to get near to talk so that the voice would get clear in that loud music. Friendship day became a day when I got him by my side.

There was a hope for not only physical nearness in club but for the intimacy of heart and mind when he asked for my number. Would I mind? Never! That's when my sun shone; hopefully I was waiting for my colorful rainbow.

'Night hour: Happy hour' made it easier for us to communicate when the charge of calls was less than one rupee at night. Some Day he called me and the other day would be my turn. Those nights reveled the reason of his pain; a girl who dumped him baseless thinking that he was flirting with others as well. Here, he was so much in love with her that not a single girl could erase her space in his heart and mind.

Time flew away and with it those old memories as well. When you don't see something for long than it vanishes from mind like the name written in sand blown from wind. I was secure with him, as the previous girl was out of sight, out of mind. In those six months, I confessed my feelings and he was already falling for me. My life was up high in his love.

I was hoping for a snow that day, 14th February, like it had snowed last year making that day more special as it had already started raining. We had planned to meet at the same club where we had first met at daytime and go for dinner later on. With a huge smile on my face I was really excited to meet him as soon as possible.

When I was going there I was much worried and dismayed thinking that he was sitting being enraged with me, as I was behind schedule to arrive at the place. I was quite sure this day would strengthen our relation and also mark our first six months.

Opposite to my idea of his angry face he was very much energized and cheerful when I reached there. Although he had not seen me I was noticing him from the doorway. I saw him with a girl but was unable to see her face. Then I went near to them & to my astonishment I was dazed to see him with the girl who had previously broken his heart (I had known her from a picture in social networking site).

Few minutes ago I was dreaming of him with red rose & lots of love for me in his eyes but now what I saw was totally poles apart. Then I went to the table, which I had booked for us where I got a memo left by him in a piece of paper in his place. The message was:
"Just to say that I've got the one whom i was made for. I just want to end our relationship which you are much serious about coz, I've have just got... my love."

Tears fell of my eyes when I read that. I tried to look at him but I was unable to face him, for then I hated him. Those words turned me into pieces & the dream I had seen with him shattered away. My first love became a matter of disgust and this pain was intolerable for me. So, I returned back home with heavy heart and eyes full of tear.

When I was back home and standing on my balcony, far away I saw a rainbow and in no time vanished away like my own story. But still, the thing once he had liked, a golden chain was with me that I had packed for him to give him as a gift coz, it was "Valentine Day!"