Youth’s perspective towards the issues of single women (widows)

Youth are called the assets for the present and future due to their dynamism, age factor, fresh ideas and innovation. Youth have always an important role to play for the development of the nation indicating and working on the different relevant issues.
There is one of the important issues which need the attention from all the sectors and youth needs to be catalyst to initiate on this endeavor because of all the features they possess. The issue of widowhood is almost bypassed by the youths for they think it is the trend or the fact everyone is designated to especially women.
I wonder whether this active group of people is really sensitized towards the issue of widowhood as this was same with me too unless I got an opportunity to see and feel the movie “Water” by Deepa Mehta and the documentary “Born Again” by Women for Human Rights single women group (WHR) and finally with the affiliation with WHR.
Issues of single women (widows) can be more seen as the result of ill cultural practices and deep rooted stagnant traditionalism. This results in bias, prejudice and discrimination with the prominent human right violation against the single women (widows). Just citing a very common example, let us think is there any restrictions to unmarried woman for the choice of color of her dress, the food she desires to eat? The answer is just simple as “No”. It is more liberal in case of man as he doesn’t need to face discrimination before his marriage, after he becomes a widower in his outfit and also regarding his dietary schedule. I think now it’s more likely to be questioned why is woman denied the choice of color and the diet she is designated to?
Death is inevitable though the reasons may vary from one to another. It is the fact that no child would prefer to see their mother dressed up in plain white dresses, restricted for proper food, blamed for the cause of the death of their father, is observed as bearer for ill luck in the society, ostracized in any rituals and ceremonies even in the marriage ceremony of their own child whom she has devoted her selfless love and nurture. The agony of losing father/husband is immense but it doesn’t mean that the rest of the living years which the woman has to live are nothing but the shallow pond of harsh marginalization and violation in even her every petty and minor activities.
These things just makes me furious and opt for the tearing and scattering of the old ill orthodox practices and the deep rooted perception into pieces ending it once and all which requires the positive changes in the perception and attitude. Though the international interventions like CEDAW mentions regarding the ending of discrimination on the basis of marital status, no wonder these article and their intervention and practice at local level is still a big question taunting heads of every individual having concern with the issues related to widowhood. Yet, there are no concrete plans and policies specific towards single women in national, regional as well as an international level.
It can be stated in a whole that the discrimination of the single women range from community to international level from cultural, social as well as political arena.
We have seen youths actively participating in political issues, consumer rights and many other things but it is felt that this dynamic population is yet to be sensitized in this issue so that they may be the change agents solve the issues . The involvement of youths in this regard will be great help for preventing their near and dear ones and self to be subjected in marginalization. The change must be initiated from within and the family itself.
This is one youth’s views being shared with other youths to support this humanitarian act and set the positive example for oneself and the generations to come.

Food Crisis in Africa

This article is written by Samir Shrestha, undergraduate student of Montana State University. This is very relevant article and matter of concern as Nepal is also undergoing food crisis particularly in some the region of Nepal.

Food Crisis in Africa

The food crisis in Africa which has been described as a “silent tsunami” by many people is not a natural disaster. It is something that has been created by human beings . The balance between high energy and food crisis is very unlikely to be broken and will be getting worst by the global climate change. The consequences can be clearly seen.Some of them are increasing production and transport costs for agriculture, failing food stocks and land shifted out of food production to produce energy substitutes. It is more famous as “21st century food for oil crisis”. (Robert. B. Zoelick)

The worst hit areas are the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia, North-Eastern Kenya and Eithopia. According to the United Nation’s World Food Programme “some eleven million people need food aid in the region after poor rains”. Poor rains have made it worst but the root causes are many and complex.Half of these people are in a state of starvation and need to be helped urgently.The World Food Programme says, further south about 12 million need food aid in countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The main reason to this crisis is of course poverty. Most Africans live in rural areas and so
highly depend on a good harvest to get enough food to eat. They hardly have any irrigation system and totally depend on the rains.So, if the rain fails people have very few saving to see them through.To add to that increasing food prices, a devalued currency and drought means millions of people are going hungry.And the sad part is its getting worst day by day.United Nation officials, World Bank officials and aid groups fear it marks the onset of the worst food crisis in decades and are calling for $775 million in fresh emergency food assistance from rich countries.But the sad part is aid groups are already lacking behind in their efforts to provide food.This leaves people from even the poorest communities dependent on the market for food.While people were starving in parts of Nigeria last year, shops in the capital were full of food but many could not afford to buy it.
“ This is the new face of hunger “ said Josette Sheeran, WFP executive director.This is a
very strong statement.Africa has became an example of what hunger really is.This in itself gives a clear picture of conditions getting worst in Africa.Poor women and children are most vulnerable regarding food insecurity and climate change.The high rates of HIV/AIDS is also a major factor in the region’s food crisis.Some of those who should be the most productive farmers- young men and women are either sick or have died.So their fields are being left unattended, while their childrens go hungry. People are being forced to sell their livestock, only source of wealth they have as soaring food prices worldwide have hit the poorest nations of Africa.This can be a very good example of how worst the conditions are in Africa.Mauritania is caught in a global food trap, producing only 30 percent of what its people eat and importing most of the rest.(Anthony)
Strong global demand and limited supplies are key factors driving up prices, but just as
important is a massive disruption in the free flow of global trade.In recent months food producing countries from Argentina to Kazakhstan have begun to slam shut their doors to protect domestic access to the food they grow.
One of the most disturbing warning signs that the situation is turning critical here is a
sharp increase in the sale of livestock, specially by poor farmers and shantytown dwellers.The surge in supplies is bringing down the price of livestock, though the meat prices remain high.This clearly shows how worst the conditions are in Africa.
The crisis in Africa is becoming one of those issues which has been talked about a lot in the International community.There are a lot of talks going on to solve this crisis and the sad part is nothing seems to be working at all.For instance the G8 summit has food crisis as one of their biggest
agendas.This shows some hopes of resolving the food crisis in Africa but the problem is simply talking and making promises won’t help.What is been seen right now is the leaders are only discussing things to solve the problem in Africa and doing nothing.Yes they are making efforts to help resolve the crisis but why is nothing happening.The biggest question is why changes are not happening.The big countries are of course contributing in some ways to help resolve the crisis but this is not enough at all.A lot more has to be done if we are to at least make a difference to this crisis that is so big.More funding and more supplies have to be made to countries that are worst hit by the on going food crisis. For instance during the G8 summit in Japan where all the leaders came together for discussing the on going food crisis in Africa they were served with a lavishing banquet.The japanese government flew in 60 of the country’s top chefs to prepare meal for the G8 leaders.The lavish nature of the banquet was a disgrace and it was embarassing that 283 million was being spent on the summit which has placed solving the food crisis at the top of its agenda(macedoniaonline.eu).Dominic Nutt of Save the Children said, “ It is deeply hypocritical there should be lavishing course after course on world leaders when there is a food crisis and millions can’t afford to eat.If the G8 wants to betray the hopes of a generation of children, its going the right way about it”.I totally agree to what Dominic says and why not.He makes a point in his statement by criticising the G8 leaders in doing this. They are clearly setting bad examples.They are the ones who can make a difference in resloving this crisis and this act clearly shows how irresponsible they can be.This in some reflects their ignorance to the on going crisis in Africa. Shadow International Development secretary Andrew Mitchell said “ The G8 have made a bad start to their summit with excessive cost and lavish consumption.All of us are watching, waiting and listening”.
Phil Bloomer, Oxfam’s director of campaigns and policy said “ Rich world politicians are
failing to acknowledge the impact of their own unfair policies”.This statement clearly justifies the efforts made by the G8 leaders in resloving the crisis in Africa.The World Bank estimates that the increases in prices of wheat, rice and maize cost developing countries $324 billion last year alone which is equivalent of three years of global spending.This is in no ways helping resolve the crisis in Africa.Instead it is making things more difficult for everyone.
The G8 leaders need to do much more to show they are ready to tackle the food crisis in Africa in the long term.They must reiterate the promises to increase the aid needed now more than ever.They have to seriously start making necessary reforms including increase in investment in agriculture in poor countries.One very good solution to this problem is targeting women and small farmers.” Rich countries” farm subsidies have systematically undermined production in small and poor countries.While prices are high they should take the chance to end unfair subsidies once and for all.Aid should not distract from the urgent need for the fundamental root and branch reform in the Europian Union and United States” said Bloomer.Bloomer clearly points out what the problem is right now and he is totally right and in what he says.The latest proposal falls behind clearly of what is needed in Africa and represents a step backwards in terms of development.(Oxfam International)
So the question is what can be done to make a difference in Africa.I would say a lot can be done to resolve this crisis.It wont happen at once definitely but that doesn’t mean we tie our hands and do nothing.There has to be coordinated steps and it has to be backed by good and reliable resources.
First and most importantly the G8 leaders has to agree to totally fund the World Food Programme’s emergency needs, supports its drive to purchase food aid locally and ensure the unhampered movement of humanitarian assistance.Support for safety nets, such as distributing food in schools or offering food in return of work, to help quickly who are in severe needs.(Robert.B.Zoelick)

We need seeds and fertilizers being distributed for the planting season.This is one of those very good methods to help make a difference in the food crisis in Africa.Distributing food and making funds are temporary ways to resolve the crisis but distributing seeds and fertilizers are a long term solution to this problem.It really helps and motivates small farmers to grow food in their own lands and this will help increase the production.On the other hand lands won’t be left unattended and will be used for a good purpose as well.
Zoelick in his article says “The key is not just financing but fast delivery systems as well”.He makes a strong point by his statement. Because that is what has been happening for a long time. For this reason there has to be a good coordination between the donors and the civil society groups. There has to be an increase in investment in agricultural research and development. Producers in developing countries have to be helped in meeting food standards.This can be possible by connecting retailers with farmers.And if this is accomplished this will surely make a big difference to the on goin crisis in Africa because this has been seen as a big problem for decades now.And the sad part again is changes are not happening.
There has to be actions taken in the United States and Europe to ease subsidies mandates and tariffs on biofuels that are derived from corn and oilseeds.High energy production should not be competing with food production which will expand opportunities for poorer countries and most of all Africa.This is one thing that has to be strongly thought about.I personally think it is the most important reasons for food crisis everywhere.Production of high energy is surely coming in the way of agricultural production and this is making things worse everyday. Leaders from big countries are acting selfish by keeping energy production as their first priority and not food production when there is food crisis everywhere.This again clearly shows their ignorance to crisis in Africa.

There needs to be more investment in agribusiness so that we can tap the private sector’s ability to work across the value chain, developing sustainable lands and water,supply chains,cutting wastage, infrastructure and logistics.We need to develop innovative instruments for risk management and crop insurance for small farmers.This will definitely encourage farmers to work in the fields and increase production of food.This will surely make some difference on the crisis that has been taking so many lives in Africa.
The needs for rules that has been agreed multilaterally has never been stronger when the crisis is at its worst right now.Most of the people have called the situation right now as the worst it could ever be.So there has to be greater collective action to counter global risks that is threatening the lives of so many people all over the world, especially in Africa.

The problem that we can see right now is the G8 summit is only having food crisis on the top of their agenda but doing nothing to make it happen. Whenever there is a G8 summit coming up people always have high hopes that something good is going to come out of the summit but its always the same. The same old promises every year. The leaders always promise these funds but all of us can clearly see what they have delivered so far. Yes they make promises but on the other hand they provide subsidies to the various industries in their countries. So they have to stop providing subsidies to their different industries so that the third world countries can compete with their industries. If this happens we will definitely see changes happening in the years to come. But this seems to be impossible when you see the ignorance of the leaders of G8 and other big economic powers. They are just acting too selfish at the moment and this attitude has to be changed if this crisis is to be resolved. There should be more campaigns to persuade the G8 leaders to start thinking about this issue. Something has to be done very quick or everyone knows whats going to happen in the years to come.

One other thing that I would like the G8 leaders is to release the third world countries from all the loans they owe to them. Releasing them from these loans will also help them revive their economies and invest that money on infrastructure and other necessary facets of development. If this could happen it would be a big booster for them in terms of everything. This would come as a big leap for the on going crisis in Africa.
A substantial portion of green house gases are emitted by the big powerful countries but the ones who suffer the most lie in the equatorial belt and most of these are countries from Africa. So the G8 should emphasize on some sort of carbon compensation schemes so that these worst effected countries get some financial rewards in return for all the sufferings they have to face. The danger is now clear to everyone. Most of all the leaders from G8 need to know it and they do as well. The G8 meetings need to come up with more clear plans. But only making plans won’t help at all. That is what has been seen and done for decades and the results are right in front of us. Promises have to be kept and every plans they come out with have to be made possible. There has to be more coordination between the G8 leaders and the governments of poor countries. One thing that’s coming in the way of development in these countries is their governments itself as well. There has to be proper governance and the funds that are coming has to be used in a right way. The government has also been accused of only delivering food aids to its own supporters and punishing areas which vote for the opposition. This is one thing the G8 leaders need to keep an eye on as well. They have to keep monitoring where their funds are going. Is it being used at the right place? This will help the funds to be used at the right place and help initialize an effective system which would help focusing on the core issues that been bothering these countries for a while now.

Adventure as a part of life…..

Adventure as a part of life…..

Adventure when understood in a general perspective is about some risky activity. It is general notion that women are beyond their capacity to meet the demands of adventure. It is always outstanding and noticeable when women do some adventurous activities. I understand adventure as living in the edge notion which was once told to me by one of the person involved in the field of adventure. He has profound experience in Kayaking which can be proved by his expedition with one of his friend from Trisuli to the Bay of Bengal the only one of its kind. Regardless, there are still many women indulged in this field. One recent example can be stated with the succession of few women from different ethnic groups to summit Everest in the coming season of 2008 . They did it……..Bravo!!!!!

I too have some inclination towards these adventurous activities and my hobby to swim, exercise and to experience thrill have added some knots on it to support me to cling on it. I doubt if I have fear of height but I am proving it wrong soon. No worries!!! My educational background which is moreover towards development sector do not permit me get into it full fledge but my personal interest swerve me to get into it at least to possible and desired extent of mine. And how could we undermine tourism sector as this contributes a lot in the country’s economy. It is to be fully agreed that every sector has special network and dependency to the other sector varying from less to more. One of my friends involved in the field of adventure, and member of the same Youth Organization as I am said me once “I am in this organization so that I can share my experience with Nepalese youth about adventure. It is distressful to say that only some of the people in this field know about adventure while most of the people have concept that adventure is for Foreigners only.” This shows up his passion to do best in his sector and give his best contribution in the sector he is related to. Bravo!!!!!!

It was being part of that Youth organization that I had some outlet towards this adventure. The outdoor training sessions along with blanket of million stars in the beach at night made my inclination much stronger. Trust me, it was the first time, I swam across Trisuli with life jacket and helmet on. The rafting and splashes of water over the face with thrill and enthusiasm and jumping in the calm water to chill out is something you never forget. The turn over of Kayak as beginner thrills you and for a while it makes you panic but remember “don’t panic, company has send good safety kayakers hehe…” this is what makes you feel good and safe.

Rock climbing and my muscle cramp” gosh!!!” have become synonyms for me. As I think of rock climbing,” muscle cramp” passes sway as swift as possible. It was fun cum thrill. That was just the beginning .Many rocks are to be climbed in the days to come either the rocks which are the source for the soil or the rocks that are on the way to my success in life.

Recently , to be more clear just yesterday i met my adventurous friends , who have started exploring flora in high altitudes, surveying and clicking about the community radio and its impact and nevertheless perfect photography of fauna in national parks.

There are many adventures in each and every aspect of life (not necessarily always and only associated with adventure tourism) on the way and to make the difference, it is essential to face it with excitement and courage rather than escaping from it.

All the best!!!!

First rain of the spring :)

Cool rain drops ,”Wow”thought strikes with excitement. It reminds of farmers ploughing and sowing seeds for growing crops, the thing that people work day and night for. No wonder we can’t enjoy these things residing in busy street with puddles, pollution caused by vehicles of our very own Katmandu After unbearable summer season the showers from sky makes me feel as I am having showers of joy. Each drop worth million dollars.
Like me, most of my friends too love this season. Whenever my “bhai”sees black clouds in the sky bringing up excitement of showers he never misses to say “Today weather has challenged got to go for psycho jhol (mo:mo)”every one loves to have hot tea in this type of weather .Rain drops pattering on the roof brings up wonderful music and birds sing with it. Beautiful songs have been created addressing this nature of Mother Nature. There are numerous romantic,tragedic songs based on the rain drops..

I recall Daz saying “Asare mahina ma pani paryo rujhaune…” tragedic song yet so so heart touching…& i totally agree on that Daz..it is the fact that the song is based on the rainy season…

and this is how Jaz goes” Sawan barse tarase dil…” is the first and foremost striking song with the first rain drop..so romantic!!!
For me there are uncountable numbers….from Thank you to Rain is falling chama cham cham…
I love the drizzling environment but there is something annoying, and that is puddle with rainwater mixed with drainage nearby. I, being resident around Ason, know that the narrow street during this season is unimaginable.
I always have to catch microbus for my college from Jamal and in this season, I struggle really very hard to save myself from splashes and muddy piles .I jump here and there, balancing myself in order to save my shoes getting my socks wet, which is the worst part, and drainage system of this area,”alas”no outlet for water collected in the puddle and splashes by young bike-riders are usual. This incident makes one annoyed but it embarrasses rather when everybody stares and their eyes speaks with satisfaction” Thank God, the splash was on her, I am safe”. At that time I consider may be my luck today is so-son or difficult, it is just bad start of my day and I console myself. Sometimes the condition is so worst that water is collected is such a way that there is no other option except going across this muddy one feet swimming pool paddling by legs with jeans. No wonder while doing so we knock upon rocks beneath and forced ahead falling, anyhow we balance by kneeling down till then whole body would have nice swim of smelly drainage water.
Till then already late for college, running with full energy without caring about splashes of muddy drops made by our own feet over our dress. When we enter microbus fully wet, everybody staring and even one won’t be able to sit comfortably on seat. As he microbus leads to our destination heartfelt of curses are expressed for those politicians who claims that road transportation is important infrastructure of development who have forgotten to pave the heart street of Katmandu( Kathmandu Metropolitan city ho re…is it some kind of joke!!) not to talk about inaccessible remote parts of the country.

Holi re….

Finally it’s a day before “Holi” and also the last day of illegal bombardment.hehee….
And its already spring. “Welcome Spring 2008″!!!
Happy Holi to all and wish your life be filled with all the bright colors of holi.
Enjoy and do let me know about the way you celebrated hai.:)

Donno what to say :(

Students @ the other side….I always envy not being so much politically aware as the students in the government college .I see them actively involved in the protest against petroleum hikes, for the consumer rights, in the active politics of the country. I too have gathered some knowledge regarding the current situation with the curriculum in my college. This is for to let us think the change agents of the society can also be turned out to be like this. Holi has rather taken the form of rather ill practice overlapping its pure and colorful belief. The same students who are seen protesting in the streets are seen these days in the terrace of renowned college “TC” to throw the water bombs to the girls and ladies passing from Jamal stop. I was walking through the sky bridge to get my tempo to my college and heard someone passing me the comment that ” Lau abo majja le lola khane bhayo ani ramrari bhijincha pani “which meant “huh she is gonna get good hit of water bombs and will get fully wet”. How ridiculous is that!!! Those guys assumed the condition of girls and ladies passing through that lane of about 25 metres. The distance had piles of plastics scattered and water all over.I could hear two ladies cursing them for one of them had faced the water bomb and them hurrying towards their office.I wonder these students have once strike for the environment protection and had protested in front of the office of safe drinking water. These students need to be the ones protesting the ill phenomenon of Holi rather they are standing as 5 feet tall wall over the terrace. It’s an agony. In Aajtak today I heard of the news in which one brother and sister got beaten severely in the Delhi bus stop when the brother rebelled against the rowdy boys throwing colors and water to his sister.If these sorts of activities are continued then the day’s not far Katmandu valley and the other cities of the country start facing similar incident as that of Delhi incident. 

Pratham lekh blog ma bishayak Holi

Holi Re….

It was fabulous wedding party and we enjoyed it. We were then returning home .It was 4pm then. It was at Ason the centre of capital where one boy hit us with plastic full of water. The pain was in one part while the stinking water on our “clean” dress was so pathetic. In lack of clean drinking water at least in the valley I just can assume the water filled must be either from the underground tube well or water collected in the drainage. Valley people are these days used to with the alternate day of tap water supply and useless pump machine in absence of electricity. I turned back to scold those boys with water bombs rather they were teasing us using foul words. Gosh!!! We again headed our way. Then comes another shot and fortunately it was missed.

I turned the calendar as soon as I reached home to see when HOLI, the festival of color was but these days it is rather the bombardments of water pouch with rather stinking water that too before so many days. It was from the discussion with my frens that I got to know that these bombardments have already been started in every nook and corner and it’s high time to be safe from those.

The spot when the water bombs can be noted easily while walking with the splashes and the plastics around. The exact spot would be mouth of volcano and the splashes would be molten lava thus the around territory would be dangerous zone for me. My heart starts pounding when I walk around that zone and there are reasons for that. Several examples of previous holi just screens before me. The latest one was hard splash over my face leaving my power glasses broken on the road. I was out of my mind due to pain and was numb. Guessed it was somewhere from the skyscrapers building where people walking on the road would look like petty insects for some of the so called social animals habituated of inhumane behaviors.

I could see boys walking so comfortably with the water bombs in their hands and posing threats to the females passing nearby. The hits are also targeted to sensitive parts of female body which depicts a kind of mental and sexual harassment towards females. Some of the female would really turn back to give tight slap to the bomb attackers though. Most of the attackers would be in groups and they would act as a gang to harass the females if in turn they give harsh respond to the bomb attackers. The people around would either remain quite or simply enjoy the “happening” scene or in some case they would give evil stare to the female instead.

Abira ya holi..ta chaya lya lyase….Abira changu khwa hysi dyekabi

This Newari song would be just song in the days to come and the way people playing with full of joy with multi colors is being overlapped by the pain and agony. I have started hating the festival; I too pick up stones nearby to hit or at least to threaten “no option left right?”

Sumeruh