Enchanting Radio Nepal

Among many facts and events about our country we learnt in our Social Studies class at school, Radio Nepal is one of them. Although many of us admit to have never been keen on listening Radio Nepal, being a media student the importance of Radio Nepal can never be overlooked. But after visiting Radio Nepal, the seemingly gloomy sounding voice –“Namaste yo Radio Nepal ho”-that reminds us of Radio Nepal, changed for better.

Radio Nepal was established on 1st April 1951. Initially, the transmission covered duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes through a 250 Watt SW transmitter. Over the years, Radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity considerably and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and coverage. Radio Nepal airs programmes on Short Wave, Medium Wave and FM frequencies. Regular broadcasts cover duration of 18 hours everyday which includes about 2 hours of regional broadcasts 09:45 hrs. to 11:00 hrs. in the morning and 18:00 hrs 18:30 hrs in the evening. FM Kathmandu, the first FM-Channel covering Kathmandu valley and adjoining areas was started in 1995 from its premises at Singh Durbar, Kathmandu.

As we made our way inside the music studio of Radio Nepal, photographs of music legends welcomed us. The mere sight of such a jaw dropping music studio brought out the singers in each of us. There were pianos, harmoniums, guitars, sitars, even vibraphone (the only vibraphone in Nepal) and a host of other instruments that we laid our hands on. This is the place where the songs are recorded, many of which have ended up becoming classic in the Nepali music fraternity.

Next we headed to one of the many state-of-the-art studios of Radio Nepal. There was live program being aired in one while there was another studio that was studio cum news room. None of us could help laying our hands on the microphone in the recording studio where we got totally lost hearing our own voice.Then we made our way to the music library that probably boasts of the largest Nepali music collection in Nepal.

As we were scribbling notes of everything we were being told, everything that caught our fancy, we were led into a room for a pleasant surprise. There we were greeted by the legendary singer Meera Rana. Everyone was totally in awe of her presence and then began the photograph and autograph session. There could not have been a better end to our visit to Radio Nepal.

Dry spell at 13th Educational Book Fair

Nepal Educational and Book Fair, Nepal’s largest educational and book fair, concluded its 13th edition last Saturday. Unlike last year, when the presence of Bollywood veteran personality Dev Anand in the inauguration ceremony created quite a buzz, this year’s event didn’t stand out in the media which affected the number of visitors and book sales. According to the organizer, Global Exposition and Management, more than a hundred thousand people had visited the fair last year.

Although there were more book activities to cover this year, it didn’t generate much media coverage. Writers Karna Shakya, Jagadish Ghimire, Sushma Joshi, Krishna Dharabasi, Krishna Thapa signed their books at the fair. However, publishers blamed the political scenario, economic recession and the coinciding of exams for the decreased turn out this year.

According to Anjan Shrestha of Educational Book House the number of vistors has gone down by one fourth compared to the last year. He also expressed his worry regarding the future of the educational fair if such trend continued.

Another reason for the less turn out was the lack of new books. Most of the stalls were selling the same books that could have been bought at the bookstore itself. Unlike last year where Penguin had put up a wide range of books, its stall this time around seemed almost deserted. Similarly, Oxford University Press’s stall also had similar picture. There weren’t enough books to fill the stall’s space. Sales manager of these stalls blamed the Terai bandas for the unavailability of new books.

Saurav Rai, an engineering student, said that this year’s fair was lack lustrous compared to last year. “Except for Paulo Coehlo’s Winner Stands Alone I couldn’t find any new book”, he whined.
“Participation of educational consultancies did help in bringing more visitors in the first few days but after they removed their stalls, the number of visitors declined visibly”, said Pravin Bista, one of the volunteers at the fair.

Blame it on the organizers’ mismanagement, the political scenario or the growing inflation, the number 13 seems to have actually brought in plenty of setbacks in this edition of Nepal Education and Book Fair.

The Sky Isn’t Falling

It certainly looks like another example of crying wolf. After bracingourselves for a global pandemic, we've suffered something more like theusual seasonal influenza. Three weeks ago the World Health Organizationdeclared a health emergency, warning countries to "prepare for a pandemic"and said that the only question was the extent of worldwide damage. Seniorofficials prophesied that millions could be infected by the disease. But asof last week, the WHO had confirmed only 4,800 cases of swine flu, with 61people having died of it. Obviously, these low numbers are a pleasantsurprise, but it does make one wonder, what did we get wrong?

Why did the predictions of a pandemic turn out to be so exaggerated? Somepeople blame an overheated media, but it would have been difficult toignore major international health organizations and governments when theywere warning of catastrophe. I think there is a broader mistake in the waywe look at the world. Once we see a problem, we can describe it in greatdetail, extrapolating all its possible consequences. But we can rarelyanticipate the human response to that crisis.

Take swine flu. The virus had crucial characteristics that led researchersto worry that it could spread far and fast. They described—and the mediareported—what would happen if it went unchecked. But it did not gounchecked. In fact, swine flu was met by an extremely vigorous response atits epicenter, Mexico. The Mexican government reacted quickly andmassively, quarantining the infected population, testing others, providingmedication to those who needed it. The noted expert on this subject, LaurieGarrett, says, "We should all stand up and scream, 'Gracias, Mexico!'because the Mexican people and the Mexican government have sacrificed on alevel that I'm not sure as Americans we would be prepared to do in theexact same circumstances. They shut down their schools. They shut downbusinesses, restaurants, churches, sporting events. They basicallyparalyzed their own economy. They've suffered billions of dollars infinancial losses still being tallied up, and thereby really broughttransmission to a halt."

Every time one of these viruses is detected, writers and officials bring upthe Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918 in which millions of people died.Indeed, during the last pandemic scare, in 2005, President George W. Bushclaimed that he had been reading a history of the Spanish flu to help himunderstand how to respond. But the world we live in today looks nothinglike 1918. Public health-care systems are far better and more widespreadthan anything that existed during the First World War. Even Mexico, adeveloping country, has a first-rate public-health system—far better thananything Britain or France had in the early 20th century.

One can see this same pattern of mistakes in discussions of the globaleconomic crisis. Over the last six months, the doomsday industry has movedinto high gear. Economists and business pundits are competing with eachother to describe the next Great Depression. Except that the world we livein bears little resemblance to the 1930s. There is much greater and morewidespread wealth in Western societies, with middle classes that canwithstand job losses in ways that they could not in the 1930s. Bear inmind, unemployment in the non-farm sector in America rose to 37 percent inthe 1930s. Unemployment in the United States today is 8.9 percent. Andgovernment benefits—nonexistent in the '30s—play a vast role in cushioningthe blow from an economic slowdown.

The biggest difference between the 1930s and today, however, lies in thehuman response. Governments across the world have reacted with amazingspeed and scale, lowering interest rates, recapitalizing banks andbudgeting for large government expenditures. In total, all the variousfiscal--stimulus packages amount to something in the range of $2 trillion.Central banks—mainly the Federal Reserve—have pumped in much larger amountsof cash into the economy. While we debate the intricacies of each and everymove—is the TALF well -structured?—the basic reality is that governmentshave thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this problem and, takinginto account the inevitable time lag, their actions are already takingeffect. That does not mean a painless recovery or a return to robustgrowth. But it does mean that we should retire the analogies to the GreatDepression, when -policymakers—especially central banks—did everythingwrong.

We're living in a dangerous world. But we are also living in a world inwhich deep, structural forces create stability. We have learned fromhistory and built some reasonably effective mechanisms to handle

Style check meter

Given the long hours of load shedding, bumpy dusty narrow roads, frequent stikes, fuel shortage etc etc, we are bound to cringe at the sorry state of our country. But when I look at our ever stagnant Nepali film industry and the lack lustrous fashion scene, I find one more reason to cringe even more.

Come Friday and we have people of all ages thronging at newspaper stands to get their copy of a very popular Nepali weekly tabloid. I myself was one of its avid readers until a few years back. As a kid I used to read its kid section and my mom used to force me to fill out the crossword puzzle (which I never won). I even used to paste pictures of the featured models. Those were the days when pretty faces (sans the hideous dress) used to adorn the coveted page. Then began the time when girls of all sizes (including the hideously bulky in the most fitting dresses) began making rounds in those very pages.

The number of girls dying to get into the field of glitz and glamour are on the rise. Rising number of fashion columns in print media, astounding number of websites dedicated to promote fresh faces, numerous beauty pageants have definitely been a boon for aspiring models. However, the competition has become tough. Fresh faces vying to get noticed seem to have been living by the mantra of ‘lesser the better’ when it comes to clothes and ‘more the better’ when it comes to skin show. Our numerous websites and tabloids are testimony to it.

There are plenty of aspiring models who pose and expose hideously. “Eww !” is the first reaction when we look at those scantily dressed girls. But since there are plenty of them we forget them soon after. And then we have our most talked about actress Rekha Thapa whose style quotient overpowers every hideously dressed model. She would probably be the first person fashion police would get hold of. Lord help that lady with a sensible stylist! Totally understandable is their not so celeb status with just an okay paycheck. But hey, style doesn’t always have to equalize to more moola!

Giving everyone a fair chance is something good, but just because someone is ready for plenty of skin show with the most (disgustingly) suggestive poses doesn’t mean the paper needs to compromise with its standard. The same thing applies for a host of up and coming and even the most established websites. Maybe because we are so used to seeing the picture perfect images adorning the pages and screens of international media, we totally freak out and are embarrassed beyond words by our local models and celebrities who seem to have lost their mind. Ladies (and sometimes even gentlemen) please check yourself out in the mirror before coming in the public eye

Worshipping gods in the chemical age

Rhino, tiger and elephant are the images we have when we are said to picturise 100, 500 and 1000 rupees Nepali notes respectively. But what about the 10 rupees Nepali note? Does it evoke any picture? Probably not. However, upon closer look it has a sculpture of Lord Vishnu riding on Garuda.

This sculpture is one among the many inside the Changunarayn temple’s complex. This complex falls under the World Heritage Site list. In spite of holding such great archaeological and religious importance the sculptures, like the one in 10 rupees Nepali note, and many others within Changunarayan’s complex are in dire strait.

A life size 5th century statue of Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu kneels with his hands folded before the temple. Besides Garuda is one of the oldest Licchavi stone inscriptions. In front of the temple here is a statue of kneeling King Bhupatindra Malla and his queen.

There is a 6th century stone statue of Vishnu Viswarup, the universal form of Lord Vishnu that Lord Krishna showed Arjuna while speaking the Bhagavad Gita. On the Lakshmi Narayan Temple there is an 8th century statue of six-armed Trivikratha (Lord Vamana), and next to it is a statue of Lord Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Behind the last two statues is a little black slab that has an image of Narayan lying on the traditional serpent Ananta and above it Lord Vishnu with 10 arms and heads.

All these sculptures have started showing signs of wearing out with cracks and stains all over them. Sculputers of such significance have all been kept outside the temple without any attempt of preservation. Pandit Rajopadhya of Changunarayan expressed his concern regarding the worsening condition of these sculptures. He says that not only the heat and and rain but also the chemical filled tika and other ingredients that people throw at these idols, albeit in the name of worshipping, have to be blamed for the sorry state of these sculptures.

He further elaborates that earlier idols were worhipped with panchamrit that was benificial for these idols. But now panchamrit has long been forgotten and the only resort is the chemical mixed worshpping ingredients. If the idols are worshipped in such a way that harms them then such act instead becomes misdeed.

Seems like its best to just stick to offering prayers with folded hands and set aside all those chemical filled puja ingredients.

Bitter-sweet truth about Changunarayan

Ever heard of Dolashikhar Swami?? No thats not the name of some saintly figure. Its the original name of one of the most oldest temples with great archaeological importance- the Changunarayan. Situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, Changunarayan is one of the oldest and most impressive examples Lichachhavi period's astounding architecture in Nepal.

Changunarayan which was called Dolashikhar Swami in the Lichchhavi period was reanamed as Chaugunarayan in Nepal Bhasa during the Malla period. Also known as Champa Narayan in Sanskrit, the present Changunarayn temple is most widely popular for it has the probably oldest inscription in Nepal's history. Changunarayan's complex is a World Heritage Site, and is known for its incredible woodcarvings, metal inscriptions and stone statues, which adorn the courtyard, all dating between the 5th and 13th centuries.

This impressive double roofed temple is said to be the most ancient Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The original temple was built around the 4th century. Although history books have it that king Manadeva built the temple, the reality seems far from it. according to the temple's priest, Chakradar Ananda Rajopadhyay, King Haridatta Varma who is supposed to have ruled nine generations ahead of Manadeva was the first person to built the temple. The inscription at the temple says nothin about King Manadeva buliding the temple, rather it has been mentioned that the very king only donated land for the temple's guthi.

If we go by History books, they say alot of insanely wrong things about Changunarayan. For instance, eigth grade EHP book published in the year 2052 had it that the Changunarayan jatra takes place in the month of Magh. But it actually takes place in the month of Baisakh. Similarly, it also writes that Changunarayan is called Maghman Narayan which is absolutely false. It is infact not none by any other name except for Chagunarayan, Champanarayan and Garudnarayan.

So, the next time you visit places of archeological importance don't just go by what the history books say.

Why journalism and democracy are considered inter dependent?

Democracy has always been hailed as the form of government that is of the people, formed by the people for the people. Democracy is a form of government in which power is held indirectly by citizens in a free electoral system. The popularity of democracy is evident primarily because citizens enjoy universally recognized freedom and liberties. On the other hand journalism, most popularly referred to as press, has long been recognized as that part of social activity which is concerned with the dissemination of news and views of the society. Journalism primarily functions as a watchdog and it bridges the government and the public. The very nature of journalism requires absolute democratic environment for it cannot fulfill its functions in the absence of freedom of expression and opinion. Journalism helps people fully exercise their right to get information and express their opinion. Had it not been for press, people would not have been living in a democratic society rightfully.


Journalism for democracy

As John Stuart Mill stated reading newspapers, and perhaps writing to them, public meetings, and solicitations of different sorts addressed to the political authorities, are the extent of the participation of private citizens in general politics during the interval between one Parliamentary election and another, the role of journalism is more than evident in a democratic society.
In democratic societies the press is acknowledged as the fourth state. Government is the most powerful entity. Government is the only such party which can work for the public or against the public. Power may corrupt, therefore government need to be scrutinized. Government runs the country, so journalists need to co operate with the government. Press needs to deal with government due to its watchdog function and mediating function. Government needs to communicate with the public through press. Since democratic government is supposed to put the people first, the role of press is inevitable in constantly letting the people about the government’s doings. Had it not been for press, the government would have never been watchful enough to let democratic values and practices prevail in any state.


Democracy for press and journalism

Press is also subjected to be regulated and government is the regulatory body. Only a democratic government ensures the proper regulation of the press through which the press can function smoothly and provide citizens with the information required. Only a democartic government can ensure pres freedom. Government can even sue the press in matters of violation of rules or irregularities in the court. Government also provides facilities by regulating advertisements, providing incentives and huge source of news content etc to the press. Government is a major source of advertisements. Press is also an industry. So, it cannot remain aloof. Government can hinder or facilitate the press in many ways as per its own wish. Since legal provisions regarding every institution including journalism are made by the government, it can hugely influence the state of journalism in any country. The very essence of journalism lies in the democratic principles and ideologies which shows how inevitable democracy is for press.

Inter dependence of journalism and democracy

The history of journalism can be traced back to those days when anti-colonial freedom fighters started revealing the unjust activities of the colonizers in front of the mass people through the use of pamphlets. This message disseminating activities were intended to obtain independence and sovereignty of their nation and also get rid of slavery.

Whenever there is any attempt against democratic principles, ideology and system of government, the first attack is seen on press. If we see the case of military system of Junta in Union of Myanmar, the censorship, restriction and ban on broadcasting all news of public concerns characterizes the media system. Which is also proved by very less numbers of radio, television and newspaper houses? On the others side while if we see the state of media in our own country Nepal, freedom of press and publication, right to expressions etc are highly emphasized. This proves that democracy and journalism are like the two sides of a same coin.

The political history of Nepal, during the people’s revolution, the liberation force (Mukti Sena) established radio-broadcasting station at Bhojpur which was shifted to Biratnagar later. The active role of that radio-station and distribution of message through pamphlets to gather mass for protest against tyrannical Rana-regime to establish Democracy for the first time in Nepal can never be forgotten. Similarly the role mainstream media during Jana Andolan II to uproot tyrannical Monarchy system of government and restore Democratic system of government is considered very crucial. During the April uprising, only the private media houses were giving the factual news. On the other hand, the state media was giving false news so as to supress the people's movement.

Gyanendra's step of dissolving the parliament and taking the power in his hand was first evident when he intervened in the operation of press. There were news censorhip and army personnels were on duty inside the newsroom. This was the then monarch's first step in curbing democratic spirit of the press.

Thomas Jefferson’s famous saying of choosing press over government illustrates power of press. Like people’s representatives journalists are also in many ways people’s representatives albeit non elected. They have earned this status out of their work. Press as an institution maybe considered as alternative government/parliament/court.

Due to its very nature government and press don’t get along very well. They are almost always at conflicting/confronting situation. It is so because press acts as a watchdog but the government wants press to be its lapdog.

Worldwide press has been time and again criticized for focusing on government’s criticism only. Reconciling is done by the press through objective/ balanced reporting. Government on its part should allow judiciary to watch over the press and act as the regulatory body. Maintaining transparency would also silence all the confrontation and conflict. Antagonism can be reduced if the government understands journalists’ objective coverage of both positive and negative aspect of government.

Time and again it has been proved that the role of press becomes more than evident when democracy needs to be ushered in or needs to be protected in any country. Similarly, press freedom can only be ensured when there is a democratic government fully supporting the journalism's genuine cause for serving the citizen by letting them exercise their right to opinion and expression. Thus, journalim and democracy can grow from strength to strength when both walk hand in hand working for the upliftment of the country and its citizens.