Old is Gold

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

Old is gold is a popular belief that exists on our tongue all the time. The thing which we don’t value has put more value in our life or the thing which we have thrown away in the past would be much essential in the present and future.

I heard that word at first when I studied bachelor level before 20 years. It has been used in education field these days but the use of it is much wide or broad. I saw it in the collection of old questions for the examinees so that they can prepare for the examination. It helps students to be used to for the examination to secure good marks or they shouldn’t be unaware about the style of questions and marking scheme. Or it has made them easy to be used to with the examination though they haven’t seen marking scheme of the course. It provides us the sense that old is gold or it has helped students greatly with the old record of questions or experiences.

Certainly the question comes if old is gold what is young then. Is it silver or diamond? The context can be much debatable or there may be unending processes of discussion for that. It would be better to posit them on both of silver and diamond. The experience of the young can be silver if we evaluate it in relation to the system the old have established. Or the children can’t fit with the old norms and traditions so they have proved themselves as raw in front of old people. It means that their knowledge is not so systematic or immature in comparison to old people. It may not fit to so the system what old people have established. The children should have learnt from experiments, practices, experiences, observation and so on. They do various activities which with the purpose or process of learning. In this sense, it may be silver which costs less.

On the other hand, their knowledge can be diamond as they have shown the originality of knowledge of mankind. They presented such experiments innocently which is the real fact of human life. They have been fit with the quotation of William Wordsworth “The Child is Father of the Man”. If we have taken it from children’s perspective, they have done it with their effort that proves some sorts of innocent maturity which is original. Their mind is full of questions so they are always inquisitive of learning something; though they have been scolded by seniors they have been continuing their activities irrespective of the threats. If we take it positively we can call it as diamond. Or the elders who have learnt from the experiences in their life would have done the same like the children. Hence childhood age is known as the source of knowledge to them though the activities of children have been blamed. The experience, in this sense, can be considered as diamond. Ultimately, it would be helpful for the society and the nation as it enhances knowledge to us. It also proves that learning is never ending process.

The learning of children can be silver or diamond whereas the learning of adult is gold as I have already told old is gold. Adult learning is a kind of learning process from two sides of being and becoming. Being is the process of maturity in which adult people have got sufficient knowledge till the time they have experienced. It is becoming as they have been learning till the end of their life. Being is mature and becoming is process of maturity and both of them have been applicable in the process of learning of adults. The knowledge what they have got is much valuable which is full of experiences the stories of success and failure. Their knowledge is oriented towards behavioral or practical which is much significant in the process of learning. Their stories, histories, experiences, activities, social interactions, life processes have helped them to learn many things in the life. They would be able to do work with the examples they have been facing in the life which brings maturity in the work. That can be a good example of us if we apply them in our life. Or we can get valuable result with the things what we have learnt from them. For example children and old people have established a system in their home and society. The young people have thought that they have been caring old and children but they are unaware about the lesson they have got. If there are no children and old people, the society would be out of system. Neither should they stay in home nor should they follow the household chores; rather they would be free of all sorts of burden and they would have realized it when they are old. It’s easy to complain old and children but the lesson has been ignored deliberately like the old clothes which is useful at least wiping the floor.

Thus adult learning or experience is important and it should have been given value in our context as it has produced positive outcome in our life. There can be positive and negative aspects of experiences: in which we can take the positive aspects and ignore or improve the negative aspects. We should have learnt positive things which helps us to continue the process whereas negative things can be a lesson that we shouldn’t repeat such mistakes in the future. Thus the adult experiences have contained gold in it but we should know how to dig the mine. We can earn more with the knowledge from them so they help us in various respects as they are the mine of gold. The gold has got mid-value in relation to silver and diamond; neither is it expensive like diamond nor is cheap like silver. Diamond is too much expensive and rare whereas gold is moderate and available to all. Silver is cheap and available to all which is neither valuable nor value less in comparison to the gold and diamond. The diamond is precious which is out of the rich of most of the people unlike the gold.

The adults share gold to the young generation whether they would be able to grasp or not would be a question. The young should effort to get it with the knowledge and experiences to win the lottery of gold. They have produced gold which is often ignored in the world context as we have been aware with the example that the adult learning had got value only after 1980s decade in the world. It has been institutionalized only after that in the developed countries not still valued in the developing countries. Or it has been taken as a deliberate process of age and time.

Adults have been learning much in their life which we can compare with a sal tree. The sal tree seems same like other trees which is much strong than others. Or we call that as agrakh, the tree which is strong and takes much time to grow up and last long. The knowledge of old is also same like sal tree which is known as the old, strong, reliable, and so on. Old experiences contain many facts with strong evidences and practical value which is like gold. We should value them to make our work fruitful and reliable as their knowledge is ripe with experiences.

They have faced many things in their life along with their personal, family and social experiences which have been set in their mind. Various pros and cons in the life teach them the lessons which are real gold. The golden experience and knowledge of the old people has greatly helped the young people to make their life more valuable and full of prosperity. Their lessons are quite helpful to solve the burning issues of the present context in which we are raw on such issues. As we don’t do mistakes if we have taken help or advice from the aged people who have already experienced it. It saves our time and effort; on the other hand, we have been gained from their experiences which would have been got without any price. If we haven’t used it, it will have gone waste like the water of river. If we can utilize we will be rich neither it will harm us sinking in it.

Finally, adult learning has many, many positive and negative aspects but they can be a good lesson for us from all respects. We have been ignoring the gold that is available for us without any price. Hence we should utilize it for the betterment of our life. 

Archaic Language

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

Language is a means of communication or it has some live nature to make the receiver do something. It expresses a message which is conceived by the receiver and does something in action so language isn’t only the speech rather a means to do something. Thus language is functional or it has some goal to achieve. We use language to fulfill our wishes, or desires, or needs, or wants. In Nepali proverb it is said that language and bullet never return back. If we speak once it has affected the listener and is incurable in comparison to the wound. Or the wound of language has some deeper affection or influence than the wound; which is sufficient to understand the nature or function of language. The use of language is quite sensitive or yet we can get good result if used properly. It has taken positive and negative aspects equally, for that we must understand the context of the user and the receiver or listener to use rightly. It has got such power that makes us superior or inferior in no time which is determined the use of it. So the use of language should be goal oriented or it should be contextual to make it more vital or achieve the proper goal.

Archaic language has some different meaning which we consider as original speech or sometimes we call it equal to colloquialism. The straight meaning of it has connection with the prehistoric language. However, the use of it in our context can be understood as indirect, informal, or localization. The use of archaic language in this text has some indirect meaning along with the context which needs some effort to understand positively. Mostly, I have seen its use in indirect sense which produces negative result as followed by examples below. The meaning of archaic language in our context has been used to reveal indirect intention of ours. We use such language to make the language more ironic, satiric, or to make the situation more interesting. Sometimes we use it allegorically which, in the real sense is neither ironic nor is allegoric. Hence, it is appealing, indirect, symbolic, contextual, and so on.

The use of such language has positive and negative sides equally along with the situation. The language can be taken positively if the user and the receiver are of same standard or type. If there is no match of the user and the receiver it has totally negative meaning. The common understanding of such language has mostly negative meaning. The user and the receiver should have taken it along with context and their mental ability to understand. It can be interesting as well as conflictual along with the standard of the users, situation, social context, traditions and so on. There should be the match among the above mentioned particulars to make it functional. We can understand that language has the power to make us functional.

First woman: You can use less spice.

Second woman: Is it true or not?

There is misunderstanding between them and the situation leads to conflict. The first person has used it directly and the second person has understood it indirectly or her answer may be archaic. Thus the situation turns to negative due to the context. It helps to increase enmity between them.

Driver: Can I come by 10.00am?

Coordinator: You can come till 10.30 am if favorable.

The coordinator had already told driver to carry school children on time. The school would start at 9.40am and the driver told that he could come till 10.00am comfortably. The coordinator would reply that he could come till 10.30am if he didn’t have duty sense. The situation is conflictual yet solvable as the user and the receiver are of same types. They both have considered the context and the use of archaic language has positive target. The use of such language is much risky if the user and the receiver don’t belong to the same standard. The use of such language is much fruitful if it is contextual neither is it too bad.

However, I have found that the use of archaic language has mostly negative consequence as the use of it is not justified with time, context and the level of participants. Mostly it has been used in informal conversation and the situation should have been assured. It has mostly negative consequences in public.

Customer: What’s your educational qualification?

Shopkeeper: I have finished my reading.

Customer: What class do you finish: 10 or 11?

Shopkeeper:  (not spoken)

 It refers that reading class 10 or 11 is not so good educational qualification in our context. The situation makes us clear that the customer is dominant or he has tried to defame the shopkeeper. There is misunderstanding between them or the shopkeeper remains silent and smile. Thus the use of archaic language has mostly negative consequence.

Sometimes it has created problem of understanding and friends can become enemy though they are good friends.

First person: Hello, who is speaking?

Second person: Hello, who are you?

First person: I am Raman, are you Riyan or not?

Second person: I am the brother of Riyan

First person: (recognized the voice of Riyan) Its ok, buy.

First person has taken his cell number from a reliable friend so he has recognized his voice also clearly as they had been school friends from class 1 to 10. The second person deceives him telling that his brother has spoken. Raman’s has given his introduction, yet Riyan has introduced wrongly. Raman has misunderstanding with Riyan.

Hence misunderstanding occurs frequently and its better to reduce the use of such language if we want to increase our friends. The use of such language has mostly misunderstanding between and among people though it has been used positively. We need further clarification for that to make the receiver understand. Once spoken the language can’t be returned back. Mostly the public figures have got much misunderstanding with it. We have seen many such examples those who have used archaic language frequently. For example ex-Prime Minister K. P. Oli has such problem or he has been made a man of humor of using proverbs while speaking. Or he has used such archaic words or phrases so his figure is too much debatable or disliked by the receiver.

On the other hand, if it is understood directly or straightly, it has much negative consequence. The problem with archaic users is same due to its nature. The people are of different types; they are of different standards; the metaphors always can’t match situations.  Hence, the use of archaic language is much sensitive, debatable, yet interesting. We should have used it according to the time or context to have positive target. 

Awareness or Family Planning

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

The concept of family planning is much popular in Nepalese society. It has pious aim to control unwanted babies for the parents and the panacea of population control in 21^st century. The growing world population should have been controlled due to the lack of resources so tht Nepal government has been taking it as only one way of controlling soaring population. Several benefits can be ensured by family planning such as healthy, prosperous, peaceful, and planned family which can contribute for human peace and development of the nation. Some of the religious fanatics have taken it negatively; the population shouldn’t be controlled according to them; we can take example of Muslims who have considered it as sin if they have listened name of family planning only. They have the statute to increase their population as far as possible.

Family planning census has put me in confusion or controversy as the educated lots don’t use it rather the population has been controlled. On the other hand, the poor are giving birth to many children though their use of family planning means is high. Similarly, in the developed countries, the rich and the celebrities have given birth to many children in comparison to the underprivileged. The controversy of education or family planning or both of the elements can go together or not?  Those who are educated wouldn’t do family planning though their population is being controlled. The concept seems a kind of challenge for the policy makers as it has been far from general norms of knowledge society. Those who are educated have less interest in family planning unlike the uneducated one. The question comes what we need: family planning means or education. With the increasing population from the laymen population control has become one of the challenges in every society.

The poor people have no access in education which has greater influence in family planning as mentioned already. Thought they have used the means their population has been growing rapidly unlike the educated. They have been also aware of the family planning but they can’t control it due to various problems. Firstly, they don’t have money to buy temporary means of family planning. Secondly, they aren’t aware about their future prospects due to lack of education. Thirdly, some of them have taken population as a source of income. Fourthly, some of them have taken their children as their old age friends. Fifthly, some of the persons have thought to increase the followers of their religion. Hence the concept of family planning and education has some gap. If we can balance, we will be able to get the positive result.

Mostly in developing countries those who have more children have been poverty stricken in contrast to developed countries. Some of the government of developed countries have encouraged having more children to the parents. For example Russia has given prize like cars to its people who have more than two children. Still most of the people have fewer children as they have been influenced by education. In rich countries, rich people have more children in comparison to the poor people. We have seen that some of the celebrities and the rich people have more than two children in comparison to commoner. They have taken it as the sense of privilege of having more children. The controversy of having more and less children in developed and developing countries have taken controversial trend. In developing countries rich people have fewer children unlike the poor; whereas in the developed countries rich people have many children in comparison to the poor. Thus the trend has controversial result which is mysterious yet. It’s evident that education or awareness has played main role rather than the means of family planning.

On the other hand, social trend or system has also influenced the trend of child bearing or rearing. The social tradition of the developed and developing countries has made significant gap in this matter. The controversial trend has pointed out different understanding or conception regarding the population growth irrespective of the family planning measures. Those who are greatly aware about the planning can have children according to their capacity. The westerns have got life guarantee and they have no problem to have more children. Western social tradition has set accordingly which can’t match to the Eastern. However, we can take examples of the effect of family planning as we have been developing.

What can be real: either education or means of family planning? I have been in conclusion that education has played main role in controlling population rather than means. The concept of family planning is replaced by education! The policy makers should analyze it before they have set plan of family planning. The concept of poverty reduction through education in developing country can be imperative in family planning. The poor live in extreme poverty that the 80% resource of the world has been captured by the rich. However, 80% of the population has been constructed by poor. The duality of population and resource holding is quite interesting yet mysterious.

The poor are rounding in vicious circle of poverty and they have problem when they can’t get proper education. The control of population is also possible with education rather than means. Means can be one of the means but the greater share has been taken by education or awareness. Since the resource has been captured by the rich their children can be more which seems natural. In Western context it is good but not in Eastern context. It suggests that the Eastern rich has been castrated by the family planning programs.

Only education has upward mobility which prepares foundation for prosperity. From Western examples we can be clear to the above statement. We should realize the fact that education is much more prominent means of population control in comparison to means. Or education can replace the means of family planning in this prospect. If the means have played role to control population, why doesn’t it able to stop population of developing countries? Is it better to change our focus from means to education? Ultimately, education can be an effective means to control population. To improve the social condition is much better means than the advertisement on radio and television. It’s better to ban the means of disease rather than treatment after being affected. Means is means which can’t change our mind from its root. As a corollary, we should have focused on education not on means. 

Going to America

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

We have the culture of congratulating to those who have got American visa these days. We regard them as lucky and praise them in such a way that they have won something great irrespective of their sorrowful future days and detachment from their family, community, society and the country. Certainly they are lucky because it is quite tough to get American visa; or they may have got what they have tried in their life. America is a land of dream and they have been successful to go to the dream land; besides that we have one of popular cultures to congratulate them as one of social norms. Not only that those who have got visa of so-called developed countries would also post such status on face book. They seem as if they have won the battle putting garland, khata, vermilion and so on.

Ignoring the future prospect of the person and the society, people have been expressing congratulations and the words of respect. Our luck has been determined according to the visa we have got from foreign country. Nobody seems concerned the nation, its values, culture, tradition or so on. Irrespective of our status and nationality we have praised those ignoring the above mentioned social disruptions of the nation. It’s evident that we have been the agent of antinationalism of searching something great. The great what we have regarded is a petty thing from which we have been selling ourselves and our generations. The person who have got visa should have spent much money (almost NRs 40, 00,000.) which is a sufficient amount of money if they have initiated any enterprise themselves. They seem ignorant what they have spent rather fantasize the dreamland, America where they can earn much more than they spend. Their parents have also been excited to spend money for their children after +2 educations. They don’t see the future of their children; rather they have forgotten the fact that they have been able to make such economic status in the nation. The parents have hated their motherland so much that they have presented the example of rotten mind. Most of the parents have wrong conception that their children have gone to America in academic programs. They don’t realize the fact that their children have gone for diploma program not for bachelor’s program. However, they have made guffaw that their children have gone for ‘study’ to America.

On the other hand, we have such culture that we don’t respect those who have been living or working in the country; they have been conceived as incapable or unlucky. We don’t value them as patriots who have contributed for the nation as our culture has been set accordingly. One of the persons who has been working as campus chief and school teacher has just applied for American visa. He told that he couldn’t get any respect from his partners, family members, and society, so he came to Kathmandu to apply American visa from Chitwan. He stated that he has felt humiliated living in the country and wasn’t satisfied with the dealing of the people of his contact. The societal belief and the initiation of brain drain of the person have been contradictory to me. Either he might be incapable to get American visa or he might have some more expectations or talent that couldn’t fulfill in the country. He expressed that he doesn’t like to live here anytime more which comes out of revenge. Both the characters: the initiator and the initiated are the traitors of the nation as I have to evaluate. His obsession shows that his only option is to go to foreign country at any cost. I have evaluated that the positives have exceeded the negatives of the persons. He may be successful to go to foreign country as a revenge of the etiquettes; but he is going to lose his family, community, society, nation and so on. In the name of revenge he is going to lose everything which will have turned into irreparable loss in his life. The symbol of revenge and emotion would lead the initiator and the initiated into danger from all sides.

I have found double loss from the side of the receiver or the sender country. The interpretations that they get visa of being talent is wrong thinking of the receiver country. If they have been capable why they have spent so much money to go to foreign country to be alien. If they aren’t able to understand the meaning of alien how we can believe them as the talent man. Rather they can be good labors with good amount of obsession. Since they are ready to quit their motherland today, can they be treacherous to the foreign land tomorrow or not?  If they are really capable, why they don’t invest money for the prospect of them and their country. Thus we can’t regard them as the capable persons rather they are opportunists or traitors of the nation. They have been resided with mean feelings who have no creativity at all. They have been the example of parasites which are always dependent to others and their living is impossible without taking others’ blood. Or they aren’t the creator rather destructor of others for their living. It was evident that we have to revise the meaning of capable or talent in relation to their contribution to the society or the nation and their creativity.

In other words it’s a brain drain in which some contribution can be seen from the condition of the nation whereas they are responsible for majority of the causes. Those who have gone to American and mostly to European countries have got good percentage or are able in cognitive methods of reading of reading not the good creators. The cause of brain drain has been connected with the socio-political condition of the country. While taking this aspect we have forgotten the duty of the citizens. Should they think about the future aspects of them and the country or not? Since their brain has turned into drain, there is no question of patriotism, love to family, society, nation and so on. It is said that they have to spend almost 40 lakhs NRs to go to America according to Kantipur Daily. The article by Achyut Wagley mentioned it in a vigorous way. He has pointed out the mistakes of the academic institutions and their inability to enhance them with the skills. It happened but we have to produce the patriot not the traitors and our education also hasn’t been set accordingly unless we have forgotten our duty for the nation. The nature of formal education of all the countries is same of producing. We may have some mistakes that we have no entrepreneurial mind at all. He has focused on the management education only which should ensure entrepreneurialism. Irrespective of the fact that we can be entrepreneur if we have such intention; neither our brain has gone to drain.

Wagley has positively argued that those who have spent to go for America is equal to a good amount of the American middle class family which can be used in the nation. So I agree with the logic that we must have entrepreneurial mind to uplift ourselves and the nation. Instead of investing for foreign country, they can invest in their native land. Rather they used to blame that they can’t get any opportunity in the nation. The blame is fake rather we should consider them as dishonest persons who have been working as like a traitor against the nation. They should created opportunity themselves or it’s not the nation to give them job all the time. The nation can give them opportunity to invest and do any business or job without any hindrance. I think it is not so negative in our country though we have been listening news of different types of faults. Rather we must be able to fight against them since we have been able to demolish the 240 years old monarchy from the nation. It would be their mistake that they can’t cash the money what they have which reflects their incapability. The receiving country should also think that they can do nothing in their nation as they have escaped from their native land. I want to question the receiving country and these persons: are they really capable? Does their mark sheet show the real quality?

They have blamed that there is opportunity in the nation ignoring the fact that the money what they have taken can be invested. In spite of the possibility, they have been making pretentions to flee towards foreign land rather than investing money to enhance national development by creating employment. It would be easy to reduce corruption and to make irresponsible bureaucracy responsible. It is evident that their brain drain contributes to suffer the nation either this or that way. Mostly, the persons who have been to foreign country would be the siblings of the so-called intellectual persons or the civil servants.  The parents have been thinking to send their children to foreign countries ignoring the national benefits of their future generations. Their life may be successful, but the life of their future generations would be rotten if they have done like that. It means they have been running after petty benefits ignoring the future of their children and others. Do they think about their duty of nation building? Can they escape blaming the nation? When they blame the country of not giving them the opportunity, do they realize what they have done to build the nation? When they point others by one finger four of the fingers have been showing them. It means that they don’t realize the duty of the nation rather putting their future in risk blaming others. The Kantipur Daily has pointed out that these people have been responsible to advertise the nation as one of the poor countries in the world. The newspaper further stated that the amount ($40000) is not less amount than the middle class American families have which help them to sustain with flat and car. It is evident that Nepalese been wandering like the musk deer who can’t identify their scent themselves.

A popular American moral is that we should think what we can give to the nation not asking from the nation. It supports that they don’t have nationalism or morale to their motherland. We have deliberately blamed that our education system is failed or it’s not behavioral or practical. We have spoken ignoring the fact that the system of formal education is to make people to know how to read, write, and doing arithmetic (3Rs). It has indirect connection to the job or there no such job which can directly influence the job rather the personnel should be trained or they should have learnt themselves how to tackle the job obstacles. The second point is much applicable in our context. We should see the other side or our social construction which encourages them to go abroad or they have regarded the persons who have gone to foreign countries as best.

Moreover, those who have involved in bribery are also thought to be ‘brave’ persons. Our social system has directed them accordingly so that the youths have been trying to go to foreign countries without evaluating their future prospects. They are ready to sell their dignity out of revenge and emotion neglecting the nationality or patriotism. They have such conception that they would get much more from other nations not from their nation. This thinking itself is defective which makes them unloved towards their family, community, society, nation and so on. Education has the responsibility to make them aware regarding the above mentioned issues and it is their mind that they should have control. They feel proud of blaming the nation and politicians who never try to improve the situation of being ethical. They have been playing the game of loser either they blame to the politicians or they have been feeling lucky to go to foreign country. People start to think abroad after Lower Secondary education which is one of their aims in the future. I have heard that the old people would react that ‘son would go to foreign country so that he shouldn’t read in school’. Our social construction is that we don’t believe ourselves; the fault has been residing within us; rather we blame for politicians. We think that the nation belongs to the politicians not of ours; rather we have been destined to go to foreign country. The parents have been feeling proud; the children have been making their aim; and the politicians or the policy makers have been pursuing remittance. Hence they have been feeling win, win situations as the product of rotten mind.

We have been used to for living under hegemonious culture so we can’t have dignity in front of others. We feel something wretched when America rejects our visa which means we always value others. We don’t hold our head high in spite of abundant possibilities. We have been ready to praise others and their system but we don’t try to promote our family, community, society or the nation. Those who can’t manage their family can’t manage others. The receiver country should also think them whether they can be fruitful to their nation or not. I think the foreigners have also been running after the money they have paid.

Except few NRNs I haven’t found any of them earning good amount money. I have found that they can’t even come to their home when they have lost their parents and family members. They pretend that they don’t have leave or so on; instead they have been affected by the money. It proves that they are the best traitor rather than the intellectuals or lucky persons. The above evidences have proved whether they are lucky or unlucky or traitor. These persons should pay tax to the nation stating all of their income neither the country should eliminate their citizenship. The nation can’t be the home for them when they are old; they have sold their youth in the foreign land and return to the motherland when they are old or useless. Neither there is the fault of our education; nor is the fault of the rulers. It is the fault of those who have been playing double role of cursing the nation and making it a platform of their old age only.

We have been hearing the grim tales of them and think of rescuing them. Those who play truant at first would have been awarded by the nation. Are they better to be punished or prized? Do they go there as the representative of the nation? Those who have deceived the nation would have got prize from our nation which is quite puzzling. If we have accepted them as our true citizens we should rethink about the nationality.

Those who have served nation would be ignored as incapable and those who have played truant would be given prize. Thus we should restructure our social norms and values according to the modern time. We respect those who have spent their productive years in the foreign country but we don’t pay attention to those who have been living here. Those who have irrigated the desert make our country barren still we have been taking them as our own citizen. Since they can grow vegetables in the desert can they grow any more grain for their family or not? They have been longing to go to foreign country selling all the property of the nation ignoring other family members; still we have been being affectionate to them. Should we think them as traitors or not? Yes they are traitors who have taken our money, brain, labour, skills to other countries or they have disrupted our social norms and values. 

Schooling

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

We work with the culture what we have experienced or we have been shaped by our culture. Various cultures like working, social, familial, and professional determine what how we behave; or it reflects our behaviors or characters. It comes all of a sudden either knowingly or unknowingly. Ultimately we are used to such behaviors that influence our overall lifestyle. I met one of the persons in the morning who has some political touch with the New Shakti Nepal, the youngest political party of Nepal. When we wish each other in the morning, he said that “you wake up early like in election time”.

The word ‘election’ made me inquisitive very much as he pronounced at that time; neither was it election time nor was there any news of election. It had greater meaning as it helped me to understand the brought up culture of any person in reality. Why did he use such word not other? We didn’t hear any news regarding the election but the word what he had used was much mysterious. It made me realize that he represented different stream as per his conscience.

His orientation is much different than mine or he is oriented by political thoughts and ideas rather than me. The concept is set according to the need, culture, or system of their profession. Different professions have different time schedule which they have to follow for existing. Thus he has taken the reference of election instead of others. If one is official, s/he should follow the time of 10.00am; those who conduct grocery shop, s/he should wake up earlier than others or very early in the morning. Every professions or businesses have their own time which can’t match with others. Moreover you have nothing to do at day time if you are grocer rather you should be busy at morning and evening time. If you have fashion shop your shop mainly opens at day and evening time so you have to be prepared at that time only. It indicates that our orientation would be different according our business.

Our understanding is different according to our business as it has different system, time, customers, and ways of dealing. The system would have been set according to its nature and culture in which many things influence it. We have found difference in many aspects so that one stream doesn’t match with the next one. The difference in thinking and action can occur as per the ethics or system of the profession. The person whom I have introduced at first has different orientation than me so he has used such symbol. Or he used to wake up early in the morning at the time of election. Perhaps he has no understanding of my culture as my schedule is different than him. Thus our thinking and schedule don’t match as we represent different businesses. The difference not only lies in our profession rather we have taken the same day from different perspectives. Hence, it varies according to the need of the person and his/her business. As in drama it has been affected by spatiotemporal setting.

Human beings have come from different socio-cultural background so their brought up has set some criteria to function accordingly. It is conceived that humans have the habit of reproducing cultural practices of them where they were born or what they had experienced. On the other hand, culture has shaped them in its system and they are true representative of the culture. Accordingly they have managed their time available to them so that his/her behavior and character would have been shaped. Our socio-cultural background has set some system in our mind and we have been guided with that. We also think ourselves as the representative of it so we have pronounced it all of a sudden. In other words, it’s a sense of pride to all of us which makes us unique than others or it’s our identity. We are typical by our culture which is one of the pursuits of human beings in this era.

Humans have been limited by their social and cultural background so foreign culture is somehow odd to them. The culture has ensured them all the things and they are habituated to live accordingly. Or we feel complete with our culture or system of living fulfilling all the needs. We have been shaped accordingly since we are it followers and others’ culture and social practices are somehow odd to us. However, we should realize that we are one of the parts of different societies in the world. The cosmopolitan culture has included various aspects; neither can we guess it, nor can practice all. We have been decked with limited knowledge though we feel sufficient with us; it can be a good example of pride rather than the consideration. The set belief system can represent one of the parts of knowledge. We have been an agent of reflection of our culture like the mirror. If we don’t realize the sensitivity of others’ culture it may be resulted into conflict as well. 

Ideas and Interpretations

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

I have a friend who has no job and is spending the days staying idle or gaffing with others. It has been some years that he has been jobless for years; or he has been seeking job but he is unable to find. Though he has found job, he has left it within some months or years or he has argued that he is a man of independent. He seems like a straying animal neither could he fit to others nor he can create job himself. In some sense he is ‘An Unknown Citizen’ of the poem of W. H. Auden. The man is physically, mentally, socially well yet he seems odd in the society. Or he has been a subject of discussion to all others.

Sociological perspective is that he is the product of an idle society who doesn’t realize his duty due to the norms he has followed. The society can’t train him so he is jobless; or it has been the responsibility that the society should have given him the education which should fit to him. It can be seen from reproductive or productive theories of society. If the society was jobless he would reproduce the culture. If the society was full of job he would produce a new culture and remain jobless. As a corollary, the sociologists have found mistakes of the society and its components. They blame to the society and its norms and values which doesn’t allow him to be professional.

On the other hand, the politician has different interpretation than the sociologist that he has taken him as a byproduct of unsystematic political culture of the country. His argument is intended towards the government whom he thinks is the provider of job to him. He takes it as the responsibility of government to provide him the job. The government should have implemented the policy to uplift his skills and abilities so that he can be engaged. It has been the ineffective government policy that increases unemployment in the country. He might have suggested the government to invest in education or training.

The educationist has different logic that he hasn’t been able to get good education so he is jobless. He has focused on such education which can enhance skills and techniques to find an adequate job for him. He might have suggested him to read and write irrespective of his age. He tries to assure that education only has upward mobility. His suggestions would perhaps to take training class of non-formal learning or to read some books so that he can have different lifestyle. The educationist has taken him as one of the byproduct of an uneducated society. Or he tries to interpret that low education is the cause of him not getting job.

A layman has different considerations from others that he would be in off. He takes that he can get job easily if he has will power to work with him. They can be good friends and his lifestyle is little bit different than him. He might have two interpretations that it’s not difficult to find manual jobs. Or he might have been spending happier life than him because he shouldn’t have to work like him. The layman finds himself as one of the miserable men that he has to work throughout the day. Or he has been born for work only whereas the man is spending splendid life without working.  His conception is that the man has got opportunity of some golden chance so he had earned much from some source so that he has been living a leisurely life. Neither should he have found some job for his living at least.

A medical person has found that he has some psychological problem to engage on work. He should have concentrated his mind on work or if he remains leisurely he might have involved in some illegal activities. He has done senseless things so he should have taken some medicine to concentrate his mind. The concentration can help him to pursue job. So he would recommend some drugs that would clear all his problems for being a good man in the future. Or he should have followed doctor until he has been engaged in some job.

A business person would evaluate him from his own perspective that he should have operated some business. To be engaged he can take loan from some source so that his life would be busy. It also helps him to earn some more money. For that he should do labor from morning to evening or even in night time. The investment makes him more responsible to earn so that a system can be established in his life. Hard labor and dedication can lead him to success with profit along with the engagement. He shouldn’t think twice rather he can start business as soon as possible.

The interpretation of different persons of different background presents the real scenario of knowledge. Their perspectives put us in puzzle so that the question comes which is right or wrong. It seems that they have their own certification and dealing styles. The sociologist would regard him social evil; the politician as unemployed person; the educationist as illiterate; the layman as rich or happy man; the medical person as psycho;  the business person as incapable man. Which interpretation is true? From social science perspective they are all true unless the man has revealed his truth. It symbolized that he himself is the truth whereas others have one sided perspectives because they are trying to prove it with the help of their philosophies. Whether their philosophies are right or wrong they have tried to prove him either way.

It reflects the complex condition of human mind. The man himself is the representative of truth and he has been a matter of debate to all of them. The particular person would try to see him from their perspectives and they wouldn’t be able to comply one another. The person can be a good subject matter for them for discussion however their interpretation is always relative. Thus the man is an open book in which others would find different values according to their philosophies or theories. Or he is like a pond from which they can carry water in their own pot what they have brought with them. The man is the pool who is jobless and he can be a good subject matter for them. In some context he can be a lesson to them as well. Their intellectuality has used him whereas they can’t fix his problem rather they can have recommendations only. Nobody has courage to provide job; neither would they take him as good man; nor would they accept the inability of knowledge.

There can be a question about the reliability of knowledge; rather the scholars have the habit of seeing it from different perspectives using theories, literature, history and other documents. Hence the base of knowledge is questionable so post-modernists are right here as they have taken knowledge as plural matter. The holistic aspect of knowledge is neither true nor it can solve the problem. The truth thus depends on the set belief, then only we can search the ultimate truth which is always lacking. No scholars can claim that their interpretation is true; nor can they accept that their belief is wrong. Knowledge is thus relative; neither is it pool, nor is questionless. According to the social science perspective, the knowledge should have been proved with different examples to make others convince their relative knowledge. After all knowledge can be a means not the end.

Nobody is perfect in this world; either the doctor who would be thought to have read well or the layman who can’t read and write. No knowledge is great nor is useless; rather they are equally important in this world. There is no such knowledge which is much reliable or evidential. All these things are seeking outlet with much evidences and so called proofs. There is no such proof that we have to argue as panacea. We are habituated to advocate our ideas ignoring others. or we have been trying to create truth by power or evidences. At last we can say that knowledge or understanding is biased and it is guided by our pride. 

Behavioral Education

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

We often listened or heard that education should be practical or it should enhance some skills to students. Mostly Maoist revolution had pronounced it too much that they used to patter it as people’s education which could fulfil their wishes or that would be the demand of New Nepal. The motto of education is mostly applicable in our private life in comparison to public. It is believed that students should feel independent to live with the skills they have learnt or the purpose of education is to make people sustain them independently. Reformists have furiously opposed the educational system which has been existing. They blame it as rote learning; parrot learning; feeding system; conventional or Gurukal type and so on. The cognitive mode of education is too old and traditional which is useless or it should be abolished as the pundits have argued. Or they have the belief that they could apply panacea in education system so that they can expedite the development course.

The modern scholars would argue that education should be non-cognitive or practical ignoring the fact. Education should have power to enhance development which is much psychological rather than mechanical. It should enhance skills to people; so the designers have been formulating the course as per the demand of time. In our country, there is provision that school curriculum should be changed in every 10 years addressing the need of time. A separate department, Curriculum Development Center (CDC), is established under Education Ministry to implement new courses. Some scholars would also be called from out of the government services for assistance. They have been hired as consultants who have given suggestions taking bulky money.

The irony is that the plight of education is always same; or those who have designed it would start to denounce just then. In spite of the effort made by all the government and non-governmental persons why the education hasn’t been practical or behavioral. What is the mistake behind it? Who is responsible of not making practical or behavioral? Why it becomes a bone of contention? Who is responsible for that? The curriculum development center has also invited scholars from foreign country and they have come to assist of being the advocator of new trend of education in the world. Why don’t they be able to frame such course? Certainly the foreigner would be called from high profile countries and scholars. Why can’t they frame practical or behavioral course?

We have considered scholars as seniors only who have consulting power or they have got extensive knowledge of the subject matter. In spite of their vigorous effort the plight of education remains always same or problematic. No chance of improvement can be seen as it has been coming as saga. The best evidence can be seen that the consultation of the foreign scholars, national consultants, and the scholars of the CDC have gone waste. It has different meanings: either they have no knowledge; or they don’t have such capacity to frame it; or there is political influence; or they must have been less educated; or they haven’t been paid well. The so-called revolutionary party had also formed government three times and we can’t see any visible improvement in the system. Where is the mistake? Are we trying to solve the problem? Or are we going to create even more problem? Aren’t there any scholars to solve it?

I think that the fact is ignored as practical or behavioral education is forced to us. After all we have been seeking percentage only instead of practical education. The colleges, agencies, institutions have sought percentage of students while selecting them. So it is unquestionable subject matter to all that the marks in marksheet determine the future of the students. Those who have argued about the practical and behavioral education also can’t reject it. They have also followed the same trend or they are mesmerized with good percentage. They have even awarded the persons who have got more percentage learning by heart; or they have said that is the practical education. Neither, why do they award them? Are they real or fake? I can’t understand that the same education is practical or behavioral to those who can secure good marks whereas it is useless to those who haven’t got good marks. I can’t understand the controversy or mistake in the system.

I have discussed with one of the scholars who have done doctorate in education about the differences of private and public school. He argued that private was bad as they have applied cognitive methods in teaching whereas public school students have more non-cognitive style of learning. Some government reports have also come to such conclusion of measuring learning achievement. At the final stage of debate he admitted the percentage of the student is the determining factor or measuring rod of their quality though we have advocated about practical or behavioral education. He dismissed all the things what he talked to me at first. Realizing the fact that educational philosophies have been arguing this and that but they can’t guide the education as a whole. All philosophies are part or they can never be whole. They have tried to be accurate with lopsided arguments and ideas.

I want to question why scholars have been sharing their weaknesses to the commoner ignoring their scholasticism. It means we have to question to the scholars first in which they have framed the policy but they have implemented another philosophy. Why don’t they frame the curriculum applying only one philosophy of education so that education becomes practical or behavioral? I haven’t even listened that the so-called developed countries have also been able to implement adequate policy or philosophy in their countries. The realization is that the policy formation policy of scholars has had defect. They don’t find any solution of the problem rather it has been politicized only or to vomit their so-called scholasticism. No standard rule is set to address human mind as it has been varied and all inclusive.

It reminds me post-modern concept of the Jack Derrida, in which reality is part or it has been fluctuating. We can’t get reality or fact in this world as we have been made deformed with social rules, regulations, government policies, and scanty understandings through education. The entire mind is relative or it has been aiming to stick to pluralism. The society has given some position to them and they have been fulfilling their duty in the world. They don’t have any magical rod to solve all the problems.

The relative mind of the scholars has put us in confusion so it is questionable. The concept of post-modern is that we have to return back to the olden time which was fit for us. Or it would be better to be ignorant rather than one sided preacher of so-called knowledge. The scholars who try to be true or evidential today are false as we have already argued. There is no solution of the argument except of leaving the field with self-realization. Human mind is always part and we have been seeking or pretending to be whole. Or we have been trying to be whole advocating something to prove us as scholars. If so, what may be the solution? 

Social Inclusion

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

Having equal opportunity in the society where we live can be one of the aspects of social inclusion. It aims at coordination, cooperation, mutuality, self-help among the members of the society which ensures peaceful living. The concept of inclusion indicates political matter in this era where the marginal have come to the mainstream of the society. In spite of its social nature the politics has played dominant role in our country these days. Certainly, it leads towards social harmony where all the members live happily helping one another.

I want to start it mentioning example of monkeys and dogs. When I went jogging I, had seen monkeys and dogs playing together. At first I felt odd when I saw monkeys and dogs sitting, lazing, running and playing together. It seems they have been living in mutuality or in coordination which surprises me a lot. The dogs would chase monkeys in my village or we tamed dogs only to fear monkeys. When the monkeys came to our area we would call dogs or set the dog free so that it would chase monkeys. We tried to tame dog three times for the purpose of chasing monkeys but we weren’t successful as they had taken away by tigers, may be leopards, but we used to call them tigers in our common understanding; we didn’t tame dogs then after.

In our neighboring village still they tame dogs and they have been used to chase monkeys. Monkeys would come to my village frequently it is much frequent than in the past; they are so fearless that we can’t chase them easily. They would climb to the top of the tree and teased us. No dogs could chase monkeys these days unless humans go together; rather dogs remain silent or ignorant to the monkeys. Monkeys eat everything in our village and its quite difficult for us to stay in village. They destroy all the crops even the seeds at the time of farming and all the fields remain barren these days. People could save nothing except gourd, bitter gourd and so on; or we do farming which the monkeys’ don’t take only.  Rather they would start to take the things which they didn’t take in the past due to the lack of production.

I go jogging to the Swoyambhu; and often visit the Pashupati area; I have seen monkeys playing with dogs. The dogs have no reaction at all rather they are lazing here and there. Monkeys are much active in comparison to dogs whereas in our village the dogs would be active more than monkeys. They live life in their own style in these areas where no party harms to other.  We can feel the mutuality between two races of animals; whereas the troop of monkeys and dogs can fight but monkeys and dogs don’t have any enmity.

It reminds me the Nepalese context of inclusion or they have been practicing the inclusive state like in Nepal. Social inclusion is a haunting matter for us which monkeys and dogs have agreed. It seems that they have some agreement not to be enemy of one another or they have been living in perfect coordination. There is no conflict at all where no dogs would chase monkeys and vice-versa. Moreover, we can even see some photos on facebook that the monkeys and dogs would help one another like human beings.

They have agreed not to hurt one another or build consensus between the races whereas we humans have the problem of untouchability, caste conflict, sense of superiority and inferiority, and so on. The inclusive state has looked after all the castes or class from equal eyes which seems always lack from the eyes of the oppressed group. I feel charm with the coordination and inclusion of monkeys and dogs which can be seen in our parliament also. In government offices also we can find such mixing of all castes like the monkeys and dogs. However, we experience some sorts of hatred among the castes in our country unlike in the agreement of dogs and monkeys. Being inclusive state, the people of different castes and status stay together irrespective of their qualifications.

Sometimes I feel like the condition of some village dogs which have still authority to chase monkeys. They chase monkeys so there is still some problem in village area. We have popular belief that the discrimination still exists in traditional village areas like the dogs of village. The dogs which don’t chase monkeys seem intelligent, cooperative, and coordinating. It means they have the power to accept the changing norms of the society. The dogs which chase monkeys are still fanatics, traditional, conventional and so on.  These dogs would prefer the traditional norms of caste system. They still prefer social discrimination and are opposite of inclusion. They are illiterate and conventional which can’t accept the change according to the demand of time. They seem like villain in the context of inclusive state.

On the other hand, the lazing dogs have no work at all; or they are lazing here and there. They don’t chase monkeys rather they are chased when they see monkeys. The monkeys would also chase such dogs which are feeble. The strong would fight against monkeys so that they would flee away; if weak monkeys would make them run. However, the coordination, cooperation, mutuality, amity, amicability, and etc. seem perfect these days which extends a good message to the society.

In my village nothing is saved in our farmland when there is agreement between dogs and monkeys or the monkeys could defeat dogs. We think to shift the place time and again. The news from Ramechhap and Sindhuli is also same like in our village. Monkeys destroy the crops what the farmers save. These people have even filed case in District Administrative Office (DEO) to control monkeys. However, the government has made rules to save monkeys and dogs or the government seems positive towards them as they are the representative of Lord Hanuman. Some of the animal right activists still clamor if the government tried to control them which makes the condition of farmers too bad.

Saving monkeys is thought as an important aspect by the government rather than dogs. On the other hand, dogs have been ignored as they have been living with the humans since time immemorial. They have been caught and castrated but no monkeys. The dogs do no harm to people except some stray dogs which would spread rabies to humans and the government think it necessary to control them. However, the government doesn’t think necessary to control monkeys though they have destroyed crops.

I come to realize that the state is being inclusive of monkeys and dogs in which monkeys are marginal to dogs. As the state has given rights to marginal so it has been applicable to monkeys. It seems that monkeys are in priority in inclusion policy rather than dogs. However, we can find perfect coordination and cooperation between these creatures. Let the inclusive state be alive and all should have equal rights!

Lure, ra ‘master jasto’…

By: Prem Prasad Sigdel

I have read an article by Hisila Yami who is one of the prominent leaders of Naya Shakti Nepal, the youngest political party of Nepal. She was also the Tourism Minister of Nepalese government at the time of Maoist ruling before 9 years. She published an article in Kantipur Daily on 3^rd August which was about Pushpa Kamal Dahal (PKD) who was going to be a new Prime Minister of Nepal that day.

The article was about PKD in which she gave the detail after her visit with him from 2046 BS. She characterized him from her first visit commenting that he was lure, ra ‘master jasto’…. Lure means thin in Nepali and the English translation of this phrase is “thin, ‘like master’”. I am also a teacher or master I realize that I must be thin. The sentence refers that masters are thin and the language she has used is too much derogatory. It refers that leaders should be, may be fat, they should earn more, or they have some high personality, or they are prestigious, or they are powerful, or they are intelligent, or they are smart and so on.

The sentence insulted teachers very much as she treated teachers as a miserable creature who have no power at all or they should have been sympathized etc. They don’t have personality; they are thin, less smart, earn less etc. It refers that they should have been living with someone’s grant and they don’t have dignity at all. The meaning of such sentence is too serious in which teachers have been treated as a mean creature who have no power or capacity to do anything in front of political leaders. The sinister language from one of the responsible persons of the country is meaningful who had also served as the minister of Nepal government.

She might have thought that the leaders are respectable persons ignoring their activities in front of people. Being a ‘teacher’ and a commoner I want to characterize the leaders as following. We don’t regard leaders as good persons rather they are the illiterate, boastful, cheater, shameless, exploiter, corruptor, dacoits, extortionist, and so on. I can’t express all the words that people have used to characterize the Nepalese political leaders.

Let’s see all the characters individually; all the examples of the above adjectives can be described with proof. Everyone is aware about the educational qualifications of our leaders only a dozen have PhD qualifications with little evidence. There is a proof that only a boastful person can write such sentences in article. They are cheaters as they haven’t fulfilled the promise what they have done with their voters. They are shameless which can be a proof herself. They are exploiters that they have taken share of 5 crores as their share though the member of parliaments has the duty to frame rules not to implement the development programs.  They are corruptors the report of Transparency International report has proved it. They are dacoits which are proved by Shyam Sundar Gupta who is still in jail. They are extortionists which is a good example of herself and her colleagues that they killed teacher Mukti Adhikari in their so-called People’s War.

In spite of her understanding teaching is the best job in the world which she can’t understand. The teachers have wished best for their children; they are always with the success of the students. They have provided education to the small children so that they can see the world themselves.

Did she read herself or there were teachers to teach her? She didn’t respect teachers which may be right to complain but what is her morality? I guessed that she has developed such habit of so-called revolutionary and attack others when she didn’t respect her teachers or seniors. The revolutionaries think themselves above than others which can be reflected from her article about PKD. Her party killed 13000 people in the so called People’s War and the most heinous type of killing can be seen of Mukti Adhikari’s who was also a teacher. She might have some admonition towards teacher so they had done so. Her denouncement also proved that she some kind of hatred towards teachers.

I heard that she has been talking about the development of the country but ignores the fact that the pioneer person of the development. She is a political animal now without base at all. She won the first election first then loses it next time. Had she done well, she would have again won the election. She had taken election as a game ignoring her deeds so she lost the second election of being the third candidate. Still she doesn’t realize her position and denounced teachers using sinister language. I would like to question her: do teachers lose like her? Do they have to cheat others? Do they involve in corruption like her? Do they damage national politics? Do they stop the development projects? They have only given to others and help to produce manpower to the nation rupturing their existence.

She can be a best example of inefficient leader who have stopped the development process of the country from her proud nature. It means she can’t accept other’s existence of being so-called revolutionary. Does she know the power of teacher? They are like the candle who burn to spread the light to others. If the leaders could follow the teachers, they country was already developed before many years. Those who are simple and honest would be regarded as the worst one is the culture that the revolutionary would learn. Her ideas directly hurt the teachers who are the key of development.

Truly speaking she doesn’t have any respect to her teacher; it’s vain to celebrate teachers’ day by her. She is all in all herself and she has got certificates from the jungle. I think she has taken her certificates like Yarcha Gumba that she can find without any effort. It’s also shameful to be a teacher for her; if her teacher had seen it how would have he reacted? It’s a tragedy of our nation that the so-called leaders are so illiterate, half-wit, senseless and so on. Thanks god that she was also a student of the teacher.

She can’t understand the real aspects of teachers’ life. They don’t have anything to expect from others; they have given only; they have taken nothing from the students; they always wish for the progression of their students; they deliver same to all the students; they read for the sake of students. What they have read would be fruitful to the students like the thing that mother has eaten for her baby. So the relation of students and teachers is like child and mother. It seems that she has been doing fun of teacher and teaching which seems odd to her. She has been observing teachers from her vulture eyes like PKD, who is her political opponent or he is a son-of-step for her.

I can claim that no leaders can operate school nor can they teach the students; whereas the teachers can run the country. I can challenge her to go and handle class for one hour only. If I have been given opportunity to run the country, I will do certainly the better than her. On the other hand, her concept is sufficient to understand the understanding towards teacher by the political leaders. Such a responsible person would talk such irresponsible things; thus education is one of the neglected fields of the nation. In this way, we can’t develop our country.

Education is the key of development and teachers are the key to open the lock. Teacher and teaching is thus the best of jobs and it’s not the neglected profession in comparison to her so-called politics. I suggest her to respect teachers and teaching then only the aim of your politics can be fulfilled; neither should we understand her as a leader above mentioned adjectives.