My entry into new school
My name is Spandan Roka Magar. After passing my grade eight from my village I came to Kathmandu. More than my wish, my father desires to admit me to a good school in Kathmandu City, the capital of Nepal. Now, I am pleased to be here at Neric Academy. It is like a dreamland for newcomers who are like me. My principal, Mana Khatri, is our class teacher. He teaches us a new subject Samajik Adhyan. I called it new because we were studying social studies in junior grades in English medium. It was suitable for us in English but when it came in Nepali, it became very difficult for us. The terms we could understand in English are not comprehensible to us in Nepali. And, we forget them in a very short period. To teach this subject, a teacher needs knowledge and skills both at once. On the one hand, I was from the village. So my English was not so good. On the other hand, Social Studies was in Nepali, and my Nepali writing and reading were also not excellent. Because of my ethnic background also, I was lacking behind in my studies, in my opinion. The first day, when I came to Neric Academy, I was in a dilemma; whether to go to the classroom or not. In the school with a large compound I was feeling lonely, despite my auntie and uncle being there to drop me off. Once the Assembly got over, I looked outside from the Principal’s office window. I found some friends who were taking baskets and roaming around the school grounds. Some of the others were in the garden side and junior blocks. They were collecting rappers, papers, and pebbles. They were quite excited. Later I watched the walls of the school building, they were fully decorated and full of popular decorations. Among them, I read one, “If you want to reach the honey, make a company of bees. And, if you want to reach the garbage, make a company of flies.” Then I immediately decided to go to the class. When I reached the classroom, I could not feel it was the classroom. It was like my home. The walls were full of traditional items like; Dali, Doko, Namlo, Madani, Kodalo, Madal, Damphu, Halo, Juwa, Kucho, Chimta, and so on. Wow! I loved the class. It was a unique way of decorating the classroom. It was like a heritage in reality. Later, I talked to my friends, and they said that all were collected by the students of grade nine. I found them very cooperative. Even in the subject discussion, project works, assignment correction, and games and sports, they were (are) supportive. I felt it was the school I was looking for. I thanked my dad by heart! In comparison to my previous school, it is a bit strict in discipline. It does not make us only memorize the lines of books, it involves us in daily activities. It encourages us to take risks and responsibilities. It teaches us to be accountable too through assembly conductions, house wall magazines, classroom decorations, games and sports, projects, and programs. I also took part in assembly conductions and school prefects and election processes. Now, I feel I have been receiving sufficient exposure to sharpen my mind, fill my heart and develop my thoughts. Finally, I must say thank you to my Dad, uncle and auntie once again. Your contribution will be my success! Thank you once again to Neric Academy. Name: Spandan Roka Magar Neric Academy, Shankhamul Grade: 9
‘Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead’ book review: A total let-down
A little while ago I read ‘Finlay Donovan is Killing It’ by Elle Cosimano and I absolutely fell in love with Finlay and Cosimano’s sharp writing. In it, Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel over lunch with her agent and she’s mistaken for a contract killer and hired to kill someone. Finlay isn’t a murderer and has no intentions of actually killing anyone. But somehow, the man ends up dead, in Finlay’s garage. The plot is a laugh riot and it just consumes you. I was disappointed when I didn’t get the second part of the series, ‘Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead’ at bookstores around town as soon as I finished the first book. When I saw a slightly bruised copy of the book at a bookstore in Civil Mall in Kathmandu, I didn’t hesitate a second before buying it even though I like my copies to be pristine when I get them. I was so excited. ‘Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead’ takes off where the first book ended. I would recommend you read the first book before picking it up otherwise you won’t be able to keep up with the storyline and it might get a bit confusing. In the second book of the series, Finlay has to figure out who wants her ex-husband dead to try and save him. But he’s not ready to believe her and actually thinks that she is the one behind all the ‘accidents’ he keeps getting into, and that complicates things even more. Also, Finlay is on a deadline. Her editor wants a certain number of words in an impossibly short time. Again, she finds her fiction work bordering on the truth. Finlay can only hope it doesn’t eventually get her sent to jail. But Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead lacks the charm and the wit of the first book. The sense of urgency that was there in the first one is missing in this one. It also lacks a clearly defined plot. There is a lot happening but it takes the story nowhere. There are random little incidents that don’t tie up. Instead, it feels like vignettes of Finlay’s life. That wouldn’t have been a problem had Finlay been as interesting as she was in the first book. But here she seems like a pawn in a game controlled by someone else rather than her smart self. Call me crazy, I’m still going to read the third book in the series ‘Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun’. I loved the first book in the series and I’m hoping Finlay gets her mojo back. Two and a half stars Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead Elle Cosimano Published: 2022 Publisher: Headline Review Pages: 357, Paperback
Sushant Ghimire: Finding himself through music
Sushant Ghimire has been singing since he was in the third grade. It has always been his hobby. But little did he know that this hobby would soon become his career. The 27-year-old is a rising talent in the Nepali music industry. He got into the industry in 2017 and released his first song, ‘Pari’, in 2021. Since then, he says, he has aimed to learn as he works and experience everything this field has to offer. Born in Dharan, Ghimire grew up in Biratnagar, Morang. After contesting in a singing competition and coming in second, he realized he could sing. Since then, he made sure to participate in any event that provided him an opportunity to sing. “But I never planned on becoming a singer,” he says. Coming from a family of engineers, Ghimire says, he had made up his mind to become one himself since his school days. His parents too expected him to become an engineer. More than him being interested in this field, he says, it was his way of following in his family’s footsteps. He was already enrolled in one of the engineering colleges in Kathmandu. “I think I never sat down and asked myself what I wanted to be when I grew up,” he says. It was after meeting the team members of Mantra Guitar, a guitar shop in Nepal, that his life took a different turn. “They made becoming an artist sound so exciting,” says Ghimire. Mantra Guitar planned to establish a Mantra Artists Fund that supports young and aspiring Nepali musicians. They were looking for young artists and they saw a lot of potential in Ghimire to become one. “I wasn’t confident that I could become a singer. But knowing that I would get to be around like-minded people made me want to take them up on their offer,” he says. It started with small gigs. His first performance was at Fat Monk’s Bar in Thamel, Kathmandu. The audience, he says, enjoyed his music, and seeing people appreciate his talent gave him the motivation he required to continue on his musical journal. He sang from seven in the evening until midnight. He says he would often not notice time passing by because he was so engrossed in his performances. Soon, he decided to quit engineering and become a full-time musician. His family, on the other hand, wasn’t aware of any of this. “I wanted to gain at least some recognition before I told them I had quit engineering,” he says. He let them know five years later. Although they were shocked at first, Ghimire says, his family members have come to accept his decision. Collaborating with Mantra Artists, he released his first song in 2021. Recording in a studio was a completely different yet exciting experience. “I wanted to learn what goes on in a studio while recording a song. The more songs I recorded, the more I got to learn,” he says. Growing up listening to Bollywood music, he says, has had a huge influence on the kind of songs he likes to compose. “Almost every song I write has a classical base,” he says. And he likes to compose songs both in Nepali and Hindi. Some people, he says, have questioned him for composing Hindi songs. “I believe language should never be a barrier for any artist. I have listened to and sung Hindi songs all throughout my childhood. So if singing in this language helps me express myself better, I won’t hesitate to do it,” he says. When it comes to working on lyrics, Ghimire says that he doesn’t have a specific writing process. “I write what I feel,” he says. He believes that his songs depend on the emotional state he is in while working on them. He has a habit of carrying a notebook and pen around just so he can jot down the lines that come to mind whenever and wherever he is. It’s the same with melodies. There are times when he has abruptly parked on the side just so he can record a melody that’s just spontaneously come to him. “I don’t compose a song based on one melody that pops into my mind,” he says. Rather, he fits in those melodies somewhere in the middle of a song. “I have used almost every melody I have come up with,” he says. Ghimire says he loves being a part of the music industry and that pursuing music was perhaps his best decision ever. “I have finally found myself,” he says. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in ethnomusicology at Kathmandu University’s Department of Music. Unlike engineering, studying music, he says, comes naturally. Ghimire is undecided about what exactly he will do in the future. But he knows he will be involved in making music in one way or the other. He doesn’t want to bind himself with strict goals. He would rather just go with the flow and see where the path leads him. “But I’m looking forward to learning new things and making good music,” he says.
Charting a path toward progress and prosperity
Although there are numerous reasons to take pride in Nepal, Nepali people are currently experiencing more suffering than happiness. Nepal boasts an abundance of natural beauty, with thousands of breathtaking places to explore. However, due to our inadequate knowledge in marketing and promoting our tourist attractions, we are losing out on millions of potential tourists each year. Furthermore, despite being the second-largest country globally in terms of water resources, we have neglected our hydropower potential for several decades. Similarly, Nepal is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, yet we have been unable to harness even 10 percent of its value. Despite being an agricultural nation, Nepal has failed to capitalize on its farm potentials. Many farmers struggle to feed themselves throughout the year. In contrast, countries like Israel have managed to feed most of their population with just two percent of their population engaged in farming. If utilized property, Nepal’s fertile land in the Tarai region can also feed the country. There are numerous areas where Nepal can excel if there is a right focus and commitment. Unfortunately, our leaders seem more focused on trivial matters rather than unlocking our nation’s true potential. Nepal possesses immense potential and capability, which could position it as a leading country in Asia. However, political parties, their workers, and supporters seem to prioritize their own self-interests over the development and prosperity of the nation. This self-centered approach has contributed to Nepal’s current status as one of the poorest countries in Asia and even globally. However, if the representatives across the 761 governments in all three levels demonstrate the will to prioritize the country’s progress, Nepal could unlock the door to prosperity within a decade. In order to drive progress, Nepal must devise a new agenda for development, which will serve as the fundamental framework for growth. It is imperative for our political leaders to take the lead in crafting an agenda that prioritizes the nation’s development and prosperity. This agenda should be free from personal interests and controversies. Setting clear deadlines for each task is crucial to ensure its timely completion and effective implementation. Moreover, it is important to anticipate and address potential challenges that may arise during project implementation. All parties involved should actively facilitate solutions and work collaboratively to overcome obstacles. After formulating the development strategy at the local, provincial, and federal levels, it becomes crucial to create an environment that encourages investment. Nepal, like many developed countries in Asia, should strive to establish a favorable climate for foreign investment and attract a skilled workforce to contribute to economic growth. To achieve this, it is essential to study and research the development patterns, investment strategies, project selection criteria, implementation methodologies, and utilization of opportunities post-completion adopted by various countries across Asia, Europe, Canada, America, Australia, and other successful nations. The country needs to embark on the path of development and prosperity that aligns with Nepal’s geography and culture. Concurrently, it is crucial to create an environment that provides opportunities for the unemployed youth to work within their own country. Despite a challenging political landscape and bureaucracy, which can disrupt the situation in Nepal, there are still millions of individuals who wholeheartedly love Nepal. They aspire to witness a strong and prosperous Nepal. We need to harness the potential of this group to create a conducive environment within the country. To achieve the outlined goals, the first step is to strengthen Nepal’s economy and prioritize the national objective of poverty alleviation. Our financial situation has not gone beyond our control as many are saying. By gradually increasing revenue collection, the government can boost spending in the development sector accordingly. Corruption should have no place in Nepal, and the accumulation of unsettled accounts must be addressed. Policies should be formulated in a way that it discourages the practice of cutting development expenses in favor of unnecessary expenditures. Special attention should be given to public expenditure management, ensuring that it is planned and implemented with a focus on medium and long term. Our think tanks should analyze successful models of fiscal federalism adopted by countries that have prospered through federalism. Foreign trade is indeed a crucial area that can significantly contribute to the development of Nepal’s economy. By focusing on various products, ranging from food products to medicinal herbs, Nepal can utilize foreign trade as a powerful tool for economic growth. Mobilizing the youth in the agricultural sector can reduce reliance on foreign goods. If all 753 levels of government in Nepal devise special plans and initiatives in these and similar areas, domestic income can double in a short period of time. This would provide relief to people from the heavy tax burden imposed on them. It is unfortunate that many local units have not explored revenue sources beyond excessive taxation even though they have already completed the first year of their second five-year term. The lack of progress in exploiting these potentials is not due to a dearth of potential itself. Rather, this is due to the lack of action and initiative. The federal government should proceed with caution and strategic planning to align Nepal's economy with the high economic growth witnessed in China and India. In our development initiatives, it is essential to prioritize the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a central focal point. Nepal possesses a diverse foundation for economic development, with key sectors such as agriculture, industry and trade, tourism, electricity and energy, and remittances playing significant roles. Additionally, regions like the Pashupat, Lumbini region, Janakpur region, Pokhara region, Kathmandu valley region, Dhangadhi region, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar region, and Birgunj contribute to this foundation. In order to achieve development and prosperity, it is vital to effectively manage both natural and other resources, involve citizens at all levels, and adhere to principles of good governance. Let’s set 100 ambitious goals with specific timeframes. This will lay a solid foundation for Nepal’s development and prosperity. The author is the President of Forum of Development Journalists-FODEJ Nepal