| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 21-Jun-01 11:33 PM
Neither here nor there
by Bhupendra Rawat
My name is Dhruba. I hail from Eastern Nepal. In high
school and college, I was on the forefront of anti-Panchayat student union activities. I was a good student, and after finishing my Master's at the Tribhuvan University (TU), I
joined Nepal's civil service. It was then that, eighteen years ago, at the age of 32, I won a Fullbright fellowship to study
in the United States.
In the beginning, it was tough adjusting to the American way of life. I missed Nepal. I missed dal-bhaat-gundruk. I missed my student union activities, and those late-night discussions about politics. I missed listening to Bacchu Kailash's songs, and I missed reading the then underground
Nepali newspapers. Still, I did reasonably well on my courses. One day, one of my professors asked me to stay on to finish
my doctorate. I obliged happily.
A few years later, I finished my dissertation titled "A time-series analysis of maize production in Nepal from 1933 to 1973". By the time I finished my dissertation, I was
the world's number-one authority on Nepal's maize production capabilities. I was very proud of this fact until I realized that no American university showed interest in hiring me. Besides,
my original Fullbright contract stipulated that I spend at least two years working either in Nepal or in a third country. Since my future in Nepal seemed uncertain, I went to Canada.
In Canada, life was both easy and hard. Easy, because,
thanks to state-socialism, living expenses were minimal. And hard, because a few jobs that I did find were as visiting lecturers, with contracts rarely being renewed. I thought about going back to Nepal, but couldn't decide for sure. Then suddenly the Jan Andolan took place and overthrew the Panchayati system.
I was overjoyed.
Sensing a brand-new future for myself, I began to dust off my democratic credentials to get myself a juicy post in Nepal. I thought that, with the right moves and the right
connections sustained from my TU student union days, I might
be made a National Planning Commission member. Or, I might even
end up as an advisor to the Prime Minister. Or, who knows,
maybe even the ambassador to the United States and Canada.
And so, with great expectations, I rushed home to Nepal, paid homage to Ganesh Man and Krishna Prasad, and shook hands with everyone from Girija to Man Mohan to Madan Bhandari.
I even wrote for Bimarsha and Deshanter and appeared on NTV
panel-discussions on state, economy and politics. I was happy
to burnish my image as an intellectual.
But ultimately, I got nothing. Instead, the spoils of democracy went to my former TU friends. Someone got the UN ambassadorship. A close rival's father-in-law, thanks to his connection to Girija, became the ambassador to the US and Canada, and the Planning Commission membership went to punks with
PhDs from places like Poona and Pondycherry. I was mad as hell. Was that any way to reward my tyag, tapasya, sangharsha and
bali-daan?
Later years brought no relief. I shuttled back and forth between Canada, America and Nepal. I accompanied every single Nepali leader on his taxpayer-financed medical check-up trips to the West. Still, nothing important came my way. Life was passing me by, and my academic career, or a so-called version of it, in the West was in the doldrums due to a lack of serious publications. Obviously, I couldn't advance much professionally in the West on the sole basis of my PhD from that large midwestern university. Yet in Nepal, no matter how many times I flaunted my American PhD, Canadian connections and polished sophistication, I was always treated more as a tourist than as
a freedom-loving intellectual patriot with a "can-do" attitude.
Recently, with the rise of Lokendra, I've decided that I've had enough of Nepal and Nepali politics. I'm convinced that this country will forever be doomed as long as it fails to recognize Canada- and America-based Nepali intellectuals like me. And so, frustrated yet feeling somewhat what-else-can-I-do, I recently sold off my old house in Kathmandu and ancestral land
in the Eastern Nepal to pay the mortgage in Totonto.
Condemn me, if you will. But that way, at least, I get to spend the rest of my life with other patriotic Nepalis abroad -- discussing how to set Nepal straight through our collective long-distance nostalgia.
[This FICTIONAL satire was originally published in The
Kathmandu Post sometime in 1997 --so that explains some
of the 'dated humor'. This is a work of fiction, with an
aim to amuse; that's all.]
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 22-Jun-01 12:32 PM
Well, until I reached the last paragraph, I thought you were
probably writing about Dr Narayan Khadka! Though, it is obvious
that a lot of people fit to be the protagonist of this satire.
Interestign humour.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 23-Jun-01 12:38 AM
>Though, it is obvious
>that a lot of people fit to be the
>protagonist of this satire.
The truth be told: That satire was a loose composite
based on a lot of people one knew and didn't know,
though the work itself was a product of the writer's
imagination.
>Interestign humour.
Thanks.
oohi
ashu
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| ashu |
Posted
on 25-Oct-01 03:19 PM
Neither here nor there: another attempt at writing humor.
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 25-Oct-01 03:27 PM
Biswo are you talking about the same Narayan Khadka who goes from INGO to INGO for aid for this project and that?
Didn't realize he was a Ph.D.
ewwwww
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 25-Oct-01 03:27 PM
Biswo are you talking about the same Narayan Khadka who goes from INGO to INGO for aid for this project and that?
Didn't realize he was a Ph.D.
ewwwww
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 25-Oct-01 05:42 PM
Dear Sunakhari:
This posting is so old, I was first confused:-):-)
Dr Narayan Khadka (well, he writes that Dr prefix, so I think he is PhD) was the
counsellor of KP Bhattarai, the then prime minister. I have also heard the rumours
that you mentioned (related to NGO/INGO things).Who knows what is true and
what is false!
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 09:08 AM
Biswo, I know for a fact he has :). Hopefully we can meet in person one of these days, and I'll share my notes with you ;). (hear we might have a common friend)
Cheers
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| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 12:59 PM
I DISAGREE with Sunakhari.
I know Dr. Narayan Khadka, and am familiar with his writings, and there are
100 reasons to disagree with his ideas and that is one thing.
But it is UNACCEPTABLE to single him out for this kind of, what I perceive to be, rumor-mongering (that too, by hiding behind a cloak of anonymity!) here.
For the record once again, my satire was based on a loose composite of at least
half a dozen people.
More to the point, so what if Khadka indeed goes from INGOs to INGOs?
What's wrong with that?
The reality in Nepal is that in the absence of research-friendly private and public foundations (like they have in America) INGOs and similar organizatons DO fund
a lot of social science type of research/works.
And so, going from INGOs to INGOs (and similar organizations) for funds is just about what every researcher/academician/activist HAS TO DO in Nepal -- from Devendra Raj Panday to Deepak Gyawali to Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary.
Glad to be providing this perspective from Nepal.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 01:48 PM
Ashu,
Before you jump at ANYONE's throat, MAKE SURE you comprehend threads and NOT JUST LOOK to counter-attack.
I have asked Biswo which Narayan Khadka was he referring to!!!!! The one that I know of is not a DOCTOR and I have stated that CLEARLY! I am not even sure that this is THE Narayan Khadka I'm talking about. As far as I know this Narayan Khadka has never published anything. So it could be ANOTHER one! SO RELAX! Aren't we all familiar with common names in Nepal????
Don't go preaching here about NGOs and INGOs and DON'T PRESUME that we MIGHT NOT know from that perspective as well!! You might pretend you know everything but you obviously don't.
You have yet to see pathetic educated nothings come around begging for projects without a proper proposal sucking up to expats!!! Even a well-meaning GAULE will have more integrity than these so-called professionals!!(AND I AM NOT NAMING ANYONE IF YOU NOTICE!).
AND FAR BE IT FROM YOU TO PREACH ABOUT RUMOR MONGERING!! Its not like you are the epitome of sainthood yourself.
And don't go on and on and on about ANONYMITY. BIGREYKO RECORD!! I will have NO PROBLEM meeting you in person if I do get the opportunity to visit but I am not - REPEAT- AM NOT - going to be pressured by YOU to give my real name. As far as this discussion board is concerned, everybody else seems to be fine with nicks EXCEPTING YOU. SO GET OFF IT! or just don't read postings you might deem superfluous because of one's identity. No one is forcing you to!!
EVERYBODY ELSE: Please read my posting to BISWO AS A PERSONAL NOTE :). I don't even have his personal email address.
On a more serious note: Please read it as: The Narayan Khadka I know of is definitely known to be a boot-licker!
HAPPY DASAIN!
:)
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 01:52 PM
and oh also:
AND NOT A DOCTOR!
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 02:02 PM
NORMAL PEOPLE:
DISCLAIMER
Please do not take my posting offensively. I was merely trying to see if BISWO and myself were talking about the same person.
I don't care what this Narayan Khadka person does, eats, shits, or sleeps on. I just happen to know a person by this name who tries to gets projects by sucking up!
Thats all!!!
Funny how one's loose composites triggers names in one's brains though huh?
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| NK |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 02:37 PM
Sunakhari,
I myself have no problem of your writing under whatever name you choose to. I used to write under my own name but it was because of you-know-who i satred to write under NK. don't let this person push your button. you have been posting sensible and responsible stuff so who cares if you write with what ever orchid's name you choose to give yourself. it is and *should* be your prerogative.
funny how one thinks it is all right to write all the personal stuff, be it me a tad embellished under their own name. and how people insists 'mero goruko barai takka.' sigh! when will people learn one cannot impose one's foolish wish in a normal, free and democractic society. These last 3 word are from the same person who keeps on repeating as if we need to remind ourselves over and over and over again. and who takes the mantle for reminding? guess? The pope of free, open and democratic society.
(another round of personal attacks coming soon!)
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| NK |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 02:37 PM
Sunakhari,
I myself have no problem of your writing under whatever name you choose to. I used to write under my own name but it was because of you-know-who i satred to write under NK. don't let this person push your button. you have been posting sensible and responsible stuff so who cares if you write with what ever orchid's name you choose to give yourself. it is and *should* be your prerogative.
funny how one thinks it is all right to write all the personal stuff, be it me a tad embellished under their own name. and how people insists 'mero goruko barai takka.' sigh! when will people learn one cannot impose one's foolish wish in a normal, free and democractic society. These last 3 word are from the same person who keeps on repeating as if we need to remind ourselves over and over and over again. and who takes the mantle for reminding? guess? The pope of free, open and democratic society.
(another round of personal attacks coming soon!)
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| NK |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 02:37 PM
Sunakhari,
I myself have no problem of your writing under whatever name you choose to. I used to write under my own name but it was because of you-know-who i satred to write under NK. don't let this person push your button. you have been posting sensible and responsible stuff so who cares if you write with what ever orchid's name you choose to give yourself. it is and *should* be your prerogative.
funny how one thinks it is all right to write all the personal stuff, be it me a tad embellished under their own name. and how people insists 'mero goruko barai takka.' sigh! when will people learn one cannot impose one's foolish wish in a normal, free and democractic society. These last 3 word are from the same person who keeps on repeating as if we need to remind ourselves over and over and over again. and who takes the mantle for reminding? guess? The pope of free, open and democratic society.
(another round of personal attacks coming soon!)
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| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:21 PM
Sunakhari,
Enjoyed reading your reply here.
Keep it up!!
This way, let us keep this site humming with ideas, thoughts and, even more important, with disagreements, shall we? :-)
Whichever Narayan Khadka one may be talking about, I stand by my earlier statements about there being NOTHING wrong or even vaguely shameful
about Nepali academics'/researchers' going from one INGO to another in
search of funds.
I never really thought that I would actually be defending Dr. Narayan Khadka
in public like this, but, then, hey, life throws up interesting surprises!!
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| kohoho |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:29 PM
la aba euta kuro, yo Ashu bhunney manchry sutdaina kyarey....Ashu bhai/dai sutna januhos ta raat pari sakyo, let the O2 go to your brains :)
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| NK |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:31 PM
ha ha ha!
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:34 PM
NK,
that was exactly my response!!!
Hahahahha
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| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:46 PM
To NK
Before I also share your outrage about this guy Ashutosh Tiwari who dares
share his so-called "personal life" on this Web site, as though it's, well, you
know, such a crime . . . may I HUMBLY, that is, without rousing up your
righteous anger, recommend that you pay a visit to Lamont Library in the Yard, and pull out the New Yorker magazine dated November 13, 2000 and start, if you please, reading the article that begins on page 102?
It's an excellent article on Digital Culture (which is the culture of this Web site
too!) by Rebecca Mead.
The title of the article is: "You've got blog: How to put your business, your boyfriend, and your life on-line." The article ends on age 108.
On a philosophical level, as the Web -- being a spontaneously interactive
medium -- forces us to RE-THINK the age-old issues of what's private and
what's public, we can all benefit from INFORMED discussions that are low
on reptilian emotions and high on knowledge-enhancing reasoning. I am
sure you, being a reasonable person, will agree with this.
Happy reading Mead's article!!
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| NK |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 03:57 PM
Hi there ashu!
it looks like you are up. celebrating dashain? but if you are celebrating then how come you are writing? but anyway that makes me miss dashain even more. are you playing kaura or flush or just hanging out?
maybe i will read that or maybe i will not. or maybe i have already read that. who knows. who remembers who wrote what on what page. well of course unless we are talking about you that is. but yes, the nature of web definitely makes us all vulnerablr. to indulge, to go charging anything in an instant. let's say if we were to write in long hand and mail it and 15 dayl letter the receipient gets it. who would have so much time and energy to go through all that. can you imagine the time it would take us to be a real enemy? here you are friends in one minute the other minute you are a sworn enemy. you write and post and the minute after you regret it. ah. the beauty of technology.
i haveso much to do any this damn thing just pulls me in to talk about my righteousness. cannot help it you know. what to do? just keep on posting i
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| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 04:01 PM
>Hi there ashu!
>
>it looks like you are up. celebrating
>dashain? but if you are celebrating then
>how come you are writing? but anyway that
>makes me miss dashain even more. are you
>playing kaura or flush or just hanging out?
>
>maybe i will read that or maybe i will not.
>or maybe i have already read that. who
>knows. who remembers who wrote what on what
>page. well of course unless we are talking
>about you that is. but yes, the nature of
>web definitely makes us all vulnerablr. to
>indulge, to go charging anything in an
>instant. let's say if we were to write in
>long hand and mail it and 15 dayl letter the
>receipient gets it. who would have so much
>time and energy to go through all that. can
>you imagine the time it would take us to be
>a real enemy? here you are friends in one
>minute the other minute you are a sworn
>enemy. you write and post and the minute
>after you regret it. ah. the beauty of
>technology.
>
>i haveso much to do any this damn thing just
>pulls me in to talk about my righteousness.
>cannot help it you know. what to do? just
>keep on posting i
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| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 04:19 PM
>Hi there ashu!
>
>it looks like you are up. celebrating
>dashain? but if you are celebrating then
>how come you are writing?
Dassain was and is, as you can imagine, a lot of fun, but I drank ,
among others, way, way too much coffee today and I can't go to
sleep :-) It's little after 2 am here.
We don't have Starbucks or Au Bon Pains or Dunkin Donuts in Kathmandu,
but there's this Himalayan Java Coffee Shop in Thamel that is run under
American management and they have excellent mocha, latte and the
rest.
Anyway, don't you worry, tomorow is a holiday here . . . and, even if I go to
sleep late, I can wake up late :-)
> but anyway that
>makes me miss dashain even more. are you
>playing kaura or flush or just hanging out?
More card games will follow tomorrow afternoon when more relatives show
up . . . you know, games like 'marriage' and the rest.
> but yes, the nature of
>web definitely makes us all vulnerablr. to
>indulge, to go charging anything in an
>instant.
Agreed.
> here you are friends in one
>minute the other minute you are a sworn
>enemy.
Well, one idea is NOT to take these postings (including mine)
all that seriously. This way, one can maintain friendships
through thick and thin and NOT get blown up by the emotional
landmines some of these postings contain. :-)
But I guess that's easier said than done!!
I urge you to keep on posting stuff: and don't let occasional, even
vehement, disagreements get you down in any way.
After all, you know that you are much more resilient than to be
bogged down with disagreements about this and that on the Web.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| anepalikt |
Posted
on 26-Oct-01 04:35 PM
patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing patronizing
that last one was way tooooooo patronizing
don't take it NK
The internet does not mean you have to have no social ettiquette, or manners, or self-restraint.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 28-Oct-01 02:56 PM
Gosh.I somehow missed this interesting thread completely:-)
Sunakhari: I hope to meet you with the help of our common friend and we will
talk about that NARAYAN KHADKA:-)
Btw, who cares which Narayan Khadka is good and which one is bad, as long as
you don't run into him(them)?(Just kidding)
And we are a small community, but as in the famous Ishwar Ballav poem, "Aago
kaa phul haru hun, aago kaa phul haru hainan ", we can still have ->"Narayan Khadka is does have PhD, and Narayan Khadka doesn't have PhD".
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| me |
Posted
on 29-Oct-01 01:41 PM
who the hell is this narayan khadka..?
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| NK |
Posted
on 29-Oct-01 01:56 PM
oh don't be a gossipmonger as our Voice of Capitalism warns us. Narayan khadka is or is not somebody who may or may not have a ph.d. Biswo and suakhari may or may not know this Narayan Khadka or the other Narayan Kadka. Narayan khadka may or may not exist. Who cares? Do you really? Congratulations! Neither do I!
Hi ashu! your dashai must be going in a full swing. I did not see any contribution today. btw i saw bishnu last night. it is a small world after all.
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