| Username |
Post |
| SITARA |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 09:39 AM
In The Spirit of Sajha, I write....
....as a Culturaly Displaced Refugee; neither here (in US) nor there (Nepal)! But aren't we all, a part of the Nepalese Diaspora....cut off from roots, slowly drifting away despite desperate grasping at traditions, festivals and Romanized Nepali? We try hard to teach our children Nepali while living abroad but in the process forget to teach the Devanagari script. Try to instill "Hami Nepali and Hamro Nepal" as we we struggle to gather together the dollar amount required to buy a ticket to "Hamro Nepal". Oh Yes, definitely we are in foreign worlds, trying desperately to eke out a living for our future and for the future of our family. Some of us, still struggling with our studies, others with our identities and yet others trying to pick up the semblance of a confused life. Then there are those who have found the balance and foresight they need to continue in search of a higher meaning to life and yet others, in search of reasons to declare war.......Verbal war, derogatory language, denudation of self esteem, looking for something to blame, someone to accuse and of course a reason to vent! All this a heartrending attempt at self identification..... in search of attention; negative as well as positive. A self image so riddled with holes that we demonize our own!
So, in search for identification we become CYBER REFUGEES; nothing bad with that... just a natural and easy attempt at forming a cyber community; some Nepalese to talk to, to exchange ideas, to vent our frustrations, to have educated arguments and ignorant views.... and yet a cyber land in another dimension that allows such innate human need for communication to flourish!
.....And the Spirit of Sajha is born..... a Cyberland of like-minded people (perhaps!) but from the same cultural, social, educational, economic ......situation )most), a struggling mass of braindrain.... A Mass of Nepalese Cyber Refugees taking solace in the land of Sajha! Some come with a heavy conscience and others in denial.... and yet we come here with the same need..... to Communicate!
Would we have had the same freedom of speech back home, in Nepal? Would we have had the same intellectual exchanges (among unknowns from unknown lands)? Would be able to play dohori; post poetry; flirt in harmless jest; politically lambast the blasted politicians and King G; Would we be able utter the most horrific vulgarities, lambast, instigate and castigate our own in the same way we can as in Sajha? Oh yes Sajha allows us. ....Freedom of Speech; IT EMPOWERS US or does it????????? And if Murders could be committed by sheer words, there would be a massacre out here! For where is the respect for our own identity... a cyber identity we can't even keep clean... give respect to nor make it sociable!
The year 2002 is at an end... Let's herald in the NEW YEAR with POSITIVE energy!!!!!!!! Yeah RIGHT!!!! Goddamn it ! we're too busy having our "educated" buttons pushed... our strings pulled like helpless marionettes...and we like the bulls lead by the ring on his nose respond with pugnacious, contentious and barbaric filth which does not suit our educated Nepali minds!
I am a product of my own experience.... and still experiencing "chitta nabhujne' stuff in US... and you know what, I say??????? Goddamn Bush.....his ignorance shines through.... Why the hell does he not shut up?????? Well, it is my opinion!!!! I am entitled to my opinions....guess what again freedom of speech! And if I say this to a bunch of Americans, I would know the reaction... total isolation or a spewing of filth and racial slurrs... Well, I certainly know the educated and the intellectual ones ignore my comments and NOT SAY! And there are those who tell us non-Americans.... go back to your f****d up country!!!!!!!!! Do I/ would I... nope I don't! One more lesson learned in the land outside your home... Don't explain, don't complain!
Anand Agrawal ji reminds me of The Pied Piper of Hamlin, who never got paid for his services of ridding the town of rats... He, is also a product of his own experiences....he is entitled to that!!!!!!!!!So, in vengeance he pulls out his pipe (flute) and plays the tune of destruction to lure the children of Hamlin to their doom. He preys on their innocence, on their curiousity and their ignorant disability to think for themselves! He thrives as he dances down the threads of Sajha leading a group of willing youths; ignorant, angry, innocent. The piper's tunes gain momentum as the following crowd, merges with barking dogs; filthy mongrels, some rabid with anger others just barking along! And while the quiet, non confrontational and the intellectual look on with helplessness at the circus of Nepalese children, rats, dogs n' all...... The Spirit of Sajha; the homeland of all cyber refugees dissipates into the ether...... Just because We cannot ignore ONE prejudiced opinion!!!!!!!!!!
Ya! But why do I care??? Or do I? Perhaps, just a twinge… of conscience; a tweak of discomfort…. Just For the Spirit of Sajha; a Cyber Nepali Utopia for Cyber Nepali Refujees!
In peace, and with positive energy to all who read this long musing!
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| PremPujari |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 10:33 AM
Hmmmm!!!
Hmmmm!!!
:)
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| vivid |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 12:10 PM
Sitara ji,
That is it.
I was wishing why not all the others just ignore that brat, instead of joining him in his barking. Sometimes his postings really ignites anger within you to shoot back but you just have to control your innerself so that you don't end up being his prey.
Some pleaded, 'Freedom of speech', but if it is in the form of verbal abuses it should be considered upon whether or not to allow it to flourish creating disturbances in the sea of thoughts. Though we try to ignore him, pouring frastautions in another form is also the by-product of the effects his postings had upon us.
Sajha is the sea frequented by torrid waves eventually calming after much splashings. Let us all allow the ripples of this effect fade away, so that our sea regains tranquility once again.
' Kukur bhugdai garcha, hatti lamkandai garcha'.
' Kag karaudai garcha, peena sukdai garcha'.
Peace!
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| OneGirl_123 |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 03:02 PM
HAPPY HOLIDAYS....
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! :)
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 04:48 PM
Vivid ji, one girl and Prem pujari ji
Wish you all Seasons Greetings!
:)
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| Bramhanda |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 05:32 PM
Having been a mere silent observer of this site, let me share in a few $0.02 to the spirit of Sajha and, to the sagacious observations of Sitara.
Could the Diaspora be living in denial or living by choice, or both?
Or could be living by lack of choice?
Why do the Diaspora need to find a common platform to be able to share ideas?
It could be :
a. The longing to form a cliche just for the SAKE of it, as there is not a better alternative
b. The need to find commonalities --cultural, ethnic, and philosophical-- that are not prevalent in the mainstream culture where the diaspora may be in existence
c. Neither of these , but a difficulty in being able to detach from the true Nepali Spirit.
In any case, Platforms like Sajha seems to bring minds together--virtually. Just as in Nepal and, around the world, a kaleidscope of personalities have been revealed. While some go about with their agendas of self-promotion, others go with their business generation endeavors, others with with beating their heads of some statements that are specious,and there are ones that stride with positive powers.
I've also noticed mutlitudes of human emotions and attitudes being displayed.
Freedom of Speech being practiced , though a good practice, also has its implications. Is, it only in this platform that is and/or can be practiced, or do the praticoners apply this every facet of their lives? Otherwise, it just a platform to bring out your energies , and nothing more. However, it might be just a place where these practices are tried and, would be transferred and transcended to other spheres of life.
If Sajha is a microcosm of what the future Nepal and a substantial its citizens (and its diaspora) might be, then certainly,there is both hope and despair.
But, hope should be what the future should bring--a postive ambience is the underpinning for a more exciting and engaging life.
Warm Wishes for all, and thanks to San for initiating such a site!!
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| Poonte |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 05:41 PM
Kyaaaaaaaaaa...lekhdya! Afterall, the best known personality in Sajha...my DIJJU! :P
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| Soleil |
Posted
on 16-Dec-02 07:58 PM
Kudos to you Zentara jyu. I couldn't agree more, nor could I have expressed it so eloquently and blissfully, re kya ajha last ma. ehehehhehe
Tara hajuur, lemme add more to it by saying at the same time there are some people who pry upon others with different nick names playing mind games. Collecting personal infos and yet, concealing his/her own identity. It is understandable and appreciable to a certain extent if it is with the mere intention of having fun, but some of our sajhaites go further than that. They prolongate their so called sense of humor or sheer prank to such a degree that it becomes unhealthy. Sometimes leading to frantic paranoia and discomfort.
Well, nothing can be done except to be careful and ignore such brats, yet it would be wonderful if people come out of the closet. Let aside pride and prejudice. Lets be who we are. Lets use that positive energy.
In peace!!!
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 17-Dec-02 03:03 AM
Bramhanda ji
I appreciate that you have chosen to change your 'silent reader' status in this thread. You analysis of Sajha as a dynamic yet a vital platform for a dynamic Nepalese diaspora is insightful.... and your observations very detailed.
Soliel ji
Unfortuantely, the issues of "borrowed identity" has come to pass with negative connotations rather than positive humour. It is sad that there are some who cannot differentiate between harmless jokes and spiteful acts.
Poonte ji
oh ho! what a sweeping statment hajur! :)
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 17-Dec-02 01:55 PM
San ji
I have wanted to thank you for maintaining Sajha. Although, a recent immigrant into this cyber world, I have come to appreciate the writers as well as their articles. My interaction with the Nepalese community ( in cyber space) has never been so rich nor mind/eye- opening. I have come to appreciate your quiet but objective presence which observes the smallest details in the postings. There have been many from Sajha who have enriched my reading experiences... enhanced my moods with the quirkiest humor and moved me through a rainbow of emotions through the incredibly diverse postings.
Thank you to all Sajhaites who make the Spirit Of Sajha!
Just a Zennist!
:)
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| Bramhanda |
Posted
on 17-Dec-02 02:21 PM
Sitara Jee,
Thanks for welcoming the silent reader on such a positive note.
The Nepali Diaspora , is certainly at the crossroads of culture, times, and sweeping changes across the world. It is a tough predicament to be in, where the lives of those in it is certainly in a constant flux, and ,as a result, the choices in/of their lives very daunting.
However, to be part of a cyberia, at least, creates a semblance of Nepalopia where the Nepali indentity can be promoted. After all, it is the spirit that will remain and will do so with environments like these.
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 18-Dec-02 06:44 AM
Bramhanda ji
You are welcome! You write well and with insight... your choice of topics very interesting.
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| Bramhanda |
Posted
on 18-Dec-02 04:12 PM
Gracias Sitaraji.
You're one of the Sajhaites who strives to keep the positive spirit at Sajha, and keep the milieu very much alive. Keep up with your energies and prolific writings!
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| kalanidhi |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 12:02 AM
_ " Sajha"
Help me, I’ve lost my horizon,
All I can find are whispers
As I gaze through the looking glass,
That drive me further from my heaven _ _ _ _
Kalanidhi
UCB
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 11:55 AM
My gratitude to Sajha:
I am allowed my third world English, my improvised Grammar and my original Spelling mistakes...where the posters and the postees go beyond the nitty gritties of linguistic structures and phonemic impositions!!!!:)
I am allowed my creativity without being berated for my lazy indulgence in sinful, foreign language use!!!
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| PremPujari |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 02:02 PM
Sitara Jyu,
Kina Senti aaaja???
what happened?? New year resolution ho???
You have got the first class third world English. Who cares about Grammar and Spelling anyway. It is your wit that shines thorough your one liners, and your poems and postings. Your wit is ORIGINAL, and gifted, and worth fortune!!! Always pleasure reading your posting.
oohi, PremPujari!!!
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 02:14 PM
Magnificient thread Sitara!!
You bring so much insight, hope, and humor for every occasion! And not an iota of hubris, a commodity that often gets scare in Sajhapur. Wonderful qualities, I salute thee, fair lady!
Happy New Year to all and peace be upon us all!
Suva Chintak
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 04:46 PM
Suva chintak ji
Well, such nice words hajur! :) Do I really deserve them?
I have enjoyed your postings and your humor too.... Actually, your humor killed me in the "Dragon" thread!
Prem P ji
Senti bha hoina ni.... just realized that there is no bloody spell-check and grammar check in Sajha! :)
Thank you as always...you have been kind.
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| VillageVoice |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 08:05 PM
sitara, well said, hajoor !!!
....as a Culturaly Displaced Refugee; neither here (in US) nor there (Nepal)! But aren't we all, a part of the Nepalese Diaspora....cut off from roots, slowly drifting away despite desperate grasping at traditions...
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 03-Jan-03 10:55 PM
Thank you VVji
:)
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