The Love Shower

Sudden warmth;

aroused on me,

when you started to touch gently.

My heart started to beat fast,

there was a quick flash;

that ran through my nerves

without missing any lines and curves

I  was trying to control,

pause you and tried you to hold.

But how was it possible?

When I was already on your arms.

You had already won me up

I started liking your the then job

I felt the softness of your lips

Closed my eyes and enjoyed the kiss

For the first time

I was feeling something exceptional,

which made me feel special

Slowly, gradually, deeply

I was within you completely

Enjoying our journey of making love.

The sensation, the tenderness, the numbness

and also the moment when we had no emotions at all

Eventually I bestowed my purity to you

without any shame,

without any blame

Now you are liable to care for

my trust, my love with which I showered you.  

In quest for the answers

The revelation of new grading system of School Leaving Certificate is now the heat of the moment. No student will fail the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams from next year have just spread like a slogan. The government has decided to replace the evaluation of students using the categorical 'pass', 'fail' by grade system. Students will be graded on a 6-point scale from A+ to E.

As a general public, I read the news, and then thought for some time for its pros and cons. But before I could finalize its merits and demerits, the critics forwarded their opinion about it and I am happy that this made my thought process easier. Some people have open heartedly welcomed the new system where as some have drawn some criticisms on it.

Here, I neither want to go for nor against it because as far as I know, the personnel who have unveiled this system are the ones who have experienced a lot, have gained lot of knowledge and know more about our education system.  l also know that they must have done some research and backward planning before making it public and deciding it to be executed from next year. After reading the news, I had some questions. 

Let me beg you; please don't call me inpatient for my questions as I waited for a whole week to get it answered. I went through the news portals and almost all the search engines to find out its answers but couldn't find it. So finally I am penning it down.

According to the Curriculum Development Center, a student's 10 years can't be judged with 32 marks. As many students fail in the SLC examination due to the number grading system which has caused negative effects on academic sector. But as far as the information I have gained up to now, how is it so different from the present numbering system?

As per the new system students securing above 90 percentage will be graded A+ (Distinction) while percentage from 80 to 89 will be given A (Excellent) grade. Likewise, 60 to 79 percentages will secure B (Very good), 40 to 59 percentages under C (Good) and 25 to 39 percentages under the D (Weak) grades. Students below 25 percentages will be listed in the E (Very weak) grade. In this context, as per my knowledge, the system will only replace the words 'Pass' and 'Fail' by some other better sounding adjectives 'Good' and 'Weak'. It still is categorical and it only focuses on the academic excellence or on the basis of test papers of grade ten. What about those students who don't excel in academic but are good beyond it. The system doesn't mention about it. I may be wrong, but what I think is if we are concerned in the over all negative effect of the prevalent system, then we all are waiting for such system in which our children would be judged not only on the basis of their text book knowledge but also beyond it, otherwise the psychological effect would be the same after the results as those students who would feel hurt with the word 'Fail' in their results would feel the same when they see 'Weak' in it.

I heard that the aim of this grading system is to not only to improve the grading system but also to upgrade the secondary level examination evaluation process. Sorry to ask here also but, when the foundation is weak; will it not be difficult to say that we will anyhow upgrade the top floor? Wouldn't it be more beneficial if we had started it from the bottom level, so that our children would start being habituated on it and even teachers would gain more knowledge on evaluation procedure of the system itself?

Will the question papers and module of question be same even in the new grading system? If not then, teachers need to know the questions module also on time. Otherwise making children do a new set of questions in haste may cause another problem as well.

Another question, we all know that the best High Schools want to take the best students. So, what will be the context if our High Schools would only admit the 'Distinction' 'Excellent', 'Very Good' and 'Good' grade holders? What will our 'Weak' and 'Very Weak' children go? Don't they deserve to get the quality education? And what shall we do with the 'Very Weak' students? Aren't we going to take their re-examination? Or, are we going to let them go on their own way as any how they have completed their schooling?

Last but not the least, I am a Teach For Nepal Fellow and have been teaching for one and half years to the secondary level students. And with this revelation, I have noticed a drastic change in my students' behavior towards studying. Since, my experience in this sector is less; I want to find out some solutions for myself as I have seen that now a days they say that no one is going to fail SLC, so there is no matter of putting up our effort on to it. I am a bit disappointed with their views. I am surely not against their happiness but my concern is only that are they right?

How should I answer to their queries? I would be grateful if I could get the answers on time so that when I would guide them or start teaching them from next session, I may give them correct guidelines and suggestions. Until and unless, I am clear on this system, I can't help my kids on it. I am not sure but I think I represent the feelings of some teachers who too are in quest for the answers.

The Talk

Was it right or was it wrong?

I don't know

I don't want to judge

I talked to you

holding all my fearful emotions

I hope you won't let me down

just taking it as a fun. 

This was the first time

I ever talked without thinking culprit and crime

sharing with was something so sublime

I just couldn't stop afterwards my faint smile

Yes, let's leave the end on destiny

You and I are not the one who can challenge any

let's live in the moment

as there is always someone guiding us who is benevolent.  

Are you real?

Please,

don't appear on my mind

I can't welcome you

don't emerge on my thoughts

I can't acknowledge you

For me,

you are like a ghoul

with whom I can't linger

you are like an appraisal

which I can't consider

But still,

you come ahead

breaking the norm of my chamber

you show up

tormenting all my desires that I wish for

Who are you?

I am forced to assume

are you an aberrant?

I am obliged to guess

are you really true and existent?  

Small things great

You have so many problems with the statuesque. You want the society to change and for that you are blaming the political leaders for not fulfilling their respective role. Wait, think, may be here, we can do something by ourselves. You don't need to be a politician to help bring change in the society.  But you can start from small. Volunteering is a great way to get out there and do something about the suffering in today's world. 

Sujan Adhikari, an under graduate student of Agriculture has been involved in different volunteering activities along with his studies with the opinion that he would get some experience from it, which he thinks would benefit him in his career prospect. On the other hand Bikash Deshar, who has recently completed his under graduation degree  has started to find a new meaning in his profession when has begun to work as a volunteer teacher of a community school, joining the movement of ending education inequity. Bikash says," Before too I was working as a teacher, then, I used to think just of teaching but now I feel as a teacher teaching may be my job but it's not only about that I care about their personal life and their background as well. I think about giving my best. I have started thinking differently."

Sujan and Bikash are just the examples of two youths who volunteer their time and energy for the society with their own motive. At present moment like them there are thousands of others who have started making volunteering as a part of their lives. With busy lives, it is definitely hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to the person himself, to the family and the community as well.  One of the well-known benefits of volunteering is the impact in the community. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people around us for whom we are working. 

Wikipedia has defined volunteering as a generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved of the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization and fun.

According to a survey by University of Essex has found out that voluntary work holds the key to happiness in the community. The survey which was done in the 101 randomly selected district authorities and across a range of volunteer projects found out that those areas with the best quality of life had high levels of informal voluntary activity. People living in areas where many citizens gave up their time for others enjoyed a better health, suffered less crime and claimed to be 'very satisfied' with their lives also having the higher school grades.

With this another important thing is that helping others kindles happiness to the concerned person as well. When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to benefit the greater community.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a volunteer position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing. The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career.

Every bit of help can make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate, or an environment which is close to destruction, or an animal that faces the threat of extinction. With so many different charities out there today, you can dedicate your time to your cause of choice.

While telling all these, we must not forget that there are some problems as well to be a volunteer. While working for others you may have to suffer from the problems like lack of transportation, time constraints, no pocket money and many others. Here, what we can say is that the most valuable skill to move oneself up as a volunteer is the compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed and a positive attitude. But, what is sure is that volunteering leaves you and your community with renewed creativity, motivation and vision.

Published on Sopan News http://sopannews.com/small-things-great/

Being your dream girl

It may seem like I may be having a false dream
You may feel like I am having an unfulfilled whim


the dream, of being your dream girl
the whim, of sharing you my rise and fall



I want to be in your bosom
gazing the stars
blushing on all those compliments
that you would make for me

I want to make a long call,
overnight, with our tit bits
where we would grin even on our silence
when we have nothing left to talk

I want to wait for you
when you would come to me
surpassing all the hustle and bustle of the town
just to meet me

Dear, can I have my dream come true?
Can I come in your dream and dance with you?

Oh! my dear how should I express?
when, I am trying my best to make you impress.

Let me make it short
Can I be your dream girl?

Conquering the darkness (Story of Transformation 2)

What are you addicted on to? Are you on a crushing addiction on food, or on the newest technology, television series, and some brands of chocolates, Facebook or any other?  Our addiction is so bizarre and we, with our grinned face accept it with the common refrain that "Everyone is addicted to something." Certainly, we wouldn't have any remorse on it as neither society nor we, ourselves would haunt with the social stigma of being called 'The Addict'

.

But what would be the situation if we have to be the victim of the same taunt every time you pass through some one?

The condition is unimaginable and the most important part is we will not only be out-caste from the social circle but we also will descend from your own personal dynamism.  

I am sure with these few words you have already understood, what kind of addiction I am talking about? If you are thinking that I am pointing out the addiction of drug use, then yes you are absolutely right.

Russell Brand says "Addiction is as serious disease; will end with jail, mental institutions, or DEATH." Russell's statement holds the authenticity as we have seen the condition of youths in our society who have been addicted to drugs. They have to go through several socio-economic predicaments with very less support from family and friends to eventually losing their self esteem.  The condition of Basanta Adhikari was not any different when he was habituated to drugs, who is now a well-known social activist; the founding president of Bikalpa, an Alternative.

I met him, three years back for an interview of my weekly talk show, when he was working for his campaign 'GariKhana Deu' (Livable Nepal). That short talk influenced me so much. The way he shared his story of transformation and his journey (which I couldn't broadcast all due to time issues) really inspired me. No one can imagine how he has stood up once falling into the mud and started his journey for social change. We can guess how hard it would have been for him.

He became misguided when he was 16 years old. After his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam he had some leisure time; which he couldn't manage properly. He still remembers how he had wasted his time being engaged in unnecessary fights and other unproductive works then. Slowly, he fell in the grip of some bad company who were drug users. Once, he tasted the drug and found it good, he eventually started to become addicted to it. And we can guess how had his life been then aspiring for drug every moment. 

Wait, this is not the end. Behind the drug addict, there was another Basanta who always gave him a voice to get out of all this disgrace and move forward on a new journey; a journey of transformation- , a journey to walk for his own self and for the whole society. He failed many times during these phase, but never lost his hope. Each failure gave him a new strength to move forward on his journey of positive change. Then, Baburaja Shrestha from BMC Siltes turned out to be his God Father by giving him a chance to change.
This chance suddenly aroused a new addiction on him. He started to fully engage in work and study. He still has the memory of those days when he used to work 12-14 hours with a very few pay. He resumed his study as well.  And slowly things started to open up for him.

It took him approximately a decade to work for something good, leaving all the humiliation of being an addict behind him. For 3 years he led and empowered young people in eastern region. In 2010, he got a scholarship opportunity for doing Master’ on Inter Asia NGOs studies. After completing his study, he returned and again started to empower young people voluntarily in his locality. Then, he promoted the Livable campaign. At present, he has started his new organization, Bikalpa, an Alternative. Through this he envisions a Nepal where rule of law is supreme and citizens can exercise their natural rights to life, liberty and property in a vibrant and free society. The organization seeks to develop a culture that favors individual and economic freedom, in spheres of personal lives and policy issues through research, education and civic engagement.

He still feels the pain of his journey of transformation.  He remembers those days when police men used to treat him badly and when the society used to ignore him as a person even when he had tried to change himself.

Now the time has rolled. The perspective of people towards him has changed. Now, when he compares his past with the present, he finds difference in him and this gives him the immense happiness in his life. Thus, he wants other youths who too are in the same darkness to move on and transform but shares sadly that still the attitude of people towards the addicts haven't changed yet. First, he wants none to be addicted on it. In case if any one has been on to it, the family and society should help him to move on, he opines.

Not all stories have fairy-tale endings. It was Adhikari's self awareness that helped him to move on and choose a new path for himself, but there are some examples who had even given up their lives because of drugs. So, it's our responsibility to help them get out of it. People often won't try quitting until they're forced because it seems too hard. But we as their friend, relative and a social member can help them understand that healing from addiction takes time. We also shouldn't lose hope as there are people like Basanta Adhikari who have conquered the darkness.

You can watch the talk show that was broadcast-ed on Makalu Television almost two years ago here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTYbgC-kStM&list=UUu_UqZ733AmoDtucSCiCVjw 

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=qHmvEnfQE8M&list=UUu_UqZ733AmoDtucSCiCVjw&index=66

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=xSvosYnNUSI&index=65&list=UUu_UqZ733AmoDtucSCiCVjw )