Namaste!

Namaste is a traditional Nepali way of welcoming guests.

Namaste!

View from Changu Narayan

The ancient temple of Changu Narayana is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. The temple is located in Changu VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Visnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal. (src: Wikipedia)

The picture is the view that we can see from the village. It is simply breathtaking.

Political Joke

We used to tell this joke with some modification pointing to the sardar community. I hardly knew this would fit in with the nepali politicians. Here is the nepali politicians' version.

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Being under tremendous pressure to keep the alliance of political parties together and not knowing who was capable of helping him run the country the PM (Girija Prasad Koirala) took a trip to India and on his trip he had a 'Darshan' with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. During the meeting he asked her, "How do you manage to keep the alliance of parties together and run the country so well and so effortlessly?

"That's easy," she replied, "I identify the intelligent leaders in the alliance and keep them close to me and always take their guidance and advise."

"But how can I tell whether they are intelligent or not?" the PM inquired.

"You ask them a riddle," she replied, and with that she pressed a button and said, "Would you please send Manmohan Singh in."

When Manmohan arrived, Sonia said, "I have a riddle for you to answer for me. Your parents had a child and it was not your sister and it was not your brother. Who was this child?"

Manmohan replied, "That 's easy. The child was me."

"Very good," said the Sonia, "Thank you. You may go, now."

So the PM came back to Kathmandu and called his main coalition ally Madhev Nepal, hoping he would pass the riddle test as he really wanted and needed him in the days ahead to keep the alliance together. He said to him, "I have a riddle for you, and the answer is very important. Your parents had a child and it was not your sister and it was not your brother. Who was this child?"

Nepal replied, "Yes, it is clearly very important that we determine the answer, as no child must be left behind when we build the new inclusive Nepal. Can I deliberate on this for a while?"

"Yes," said the PM, "I'll give you four hours to come up with the answer."

So Nepal went and called a meeting of the rest of the seven parties, other than the Maoists as he didn't want them to know such an important question let alone the answer, and asked them the riddle. But after much discussion and many suggestions, none of them had a satisfactory answer. So he was quite upset, not knowing what he would tell the PM.

As Nepal was going back to Baluwatar, he saw Prachanda approaching. So he said, "Comrade, can you answer this riddle for me. Your parents had a child and it was not your sister and it was not your brother. Who was the child?"

That's easy, said Prachanda, "The child was me."

"Oh thank you," said Nepal, trying not to let him know what a big problem he had solved and brushed him aside, rushing off with a big smile to Baluwatar.

So Nepal got to Baluwatar he went rushing in to see the PM and he proudly said, "I think I know the answer to your riddle. The child was PRACHANDA!"

"No, you idiot!" shouted the PM in disgust, "You can not even solve the riddle how can I count on you… The child was MANMOHAN SINGH !!!"

PM denies making comments favouring 'minor King'

A day after a news about PM GP Koirala's view on monarchy made the headlines of all the newspapers, the PM gave new statement that the press "miss" - quoted him. Now now, what kind of statement is that? I think this is another good political joke. I don't want to comment anything on this topic.

Below is the news article from Nepalnews.com
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A day after he was reported to have made remarks urging the King and Crown Prince to abdicate in favour of 'minor King' or face imminent republic, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has denied making such comments.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File photo)

"I had referred to the statements I made in Biratnagar eight months ago. I had then urged the King (to consider this offer). But the King did not listen to me. And now the situation is different. Only the Constituent Assembly can decide the fate of monarchy now," he told reporters after the meeting of Nepali Congress parliamentary party in Baluwatar on Monday.

The Prime Minister said that the media had failed to understand what he had said during his interaction with a delegation of Pakistani journalists who were accompanied by members of Weekly Fortnightly Newspapers Network on Sunday.

"Our media is just learning so I do not want to make any specific comment about them," Koirala added.

The Prime Minister said that he cannot go against the wishes of people. "The CA will have the people's mandate and I cannot go against their decision," he said, adding, "I have no love or preference for monarchy."

At the NC parliamentary party meeting, many Congress lawmakers raised concerns about continued Maoist atrocities and wondered aloud if the CA elections can be held on time.

Meanwhile, the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) leaders, too, raised objections against PM's reported remarks favouring 'minor King' at the meeting of standing committee on Monday. nepalnews.com sd Jun 18 07

New Nepal’s Politicking Grasshoppers

I found this article in one of the blogs I have hosted. I think its a good read. Please enjoy it.

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New Nepal’s Politicking Grasshoppers

Courtesy - Sanzay

My father used to encourage me when I was a kid with this old story……

“The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant’s a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. In coming winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.” Now as my father is gone so seems his moral lesson…

New Version of the old story in the 21st Century

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant’s a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. In coming winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed
while others are cold and starving. KANTIPUR, AJTAK, DW, CCTV 9, BBC, CNN, NDTV, NTV show up to cover the footage of the shivering grasshopper, next to the video is the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this poor grasshopper be allowed to suffer so?

Sujata Koirala quickly wraps up her morning breakfast at the Yak and Yeti and arrives at the spot with a congress flag to stage a vehement demonstration in front of the ant’s house.

Krishna Pahadi goes on a hunger strike at the Maitighar Mandala along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, Linda Sundh and Mathew Kahane criticize the Nepalese Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper.

The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support for the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance).

Hrydayesh Tripathi after parking his big Land Cruiser in a safe shelter demands for “grasshopper’s inclusion in the parliament”. At his advise MP’s staged walkout from parliament.

Comrade Prachanda after learning that the creatures called grasshoppers do exist from Comrade Baburam, released a press statement highlighting the contribution of the grasshopper to the communist movement in Nepal and immediately called for “Nepal Bandh”.

Madhav Nepal summoned Mr. K.P Oli to Balkhu Darbur and orders to passes a law through the cabinet preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers or else threaten to walk out of government.

Gagan Thapa and Raj Kumari Jhakri quickly burn 100 tires in protest and called for allocation of ten percent scholarship to martyr Grasshoppers children in school and colleges.

Finally, five retired judge of Supreme court Judicial Committee drafted and submitted the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]”, with strong recommendation to implement before winter.

Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala on the recommendation of high level commission makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Institutions & in Govt Services.

The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by Image channel exclusively.

Krishna Pahadi calls it “a triumph of justice”. Gagan calls it ‘Socialistic Justice’. Maoist calls it the ‘revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden’ Ban Ki-moon invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.

MANY YEARS LATER…. somewhere around in 2030

Since then, the ants have sold their last remaining of whatever they had, borrowed some money and migrated to the US. Many of them started successful careers in some reputed US Companies and some started business of their own.

President Chelsea Clinton sent a letter of appreciation to migrant Nepalese ant for their contribution toward US economy. Back in Nepal people are celebrating,since the dissolved house has been recently reinstated after janandolan-8 and the “people’s government” was formed… newly appointed Minister for education Gagan Thapa puts a garland around
the statue of a martyr grasshopper killed recently in a “brutal” police shooting during police post attack… they observe a minute of silence and vowed for “Super New Nepal”…KMC truck is seen down the road collecting the remains of recently burnt tires.

One more Joke about Maoists

This is another news I got about the Maoists of Nepal. This news is quite funny. I think its high time the Maoists looked within themselves and evaluated their motives and their mission.


Police take into control Prachanda’s vehicle

Police on Tuesday took a jeep used by the Maoist supremo Prachanda under control after businessman Raju Shrestha claimed that the vehicle belonged to him.

Superintendent of Police, Dhak Bahadur Karki confirmed that police seized the vehicle, adding, “The vehicle is in Kathmandu District Police Office, Hanumandhoka. We will hand it over to the person who comes with legal document.”

The Nissan jeep with plate number Ba 5 Pa 1718 was in the parking area of Hotel Ashoka at Bagbazaar when Shrestha, a resident of Budhanilkantha, claimed that the jeep belonged to him and it was stolen. He then got into it and started the vehicle using the spare key he still retained.

But Maoist cadres surrounded the vehicle before Raju could drive away. As a scuffle ensued between Shrestha and Maoist cadres, police arrived at the scene and seized the vehicle.

Shrestha said the Maoists abducted him and forcefully took away the vehicle including some valuables on October 19, 2006. He also said the real number plate of the vehicle was Ba 5 Cha 1718.

Maoist Central leader Ananta said the Maoists were planning to return the vehicle on Wednesday.

“We told Shrestha to come to the police office with sufficient official documents. We will hand over the jeep to the “actual owner” after an investigation,” SP Karki added.

It is said that the jeep is normally used to ferry top Maoist leaders, including Prachanda. nepalnews.com pb Apr 18 07

Another good joke

Recently, here in the city, a leading (business) magazine organized top business men awards ceremony. One category focused on Best CEOs, which award, three people won. One of them is Sashin Joshi, he has gotten that award many times. He is a well known personality in management field here in Nepal. Many aspiring youths look up to him.

Here is his comment after he received the award:
"Feels great. I wonder if our political leaders like Girija and Prachanda will ever be able to grab this award."


This is another good joke in my political jokes series, and a satire to our political leaders, who don't have any vision, but just keep mumbling some bullshit words.

Nepal would definitely will be a good place to live and work if people like Sashin Joshi run the government.

Shortlived peace????

As it is known that the whole country (Nepal) is facing acute shortage of fuel. This is mostly due to the ongoing strike in the eastern terai region of the country. The riots and curfews imposed on the cities are the major hubs of inter-country transport. Since there is no traffic in those cities due to curfew and riots, hence the shortage. Another reason is that Nepal Oil Corporation has quite a huge amount to pay to Indian Oil Corporation. Since the due is quite big, the latter has refused to give oil to the former. Right now, am not concerned about the latter reason. Since it is persisting one, I don't think I need to talk about it here.

Am particularly concerned about the first reason here. To speak the truth, I am aware of the riots in the eastern terai region but don't know what the agitating factions are demanding. I am lately hearing lots of words like ethnic groups, pahadis, madheshi etc and these words do nothing but make me laugh. People are searching for their ethnic or regional identity amidst the looming political cloud. But what they have forgotten is that their identity as a wholesome, their identity as a Nepali. I am deeply concerned this. As I can put it in my own words, the ongoing struggles and agitations will lead to national identity crisis. Whilst people are fighting for their ethnic or regional identity, they are forgetting their national identity.

Typically speaking, when we go abroad or some foreigner meets us, they first know us as a Nepali, not as a madhesi or a rai, a limbu, a newar or bahun. They later come to know about our caste systems and our ethnic identities when they get along with us or spend more time with us. Then, as I have seen many times, they are deeply moved by our culture and warmth and the strong bondage in relationship.

With the ongoing riots and agitation, I see this bond breaking. People have forgotten who they are at first - a Nepali. People here in the country has lost the sense or feeling of nationality. They don't love their country anymore. They don't love their land, they don't love their family.

With the peace pact signed between PM Girija Prasad Koirala (Girja) and Prachanda, it is said that peace has finally prevailed in our country. But I don't see peace anywhere. Its Prachanda and his group of bandits (the Maoists) that have sowed the seed of ethnic freedom in the ethnic groups of the country. Madheshi Mukti Morcha (Madheshi Freedom Group), Limbuwan Mukti Morcha (Limbuwan Freedom Group) etc are the factions that Prachanda and his rioting troublemakers created in the past to put pressure in the government. Now they entangled by the tree that grew from the seed they sow to win their war. What goes round, comes around. Thats what happening with the Maoists.

They are now sharing power with SPA (Seven Party Alliance). Together, they make SPAM (Seven Party Alliance and Maoists). This is some kind of joke. Those who use emails or internet definitely get irritated with this word SPAM. I am definitely irritated by SPAM, the alliance one. It is like a custom of our Nepali politicians. When they reach in power, they forget everything. They don't forget one thing - to do immense corruption, dismantle the national budget and accumulate property on their names. So, I don't think the country is getting anywhere with these people as members of parliaments.

I once read an article by Capt. Bijay Lama. He is a pilot and a well known actor in Nepal. He once attended a Tamang Seminar. He got bored with topics like Tamang freedom or something like that. He stressed on national unity. He focused on not his ethnic identity, but the national one. He wants to be known as a Nepali, not as a tamang. And so do I. I want to be known as a Nepali, and Newar later. His article was quite an inspiration for me. He has ideas similar to mine. I put him in a different intellect group in which the politicos do not belong. He wants to unite and have a single identity and so do I.

I had to stay in line for 4 hours to fill petrol in my motorbike. I happened to have an interesting conversation with one of the army guards there. He said he had to do 24 hr duty sometimes. I, pointing to the 10 yr war with maoists, said, its now over. But he said, no its not, peace will not come to the country. Its just an illusion. There is unrest in terai and its just a matter of days that the army will be deployed there. Then the soldiers will again have to do 24 hr duty. I could see certainty in his eyes. I didn't doubt that. I also think the same. It is bound to happen anytime soon.

So, where is peace in Nepal after signing the peace treaty? Have the cadres of Maoists stopped carrying arms around places? Have they stopped their extortion drives? Actually speaking, its maoists who are responsible for the unrest. They are responsible for 16 deaths and the factions created all over the country. They will now have to find a solution to unite the country again.

I, as a Nepali, want to stand and be known as a Nepali wherever I go, whatever I do. I belong to this country and every inch of this country belongs to me. I am entitled to every inch of this country. No one can stop me from calling myself a Nepali. I don't know the words Newar, Limbu, Pahadi or Madhesi. All I want to hear is that everybody should say "I am a Nepali."