So Unpredictable...

CONDOLENCE

Last time I had written about Indra Lohani...this time, i'm writing about him again...the only difference is, that time he was alive and now he is not......

i had written about his questioning style which i quite didn't like...yes, at times, he used to be harsh on his guests, but he had the courage to ask tough questions, a quality which no other interviewer had shown...

now that he's passed away, i really feel our country has lost a bold presenter, a tough questioner, and above all a gutsy lawyer and journalist ....i also feel Nepal is having an 'alachhin' time, as they say in nepali, in the field of journalism..

my heartfelt condolence to his family.....

may Late Lohani's soul rest in peace

but i still can't believe he's no more....oh god, what life we have...we're here today, YOU only know whether we will still be here tomorrow or not...

He knows all...

Mr Know All

When Kantipur TV's popular show Bahas comes on air, I make it a point not to miss it. It's a great program, with such a bold presenter who does not hesitate to ask any kind of questions to anyone, especially the politicians. But no matter how I try not to be disappointed, Mr Indra Lohani disappoints me eventually, with his humiliating questions.

His latest guest was Rajiv Kafle, one of the bold men who did not fear the stigma and publicized his HIV-infected condition at a time when only a certain population was aware of it. For thousands of Nepalis, he has become a role model, and when I saw this guy on Bahas, I thought Kafle's boldness and dedication would be respected.

But no, the first question he is asked is: "Do you have AIDS or HIV?" Maybe Lohani wanted to show the public what the difference between the two was through Rajiv, but he did not think how the guest would feel. And he was not an ordinary guest—a person who dared and challenged the mentality of people that even HIV-infected could stand up from the crowd.

In the course of interview, Rajiv said how his dream to be a pilot could not materialize. He also talked about a donation-based hospital that he was running. Also, he shared he spent a lot of time with around 40 children—some whose parents had died of the infection and some who had the infection.

Listening to all these, Lohani fires another question: "Don't you think HIV-infection gave you an opportunity to be popular?" For a moment, I myself was hurt. How could he ask such a question to a person who has been fighting the condition to live a better life? A person has to positively take all kind of facial expressions when people know of the infection...

Rajiv Kafle is not my relative or my friend or anyone linked with me. But since my school days, I have known him as a bold guy who publicized his condition irrespective of the isolation he was bound to face and then began working for people like him, to protect them. So, I respect him.

Mr Lohani may have all the knowledge in the world but that knowledge would do good to no one if he invites people in his show just to show them he knows better. One may think I am no better either as I am publicly criticizing someone, but there is a difference. I am a nobody but Lohani and Kafle both are public figures, and both of them should be respected in their own ways.

Kafle & Lohani on 'Bahas'

A positive sign

"Nepal has come a long way, but the journey continues, as there are still a number of challenges to overcome. The people of Nepal have taken a stand for democracy and it would be especially inspiring for the entire world to see Nepal, which already makes such a tremendous difference in peacekeeping for others, overcome its own conflict and achieve lasting peace at home." ---United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said at a press conference in Kathmandu on November 1.

Ban's visit to Nepal is a great sign of how interested UN is in our peace process. Though it might have been coincidental to his South Asia tour, his visit to Nepal is the appreciation of a country that saved itself from going downhill.

However, like Ban said the challenge for the political parties is to gather consensus on prime issues like constitution writing and the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoists' combatants.

Let's hope, we Nepalis can actually make Prachanda's vision of a "model for peace" come true. All the best to all parties, regardless of their political affiliation.

A Communal Communist

This was the Greeting Card sent by Ms Hisila Yami Bhattarai to my dad on the occasion of Mha Puja and Newari New Year.

At a time when the Nepal Sambat or the Newar Sambat has gained national recognition, it is indeed a matter of pride for the Newars to celebrate the festival.

However, I expected the Tourism Minister would also remember Dashain and Tihar, the two biggest festivals in Nepal celebrated by the majority of the people. It's easier to remember Tihar as it falls somewhere around the Newari New Year and Mha Puja. Why, then Ms Yami Bhattarai did not wish people a happy Tihar?

Two questions came in my mind, both of them contradictory:

1. Communists don't believe in celebrating traditional culture. If so, why is she printing colorful cards, with her pp-size photo and a signature beneath it??

2. Their Great and Glorious (Mahaaan tatha Gauravsaali) party talks about respecting everyone's religion, caste..If so, why did she willfully forget to mention Tihar, which is celebrated by a very large population, including Newars?

I guess, next time, if she stands in elections, she will ask for votes from only one community.