Dark Knight's Weblog

It seems the year would end with the bad note. After waking up, I broke my Laptop’s charger point. I guess this is the worst start of the day. Now am going to service center but as i googled out, it could cost me upto  $100. I hope this ain’t that bad

I was reading one of the Nepali news portal www.myrepublica.com and there was one letter which caught my attention. Well, before you go what was on the letter, you need to get background to understand the contents of letter. Since many of my readers are non-nepalis, lemme give you a bit picture of the present situation. CPN (communist party of Nepal) Maoist is in the power after they won elections last year. (Remember, they are the same ones who fought bitter bloody war with state for 10 years to establish communist republic.) They promised big changes to climb to the power.

But now their youth wing Young Communist League is thrashing everyone who opposes them and their mother party. Not only their youth wing, their other wings like trade union, students wing etc. all are doing same. They even attacked press under the pretext of labour’s right. They have forcibly closed most of the industries and god-knows-what else. PM always promises changes but change term seems to be elusive term.

In this context, one journalist Rupak D Sharma wrote an open letter to Premier Prachanda a.k.a the feirce one after reading Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger.

Think about it, Mr Premier

Dear Comrade Prachanda (aka Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal),

Laal Salam! (Red Greetings?)

I just finished reading Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger and was kind of inspired by his writing. I know I should have done that long time back—I mean read the book—but, you know, time constraints and all that stuff. Anyways, since I’m done with it now I thought I might as well use my free time writing something to my own prime minister like Aravind did to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Now please don’t start looking at your watch, my letter won’t be an entire 320-page novel like his.

Before I start I would like to ask you one thing though. Have you read his novel? I bet you have. After all it won this year’s Man Booker Prize.

So which part of the novel annoyed you the most? I guess it was the same part, isn’t it Mr Premier? Yes, the part in which he describes all Nepali girls in India as prostitutes. Well he has even called one of our security guards, Ram Bahadur, a ‘sly’ figure. I did manage to take this as a joke but when he introduced our sisters as ‘whores’ the smile on my face, brought by his witty sarcasms all the while, turned into a frown. If Aravind were around me at that time, I would have whacked him—like your boys do all the time to those who stand against them. Am I correct Mr Premier?

It is really upsetting, you know, Mr Prachanda, when someone describes Nepalis like that. Well, I won’t deny that none of our girls are into that profession in India but at least he shouldn’t have generalized.

Wow, is this what you call the nationalistic fervor!

I know I should not let it rule me. But I cannot help it. I even tried to console myself saying that Aravind had even made fun of his own fellow Indians from the South, calling them ‘negros’ and former slaves of North Indians. But that didn’t help me. I bet all the Nepalis who read the novel will feel the way I do.

And don’t you think it’s natural Mr Prime Minister. Even Americans who hated their President, George W Bush, were against that Iraqi journalist who threw a pair of shoes at him.

By the way, Mr Premier, did you notice that Booker Prize winner of 2006 – what was her name… ah Kiran Desai — did the same thing. I mean, she also tried to discredit all the Nepalis living in Darjeeling through her novel, The Inheritance of Loss. Probably you should talk to the panel of judges who finalize the name for Bookers Prize winner and find out whether one of criteria for winning the prize is whacking Nepalis. If that’s true then I’d be a f***ing joke, wouldn’t it. (By the I way, I don’t have the habit of using foul language. It’s Aravind who taught me this. And he’s repeated this phrase over and over again in his novel.)

Well before more of the Indians try to smack us some more, let me tell you a little secret. But before that let me introduce myself to you. I’m a journalist and I’m currently based in Bangkok. My colleagues here come from Malaysia, the Philippines and of course Thailand. During my stay here, I’ve also made couple of friends from Singapore, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos. Mr Premier, do you know how my friends from Southeast Asia know Indians? They know them as people who are cunning, who can really know how to play office politics and who don’t live up to their promises. Suddenly I found out that the term Indian is no longer a noun here, it’s an adjective – adjective to describe people who are cunning, who can play office politics and who don’t live up to their promises. So next time you hear somebody say Indian John – don’t assume him to be a John from India. You should take him as John – who may be from the US, the UK or even Nepal – who is cunning, who can play office politics and who won’t live up to his promises.

Another secret, Mr Premier. One of my Filipino friends was recently duped by an Indian. Both of them had a verbal agreement for a job.

But when the payday came that Indian paid him less than half of what he had agreed on. My hardworking Filipino friend has promised never to work for Indians and now tries to stay as far away from them. Probably he’s contracted Indo-phobia.

I really feel bad for all the Indians now. I actually studied in India for around three years and I have some very good Indian friends. And they are not cunning; they don’t play politics; and they live up to their promises. But because of very few unethical people, they’ll have to pay the price as well.

Talking about someone else paying the price for someone else’s deeds, Mr Prachanda, so what do you could be the solution to this problem. I know your blood must be boiling by now and may be you’re ready to send of your boys to whack Aravind and Kiran. But will sending your boys stop them from speaking? I don’t think so. Instead, it’ll only encourage them to scream some more. So why not we do some soul searching and find out where we went wrong. What do you say?

It’s true that Nepalis’ image has tarnished over the years. Yes, we are still known as brave and hard working people. But on top of that we’re also known as illegal migrant workers, drug peddlers and even prostitutes (like Aravind said, if that’s true). But all these titles were given to us because of the mistakes committed by a few. I know even these people who are illegal immigrants and who carry drugs didn’t do it for pleasure. Our country’s inability to create decent-paying jobs forced them to do so.

Some months ago, when I was talking to Dr Sanduk Ruit — while he was here in Bangkok – he said that Nepalis have to work twice as much as people from developed or developing worlds to prove their worth. And that’s true Mr Premier. People don’t trust us easily nowadays because we are no longer known as Nepalis of the past. Even if they trust us they trust us for those 3D—dirty, dangerous and demeaning—jobs. So what do you make of that Mr Premier.

By the way, how did you come to power. I wasn’t there in the country during the elections but if I’m not mistaken many voted for your party because you had promised change. You probably did not say “yes we can” like Barack Obama did, but you said something similar, if I’m not wrong. However, today what are we seeing – your boys threatening people, coercing people to do what they don’t want to do, and if not whacking them.

Another secret, Mr Premier. I also liked to whack people. But I was in Grade 7 at that time. Copying those Western and Indian movies, me and couple of my friends had even formed a gang in the school. And you know where we used to have our gang fights. In one corner of the bird’s section in Lalitpur’s zoo. But that was in Grade 7, Mr Premier. I guess your boys who stormed Himal Media and couple of other firms in the recent past are not in Grade 7.

And if they are so fond of smacking people why not organize fights every week or every month, say for example in the zoo. Your boys can call whoever they want and vent their anger in the ring. And the money generated from the ticket sales can go to the national coffer.

Hedge fund managers—battered by global economic slowdown—recently organized such a fight in Hong Kong and they raised around US$129,000. Seriously. I’m not joking. May be we can discuss more about holding frequent fights later.

Well, I don’t want to take more of your precious time. But before I end my letter, I would like to remind you again about the need to give a face lift to the image of Nepal and the Nepalis. Think about it Mr Premier.

Yours Truly,

Rupak D Sharma
Journalist
PS: Please give my regards to your wife and son.

********************

P.S. I haven’t read The White Tiger. Has anyone?
P.S. 2 : I really hope that this letter reached to our PM and he badly needs this reminder.
P.S. 3: I love my Indian Friends and I know they are not stereotypes.
P.S. 4, my header image is also courtesy of myrepublica.com (of course i took it myself though ). Photographer is, Bikash Karki. Thanks to him

Israel is bombing and destroying Gaza Strip to tame Hamas and bring peace to Middle East. Hundreds of innocent Palestinian civilians have been killed and thousands are injured. It’s air strike (while writing this) is still on and senior Israeli officials are saying they could go on ground attack as well.
But would this attack achieve it’s goal? I believe no. Rockets attack to Israel would increase so would Israel assault and result: more destruction, more terror and more deaths.

Almost all Israel’s ally including US have, as always, stood behind Israel blaming Hamas and merely making their lips curve to say STOP ISRAEL. But in fact have done nothing to force Israel to stop this siege. Don’t they have duty to prevent casualties of civilians?

There are many Israelis or other people who stand behind Israel’s call that this stringent action was necessary to bring peace to Israel and Middle East, which I believe, is hollow. No means of any violence would bring peace, it brings only misery, pain and hatred which Israel is not understanding or not willing to admit. How could Israel expect that Hamas and Palestine would forget this attack while it cannot forget any rocket attacks? You take revenge and ask injured party to forget everything, how practical is this? Such stupid remarks would only fuel the hatred and revenge in Hamas and Palestine.

Learn from Gandhi. What he taught the world. If you want to reconcile, you need to forgive others first.

Many might ask me then doesn’t Israel have any right to protect itself? Yes, Israel has every right to protect itself from terror but not at the cost of other civilians. They don’t have right to safeguard their population by killing an innocent Palestinian boy or woman.

May be world leaders have failed to say or are unwilling to say, but i say, Isreal is also equally responsible for this bloodshed.

The only difference is victory.

Well i have already told you guys how naughty and mischievous my nephew is. He asks me so many questions, sometimes i get tired answering him and giving him proper logic. But he has his own logic as well.

• (Pointing to ad of Mero Mobile, which means My Mobile) Mama, look at this ad. It says My Mobile. You too have got it right? Technically, if i say it’s Mero Mobile (My Mobile), then it should be mine right? So gimme your mobile. Or else, it’s name should be Timro Mobile (Your Mobile).
• Mama, what’s child right? I heard it in news. (After hearing my answer) So can you beat me or not? (When i told him tht technically i can’t. It’s violation of the right) So now i can watch cartoons and play as my wish and do home works when i wish. Well, you can’t do anything since doing something would be violation of my right. And I know you are kind of HR activist.
• Mama, why we see dreams? (I replied him in plain language that sometimes we wish many things, when we don’t get them, we see them in dreams) So why did i want to pee in my dream? I don’t wish it. (When i again explained that sometimes when we are feeling those urges, we also see them in dreams) That must prove then why i urinated in the bed last night.
• Mama, I want to see SRK’s new movie. (He used to call him Om Kapoor after watching OSO, but finally learnt his name few months back. When I said he has to get good marks in his exams for that or else use his own saved money) If you don’t want to take me for the movie, then all right. But you have to pay for my tickets and I can’t/won’t use my savings. (I asked why) Since I am young and can’t work or earn money, on the other hand you are an adult and earn money, it’s your responsibility to look after me and fulfill my wishes. I saw in movies that an adult always have to take care of young ones, or else police will take action. And I don’t want that happen to my dear Mama.
• Mama, are you buying me gifts for Christmas? (When i said we don’t celebrate X-mas) Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas, you have to buy me gifts. First we don’t celebrate, second we don’t have chimneys, so i won’t be getting any presents from Santa. And I want to show Santa that even though he won’t give me any presents, I have you to buy me presents.

Who believes this is 5 years old mind speaking. Phew!!

So everyone thinks i am honest (at least it seems so ). I got early Christmas present from Psalm for being HONEST. Look it’s so beautiful.

Thank you for honoring me with this OSCARS HONEST BLOGGER AWARD. Even Santa would fail to give me such adorable present (Anyway don’t have chimney so chances are very unlikely that i would get any presents. Wait, am not child anymore, so chances = ZERO). Like Sally Field once said, I want to say: The first many times I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me! .

But this award can’t stay with me. So am passing this award to:

Swati
Zinta
Kris
BlueMist
Chandni

Reasons: Obvious. . Enjoy!!

I don’t know why but most of the times I remember my dreams. Most of my friends don’t remember their dreams. I had read somewhere that remembering dreams mean my brain is not having enough rest. Anyway, last night i had very funny emotional dream. Then there was a moment when I was awake but still couldn’t differentiate between dream and reality. I was feeling very bad…

Why funny? Because in dream I was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Why I felt bad, because of this disease I had forgotten about Nick….

So did i remember him? Yes I did.

How? It’s funny part. My colleagues dragged me to show some movies. I don’t remember their name but one was Brokeback Mountain. When i saw the character “Jack”, slowly Nick came in my mind. And i slowly remember everything about him.

Funny right?? Hehe

Lesson Learnt: Don’t watch too many tragic movies.

P.S. thanks Pslam for honoring me with award. I wil write about it later.

Quick Facts about Nepal:

• World’s second riches in water resources.
• Have capacity of producing 41K Megawatts of hydro-power out of 83K MW capacity.

Reality:

• We are facing 10 hours of Load shedding.
• Severe scarcity of drinking water.

Also: these service providers are talking about price hike in water tariff and electricity tarrif.

Hello, first provide us services and talk about hiking tariffs. No service but only hiking tariffs? Wanna get stoned?

Plus: Though petrol’s prices are down to nearly $40 per barrel in international Market, out dear Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has slashed price only by 10 Rs. so far. And even transport entrepreneurs haven’t slashed prices. When NOC hikes price at midnight, they hike their fares from early morning. But now it’s been more than fortnight, still they haven’t reduced fares.

Hello politicians, why are you not speaking? Saving your sources of note banks?

Or do i need to throw shoes like “THE” Iraqi Journalist did to Bush??

Ohh on this: I like few headlines. One was this:
Am’Bush‘ed!!

Interesting, right?

One of my friend send me this mail which listed some of the best moments of life. I know this is very incomplete one. Here are some. If you have others, add on

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing till your stomach hurts.
3. Enjoying a ride down the country side.
4. Listening to your favorite song on the radio.
5. Going to sleep listening to the rain pouring outside.
6. Getting out of the shower and wrapping yourself with a warm, fuzzy towel.
7. Passing your final exams with good grades.
8. Being part of an interesting conversation.
9. Finding some money in some old pants.
10. Laughing at yourself.
11. Sharing a wonderful dinner with all your friends.
12. Laughing without a reason.
13. “accidentally” hearing someone say something good about you.
14. Watching the sunset.
15. Listening to a song that reminds you of an important person in your life.
16. Receiving or giving your first kiss.
17. Feeling this movement in your body when seeing this ’special’ someone.
18. Having a great time with your friends.
19. Seeing the one you love happy.
20. Wearing the shirt of a person you love and smelling his/her perfume.
21. Visiting an old friend of yours and remembering great memories.
22. Hearing some telling you ‘i love you’
23. Listening to an old song after a long time which you used to listen again and again.

P.S. i made my previous post private. I have this hunch that Nick sometimes reads my blog.

Now i am away from crowd and noise of Kathmandu. Had really good time travelling.

• Got tickets (it seems contacts did work).
• Nearly missed flight. (Literally i ran into closing door)
• Had good time travelling in bus after long time.
• Now again back to the crowd but not like Kathmandu’s.

P.S. Zinta, if you are still in Dhangadi and visited tht thing called festival, it sucked right??