Song with a Solution

Not a regular listener of Nepali folk music, I was awestricken by the words of the song – Chinta Chaina Kehi – beautifully stroked to provide a deep reflection of Nepali realities. At the same time it also has successfully – in positive tone – depicted the potential of Nepali society to march towards bright future. However, I am not scribing this article just to say that the song, written by Pashupati Sharma and sang by the writer himself along with Sita K.C, is going almost viral in YouTube or has potential to do so.

The main idea of this article is to compare the message of the song with a development theory called Sustainable Development (SD). SD, in its seminal report – Our Common Future – has been described as ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ At the time, when SD is being backed by United Nations as the kind of development theory suitable for the world and its people economically, socially and environmentally it would be interesting to see the messages of SD that the song has.

Written around the foreign migration scenario, the song has many other issues amalgamated within its main thread. The explicit message of the song seems to show, migration to foreign country for painstaking jobs with little rewards, in the changed context of Nepal, is not necessary if we can put in a little bit of more effort on the way we have been doing our occupation since generations.

For example, the songs explains a story of a highly educated man who has returned back to his village and have been doing agriculture in commercial way. The writer has, through out the song, incessantly tries to explain the need of commercial agriculture in Nepal. Even according to SD, when interpreted in Nepal’s context, it is important for us to return back to our agricultural roots but in a professional way. We should not forget that, in the dream of making the country as prosperous as Switzerland, Nepal has been converted into a food importing country from the one which used to export it until a decade ago.

In addition, the song also has implicit messages relating to gender equality, culture, family relations, etc. The gender equality, though not mentioned in the verses of the song, has been depicted in the video which is the social aspect of SD. Moreover, verses like – khancham geda-gudi bascham buda budi, Malai Salman Khan ni yei, malai Saha Rukh Khan ni yei – hints towards the importance of homegrown food habits and also the good relation between wife and husband made easily possible because of living together. These are powerful and influencing lines in the context of weakening and breaking family relations, also reported several times in the news in the recent times.

Similarly, the song also indicates towards the importance of our culture and saving our identity. Shown in the habits related to food and clothes, the song clearly has a message relating to SD which advocates of placing the environment and society ahead of the economics. Moreover, the verses – payal chappal kinchu, kchaad berchu hindchu, malai dingo jutta yei, malai jean ko pant, yei malai suhaune pani yei – mentions the unrestrained copy of other cultures resulting into increased import which in turn is taking back all our money to the countries where it was earned by our fellow Nepalese. Almost 80% of the remittance money being spent in daily goods and our growing deficit proves the same scenario.

In sum, the song puts an increased important towards the well-being and other different unquantifiable aspect of human life. Time spent with family and the valuable time shared with community peoples and so forth is highlighted more than monetary incentives. The song, in all its verses, from one way or the other, has incessantly tried to reflect that Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as in SD, is not the one and only aspect of prosperity.

On my part, I am very happy to find something I would use throughout my life to start the lessons of SD to my to-be students. 

Case study: Closure of Surya Nepal Textile

Background

Established in 2004 with an investment of approximately Rs. 700 million, Surya Nepal Private Limited’s garment manufacturing unit - Surya Textile Industry - had been providing jobs to 608 workers directly, while the number of workers indirectly related to textile industry was more than 1,000. Located in Tankisinuwari, a VDC near Biratnagar in Morang district, around 500 workers in the industry were female and it used to produce 50 to 60 per cent of Nepal’s total garment export. Popular international brands like John Players and Springwood having markets in India, France, Canada, Italy and the US were being produced form Surya Textile. Most importantly, the industry paid Rs. 300 million as tax to the government of Nepal in last fiscal year (HNS, August 25).

Dispute over wage of 8 days: apparent cause of the shutdown

Remunerations demanded by workers for the eight days strike[1] that took place in mid-April and the management’s refusal to provide any, under the “no work no pay[2]” provision, in long run turned out to be the main reason for the permanent closure of Surya Textile. Workers didn’t agree with the “no work no pay” pact arguing that they were present inside the industry’s premises during the strike but could not work, because the industry itself was closed. This way, arguments and counter arguments continued and it deepened the conflict between management and labours. On June 14, the situation worsened when factory workers, under backing of major trade unions, locked up 42 officials of the management (Ghimire, August 18) without food and water supply for more than 24 hours (Lee, August 25). Finally, police had to rescue the captivated officials forcefully, because the major[3] trade unions wanted their demand to be fulfilled immediately, or else they were not ready to release the officials. During the rescue clash, 8 labours and 12 policemen were injured (ibid.). After the officials were rescued, the management announced an indefinite closure of the industry to be effective from June 15 itself.

Since June 15 to August 17 the industry remained closed during which labourers and even the trade unions demonstrated to re-open the industry but the management continuously refused to re-open citing unfriendly industrial climate and security problems rather they wanted to close the industry forever. Finally, an agreement was reached among representatives of Morang Industry Organisation, Trade Unions and Surya Nepal to shut down the industry permanently paying Rs 29,800 as lay-off benefits to each worker and also according to agreement, the laid-off workers will be given priority as per the workers’ efficiency and capacity if the company comes up with new venture or resume its factory again (HNS, August 20). The security problems, militant trade unionism and their irrational demands, according to the management, forced the company to permanently close the textile industry (HNS, August 18).

Salary was not the problem

Irrespective of many other cases where monthly wage is the main cause of rift between management and labourers, Surya Textile looks like an exception. Sanjiv Keshava, Surya Nepal’s managing director, claims themselves as a good paymaster and explained that they paid almost double the amount stated in the minimum wage (Lee, August 25). Similarly, news published about Chattra and Damber Kumari Shrestha shows that the couple earned more than 10 thousands in total (Ghimire, et al., 2011) which is at least equal to the minimum salary for workers fixed by government i.e. Rs 6,200. The news, about Sarala Khadka also proves that she earned 6-7 thousands a month, an amount more than the minimum salary fixed by the government (Nagarik, March 6). These cases show that Surya Garment was not closed because of labourers’ dissatisfaction in the amount of salary paid to them.

Latent causes of the shutdown

On the one side where management claims the over-politicization of trade unions and their often violent assertions to be major cause behind the closure of Surya Textile Industry, the trade unions and their political leaders argues that labour unrest is not the only reason for the closure of Surya Garment. Hari Roka, a Constitutional Assembly member representing the United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), blames that Surya Garment has cheated national coffer by creating false Value Added Tax (VAT) bill (HNS, August 25) and to escape the penalty it has been shut down. Another possible reason for the permanent shutdown of Surya Garment is identified as its inability to compete in the global market (Lamsal, G.). Besides all above reasons, government inability in creating conducive environment for industrial activities is prime factor in closure of Surya Textile. Prolonged power cuts, minimal infrastructure, liquidity crisis, etc. are some of the areas where the government should have helped.

Finally, whatever the management and the trade unions claim the workers clearly were not in favour of closing the industry. Saraswati Ghimire, who worked for Surya Textile blames the union leaders for the closure of industry. She explains, “this is all because of our over dependence and faith on so called labour leaders” (Nagarik, March 6). It is true that both the Surya Textile and Government have lost their income but important of all, labourers are the one who has been hampered the most.

Conclusion

Apart from sending a frightening message to potential investors, the Surya Textile case will also have a disastrous impact on the already stagnating economic activities. So the government now should work for creating conducive industrial environment so that all the three parties – government, industry and the labourers will be benefited.

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[1] Organizations related to different political parties had called on strike in mid-April (Ghimire, et al., 2011)

[2] The three major trade unions All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), Nepal Trade Union Congress and General Federation of Trade Unions of Nepal (Gefont) – and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) had signed an agreement on March 24, 2011 accepting “no work no pay” for illegal strike in the industrial sector (HNS, August 19).

[3] The three major trade unions are: All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), Nepal Trade Union Congress and General Federation of Trade Unions of Nepal (Gefont).

References

Ghimire, M (2011, August 18). Surya Nepal shuts down garment factory. The Kathmandu Post (Money), p. A.

Ghimre, L & Ghimire, M. (2011, September 24). Khyalkhyalmai gumyo rojgaari. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http://www.ekantipur.com/nep/2068/6/7/full-story/336158.html

Lamsal, G. (n.d.). Majdurko mukha bandha garera kina sutyo surya nepal? Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http://janaaasthanews.com/temp.php?article_id=283&cat_id=7

Lee, T. (2011, August 25). “Due to frequent labor unrest, we’ve consistently been unable to make our deliveries”. The Himalayan Times (Perspectives), p. 5.

HNS. (2011, August 18). Surya Nepal shuts garment unit. The Himalayan Times, p.10.

HNS. (2011, August 19). Pvt sector shows concern about surya garments. The Himalayan Times, p.10.

HNS. (2011, August 20). Surya sets lay off package for apparel workers. Retrieved March 24, 2012, from http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Surya+sets+lay+off+package+for+apparel+workers&NewsID=303457

HNS. (2011, August 25). Call to resume surya garment unit. The Himalayan Times, p.10.

Nagarik. (2012, March 6). Garment bandhako ashar kashyama. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http://nagariknews.com/society/nation/37618-2012-03-06-03-25-24.html

Heights of Irresponsibility

The recently concluded Constitutional Assembly (CA) has been historic in two ways. First, though not something to be proud of, it was the second election for the purpose of writing a constitution; and second, unprecedented proportion of voters participated in the election and exercised their rights. Followed by the successful election-day, vote counting in almost all the 240 constituencies – for the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system – have already started and results are coming out now.

The preliminary results, reported in media, shows that the final result would definitely be different from what was seen in the first CA election. Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML), which were second and third largest parties, are set to come out victorious this time. The UCPN (Maoist) have performed below-par then expected or predicted all across the country and are third in the race. As like the UCPN (Maoist), Terai based parties have also performed badly and seem to be submerged in the ‘other’ category while the election result is being displayed in different medium.

However, the results of the election and one party winning over the other is not a new phenomenon is democracy. Even in our neighborhood – India – we have seen parties moving in and out of the power continuously. In winning and losing lies the beauty of democracy. But, UCPN (Maoist) is far away from accepting this reality and have decided to walk-out from the vote counting venue appealing for an immediate halt in the election process, all across Nepal, claiming ‘rampant vote rigging and conspiracies from national and international forces’. The ongoing count which has been blamed to have not reflected popular hope and anticipation by the UCPN (Maoist) proves that they are yet to become democratic at heart.

In fact, it is frustrating to see such irresponsible behavior from UCPN (Maoist); a ‘successful’ election can’t turn to a ‘conspiracy’ in a matter of 24 hours. Pushpa Kamal Dahal remarks to go as far as boycotting CA is a shame and shows that they don’t have any respect for ‘mahan janata’ which once voted them to make the largest party. It seems like they can’t accept whatever result other than their victories. How can a party, so concerned about ‘marginalized, impoverished, outclassed, etc’ people of Nepal, can back out from the CA election process which have cost Nepal 17 thousands citizens, 4 valuable years and billions of rupees? 

UCPN (Maoist), who have appealed to discard the election when they lagged behind to NC and CPN (UML), are already panicking and thus will, with full power, try to stop and possibly, derail the election process. Here comes the role of the Election Commission to make bold decisions when necessary and should keep counting the vote at any cost. The government, as ever, is expected to maintain peace and order. Also, the international communities, from the observations done yesterday, must show courage to speak-up about the fairness of the election and support the Election Commission if it sought for help. European Union (EU) claiming the election fair and peaceful in its preliminary report is a positive step ahead. Similarly, a large part of responsibility, remain in the hands of people, who, by any means have to calm down UCPN (Maoist) and make them look forward for another election to come next.

UCPN (Maoist) must trust self and still wait for the final results, including the one from Proportional Representation (PR) system to come out. They must realize that everything is not lost already and they still have other elections to fight for. Prachanda must recognize the unique opportunity presented – by time – for him to upgrade his stature from a party leader to the country’s leader and must accept his and the party’s failure; nobody’s de-grow in accepting loss.  In fact, they have to learn from the Terai based parties who have proved to be better democratic when it comes to accepting almost similar slump in election results.

Most importantly, the wining parties should not bypass CPN – Maoist and even the UCPN (Maoist) and other small parties in constitution making process but at the same time should not succumb to any kind of intimidation at any cost. On the part of Maoists, they must know that the nation is tired of the terror tactics and rhetoric and are looking forward to some real progress. Accepting people’s verdict is good for UCPN (Maoist) if they want to remain in the political scene of Nepal or they will soon be history.

अनिश्चित र अन्धकार भविष्य

संविधानसभा विघटनपछि अहिलेको समय करिब-करिब राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले प्रधानमन्त्री शेरबहादुर देउवालाई अपदस्त गर्दाखेरको जस्तो भएको छ। एकातिर देशको शासनसत्ता आफ्नो हातमा छ भनेर बाबुराम कराईरहेको छन् भने अर्कोतिर राष्ट्रपतिले बाबुरामको सरकारलाई ‘कमचलाऊ’ भएको वक्तब्य जारी गरेका छन्। काङ्ग्रेस-एमाले लगायतका दलहरु सर्वदलीय सरकारको रणाको मच्चाउँदै छन् भने प्रचण्डबाट बाबुरामले तत्काल राजीनाम नगर्ने कुरा स्पष्ट रुपमा आएको छ। एकथरि कानुनका विज्ञहरुले देशमा संवैधानिक संकट आएको बताईरहँदा अर्का थरि देशमा सबै कानून अनुसार नै भएको उल्लेख गर्दैछन्। जनता अलमल्ल पारिएर राजनीतिज्ञबाट आजित अवस्था हो। दलपोषित कानुनी ज्ञाताहरुलाई अथवा लाग्न सक्छ तर सामान्य जनताको नजरबाट हेर्दा भन्नसकिन्छ – नेपाली राजनीति अब धेरै वर्ष सुध्रिने छाँटकाँट छैन र आम मानिसका दिनहरु अझ कष्टकर हुँदै जानेछन्।

वर्तमानलाई यसरी लगभग निराशावादी धारबाट व्याख्या गरिनुका पछाडि मुख्य कारण माओवादी हो। होला, अरुहरुको पनि आजको स्थिति पैदा हुनमा केहि भूमिका छ तर संविधानसभामा सबैभन्दा ठूलो दलको हैषियतले प्रमुख दोषी माओवादी नै हो। 

माओवादीको भित्रि मनाशयमा अझै पनि सत्ताकब्जा छ भन्ने कुरा अब कसैबाट लुकेर वा धक मानेर भन्नुपर्ने अवस्था रहेन। माओवादी प्रा. लिमा जागिर खाने बाहेका अरुसबैको विचार यहि हो। सुनियोजित रुपमा आज माओवादीले सर्वसत्तावादको अवस्था सिर्जना गरेको छ र उसलाई अङ्कुश लगाउन सक्ने कुनै शक्ति अहिले छैन। राष्ट्रपतिको कार्यालयसँग पनि त्यो शक्ति छैन; हुँदोहोत, हिजोको आफ्नो वक्तब्यमा राष्ट्रपतिले बाबुरामलाई पदमुक्त गरि सर्वदलीय सरकारको लागि आवहान गर्थे। भारतको लहैलहैमा नलागेको भए आज माओवादीलाई चेक एण्ड ब्यालेन्समा राख्न राजसंस्थाले सक्थ्यो होला; तर यो अनुमान मात्र हो। राजसंस्था राम्रो वा नराम्रो, उपयुक्त वा अनुपयुक्त के हो भन्ने कुरा बहसको अर्को विषय हुनसक्छ। राजसंस्था नराम्रो भन्नेले राजसंस्थाको शताब्दीयौं लामो अधिनायकवादी चरित्रको फेहरिस्ततिर औंला देखाउला। त्यसैगरि राजसंस्था राम्रो भन्नेले भोल्टायरको शब्दमा, ‘म सयौं मुसाभन्दा एउटा सिँहबाट शासित हुन रुचाउँछु’ भन्ला। राजसंस्थालाई जोख्ने काम बहसको अर्को विषय हो, आज त्यतातिर नलागौं। आज हामी अब समय कतातिर जाला भनेर केहि विश्लेषण गर्नपट्टी नै केन्द्रित हुँदैछौँ।

मङ्सिर ७ गतेका लागि घोषणा गरिएको संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनबाट कुराको पन्तुरो फुकाउन उत्तम होला। म त भन्छु अब देशमा धेरै वर्ष निर्वाचन नै हुँदैन। माओवादीले निर्वाचन गर्नलाई निर्वाचनको मिति घोषणा गरेकै हैन। निर्वाचन त उसको झुलाउने नीति मात्र हो। माओवादीलाई निर्वाचन नै गर्नु थियो भने संविधानसभामा भएका अन्य दलहरुलाई विश्वासमा लिएर उसले निर्वाचनको समय घोषणा गर्नसक्थ्यो। तर गरेन। यो उसको आफूभन्दा बाहिरकालाई पेल्ने वा सबैलाई पन्छ्याएर सत्ताकब्जा गर्ने नीतिबाट प्ररित छ।

समय बितेर जाँदैगर्दा माओवादीको यो नियत बाहिर आउँदै जानेछ; जसले अहिलेको सरकारलाई समर्थन नगरेका दलहरु आन्दोलित गराउने छ। केहि जनताको साथ पनि पाएर आन्दोलन बढ्दै जाँदा बाबुराम सरकारको समर्थनमा पनि जुलुसहरु निकालिने छन्। अनि त्यहाँ झडप हुनेछ। कस्तो झडपभन्दा जातीय झडप, किनभने सविधानसभा विघटनको दिनपछि हेर्दा सबैले थाहा पाएको कुरा के हो भने अहिले माओवादी र मधेसवादी दलहरु जातीय नारालाई बोकेर हिँडेका छन् भने काङ्ग्रेस-एमाले लगायत अन्य दलहरुले जातीयता विरोधी नारा बोकेको अवस्था छ। त्यसैले भोली काङ्ग्रेस-एमाले लगायतले गर्ने आन्दोलनको समर्थनमा जातीयता नरुचायको समुदाय बाहिर हुने छ भने अर्कोतिर बाबुराम सरकारको समर्थन जुलुसमा जातीयका पक्षपोषकहरु हुनेछन्। यस्तो अवस्थामा झडप अवश्यम्भावी हो र त्यो झडपले जातीय रुप लिने पक्कापक्की छ। अनि देश गृहयुद्धमा जानेछ। अरु कुरा थाहा पाउन, कृपया सुडानको वर्तमानलाई पढ्नु होला।

अलि आशावादीले भन्ला नेपालीहरु सहिष्णु छन्, हाम्रो देशमा जातीय दङ्गा हुँदैन भनेर तर मेरो फरक विश्लेषण छ। नेपालीहरुमा केहि पनि छैन। समयको हुण्डरीले जता फर्कायो उतै त्वमशरणम् हुन्छौ हामी। हैन भने, २ वर्षअघि राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले शासनसत्ता आफ्नो हातमा लिँदा दिपावली गर्नेहरु २ वर्ष बितिनसक्दै गणतन्त्र कि गणतन्त्र भनेर कि हिँड्थे ? सायद हामी नेपालीले आफैँजस्ता नेता पाएका छौं। दोधारे।

Vow To Save Bagmati In Vain

No scientific parameters are required to measure the level of pollution in Bagmati river; our nose and eyes are enough to detect the pollution. The holy river is so polluted that it doesn’t carry any species of fish at the core city areas.

Bagmati has been the drainage system to most of the households and industries in Kathmandu Valley. Household sewerage discharge coupled with effluent discharges from factories and solid waste disposal on the riverbanks has contributed in the pollution of the river.

Bagmati, the biggest river of the Kathmandu valley comprises 57 rivers and rivulets as its tributaries. It originates from Bhagdwar in Shivapuri Hills, 25 km north of Kathmandu City at an altitude of 2,650 m above the sea level.

The river has religious and spiritual value as the Hindus and the Buddhists consider its water pious. Gokarneshwar, Guheshwari and Pashupatinath temple are located in its bank. Among them the Pashupati area is enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites which reflects its importance to all the races of human civilization.

According to the studies, more than 93 non-government organizations have been working for cleaning the Bagmati and every year millions of rupees is being spent in the name of cleaning operation. These organizations focus on creating awareness among the public, but creating awareness without creating alternatives is ineffective. Awareness can lower the degradation rate without eradicating the root of the problem.

Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT) has been organising Bagmati River Festival every year since 2001. Cleaning Bagmati, tree plantation along the riverbank, and rafting et cetera has been conducted by NRCT to motivate people to work for improvement of Bagmati.

Pollution of Bagmati is not unknown to the government as well for a High Powered Committee for Implementation and Monitoring of the Bagmati Area Sewerage Construction/Rehabilitation Project (BASP) was established in 1995 A.D. This committee is supposed to keep Bagmati and its tributaries clean by preventing the direct discharge of solid and liquid wastes to the river and conserve the whole Bagmati river system within Kathmandu valley.

Construction of sewage treatment plant in Guheswori and the sewer tunnel from Tamarganga to Tilganga to bypass the treated or untreated sewage directly to river at Tilganga are the major activities of the committee till today. Anil Bhadra Khanal, project manager of Bagmati Area Sewage Project, under this committee says, “Because of the political instability neither the budget has been allocated nor has any work been done since 2003 to this fiscal year. So, this committee couldn’t work as expected.” But he is hopeful the situation will improve as the government has increased the budget and this project has also got top priority status in the annual government programme. According to Khanal the government has allocated Rs 200 million for this committee for the fiscal year 2065/66.

The political parties vow to save Bagmati but whenever work on implementation of the plan begins they provoke their cadres to create hurdles. This happens whenever the government tries to remove the squatters from the banks of Bagmati.

Action plans are formed but their implementation is always under a cloud with so much pressure from the public. Joint efforts of the government authorities, integrated approach of the non-government organizations and a strong political will power to act, not mere words, is what is needed to make the dream of clean Bagmati come true.

Qinhuai, a highly polluted river of Nanjing (China), was cleaned in three years after removing 4,356 families who had encroached upon the river banks and the nearby areas. As many as 94 big companies were also removed for the conservation activities. Now Nanjing-Qinhuai River has become a historical and cultural scenic zone and a tourism hot spot characterising the ancient human civilization of Nanjing (Source: The Himalayantimes).

The talk about how Bagmati is being polluted never dies out. Everyone — be it public or organizations concerned never get exhausted talking about this topic. Various organisations working for Bagmati keep coming up with bundles of report and events in aid of the river. Even ministers and political leaders are seen cleaning the Bagmati in various programmes. But still the condition of Bagmati river deteriorating everyday. So the possible way out for revival of Bagmati, can be protection and conservation of Bagmati together with all the development activities.

JOURNEY OF THOUSAND MILES STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP- KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

चारवटा दराज, दुईवटा टेबल, दुईजना कर्मचारीको सानो समुहबाट वि.सं २०५१ सालमा काठमाडौ विश्वविद्यालय केन्द्रिय पुस्तकालयको स्थापना गरिएको थियो । तात्कालिन रजिष्ट्रार सिताराम अधिकारीको सक्रियता र सहयोग अझै स्मरण गर्नुहुन्छ पुस्तकालयका प्रबन्धक रुद्र प्रसाद अर्याल । अर्यालका अनुसार सिताराम अधिकारिको अभिभावकत्वमा नै काठमाडौ विशविद्यालय केन्द्रिय पुस्तकालयले उम्रने र फुल्ने मौका पाएको हो ।

विद्यार्थी र प्राध्यापक दुवैलाई अध्ययन-अध्यापनमा सहयोग होस भन्ने मुल अभिप्राय पुस्तकालयको हो। हाल काठमाडौ विश्वविद्यालयको पुस्तकालयहरुमा करिब ४५,५०० थान पुस्तकहरु छन् । त्यसैगरी अध्ययन-अध्यापन अझ सरल बनाउन सिडि-रोम, भिडियो क्यासेट, अडियो क्यासेट्सहरु पनि राखिएका छन् । पुस्तकालयमा इन्टरनेटको सुविधा सहितका करिब १५ वटा कम्प्युटर जडान गरिएको छ, जसको माध्यमबाट पुस्तकालयको वेबसाइट अन्तर्गत रही आफूलाई आवश्यक ई-जर्नलहरु पढ्न पाइन्छ । इ-जर्नलहरुको लागि चाहिने ‘पासवर्ड’ पुस्तकालय प्रशासनबाट पाइने जानकारी दिन्छन पुस्तकलाय अधिकृत देवराज अधिकारी ।

विदाको दिनमा बाहेक अरु दिन विहान ८ बजे देखि वेलुका ८ बाजेसम्म र शनिवार चाँहि-दिउँसो १२:०० बजे देखि बेलुका ६:०० बजेसम्म पुस्तकालय खुलेको हुन्छ । अहिले पुस्तकालयको कर्मचारी सँख्या आठ पुगेको छ । कर्मचारीको पद र नाम यस प्रकार छन् ।

पद	नाम
म्यानेजर	रुद्र प्रसाद अर्याल
अफिसर	देवराज अधिकारी
सिनियर असिस्टेन्ट	डिल्लिराम खड्का
लाइव्रेरी असिस्टेन्ट	केशव खड्का र जगननाथ थापा
असिस्टेन्ट	रामप्रसाद ढुङ्गेल
बुक किपर	- पदम बाहादुर कार्की - श्रिराम के सी - राम कुमार ढकाल

पुस्तकालयमा भएका कर्मचारीहरुको सँख्या अपुग हुन सक्थ्यो तर उपलब्ध साथीहरु कर्तब्यपरायण र लगनशिल भएका कारण समस्या उत्पन्न नभएको कुरा बताउँछन् प्रबन्धक अर्याल ।

केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालयलाई २४सौ घन्टा खोल्ने बारेमा के सोच्नु भएको छ? भन्ने प्रश्नको उत्तरमा अधिकृत अधिकारी राति ८ बजेसम्म त पुस्तकालय खाली भइसकेको हु्न्छ भन्ने घुमाउरो उत्तर दिन्छन् । परिक्षाको समयमा मात्रै विद्यार्थीहरुले पुस्तकालयको अधिकतम उपयोग गर्छन भन्दैगर्दा अधिकारीको असन्तुष्टि स्पष्ट देखिन्थ्यो ।

पुस्तकालय प्रबन्धक रुद्र प्रसाद अर्यालका अनुसार, केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालयको वार्षिक बजेट करिब बाइस लाख (२२ लाख)को हाराहारीमा हुने गरेको छ । उल्लेखित बजेटले केवल पुस्तक र जर्नल खरिद गरिन्छ । पुस्तकालयको अरु खर्च वेग्लै प्राप्त हुन्छ भन्नुहुन्छ प्रवन्धक अर्याल ।

पुस्तकालयको आगामि योजना भनेको “ई-लाइब्रेरीको” सशक्तिकरण हो र त्यसकालागि नयाँ प्रविधियुक्त कम्प्युटरहरु मगाइएका छन। काठमाडौ विश्वविद्यालय पुस्तकालयहरुको (कुसुम, कुम्स आदी) नेटवर्क बनाउने र अनलाइन राख्ने योजना भएको कुरा बताउछन अर्याल ।

अन्त्यमा, पुस्तकलाई वर्तमान सदुपयोग गर्दै भविष्यको लागि सुरक्षित राख्न आग्रह गर्दछन प्रबन्धक अर्याल ।

आश्वासन र राजनीति

माथि राखिएको फोटो मेलम्ची जाँदा ईनद्रावती खोलाको किनारमा देखिने द्रिश्यको हो। खोलाको किनारसँगको आफ्नो दुरी घटाऊँदै लाँदा थाहापाईन्छ कि माथिबाट हरियो लेउ जस्तो देखिने त्यो त आलुको बोटहरु पो हो।
बद्दो जनसँख्य र घट्दो खेतीयोग्य जमिन को पारीणामा हो यो। मानिसलाई केहीले पनि पुग्दैन भनेको ठिकै हो जस्तो छ। जंगल को बिनास गरेर सक्यायेपछि मानिस अब सक्याउन आएको छ,खोलालाई। खोलाकिनारमा खेती गर्नाले, माटो मलिलो बनाउँछ र बर्खाको पानीले त्यस्तो माटोलाई सजिलै बगाएर लान्छ भन्ने थाहा हुँदा-हुँदै पनि मानिस आफ्नो आभीष्ठ पुर गर्न चुकदैन।

तर जे भएपनी यो एउटा गरीब नेपालीको कथा हो। तेही भएर सबैजनाले एकै स्वरमा भनौ- "क्रान्तिकारी भुमिसुधार को खोक्रो नारा दिने सम्पूर्ण 'भोटमग्ने' दलहरु- मुर्दाबाद।"