Sustainable Transportation

The idea behind sustainable transportation is to create an effective and efficient transportation system that ensures efficient mobility, affordability and reduced environmental impacts of the system. However, the growing nature of transportation needs and its dependence on fossil fuel amid the dangers of climate change make the present transportation system truly unsustainable, and it is high time we transformed it into something sustainable. 

Cut down on pollution

Thus, the urgency to cut down on the emission of carbon dioxide - one of the greenhouse gases - by 50-80 per cent until 2050 has also brought the idea of sustainable transportation into limelight because the present transportation system of the world is based on fossil fuel and is solely responsible for 20 - 25 per cent of the world’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. 

Attempts have been made, both by citizens and governments, in different parts of the world to make the transition towards sustainable transportation possible. At the moment, fuel efficient vehicles and a car sharing culture are being used and promoted. Also, private vehicles are being discouraged by imposing heavy taxes on fossil fuels and even on vehicles. A transport system based on a renewable source of energy like solar power or electricity and, most importantly, an efficient public transportation system are advised for the transition. 

Guangzhou, a city in south China’s Guangdong province, has transformed into a city with a sustainable transportation system with a world-class Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that integrates cycle lanes and metro stations. It won the 2011 Sustainable Transport Award created by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), which proves that transformation to a sustainable transport system is possible even in big cities. 

In this context, the concept of sustainable transportation is an important issue to be discussed in Nepal as well, especially at a time when roads are being widened in the Kathmandu Valley due to growing traffic congestion. Yes, it’s true that Nepal’s contribution to the global carbon emission is negligible (0.025 per cent of the world total), but our carbon emission is sure to increase as Nepal enters the much-awaited phase of industrialisation. 

Amidst the dire situation that has been presented to the world because of the complexities of climate change and at a time when every country in the world is setting individual targets to reduce its carbon emission following the COP 19 meeting in Warsaw, wouldn’t it be wise on the part of Nepal to think ahead of time and start focusing towards a sustainable transportation system? 

In addition, there are other reasons and incentives why we must embark on the journey of a sustainable transportation system. Our dependence on fossil fuel imports and the hue and cry seen in the streets every time the smooth flow of fuel is obstructed are other reasons. It is essential that we decrease our dependence on oil, on which we spent more than a billion dollars in 2010-11. Even a one per cent saving of the amount would help us carry out essential development activities in needy parts of the country. Moreover, decreasing imports of petroleum products - 20% of total imports - would help decrease our trade deficit with India and other countries.

News about corruption and misuse of subsidy, which is often the case with Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), is another reason why we must opt for sustainable transportation. Similarly, the traffic congestion, particularly in Kathmandu, no more makes it an easy city to travel around; a lot of time is wasted in the traffic jams even when we are commuting only a short distance. 

Moreover, public transportation, which is a part of sustainable transportation, is not efficient. And it’s even more difficult for women to use public transportation given the news of molestation in the congested and unregulated public buses and mini-buses. 

It’s true that transformation to sustainable transportation requires a lot of investment, in terms of both time and money for research and development of technology, and for building the infrastructure required to set up a good public transportation system. Given the poor economic condition of Nepal, transition towards sustainable transportation is even more difficult. 

But, there is a way out, which does not require a lot of investment in infrastructure and technological invention – the bicycle. Cycling is something that is affordable for all Nepalese and it, to some extent, can decrease our overdependence on fossil fuels besides cutting down on environmental pollution. 

Moreover, it is healthier to cycle. With a little bit of planning and promotion, the way forward could well be the two wheeler rather the other smoky engines. However, I must not be misunderstood to be advocating cycling against other kinds of transportation; applicability is always an important factor. 

Cycle lanes

On the part of the government, it has to make cycling a pleasant and easy experience by building cycling lanes, well demarcated from the roads, which will ensure risk-free cycling. However, the ideal would be to build cycle lanes separated from roads meant for fossil engines. Cycle lanes, a little away from the roads and trees along it can inspire even the non-cyclers to take up cycling for moral, societal, environmental, economic incentives attached to it. Experiences have shown that cycling has increased with the provision of good cycling facilities. 

Recently there was news in the media that the under construction Baneswor-Tin Kune road will have 2.5 m wide cycle lanes on both sides. This is indeed great news and, of course, the first and positive step towards the right path. Finally, in the context of Nepal, cycling has to be developed as our first step towards transition to sustainable transportation to ensure greener and more efficient transportation.

Read it in the newspaper's link: http://trn.gorkhapatraonline.com/index.php/op-ed/6053-sustainable-transportation-amol-acharya.html

Distance Matters - Problems in Telemedicine

With Patan hospital as the hub, the government of Nepal has started telemedicine service in 25 Himalayan districts including Acchham, Sindhuli and Khotang. Without doubt, telemedicine will prove to be useful in increasing public’s access to health facilities. Lack of road connectivity and poor infrastructures in general, and lack of good hospitals and trained doctors in particular, will be addressed by telemedicine. However, with the example of Nangi clinic, this article will point out the problems that telemedicine might have to face in Nepal. I assume Nangi clinic in Ramche VDC of Myagdi is more or less representative of other clinics with telemedicine service in the hilly and mountainous districts of Nepal. 

The Nangi Clinic

Nangi private clinic, which is under the management of Himanchal Education Foundation (HEF) is an initiative of Mahabir Pun, a Roman Magasaysay winner for the community leadership he demonstrated in Nangi. Telemedicine service started in Nangi clinic nearly a decade ago, and the clinic provides the facility to this day. The register maintained by the clinic shows that 80 patients have benefited from the facility until January 2013. Nanda Bahadur Phagami of Nangi developed a pain in his knee, which was diagnosed to be a pilo by Dr Saroj Dhital of Kathmandu Model Hospital via telemedicine. It was successfully operated in the clinic by health workers with supervision from the doctor. Phagami is happy to have saved time and money. Similar is the case of Uddima Tirada who was successfully treated for itching. According to Rupa Pun, a health worker in the Nangi clinic, in addition to benefiting the locals, the presence of telemedicine has also increased the confidence of the health workers. They feel backed-up by qualified doctors available to guide them when necessary. 

Telemedicine Center in Nangi Clinic

However, according to Raman Pun, the principal of Himachal Higher Secondary School (HHSS), “the flow of patients in the clinic asking for telemedicine service was particularly high in the initial days, but it has decreased now.” Not a single entry in the register since September 2012 proves Pun’s claim. “It has become a showpiece, the performance has not been satisfactory as expected,” Dev Kumari Garbuj, a primary teacher of HHSS, expressed her disappointment.  The Problems

There can be several reasons for the decreased flow of patients requesting telemedicine service in Nangi clinic. Lack of infrastructure is still the most important setback, while constant power cuts and unreliable internet connection are the other hindrances. According to Lila Pun, a health worker in Nangi clinic, battery back-up has solved the problem of electricity, but the problem of internet connection still exists. There are several cases where patients had to be turned back from the clinic because of error in internet connection. 

The other reason behind the underperformance of telemedicine is the lack of trained professionals to operate the service. There is a dearth of health workers who are familiar with telemedicine hardware and can work with computer and internet connections. The internet connection in Ramche Health Post (a government health post) didn’t work for almost eight months between 2011 to 2012 until Kishan Pun, a computer teacher at a local school, repaired it. 

Similarly, lack of awareness among the people about the working of telemedicine creates lack of faith in the new technology, leading to reluctance in availing of the service. “I don’t know how telemedicine works and how the quality of treatment is maintained by the use of telemedicine, even though I am a teacher” says Rama Pun, a teacher of Shree Deurali Lower Secondary School in Ramche. She pointed out the need for an awareness campaign about the advantages and effectiveness of telemedicine.

Finally, “the lack of medical and communication skills in low-ranking health workers, due to which they are unable to communicate with doctors in the hub, has also been a problem,” stresses Elsa Sallenave, a nurse from France volunteering in the clinic.

Ways Ahead

The problems discussed above are relevant to all the telemedicine centers in Nepal. Problems in internet connection in Pyuthan are already in the news. Similarly, services were obstructed in Khotang, Jajarkot, Sankhuwashabha, etc because of lack of trained personnel who can operate telemedicine. Likewise, the decreasing number of patients who request telemedicine will soon raise the question of patients’ faith in the system. Also, since telemedicine is available only at district hospitals, people living in rural parts of the hilly and mountainous districts will find it difficult to make it to telemedicine centers, which will also hinder the effective implementation of the service.

In order to achieve the desired level of success in telemedicine in mountainous districts, the government should immediately supply technicians to operate the service. Similarly, problems related to electricity and internet should be solved. Moreover, the people should be made aware of the benefits of telemedicine. The most important aspect of the awareness campaign should focus on generating faith in the people regarding the service. Finally, in order to ensure good service, heath works in the districts should be given medical and communication training. 

Published in Republica (25 June, 2013). Available in http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=56745

The Hidden Side of Nepal-India Relations

The political parties of Nepal have a love-hate relationship with India. When in opposition, the parties are against India and its policy towards Nepal, but their stance changes once they are in government or are trying to enter a government. The about-turn the Maoist party took from an anti-Indian stance when they had to garner Nepali people’s support, to their pro-Indian status now when they are in power, illustrates the phenomenon. Every political leader and party of Nepal, either overtly or covertly, wants to have a good relationship with India because of the influence that India has over Nepal. As for India, it has always been criticized, even by Indian intellectual and academicians, for playing the ‘big-brother’ role in Nepali affairs. In short, India’s role in Nepal is criticized as ‘hegemonic’ and Nepal’s condition is often labeled ‘over dependent on India’. 

Putting aside the state-to-state relation between Nepal and India, this article is focused on discussing people-to-people relation of Indian and Nepali citizens at the local level. This relationship can be observed at various places along the 1,700 km boundary between Nepal and India, but for my study, I chose Ward number 6 of Alau VDC, which lies near the dry port in Birgunj. I don’t claim that the selected case is representative of all other relationships between Nepali and Indian people of border areas. Nevertheless, it is an interesting case and is surely not an exception. 

No Man's Land being used as road. Photo by: Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel

The Scenario

Ward number 6 of Alau VDC in Birgunj faces an Indian village named Siwantol in Haraiya. There is no dashgajaa between the two villages. The no man’s land, which stretches between the villages along their length, is used as a road. 

People-to-People 

Nemilal of Siwantol, Haraiya in India, works as goods-loader for Pashupati goods carrier, a Nepali company. Hakim Miya of Alau in Nepal works as a builder in India. Sanjay Kumar Das’ maternal-uncle lives in India, whom Das visits regularly. When disputes arise between people of the two villages, the local community addresses them rather than people rushing to security forces or other government bodies to solve the problem. These examples show that there is a harmonious relationship between the people of Nepal and India in bordering areas. This could be because many of them are related, either by marriage, or by business, or by the compulsion to co-exist.

People from both sides seem to have respect and a soft corner for each other. In particular, Indian people do not exhibit that ‘big-brother’ syndrome towards Nepali people that their state does towards Nepal. Nemilal of Siwantol has sympathy towards the difficult life of Nepali people, in comparison to that in his village just 18 feet away. The provision of ration cards, loans for building house, free education, etc. have made life of the Indian people easier, whereas Nepali people continue to suffer from poverty, lack of services, and most importantly, government neglect.

Most important of all, both Nepali and Indian people seem to be less worried about the feeling of nationalism. The local people seem unaware of discussions over nationalism that perennially exists between Nepal and India. They are so little bothered about nationalism that they don’t even care about the eroding pillars that demarcate Nepal and India. Perplexingly, Armed Police Force (APF), deployed to guard Nepali boundary, does the same. 

Nepali people in the ward are not happy with the crawling rate of development in their area. Yogendra Mali, a former employee of Nepal government, is furious about Nepal government’s nonchalant attitude towards people in border areas. Mali explains that Nepali people envy the progress made by their neighbors on the other side of the road. According to Mali, just a decade ago, life on the Nepali side was easier, but now the situation has changed.

Conclusion

Contrary to the tumultuous state-level relationship between Nepal and India, fueled by opportunistic leadership in Nepal and the ‘hegemonic’ role that India enjoys to play, people-to-people relation between Nepal and India in the border areas is cordial. The mutual respect and acceptance between people in the border regions is because of geographical proximity, socio-cultural affinity and ethnic and linguistic similarities. The Nepali and Indian governments need to take this relationship into consideration while formulating foreign policy. To go a notch higher, the governments can handle the disorderly relationship between the two states with the help of the good relationship between their peoples in border areas. On the part of Nepal, political parties should stop using the Nepal-India relationship as a tool to gain political mileage. It is the political parties of Nepal that are the most responsible for Nepal’s ‘dependence’ on India and India’s ‘hegemony’ in Nepal.

Published in Republia: http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=55060

काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयमा चार वर्ष - समयलाई फर्केर हेर्दा

"हामी काहाँ वातावरण छ, चाहिने मेहनत गरेर राम्रो बन्ने-नबन्ने तिमीमा निर्भर गर्छ"। काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयमा भाषा तथा आमसञ्चारका विभागीय प्रमुख जङ्गव बहादुर चौहानले ब्याचलर इन मिडिया स्टडिजमा प्रवेश परिक्षा उत्तीर्ण गरेपछि लिइने अन्तर्रवार्ताका क्रममा भनेको कुरा दिमागमा ताजै छ। तर त्यसपछि भित्तामा तीनवटा नयाँ पात्रो परिवर्तन भइसकेछन्; चार वर्ष बितेछ। अहिले म थेसिसको काम सकेर आठौं सेमेष्टरको परिक्षाफल पर्खिरहेको छु।

धुलिखेलस्थित काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयको 'केन्द्रीय हातामा' मैले जीवनका चार महत्त्वपूर्ण वर्षहरु 'भोग' गरेँ। केन्द्रीय हाता - यसकारण कि मेरो बसोवास विश्वविद्यालयको पुरुष छात्रावासमै भयो। अनि भोग - यसकारण कि विश्वविद्यालयमा बसुन्जेल मेले पढ्ने मात्र हैन धुलिखेलको हावा-पानि, समाज अनि त्यहाँको साँझ-बिहानसँग परिचय साटेँ। मलाई धुलिखेल प्यारो छ, काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यलाय प्यारो छ र म भन्नसक्छु मैले यस विश्वविद्यालयमा विताएका चार वर्ष मेरो जीवनका स्वर्णिम पलहरु हुन्।

काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयमा बिताएको चार वर्षलाई चार घण्टामा सम्झिने प्रयत्न गर्दैछु म यहाँ। चार वर्ष अघि हिड्न थालेको बाटोको पुछारमा आइपुगेर आफू हिँडेको बाटो सिँहावलोकन गर्दा र प्राप्त उपलब्धिलाई एक शब्दमा सिमित गरेर भन्नुपर्दा आत्मविश्वास शब्द मेरो दिमागमा आउँछ। हुनत चार वर्षको अवधिमा धेरै कुरा सुनियो, देखियो, पढियो अनि जानियो पनि तर यी सबै कुराको योगफल गर्दा मलाई लाग्छ चार वर्षअघिको म र चार वर्षपछिको ममा आत्मविश्वासमा ठूलो अन्तर आएको छ। चार वर्षअघिको संसार र अहिलेको संसारमा कुनै ठूलो बदलाव आएको छैन; संसारमा समस्यहरु बढेकै छन् तर अहिले ममा, आइपरेका समस्याहरु लाई सामना गर्नसक्छु, भन्ने आत्मविश्वास प्रबल भएको छ। शिक्षाले मानिसलाई धेरै विषयको जानकारी देला, मानिसलाई समाज सुहाउँदो बन्न सहयोग गर्ला तर शिक्षाको सबैभन्दा ठूलो देन आत्मविश्वासमा आउने वेनतबृद्धि नै हो। किताप पढेर मैले सिकेको कुरा मात्रै लेख्नु पर्‍यो भने १०-१२ पानामै मेरो कलम रोकिन्छ होला तर यो अवधिमा जुन आत्मविश्वास म मा आएको छ त्यसले मलाई जीवनपर्यन्त सहयोग गर्नेछ।

सन् २००७ मा जुलाई महिनाको अन्तिम साता तिर होला, पहिलो पटक काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालय प्रङ्गणमा टेक्दा मेरो मनले, "आहा! कस्तो सुन्दर वातावरण। यस्तो ठाउँमा बसेर पढ्न पाए मन कहिले थाक्दैन होला" भन्ने सोचेको थियो। चारैतिर पाहाडले घेरीएको, हरियो रङ्गको प्रभुत्त्व जताततै देखिने मनमोहक धुलिखेललाई भूईँ छोएर बगेजस्तो देखिने कुइरो र बादलले झनै मनमोहक बानाए त्यो क्षण साँच्चै आकर्षक थियो। पछिका वर्षहरुमा, आफू पुरानो विद्यार्थी भइसकेपछि, भर्नाका लागि आउने नयाँ विद्यार्थीहरु विश्वविद्यालय र वरपरको मनमोहक वातावरण देखेर लठ्ठीएको देख्दा हामी साथीहरु, "हाम्रो विश्वविद्यालयले साइत हेरेरै भर्नाको लागि समय तोकेको छ यार। यी विद्यार्थीहरु पनि हामीजस्तै वातावरण हेरेरै फस्ने भए; पछि सरहरुले पेलाउन थालेपछि अहिले देखिएको हरियो पनि एकनासे लाग्नेछ यिनीहरुलाई" भनेर ठट्टा गर्थ्यौं। तर, धुलिखेल बस्दै जाँदा थाहा पाएँ - पढाइका लागि वातावरणभन्दा पनि मानसिकता महत्त्वपूर्ण रै'छ - परिक्षा चलिरहेको समयमा जब दिमागमा पढाइ चाप हुन्थ्यो, विश्वविद्यालय प्राङ्गणबाट देखिने मनमोहक हिमश्रृंखला पनि उति चित्ताकर्षक नलाग्ने रहेछ।

काठमाडौंको धूवाँ, धूलो र कोलाहालबाट २८ किलोमिटर पूर्वमा काभ्रेपलाञ्चोक जिल्लाका तीन नगरपालिका- बनेपा, धुलिखेल र पनौतीको करिब-करिब बिचमा पर्छ काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालय। तापक्रमका हिसाबमा काठमाडौंभन्दा चिसो र वातावरणका दृष्टिमा काठमाडौंभन्दा सफा-सुग्घर छ विश्वविद्यालय सेरोफेरो। भौतिक पूर्वाधारमा सुविधा सम्पन्न काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालय भित्र काठमाडौं उपत्यकाभित्रका स्कुल/कलेजहरुमा पाइने सबै प्रकारका सेवा-सुविधाहरु उपलब्ध छन्। पहिलो पटक विश्वविद्यालयको पुस्तकालय छिर्दा "चार वर्षमा यो पुस्तकालयका सबै पुस्तकहरु पढेर सिध्याउने छु" भन्ने किसिमको जोस आएको थियो। साच्चै नै व्यवस्थित छ पुस्तकालय काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयको, मैले देखेको अन्य पुस्तकालयको तुलनामा। यसप्रकार अध्ययनका दृष्टिमा उपयुक्त वातावरण प्रदान गर्दछ काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयले आफ्ना विद्यार्थीहरुलाई।

तर अभिभावकको दैनिक हेरचाहभन्दा पर हुँदा यहाँका अधिकांश विद्यार्थीहरु धूवाँ तान्ने लतमा पनि परेका छन्। धूवाँ तान्ने सम्बन्धमा, म दश जोड दुई पढ्दाका हाम्रो कलेज कोअर्डिनेटर विक्रम सुवेदीले मलाई, "बाबु त चुरोट खाँदैनस् भने खा तर पढ्नचाहिँ पढ है" भनेको कुरा जहिले पनि यादमा आइरहन्छ। खै, के सहि हो के गलत?

विश्वविद्यालयमा मलाई मनपरेको अर्को राम्रो पक्ष भनेको ड्रेस नहुनै हो। तुलानत्मक रुपमा लपरवाहा प्रवृत्ति हुनाका कारण वा १०-१२ वर्षसम्म निरन्तर यूनिफर्ममा हिडेकाले पनि यस्तो भएको हो जस्तो लाग्छ मलाई। अझ हामी छात्रावासका विद्यार्थीहरु त दैनिक विहान ९:१५ मा सुरु हुने कक्षाका लागि ९ बजे उठेर मुख मात्र धुएर पनि कक्षा गएका दिनहरु प्रशस्त छन्। हतारमा कक्षा कुद्दा कहिलेकाहिँ दुईथरीका चप्पल लगाइनाले गाह्रो पारेको रमाइला क्षणहरुले अहिले पनि खित्खा छुटाउँछ। विद्यार्थीको प्रमुख काम पढ्ने हो र जबसम्म उ पढिरहेको हुन्छ तबसम्म उसलाई सामान्य रुपमा लिइनु काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयको राम्रो पक्ष हो जस्तो मलाई लाग्दछ।

कुनै पनि कुराको राम्रो र नराम्रो पक्ष भएझै काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयको नराम्रो पक्ष भनेको विश्वविद्यालयमा देखिएको राजनीति र कहिलेकाहिँ साह्रै अनउत्तरदायीजस्तो देखिने विश्वविद्यालय प्रशासन हो। राजनीतिको कुरा गर्नुपर्दा, काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालय अहिले पनि बन्द छ। विभिन्न माग राखेर, विद्यार्थीको लागि भन्दै, राजनैतिक दलका भ्रातृ संङ्गठनहरुले काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयलाई केहि समय यता पटक-पटक बन्द गरिरहेका छन्। दलगत गतिविधि वर्जित गरिएको भए पनि अनेरास्ववियू, अनेरास्ववियू (क्रान्तिकारी) र नेविसङ्घ जस्ता संगठनहरु विश्वविद्यालयमा सक्रिय छन्। हालको समयलाई आधार मान्ने हो भने काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयको सबैभन्दा खराब पक्ष भनेको विद्यार्थी राजनीतिका नाममा देखिएको अराजकता नै हो। हो, प्रशासनलाई 'चेक एण्ड ब्यालेन्समा' राख्नुपर्छ तर त्यसको विकल्प स्ववियू वा विद्यार्थी राजनीति हुन सक्दैन।

राजनीतिक दुश्प्रभावबाट तुलनात्मक रुपमा अछुतो र पढाईको गुणस्तर उच्च भएको काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयमा राजनीतिले पहुँच पाउनु कदापी राम्रो होइन। देशमा शिक्षित र दक्ष जनशक्ति निर्माणमा योगदान गरिरहेको अग्रणी शिक्षण संस्थामा राजनीतिक घुसपैठले पढाइ नै रोकिनु पर्ने जस्तो अवस्था आउनु निश्चय पनि राम्रो संकेत हैन। यस्ता क्रियाकलाप तत्काल रोकिनुपर्छ।

"पढेको कुरा कहिल्यै खेर जाँदैन" भन्थे ठूलाहरुले। म सधैँ सोच्दथें, "कसरि हुन्छ त्यस्तो? मैले १० वर्ष अघिदेखि नियमित पढेको पत्रिकाहरु, आख्यान र गैर-आख्यानात्मक कृतिहरु; रात-दिन, साँझ-विहान नभनि हेरेको फुटबल, क्रिकेट, टेनिस खेलहरु कहिले काम आउँछ र?"। तर काम लाग्यो। काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालयमा ब्याचलर इन मिडिया स्टडिज पढ्न थालेपछि जे गरेपनि, जे हेरेपनि पढेजस्तै हुन थाल्यो। मिडिया स्टडिज पढ्नुले मलाई स्वछन्दता दियो- मन लागेको कुरा पढ्न र हेर्न र सुन्न। यति भनिरहँदा, मैले अरु विषयलाई कम आँक्न खोजेको पक्कै हैन तर मेरो आफ्नो स्वभाव अनुसार विज्ञानभन्दा मानविकि मलाई सजिलो भएको पक्का पनि हो।

शिक्षाले मानिसको जीवन अप्ठ्यारो हैन सजिलो बनाउनुपर्छ र अध्ययन रमाइलो हुनुपर्छ जस्तो लाग्ने मलाई दश जोड दुईमा पढेको विज्ञान विषयले खासै तान्न सकेन। त्रिचन्द्रमा बिएस्सीमा भर्ना भएर पनि मैले विज्ञानलाई निरन्तरता दिन सकिन। फेरी मजस्तो जीवनभर झोला बोकेर, सरको धम्की र करकापमा परेर पढ्ने बानी लागेकालाई कपी मात्र बोकेर, गए-पनि-हुने-नगए-पनि-हुने पढाई, रमाइलो गर्न दिक्क लाग्न थालेपछि त्यति उपयोगी नहुने रै'छ। त्यसैले झोला बोकेर 'होमवर्क' गर्ने, शिक्षको सानिध्यमा बसेर पढ्ने र नियमित कक्षामा उपस्थित हुने लोभमा म काठमाडौं विश्ववद्यालयमा भर्ना भएको हुँ।

चार वर्षपछि आफूले हिडेको र केहि अर्थमा बनाएको बाटो हेर्दा मलाई लाग्छ मैले सहि विषय र सहि विश्वविद्यालय नै रोजेछु। नेपालका अरु विश्वविद्यालय पनि राम्रै होलान तर चार बर्षको सम्बन्धका कारण मलाई काठमाडौं विश्वविद्यालय नै प्यारो छ।

Ocean in a Jar

The political system has been changing in Nepal quite frequently. Since 1943/54, including Rana Prime Ministerial system, Nepal already has witnessed four different kinds of political system — the Panchayat, the Multi-party System with Constitutional Monarchy and the Federal Democratic Republic. However, except for the federal republican system with which we are still working, none of the systems has lasted. Not a single system has been able to deliver its promises to bring prosperity and well-being in the lives of people. Nothing seems to work out in Nepal. 

Why? One of the main reasons is that Nepal has failed to institutionalise the changes into the system. For instance, already declared a federal country, Nepal still doesn’t have states/provinces; and the failure of the first Constitutional Assembly (CA) has again created doubts in the mind of people about the suitability and viability of federal republic system. However, there are many other, equally important, aspects that we must understand before we start debating for the reasons behind the present situation of Nepal. 

Dr Uddhab Pd Pyakurel and Dr Indra Adhikari through State of Conflict and Democratic Movement in Nepal have attempted to start a discussion regarding the same.

The Front Page

The book, spread over eleven chapters, is actually a collection of different articles most of which have already been published in different journals and books from Nepal and India. Most of them were written after the Jana Aandolan II in 2006. Articles from varying fields of Nepal’s social and political life have been brought together and arranged in such a way it presents a comprehensive picture about how Nepal has reached the present state.

Except for the second and fourth articles that deal about the political transition and democracy of Nepal respectively, all other articles deal about the political and social phenomenon that came into the scene after Janaandola I of 1990. The Maoist movement is the most dominant discussion in almost all the articles. In fact, in one way or the other, the Maoist movement is one of the important ingredients of every article which is not unusual given the pervasiveness of the movement after Janaandolan I till the present time. 

The two articles — seventh and the eighth deal about women in conflict. The former describes the Maoist insurgency from gender perspectives, while the latter about the involvement of women in Telangana People’s Struggle. Both articles point out the under-representation of women in leadership positions as compared to the percentage of women in the battle field. 

The eleventh article is an interesting one. Written as a narrative, the author has presented his perspective about the first CA elections where he worked as an observer. According to the article, the terror tactics used by the Maoists during the elections was the main reason behind the emergence of the party as the largest one. The last article explains suggestions given by Ram Manohar Lohia (RML), a prominent socialist leader of India, not only the way to institutionalise the achievement of a revolution but also to have good relations with India. According to the article, RML had suggested Nepali leaders to tempo the institutionalisation process as soon as the revolution is over, before the defeated force get organised. He also suggests the Nepalis to have good relations with all the political parties of India rather than confining themselves to a party in government and in particular to bureaucracy.

The book tries to link the past of Nepal with its present. In other words, the book tries of answer the present with the help of events in the past. For example, the permanent nature of transition in Nepal has been attributed to power-greedy rulers of the past, who always tried to play the India or China card to remain in power. Similarly, marginalisation of ethnic communities, Dalits, women by the ruling power has been described as the prime reason behind the growth and rise of Maoist movement in Nepal.

However, the inability of the book to accommodate fresh articles dealing with socio-political scenario of Nepal, especially after the dissolution of CA, is its major limitation. Moreover, since most of the articles included are political ones, the information and even the ideas, readers may, at times, find some repetitions.

In conclusion, this book is one of its kinds when it comes to summarising the ocean in a jar. The book is successful in summing up almost everything that happened in Nepal, especially after the advent of democracy in 1950s.

The article can be reached through this link: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Ocean+in+a+Jar&NewsID=390790

A Historic Day But Just A Beginning

That Nepal has qualified for the T20 World Cup (TWC) to be held in Bangladesh in 2014 is inarguably the biggest day in the history of Nepali sports. A dream – a mere fantasy just three years ago – is now a reality. November 27, 2013, the day Nepal beat Hong Kong in its pursuit of a TWC place, is set to go down as the golden day in the history of the country, and rightly so because cricket has been one of the very few occasions, of late, that we Nepalis can cheer about.

However, as the international commentator of the match said, Nepal’s entry into the TWC has not been meteoric or seismic for the Nepali supporters. It has been a long wait - 17 years have passed since Nepal started playing in international cricket tournaments. They have discussed, supported and dreamt of seeing Nepal in the World Cup, where it will play against the big giants of the game.

International exposure

All the Nepali players, in particular Captain Paras Khadka, have been instrumental in the feat Nepal has achieved. And credit must also go to the head coach, Pubudu Dissanayake, for doing all he could to bring the tremendous improvement seen in the batting. The opportunities for international exposure that he provided to the Nepali players helped improve their skills and instill self-confidence in the players, which surely are the other reasons behind Nepal’s success. A big thank you is also due to former national coach Roy Luke Dias, who currently coaches the Malaysian cricket team, who helped Nepal find its feet in the international cricket tournaments.

And let us not forget the fans who had a big role to play in securing Nepal’s berth in the TWC. Though somewhat unpleasant, it’s a fact that the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 match between Nepal and the USA was won partly by the riot caused by the fans, which helped Nepal sneak past Singapore by a run rate of 0.0035.

Fans have supported the Nepali cricket team passionately, and it certainly is a great advantage. This time around as well, even on working days, Nepali fans working in the UAE turned out in their thousands to support their home country, especially during the match against Hong Kong. Back in Nepal also, people spent hours refreshing the website to view the updated scores for the games that were not broadcast. The fan following for the game is really spectacular and shows a lot of promise for it to grow in the country. 

Nepal’s TWC success surely is the result of all round effort and coordination among the players, coach and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). However, despite all the credit showered on CAN, the cricket body has shown lapses in its functioning and deserves to be criticised. For instance, CAN was slapped a fine of US$ 84,000 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to submit its financial reports on time.

Also, there was news that the cricket body was unable to make available grounds and pitches for practice even as the Nepal team was heading for the World T20 Cup Qualifiers in the UAE. Failure to submit reports on time and the grounds just shows sheer negligence on the part of CAN, and the disappointment of skipper Paras Khadka and other members of the team over the issue would have jeopardised their performance. Good that it didn’t, and we hope that no such mistakes will be repeated.

An important aspect seen in the promotion of Nepali cricket is the involvement of the corporate sector in the game. Recently, eight private firms pledged to provide jobs and monthly allowances to the national team players which, according to the Nepali skipper, have ‘increased the confidence level of the Nepali cricketers.’

The involvement of the corporate sector should bring in the much-needed money for the game. This has a chain effect in encouraging youngsters to get involved in the sport and eventually helping the game to grow in the country.

As for the government, it must realise that the World Cup berth is just a start of the journey, and expectations from the supporters will keep on rocketing. Thus, it must allocate adequate budget needed for infrastructural development and economic incentives to attract a new breed of youngsters to the sport.

The government must understand that a World Cup berth is the farthest point a group of motivated individuals with a passionate mentor can take the game to. Further progress needs some structural planning and management. Meanwhile, it must also keep politics out of the game.

Message of unity

Finally, after what has been said above, let’s give a sociological and political perspective to the game. As highlighted by Rabindra Mishra, chief of BBC Nepali Sewa, if we look at the team members of the Nepali cricket team, it almost reflects the population composition of Nepal. It may be a coincidence, but Nepal has achieved its greatest height when it has fought together as a herd. This should serve as a message to the political parties to unite the people coming from different backgrounds for the common dream of developing the nation. Moreover, should cricket flourish in Nepal, as in India or elsewhere, it can be a thread to unite the country that is so diverse from every perspective.

(Acharya is currently specializing in Sustainable Development in Uppsala University, Sweden, as an Erasmus Mundus fellow.)

Published in The Rising Nepal in the following link: http://www.trn.gorkhapatraonline.com/index.php/op-ed/5790-a-historic-day-but-just-a-beginning-amol-acharya.html

Decoding the Vote

Yet again, Nepali people witnessed the Constitution Assembly (CA) election. CA, still a new word during the turn of millennium, has now been a regular topic in households and it can well be the most used ‘term’ in the media and public discourse in the recent times. I am amazed when I try to look back to analyze the pace with which it was incorporated in our daily life. There could be many reasons, both – positive and negative, but we still have to wait for few more years to be clear about the ‘pace’ that I have discussed above. For now, the idea of the article is to discuss the recently concluded election and some of the news that surrounded it. 

Unprecedented proportion – more than 70%, says the Election Commission (EC) – of the total voters turning-up for the election, amid the fear factor spurred by CPN (Maoist) led by Mohan Baidhya and most importantly, in between the hopeless scenario and the foul-play of power seen during the tenure of first Constitutional Assembly (CA), shows the hope, enthusiasm and positivity of Nepali people in democracy and most importantly in their voting rights.

The record number of people turning out for vote, amid dangers to even their life, is a sign of responsible citizenship at crucial time of history, but it also is a demand from the Nepali people to their leaders to finalize a new constitution that the country have waited for so long. This indeed is a positive sign for the country which believes in democratic process. Now, it the turn of the political parties to payback the people for the faith they have shown in them. Hopefully, this time around, the political parties will not take ‘the faith’ for granted and will work towards the aspirations of people.

The increased percentage of the voters in this CA election compared to the previous one (60%) is also a hint that people have realized the importance of CA even more and thus want their voice heard through the use of ballot. Dolpa being the district with the highest (83%) proportion of vote casted followed by Dolakha and Rautahat which saw the 80% of votes cast shows how dearly people faraway from the capital await a new constitution. In this sense, the election results would really be an important milestone to interpret the mindset and realization of the Nepali people. And, it can be expected of the ‘peoples’ parties’, to respect the mandate.

There is a clear message to the 33 parties’ alliance which boycotted the election and used terror tactics at the public level to foil the election. But, people no longer seem to be intimidated by the threat to their life. So, it time for the alliance to rethink on their strategies and reach people with their ideas in a creative way and prepare for next election to come.

For the Election Commission, the election is not over yet. Yes it is true that ‘peaceful’ casting of vote is an important aspect of election, but it’s just half of the work done. Thus, it should be vigilant in ensuring rest of the procedure, till the announcement of the results, is done in a fair way. But, we should not have to delay any further to thank the present government for being successful in holding election – doubted even until the last week – by jellying together the parties, security forces, government officials, international organization and their representatives, etc.

Finally, even on the part of people, it not job-done either. Voting is just a start where they select the person, they think, are capable enough to represent them in the process of constitution making. But, the post-election period, all the way for 5-years, they should continuously evaluate the performance of their representative and pressurize them to work in line to their mandate. And, since we are expecting a new constitution in a one year time, we should be extra cautious and should not entertain any reasons, from the political parties, to delay the constitution. The constitution is the need of the time and must be delivered in time amid any situation; the political parties to be elected for CA had and also will have enough time to think ‘how?’

Acharya is a last semester student of Masters in Development at Kathmandu University, and is currently in Uppsala University, Sweden, as an Erasmus Mundus fellow specializing in Sustainable Development.

Also available on the link: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=64868 

पुस्तक समिक्षाः सञ्चार मीमांसा

पुस्तक :  सञ्चार मीमांसा

लेखक :  निर्मलमणि अधिकारी

प्रकाशक :  मिडिया एजुकेटर्स् एसोसिएसन अफ् नेपाल

पृष्ठः ३३, मूल्यः रु ३० (नेपालमा)।,  रु २० (भारतमा), प्रकाशन मितिः २०६८

संस्कृत एवं यसबाट निःसृत भाषाहरूमा 'मीमांसा' शब्दलाई मुख्यतया दुई अर्थमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ। पहिलो बृहद् अर्थमा यसले नेपाली शब्दकोशमा उल्लेख गरिएझैँ नै “अनुमान र तर्क-वितर्कबाट कुनै विषयको तथ्य पत्ता लगाउने काम; विवेचना (भट्टराई, पं. हषनाथ, २०६३, पृ.७४४)” बुझाउँछ। दोस्रो विशेष अर्थमा 'मीमांसा' ले वैदिक षड्दर्शनमध्येको एक दर्शनलाई जनाउँछ। निर्मलमणि अधिकारीकृत सञ्चार मीमांसा मा तीमध्ये अघिल्लो अर्थात् बृहद् अर्थमा 'मीमांसा'को प्रयोग गरिएको छ र वैदिक-हिन्दु दृष्टिकोणबाट  सञ्चारसम्बन्धी चिन्तन एवं सैद्धान्तिकरण यसको अन्तर्वस्तु रहेको छ। सञ्चार सिद्धान्त एवं ढाँचाबारे आफ्नो चिन्तनलाई अधिकारीले काव्य (पद्य) स्वरूपमा प्रस्तुत गरेका छन्। 

सञ्चारलाई मानव समाज र सभ्यताको आधार मानिएकाले सञ्चारबारेको चिन्तन र सैद्धान्तिकरण विभिन्न स्वरुपमा प्राचीन कालदेखि नै हुँदै आए पनि आधुनिक युगमा ज्ञानको विधाका रूपमा सञ्चारको औपचारिक अध्ययन ईशवीय बीसौँ शताब्दीमा संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिकामा सुरु भयो। आमसञ्चारमाध्यमको उद्भव एवं विकास पनि पश्चिमा मुलुकहरूमा नै भएको हो। अमेरिकी सन्दर्भमा सामान्यतः सञ्चार र विशेषत : आमसञ्चारसम्बन्धी सिद्धान्तहरूले एरिस्टोटलका वाक्कलात्मक सिद्धान्तलाई नै अगाडि बढाए। जब सञ्चारको अध्ययन अमेरिका बाहिर (विशेष गरेर एसिया र अफ्रिका महादेश) पनि गर्न थालियो तब ती देशमा पनि अमेरिकाकै जस्तो पाठ्यक्रम बनाउने प्रवृत्तिले नै प्रश्रय पायो। सञ्चारको व्याख्या, सञ्चारको सिद्धान्त र सञ्चारको ढाचामा सबैमा 'अमेरिकी अन्धानुकरण' देखियो। तर सञ्चार संस्कृतिसापेक्ष हुन्छ भन्ने मान्यताको पनि सन् १९६० को दशकबाटै उत्थान हुन थालेको थियो। फलस्वरूप सन् १९८० को दशकसम्म आईपुग्दा सञ्चारको अन्तरसांस्कृतिक एवं बहुसांस्कृतिक अध्ययनले पनि यस विधाको मूलधारमा मान्यता पायो। पछिल्लो समयमा एसियालीलगायतका गैरपश्चिमा सन्दर्भमा सञ्चार चिन्तन एवं सैद्धान्तिकरणको गति बढ्दो छ। एसियालीभित्र पनि चिनिया, जापानी, भारतीय आदि भनी संस्कृति–विशेषमा केन्द्रित भई अनुसन्धान अगाडि बढेको पाइन्छ। नेपालका सन्दर्भमा सन् २००३ मा सञ्चारको साधारणीकरण ढाँचा प्रतिपादन गरी सञ्चारको मौलिक संस्कृतिसापेक्ष अध्ययनको  प्रारम्भ गरेका निर्मलमणि अधिकारीले साधारणीकरण ढाँचासम्बन्धी अनुसन्धानलाई निरन्तरता दिँदै त्यसयताका वर्षहरूमा भएका सैद्धान्तिक विकासलाईसमेतसञ्चार मीमांसामा तयार पारेका छन्। 

साधारणीकरण सिद्धन्तले विशेष व्यक्तिको अनुभूति सर्वजनको अनुभूति कसरी बन्न जान्छ भन्ने प्रश्नको व्याख्या गर्छ । सन्देशको आदान-प्रदानमा संलग्न प्रेषक र प्रापकबीच तेरो मेरो भन्ने भावना हटी भावात्मक साझेदारी वा एकत्व हुने प्रक्रिया नै साधारणीकरण हो।  

सञ्चार मीमांसा मा पाँच अधिकरणहरू रहेका छन्। प्रथम अधिकरण मंगलाचरणसहित सुरु हुन्छ र तत्पश्चात् यसमा मानवमात्र नभएर हरेक जीवले सुख, शान्ति र आनन्द खोजेको र त्यसका लागि शास्त्र, शस्त्र, हिंसा, अहिंसा, ज्ञान आदि जस्ता विभिन्न मार्ग रोजेको बताएको छ। प्रथम अधिकरणमा अधिकारीको जोड सञ्चारलाई लौकिक र अलौकिक  सबै प्रकारका समस्याहरूको समाधानार्थ पेश गर्नु रहेको बुझिन्छ। उनका अनुसार संवाद सफल बनाइ दुई मानव/समाज लाई कसरी एक बनाउने भन्ने ज्ञान सञ्चार विधामा छ। 

द्वितीय अधिकरणमा कुनै पनि विधामा सिद्धान्तको आवश्यकता हुने भन्दै सञ्चार सिद्धान्त र ढाँचाको आवश्यकता र महत्वमाथि प्रकाश पार्न खोजिएको छ। यसमा उनले सञ्चार सिद्धान्त र ढाँचाको विषयवस्तु एवं प्रयोजनबारे उल्लेख गर्दै विभिन्न मतानुसार सञ्चारसिद्धान्त पनि फरक पर्ने हुँदा देश, काल र संस्कृतिका आधारमा हाल सञ्चार सिद्धान्त र ढाँचा बनिरहेको प्रष्ट्याएका छन्। भारतवर्षीय सञ्चार बुझ्नलाई सञ्चारबारेका मौलिक ज्ञान नहेरी नहुने र सञ्चार विधालाई समृद्ध बनाउन पनि वैदिक-हिन्दु-ज्ञानको दर्शन-सागर अनुसारका सञ्चार सिद्धान्त आवश्यक रहेको तर्क उनले अगाडि सारेका छन्। कम्युनिकेसन् नाममा सञ्चारको अध्ययन औपचारिक रूपमा पश्चिमा देशमा सरु भएको र उक्त विधाको एसिया र अफ्रिका महादेशमा पनि अध्ययन थालिँदा पश्चिमकै पाठ्यक्रमलाई अन्धानुकरण भएको उल्लेख गर्दै अधिकारीले नेपालमा पनि आधुनिक बन्ने लहडमा मौलिकतालाई बेवास्ता गरिएको गुनासो गरेका छन्। 

तृतीय अधिकरणमा अधिकारीले साधारणीकरण सिद्धान्त र साधारणीकरण ढाँचाबीचको फरक प्रष्ट्याएका छन्। साधारणीकरण सिद्धान्त काव्यको सम्प्रेषणका सन्दर्भमा प्रतिपादित भएको र भरतमुनिकृत नाट्यशास्त्रका रस-सूत्रको व्याख्याका क्रममा काव्यशास्त्राचार्य भट्टनायकले साधारणीकरण उल्लेख गरेको बताइएको छ। त्यसमा भर्तृहरिकृत वाक्यपदीयबाटसमेत ज्ञान लिई साधारणीकरण ढाँचा निर्माण गरिएको उल्लेखित छ। जे.एस. यादव र आई.पी. तिवारीलाई हिन्दू काव्य-शास्त्रमा सम्मानित साधारणीकरण सिद्धान्तलाई सञ्चार विधामा ल्याएको जस पनि दिइएको छ। तृतीय अधिकरणमै अधिकारीले साधारणीकरण ढाँचाको तत्वहरू भनेर सहृदय, भाव, अभिव्यञ्जना, सन्देश, सारणी, रसास्वादन, दोष, सन्दर्भ र प्रतिक्रियालाई उल्लेख गरेका छन्।  

चतुर्थ अधिकरणमा 'सहृदयता' नै साधारणीकरण सिद्धान्त र ढाँचाको सारतत्व वा केन्द्रीय अवधारणा भएको बताइएको छ। सहृदयताको कारण नै हिन्दू समाजमा भएको भेद-विभेदबीच पनि सञ्चार सम्भव हुने अधिकारीको तर्क रहेको छ । पश्चिमा  र साधारणीकरण ढाँचाका भिन्नता बताउँदै पश्चिमा ढाँचामा प्रेषक प्रधान भएको तर साधारणीकरण ढाँचामा भने प्रेषक र प्रापक सहृदय हुने बताइएको छ। सिद्धान्ततः सहृदय भन्नाले भावानात्मक अन्तर नभएका प्रेषक र प्रापक हुन् तर सञ्चारको सवालमा भने एकअर्कालाई सुन्न तयार र आफूलाई प्रेषक वा प्रापक भनेर छुट्याउनसक्ने जो-काही पनि सहृदय हन्। सञ्चार दिक् र कालमा गरिने र दिक् र काल वैदिक विवेचनामा चक्रीय मानिने हुँदा साधारणीकरण ढाँचा चक्रीय भएको पनि यसै अधिकरणमा प्रष्ट पारिएको छ। साथसाथै साधारणीकरण ढाँचा वैदिक हिन्दूमतबाट आएकाले पनि आधिभौतिकका साथै आधिदैविक र आध्यात्मिक सञ्चारलाई पनि समेट्ने बताउँदै सञ्चारबाट नै सबै पुरुषार्थ चतुष्टय (अर्थ, काम, धर्म र मोक्ष) प्राप्त गर्न सकिने विश्लेषण पनि गरिएको छ । 

पञ्चम अधिकरणमा वैश्विक समुदायमा हिंसा र घृणा व्याप्त रहेको अहिलेको बेलामा सञ्चारबाट सहृदयता प्राप्त गरी द्वन्द्वको निराकरण गर्न सकिने बताइएको छ। अर्कोतर्फ सञ्चारबाट मोक्ष पनि प्राप्त गर्न सकिने भएको र मोक्ष प्राप्त हुने पथलाई योग भनिने हुँदा भक्तियोग, ज्ञानयोग र कर्मयोगमा अब सञ्चारयोग पनि थपिएको अधिकारीले उल्लेख गरेका छन्। साथसाथै हिन्दूधर्मानुसार मोक्ष प्राप्ति गराउने ज्ञानलाई विद्या र अरु सबैलाई अविद्या मानिने हुँदा सञ्चार पनि अब विद्या भएको पुष्टि हुने पनि बताइएको छ। अन्त्यमा, “सबैको सुख आनन्द शान्ति समान मनाउन” आफूले साधारणीकरण ढाँचामार्फत सहृदयता-दर्शन अघि सारेको भन्दै अधिकारीले सञ्चार मीमांसा काव्यको बिट मारेका छन्।

मूलपाठमा समेटिएका पाँच अधिकरणका साथै यस पुस्तकमा लेखकको प्राक्कथन र तीनवटा परिशिष्ट पनि समावेश गरिएका छन्। नेपाली भाषामा लेखिएको पहिलो परिशिष्टले साधारणीकरण ढाँचाका लागि पृष्ठभूमि तयार पार्छ भने अङ्ग्रेजी भाषी दोस्रो परिशिष्टले साधारणीकरण ढाँचाका सम्बन्धमा अहिलेसम्म भएका सैद्धान्तिक कामलाई एकमुष्ठमा चर्चा गर्छ। अन्तिम परिशिष्टमा साधारणीकरण ढाँचाबारेका केही छानिएका सन्दर्भसामग्रीको विवरण राखिएको छ। यी परिशिष्टहरु राख्ने काम जिज्ञासु पाठक र शोधकर्ताका लागि भएको बुझन्छ तर परिशिष्टमा भएका कामहरु नयाँ भने होइनन्। 

पृष्ठका आधारमा संचार मीमांसा पुस्तक निकै सानो छ। सञ्चार सिद्धान्त एवं ढाँचाजस्तो गहन विषयवस्तुलाई अत्यन्त संक्षेपमा प्रस्तुत गर्न सक्नु कवि एवं सिद्धान्तकारका रूपमा अधिकारीको सफलता हो। यसले, शोधलेख वा अनुसन्धानमुलक पत्रहरू पढ्ने बानी वा जाँगर नभएका नेपाली भाषाका पाठकहरूलाई सहज रूपमा सरल ढङ्गले सञ्चार के हो?, सञ्चारको प्रमुख उद्देश्य के हुनुपर्दछ?, सञ्चार कतिखेर सफल हुन्छ?, सञ्चार सिद्धान्त भनेको के हो र किन आवश्यक छ?, संस्कृति अनुसार सञ्चार कसरी फरक पर्दछ? आदि जस्ता सवालबारे जानकारी गराउन सक्छ। 

पश्चिमा चिन्तकहरूले प्रायः गद्यलाई आफ्नो अभिव्यक्तिको माध्यम बनाएको पाइन्छ भने भारतवर्षमा वेद, उपनिषद्, गीताजस्ता ग्रन्थहरू पद्यमै लेखिएका छन्। हिन्दू, बौद्ध, जैन आदि परम्परामा दर्शन, सिद्धान्त, नीतिलाई पद्यमार्फत् नै प्रायः लेखिएको पाइन्छ। काव्यशास्त्र, सौन्दर्यशास्त्र आदिका सिद्धान्तकाररूरुले पनि सोही परम्परालाई पछ्याएका छन्। तर सञ्चार सिद्धान्तका हकमा भने आजसम्म कुनै पनि कृति पद्यमा लेखिएको जानकारी छैन। यस पृष्ठभूमिलाई पनि ख्याल राख्दा सञ्चार सिद्धान्तलाई पद्यात्मक तरिकाले प्रस्तुत गरेर अधिकारीले सञ्चार विधामा नवीनता थपेकै हो। तर, पढ्न र बुझ्न सरल होस भनेर वेद, उपनिषद, गीताजस्ता पुस्तकहरू पनि गद्यमा व्याख्या भइरहेको अहिलेको समयमा संचार सिद्धान्त एवं ढाँचाजस्तो गहन विषयलाई पद्यमा लेख्नुको तात्पर्य, पुस्तकमा, खुलाइएको छैन। 

“संञ्चार मीमांसाको प्रकाशन नेपाली भाषामै साधारणीकरण ढाँचासम्बन्धी थप अध्ययन गर्न चाहनेलाई हो” भनेर लेखकले किटेपनि यो पुस्तक पद्य कविता पढ्ने र बुझ्ने रुचि भएका सञ्चार/सञ्चारसिद्धान्त पाठकहरूका लागि मात्र सीमित हुनेछ। साथै, अधिकारीका अन्य पुस्तकहरूमा जस्तै सञ्चार मीमांसामा पनि अरू सञ्चारविद् वा प्राध्यापकहरूले साधारणीकरण ढाँचा वा सिद्धान्तमा गरेको टिप्पणी परिशिष्टमै भएपनि समावेश गरिएको भए राम्रो हुन्थ्यो। 

संचार ढाँचा बनाउनु एउटा कुरा हो तर त्यो प्रख्यात हुनु वा प्रख्यात बनाइनु अर्को कुरा भएकाले संचार ढाँचाको रूपमा साधारणीकरण ढाँचालाई कन्सेप्ट र कन्सट्रक्टभन्दा माथि उठाएर आम-मानिसको दैनिकीमा पनि जाँचिनु आवश्यक छ। नत्र भने नवीन नै भए पनि अरू विभिन्न ढाँचाहरू जस्तै साधारणीकरण ढाँचा पनि कोरा सिद्धान्त मै सिमित हुनसक्छ। यद्यपि हिन्दू संस्कृति सापेक्ष मौलिक ढाँचाको पृष्ठभूमि, आवश्यकता, तत्वहरू र प्रयोगका बारेमा लेखिएको पुस्तक सञ्चार मीमांसा एउटा प्रयोग भने अवश्यै हो। 

सन्दर्भसामग्री

भट्टराई, पं. हषनाथ। २०६३। राष्ट्रिय नेपाली शब्दकोष। काठमाडौं :  एडुकेशन पब्लिशिंग हाउस

अमोल आचार्य

विद्यार्थी, भाषा तथा आमसञ्चार विभाग, काठमाडौँ विश्वविद्यालय