HELLO NEPAL

The Himalayan Times 28 June 2013 Scary situation Looking closely at the increasing number of drug users in the country as publicized by the Home Ministry on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking “Statistics paint scary picture of drug use” (THT, 27, June 2013, Page 2), one can only say that such a large scale of drug abuse is really nerve-racking. According to the data, the percentage of drug use among the young people varies from one group of users to anther. The unemployed people tops the list standing at almost 50 percent, employed people at 29 percent and students especially of 6-10 grade, SLC appeared and Plus Two students at 21 percent. There has been tremendous increase in the number of drug users (current number 91543) against the official data in 2008 (46309).   The actual number could be much higher if in-depth survey had been done. I am not so sure whether there has been any thorough study done by any INGO/N

The Himalayan Times 21 June 2013 Revival of monarchy It was not surprising to read the news report “RPP-N chief foretells monarchy’s revival (THT, 19 June, Page 5) considering the insensible and immoral political acts of so called senior leaders of major political parties. Looking closely at their political activities during the last 6 years, the republicans seemed completely disoriented in institutionalizing second jana andolan achievements. They have completely failed on all costs-from nation building to constitution writing to the preservation of national integrity and social harmony to maintenance of law and order to good governance to economic developments. They continued to make mistakes and ignore the plight of the common people. They found to be engaged in power politics and blame game undermining the universally accepted democratic norms and values. They spent the first four years after the Second Jana Andolan most unproductively. They proved themselves ineffect

It was not surprising to read the news report “Over 58 per cent fail to clear SLC” (THT, 12 June, Page 1) considering the ongoing teaching-learning practices in Nepal especially in the public schools. There are several factors that have been contributing to such a low performance in the outcome of the SLC results. Some of them are (1) highly politicized environment (2) lack of proper monitoring and supervision by the higher authorities (3) poor management in the distribution of text books out in the rural areas (4) teachers absenteeism (5) teachers irresponsible acts (6) traditionally designed curriculum (7) insufficient and poor infrastructures and so on. If we looked back at the success rate in the last decade, the pass percentages found to be gradually declining from one year to another year showing that there were some serious deficiencies in the educational system of Nepal . None of the concerned authorities showed any serious concern on these burning issues.   They w

The Himalayan Times 5 June 2013   It was true that the majority people of Nepal wanted to see the end of undemocratic rule of the king when the II Jana Andolan was in its peak back in 2062/63. It was known fact that once the then king took over the rule in his hand in February 2005, the agitating political parties united together against this move, joined hands with the Maoists and started the final agitation that remained to be successful in bringing thousands of people out in the streets. The king had no alternative but to abdicate as reported in “How ex-king helped in demise of monarchy” (THT, 29 May Page 1). As a result, Nepal was declared a republic. Much water has flowed down the Bagmati Bridge so far. The political situation in Nepal has become more fragile and uncertain. The major political parties those had cohesively worked together to declare Nepal a republic state have completely failed to institutionalize the second Jana Andolan achievement. Self-c