The Journey of Joy: Pokhara with NDI

To Begin With

Passage of time makes memories dim. If I don't write it now, I can't write as brightly as I remember now.

Dozens of days are already passed since I returned from Pokhara. It is already late to write about it. I have to write it because of two main reasons. Firstly I have unexpressed voluntary promise that I will record important experiences of my life. Secondly, I have expressed my wish to write about this journey with some of my friends.

Intro

Three months back, an informal club of participants of debate trainings named Nepal Debate Initiative (NDI) was formed by Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD). ASD is the organization which had provided debate training for us. On 15 and 16 November (28 and 29 Kartik), NDI had organized an alumni meeting among available participants of debate workshops and trainings, organized in different points of time. We were in Pokhara from 14 to 17 November for that reason.

Many of the elements have made this journey joyful and memorable. You can't get it enough unless you will follow every details of the journey!

Party politics in media in Nepal

1.       Introduction

Multiparty politics and independence of press both are inseparable parts of today's democracy. They both together contribute to strengthen democratic values and practices. However, the relationship between political parties and media / press sector is quite complex and interesting.

Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia defines, "A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions." [1]

The Legal Dictionary of "The Free Dictionary Dot Com" defines 'freedom of the press' as, "The right, …to gather, publish, and distribute information and ideas without government restriction; this right encompasses freedom from prior restraints on publication and freedom from Censorship."[2] Thus, press freedom also includes the environment also free from any political interference. In this respect, involvement of party politics in media is regarded as an intrusion to press freedom. In principles, political biasness of any media or any journalist is never acceptable. 

However, as in various sectors of social lives, practices are deviated from the principles. Frequently political parties are seen to be involving in controlling media and manipulating the messages. In Nepal too, party politics in media is an apparent phenomena. That can be seen in different forms.

2.       Forms of political involvement in media in Nepal

I)                    Journalists' organizations with political face

In Nepal, there are many organizations of journalists, which are well known for their political identity. For example, Nepal Press Union is backed by Nepali Congress, Press Chautari Nepal by CPN - UML and Revolutionary Journalists Association (Krantikari Patrakar Sangh) by UCPN Maoists. These organizations don't claim themselves to be sister organizations of respective political parties, neither do the parties call them formal sister organizations. However, we can easily know them from their programs and activities. Some of the most common programs by these groups are to organize press meetings when a leader from respective party visits districts, and provide the platform for the leader to interact with journalists in the district.  Besides, they become more active to serve its "mother party", when the party has some grand programs like general conventions to foster media coverage of such programs.

II)                  Media run by political parties

Besides their authentic mouthpieces, political parties in Nepal are believed to be running other media as well to disseminate their ideas. It is most commonly seen in weekly tabloids. No matter they claim themselves to be objective, they have specific group of readers with specific political ideology and thus, their political ideology is a kind of an "open secret". For example,   'Chhalphal', 'Dristi' and 'Budhabar' are near CPN UML, though the party has its authentic mouthpiece, 'Navayug'. Similarly, 'Tarun', 'Sanghu' etc are near Nepali Congress. Moreover, different fractions of a single party have different outlets and they compete for larger readership. Not only big parties, small parties also have newspapers to spread their agendas.

III)                Political panel during FNJ elections

Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) is the "umbrella organization" of Nepalese journalists, and it works for rights of journalists and media without political discrimination. However, its members are elected from political panels.  During general convention of the body, the above discussed journalists' associations with political face form their separate panel and run for election. Nevertheless, FNJ doesn't acknowledge political affiliation of its candidates formally.  In the last FNJ convention (May 2011), Press Chautari and Krantikari Patrakar Sangh had a common "progressive" panel, whereas Nepal Press Union had its own "democratic" panel. Besides, there were some "independent" candidates, however in comparison to politically allied panels, they seemed far weaker.   

IV)               Political appointment

In Press Council, the governing body of media freedom and responsibilities too, executive members of the board including the chairperson are appointed politically. Article 4 (1) of Press Council Act, 1992 says, "The Council shall be an autonomous and corporate body having perpetual succession." However, the sixth article of the same act provisions for political appointment, that government is free to appoint people form the sector of law or journalism as it wishes. It has been tradition that the government has been appointing the chairperson and members, only those who support the governing party.

Besides, the Government of Nepal own and runs many media houses, namely Gorkhapatra Samsthan, Radio Nepal and Nepal Television, and a news agency Rastriya samachar Samiti (RSS). In these houses too, office bearer executives and other members are directly appointed by Minister of Information and Communications. 

3.       Political affiliation of journalists:  Accusations and defences

I)                    Accusations

Because objectivity and balance are two of the basic components of media ethics, there are many critics who can't tolerate party politics in media, including political affiliation of journalists.  They opine that it brings biasness in their profession, and they might favour one side whereas criticizing another even in news.

Nirmala Mani Adhikary, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Kathmandu University, who has written dozens of books in media, says, "Whenever journalists do politics, or politicians do journalism, it hampers both sectors." For him, political biasness results in decrease of accuracy, balance, creativity and objectivity, which are in deed prime responsibilities of a journalist. [3]

IN the same way, P Kharel, Chairperson of Nepal Press Institute and the first professor of Journalism in Nepal, opines that Nepali journalism is yet to be professional. In addition to many reasons, "... there has been 'Party Journalism' in Nepal. It is more on weekly tabloids, in comparison to broadsheet dailies", he says.[4]

II)                  Defences

No one ever openly acknowledges that political involvement of journalists is positive.  Even those who are involved in politically-backed journalists' associations too don't accept the accusations that they are promoting party politics in media. However, they defend themselves as saying that every one has political ideology, and it is fundamental human rights as well. So, journalists too are free to choose and express whatever political stream they like.

However, Nirmala Mani says that there lies a great difference between having a political belief and practicing politics itself. Thus, though journalists are allowed to keep their beliefs, as they too are human beings; they can't practice politics at the same time being a journalist.

4.       Conclusion

As of everything, involvement of party politics in journalism (or journalism's involvement in part politics) has both positive and negative sides. However, in consideration of well-established global journalistic norms and values, political affiliation of journalists and media can't be considered acceptable, since it endanger objectivity, neutrality and objectivity of journalists. Of course, they are free to keep and follow whatever belief they like. But they should always be careful and cautious so that there beliefs doesn't have any negative influence in their professionalism. 

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[1] Political Party, Wikipedia, , accessed on 16 October, 2011

[2] Freedom of the Press, Legal Dictionary, The Free Dictionary, , accessed on 16 October, 2011

[3] Nirmala Mani Adhikary in a lecture on media ethics, Sagarmatha College for Higher Studies, 28 April 2011 (2068/01/15 BS)

[4] Adhikari, Antariksha. 'Nepal ma Party Patrakarita Bhairakheko Chha', interview with P Kharel, Page 3, Swatantra Patrakarita weekly, Volume I, no. 1. 17 September, 2009 (2066/01/01 BS)

Beautiful Flower amid the Thorns: JHAMAK KUMARI

"Now I proved myself that life is a beautiful flower of creation. But, don't know if my life is so or not!" begins 'JEEVAN: KAANDA KI PHOOL' [LIFE: WHETHER A THORN OR A FLOWER], a widely acclaimed book in Nepali literature these days. It is anthology of autobiographical essays by Jhamak K Ghimire, who is born with 'cerebral palsy' in 1980 in Dhankuta, Nepal.

All the essays reflect her struggle with physical disability in order to live with optimism and express her thoughts ands emotions through written words.

To general readers, the anthology appeals their senses with vivid descriptions of her attempts to outweigh situation of not being able to speak, walk and move hands. In a surprising contrast to her physical conditions, her mind and heart are so active that have always been producing powerful thoughts and emotions.  Adding up to her inborn disabilities, the family and the society further offered physical and psychological tortures. She was always trying to 'do something' defying boundaries set by her physique and consequent socio-cultural commands. So, her activities would always agitate her family members and society, which in turn led her to encounter more immediate hardships.

In the initial phase of her life, she was experiencing a "thorny" life, when people in her contact - including her parents - wished her to meet death, in order to escape potential hardships of life. However, she faced all these attacks so bravely that society later turned to appraise her and her works. She began to learn read and write letters with direct and indirect support from her sister, though her parents were against it.  She used to scribble the letters on earth or stone with bamboo-bricks, coal or mere bare toes; resulting physical pain and bleeding at one side, and shouts from parents at the same time. She had to cry long and protest hard in order to make her parents buy pen and papers to her for the first time.

As soon as she began to write with her left foot, the surrounding perceived it as a miracle. As a result, people began to visit her to satisfy their curiosity on how she could communicate without speaking.

As she had creative thoughts and emotions right from her early days, writing ability enabled her to express them to other people. So, she started writing poems, articles and drawing pictures; after she got sufficient vocabularies and writing rules from the literatures she went through.

With the support of many helping hands, she later expanded her horizons to be a columnist for a widely popular national daily. This further enabled her to establish and strengthen her recognition. So far, she has written nine whole books, in different genres: poetry, stories, essays and articles. Consequently, she has received tens of awards and prizes for the words she expresses.

Her experiences during the armed conflict and movements for democracy are more painful. Primarily, her humanitarian heart was tortured by news of attacks, wars and killings. Further, members of war-involved parties would carry out searches to her place and possessions to see if she to is involved in "suspicious activities". On the other hand, some people would perceive her appeals for freedom and democracy through writing as political agenda of some specific parties. However, there is no stopping Jhamak- she continued to write whatever she felt and thought.

Now, Jhamak has already written a lot. But, she is still writing, for she says "Pen connects me with the world. Living without a pen might be possible, but not easy and natural at all."   She will be walking the same path, because she believes, "No more life for only self. I have to live for others. How long I live, I will live for my society, my nation and my world."

Virtual Wishes of Happy Birthday

"Happy Birthday to you, wishing more fun, success and progress in the coming year!" I wrote on her Facebook wall, just after I signed in my account before leaving for my college. Unexpectedly I met her that afternoon when I was on the way to Baneshwor. We shared 'Hello', 'How are you?', 'I'm fine' and 'Ba-Bye' to each other and continued to own journeys. When I signed in my Facebook that night, I got the notification that she had commented on my post. I found that she had written 'Thank you!' for my post. I gave a 'like' to that!

This real incident on a particular day of last week urged me to think some aspects of growing "fb"-culture. Facebook is popularly known as social network/media. But, do we ever examine its un/sociability?

Facebook has been overwhelmingly popular among internet-literates in Nepal and in other parts of the world. Being all-time active and updated on Facebook has become a matter of prestige for many youths among their friend circles.  It has been indeed helpful to connect ourselves with long-lost friends and far-flied relatives. Facebook is really a useful book on which you can find many useful and interesting faces.

But, let's discuss about my introductory incident. What difference would be there if I didn't have Facebook account; or if Facebook didn't have birthday reminding application? If I had remembered her birthday, I would call/send SMS to her wishing something good, and she would reply me 'Thanks!' But, if I hadn't remembered the date, the day would go so and so as other days. Simple!

But,  had I known the date and really met her face-to-face, I would surely said Happy Birthday in front of her face as well.

There might be hundreds of friends on your Facebook. Probably about a quarter may be unknown to you (so is the case for me!). Another fourth might be covered by some sort of known-by-all celebrities from many sectors of your interest and they don't really interact with you. The remaining half might be your people (including close and distant friends, family members, relatives, teachers and even some friends and families of your friends). And, interestingly you will be reminded of everyone's birthday. During the last ten days, there was no any day without any birthday notification, on my "fb" profile. To my surprise, April 1 was seven persons' birthday. (I guess some of them have purposively cited the date as to make us April Fool!).

And, I am habituated to wish them all happy birthday, no matter whether or how much I know to them. Thus, I feel same if it was my school time best friend or any celebrity writer, who is on my "fb" friend list. After all, I post the same message to everyone. Thus, Facebook birthday reminder has somehow been something like a wallpaper of my room that I observe everyday "taken for granted" and I use that everyday without knowing that I am using it.

To much surprise, some of the friends comment, "Thanks, but this is my LEGAL birthday, and my ACTUAL birthday is on x day of the y month." Or, some claim that the date was their actual birthday; however they will celebrate the legal one. There are many people who remind us that the "fb" birthday is according to solar calendar, but they celebrate according to lunar calendar (TITHI system). We can't calculate the number of persons who haven't mentioned their actual date of birth. Let's not spend much time to talk about those people who just mention any day of the year as their birthday just because there is the space to keep it.

In this way, virtual birthday wishes are taken for granted by many of its senders and receivers. They know that is there. They know it is to remind one about his/her nears' and dears' birthdays. And, they express wishes with decorative metaphors. But, the irony teases you when you happen to forget the matter that today was her birthday even after you meet her by face!

Birthdays were the occasions that would provide you the opportunity to celebrate the past success and enjoy the future dreams, with your family and friends. There were times when you would be so happy to hear 'Happy Birthday' from someone. This would be a matter of curiosity for your closed ones to plan together a celebration and offer you a surprise gift. It would be a memorable time for you when you would pay all bills of your friends at college canteen and the friends would immediately sing "Happy Birthday to you" for you. But thanks to Facebook that makes you alone, but with mere virtual birthday wishes without meanings, and words without expressions.

Let me claim again that Facebook has offered us fantastic service to connect ourselves with our world. It is nicer that it reminds us of some important dates for some people, who are important for us. The application is really helpful to celebrate those significant times with good spirits of prayers and wishes. But, do we actually take it so? Have we been able enough to enjoy all the benefits of such applications? To be more precise, has the birthday reminder really reminded you for the real birthday wishes and celebrations? Or, are they only wallpaper where you look everyday but don't care of its colours and composition?

Gorkha - Pokhara - Ghandruk

Intro

I don't want to begin this travelogue in the way I began my previous one. [LAMJUNG YAATRA: JEEVAN KO HINDAAI; you can find it, if you wish, on http://pyakdiwa.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post.html] That was a different context and this is totally happened in different context with different purposes.

So, this was tour with my classmates.  It was a completely recreational tour; however the college had named it "academic"! In between, I want to call it a recreational-cum-academic tour.

Obvious- most youths are fond of travelling with friends. Some of my classmates were demanding to organize a tour program since our first year class began. When we began the third (last!) year of Bachelors level, the voices got more intensified. Consequently, much with pressures by students, the college decided to organize a four-day tour to us, from 12 to 15 March, 2011. The destinations were Gorkha, Ghandruk and Pokhara.

We were altogether twenty- 15 students, two teachers, a tour operator/guide and two transportation staffs. Though our class has currently 16 students, Neetu was not there due to some contemporary health problems. From college side, we had respected principal Chandra Dhakal and coordinator Khum Sharma. Tour operator Arjun Regmi was so funny and friendly that we treated him as a friend. And, two bus staffs were also equally contributing for success of our program.

Leaving Kathmandu - to Gorkha

And, we left Kathmandu… and crossed Dhading, Chitwan and Tanahun districts. At 12.15 am, we were at lower part of historical Gorkha Durbaar area. The teachers pointed toward the top of the hill and waved byes to us with Arjun Dai to visit Gorkha Durbaar. Hight of the hill was somehow challenging for some of us, but we all were curious to observe Durbaar of our nation-builder! So, though in dissimilar paces, all of us climbed up the hill. It took average of 45 minutes to reach Durbaar and Gorakhkali Mandir premises. From the top, the surrounding greeneries and residential places seemed much beautiful. Our friend could not miss this opportunity to capture themselves amid that natural beauty into their camera.

 On the way to Pokhara

It was already 2.30 pm when we were down at Gorkha Bazaar. Now, the bus turned back and followed the same path of 24km up to Aabukhaireni of Tanahun. Now, we turned west to reach the Lake City - Pokhara - which remains synonym of tourism for Nepali economy.

We stopped at Damauli to have few snacks. (The snacks were accompanied with some dissatisfaction! You'll know, go on….) Finally, at about 5.45 pm, we took off the bus and entered Hotel Khukuri, Lakeside, where we were to stay.

Coincidently it was Saturday - and it was fortunate for us. We just knew that Lakeside would celebrate street festivals on Saturdays of this year to mark Nepal Tourism Year, 2011. We too came out on streets. Most of the friends chose cycling to pass the evening. Few of us preferred enjoying internet at cyber and just strolling on the streets.  

On the way to Ghandruk

For the second day (13 March), our plan was to trek to Ghandruk, a Gurung community at some height of North Kaski. After breakfast we took the bus to reach Nayapul, from where we were set to walk on foot - uphill! After some friends prepared themselves with hats, sticks and dry foods; we began walking. We stopped at Birethanti at the bank of Modi River for the lunch. After lunch, we began to trudge up the hill at 11 am.

For the first hour, the route was quite easier. It was straight and quite wide. But as we crossed the Syauli Bazaar, you didn't have shortcuts or any options available - except to stamp up the stone-paved steps, with little residential and market area around. But, we had to pass loose-dense jungles where monkeys live. (Later, Khum sir used the reference of these monkeys to make his joke spicier! Though we didn't see any tiger there, believing a teen-aged muleteer, he made guff that evening that he saw a tiger. He presented me as a witness; I too stated that I saw it, though I had not. In reality, no one of us knew whether there was tiger or not, neither we tried to confirm it.)

At Ghandruk

At 3 pm, some fastest of us reached at our destination - Ghandruk.  However, our group was so scattered that it took almost two hours to get all of our friends there. When we were all together, we had little snacks. (Again it too had some aggressions. You'll know, go on…) The we spent the evening walking around the village which was famous for developing economy through tourism, at the same time preserving its natural and cultural heritage. Some friends even dressed in Gurung costumes and pictured it. Later, we gathered together at our hotel premises to enjoy songs and dances of our multitalented friends with Madal and claps.

The next morning, after a cup of tea, we spent time observing the mountains (Himalayas) from a closer distance. Mountains, including Annapurna and Machhapuchhre/Fishtail are seen as if they are some meters away from us. At the time of sunshine, we took many photographs amid background of those Himalayas. Then some of us visited Gurung Museum there. After breakfast, we moved to step down - back to Birethanti, Nayapul and then Pokhara.

The costly journey

The way to Ghandruk and Ghandruk were so costly. At Syauli Bazaar, Red Bull Rs 90, Glucose Powder Rs 50, Mineral Water Rs 45 and so on. It was on the way - some two hours on foot down from Ghandruk. It is because all the materials were taken there by mules. There was no any sign of transportation except that. You can just imagine how much costly the materials would be there at exact Ghandruk.

That cost was only for Nepalis. Foreigners had to pay more than us for everything.

The day of bad luck!

As the way during getting up, we were scattered when we were on the way to down. But, I was in the first group in moving up, while in the last one to get down. At Kinche, on the way, we- me, Josina, Dawa, Gaurav and Ved - stopped to have tea. We were at verandah of the shop. Josina was at another side, whereas Dawa, Gaurav and Ved asked me to take a snap. They became ready to pose depending themselves on wooden railings of the verandah. Before I was about to click, the railings suddenly uprooted. Oh God!! All of them bravely controlled themselves! Thanks God, nothing happened!!

Down, we saw Sujan, Radha and Anita playing in Modi River and taking photographs. As Josina desired, and we didn't have any hurry; we too went on the bank and began photo sessions. They from water were asking to join them. Suddenly, Sujan happened to cut his foot with stone or lead there. The environment suddenly took u-turn, and everyone was quite nervous and emotional. Thanks to Dawa, who had means for first aid. Then, Gaurav, Dawa and Kiran one after another carried him to reach Birethanti - from where you can get taxi and motorway. Then, he was taken to Nayapul by taxi and given further treatments there.

Later, Dawa connected the two events to prove the day to be the day of bad luck. I too felt so.

Due to so and so reasons, we spent about equal time to come down as to go up.  After lunch at Nayapul we headed off to Pokhara at 2.30 pm. Bad luck was still following us- the bus stopped as some of its parts didn't function properly. Witihn half an hour, the bus staffs maintained the but to move. And we reached Hotel Khukuri, Pokhara at 4.45 pm.

The remaining evening was spent tasting some of the food stations and gift shops in search of souvenirs to bring home back.

At Pokhara

The fourth morning - only morning! - was for Pokhara. After a cup of tea, we were in haste to visit "the heart of the Lake City" - Phewa Lake. At about 7.15 am, we entered into a boat to cross the lake to reach Taal Barahi Temple, which remains on island of the lake. We devoted our faith to the holy Goddess and begged for her kind blessings. Obviously, we didn't return without taking some photos.

Getting back to beach, now our next destination was Davis Fall (Paatale Chhango). Our visit to this place went so fast that didn't last for more than half an hour. Nevertheless, we didn't have to do anything there except amazing ourselves on mystery of nature to create such a beautiful (but equally dangerous!) place.

Cave experience

Our bags were already packed off and we already had breakfast. But yet, we had to visit few tourist spots there. Due to lack of time, we had to choose only one among many attractions available. Finally between Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave, we chose the latter - Bat Cave (Chamere Gufa). On the way there, we visited famous Bindyabaasini temple too. 

Ultimately, our choice was proved to be right as later they said the Bat Cave is more adventurous than the Mahendra. Passing through cave was the first experience for all of us except Arjun Dai. [Our teachers had not gone there. Josina and Radha too were not there, as they were accompanying Sujan at bus!] The cave inside was completely dark; we needed to take torch with us. We felt water dropping everywhere.  The way was easier, except the darkness, until we reached to the last point. But at last, we had to cross so narrow and somehow quite vertical way of some ten meters to find the way out. We couldn't - probably - step up those steps and return to the entrance point; if Arjun Dai was not there to suggest where to stamp our steps and how to bend our body.

Sorry to say that I don't have any photographs (as my other friends have) of coming out of the cave because I was the first person of my group to get that success ands no one was outside to capture me into their camera. Finally, all of us got success and felt much brave that "we did the adventure!" [Probably, Gaurav can best act these words with his famous I-did-it-gesture!]

Now, we didn't have any time - back to Kathmandu. 

Bus fun

From Kathmandu to Pokhara on the first day, no one, but we back-seaters were quite excited to sing and dance. The driver Dai would play varieties of songs - from "Campus padhna aaune, …. haammle aankha judhaune" type of Dohoris to "Kyaa daami bho" and item numbers of "Munni…". We would like some of them, and some used to be irritating to us. We passed the way with "average" fun - average dances and average songs.

For me personally, seeking fun in bus was a type of compulsion. Don't mind friends, but I felt alone and monotonous when you people spent whole hours talking to your seat-partner and only him/her. Probably, I am not of the nature to enjoy hours with a single friend, or I couldn't find such friends there. I had to - without any option - clap my hands and join the chorus.

The same happened when we were back to Pokhara from Nayapul. But this time, I felt quite easier with our versatile Radha. Seemingly to make injured Sujan feel well, he performed numerous jokes, caricatures and comedies.

At least me, and I guess all of us, were not known of the fact that Radha was so multitalented until we saw him on our journey back to Kathmandu. As usual, the songs were varied - but our Radha was not there to say "yes" or "no". Everything was "yes" for him this time - a big "YES" with spellbinding body movements and gestures. Thanks to his dances, I didn't get any chance to feel bored during whole six hours.   Anisha, Kiran and Anita too supported him frequently.

The negative side

I didn't want to write this part. But, now I feel that, it would be incomplete if I don't include this part. If you wish, you can skip reading it.

Remember that I have asked you to wait in the context of "little snacks" two times? …  Right from planning, small size of our class was the greatest problem for us to manage the package in a cost-effective way. The same factor disturbed us during the whole program. On the first day, on the way to Pokhara from Gorkha, we had felt too appetite, but our teachers and the tour operator were not ready to feed us. The said - no any schedules to have foods in between. You know why? - Not enough budgets.  Finally, they provided some stuffs- but not enough!

On the second day at Ghandruk, the same situation repeated. The principal was not with us, another teacher was silent and the tour operator spoke of same problem intensifying anger with hunger of some of our friends. It is shame to say - for both college administration and us - but, we have to say that most of us were not satisfied with food timing part of this tour program. If the budget and size factors were solely responsible for this problem, we could solve it discussing among us before the program begins. But, so sad…!

Our main destination happened to be Ghandruk- and we spent most time walking on foot. It is natural that no one has same walking pace. As the guiding seniors - who were supposed to take the "guardian role" - didn't tried, we were apparent scattered. This might have made some friends feel quite neglected from the college administration. Personally, I have asked Khum sir more than five times to wait for all and walk together with much fun. But each time he answered, "Tension liney kaa nahi, diney kaa hey yaaro! Let it be!"  So sad again…!

Now I am quite obsessed with the idea that if Khum sir had considered my idea at time, Sujan would not get the accident. Even after the accident, they did not care too much.

From students' side too, there were some problems. The first was some of us came to anger so fast when we had appetites. Shame to say again - some of us even called to Kathmandu to report the problem which we could solve ourselves there! We were badly affected by "groupism" dynamics- there were at least two groups within our team who would not accept easily to company another for anything. The last night some of us were quite late to arrive at hotel, which was obviously irresponsible.

But the college administration should always have been more responsible than us. And, they can not point out our weaknesses in order to hide theirs. No more to say…

After all, it was success!

However we did, we did it. In addition to get fun, observe and learnt about nature and culture, this gave us opportunity to get closer to each other and with the teachers. The teachers might have got similar benefits.

The journey was full of pleasures and pains, laughter and angers, and teasing and rivalry. After all, they all contributed together to make it a success. As we were repeatedly singing in bus on the way to Pokhara from Kathmandu, it was a "Kyaa daami bho" experience.

The four days spent together with college friends will be in our memory - as an unforgettable event happened amid youthful spirit.

22 March, 2011