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Saptari Killings was purely Human Rights Violation by the state

Rayznews reported " On March 5th four United Democratic Madhesi Front cadets have been killed in a firing by Police trying to dis...

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Nepal lies in dilemma of power tussle between China and USA


Kathmandu August 1, 2011: A Tibetan woman refugee was arrested here in Nepal while trying to obtain a fake Nepali passport. The 22-year-old woman who is suspected to be a refugee living in Bangalore, was arrested red handed when she tried to obtain a Nepali passport in the name of Chhintal Tamang. The Nepal police also arrested 3 Nepali citizens, Bhakta Bahadur Tamang, K.P. Thapaliya and Devendra Neupane as her accomplish.

According to the Government of Nepal, Tibetans entering Nepal after 1989 do not have permission to stay as legal refugees within Nepal, nor does the law protect their human rights. However, the principle of non-refoulement, laid out in 1954 in the UN-Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, provides in Article 33(1) that:"No Contracting State shall expel or return ('refouler') a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion."

The arrest came in action within weeks of Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau arrest of two minors at Tribhuvan International Airport while trying to leave the country with fake Nepali passports under valid US Visa. The under aged Tibetan kids 15-year-old Jayang Tenzin, and his sister, Tsering Lhamo, 12, were arrested while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Turkey with other members of their family who have been living in the US under the status of Tibetan refugees.

With China trying to use its bilateral relationship and USA trying to be more flexible towards the refugee issue of Tibet, Nepal is stranded with no option except to pretend accordingly to both the sides. From the past activism practices to the recent arrest shows Nepal’s position and lack of clarity. Nepal seems to be sandwiched between the giant powers with no standing on the issue, more or less China putting ban and USA being more flexible toward the Tibetan asylum cases , Nepal has been a ground reality for the Tibetans who have been suffering from both ways.

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Speak Up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Voices search new meanings and definitions. Just have to understand yourself. CHANGE comes at the stake of one's dedication and sacrifice where an individual initiates the spark of change and suffer the consequences but the change is for the world ...........


Rays Production @ 2011 Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A letter to the Editor

Dear all,

I'm a normal Nepali, a Social activist and writer/reporter. Today I encountered a news which completely made me re-think where our country’s journalism is moving. I believe kantipur being the foremost and pioneering has more responsibility in its sustainability than others where it’s losing its hope. It use to be people's voice and use to lead peoples aspirations in words of change but I guess moving on with commercialism, it has lost its vitality and core values . Previously Kantipur use to be known for its News validity and precision but these days Kantipur is known for its reporters and how they put up their stories. It has become a high reporters/ writers based Newspaper which certainly looks into personal writers opinions rather than any research or reality. This mail basically encompasses my feeling toward a journalist's role and his practices. This mail is regarding Aashish Luitel's article published in the Kantipur daily dated July 27, 2011 about facebook activism which is attached with this mail. I believe everyone has their opinion and we should respect them at all times. PRESS FREEDOM is not a question at any times, but when it deals with social issues even writers and reporters have to be careful about the impacts and roles. A writer in view of his publication’s popularity cannot go about writing anything to hurt people sentiment without facts and information. It is his priority to understand and portray the diplomacy of the information to its use and validity. His persistence in being non bias towards the issue should be his priority. The way Mr Luitel portrays his opinion towards such an important issue seems very irrelevant and questionable. I believe questioning other integrity and giving people your own personal facebook information ( Facebook profile address) certainly points his intentions toward the larger picture of his cheap popularity stunt. If that is the case then I'm sorry to say this but people would lose credibility over the news and news making process.

I would just like to ask the editors these questions where are we moving?Is this journalism that you guys want to pass on to the coming generation? Are moving on the right track ?Manipulation, media power play, Corruption and cheap popularity stunts is this morally acceptable…………… I believe with great power, comes great responsibilities which is being missed by Mr. Luitel. I doubt his credibility and I challenge his skepticism of his definition in regards to journalism. I say this is yellow journalism not press freedom to write against a social movement that too on the basis of rumors with no proofs is a question of integrity. I believe being a writer/ reporter from a prestigious publication and writing something on a social issue that too without any research based on rumors and slashing an image of a movement created and dedicated for the people is a question that points fingers his and your integrity not ours. I would just like to ask the editorial team how could they have approve such a personal opinionated piece that slashes public sentiment. The facebook movement has not only been an eyes opener to thousands of Nepali facebook users but it has brought into light the true spirit of patriotism. Just think where wore we moving a year back. Young people use to say, I hate politics, politics is shit and its nonsense. From this movement at least we have got the feeling of My Country my responsibility, Young people are at least talking and showing their interest that's credibility sir. We know we might bring not bring an instant change but we know we are satisfied at least we are changing the mentality of youth. We are very sure that It’s our country, and we made it garbage and we are trying to clean it so please do join in to know the reality. "Kantipur Publication specially the Kantipur use to be one of the best news publication in Nepal but its credibility is degrading not due to competition but due to its weak editorial Team who don't even cross verify its reporters stories. I guess the Writers and Reporters are more important than the quality of news & its impact ...."MY COUNTRY MY RESPONSIBILITY, MY NEPAL MY PRIDE

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mass Rally for Awarness




The Facebook youth activism group “Come on Youth Stand Up” organized a protest rally against the current situation of political deadlock and no constitution situation here in Nepal. The rally started from Basantapur Durba square at 8:00 AM in the morning towards Birendra International Convention Center(BICC) the current official work station of the Constitution Assembly Members (CAM) . Hundred of youth’s voiced and protested slogans like NO WORK NO PAY and expressed their aggravation and frustration towards the pending constitution process. Most of the youths were seen carrying the national flag where from past few months they have been very consistent in organizing various protest programs at different locations.

One of the participant said, “The politicians of Nepal are completely irresponsible. Our main objective is to make them realize that we are watching them. People have given them, 3 months of extension for constitution making process not for other things. It’s their foremost priority to complete the constitution and bring it out in fulfilling people’s aspirations. They are getting paid for making the constitution and if they cannot then they have no rights to occupied the position and get paid for doing nothing from people’s tax paid money. Our rally is all about making Nepal responsible.”
“ We are not affiliated to any political part. We are a loose group citizen movement where we serve our objective that address peoples’ voice. If the politicians and CA members don’t address us, we will be back time to tell them and make them realize that they are the servant of this counties not the owners.”

Friday, July 22, 2011

SoFA right or wrong?


SoFA right or wrong?

Wiki defines, Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) as, “SoFA does not constitute a security arrangement; it establishes the rights and privileges of foreign personnel present in a host country in support of the larger security arrangement, there are details to it.” The United States (US) trying to get SoFA here in Nepal certainly triggers the bell. What is their vested interest for SoF Agreement here in Nepal? The question strikes. May be they want to help or maybe they are thinking of a counter strategy for China and India or may be they want to make Nepal as one of their base or may be the unknown. The strategy of US against its allies has been very phenomenal and dynamic. Their strategies and practices have been well seen with the measures that they take at the times of need which shows they are very clerical. US has big powers and big powers calls for big measures which certainly needs to be worked and understood. More or less with the financial assistance and support that Nepal Government is receiving from different US agencies will to the level pressure the Nepalese authorities to be more flexible toward the agreement but on what cost and measures should be on our teams and conditions. The question that raises is why should we give rights for a foreign army to move freely in Nepal that is the question that impedes me and my sense of patriotism.

I believe any country getting down in establishing itself to give technical mobility powers to the alien forces is a question of its weakness. Moreover, understanding it in a normal way to give authority or power for alien security forces to move freely in other country’s territory is not just a question of the host countries sovereignty but is also question of the measures that should be taken in and against at times of need. SoFA has both pros and cons. Pro’s will be well defined but what about the con’s like for example in Iraqi with the SoFA there was a sister agreement done which gave the forces certainly feasibilities where the secondary agreement is still not made public. We can understand the US policies toward terrorism but what I cannot understand is the power and control mechanism they have. But in Nepal which is relatively a small country which is currently going at the verge of political chaos, the SoFA certainly triggers a red light. SoFA was previously introduced during the king’s regime where it was turned down but after the Current Chief of the Army visit to the US. The SoFA issue has again came into lime light. The issue is currently being researched in the Home ministry where it will be forwarded to the related military secretariat for the necessary research and understanding.

The real reason lies behind the door where the US and its administrators have the answers. We can’t just speculate about what can happen and what can be done? But it certainly highlights the questions that came out from wiki leaks and further obliterates the situation saying WHY NEPAL?

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Hami Sabai Nepali



VOICES OF NEPALI ~~~An art performance~~~~
It's the voices of Nepali youth trying to portrait the current situation and need of time. Nepal has seen radical changes in its past were leaders and political manifestos which have tolled the list where in reality it lacked in adaptation. The youth of Nepal wants a RESPONSIBLE NEPAL. They want to work their way out in their own country, they don't want go aboard and slug their time, money and energy. They want to live here and work for their country. The need of today is to understand the aspirations of youth which certainly shows some light, lets work together in uniting Nepal.

Rays Production @ 2011 Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Volunteer in Action


Wiki defines volunteering as, ““In general terms, volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be considered self-serving.Volunteering takes many forms and is performed by a wide range of people. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in”

More or less the definitions depend on the understanding and objective of the project/program but the role of a Volunteer in action is always important to the cause or issue of its adaptability and action-ability. Whether it’s management of resources or rendering services, or any control mechanism, Volunteers have to be smart and flexible in fulfilling the objective of the cause. It’s important for him/her to know, study and research the goals prior joining the program so that in an inevitable situation the volunteer can easily address the issues effectively and efficiently. One should always remember that while entering into volunteering, the volunteer should take things in consideration of his volunteering process.


Stage 1
Before Volunteering
à Research and Study à Phase Personal Skills

Stage 2
During Volunteering
à Action and Adaptability à Interpersonal

Stage 3
After Volunteering

à

Skills Analysis and Interpretation

à

Cognitive thinking


The conditions or stages mentioned above are the process where the volunteer has to be clear about how, when and what. After getting all the relevant information in feeding it inside his brain and then he has to react in and against the situation with adapting to the cognitive process.

More often Patience, knowledge of the topic or goal, resourceful and tactfulness are also seen as appreciating charters which can help as an operational strategies. The role and jobs of the volunteer may differ from time, place and value but his objective remains the same that is service to help others which should be the top most priority. Down below I have listed some of the basic common key point in operation of volunteers in action which needs to be realized and worked on.

Communication: Communication is always two sides. It should be followed by precise and effective answers. A volunteer in action should be limited in words and focus more towards his action. His work criteria definitions should be more toward listening than to exchanging words or fighting.

Alertness:
Alertness is a key player in a volunteer’s job responsibility as it helps him/her to adapt to the scenes and scenarios. The job of a volunteer is to facilitate and help others with in the different means to avoid the inevitable situation in and against the activities. He/she should keep track of all the happenings and how it can affect the objective of the program.

Promptness: Volunteers in action are the representative of the programs and organizations. Their periphery is not limited to the action defined but to the level of acting against the situation. They have to be sharp and instant for things happening around and their reaction toward the entities available.

Courteous and politeness: The nature of human beings highlights their sense of communication and how they do it. Their ways of communication plays a crucial role in determining the situation where the mode of communication defines the pros and cons of their objectives. So politeness and courteousness certainly proves to be an asset to a volunteer in action to deal in any kind of situation.

Cooperation: Being a volunteer in action certainly demands the need of being flexible and cooperative towards the issue of concern in every possible way of understanding the situation and time. Cooperation certainly entails the definition of being available to the feasibility of addressing and bonding the gaps of communication and adaptation.

Clarity and consideration: Like said above the meaningful representation for volunteer in action is characterized by the clarity of the main objectives and goals. At times of need or situation it’s his roles and duty to address all these while maintain the level of communication and situation at it best.

Volunteer in action represent the people who believe in making thing happening on contrary of avoiding situation. His/her practice must not be limited to the definition rather it should be adaptable in action in real times of need.

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

DJ-ying in Nepal adapts the Nepali way

Amidst controversies and bad image of drugs and alcohol, DJ-ying in Nepal has always been in headlines countering and defending itself; years have passed with hundreds and thousand going in and out but it never saw a change. With DJs either getting into sex tape scandals or drugs addiction issue, DJ-ying in Nepal has seen its ups and downs, but with the changing time people have also started to accept this field of glamour and music with a new attitude. These days with the booming tourism and hotel industry, DJ-ying in Nepal is also grooming its way getting popular in Nepalese society where more or less new generations are getting interested.

It may sound absurd but previously when a DJ used to be considered as someone with tattoos, attitude and a drugs abuser but these days a DJ is respected as a professional where he stand for his professionalism and creativity.

Now getting down to the modern definition, DJ is acronym for Disk Jockey (DJ) who mixes, scratches and makes creative sounds from the disk but to its adaptation DJ-ying has more of its own dynamics where there are different aspects related to it. A DJ in a club is like a manager who controls and manages the club. It is his duty to manage the systems and to make the people enjoy in groove. Likewise, coming from that definition, DJ-ying in Nepal has been preexisting here from past one decade. With a very orthodox and limited thinking, this field has prolonged with a narrow definition and limited image and today it has out casted the prejudices with a slap of proving itself as a creative and professional field promising a prominent career like any other.


Moving its way from the limited discotheques to the modern definition of celebration, today DJ-ying has been a part of daily lifestyle in Nepal. What clubs, what marriages and what corporate occasions everywhere DJs are seen scratching and mixing sounds making people move around their beats. Moreover, it seems that the people of 21st century are more happier and want to celebrate their occasions in a more extravagant and musical way.


Looking at it from a different angle it also has evolved as a career for many aspiring young artists who believe in doing something in this field. Though few go through rigorous training and studies but most learn it in a sequential apprentice way of learning by doing method. Each individual is trained on one on one basis by their preexisting professional. The training are easily available at a cost of NRS 12,000 to 20,000 (USD 250 approximately) depending upon the level and skills of the candidates interest. The overall equipment of the DJ-ying costs from NRS 100,000 to NRS 300,000 which are easily available in the market.


DJ Saakar a leading DJ, who has worked in this field for more than 8 years says, “It’s a creative and entrainment field where a DJ is a king of celebration. It’s up to him to make the event happening and enjoyable. He should be extravagant in every possible way to make the crowd feel and believe to live their life in a more exhilarating way. DJ-ying is not just of being cool and showing off attitude, in-fact it’s about concentration and hard work, where a dedicated DJ keeps on practicing his skills and researching about the new developments in the music industry and equipments. It may look easy from outside but it’s very hard. On contrary if you compare it with any other professions, DJ-ying is a tough job as you have to constantly prove yourself in your family and society which has an orthodox and monotonous thinking about you and your career, so it’s a hell of a tough job which is not easy.”

Regarding clubbing, he said, “The scope of clubbing and DJ-ying is growing with peoples changing lifestyle. If we could just address their needs, then we can surely see it as a good revenue generation field . But the authorities are too limited and it creates problems at times as we don’t have proper rule and regulation here. They just bring the security issue in front and things go lame. Reality is we are a small country where we are doing an effort to develop. We have so many problems and further the authorities make it difficult to even work here. The way should have been the opposite and they should facilitate us, this field has tremendous potential, we can do so much but in reality it works the way around. I want to do something for this field and my major hindrance is not just the orthodox thinking but lame attitude of authorities towards this field. I have thought of opening an association which would help monitor and maintain the standards of club DJs and further more I’m also planning to go to schools and colleges with DJ-ying as extra curriculum activity. We are further working in talking with the other stake holders, we need to unite from all sides and work together.”


“These days it’s very easy to learn and to find the equipment, people of this generation are very fortunate as everything is available but during our days, we had to import the equipments and most importantly good trainers were also scarce. A lot of situations and conditions were there and you had to face the negative image of this field but now things have changed, which is really important,” added he.


Conditioning its own prospect, these days a lot of DJ-ying competitions are happening where the numbers of participants are also overwhelming. These DJ-ying competitions number are not a question but the quality of human resources that coming out are and getting in lime light most of theses competition and their winners certainly get themselves into controversies, which has further drained the image.
What’s the use when there are no standards and quality is a question that I made to one of the organizer of a DJ-ying competition – “Kings of DJ- March 05, 2011” Little Star Shrestha said, “Basically it’s all about giving people a plat form. We have given them a means to show their talents, now it’s upon them to work their way. We can’t be there all the time and take care of them, it’s upon them to work it and make this profession clean and practical. We are just here to show them the path the rest is in their own hands.”


Nepal being a small country has limited opportunity of investment, the big giants’ like china and India further makes it difficult for its industrial development where there are very limited opportunities which certainly affects its development. But significantly Nepal’s tourism industry holds a major part in its GDP which is phenomenal. These days a lot of Nepal’s DJs have also been seen working abroad in foreign countries where they are creating their own name and fame, it is just a trend but significantly it’s making an impact.


Ravi Sharma a Social Scientist said, “Any creative field should not be limited within the idea of ignorance. DJ-ying was considered as a stigma of the western world but it was mostly due to the shadows of drugs and alcohol but its changing and people have started to accept it in a normally way. Apart from that DJ-ying is part of music which cannot be defined and like said earlier creativity has no limitation. Till the time it soothes ears, it’s feasible and it goes well. Its normal tendency for people to migrate where there are better opportunities. If there is a possibility of making this field better and has a potential possibility the government and the concerned department should do a research about it.”


Sharing his experience Sharma added, “Even I have danced to the beats of a DJ in a recent wedding where it was phenomenal. The way they mix the rhythms and melodies are simply awesome. I enjoyed every bit of it and I still have a hangover. I would love to dance to the tunes again.”


Breaking the league, creative fields like this has certainly created a new scope and horizon for such fields where alternately it has also broken the orthodox thinking of limiting secured professions as Doctors, Scientist, Managers and Engineers as a prominent career choice. As comparing it to any other professional an average monthly income of a good professional DJ is ranged from NRS 30,000 to 60,000(USD 450 to 850) which is lucrative.


DJ Jazzy Joe a reputed Indian DJ on tour of Nepal said, “DJ-ying is all about expressing yourself in the form of music, the only way a DJ can be called good is the way he can entertain the crowd. It’s an art form that’s very normal like any other field. This field also has its pros and cons, but due to the stigma of Drugs and alcohol, its image is getting affected where people tend to see DJ’s with a different perspective but now times are changing. DJs are also getting recognized where society is accepting them for what they do.”

“DJ-ying is a field related to music, and music is positive, it’s the field of making others happy and spreading joy. If you have an attitude and you are stiff then you cannot perform well, it’s all about being yourself and making people feel the happiness, so a DJ needs to be positive and happy all the time,” added he.

Talking about Standardization he said, “It’s a must in this field but standardization should not affect the interest of the young aspiring artists, it should be entailed in a proper way where quality must be its priority not quantity. This career choice certainly comes with fun but loads of options, like said it’s upon the rider to make sure the journey goes well.”


Controversies raging of DJs having bad images to their sex tapes, DJs of Nepal have not been able to meet up to the standards though Nepalese have accepted them but with the controversies coming up at times it seems they have to work on their moral and ethics. The question here is not about who does what or what can be done to stop it , the question here is about morale and ethic whether our society is able to accept it or not. May be it’s a personal or professional question but how can a single person’s act be responsible for staining the image of the entire field? This question certainly affects this field and further dilutes the prospect of the coming up aspiring artist who look up to their elders. Now it’s upon the DJs to make themselves credible and responsibly, so that the coming generation and their field could look up to them.

May be it’s a standardization issue may be it’s not but it certainly holds key to the future prospect of this field.

By Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Shivaratri- The Weed Day celebrated here in Nepal

Kathmandu March 02: The festival of Shivaratri was celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal among the devotees, followers, yogis, and sadhus here at Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu Nepal. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world came to this temple just to pay their homage to lord Shiva where lines were seen from a day before. Traffic around Pashupatinath area was completely halted due to the devotee’s number.

Looking at the popularity of the Temple, the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) had made arrangements of tickets for directly entering the temple without any hassle by
paying NRS 1000 which was proven to be very fruitful especially for old aged people and Hindu tourists.

According to beliefs, it is said that devotees who mediate and voice the name of lord Shiva on this day would be freed from all sins. Most of the devotees were seen fasting all day where
they visited the near Shiva temple to break their fast. It is also believed that this is the night when Lord Shiva performed his Tandava Nritya that is

the source of creation, preservation and dissolution.
Another excitement that attracted youngsters and teenagers was on this particular day it is allowed to smoke hashish or Marijuana for gurus and yogis, which is considered as one of the prized possession of lord Shiva. With this trend, Pashupatinath area also attracts thousands of teenagers where these illicit drugs are sold and bought openly on this day.

Ramesh Shrestha, a teenager at Pashupatinath area said, “Lord Shiva loves marijuana that’s one of his favorites, so we all come here to celebrate this for him. We are his devotees and we are bound to follow him; we want to make him happy.”

Pashupatinath area was not only seen smoked and buzzed with intoxication but hundreds of medical camps and ambulances were also seen treating and catering thousands of people for their hallucination and injuries.

Ravi Sharma, a social scientist said, “It’s a very harsh aspect of our culture where things are manipulated accordingly. Certainly it’s happening due to lack of monitoring and surveillances. The uses of these illicit drugs are just for the yogis and sadhus but irrelevantly they are sold to teenagers and it’s open for all. It has evolved as a negative trend in our society where people are grasping it into the culture which is highly questionable. Necessary steps need to be taken by authorities before it’s too late.”

Looking at the growing trend of using illicit drugs, this year a high number of police personnel were seen in and around the Pashupatinath abode. According to sources almost 4000 security personnel wore deployed in plain and formal clothes to curb the trade and use.

The Ex-Monarch Gyanendra Shah and his consort Komal Shah were also seen in the Temple where after paying their homage, they headed towards Guheshwori Temple. Likewise, celebrating the enthusiasm an Indian dance group compromising various dancers including Santnu Chakraborty a renowned bharatnatyam dancer performed and the enigmatic and exaggerating Shiva Tandav at the abode.

For watching the full procession, you can see it through this given link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RXb6uaKKQE

By Shreedeep Rayamajhi

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Why did biography.org de-listed buddha from Indian Great Leaders



It was really sad to see that Biography.org in its list of biography of Indian Great Leaders had listed Buddha, Siddhartha Gautam being an Indian. The whole Biography of Buddha was conscripted making him an Indian leader with supremacy and bigger words.
Most of the references were taken from the local  websites without international research. I was so surprised to see that such a reputed organization making such mistake in view of limited research and communication. It was clearly  written that Buddha was born in India. To my surprise there has been no proof found regarding the boundaries of  the so called Bhart Barsha or there has not been any technical or geographical studies done. In-fact Nepal was create 200 years ago but it existed in the form of many states scattered and spread. There are documentation of Yalabar the first king of Kirats being acknoweldge in the Mabharata as the king who had came to fight from the kingdom of HIMKHANDA 

There are still proofs that sikkim and other state of India which were part of the great Nepal period during the  British India Company are today in India but there is no technical paper of research that proves buddha was born in India.

The truth about where buddha was born can be answered only by him, as there was no documentation in terms of geography. It has been identified and certified that the place where Buddha was born is currently in Nepal by the UNESCO in its website and excavation are still happening in and around the area.

It is clearly said and documented that Asoka the Great king left his country in  search of Buddha and came to Nepal and erected the Asoka pillar.         

Now getting back to the topic, I wrote back to biography.org with the links of UNESCO  reference stating why they listed   Gautam Buddha was born in India. Within a couple of days they changed the title and remove buddha from the list of   Indian Great Leaders

https://www.biography.com/people/groups/indian

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