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

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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.”

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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?

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