ujjwal.acharya@gmail.com

Stop Working, Mr. Minister Is Visiting

This is a tale of how some people try to be overly smart – for the sake of nothing. I experienced a similar incident in the premises of Nepal Television, the state-own television station. I was there as a guest for a program called Pipalbot (anchored by noted poet-cum-director Rajendra Salav) to discuss cricket along with vice-president of Cricket Association of Nepal Sriniwas Rana, former national cricket Kiran Rana and national captain Binod Das. Continue reading…

How Long Since You Went to Cinema?

As I was passing by the Guna Cinema Hall, a friend of mine asked me the question. I tried to remember when did I watch cinema in theatre. I remembered watching an English movie, but couldn’t remember watching any Nepali or Hindi movie in theatre lately. That doesn’t mean I haven’t watches any cinema, but I certainly prefer watching them in my home on my own computer at my own pace at the time I wish taking as many (and long) break as I want. And that cost much less than what I pay at the theatre. Continue reading…

Student Leader Calls for Revolution in Nepal

An hour ago, RFN interviewed a student leader, the vice-president of Nepal Student Union – the largest student union on telephone:

NSU Vice-president Pradeep Poudel, the vice-president of the Nepal Student Union (NSU) – the sister organization of one of the largest parties Nepali Congress, while giving an exclusive interview to the Radio Free Nepal claimed that the ‘new movement would overthrow the king’ and the country would ‘experience true democracy – that is democracy without king.’ Poudel believes it is impossible to bring kings under constitution and is now calling on the international community to support the democracy movement in Nepal and for donors to cut off the flow of aid to Nepal.

Excerpts of the telephone interview: Continue reading…

When a Dream Crashes Down

From within a large number of heartbreaking news, some good news were coming off the field of cricket. Nepal did well in many tournaments and dreamt of representing the country in the 2007 World Cup. The dream broke down today when Nepal lost to Fiji in the semifinal of the World Cup Qualifying Series Division II in Malaysia. I am sad – in fact very, very sad. Continue reading…

UTL Wireless Phone Is Resuming

UTL Wave Phone, the wireless phone of the United Telecom Limited pvt ltd, is resuming its services to the subscribers who chose to re-register for free. The advertisement of the company asking for re-registration says its in accordance with the ‘directives of Ministry of Information and Communication and Nepal Telecommunication Authority’. The subscribers have to fill up a form and attach citizenship certificate, if applicable employer’s letter and house owner’s letter. Continue reading…

Media Prioritized Negative Side?

I came across an interesting news bulletin yesterday. The ‘Reporters’ News Corner: News Bulletin of Reporters’ Club Nepal’ is the rapport of the face-to-face program on media organized by the club. The headline ‘we are aware to be balanced and responsible: senior journalists’ is accompanied by ‘journalists admit press prioritized negative side’ in bold face. Naturally, I was more attracted towards the second line and looked for the journalists who admitted it in the story. Continue reading…

Summoned Editors’ Smiling Faces

Update:editors agree to call off protest, at Sify.com

Editors of Weeklies are being interrogated by the District Administration Office for publishing blank opinion pages in protest of the media censorship. Kabir Rana, of Deshantar, and Rajendra Baidhya, of Bimarsha, went to District Administration Office on Feb 23 while three others, Gopal Budhathoki of Sanghu, Nawaraj Timilsina of Prakash and Shashidhar Bhandari of Hank will be interrogated on Feb 24. Continue reading…

Appeal from Gagan Kumar Thapa

Gagan Thapa, the outspoken republic-advocate, and former General Secretary of Nepal Student Union, the sister-organization of the biggest political party Nepali Congress has issued an appeal urging the youth of the country to fight against the King’s move. Radio Free Nepal received the appeal in email and is being reproduced here.

APPEAL FROM GAGAN KUMAR THAPA

Democracy and individual freedoms are not only the hallmark of the 21st century but are the inalienable rights of a nation and its communities and individuals. Today these rights are not only restricted within documents but have become a way of life. King Gynendra’s assumption of absolute power in Nepal has not only caused a set-back to the national development but has also compelled all the freedom lovers to re-group to fight till the end using all peaceful means available. We the youth of Nepal represent the agents of change—more fit to invent, than to judge; more fit for execution, than for counsel; and more fit for new projects, than for existing business. No wonder our troubled nation has once again put her faith upon us.

Inefficiency in tackling Maoists and corruption by the political leaders in the past fourteen years has been the basis behind the king’s move towards the assumption of absolute power. But the past fourteen years of democratic practice has impacted the way people perceive their rights and freedom. Commoners have become more vocal in demanding their rights with the concerned authorities and that has been the greatest achievement of democracy in the last fourteen years. King Gyanendra claims that the democracy failed to represent the voice of people and is therefore, misleading and baseless. Nepal has remained poor and the justice has been curtailed since its unification. What about the corruption, inefficiency and injustices that have been perpetuated by the Monarch of Nepal for the past 237 years? Shouldn’t it be raised as a relevant question? And therefore we the young ones of Nepal have been advancing the cause of republic set-up in Nepal. Continue reading…