Part I : The Funny Old Woman

Once upon the time, there lived a funny old woman who liked to prepare rice dumplings for her husband. She pased most of her time in her kitchen and in care of her husband. She used to laugh “Tee-Hee-Hee”.

One day she was preparing rice dumplings for her husband. Accidentally, one of the rice dumplings fell down on the earthen floor. It rolled down into the small hole on her floor. She tried to pick it up, but the hole grew wider and she fell down through the hole.

She stepped on a new place, which looked like her neighbourhood. Actually, it was not her neighbourhood. She was on a inclined road. The sides of the road were green paddy fields. She began to run down the road crying: “My rice dumplings !”.

At a place, on the side of the road was a ‘Statue God’ who asked: “Where are you going old woman?”.

She didn’t care much about the question. She looked at the Statue God and asked: “Have you seen my rice dumplings?”.

“Yes, it was rolling down the road.” – replied the Statue God and added: “But don’t go further for there is a wicked Oni who likes human flesh and blood.”.

She thought that was funny and laughed “Tee-Hee-Hee”. She began to run down the road saying : “My rice dumpling, my rice dumpling !”.

Same incident happened when she met second Statue God. She was running down crying, when she came across third Statue God.

The third Statue God asked her to hide herself behind him, as there was Oni curiously walking up the road. She also saw a giant-like Oni climbing up the road and hid herself behind the third Statue God.

“Hey Statue God, I can smell some humankind here.” , said Oni.

“I am not sure.”, replied the third Statue God.

“But I am sure, here is the old woman” , Oni saw the funny old woman and picked her up.

“I will be angry with you and will never forgive you if you kill such a poor old woman.” – said the third Statue God.

“She will be happily staying in my kitchen preparing food for me and my friends” , promised the Oni. The funny old woman laughed “Tee-Hee-Hee”.

He took the funny old woman with him till they reached a river. He caught the boat and put the old woman into it. He rowed it with a paddle. They reached another bank. Another side of the river was more green with dense forest. They walked together towards Oni’s home. There were other Onis who were waiting for the Oni. They were his friends. He asked the old woman to prepare food in his kitchen using his magic paddle.

She had to put a grain of rice in a pot and fill it with water. On the fire, she had to stir the pot with one grain of rice and water. The rice began to multiply by two. 1-2-4-8-16-32-64-128-256-512-1024- and so on.  She used to laugh “Tee-Hee-Hee” when she noticed rice multiplying while stirring it.

Some days passed, and she began to miss her husband and her kitchen where she used to cook her favourite rice dumplings.

One day she noticed that nobody was in the house except her. She quietly came out of the house with the magic paddle under her girdle. She walked down through the dense forest until she reached the bank of the river. There was a boat without its paddle.

Looking at the magic paddle funnily; she said “It helps.”.

She rowed the boat slowly with the rice-paddle.

As soon as she reached the next bank, she looked back to see the Oni’s place as she would never come back again.

What she saw on the other bank of the river was the fiercest Oni ever with red-red eyes.

Oni couldn’t swim across river; so he kneeled down to suck the entire river water. He did so and made the river muddy. The funny old woman was helpless and began to cry with funny face. The Oni couldn’t stop laughing and he again filled the river with water.

Poor helpless woman thought of running away from there and she marched up with pace. She saw three Statue Gods on her way but she didn’t talk with anyone. She saw a hole nearby the road on the field terrace and struggled more to reach the other end of that hole.

She cried with happiness and ran to her husbands bed as soon as she reached in her kitchen.

The funny old woman and her husband began to pass their days in home with happiness. Sometimes she used to laugh “Tee-Hee-Hee”.

Part II: Flight to Heaven

One day the old couple thought of selling the magic paddle. One of their neighbours paid a huge amount for the magic paddle. Then the old couple bacame very rich and established a restaurant named ‘Food Paradise’.

They kept 4 staff in the restaurant and the funny old woman became the attraction of the restaurant doing some supervision and cooking town’s famous rice-dumplings. She began to earn more money as the restaurant was very popular and earned fame in the short time.

Days passed on and the funny old woman began to become more greedy.  One day, she went to her neighbour and asked that neighbour to sell the ‘magic paddle’ back to her. That neighbour refused in soft words “I am sorry lady; what I can sell you is a magic broom. Using this; you can save your time and money in your restaurant”. She purchased that magic broom.

Her neighbour’s Tom Cat followed her while she was going home. “Stay back!” she shouted.

Tom Cat said: “I always play with the threads of brooms, kind lady!”.

She allowed the Tom Cat to go with her.

Next day, she redesigned her restaurant with proper corner to the magic broom and Tom Cat playing around it. One of the regular customer liked it and said: “Impressive!”.

In the evenings, she used to clean the restaurant with the magic broom. The broom moved and cleaned as the wish of its master. The funny old woman was happy to get the magic broom in her restaurant.

One day, suddenly her husband died of heart-attack. That was the most gravious moment in the life of the old woman.

She began to stay in her house in grief with her relatives. The restaurant was being run by staff members and the Tom Cat.

One day when all relatives returned to their homes, the old woman returned to the restaurant and suddenly rode on the magic broom. She said:

“Broom, Oh Broom ! Take me to a ride! To a preson who made me bride !”.
The magic broom accepted her master. Soon, she was riding on the broom with the Tom Cat behind.
The Tom Cat felt wonderful to see the clouds beneath and gradually he began to miss the mice and rats of the restaurant. He asked the old woman : “Let us return back, I want to return back. “. But the old woman denied. So, he slid down the rainbow down the earth and reached the restaurant.

In the sky, the thunderstorm hit the woman and she turned into ash and smoke. The magic broom was just as normal as it had magical power in it. It fell down and dropped just in front of the restaurant. The Tom Cat then became its master.

I bought this Solar Lantern while I was visiting the city of York, in England. York has been a source of inspiration in my life. Even a day of roaming around the parts of the city, esp. National Railway Museum, the Minster Church and etc had made a remarkable impression in my mind. I still remember the song performance : ’stary stary night’ on the footpath, York Visitor Information Desk, and two caring people taking picture of me at the city walls area.

York has got life in it. What I found more interesting there was ‘Poundland’ where we get many things, each item in a pound !! I entered there, as a lucky national of Nepal (a Southern country). I bought a frying pan, a body spray and this Solar Lantern.

The most catching thing: It was printed on the cover of this lantern like there is no need to replace the battery. It sounded like it works forever.

After I returned to Nepal, I kept it at the top of my house. Its glowing at evenings looked nothing, as number of such Garden Solar Lanterns make a nice ambience in the evening-garden with much landscape design and other arrangements. The fantasy for me was that I am naturally overwhelmed with things caring mother earth. The Solar Lantern was such thing which could reduce the use of fossil fuels, or biomass. But to what extent? the answers could be nearly equal to zero.

However, what sort of fantasy I have made with the particular Solar Lantern; is an example. I hope so.

Time passed on. Busy life schedule began. One day I noticed that one of my nephews pulled the LED off from the Soalr Lantern. Thenafter, the whole remaining things were ready for disposal. My room had been in mess those days. Fortunate Solar Lantern was not disposed off. One day I found a LED when I was removing dirts from the corners of the room. I just collected the other parts of the Lantern and went to a repair service.

The man who was busy on fixing the FM radio questioned me : Are you sure that you will mend this? I replied: Yes, Just for amusement, hehe. He took NPR. 15 for fixing it and asked to keep it under the Sun for complete 4 hours or so. I did the same and waited till the evening.

The very day was lengthy for me. I didn’t have any work to be done for that day. The Lantern did not glow in the evening. Initially, I was worried. Silly me, I then remembered to switch it on. Still it did not glow. Ahh, it was automatic, I then covered the Solar Panel with palm, and then it glowed being sensitive to the darkness.

Amazingly, the LED that I found was not white one, it was red LED. So, it was dimmer than it was before with the white LED. It had already taken much of my efforts, I found a place in my room to add some to the ambience of my room. Before that, I had taken some pictures of red glowing Lantern using my Chinese Mobile Phone.

Indeed, this one is a mini-story. Please comment !

Volunteers’ Day Camp 2008 (World Wetlands Day)
Date: 2008-02-02

Volunteers on the Tree Shade

WNSO Nepal organized volunteers’ day camp on the occasion of World Wetland Day carrying a slogan “healthy wetlands healthy people”.

Global Day of Climate Action marked: Let’s Hug our Himalayas
Date: 2009-12-12

Let's hug our Himalayas !!

WNSO Nepal’s members and some new and enthusiastic youth members hiked on 12th December 2009 to mark the global day of climate action. The message from this hiking program was multi-dimensional. Youth students made pledges to work for climate justice. they interacted and drafted action plan for the global slogan : Unite for Climate. Link between sustainable development and education and the trend of resource use and climate change was discussed by students of Nepal and Denmark.

Volunteer-members pursued the hiking route from Jhor-Mahankal (Kathmandu) through Shivapuri Nagarjun Naational Park to Suryachour (Nuakot); and vice-versa.

In this context, amidst the initial days of professional life; I’ve been researching the ways traveling to my most favorite tropical country – Vietnam. Also, seeking ways to reduce my own carbon-footprint.

It was in 2007, when I came across the number of Vietnamese friends, most of them very smart and very progressive. The country always has a big impression for myself.  Since then, number of professional photographers, teachers, and young students are in touch with me.

The things that I wish to see, research and feel are: the society, natural wilderness, economy.

Arrangement of travel is linked with different matters ranging from Visa to Vaccination. I’ve heard that we may need anti-malaria vaccination. As I am from Nepal, I may need to obtain VISA from New Delhi, India (The nearest VISA issuing authority).

Accomodation, Mobility, Food and Other expenses/activities are but remarkable issues for F.I.T. like me. Research on Google !! Recently, I have discovered that general living cost in Ho Chi Minh city is like that of Kathmandu. Volunteering with Local youth for a cause adds to your Travel !! I am always enthusiastic on this matter. Adventure is always pulling me.

Airfare is more cheaper, if you can connect planes by your mind. If something goes wrong, you’ll get another possible flight from Airport,don’t worry. But here, we have to consider our carbon footprint. There are several ways to reduce these: traveling by electric train, (Source of electricity being compulsorily non-emitting.) carbon offsetting, or never mind (the Clean Development Mechanism works, and the newer trends in energy use may develop in future)

Becoming a responsible traveler is feasible only through the development of new perceptions of traveling. Prime thing is:  travel to save earth and save earth to travel.

There is a golden opportunity for Nepalese Students on Hospitality, English Language, Management and relevant subjects:
http://www.discoverymice.com/WEC2010/world-ecotourism-conference-2010-volunteers.htm

In this context, I could not stop mentioning 350.org and actions. I began my involvement along with other youth in Nepal since October 23 event at school, and October 24 event in Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu.

” We , global youth have to unite for climate. Solidarity !’

A Clip of welcome speech at December 30 event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGSJL4HaHqs

The context behind the essay contest and bicycles distribution was to applause the smart 15 Nepalese Youth, who committed themselves for planting the seeds of climate action right from their behaviour. I wish all Nepalese Youth along with global youth; achieve success on climate actions, advocacies and lead the globe to sustainability.

The context behind the essay contest was that the world leaders, then December 18 in Copenhagen, did not come up with some agreement to deal with the climate change.

The winners were Saraswoti Poudel, Srijana Marasini, Rashmi Rana Magar, Tilak Bhattarai, Rajendra Dulal, Abhinav Khanal, Prashant Raut, Pushpa Lata KC, Sabitra Dhakal, Nitesh Sharma Ghimire, Krishana Gyanwali, Purushottam Lamichhane, Yashoda Aryal, Suman Udas and Paras Khanal.

The distribution of prizes was an iconic to exhibit that Nepalese youth have begun to stop the emissions of green house gases. The top 15 essayists got prizes as:

1) Top 5: a bicycle, a jute bag and 2 CFL packs each
2) Next 5: a bicycle and a jute bag each
3) Next 5: a bicycle each
The Program co-ordinator was the organisations’ treasurer Mr. Dipesh Dulal.

The chief guest was Hon. Ganesh Shah. Guests were Mr. Tek Jung Mahat (Node Manager, Asia Pacific Mountain Forum), Mr.Abhisek Shrestha (Sub Co-ordinator, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action). Mr. Yadav Bhattarai chaired the program. The jury members for sorting out the top 15 essays were Mr. Rabin Bastola (ENPHO), Mr. Pralhad Karki (Principal, KCC, Putalisadak), Mr. JN Kharel (Founder member, WNSO Nepal) and Mr. Arjun Subedi (Executive member, WNSO Nepal).

The program started at 11.30 am. The program started with the welcome speech of program co-ordinator, Mr. Dipesh Dulal. He focused on the objective of the essay contest. He acknowledged the supporters YOUNGO (Coalition of Global Youth NGOs working on climate advocacy), Nature and Youth (Denmark). Then Hon. Ganesh Shah delivered a short speech emphasizing that Nepalese students are making impact globally. He too highlighted “Writing makes a man perfect.” encouraging youth to write. He said that climate change can be issue of conflict between developed and developing countries.

Mr. Pralhad Karki, Principal of KCC, announced the names of the top 15 winners. After the prize distribution, Saraswoti Poudel, first rank winner of the competition recited her essay. The program ended with closing speech of Mr. Yadav Prasad Bhattarai.

WNSO-Nepal called Nepalese Youth (ages 17 – 28) to submit their commitment essays. The announcement of essay competition was done on 15th December, 2009.
NEWS Detail

In the due course, rural development thesis has been extended, being very busy on meetings, actions and exercises to exhibit Youth Movement on Climate Action. I’m being specific here, esp. the Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA) circle. Inspirationally! Some youth members are very versatile. If such versatility worked only for sustainable development of Nepal, being an example; would be great. We could advocate the climate of the world with full pressure to lead the leaders towards change.

This year the Dutch Government’s fund to some 50 youth participants from developing countries (Global South) was like a strategic effort to make them face the challenge in future negotiations, as this needs wider insight of global political-economy. After 18th Dec 2009, the situation of youth members’ leadership skills on climate negotiations making me desperate.

If someone asks me about the full-text that COP15 came up with; I can’t answer in detail. But concisely, everyone is not happy with the fact that legally binding deal was not reached. How it could reach? For James Lovelock’s enlightening words from BBC’s Haldtalk has striken my senses.

I’m truly looking forward the global youth’s (Global North and Global South) policy on population, energy-use, and economy. COP15 aftermath led me to learning the Lession: “Obama’s change seems just like word of a Hollywood movie.” If it is extremely tough to reach the change-indicator, then COP16 in some 6 months in Mexico (http://www.cop16.mx/3w/) is goig to be a non-sense conference of 192 countries and new countries.

Now, I’m getting into a glimpse of discourses with sir James Lovelock, a supporter scientist of nuclear energy. The urban amience, fantastic lights, drinks, societies, youth are now being part of lifestyle of world youth taking myself as an example. If our lifestyle tends towards wasteful use of energy plus if we want to be straightward in nuclear energy, James seems to be compulsorily entertained.

Large arrays of Solar PV cells and huge cover of land with wind turbines are not just uneconomical but also can be questioned about the CO2 emission during the production and use of non-renewable resources, perhaps steel.

Coming back to the Nepalese situation, I and my friends this January in rural part of Nepal are exploring the taste of millet and some underground roots. I do believe that these items are immediate answers to the fall of global food production. Also, a crazy idea of installing bicycle-dynamo-turbine in laminar water-falls for rural street/trail lighting!

I’d like to pose a question to James Lovelock: What if global population- and economic policy go green and people shift to numbers of small sized (pico- or nano-) solutions? This alternative in front on James Lovelock is to make him take the safety issues linked with nuclear energy.

News Reports:

Inter School Art Contest on Climate Change (Date: 2009-10-23)

With the objective of initiating the partnerships with schools and establishing stuients’ environmental initiative, WNSO – Nepal organised ‘Inter School Art contest on climate Change’ on October 23, 2009 at premises of Mother International Academy, Samakhushi, Kathmandu.

The Participation of 17 students from 8 schools of the locality was inspiring for the schools and WNSO Nepal. Teachers and Headteachers of 8 different schools took part in an informal interaction session to discuss on further prospects of partnerships of schools and NGOs on educational development and drafted preliminary action plan; which has already created a forum for further development.

The video session included two documentaries on climate change and a climate change song.  The interaction forum among teachers, head teachers and members of WNSO Nepal was co-ordinated by Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pathak and Mr. Arjun Subedi.

Documentary Session

Sabnam (Grade 5) of Mother International Academy bagged the first prize while Sonu (Grade 5) of Angel’s World International School and Poosh (Grade 3) of Paradigm Public School bagged second and third prize.

Mr. Sudarshan Sitaula, Administrative Member, of Mother International Academy acknowledged all of the participants who had made the event Successful.

Addressing the ending session of the event, Mr. Dipesh Dulal, the event coordinator urged the pupils to create the banner with the message ‘Stop Climate Change’. He urged all the participants of the event to take part in any of the events going to be organised worldwide to mark the Global Day of Climate Action, the next day October 24, 2009.

As the program concluded, pupils created the banner with their palm prints with the message : Stop Climate Change.

Global Day of Climate Action called by 350 movement
(Date: 2009-10-24)

Global Day of Climate Action called by 350.org

EC members Mr. Yadav Bhattarai, Mr. Dipesh Dulal, Mr. Arjun Subedi along with volunteers from WNSO Nepal joined other demonstrators to mark the global day of climate action called by 350 campaign (http://350.org) with message from the primary pupils of Kathmandu : Stop Climate change. The rally took off from Basantapur and had a symbolic demonstration at Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu along with all youth participants of Kathmandu.

I joined the e-mailing list of 350.org which automated an e-mail with some misleading information about Himalayas; I contacted them and they responded very positively and now their automated e-mail is edited.
I feel happy when people are tolerant with critics, wish the entire world in the race of so-called hi-tech economy hear us and rethink.
Now, I am supporter of 350.org ; liked the cause and actions and the glocalism in the working platform.
Till 8:25 pm Nepal Standard Time, September 12, 2009, some 1427 actions have been registered from 111 countries.
More on this : http://www.350.org/plan