Thursday, July 25, 1996

Sisters, go for love!


POST PLATFORM
Razen Manandhar (1996-07-25)
Centuries have pased since the saga of supresson of women commenced. They are acrushed, grouned and squeezed but never heard moaning as in the case of equal property rights. They have made dozens of demands and got even the lawmakers to listen. They are at their shrilling best. It's all happening because they now know only the language of the land, and not of love.

Right from the dawn of civilisation, women seek to posess all the things they see around them. Love for them is nothing more than cuffst to keep spouses and offsprings by their side. Kitchen, garden, office, factory, jeans, and short hair…What else do they need?
A man gets married when he wants to possess something. A woman kicks him out when the right moment comes.

Sisters, I have no prejudice against you. But think, once you claim your parental property, you will be obliged to do all what your brothers do for your parents. Don't you know that parents are the most selfish creatures in the world?

They 'pay' their sons in advance for tehir security. So, you cannot leave them till death and there will be social respnsibilities for you during and even after their deaths.

Even today, parents generally shudder at the thought of a girl child because they cost a hefty dowry. Now, do you think they will ever accept a girl child who will grab the portion and quit with her man?I'm afraid that day will come soon when you will visit a national history museum to trace your own species.
Reluctantly though, you confess that you are always subjected to auction in a way or another. Very soon, you'll create another criterion to have yourself priced. You will be apprised about the resale value of your property and you'll start calling the right customers. Be proud to show off your rightful possessions and buy a handsome husband. So gals, are you ready for the show?

Let parrots, you go on yelling that men exist only to dominate, destroy and demolish the fair sex. Not only you, your cirtues and beauty but your treasures will also be counted. How beautiful our social scenario will be! (For me it's OK. I'll divorce my wife and search for a more wealthy one).

Marriage in our society is getin more and more extravagant and mompous. Oly a few faters can afford a daughter's wedding ceremony without being hurt by the shock of almost going bankrupt. Don't you want to share the true property (i.e., bankrupcy and loans) with your brothers?

So, sisters, don't get furious at this junk. It might be a social crime to utter a single word more against your flock. There are many other spheres of practice which are more vital for your existance. It is merely an open secret that not equality but coveteousness is what matters. Doing always what otehrs say would lead you to an abyss. It's your life, your choice.

So, do you really want land taken by force in the name of women's right or love that 'makes the world go round'? I simply feel pity when you cannot realise that you are runnign after men's signals. Moreever, you will be boycotted or given small patches of land which will cost you a lot -- love.



Tuesday, July 02, 1996

What turns tourism terrible?

POST PLATFORM
Razen Manandhar

We quote Vedas and say guests are gods. Now, however, the reality we see today is so different that it could just make us ridiculous. Our society has become so mundane that all our divine principles of hospitality have turned into dust. All we care for today is money. The word 'guest' has taken a different meaning altogether in the tourism industry.

Everyday we read that our government spends a huge amount of money to promote tourism. Seminars aren workshops are arranged and training programmes are conducted. But what of them? Dinners and lunches aside, what we get is only papers. Paper for paper's sake? I'm not such a fool as to expect pollution to stop. But I wish we could reform our polluted mentality.

A tourist comes to Nepal to enjoy the exotic beautiy, to gather some memoriies of this Sangri-la. But he is eventually subjected to tolerate and be indifferent to the chaos he sees all around him. You have no other choice than give excuses for all the mismanagement seen everywhere -- from airport to airport.

Some weeks ago, one of my foreign friends came here for holidays. At the airport, I had hardly greeted her when a boy suddently pushed the trolley near a parked taxi and threw her gaggage inside. We too were pushed in the cab as he hurridly told the driver the name of a small hotel where the boy belonged to. I could't even get the time to call the police.

I took her to historical places. I admired her diplomacy for she didn't complain of beggars, vendors, dust, water, noice and taxi fare. Well, when we were at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a middleaged man poked his crooked nose on us.

"Who's that kuire with you?" he asked.

"Ah, a friend of mine. She's very happy to be here," I retorted.

"Llisten gentleman, we have an association of city guides and you are not allowed to operate as a tourist guide without license. It's beter you send her to me or…", he exploded.

I was dumbstruck to know that I had no right to stroll around my birthplace with friends. Eventually, the matter was settled with the help of two bottles of ber. We trand together and waved eath other good bye. But I forgot to ask whethere he had the licence or not.

Whenever I went to meet her in the hotel, the receptionist always did his best to drive me out. For him, all Nepalis were money changers or drugs sellers.

On the mornign she was to depart, I went to the escort her to the airport. The receptionist frowed as said, "Sorry, she is gone." I was in a fix. I knew there was plenty of time and I drote to the airport.

I waited for half an hour and she arrived. She was shocked and came to me with hears in her heyes. She explained," Thanks, you're here. But the guy told me that you rang him hearly in the morning, telling that you wouldn't come as your ma had an accident. How's she?"
1996-07-02