Are the NRNs of the US Sidelined in the Recent NRNA Vote?

Rabin Man Shakya
State Education Director, NRN-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

The seventh international convention of the Non-resident Nepalese Association and election of the new leadership (Oct 14-17, 2015) in Kathmandu was observed with keen interest and curiosity not only in Nepal but across the countries in the world, thanks to digital journalism and social media sites like Facebook.

NRN from Australia Shesh Ghale was reelected the president of the NRNA-International Coordination Committee for two years for the second consecutive term.

It may be a coincidence but I happened to be at Odessa Polytechnic Institute (OPI) in Odessa, Ukraine at the Preparatory Department for learning the Russian language in 1979, and Mr Shesh Ghale was also a student learning Russian at the OPI in Odessa at that time. Ukraine then was one of the Soviet Socialist Republics under the former Soviet Union. True, I have not again met and seen Mr Ghale after the Russian language course in Odessa.

Anyway, I congratulate Mr Ghale for being reelected to the post of the president of NRNs' umbrella organization and extend best wishes to him in successfully executing his activities on reconstruction and rebuilding of earthquake-hit Nepal, and in navigating the NRNA in striving to contribute to the overall development of Nepal.

Meanwhile, the election of the umbrella body of NRNs was based on electronic voting for the first time.  1127 NRN representatives from across 52 countries from across the world had taken part in the NRNA vote.

Among the 100,000 NRN individual members in the world, 10,000 are only from the US making it the biggest and the most representative NRN-National Coordination Council body in the world. But the important portfolios of the NRNA president, two vice presidents, general secretary, treasurer and other posts have been won by NRNs from Australia, Japan, Germany, Russia and other countries.

The NRNA election news that has conspicuously sidelined NRNs from the US to some important portfolios has raised questions about whether the hopes and aspirations of 10,000 US individual NRN members have been crushed?

A section of the people within the NRN movement are reportedly inclined to create fissures through political polarization which will not do good to the spirit and goodwill of the NRNA. NRNA should not be a political platform and NRNs should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering.

Social Media and Socio-political Crisis in Nepal

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Lecturer of Journalism, People's Campus, RR Campus.

As far back as 1992, when I first stepped into the newsroom of The Rising Nepal and started working as the sub-editor, the scenario of print journalism was quite optimistic. The Rising Nepal was the only broadsheet English language daily newspaper of Nepal. Today Nepal can boast of, at least, four daily English broadsheet newspapers.

Today journalistic professionalism is more palpable in the Nepalese newspaper industry. But the journalists working for the newspapers and TV channels are not optimistic  about their jobs and the future.

Today more than ever, people across the world are more and more attracted to the digital and social media than the newspapers. Well, newspapers in the US and elsewhere  in the world are gasping for air, but still they are pretty much alive.

Digital journalism and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have become ubiquitous source of information and news. Digital journalism and social media  are breaking the news. The newspapers and even TV channels are lagging behind the digital and social media. Whenever  something happens, people immediately turn to the social media. Social media has become the integral part of the modern human civilization.

One of the reasons the digital and social media sites are becoming ubiquitous source of news and information is that they are not only breaking the news, they are constantly updating the news as well. And if there are some mistakes and errors, they can correct them instantly. If there are errors and mistakes in the stories of a newspaper, they will be corrected only in the next edition of the newspaper. The newspapers in the US especially The New York Times have corrections sections. But the newspapers in countries like India and Nepal do not bother much about the mistakes in the news stories.

Therefore, there were many cases when the Nepalese newspapers made mistakes, particularly on high profile news stories, the Nepalese readers and viewers had to take them to Facebook and Twitter to point them out.

Right now, we are not seeing a ton of original materials on social media because much of the news and views on these sites originate from mainstream media. But we are seeing much more discussions and debates about the burning issues.

It is in the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter where more and more Nepalese people are debating about the burning issues of Nepal's new constitution and about the socio-economic and political crisis in Nepal following India's blockade game.

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are exploding with comments, visuals and photos about the economic and political crisis in Nepal. We are seeing that social media platforms give the ethnic communities a chance to make their voices heard. The ongoing protests of the ethnic communities against the government is fueled by deep frustrations with the new constitution that it discriminates against the ethnic groups.

The frustrations that have remained suppressed within these communities since long had to explode and they have just burst out finally. There is no doubt the contents of the social media give a polarized view of the Nepalese political development. Wide spread disputes about the discrimination of ethnic communities have marred the post-constitution period and thrown the country into the turmoil.

Impunity and Role of Watchdog Journalism

Rabin Man Shakya

Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

In the journalism world, call someone 'watchdog' and people and readers know exactly what you mean. Watchdog journalists are those honest and true species who try to uncover the misdeeds of the powerful politicians and powerful administrators. Watchdog journalists try to spill the beans about misdeeds of notorious tycoons and about their illicit connivance with the politicians. They try  to prevent the abuse of power, prevent the scope of impunity.

If royalty and its extended family were impune from any legal actions for their misdeeds during the Panchayat regime, today the powerful elites of the ruling class as well as the opposition are acting with impunity because of their power. It is here that the Nepalese watchdog journalists have to show their prowess  in exposing the misdeeds and criminal acts of the political elites.

Watchdog journalism is the writing and reporting that keeps politicians, power brokers, administrators and organizations with power accountable for their decisions and actions. Watchdog reporting helps to right the wrong.

Coverage of the Watergate scandal was one of the best examples of watchdog journalism leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Revelation of Pentagon Papers by The New York Times in 1971 is another example of watchdog journalism. Similarly, president Joseph Estrada of the Philippines had to step down and be arrested because of the watchdog journalism.

Watchdog journalism is relevant especially in countries like Nepal where abuse of power, political corruption and embezzlement of billions of rupees are rampant in various ministries, departments, corporations and government undertakings, and majority of the perpetrators go scot-free.

There were cases when former powerful and notorious ministers like Jaya Prakash Gupta, Govind Bahadur Joshi, Khum Bahadur Khadka and Chiranjivi Wagle were convicted of corruption  charges and served prison terms respectively. but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Nepal, a democratic nation, is one of the countries in the world where powerful political elites still have been enjoying privilege of impunity from prosecution for years. Anybody got guts to touch Khadga Oli and Prachanda? Nope.

Well, the wrong-doings of various governments have been exposed by the Nepalese press time and again to some extents.  But it is also equally true that the Nepalese press could not play an effective role in exposing the Dhamija scandal, Lauda Air scandal and tens of other high-profile scams, they were just unable to publish in-depth and investigative news stories  with full proofs and evidence about those scandals.

There is no doubt that Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nepal is becoming poorer and poorer because of the political corruption, skulduggery and embezzlement of billions of rupees by the politicians and top administrators. So the question arises where is Nepal's watchdog journalism and why is it silent?

Impunity is a big challenge not only for Nepal, it has affected press freedom and political systems globally. The media is the watchdog of the nation, if it is hindered, it can not carry out its responsibility towards the community and the nation. Free press has a significant role in rooting out the seeds of impunity.

At a time when Nepal is reeling from the blockade imposed by India, the Madheshi politicians are speaking out loudly that they were the ones creating the blockades. What the rotten bastards ? The present vulnerable and volatile scenario could be the part of a grand design of Madheshi politicos and the South Block to destabilize Nepal. It looks like a number of Madheshi politicians are maneuvering to curry favor from the South Block.

Therefore, it is the duty of the watchdog journalism to expose the misdeeds and criminal activities of the Madheshi leaders. It is the duty of the watchdog journalism to uncover sources of billions of rupees of the Madheshi politicians.

India's 'Undeclared' Economic Blockade and Media's Role

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

At a time when India is trying to increase its clout by imposing 'undeclared' economic blockade on Nepal, this tiny Himalayan nation has started to give fitting replies to India. With the economy crumbling and with the shortages of essential commodities and fuel, anger and discontent of the Nepalese people at the Indian government is mounting. Anti-India protests and demonstrations are taking place in major cities of Nepal.

Meanwhile, effective from Monday, all the Hindi channels have been shut down by the Nepal Cable Operators Association amid the growing public discontent about Indian economic blockade.

Likewise, yesterday, security forces of Nepal did not allow entry to more than two dozens Indian journalists trying to enter Nepal through Jogbani, India for covering anti-India protests in Nepal. Correspondents of Zee TV, Aaj Tak, India TV, NDTV, ETV Bihar and the Hindustan Times newspaper were among those who were denied entry to Nepal.

Given the history of biased and one-sided pro-Indian coverage of the Hindi channels on Nepal's issues, the decision of the Nepalese authorities not to allow Indian  reporters was probably the best we could have hoped for, at least, at this moment.

If India keeps demonstrating its stubbornness and creating chaos and hindrances in Nepal, its 'international and democratic' image will certainly be diminished for violating the 'internationally accepted rights' of a land-locked country like Nepal. The need of the hour is: All the political parties should be united at this critical juncture and all the Nepalese people are ready to sacrifice anything for this cause.

Ever since the political crisis erupted in Nepal during pre- and post-constitutional period, the Indian government has become increasingly paranoid about what it views as its special  interest and influence in Nepal.

The historical obstacle is that Nepal is an India-locked country and historically Nepal has been dependent on India in political and economic matters.

We, the Nepalese  living in the USA are against the irresponsible acts of the  Modi  administration. Nepal and the Nepalese people already have suffered a lot and they can not afford to stay hostage to the Indian idiosyncrasies. The international community should come forward to pressurize India to lift the economic blockade.

No doubt, Nepal is facing one of the worst crisis in its history, and the situation may further deteriorate if any early solution is not sought.

In such a situation of economic and political turmoil, the role of media is particularly important in explaining and disseminating the actual and true facts about Indian intentions. There is no easy solution to this blockade.

But one of the solutions that the Nepalese media can offer for reducing over-dependence on India is by publishing and broadcasting more stories about self-dependence, not just hyping about the scarcity and hardships.

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

Nepalese moms and dads living in the United States are luckier in the sense that they get to celebrate Fathers' Day and Mothers' Day two separate times a year: one according to the Nepalese culture and traditions and another one in the United States. I was overwhelmingly surprised when my daughter  presented me a black tee-shirt on the occasion of the Fathers' Day in the US. The words "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword" were printed on the tee-shirt.

There is no doubt that a pen is one of the strongest weapons in showing the world the devastating effects of violence and wars with use of swords, guns and missiles. The old adage "The pen is mightier than the sword" rings true because the power of a pen is enormously more influential than a sword. A number of examples have shown what sharp-edged and big swords, guns and missiles could not achieve was achieved by the help of  little pens.

Historical experience across the nations in the world demonstrate that many great writers, philosophers and journalists had inspired social and political changes.

It goes without saying that the power of pen is much  more effective than the power of hatred, war and fighting. Power of pen, however, should not be used to disseminate false information and messages. Today more than ever, the people who owns and  control information and mass media are more powerful than the ones who control the security and military forces. That is why a free and independent pen is crucial for a vibrant democracy. Information, messages and news have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence.

But pens should not be made vulnerable to swords. This is outrageous and unacceptable. There were hundreds of cases when swords outmaneuvered the pens. And, yes, a sword of Damocles is hanging over the heads of those  scribes who have to work  in the authoritarian countries of Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

Yet the importance of the pen also illustrates the threats and attacks posed to the scribes and reporters, not to speak of assassination and assassination attempt of journalists. One thing is sure: Threats and attacks will not stop the journalists' pen.

More often than not, a number of Western journalists have also been abducted and mercilessly beheaded by the Islamofascists in recent times often contradicting the old axiom that the pen is mightier than the sword. The souls of the brutally assassinated journalists will rest in peace only when the perpetrators of the violence will be arrested and given due punishment.

The need of the hour is: the governments of the US, EU nations, Russia and China should make fighting the ISIS and al-Quida the centerpiece of their multi-lateral cooperation, because it is already palpable that the US alone can not win the war against terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism.

Well, the old saying about the significance of the pen was first used by novelist and playwright Edward  Bulwer - Lylton  in 1839 in his historical play "Cardinal Richelieu".

Pacific Northwest Nepalese Community Magazine "Jamghat" Released

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

A Nepalese picnic or banbhoj was organized at Lynndale Park, Lynnwood, Washington on Sunday Sept 06, 2015 by Nepal Seattle Society (NSS). The pacific northwest Nepalese  community picnic was, kind  of, a confluence of people flooding from US states of Oregon and Washington and from British Columbia, Canada.

Baji (beaten rice) and other curries were served for lunch whereas rice was served for dinner. However, chicken and bacon barbecue cooked right on the picnic spot were the food items most liked by picnickers.

I have heard tidbits of information about attempts by some people to discredit the organizing of regional picnics. Picnics are about fun, food, friendship, entertainment and is about interaction among people. There  should not be any room for politicization and trivialization about picnics. Petty partisan and parochial activities are outrageous and unacceptable.

During the picnic, "Jamghat", a pacific northwest Nepalese community  magazine was released by Nepal Seattle Society president Mohan Gurung along with the editorial committee members. The editorial members of Jamghat's current issue are: Bharat Banskota, Daya Shakya, Mankajee JeNa, Shyam Kandel and Subhash Ram Prajapati.  "Jamghat" which is a bilingual magazine in English and Nepali offers a wide spectrum in terms of community news, poems, articles and messages of the respective chairs of Oregon, Washington and BC.

Judging by the past two issues of the magazine, it looks like the pacific northwest Nepalese community publication champions the cause of enhancing and disseminating news about community activities, provide information about Nepal and print poems of community members.

An article entitled "A Tribute to Helen" by Daya Shakya was vivid accounts about late Helen Ward who struggled hard to survive the breast cancer but ultimately succumbed to it not long ago.

As an alumni of the Belorussian State University, Minsk, it was so good to know from the "Jamghat" magazine that Mitra Kunj, Vancouver BC chapter  was established there ten years ago.  It goes without saying that Mitra Kunj, an organization of Soviet-returned specialists and experts - which boasts of 6,000 members is the largest alumni organization in Nepal.

According to the Jamghat magazine (issue 2, 2015), "it's been over a decade, the Nepalese from Pacific Northwest are gathering together to develop the mutual relationship and to share the Nepalese sentiments through the community picnic."

Well, the fact that the pacific northwest picnic has continuously been organized for last 13 years is a testimony of friendship, harmony and fraternal ties among the Nepalese communities in the US states of Oregon and Washington and BC Canada. This kind of picnic is organized once a year by NAO, NSS and NCS BC respectively.

The picnic was followed by a cultural program, volley ball tournament and women and kids activities. The trophies were presented to the winners of the sports events as well as to the past and incumbent presidents of NSS, NAO and NCS BC.

It was at this picnic that I got to confront with one of my old friends in Minsk, Belarus - Anil Pradhan who is an alumni of Belorussian Polytechnic Institute. Anil is now the president of Nepal Cultural Society of BC, Canada. It's been almost three decades that I have not seen Anil.

There was an overwhelming impression that this kind of picnic was very crucial to enhance friendly ties and communication among members of Nepalese communities in Oregon, Washington and BC Canada.

Given the limited resources, time and weather factors, the regional picnic - which was first organized in Vancouver in 2002 - has been able to draw more and more community members from Oregon, Washington and BC Canada.

There is no doubt that that organizations like NSS, NAO and NCS BC as the prominent diaspora associations in the pacific northwest to cater to the local needs of the communities have tremendous tasks ahead.

Journalists' Killings and Issue of Gun Control

Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

The fact that  gun violence  is a common thing in the United States  and it is taking a heavy toll on the lives of the American people is evident from the headlines of the national and local newspapers of the US. The issue of gun violence has once again come to the fore recently when Alison Parker, 24, a TV reporter and Adam Ward, 27, a cameraman were fatally shot down by a former TV reporter who eventually killed himself too.

In a scathing editorial headlined "Killings of Journalists Bring Gun Violence to Dark New Level", The New York Times on Aug 26, 2015 said: "It is an increasingly horrific fact of life and death in the United States that easily available guns offer troubled Americans the power to act out their grievances in public."

The New York Times editorial went on to say:"This trend dramatized in recent years by macabre shootings in schools, churches, movie theaters and workplaces, was taken to a dark new level on Wednesday in southwestern Virginia by a disturbed former reporter who chose not only to murder two journalists as they reported live for a television station that had fired him, but also to record and broadcast the theme on social media."

Gun violence should not be tolerated, no matter where it comes from, and in no way may be justified. Gun violence has claimed thousands of lives in the United States every year.

According to a report,  11,208 people were killed in gun violence and 21,175 suicides were committed in the US caused by fire arms. There were 310 million different kinds of guns in America, not including weapons owned by US military, in 2009 according to the data released by the Congressional Research Service.

No doubt, gun violence racking the United States is entirely the fault of easy access and availability of firearms. No logic justifies fatal attacks on journalists, no words excuse killings of innocent reporters. The Congress leaders of the United States must speak out against the gun violence.

Thousands of outrageous acts of homicides and assassinations have been committed in the US. There is no easy solution to the issue of gun violence in the US. But there is a lot that can be done to control guns and crimes in the US. First and foremost, sweeping gun control laws must be introduced in the US to contain the problem of the increasing gun violence.

But past precedents have shown that American political heavyweights especially the Republican stalwarts  have been reluctant to work for gun control. As the NYT editorial honestly pointed out:"There are too many guns, and too little national will to do anything about them".