tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22271962517542978892024-03-05T12:40:27.585-08:00Chin Cabrido"The person you want to be does exist; somewhere on the other side of hard work and faith and belief. And, beyond the heartache and fear of what lies ahead."Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-65787260501581292052023-11-10T17:51:00.009-08:002023-11-10T18:00:27.933-08:00Tanzania <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UjTPumdvaCXFcNWRaGuTRsaOGoWrsD9mrM0WcBtTsfQBdA9hN4EEF33BZe00ehxZ5ygrWYr4hUICU5H7OFf7nzp_wOgBF7PP3EjoiNLlvhW1XLidwaDu4o82_mM7dVWbhHwQs0CWRWJOQHA931-beHCyF4_Tcvnp-F3-VazsqkSXuoXUlvjs7_1X6UxH/s4032/IMG_3448.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UjTPumdvaCXFcNWRaGuTRsaOGoWrsD9mrM0WcBtTsfQBdA9hN4EEF33BZe00ehxZ5ygrWYr4hUICU5H7OFf7nzp_wOgBF7PP3EjoiNLlvhW1XLidwaDu4o82_mM7dVWbhHwQs0CWRWJOQHA931-beHCyF4_Tcvnp-F3-VazsqkSXuoXUlvjs7_1X6UxH/w425-h319/IMG_3448.jpeg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Why is it you can never hope to describe the emotion Africa creates? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You are lifted. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Out of whatever pit, unbound from whatever tie, released from whatever fear. You are lifted and you see it all from above. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That’s why I say: If have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tanzania2023?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVMB9oH0RjyIwpsdtAkplNXRprsSLpi1n8O9PeNR-VPrduA1dSAJs96r6qBHj7SnEyGixSycadL0pUuSy70fJOiTUjeJpoXA2MKKF4hY-d-BIbGOhNEMHa73xrDm6hIVLY1eNqps2RKu_2WkHDtrGdOOsiyspLJW5SeraiaV1xDgQ&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#tanzania2023</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(</span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"><img alt="📷" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tfc/2/16/1f4f7.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">+</span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"><img alt="🎞️" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf6/2/16/1f39e.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by: Chin Cabrido)</span></span></span></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gmny0OBe2BM" width="612" youtube-src-id="Gmny0OBe2BM"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-47472222801969632092023-01-05T03:33:00.016-08:002023-11-10T18:04:16.030-08:00Maldives<p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Sky above, sand below, peace within</span> <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Somewhere between living and dreaming, there’s the Maldives<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this world of tropical paradise, time moves differently</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><p></p></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjaTBAz4V2OU4tGmtyEa4s6DOM7xz2kZ2qYWpQk9Zs_GaOK323TVpTSuruMz2QzEn1zYqSRJjx88Gb2fZCgW_KOoSkuRd5pf56ieHkiurTeWiRokAXqLtYl6hVFYCZqVgbvds_UFlQqawpIv0Wri3v8L_63rRjmmpcb6quvs36W8B6lvs-OwkA59dQg/s4032/D3B5BE4C-7BB8-4D8F-B50B-C21111570E1D_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjaTBAz4V2OU4tGmtyEa4s6DOM7xz2kZ2qYWpQk9Zs_GaOK323TVpTSuruMz2QzEn1zYqSRJjx88Gb2fZCgW_KOoSkuRd5pf56ieHkiurTeWiRokAXqLtYl6hVFYCZqVgbvds_UFlQqawpIv0Wri3v8L_63rRjmmpcb6quvs36W8B6lvs-OwkA59dQg/s320/D3B5BE4C-7BB8-4D8F-B50B-C21111570E1D_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="528" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ARtcGe2HSco" width="684" youtube-src-id="ARtcGe2HSco"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p><p></p>Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-17767623692901837722023-01-04T19:33:00.014-08:002023-11-10T18:04:05.810-08:00Mauritius<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” #Bourdain</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1M5Y5xWmUjorp1unxGV3TgbihOQOmYFvlVWVVsQm_BzbiwsctziFEtk632dpesC9qjli1mEWu3upkvNcmgLYluw62cGY3-Bu2qtMo92uOHLKveX4Nmk7gk4OHYrpPPcWofrR5Ui5vAeVTPWhdAysAoYEkCJWRZ-8BcJGb-pVSUfeXN6uajYOCtzP_Q/s4032/IMG_0310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1M5Y5xWmUjorp1unxGV3TgbihOQOmYFvlVWVVsQm_BzbiwsctziFEtk632dpesC9qjli1mEWu3upkvNcmgLYluw62cGY3-Bu2qtMo92uOHLKveX4Nmk7gk4OHYrpPPcWofrR5Ui5vAeVTPWhdAysAoYEkCJWRZ-8BcJGb-pVSUfeXN6uajYOCtzP_Q/w561-h420/IMG_0310.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2022, I travelled from the Philippines to Mauritius (7,931 km/4,928 miles) to witness the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is a beautiful tropical island renowned for its coastal bounties with pristine beaches and extensive coral reefs set against the backdrop of sculptured volcanic mountain scenery. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I spent a wonderful week in Mauritius and stayed at the amazing <a href="https://www.luxresorts.com/en/mauritius/hotel/luxgrandgaube" target="_blank">Lux Grande Gaube</a>. I went snorkeling, saw/swam with dolphins, cycled around Grand Gaube area, took a tour of Port Louis, gorged on Dholl Puri and Alooda, got tipsy on Chamarel rum and more. It was my first time to see a living floating coral surrounded by fishes, algae, anemones, and turtles. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here’s a wrap to my stay in beautiful Mauritius. It was hard to leave this paradise!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="563" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N0qrntbUlSY" width="677" youtube-src-id="N0qrntbUlSY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-42308464609097407552020-10-04T23:36:00.003-07:002020-10-04T23:36:35.308-07:00Filipino Community in Nepal celebrates Filipiniana Night in Kathmandu<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Filipiniana Night is a fundraising event of Philippine songs and dances for the Adopt a Community Project in Nilkatha Village, Nepal. Set at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Dec. 4, Saturday, the show was presented by the Filipino Community in Nepal in partnership with the Office of Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mGL-s0wCL1VmS4cPpaaNN6O8ueA7em3JaPsaIIpPwEWGcZRozZ-9X0rBWbucJt0SvdPsk7d51k7ZZM9MlmllOMnTfKEhCQjsu9mV2k4uJMP-hQ_U8jE8n66z5C8i5mHV3hat_-cg1NyR/s320/DSC_1864.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA3j49oTqw7hIMxD0rc-nr4LQEgZ9QfY8TUieM1PhFWK7lxrGSy1p6fgX4VoOZdHp1FLXfr1G2C2CW8og_oneL5SQl52g3epKNpP8Tw9s4Zoay4PIi0OAiRheqliKMk9eymZtyOD_k6eV/s320/DSC_1892.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Around 300 guests and visitors from d</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ifferent embassies, development o</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">rganizations,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nepali frien</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ds, and media attended the event. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The curtain riser is a documentary film from the Philippine Department of Tourism that shows stunning scenes from the Philippines, our white sand beaches, clear blue waters, majestic rice terraces, historic churches, friendly and hospitable people, interesting cuisin</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">e, and ric</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">h history. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The show featured Philippine culture through native dances and song such as Bayan Ko, Chumnu- a thanksgiving dance from Cordillera, Salakot, Binoyugan, children’s rendition of bahay kubo, Janggay, Harana of Dalagang Pilipina, Carinosa, Lulay, Ugoy ng Duyan, Saranggola ni Pepe, Francis Magalona’s Mga Kababayan Ko, Sumayaw Sumunod, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Tinikling with audience participation and Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNSbcIf9o699KRsM3duU6OeadCrakA_wvvHhnEPFb43QhFXAJvFf73cThrM_XZrJPBpPSYdbQ6Jih5TQ6Kl6OW-TSbPovZmuZOakSIPGj-DX1aa7SS4v1G78HWxeRJNuNNWYse67WutoV/s320/DSC_1918.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqdmmkj4adIRZQT_IFNtRYEUSaEHEocWR7oUA0zKj6I93U9i5AkqpFIOmnF1J4qjG3oe32J2vuwhuNwi6zpSisWJ05zDqNdyNkhhsJUNAEOVRNDwNHRKYtlSM73oazlESii9pymnj2N6I/s320/DSC_1931.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYbepSCq6kcIbRXzVrgUPONKNVazHgSVzb6Rl4meG5HnLVVNH7zdFfoG4NUPt5SumSBBvqNL4CA3wOQLaiorLo-hT705F5IwYYQg7IF7EbZ956oC7vgO0q0F6MLs-5penImA2AAvXMjcO/s320/DSC_1944.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJloeOwfwlQJSrx42ArlpKFk8IgKuBudiKr_aTy0c71wvnffQhRPh-cfHpaze07fPxRR1XrAOKbFZh11C5odIBOhfQeNDqyy11ccAwZAyOYp9Fo8Whw49_Q22pZT4kpSaliGDwGSFZkWZA/s320/DSC_1965.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The participant received a warm applause from the audience who appreciated the event. Tokens of appreciation were given by Vice Consul Suraj Vaidya to Filipino Community in</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nepal Pre</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">sident Joyce Mendez and Musical Directors, James and Kaye Sarenas.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTttlBQWh_jNTyEmeX2-Bb4jTNRF1Tlb52lW7pd80H_g-rxpyhv5rd4a_tA_chGpK5ql012skNpn1rH_2hq-kcHQGmYX_BBvwOpnvRDl0OHIVocRUf5tpoUZ-48lIRyWF4JSaCqtzL7EgO/s320/DSC_1976.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx7TBIOlYMDYmQ8OkLglMaHbQlzwxpUquyd5K16EgykUG18-uIOVsGwA9C-_H9ZejCov0lsWmh_1gK3MmTG3scqHD_VAf-js9KgT29-bkfV7yYlScbgZnsCtOpfltvrZoDaB1WwU_IDJa/s320/DSC_2076.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Proceeds of the pr</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">oject will be channeled to the Adopt a Community, an initiative of the Filipino Community in Nepal and Clean Energy Nepal in transforming ecological and self-reliant communities in Nilkantha villages. This includes installation of improved cooking stoves, toilets and introducing organic gardening. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyEKs0CRf1E2o3qRAi2JZvhfl53nz_SrCP6ay1q2dza5jvURZr588RTSmmISjBUZ0FmziGItcpWjZGkDyURcxNXiFL3Zs9kdPgyR9fvMOyzq87Sd3NEMyHpd32Sk_W01v09jdejWUB9c8/s320/DSC_1994.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to Vice Consul Suraj Vaidya of the Office of the Philippine Consul in Nepal, “I am extremely impressed with the Filipino Community in Nepal. They made us very proud as always. Although they a</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">re very far away from home, they made us feel at home. And I think everybody from Nepal understands what the music and dances and the culture for the Filipinos, what it means for them. We enjoyed it tremendously.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also added, “Filipinos convey a lot to Nepalis. Nepal is going through a very difficult phase in its history. And I think the way that you brought the change of peace without blood being shed, the peace message that you brought today with your song has a great meaning to the Nepali people. And I think we need to follow that and take people’ power- the power of peace, love and understanding. I want to thank you for emphasizing that song, which was very good.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-41476084732048553752020-06-08T19:42:00.005-07:002020-06-08T19:42:53.797-07:00Teach Me the Art of Small Steps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXbHQVTG_GHGTqITqWnHSVKDOgVGQhWpIav65AGHHhO4DGTYVUeX9vCRJI40NLe9D6yWIgEpdPLvrkQEOQp64ABAbHYIL8acwl8Mzc-wUSUXMaYxl2-cUlnvJ7qCeSaWmdW9aCRmDMxri/s1600/DSC_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXbHQVTG_GHGTqITqWnHSVKDOgVGQhWpIav65AGHHhO4DGTYVUeX9vCRJI40NLe9D6yWIgEpdPLvrkQEOQp64ABAbHYIL8acwl8Mzc-wUSUXMaYxl2-cUlnvJ7qCeSaWmdW9aCRmDMxri/s640/DSC_0514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photo: Chin Cabrido</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Lord, I’m not praying for miracles and visions, I’m only asking for strength for my days. Teach me the art of small steps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make me clever and resourceful, so that I can find important discoveries and experiences among the diversity of days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Help me use my time better. Present me with the sense to be able to judge whether something is important or not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I pray for the power of discipline and moderation, not only to run throughout my life, but also to live my days reasonably, and observe unexpected pleasures and heights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Save me from the naive belief that everything in life has to go smoothly. Give me the sober recognition that difficulties, failures, fiascos, and setbacks are given to us by life itself to make us grow and mature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Send me the right person at the right moment, who will have enough courage and love to utter the truth!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know that many problems solve themselves, so please teach me patience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You know how much we need friendship. Make me worthy of this nicest, hardest, riskiest and most fragile gift of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give me enough imagination to be able to share with someone a little bit of warmth, in the right place, at the right time, with words or with silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spare me the fear of missing out on life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do not give me the things I desire, but the things I need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teach me the art of small steps!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry</span></div>
Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-33871284467859465452019-05-04T18:12:00.001-07:002019-05-04T19:22:13.707-07:00The Disappearing Satra Culture in Majuli Island, Assam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within the belly of the mighty Brahmaputra river lies a massive cluster of islets that emerged through different water channels. Known as Majuli, it is the largest inhabited freshwater island in the world with a community that is relatively isolated. As erosion rips its banks every year, Majuli island is rapidly disappearing, washing away villages and displacing residents. The currents are so powerful as to reshape the island from its original 1,200 km² size to 400 km² today. As Majuli island is slowly being eaten away, studies show that it is likely to be submerged under water in the next 15-20 years.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Motorised ferries and boats are the only means of reaching Majuli.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Majuli island lies between two channels of the mighty Brahmaputra in north-east India. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Kumar people in southeastern Majuli who make handcrafted pots from river clay are one of the affected communities. Since their livelihood depends on earthen pots, they live close to the river’s edge. Making pots requires clay procured from pits 30 feet deep from the ground along the banks of the river. Women shape the glutinous clay by hand, dry it in the sun and bake it in a furnace. The furnace is fired with bamboo, banana leaves and driftwood. This craft is so tedious and it takes them several months to fill a boat with hundreds of pots. Men then sail the boats up and down the river to exchange pots for paddy which is the staple food of the inhabitants of this island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every year dozens of people are forced to leave this island as monsoons steadily make the river swell. From 2001, over 3,000 families were forced to relocate after flood waters swallowed large chunks of their land. In 2016, Bhakatram Das moved from his home at Samaguri village to Baghgaon after an erosion by Brahmaputra submerged his house and land. This was the family’s third relocation since 2008. His bamboo and banana plants, which sustain his family of four, were all gone. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Erosion affected Majuli resident Bhakatram Das outside his newly constructed house </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few hundred metres away, Gereli Das was also forced to build a new residence with wood and bamboo. She, her husband and daughter were among dozens who lost their lands to erosion and were forced to shift. In the floods of 2016, more than five dozen villages were wiped out from the island, including several places of historical significance.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A wall made of bamboos is being erected at Majuli’s southern tip to control erosion.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the river continues to deform the island, a handful of its historical satras or monasteries stand on unstable grounds. There are many satras across Assam but Majuli has the biggest concentration of them and is considered the seat of Assam's Vaishnavite culture. This Vaishavite teaching was originally brought to Assam in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardeva, a devotee of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. Known as a movement to reshape religious and social norms, the Vaishnavite teachings bring together people from different castes through theater, dance, intellectual teachings and discussions.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Auniati is the oldest Satra of Majuli which houses a museum with ancient artifacts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tradition of Satradhikar (guru) and Bhakats (monks) tradition still exists in Satras. The most prominent satra known as Auniati brings in young boys from economically backward families to teach them rituals of evening prayers and music classes. Nitul Dutta, a bhakat (monk) of the Auniati Satra says that these boys start living in Auniati satra at the age of 8, integrate with monks of different ages and spend their life in celibacy. I was fortunate to meet monk Nitul Dutta and the boys. As I extended my hand to offer a hand shake, they moved away from me and I was not allowed to touch any part of their body. This was part of their strict practice in celibacy. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Monks walk the hallways of Auniati Satra</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Each Satra is known for a special craft. The Auniati satra makes hand fans and the Chamaguri satra makes intricate masks with sun-dried bottle gourd and the bark of the betel nut tree. The Kamalabari satra makes fine wooden boats. Samaguri satra, the world-renowned mask-making monastery, has been making masks for over 350 years. Starting from 2000, Hem Chandra Goswami, satradhikar (monk) of Samaguri satra has experimented with several techniques to reduce weight of the masks so that they are easier to make. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Introduction of movable jaws and eyes allowed masks to be more expressive. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Goswami’s masks are made with bamboo, cloth and a mixture of cow dung and earth with movable jaws and eyes. These masks can only be bought at Samaguri ‘satra’ to prevent crass commercialization and takes 4-5 days to complete. Goswami’s masks was displayed in London’s British Museum during an exhibition called ‘Krishna in the Garden of Assam’ in 2016.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Masks used in traditional plays, one of Majuli’s cultural heritage, on display at Samaguri ‘satra’. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first satra was built on Majuli in the 15th century and 64 more were installed to promote art, culture and spirituality. These monasteries are considered to be treasure troves of religious scriptures, books on music, dance, literature, philosophy, painting and even medicine. The bhakats (religious devotee) take active part in engaging the community in these varied art forms, producing well known artists in national and international platform. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The floods in the Brahmaputra threaten to submerge this river island in Assam which is home to Satra Culture. The </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">subsequent soil erosion have brought down the number of Satras in the river island.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today, only 22 satras remain.</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-50783505525126235482018-05-12T17:33:00.000-07:002018-05-12T17:48:49.722-07:0025 Random Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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1. I'm great believer that the stars in the universe conspire to make things happen for me - that people are exactly at the right place and at the right time, and that things happen for a reason.<br />
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2. I’m a giddy person, I laugh at the silliest jokes, and I love surrounding myself with happy people.<br />
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3. I’m basically a homebody. I am happy doing DVD marathon, and hanging out with friends over coffee or beer!<br />
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4. You can never underestimate how much you discover yourself when you travel ALONE. I went backpacking over Europe in 2007. I met a few Asian friends - Vietnamese and Indonesians, ate authentic Vietnamese rolls in a Chinese street in Paris, had my luggage stolen in a train en route to Belgium, fell in love with Vienna’s architecture, got lost in Praha, learned how to speak German and ate the Dutch way!<br />
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5. People always have the wrong notion that I am high maintenance. Im basically low key - for the record, I love street foods - fish balls, corn in cob, mangga with bagoong...And I love trinket shopping!!!<br />
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6. I am a white meat eater. I adore Chinese food. I have sweet taste for cheese and dark chocolates.<br />
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7. When I was young, My Lolo pannong used to tell me his war stories. He was a war veteran and he showed me how cruel the memory was for him. That stirred my interest to write, and from thereon, I penned what was on my mind...<br />
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8. As of this date, I am keeping a few original poems that I crafted. I wish to have them published one day.<br />
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9. In my lifetime, I was offered two indecent proposals - a scholarship from a former Congressman and a 5 million peso project from a Japanese business tycoon...Twice I turned it down...<br />
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10. My heart flutters if a guy sings me a song while playing a guitar. Plus he must be wearing my favorite happy clinique scent...Then he can win me... haha (ang babaw)<br />
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11. I hate driving over Metro Manila. Period (do I need to say more?) I wish someone would drive for me.<br />
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12. I am living alone in a 3 bedroom condominium unit in Pasig. Both of my siblings live abroad; my parents are in the province. My Dada (my surrogate mother who raised me) passed away in 2008 after living with my family for almost 45 years. I missed her sooo much.<br />
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13. I sleep with 7 big pillows... they warm me and make me feel safe.<br />
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14. I have a left shoulder subluxation, which means that I cannot sleep facing the left side of the bed. I got this from a jujitsu game when I was in college.<br />
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15. My Dad is the coolest person on Earth. He taught me how to shoot a gun, dive on a cliff, play the patintero (especially during full moon!), and carry a fighting cock (he breeds fighting cocks).<br />
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16. My relationship can be summed up with this statement - I am always consistent in falling in love with creative, fun, witty, uber nice and street smart guys... One was unrequited, the second was lost over time, the third was mutual, and this time - hmmmm, I’m still paving the way for the one....<br />
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17. I share myself only with those people that I trust. Little things mean a lot to me – encouragement, a pat on the back, a smile on a hallway, a call from a friend, or an sms message to boost me up.<br />
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18. My friends and I started this travel company last year, teaching travel photography to our participants. I do the travel itinerary and unravel undiscovered paradise never set foot by tourists before. We discovered Palaui Island and had four successful travel photography.<br />
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19. I am a voracious reader. I love crime and punishment the 1960’s version copy that my Dad gave me. I just finished five people you meet in heaven and future shock. Currently, im reading A Hundred and One Days from Asne Seirstad, a journalist's account of the war torn country- Iraq.<br />
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20. I love foreign films, amelie, motorcycle diaries, Julie Delpy's films, y tu mama tumbien, red violin, trainspotting and most recently slumdog millionaire...It did made me cry.<br />
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21. One day, I will write an environmental documentary for the Moonrise Festival.<br />
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22. I told my friends that if by the age of 33 im still not married; I will adopt and raise a baby or hopefully rear my own...haha, goodluck to that!<br />
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23. I believe in allowing your partner to have his own life apart from being with you all the time...That means having his own set of friends, going out with his friends- without you checking on him all the time. I’d like to have that independence given to me as well.<br />
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24. I almost lost my life twice – the first one was on a fire accident in our chicken poultry when I was 4 years old and the second time was when I jumped from a cliff 20 feet high. I hit hard bottom and I realized that it took a while for me to see the light from above.As I surfaced, I was so freaking happy im still alive!<br />
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25. I own a six year old ewok looking dog named Basty! He’s the sweetest and funniest little creature in the world.</div>
Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-2219513614191938702017-12-21T05:31:00.002-08:002017-12-21T05:36:17.996-08:00Dear God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear God,<br />
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In the face of cruelty and perilous world that i have seen this year, you have been always there to cradle me to safety and peace. You are the kindest of all souls, the warmth of all love, the faith that made me believe that there is no obstacle in this world that i cannot rise above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6veEhBjJi70OgWKJvFpD0ya5kRLTDhuimXhHOwaSDu-8soXeKE2iJLhXa9vbWjOkGVvVsfnHfHlBbx66L5JUhyYZdl-lnakC8B196nIvp_WgsZFfq3X0qKdJiEePLzJymdiWLq2qgx0jA/s1600/prayer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1580" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6veEhBjJi70OgWKJvFpD0ya5kRLTDhuimXhHOwaSDu-8soXeKE2iJLhXa9vbWjOkGVvVsfnHfHlBbx66L5JUhyYZdl-lnakC8B196nIvp_WgsZFfq3X0qKdJiEePLzJymdiWLq2qgx0jA/s400/prayer.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thank you for the strength and will to survive, the love of friendship and family that embaced my being, the amazing new people that have changed my life, touched me in wonderful ways, and has created in me a vision to see the world in a new light.</div>
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Thank you for showering me with opportunities to touch lives and being able to give it back to others all the blessings that you have given me. Thank you for taking care of me on all my travel trips, securing me with your love and bringing me home safely into your arms. Thank you for my guardian angels, my grandparents lolo pannong and lola charing, whenever i call out their names, they release from me all anxiety, sad feeling, stressful moments and give me the calmness that i need.</div>
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The world out there may still have wasteful beings, where humans hurt each other to survive, but with your faith you took care of me, and has always been there for me through trying times of my life. I am forever grateful with your presence in my life now and until the end of my time.</div>
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Love,<br />
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Chin</div>
Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-9583638786297351382016-05-16T03:32:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:33:15.962-07:00Pinay domestic helper in HK reaches new heights in Nepal — literally<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">KATHMANDU, Nepal — When Liza Avelino left her home in Davao city in 1996 to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, she had no idea where her life was headed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But 20 years down the line, the 45-year-old found herself on Crampon Point, 5,900 meters above sea level on Island Peak (6,189 meters) in Nepal Himalayas, far away from her home in the Philippines and Hong Kong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was an emotional moment as inclement weather and health issues had forced Avelino to abandon an attempt on the peak in 2015, a few days prior to the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I was in Kathmandu when it struck. I had no option but to leave. But I was determined to come back and fulfill my dream of scaling a Himalyan peak," she said of her failed attempt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Avelino had to undergo lot of physical strain in the past year to prepare herself better to scale Island Peak this year. She also had to save a lot from her earnings to make her dream come true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I couldn't make it to the peak as it was very cold and it became difficult for me to continue. But I am happy at what I have achieved and hope it will inspire others to travel, trek, climb and indulge in other adventure activities," she said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Undeterred by the quake, which killed nearly 9,000 people, and her failure, Avelino scrimped throughout the past 12 months to save nearly $4,000 for her tickets to Nepal, the trek to Island Peak, and for her gear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Besides indulging in her passion for trekking and climbing, which she does on weekends around Hong Kong, she also wants to do her bit to empower thousands of domestic workers like her in Hong Kong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last year, Avelino received the Hong Kong Fund Raiser of the Year Award from JustGiving, an online fund raising charity, for managing to raise HK$10,830, which will be used to educate migrant domestic workers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Having scaled Crampon Point, she has now her eyes set on Mount Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, at 5,199 meters. —KBK, GMA News</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Link: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/pinoyabroad/566488/pinay-domestic-helper-in-hk-reaches-new-heights-in-nepal-literally/story/</span></div>
Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-63872217503340254142014-01-28T03:17:00.000-08:002017-07-09T03:25:36.143-07:00Fair and Dark<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJh9VCP9jcxyfugmHWNUgnQKTvJ9WgyAwGq6TdUc5UWo6LUHPRh1ADcVy7Xz7maojWNhQMSMng3HQ3i7MsDRhIRv7nNGgfgzDVshxEcQ_5dNtyVxxweok6IoWrHtAIWEw-LSuf7JMMEiE/s1600/20140129fair-and-dark-600x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJh9VCP9jcxyfugmHWNUgnQKTvJ9WgyAwGq6TdUc5UWo6LUHPRh1ADcVy7Xz7maojWNhQMSMng3HQ3i7MsDRhIRv7nNGgfgzDVshxEcQ_5dNtyVxxweok6IoWrHtAIWEw-LSuf7JMMEiE/s320/20140129fair-and-dark-600x0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo: Kantipur</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I hope that fear will make people ponder after a recent study by India's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed the presence of heavy metals in cosmetics. Toxic chemicals like mercury, chromium and nickel were found in fairness creams and lipsticks with advertisers promoting the products with a different spin. Public relations companies which specialize in twisting a commodity make what is black white and white black. And when Bollywood stars endorse these products, convinced customers end up polluting their bodies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The use of fairness creams to enhance features and reduce blemishes in a bid to make women more desirable and beautiful has become a long-standing issue for health and women activists. Activists describe as absurd, the notion that women cannot survive without cosmetics, and that cosmetics are what give a fairly instant beauty fix to women that need them. You do not have to look far to see the damage that a toxin load can do to your body, it is all rooted in scientific investigation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Toxic mix</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The CSE has reported that skin-lightening cosmetic products containing mercury can damage the kidneys and may cause rashes, skin discoloration and scarring instead of the intended benefits of skin lightening and removal of pigmentation. Even prior to this revelation, there were recorded cases of mercury poisoning following the use of skin-lightening products in 2011. Traces of mercury are also used in mascara to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi which can infect and damage the eye. At the molecular level, you are likely to find carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors in cosmetic products.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The "improved" make-up products advertisers promote are simply composed of toxic particles that are both smaller and stronger. This means that they are more easily absorbed into the skin, way past the protective layers that once served as a barrier to these toxins. So when you shave your armpits, as you are scraping off a layer of skin, you apply carcinogenic-filled cream right on the vulnerable areas near your lymph nodes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More to it, hexavalent chromium, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, is found in lipsticks. Nickel was also found in 13 out of the 30 lipstick products tested by the CSE. And it is not only adults who are at risk but also young girls who are dying to try on their mother's lipstick or apply make-up for a school play. No level of toxic exposure is considered safe for children. It can lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, nervous system and kidney damage, speech problems and seizures. This reveals a complete disconnect between the perception of beauty and health.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The infuriating thing about it is that we are the ones asking consumer goods companies to produce them. We watch Shah Rukh Khan throw a skin whitening cream towards us with the message: The whiter the skin, the more attractive and successful one is. And we believe it. We rush to the nearest store to buy the items, even order imported products with the same chemical content. No wonder we see all kinds of health and beauty products carrying labels about the whitening features in them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Regulatory absence </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And this not only happens in Nepal. In the Philippines, we have anti-perspirants, lotions, face creams, toothpastes, astringents—all of which guarantee a new “you” with fairer skin. They come in all persuasive terms like spot remover, nourishing cream and eliminating freckle cream which makes a person like me so confused about what product to buy. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines banned 16 skin-whitening products containing mercury salts. Imagine my shock when I saw these “banned” products shelved in beauty stalls in Nepal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">True as they say, what is illegal in one country can find its way into another. This shows how weak regulations and enforcements are in terms of banning cosmetic products. According to a study by the Centre for Public Health and Environment Development in Nepal, there is no monitoring of the quality, sales, import and distribution of cosmetics in the Nepali market. Since there is no proper labelling of the ingredients contained in cosmetics, people are not aware of such contamination in the products they are buying. This is a good reminder of what regulatory bodies should do. People mostly rely on laws to ensure that they are shielded from the hazards and toxins in cosmetic products place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Natural pigments </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Alongside the ardent campaigns launched by cosmetics companies to convince us that fair implies beautiful, what we fail to understand is that humans with dark skin pigmentation have skin naturally rich in melanin and have more melanosomes that provide superior protection against the effects of ultraviolet radiation. This helps the body to retain its folate reserves, a water-soluble vitamin B complex which occurs naturally in green leafy vegetables, whole grains and citrus fruits. In fact, women need folate to maintain healthy eggs, which is essential for fetal growth and organ development. Other women take folate supplements just to become pregnant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because dark pigmented people are protected by the melanin, they have a lower chance of developing skin cancer and conditions related to folate deficiency. Based on a study, dark-skinned women suffer the lowest level of neural tube defects or birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord. This happens in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. In the tropics, natural selection favoured dark-skinned human populations and genetic evidence also supports this notion, demonstrating that around 1.2 million years ago, the genus Homo developed dark skin pigmentation as a means to survive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With television, internet, cell phones, social media and other instruments of rapid and mass communication, the prospects of the public weighing in on the concept of fairness tied up with beauty multiply tenfold. In the midst of this, I pose this question: If dark-pigmented people are at an advantage due to the high amounts of melanin produced in their skin, how come we pursue fairness as beauty? Maybe the CSE's study on cosmetic toxins can rouse enough public interest and indignation to spark an upheaval against these beauty products that are slowly killing us. </span><br />
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Link: http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2014-01-29/fair-and-dark.html<br />
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-18255766511658581792013-12-09T18:38:00.002-08:002013-12-09T18:45:53.854-08:00For Girls of Gangyap, Basketball Proves Life Changing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The young players hands are engraved with the names of celebrated Women’s National Basketball players. Though each display a different champion, they have all accomplished the same seamless record of points, assists, and defensive rebounds that proclaimed their team the first school from the entire northeast Indian region to win the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) under-19 Basketball Championship.<br />
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In a tiny hamlet called Gangyap (meaning ‘behind the hills’ in local Bhutia dialect in Sikkim, India), a 16-woman basketball team is clinching women’s basketball trophies and grabbing the local news headlines. The team captain, Nima Doma Bhutia, alongside fifteen women players are first generation learners attending Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) for tribal children that is funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. I first heard of the girls of Gangyap through local news in Sikkim India and began contacting friends in Sikkim to reach the girls' coach. Since electricity is intermittent and phone signal unstable in Gangyap, it was very hard to reach the players coach by email or by phone but after three weeks I was able to contact Sidharth Yonzone.<br />
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The school, headed by the players’ coach Principal Sidharth Yonzone, is the first of its kind to provide quality education for poor tribal children from Sikkim’s remote reaches. The girls all come from the west district of Sikkim, mainly from small villages, wherein they join the school through an entrance examination at class 6.<br />
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Most of these girls come from economically deprived families where gathering wood, milking the cows and cutting the fodder for livestock feeding consume most of their day’s work. The rest of their time is allotted for basketball drills against the majestic landscape of Mt. Narsing. Gangyap is 19 kilometers north of Tashiding, en route to the remotest village of Sikkim, Karjee. They say that only a small dusty village road connects this hamlet to the rest of the world, where families are cattle herders and farmers by profession and their children cannot afford to leave the village due to unaffordable cost of education.<br />
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Training in a rolling terrain for years, the girls made their own basketball court from broken stone chips and carried cement to flatten the ground. Not even a rough court without a proper shooting hoop could deter the girls to realize their dreams of winning the basketball championship. In both 2011 and 2012, Nim Doma Bhutia clinched the Most Valuable Player Award and the EMRS Gangyap team won the National Championships in 2011 and 1st runner up award in 2012. Sikkim had never won a medal in basketball before and the Gangyap girls were the youngest and least experienced team. Jigmela Wazilingpa of the Basketball Association of Sikkim is simply amazed, “A very small school in such a rural area in Gangyap is doing so well in the national level. In fact, they are now the best basketball school team in India, ” he says during an early morning basketball practice during Dashain and Tihar, a widely celebrated Hindu tradition where people come home to their families, and even those working abroad come home during this time of the year. I am impressed by the players hardwork and dedication, practicing even during this holiday.<br />
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The team captain Nima Doma Bhutia and the players credit their achievements to Coach Sidharth. Sidharth is not even a basketball player and never had any professional basketball coaching in his life. When asked how he has been able to introduce the game to a place that has no deep impression of basketball before, he says, “I am a basketball fan, though I hardly played in school. I had previously introduced basketball and coached a mini team in another rural government school where I had earlier worked. So when I was offered this job as a Principal in EMRS, I brought along two of my players Rinchen Doma and Nim Lhamu, now aged 17 and 18, and built a team around them. Basketball was an entirely new game for everyone here and only the more privileged schools normally play this game. It was a blessing when I discovered the hidden talent of the players, especially the captain Nima Doma. After a while, some of the junior players were inspired by watching Nima Doma, Rinchen and Nim Lam play and so they joined the team and started playing with them.”<br />
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Nowadays, the girls play as far as Thimpu in Bhutan after being invited by the Bhutan Olympic Committee and they have consistently won all the games by huge margins. Returning from the competitions proved to be an extraordinary experience for the girls. The other students, teachers and the local community members celebrate their return. They are showered with flowers and accompanied by a live band playing and singing. “Sometimes some well-wishers stop us in the middle of the parades and offer khada (silk scarves) to congratulate us. We normally stop at Cloud 9, a hotel in Kalimpong, West Bengal that belongs to Coach Sidharth’s father whom we often call Coach’s Dad. Coach’s dad always celebrates our victories with cakes, ice cream and sumptuous dinners celebrations,” one of the players tells me over the phone.<br />
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The ordeal was never an easy path for the girls. The team composed of Diki Doma Bhutia and Tshering Eden Bhutia as guards, Nim Lhamu Bhutia as center, Rinchen Doma Bhutia as forward and captain forward Nima Doma Bhuti usually start their practice early morning at 7:30 and then resumes after classes from 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon. Equally strong players Manita Subba, Pem Choden Lepcha, Bimochan Tamang, Tashi Tshering Sherpa, Binu Hangma Subba, Norzum Bhutia, Lakchung Lepcha, Kinchumit Lepcha, Deechen Bhutia, Pema Lhamu Bhutia and Kinzang Chomo Lepcha join them. “We have different drills during practice, if one spoils it then the entire team usually shares the responsibility,” say another player.<br />
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Even more, playing basketball proved to be life changing for the girls. It has given them huge exposure and their basketball journeys allowed them to experience glories and losses that taught them about realities in life. Though they sometimes lose, they learned to eventually accept them. “It made us mentally tougher and prepared us to face the challenges in our everyday life. It has also taught us that we would not have accomplished anything if the ‘discipline’ factor were missing. Basketball also sharpened our way of thinking, for instance, we make decisions in split seconds during the game, and this has been carried to our classrooms. We can say that we are performing better in our classes too,” one player beams proudly.<br />
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The girls are preparing for the next CBSE under 19 Nationals from the 23rd to 28th of December in Agra, India. Coach Sidharth is confident with their drills but says, “We are working hard at the moment but plagued with a number of injuries. Hopefully they will be fine soon. We are emphasizing on defense and trying to improve our rebounds. Our players are not as tall as the other players from different states.”<br />
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Hopeful that they will bring the highest honors for Gangyap this time, Coach Sidharth is proud that they have made it this far. He often says, “According to many in the beginning, basketball was not meant for us, but all that has been proved wrong. Many people don’t believe that I’ve actually coached them but then again that doubt in them is a genuine compliment.”<br />
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The girls of Gangyap are thrilled to hear that their story will be published on The WIP, their very first exposure outside India. I am visiting their school this January and am currently raising funds to help the school to continue providing basketball skills to incoming students because I believe in education to fuel changes for the country.<br />
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True enough, the Gangyap girls have rippled enthusiasm and motivation across the country. Diki Yangchen, a social activist says, “Their success is a very interesting story, it’s a story of hope that inspires you, and it’s a story that makes you want to become a better person.”<br />
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This story was published in the women international perspective on December 9, 2013.<br />
http://thewip.net/contributors/2013/12/for_girls_of_gangyap_basketbal.htmlChin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-60022829654505268232013-11-11T19:52:00.003-08:002013-11-11T19:57:55.441-08:00The Right Vote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The upcoming election provides us with much-needed perspective on a number of issues. You have the major political parties courting public suspicion by deliberately not fielding any strong candidates against top leaders. This is the latest invention by the so-called heavyweight parties to twist the election story and take a shortcut to winning public votes.<br />
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According to reports, the Nepali Congress (NC) has fielded a weak woman candidate against UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal; the CPN-UML has fielded a weak woman candidate against NC President Sushil Koirala; and the same story rings true for top leaders like Madhav Kumar Nepal, Bijay Kumar Gacchadar and Sher Bahadur Deuba.<br />
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In an interview with Republica, former CPN-UML lawmaker Radha Gyawali said, “As we go through the political parties´ list of women candidates under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system and their competitors in the constituencies concerned, it clearly indicates that many of the women candidates are likely to be defeated. It is because the parties have named women candidates just to meet the requirements of the election laws.” True enough, women’s political participation in Nepal has been an uphill battle, thereby requiring strong advocacy for increased rights and the participation of women in the political process. However, the situation remains discouraging to this day.<br />
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The Interim Constitution of Nepal mandates that at least 33 percent of candidates for the FPTP system and the proportional representation (PR) system combined be reserved for women. Furthermore, the electoral law for PR seats ensures that 50 percent of all nominated candidates are women. Although women’s representation in political institutions increased substantially after the 2008 elections, entrenched patriarchal norms, gender inequality and discriminatory practices continue to limit the ability of women to participate in and influence political decisions. Institutions such as the National Democratic Institute (NDI) advocate for women’s political participation through leadership training for local women leaders. From 1997 to 1999, NDI helped parties train more than 4,000 women candidates to run and serve as local elected officials. To promote the inclusion of women in politics, NDI supported the Inter-Parliamentary Women’s Alliance’s ability to advocate for increased rights and participation in the political process.<br />
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However, gender practitioners claim that Nepal is still a male-dominated society. There is a tendency of leaders to think that women are not as capable as men. Various reports have validated that the few women in political positions were mostly from the upper castes, were close relatives of male politicians and were largely subordinate to male members and leaders. A considerable number of female leaders who made it into the 2008 Constituent Assembly was new to politics and most of them felt a high degree of loyalty to their political parties, making it difficult for them to articulate their own agendas.<br />
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I am not sure how far this gender issue will sink before it rises. However, this month’s election is the best time to draw the line.<br />
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On one side of the fence, you have the record of political leaders from the previous years to go by. A regime of public officials asking for more than they need, or can possibly use, from buying luxury mansions to accusations of using dozens of stolen SUVs and cars, aiding the party leadership to protect criminals and corrupt elements and financial embezzlement that collectively raises questions about the ideological purity of the leadership. No one seems to have noticed, or minded, that they were all doing this in the name of ‘public service’.<br />
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On the other side of the fence are women candidates who were victims, survivors and those that waged armed conflict, and thus have a major stake in reshaping the future political development of the country. Nepal’s latest demographic census revealed that women constitute 50 percent or more of the population, hence their contribution to peace and democracy can provide a more accurate perspective of all segments of society.<br />
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For comparison, the Nepali winners of the CNN Hero award have all been women—the likes of Pushpa Basnet and Anuradha Koirala. What greater proof can one ask that women make extraordinary contributions to their country?<br />
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At the very most, Nepalis have forgotten that their country was once recognised by a woman revolutionary leader who died fighting for her principles. The story of Yogmaya Neupane is an example of a leader who confronted the Rana rulers demanding good governance. She lived with her head<br />
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shaven, dressed in a single white cloth, meditated in caves with young widows, free slaves and members of the untouchable Dalit caste as followers. Based on historical scriptures, when her demands for good governance did not translate into actions, Yogmaya and her 67 followers hurled themselves into the raging Arun river in a final act of rebellion on July 14, 1941. On March 8, 2011, a statue of Yogmaya Neupane was unveiled in the district headquarters town of Bhojpur to mark International Women’s Day. Yogmaya’s story raises a lot of questions, apart from imparting many lessons for the elections.<br />
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First, it makes you think that you can always complain about how the Election Commission and the police have not done their job in keeping the vote clean and maintaining peace. You can claim that neighbouring countries are meddling in issues beyond their territorial control. And that donors and international agencies are controlling the political scenario. But there are limits to what they can do, whereas on the other hand, there are no limits to what you can do.<br />
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Second, you can battle against blatant violence and pillage at a personal level. Start fighting deeper at the level of your vote. If you do not vote for people who slaughtered your forefathers, you will not have officials who terrorise you. If you do not vote for people who plunder public funds, you will not have officials who pillage you. It is only when you refuse to be robbed that you can stop corruption.<br />
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Third, every vote must be cast for candidates who deserve it. They only deserve your votes when their work can trickle down to real beneficiaries in the form of goods or services to the people. It is urgent that you not let the country revert back to those that have done it the most harm. Otherwise, you will only repeat your own history—the first time as tragedy and the second time as farce.<br />
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Cabrido is an international news stringer<br />
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Posted in The Kathmandu Post on 2013-11-12<br />
http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/11/12/opinion/the-right-vote/380665.html<br />
<br />Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-67754515693381112232013-10-18T08:10:00.002-07:002017-07-09T03:02:34.971-07:00People without a Nation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Battle lines are being drawn at the Supreme Court. They are between the stateless and the state and they are about citizenship laws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A draft court ruling grants citizenship to a child born from a Nepali mother and a Nepali father, a stark contrast from the Citizenship Act of 2006 and the 2011 Supreme Court directive that provides citizenship to a child born from a Nepali mother or a Nepali father. The debate between ‘and’ and ‘or’ has characterised the current discourse on citizenship with strong notions of gender bias and patriarchal hegemony. True enough, this has dislodged approximately 2.1 million persons, out of an estimated 30 million Nepali population, relegating them to ‘people without a nation’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal does not have any measures to safeguard against the possibility of statelessness for children born in Nepali territory, a violation of Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Though Nepal has been a party to this convention since 1990, it still does not state that it will facilitate the naturalisation of stateless children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Based on international laws, there are different ways to get citizenship. One is through right to blood (jus sanguinis), the second through right of soil (jus soli), the third through a process of naturalisation, the fourth through choice and the fifth through acquisition of territory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, things take a different stride in Nepal. A foreign spouse is only eligible to take Nepali citizenship after 15 years of legal residence in Nepal, leaving their children in a state of limbo. Additionally, dual citizenship for Nepalis is strictly forbidden and the acquisition of a foreign nationality automatically renders a person’s existing Nepali citizenship invalid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“The state is treating us like dirt and we are cowering like wimps,” says one such stateless person. “This country is annihilating us with impunity and we are not given any right to rage and rail over it,” says another. The citizenship law speaks of the selective perception of legal rights; it speaks of selective morality on who is a ‘native’ in one’s country. These ordinary people, who are not recognised in their own nation, are prevented from realising their rights and are clamoring for their national identity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal is at the crossroads of a fledgling democracy and is struggling to achieve common understanding on the process of nation building. It is said that there will never be democracy unless all aspects of human rights are covered. This is not as easy as it sounds. For one, stateless people are stripped of a citizenship certificate, the primary identity document used in Nepal that provides them access to services such as banking, obtaining a passport, medical treatment at hospitals, social security, government allowances and employment opportunities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And this ordeal is far from over. For Nepali women, securing citizenship for their children who were not accepted or recognised by their husbands is almost impossible. How much worse is it for those who were raped, abused and impregnated? Just looking at the extent and depth of their emotional and physical ordeals, anyone would ask themselves why in god’s name should they have to pay for this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Some Nepali politicians have defend the new citizenship rules, saying that Nepal needs to protect the interests of its people from the growing dominance of its neighbouring countries—India and China. In a report published in 2011, Pradeep Gyawali, a former parliamentarian and member of the panel that recommended the new citizenship rules, said, “We need to tighten the rules otherwise a small country like ours cannot take the pressure from big neighbours,” admitting that it was to discourage Indians and Chinese from seeking Nepali nationality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, bear in mind that stateless people are a threat to democratic ideals. You would imagine that this was happening in Syria or some war-torn part of the world. Ironically, the threat is not outside but is within. The Election Commission of Nepal indicates that a number of stateless people did not vote in 2008, and unless the restrictive provisions on citizenship are changed, this could lead to significant serious threats to internal peace, stability and security in the near future. If people are stateless on their own soil, they become a disenfranchised community with no political, social and moral allegiance to their own country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Recent events have shown that Dzhokhar and Tamerlan’s inability to become fully integrated into American society appears to be their primary motive behind the Boston marathon bombings. A newspaper report stated that family, friends and social media sources painted a complex picture of the brothers’ religiosity, and especially how Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s struggle to fit into American culture was a seething rage that finally exploded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The principle of attaining citizenship is closely tied with equality and the denial of citizenship has created problems for many. Stateless people can be arbitrary detained, exiled and confined with no rights to freedom. The denial of citizenship also restricts a person his basic rights to hold property in Nepal and gives a feeling of humiliation since one is treated like a foreigner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As Nepal’s election draws close, the people who have remained stateless are looking to the new constitution for protection and relief. They expect greater protection of fundamental rights for minorities, women, the marginalised and vulnerable groups. These rights include women’s rights, rights for the stateless, LGBTs, ethnicity, religion tolerance, freedom of speech, children’s rights, indigenous rights and so on. However, the government has continuously sidelined the citizenship issue as less important than state restructuring and has shown an unwillingness to work together on statelessness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While it is true that Nepal should guard itself against pre-conceived threats from neighbouring countries, the price of passing the wrong citizenship legislation for the right reasons is too high to pay. When things are not in their right perspective, the deprivation of human rights can cause conflict in the long run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For years, Nepal campaigned to break away from traditional feudal structures. However, if constitutional and political reform is to be meaningful, this issue needs to be addressed to ensure that citizenship becomes a fundamental right available for all legitimate Nepali people. In the scheme of things, Nepal needs to understand that humanity begins at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cabrido is an international news stringer assigned in Kathmandu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This story was printed in <a href="http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/10/17/related_articles/people-without-a-nation/254720.html#.UmCYssB8hX8.facebook" target="_blank">The Kathmandu Post</a> on October 18, 2013.</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-58502650622153756542013-10-17T22:45:00.000-07:002017-07-09T02:06:21.569-07:00From Banners to Bags: Turning the Tide of Waste in Kathmandu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Uma Shrestha has a secret weapon in her fight to clean up the piling garbage in Kathmandu, Nepal. It’s her beat-up sewing machine that stitches colorful and artistic bags made from one-time use and discarded Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) banners.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyone who meets the 35-year-old native of Dharan, an urban locality in Eastern Nepal, often gets inspired on how flex banners made from polyvinyl chloride polyethylene plastics can be sewed into funky and practical bags.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Uma is one of the many young women who has received vocational training in sewing from Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) – Self Reliance Center, a local NGO in Kathmandu, who supports youth at risk and marginalized women make use of recycled products as a source of income in their Banners to Bags (B2B) program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Banners to Bags program of CWIN is a social and environmental program based in Kathmandu, Nepal that uses discarded flex and fabric banners to create employment opportunities for youth at risk. Most of B2B’s raw materials are collected from dumpsites, NGO’s, schools and private offices that believe on the same cause. The up-cycled product from waste materials turned into better quality bags and document holders are later sold back to the donating organisations at a discounted rate, or other organisations that want to become involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The brains behind the B2B program are Laura McManus and Tara Nakashima, who for many years now, wanted to start a project that is both sustainable and gives back to the community. Laura and Tara lived in Kathmandu, Nepal and were part of a broader environmental campaign to get people thinking about creative and practical ways to reduce waste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today, there are six B2B women sewers with ages ranging from 15 to 21 years old, who are cutting and sewing the plastic banners and putting together a final product of colorful bags and document holders. “The banners are not useful at a certain point and they pollute the streets too. If we use these bags, it will help keep the streets of Kathmandu clean,” says Gairi Uprety, one of the women who received the sewing training from CWIN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once seen as the Himalayan Shangri-la, Kathmandu is increasingly plagued with environmental problems with 400 tonnes of rubbish per day littering the streets, clogging waterways and destroying ecosystems. At almost every turning of the city, a mountain of garbage is a sight to every pedestrians and tourists. The smell, sight and public health threat is harming Kathmandu’s economic future particularly its tourism industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The valley is also witnessing a rise in cases of diarrhea and cholera as a result of lack of proper waste disposal and management. Insurmountable piles of the city’s garbage are contaminating the water systems and threatening the public health of its residents. Due to non-collection of garbage, people dump their waste in open areas or in nearby rivers and riversides which has further exacerbated the problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is a need to change people’s perceptions about waste and its effective management. The public should play a responsible role in reducing, reusing and recycling waste,” says Sumitra Amatya, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Management Technical Support Centre (SWMTSC), under the Ministry of Urban Development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For Banners to Bags team, the plastic bag became a symbol of that waste, so they started looking for ways to minimize the use of plastic shopping bags. The program of turning banners to bags is unique since they do not use a new material to create an alternative to plastic. Rather they utilize a waste material and breath new life into it. Krishna Shrestha, Program Officer of CWIN Self Reliance Center is proud of their success in finding job placements for the women in the B2B program. “When they graduate, they have the proper training needed to start their tailoring shops. We also give them seed money to start their own business.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the truest sense of sustainability, the Banners to Bags program of CWIN is educating the community on the detriments of one time use plastic bags and empowering youth with new vocational skills to support their living. Young women like Uma and Gairi don’t have to buy the sewing materials or pay the fees for the training. “The teachers inspire us a lot. We are underprivileged and came from very remote areas. We manage to earn just enough to feed ourselves and sometimes it’s even hard to do that. It’s almost impossible to buy raw materials and earn from tailoring, but this B2B program is helping us sustain our households,” they said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>This story appeared in Asian Geographic Magazine</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Vol 97 Issue 4/2013</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>THE GREEN EDITION</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More photos here: </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/114010625243696124424/albums/5839570550809026257?authkey=CKL6idOn8Mfl4QE" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Banners to Bags</a></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-15766548380333092592013-09-17T05:43:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:04:07.050-07:00Sound of Silence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I</span> noticed his eyes were unflinching when he told me in Nepali, “I was sexually abused at the age of 12 and from that time, I have never had any sexual relations. Now I am 28 years old.” I was speechless for a second, absorbing every word he said. In front of me was a young man who was alleged to be homosexual after not engaging in any serious relationship with a woman. His struggle to be in a relationship was the result of a dark past that haunted him for sixteen years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The year was 1999 when CPN-UML leader Yadu Gautam was assassinated by Maoist insurgents. This was followed by an explosion at the offices of the Election Commission and Gorkhapatra, the widest circulated Nepali newspaper, in Kathmandu. The country was in peril and everyone aspired to a secure future. Rupesh (name changed) was a 12-year-old boy from Terhathum district in eastern Nepal. As in most cases, he was sent to an English boarding school outside his village to pursue a better education.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I asked Rupesh how he met the perpetrator. He said that the man lived in front of his single room hostel, next to the house of his maternal aunt’s sister. Rupesh was a tuberculosis patient and his aunt administered his medicines. With his daily routine of taking prescription drugs, he encountered this man every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I used to read newspapers in his office where he worked as a government worker. That day, he asked me to read inside his room while he fixed an electric bulb. He then removed my underpants and raped me,” said Rupesh. The next day, he ran and escaped from the same guy’s attempt to sexually abuse him. Rupesh swallowed his tuberculosis medicine without water, locked himself in his own room, terribly terrified and still bleeding from the attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How can anyone not hear this story in disgust? Rupesh’s exposé shows what is profoundly wrong with child molestation. His sexual abuse and its aftermath has caused ill effects such as depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal and fear of the opposite sex. In worst cases, the tides turn when children hit adolescence wherein they display inappropriate sexual behaviour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Based on studies, a majority of child sex abuse cases go unreported because of its stigmatic nature, even more so if they involve young boys. Child friendly mechanisms of psychosocial support for children who have been sexually abused are critically important. Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN), established in 1987, is an advocacy organisation for child’s rights with a focus on children living in and working under difficult circumstances. When I visited CWIN earlier this year, their Child Helpline Nepal had registered 447 cases (from January to June 2013) of boys being subjected to sexual exploitation, physical abuse, labour and child marriages. This number continues to rise despite CWIN’s toll-free hotline, ambulance service, counseling, emergency shelter, medical and legal services are used as tools for child welfare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Another report by Save the Children Nepal in 2003 validated that nearly 13.7 percent of the 5,000 interviewed students had suffered from severe sexual abuse. This data must have been doubled by now and you need not go far to see the proof. Major streets in the Bir Hospital area, Bus Park, New Road, Basantapur, Gaushala, Thamel, Chhetrapati, Durbar Marg, Kalimati and Kuleshwor are frequented by street children who become victims of daily sexual abuse. This gives us the face of a social malaise that should collectively move us to public outrage or stoke us to stop it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But clearly, these are not enough, not by any stretch of the imagination. In Nepal and its surrounding regions, there still exists a culture of silence where child sexual abuse is often viewed as something that should not be talked about, even if it is happening in close proximity. Much of this stems from cultural notions of shame and family honour that can be a matter of life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and death, especially for girls. More so, children are often confused as to whether non-penetrative forms such as touching or fondling are affectionate displays of love or abuse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In Nepal, counseling interventions for sexually abused children are usually done by indigenous healers before consultations with formal health workers due to lower costs involved. Clearly, there is still a lack of awareness about the role of counseling within the broader healing process of the abused child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rupesh currently works with a peace and human rights organisation based in Kathmandu. While his institution actively works in the pursuit of human rights and justice, his troubled past remains hidden inside his closet. I challenged him to speak out. I quoted former US President John F Kennedy, “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is not enough to say that as long as we perform a puja (worship) for prayaschit (repentance), we can rape and still call ourselves holy. Self-proclaimed god men who sexually abuse young children deserve to be behind bars. The cruel man who sexually abused Rupesh walks free and is still raping other innocent boys. Rupesh seemed to agree with me on this and said, “I do not know where he is posted now but his name can be found from looking at his office file during that time. If he is found, I would like to expose him and put him behind bars.” At long last, there is hope for justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cabrido is an international news stringer assigned in Kathmandu</strong></em> <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(chincabrido@gmail.com)</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Kathmandu Post</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-85515510165787983462013-09-08T23:26:00.000-07:002017-07-09T01:29:01.193-07:00Nepal: Civil War Victims Protest Blanket Amnesty for Human Rights Violators<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">On April 1, 2013, Nepal’s Supreme Court overturned an ordinance to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), sparking a debate about whether public executions would soon be carried out as punishment for heinous crimes during the Maoist insurgency. During Nepal’s more than 10-year civil war between Maoist combatants and government forces, at least 13,000 people were killed and about 1,300 disappeared. The recent suspension of the TRC, issued by Justice Sushila Karki, is yet another dark shadow in Nepal’s continuing struggle.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">The court’s decision was the result of many violations of the interim constitution of Nepal within the TRC . The proposed TRC is not committed to an impartial investigation of the abuses of the armed forces and police, and defers looking into cases of those who were abducted, tortured and killed without a trace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Based on its unofficial translation, the TRC explicitly provides in Article 23 that, while investigating gross violations of human rights, the Commission can recommend to the Government of Nepal that a perpetrator be granted amnesty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In Nepal, perpetrators are often protected by laws that provide a widespread culture of impunity. The army and law enforcement agencies are seen as vanguards of non-accountability, and while police officers are prosecuted in few cases, it is almost impossible to bring perpetrators to justice if they belong to the army. All too often, witnesses are threatened and police rely on torture to secure confessions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Along the Baluwatar residence of the Prime Minister, near where I reside, there are daily mass protests happening in the streets as a sign of public outcry. “Our pain as [victims] has worsened with the fear of the government’s decisions [to provide] a blanket amnesty to all involved during that era,” says Sundip Gurung during an exclusive interview with me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">The recent turn of events suspending the TRC’s implementation of blanket amnesty for perpetrators of grave human rights violations has served as a breather for Sundip and his family. Sundip claims that her aunt was not a spy. “She was in fact a social activist who was largely adored by the local people. After years of suffering, while the culprits are walking freely, we still live our lives [under] constant threat,” he says.Sundip’s aunt, Deuta Kumari Gurung, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed the night of May 18, 2004 by the Maoists who accused her of spying on them. She was a social activist in a small town in Kahireni, Butwal, about 240 kilometers west of Kathmandu. At an early age, Deuta was compelled to marry a man and become his second wife in exchange for a parcel of land given to her family who was financially struggling. After a few years of marriage, she was unable to conceive and was consequently physically and mentally abused by her husband until her violent demise in 2004.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Having no recourse on the prospect of justice, Sundip went abroad five years ago to pursue further studies. A year ago, he came back to Nepal and started gathering documents related to his aunt’s disappearance. “I have found a Police First Information Report (FIR) against the culprits with their names, a notice written on paper by a Maoist which was posted in our home, and a newspaper story on my aunt’s death.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Civil war victims tell harrowing tales of loss and grief. Sundip is a common face among public protests in Kathmandu, holding up placards seeking the truth about crimes against humanity. His resolve to fight against impunity has long been delayed. “I have lost faith in all the authorities of Nepal after being involved in several campaigns demanding for justice,” he said. His frustration is rooted in the fact that he and his family are receiving threats from these people who press them to file a formal case in court.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sundip’s story reveals the need for an effective process that promotes national healing in Nepal. At least 9,000 international law violations were recorded by the UN’s OHCHR during the prolonged conflict in Nepal without a single prosecution against conflict-related human rights violations to date.“How will it be possible for us to be silent? This is not just about my aunt; this is all about the innocent victims who had nothing to do with the insurgency,” he added. When asked what his next plans were, given the safety issues involved, he tells me, “I do not know what will be my next steps; the good thing is most of my family members have left the country. I have accepted the fact that I will fight for the justice no matter what.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In a similar case, Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Gangamaya Adhikari have been staging a hunger strike demanding that the Nepali government investigate the case of their son. The Kathmandu Post featured the story of nineteen-year-old Adhikari who was abducted from Bakulahar Chowk, Ratna Nagar Municipality, in Chitwan in June 2004 by the Maoists and killed the next day. Following threats from the Maoists, Adhikari’s family had to flee their hometown in Gorkha and has been living in Kathmandu since. One of the murderers was recently arrested as a result of the Adhikari's 47-day fast, creating optimism for all surviving families of the civil war era that justice is attainable even without the TRC.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In a press statement on August 13, 2013, UCPN (M) Chairman Dahal claimed that the Adhikari case was blown out of proportion with the intention of dislodging the entire base of the peace process. The former revolutionary leader said that the current events were part of somebody's grand design. "Those who were against the ordinance on TRC have been playing an active role in intensifying the issue as an act of derailing the entire peace process ahead of the elections," said Dahal in his statement with Republica news.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">What is more depressing is that most of the surviving families of the victims have not performed their relatives’ traditional final rituals because they have not seen the dead bodies. Funeral rituals in Nepal are steeped in religious tradition; Hindus and Buddhists cremate the bodies of their loved ones, while Christians bury their dead.With the national elections scheduled to take place in November of this year, and no consensus on how to address the human rights violations committed during the civil war, this will likely result in more demonstrations and violence. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">While the country is walking towards the threshold of political transition, the battle of civil war victims such as Sundip remains unsettled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Since most of the issues raised in the international news focus only on Nepal’s political transition due to the upcoming elections, Sundip believes that it is of utmost importance for the international community to hear the accounts of the victims of the civil war who still have not received justice. “We are not looking for any sort of compensation, because the loss we had is not replaceable by any means; we are simply just trying to find the answers,” he says.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://thewip.net/contributors/2013/09/nepal_civil_war_victims_protes.html" style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Nepal: Civil War Victims Protest Blanket Amnesty for Human Rights Violators</a></h3>
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<span class="entry-body" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">by Chin Cabrido</span><br />
<span class="entry-body" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><em>-Nepal-</em></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-26902388661346996222013-08-18T01:21:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:06:44.924-07:00Caught in the middle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As immigrants risk enormous time and money to invest in a country not their own, how can we introduce incentives that will safeguard their welfare?</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">T</span>he story found itself in Forbes Magazine. Binod Chaudhary, chairman of the Chaudhary Group, is Nepal’s first billionaire. He launched the famous Wai-Wai noodle brand, which has become a household name in Nepali kitchens, and heads a multi-industrial, transnational conglomerate spanning five continents. A Nepali businessman of Indian-origin, Chaudhary’s grandfather migrated to Nepal in the 20th century. According to Forbes, Chaudhary’s net worth of $1 billion (approximately Rs 88.20 billion) bolsters Nepal’s domestic jobs and spurs the country’s economic growth.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCneUaaE9L1PIaPYTYZkpSsiy2sxidsXYFj7P4DwY5zxHhabRifTf-kZKsXM9heRvbHpXwNG-xJbSqY_s3WpJRrBxJpLGx3gfxE5bFGZCLBFvYkcgkVmUr3ZHqIvrOEPB78zQYeA8c7gFE/s1600/chin-cabrido-photo1_20130818095136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCneUaaE9L1PIaPYTYZkpSsiy2sxidsXYFj7P4DwY5zxHhabRifTf-kZKsXM9heRvbHpXwNG-xJbSqY_s3WpJRrBxJpLGx3gfxE5bFGZCLBFvYkcgkVmUr3ZHqIvrOEPB78zQYeA8c7gFE/s320/chin-cabrido-photo1_20130818095136.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is interesting to note that many of the most successful investors in a particular country owe their existence to an architect who was an immigrant or a descendant of an immigrant. Caterine Fake, a daughter of a Filipina mother and an American father from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made it into Time Magazine’s list of people who took the world by storm when she developed the popular photo management and photo sharing website Flickr. Jerry Yang emigrated from Taiwan and co-founded Yahoo. Despite his mother being an English teacher, Yang claimed that he only knew one English word (shoe) when he moved to the United States. These immigrants who are carving their names in the business sector happen to have made far-reaching contributions to the countries that they now call home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As descendant of immigrants launch their businesses, they become a net source of domestic job creation. Nepal’s Chaudhary Group is responsible for operating more than 40 businesses with 6,000 employees. This equates to thousands of Nepali workers with increased purchasing power to access food, education, and health benefits. That fellow, whose forefathers migrated to this country, started his venture in important areas that have helped revitalise local communities that may otherwise have succumbed to blight and decay. As it stands now, Chaudhary Group prides itself on having developed the first television and radio assembly plant as well as the first modern concept of housing in the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More to it, the creation of new jobs by immigrant investors leads to increased local tax revenue for the country. This translates to thousands of figures to the government, with workers paying a significant share of their income in local taxes. Taxes are essential; they fund public amenities, infrastructure and services that are crucial for a properly functioning economy. Nepalis working abroad may be the biggest contributors of remittances but this honour also extends to Nepalis living and working in Nepal where employment can be happening not just in the fringes of society but right at the core of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Amid the wealth of evidence on the positive benefits immigrant investors bring to Nepal, the country’s business enabling environment is still challenging because of its chaotic processes. According to the World Bank’s 2013 Doing Business Report, Nepal ranks 105 among 185 economies on the ease of starting a business. Among South Asian countries, Nepal ranks third from the bottom. The rankings for comparator economies and the regional average ranking provide useful information to assess how easy it is for an entrepreneur in Nepal to start a business. The report reveals that business bottlenecks in Nepal are reflected in a large number of procedures, long delays and high costs. According to the data, dealing with construction permits in Nepal requires 13 procedures, takes 115 days and costs 654.6 percent of income per capita. The procedure to avail of electricity consists of submitting an application to the Nepal Electricity Authority to conduct a site inspection. External connections and actual electricity flowing in your small business venture takes 70 working days. This is a lengthy wait for someone who will face regular power outages once the power source is set-up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Moreover, a couple more things are deeply troubling. Nepal ranks low in business enabling indicators such as protecting investors. This is exacerbated by the unstable political environment. According to an estimate, Nepal faces a loss of over Rs 1.98 billion during bandas or nationwide strikes. The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has consistently expressed concern over vandalism and attacks on private properties and obstruction in businesses during political bandas. As the country is in dire need of investments to create employment and fuel economic growth, nationwide strikes cripple economic activities time and again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But frightening as the impending scenario is, there’s something that scares immigrant investors more. Just this month, the Deccan Herald reported that a 32-year-old Indian who had come to invest in Nepal was killed in a remote town in the Far West of the country. Running a condiments factory in Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur district, Jain was returning home from the Vaijanath Katha Factory when he was kidnapped. The police found his body in a forest with his hands and feet tied, a gag over his mouth and a blindfold over his eyes. His body bore stab marks as well as bullet injuries wherein a port mortem report said that he had died due to gunshot wounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I share the victim’s sense of apprehension, if not alarm, at the state, and future, of this country’s investment climate. Certainly, I agree that we need to reform the business-enabling environment and give investors the utmost priority they deserve. This means simplifying and streamlining regulatory frameworks to remove barriers to business creation and operation, implementing sound government procurement practices to increase business accessibility, improving trade policies and access to information, capacity building, securing a stable political climate and providing safety to individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Representing a wave of diasporas are immigrants who are caught in the middle of changing landscapes. As immigrants risk enormous time and money to invest in a country not their own, how can we introduce incentives that will safeguard their welfare?</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cabrido is an international news stringer assigned in Kathmandu</span></strong></em></div>
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<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">chincabrido@gmail.com</span></strong></em><br />
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Published in The Kathmandu Post on August 18, 2013.</span></b></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-47561592678590430622013-08-02T06:02:00.003-07:002017-07-09T03:06:03.988-07:00Crash Course<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo from: <a href="http://www.terranovaphotography.com.au/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #0063dc; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16.890625px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">www.terranovaphotography.com.au</a><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 16.890625px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Road accidents-currently killing on the scale of malaria-will continue to rob more families of their loved ones and their livelihoods, as the number of those killed doubles to over two million per year in 2030. This message launched the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With an alarming statistics on road accidents claiming 1734 lost lives and 11000 injured from 2009 to 2010, these tragic deaths continue to be a neglected epidemic in Nepal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The recent incident of a speeding bus in western Nepal killing at least 15 people was charged on poorly maintained vehicles and roads. A few months ago, four people, including two women, were killed when a jeep fell into a gorge in Nepal’s western Doti district. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to the World Health Organization, speeding is the single most common traffic rule violation committed by drivers and contributes to up to one third of all road traffic crashes. Inexperienced young adults driving with blood alcohol concentration levels above 0.05g/dl have a 2.5 times higher risk of a crash compared with older, more experienced drivers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pedestrians, cyclists and riders of motorized two-wheelers remain to be the most vulnerable road users. The death of noted biologist and devoted cyclist Pralad Yonzon, after a collision with a truck on Ring Road, reminds us on the scant attention given to road safety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Looking at a bigger scale, road accidents block economic and social development. The estimated cost of road accidents in the developing world is now $100 billion a year exceeding the total annual amount received in development assistance. These costs are especially damaging for countries struggling with the problems of development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Casualties affect mostly economically active persons and have a ripple effect on their dependents, causing suffering and poverty. For each road traffic injury death, there are dozens of survivors who are left with short-term or permanent disabilities that may result in continuing restrictions on their physical functioning, psychosocial consequences or a reduced quality of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Road survivors absorb massive financial burdens and they tend to stay in the hospital longer than average patients. Injured people often suffer physical pain and emotional anguish that is beyond any economic compensation. Permanent disability, such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, loss of eyesight, or brain damage, can deprive an individual of the ability to achieve even minor goals and result in dependence on others for economic support and routine physical care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many of those killed or injured are breadwinners of their families, leaving behind a traumatic orphaned family who will struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives. Disabled victims from road tragedy face the dilemma of providing food in the table, sending their children to school or supporting their family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In Nepal, road safety laws are inadequate. With new roads recently opened, the limited number of police is constantly challenged to combat speed and drunk driving, check on the use of motorcycle helmets and reprimand traffic violators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Aside from the newly completed Kathmandu Bhaktapur section Arniko Highway, there is no separate lane for motorcycles on any roads of the country. This section of Arniko Highway has 4 lanes for vehicles, 2 lanes for motorcycle separated by road paint and 2 service tracks. Pedestrians have to share traffic space with four- wheeled vehicles, such as cars, buses and trucks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Improving road safety means that we need to understand the issues better. The weak enforcement, inadequate vehicle inspection facilities and irresponsible behavior of drivers and road users have been identified as among the major reasons restricting road safety initiatives in Nepal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Public buses in Nepal are generally overloaded with passengers and goods. The low fares charged by these forms of transport are affordable to poor people. The vehicles are also convenient, as they will stop anywhere to pick up or drop off passengers, and they do not adhere to any fixed time schedules. Against these advantages for poorer people in terms of mobility, there is a marked lack of safety. The drivers speed, are aggressive in their road behavior and lack respect for other road users. The long hours that drivers are forced to work result in fatigue, sleep deprivation and reckless driving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All the same, a strategy must be found to regulate this industry and make it into a safe and organized form of public transport. Such a strategy must address the safety of road users, the labor rights of drivers and the economic interests of the vehicle owners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Policy-makers should recognize effective measures that are designed to force compliance and influence a change in behavior. Since 1995, road safety audit is already mandatory in Nepal but this has not greatly reduced conflicting points in road junctions and intersections or encouraged appropriate speed and motorist behavior using traffic signs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mapping who are at risks and designing a road safety strategy are also important elements of road safety design. Older people are often underrepresented in traffic fatalities, especially as vulnerable road users. Older pedestrians in particular are associated with a very high rate of road injury and death. This is mainly due to the increased physical frailty of the elderly. Given the same type of impact, an older person is more likely to be injured or killed than a younger one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The growth in the number of motor vehicles in Nepal is central, not only to road safety, but also to other issues such as pollution, the quality of life in urban and rural areas, the depletion of natural resources, and social justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As motorization increases, many low-income and middle-income countries may face a growing toll of road traffic injuries, with potentially devastating consequences in human, social and economic terms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The problem of road traffic crashes and injuries in Nepal is growing both in absolute numbers and in relative terms. It is a serious public health and development issue, taxing health care systems and undermining their ability to devote limited resources to other areas of need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Accurate data are essential for prioritizing public health issues, monitoring trends and assessing intervention programs. Nepal has inadequate information systems on road traffic injury, making it difficult to realize the full nature of the problem and thus gain the attention that is required from policy-makers and decision- makers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal’s government can help foster stronger collaboration between different groups that collect and keep data and evidence on road traffic injuries. With such improved collaboration and improved management of data, significant reductions can be achieved in the magnitude of road traffic casualties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The health, social and economic impacts of road accidents are substantial. WHO study says that road accidents cost governments, on average, between 1% and 2% of their gross national product. The social costs – more difficult to quantify – exact a heavy toll on victims, their families, friends and communities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Road accidents should not become a major source of death due to lack of proper planning, management and regulation. Road traffic injuries are the 11th leading cause of death and the 9th leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost worldwide. Without new or improved interventions, road traffic injuries will be the third leading cause of death by the year 2020.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Roadways should fulfill the role for which they were intended- to improve lives and reduce poverty. Every investment spent on road safety equates to lives saved, jobs maintained, and secured families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>This article was published in <a href="http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=32423" target="_blank">Republica</a> on March 3, 2012</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=32423</i></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-24486579309567660822013-07-30T03:51:00.000-07:002017-07-09T01:31:02.058-07:00BENI – Recycled Handicrafts from Nepal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20.4pt;"><i>Photos by Chin Cabrido</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20.4pt;">The
initiative of Beni creates beautiful and practical products from different
trash material. Beni, president of this program, trains women from remote
villages in central Nepal (Lapa, Jarlang, Tipling, Shertung villages) to create
useful products from waste material. The ladies collect, sort, wash and dry
material that is to be found at street, school playgrounds, cinemas and long
the mountain trails of Nepal. They use for example potato chips bags,
chocolate, biscuit or noodle wrappings or big cotton bags from rice. This
material is treated first and then transformed into original and practical
products such as bags, door mats, trays, etc. Based on their own designs, Beni
and her team use the waste to produce a collection of fashionable and
functional products giving a “second life” to rubbish.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20.4pt;">Beni shop is found inside Northfield Cafe, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-63354076368686159632013-07-30T02:16:00.002-07:002013-07-30T02:16:31.465-07:00Snapshot of Electric Vehicles in Nepal (Photos by Chin Cabrido)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU_LduKpofE8euXisC4GpnJss81SY4d-bwE9K8b4CH8d4IJL-m-7jUeDSN3xjlcZL7b8C74Wuvw_D2gW8Zjuf2vcJbHuhFTFpk_jahUIR7y8CPSRl3ofAvgVQmm4BkOOwfq8ErGGZbog3/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU_LduKpofE8euXisC4GpnJss81SY4d-bwE9K8b4CH8d4IJL-m-7jUeDSN3xjlcZL7b8C74Wuvw_D2gW8Zjuf2vcJbHuhFTFpk_jahUIR7y8CPSRl3ofAvgVQmm4BkOOwfq8ErGGZbog3/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">For more than a decade now, SAFA tempos are still running the streets using old body design. Fully</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"> recharging the battery pack can take 4 to 6 hours.<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OgleeGo2fNiS6EZCOtv8sug3yEygASF5qE6x56nUmRkTRozvAeqXyNRGKLeaaT71kRR12eiqBhDA3l_GBtdUrdaQXOH1AU5Vdnrk9vT61_KjlXrnOoi3doBC4qaDIBtm7qFiE1aCeGGw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OgleeGo2fNiS6EZCOtv8sug3yEygASF5qE6x56nUmRkTRozvAeqXyNRGKLeaaT71kRR12eiqBhDA3l_GBtdUrdaQXOH1AU5Vdnrk9vT61_KjlXrnOoi3doBC4qaDIBtm7qFiE1aCeGGw/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">The literal meaning of Safa in English is clean. Being operated from chargeable batteries, the name Safa tempo has been given to these three wheelers.<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir70yiu6dEC9aVcO_WPiI5kq33eHgCRihHQu_UHCYfel35EI3bPhaTtoZDuyF1ioV_PtAlZ4pPdfreDNt3D5oMfZoL1H3bxI9nPFDhnrkOw_Fx6QGhzBfR5slXAOHjW0eBWlb3roxuEGpJ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir70yiu6dEC9aVcO_WPiI5kq33eHgCRihHQu_UHCYfel35EI3bPhaTtoZDuyF1ioV_PtAlZ4pPdfreDNt3D5oMfZoL1H3bxI9nPFDhnrkOw_Fx6QGhzBfR5slXAOHjW0eBWlb3roxuEGpJ/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">Currently a fleet of over 600 Safa Tempos ply on 13 routes in Kathmandu and are supported by 31 charging stations.<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs-ynG7x1G3DlOK7Zi6TzkWeYTXmdX9FhKg9tjFeUsNqz_tHYyhdm3DB9chyphenhyphenFM0nwIdl3GkMY5JNuQw1Y1U6e4yx6sAxjWDlV4xfczZvV3x6FPmT4dwCFl-pJSOok8U_-km7_qv1ZnZ-O/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs-ynG7x1G3DlOK7Zi6TzkWeYTXmdX9FhKg9tjFeUsNqz_tHYyhdm3DB9chyphenhyphenFM0nwIdl3GkMY5JNuQw1Y1U6e4yx6sAxjWDlV4xfczZvV3x6FPmT4dwCFl-pJSOok8U_-km7_qv1ZnZ-O/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">A day's work will earn a driver with about 2500 Nepali rupees, of which she keeps 500 (less than 10usd) home and the rest goes to the operator.<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI-Px04eVprbDGKWG1oBb6Hkwx6RQ1ndHuKzfS8yOyiokiBjKCnE3wDOd9aIPBzaLPHaQYZVH7-fwMjLAQr8cL7H5clSCLgXcGd34oag0vwIyBoEAQN4VUy_s287WPYFgctHDxiv-tS31/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI-Px04eVprbDGKWG1oBb6Hkwx6RQ1ndHuKzfS8yOyiokiBjKCnE3wDOd9aIPBzaLPHaQYZVH7-fwMjLAQr8cL7H5clSCLgXcGd34oag0vwIyBoEAQN4VUy_s287WPYFgctHDxiv-tS31/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">The Electric Vehicle (EV) sector has secured employment for women. <br />About 90-100 female are driving EV in Kathmandu valley.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-61013445325708626522013-07-30T01:16:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:08:04.816-07:00The Northern Escape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaNqKTp5yqcYBZtZ6liGVRuhzbpfP52uPlkit64pmwvmHSoQVOAJxhc47HWVZSwSxYuT3gTL7kxlSWWxMQhQEkXnC4o7iGjlMVmj1ApBl9H2BlgiW3Z8pQPYpwGkk3Lu15Yj-brWQa1bG/s1600/cagayan_1-600x326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaNqKTp5yqcYBZtZ6liGVRuhzbpfP52uPlkit64pmwvmHSoQVOAJxhc47HWVZSwSxYuT3gTL7kxlSWWxMQhQEkXnC4o7iGjlMVmj1ApBl9H2BlgiW3Z8pQPYpwGkk3Lu15Yj-brWQa1bG/s1600/cagayan_1-600x326.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is a kind of magic that draws you to Tuguegarao, where no tourist leaves this place without being fascinated by its charms. Whether it is for a day, a weekend or much longer, Tuguegarao City has risen to become one of the most popular destinations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nestled in Cagayan Valley up north, this city takes pride in offering various types of travel package. Be it about scenic rivers, mystical caves, historical churches and lighthouses. It also serves as a great jump-off point to road trips going to Palaui Island in Sta. Ana and Ilocos region. With so many options from kayaking to spelunking, where do you begin?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photo by Michelle Morelos</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The best way to start your itinerary is to visit the Protected Landscape and Seascape in Peñablanca, a 30-minute drive from Tuguegarao City. You will be asked to pay an environmental fee of Php20 before entering the seven-chambered Callao Caves. Callao Caves is famous for its cathedral located in the first chamber where natural light penetrates its crevices illuminating green, yellow, and orange streaks. The smaller Sierra Caves is known for its magnificent limestone formations. While in the area, experience a banca ride on the crystal-clear Pinacanauan River, which passes through a mororan, a continuous drizzle of water from the side of Sierra Madre Mountain. From below, you will be amazed by the views of rocky cliff formations and bat caves. Spend the day swimming in the river and watch the circadian flights of bats at 6 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At night, there is a wide choice of reasonably priced accommodations in the city. All offer fine selections of native foods such as longganisang (sausage) Tuguegarao which is known for its garlic flavor. The best ones come from Manang Baby (Tuguegarao Special Longganisa, 52 Burgos Street; mobile no. +63905 923 2466) who is known to prepare the cleanest and most flavorful homemade longganisa in town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A one-hour-drive from Tuguegarao is Piat, a place famous among pilgrims who are requesting for favors. It is known for the image of our Lady of Piat that was brought to this place from Macau in 1604.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Devotees seek repose in this miraculous figure, and their prayers and favors are known to be answered. The lady’s image is made from papier-mâché and is placed on the side altar of the Parish Church in Piat. Due to the numerous favors obtained through her intercession, she has endeared herself to the whole community in Northern Luzon. The feast of our Lady of Piat is celebrated on July 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the way to Piat is Buntun Bridge, the longest river bridge in the country that gives a breath fromtaking view of the Cagayan River.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To cap your day, treat yourself to the highly recommended local pansit batil batong, which is made up of noodles, slices of carabao beef, bean sprouts, and topped with egg. Some variations of this are served with lechon carajay (deep-fried pork chunks) and liver, with prices ranging from Php40-Php60. This goes well with soy sauce, sliced onions, vinegar, and calamansi. Famous panciterias (noodle houses) in the city are Gretchens, Natans, and Boks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of the major attractions that must not be missed is the Iguig Calvary Hills with life-sized Stations of the Cross on top of 11 hectares of rolling hills. A favorite destination during Holy Week, it offers a serene view of the Cagayan River below. Beside this landmark is the Church of San Antonio de Galicia, created in 1700s from brick and stone, and one of the few churches in the country with flying buttresses still intact. A brick stairway is found behind the church that leads to the river. It was used by Spanish officials who traveled from town to town by river, and by merchants who needed to transport goods to and from galleons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The friendliness of the locals has consistently invited tourists to visit this quaint town. All these can also explain the unique and generous hospitality of the Ibanags of Tuguegarao City.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jump aboard a van going to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and experience the natural beauty of this town. The food here is simply amazing. Imagine feasting on fresh lobsters, yellow fin tuna, blue marlin, tanigue (Spanish mackerel), crabs, shrimps, and other freshwater fishes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sta. Ana is home to the untouched Anguib Beach. Tagged as the Boracay of the north, Anguib beach prides itself with white sands and pristine blue waters. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and by the Babuyan Channel to the north, it is expected to be best site for wind and kite surfing because of its consistent northeast winds from November to March. Camping here is a great option for the adventurous travelers as there are no resorts or inhabitants. Other islands worth visiting are Manidad Islet and Gotan, which has a magnificent view of mangrove plantations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Another banca ride will take you to Palaui Island. This island offers an amazing experience of uncovering different varieties of flora in the forest, dipping in the waterfalls and having a glimpse of the colonial lighthouse. The crystal clear waters are tempting and the white sand from dead corals is simply beautiful. On top of the hill sits the 1,800-year-old lighthouse called the Cape Engaño. From the top, you can witness a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean, the Dos Hermanas islands, the Babuyan group of islands, rolling hills, and white sand beaches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>• Hotel Roma</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Corner Bonifacio and Luna Streets, Tuguegarao City; </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tel. +6378 844 2222; e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). com; rates start at Php800</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>• Pampanguena Pensione and Coffee Shop</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No. 43 Caggay Highway, Tuguegarao City; tel. +6378 844 4639; mobile no. +63906 496 2950; e-mail jannemanio32@yahoo.com; rates start at Php500</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>• Hotel Lorita</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Buntun Highway, Tuguegarao City;</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">tel. +6378 846 2565; mobile no. +63920 923 2435; http://www.hotelivory.com.ph; rates start at Php660</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>• Jotay’s Resort</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Centro Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley; tel. +6378 858 1026; mobile no. +63906 478 1270; www.jotayresort.com</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>This article was published by Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Magazine.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mabuhay Magazine is published by Eastgate Publishing Corporation </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>website: www.eastgatepublishing.com).</i></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-44681287653355835032013-07-30T00:29:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:09:20.086-07:00Where the Children Cry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Nestled on top of the mountains about 20 kilometers from downtown Kathmandu is the quaint village of Kagati. The day we arrived here, the sun shines brightly illuminating the brilliant greens from the trees. The terrain in this area is mountainous, the dirt roads going up makes traveling quite a task. Today is a rare encounter since this village celebrates “Saraswati Puja”, a special day in honor of the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. While other communities observe this day with children performing in a variety of school programs, children in Kagati Village remains to be an exception. For ten years now, child marriages have been a practice in Kagati Village. Nearly all couples from the 8500 village population went through this ceremony that transpires every 20th of January.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suraya Shrestha believes that their village’s long time struggle against child marriages can be addressed through education. His experience has taught him that higher levels of education for girls prevent child marriages. Suraya established the Mahalakshmi Jana Jagirti Club that aims to make life better for people in remote Kagati Village. Young children are now learning their basic human right to a free and full consent to a marriage. For nine years now, Suraya has been consistently working with his youth volunteers to ensure that children complete their primary schooling before going into marriage. Suraya declares, “Child marriages have serious harmful effects on children. It compels a young girl to go through a transition of becoming a wife that is emotionally and physically stressful. Our program works on awareness raising campaigns against child marriage by promoting basic education.” Things are now changing slowly and steadily. Today, no child marriage ceremony is celebrated in the village and this brings Suraya in high spirits. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><i>Bala Ram Balami married Sapana when they were both 16 years old. They are now leading an adult life at an early age. Due to child marriage, Sapana is illiterate. She remains hopeful that other young girls in the village will not suffer the same fate.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Child marriages in Nepal are socially established practice that has been carried out for generations. Nepal holds the distinction of having the highest incident of child marriage in the South Asian region. According to Nepal’s Demographic Health Survey, over 63 percent of Nepalese girls marry before the age of 18. Their religions allow this to flourish and their society ensures its continuity. Their dowry system mandates the parents of the bride to pay a huge sum of money to the groom’s family. Consequently, girls are often married off young since dowries are less than those expected for an adult. In the ancient Hindu scriptures of 400 to 100 BC, the best age for a girl to get married is between 8 and 10 before the menstruation period. Among the ethnic groups, the Maithilis of the Terai and Parbatiya of the hills have the highest number of child marriages.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Majority of young women in Kagati Village becomes mother at a very young age. Young mothers are often exposed to health risks such as premature pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AID S.</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Child marriage is important in a society that relies in agrarian economy. In the Terai community, the parents pressure their young sons to marry older girls for their labour. To hire a "charua" (cattle herder) and "harua" (plougher) costs money and there may be instances that they will not be sincere in their work and might steal. A daughter-in-law, on the other hand, is free from such vices and is an unpaid worker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal’s patriarchal society has attracted many sociologists to examine how women in Nepal are valued lowly in most regions of the country. Son preference is high in the family since this guarantees the blood linkage. Daughters are reared, brought up and given off in marriage usually with the same caste and grade. At a young age, a daughter learns to adopt the role of a future wife and a daughter-in-law. She is trained how to be hardworking, obedient, soft spoken and self sacrificing. The Hindu religion advocates marriage and motherhood as the end goal of every woman and this determines a woman’s identity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Marriage in Nepal is usually a social contract between two families and parents give less importance on the personal affairs of the bride and groom. Among high-caste Hindus, marriages are typically arranged wholly by the couples' families. Women rarely have the choice of their life partners. This practice has made a substantial change in the new generation as younger people now refuse arranged marriages and pursue love marriages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rajani Humagain is the first daughter in their family to engage in love marriage. At first, the resistance was great particularly from her father. Her partner Prem Ghimire is of the same caste, but it was often a practice that parents choose the potential partners for their daughters. Rajani belongs to this generation, and beyond any tradition, this relationship was a test of her emotional stamina.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">January 27 was the day that was both memorable and defining for Rajani. Her marriage to Prem was sealed under an engagement ceremony. In most of the Nepali weddings, the time of the marriage is coordinated with astronomically calculated factors such as positions of planets. Matchmakers assess a couple’s compatibility and decide the most favorable day of the wedding. On that day, Rajani and Prem were elaborately dressed in traditional Nepali wedding refinery. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><i>Rajani is dressed in a red sari and blouse and matching with a gilded veil. She wears gold earrings on her ears and displays a shy smile on her face. The priest performs tikka on the couple.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Their wedding ritual begins with the gathering of the family in Prem’s house, each one of them placing a pinch of red-coloured tikka (mixture of red vermilion, rice and yogurt) on his forehead to send him off to the Rajani’s house. Prem travels to Rajani’s place with a procession lead by traditional musicians playing the drum. This halts the vehicles on the road and attracts a number of commuters to take photographs. Once the procession reaches Rajani’s place, they proceed to a small pyre set up in the middle of the courtyard. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i> The feet of both bride and groom are washed by Rajani’s parents. This is called “Khutta Dhune” symbolizing the blessings that pour in to the couple. This is accompanied by a ceremony with a steady litany of chants by the priest. </i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rajani’s father performed the “Kanyadan”, a selfless act of giving away his daughter’s hands to the groom. For a second, I saw Rajani shedding a tear that was both emotional and blissful. Rajani and Prem followed the priest’s instructions and took their wedding vows, which involved tying the white cloth tied around each other and walking around the holy fire (agni) seven times. This is believed to tie them into a special bond of equal partnership, love, compassion and respect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Prem puts a pinch of special red-orange powder known as “sindoor” on Rajani’s forehead symbolizing that they are now husband and wife. This mark is intended to be hidden and uncovered only for the husband’s sight. The wedding ceremony comes to an end with a round of applause and good wishes pouring in from all to the newly married couple. Rajani, after being handed over to the groom by her parents travels to Prem’s place and becomes a member of his family's household. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal is a country of ethnic diversity. There are more than 60 ethnic groups differentiated by language, dialect, religion and region of residence. Marriage and wedding rituals varies across ethnic groups. In a Sherpa wedding, a couple can begin having a family upon engagement, and the formal ceremony is sanctified years after the practical union. There is no wedding ring and the woman does not change her name. Since Sherpa community is tight, the villages just know that the two are married.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This colorful array of wedding rituals in Nepali weddings has drawn many tourists to visit this exotic country. Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, a known trekking company, has taken advantage of this trend and has been organizing wedding programs for tourists to popularize the local culture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to Navin Trital of Explore Himalaya, their company prides itself as the only one that organizes cultural weddings with great spectacle. In 2006, they have successfully staged 12 wedding ceremonies of tourists with Hindu, Buddhist and Sherpa rituals. Taking a unique approach to promote Nepal Tourism Industry, the company hopes that program of such nature can be very effective to make Nepali culture and tradition more popular around the globe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Written by: Charina Cabrido for Asian Geographic Magazine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photos by: Alvin Yee and Ram Humagain</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-22019004261834191512013-07-30T00:11:00.000-07:002017-07-09T03:10:26.757-07:00Let's Walk for Clean Blue Sky in Kathmandu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><i>Beyond the complexity of the pedestrian environment in Kathmandu, there is also the issue on air pollution. Particulate matters in forms of dust and vehicle emissions are high. You just need to stand at the center of Basantapur and inhale a deep breath to prove that this is true. In fact, during my first week here, I already developed dust allergy, a condition that I never had for more than 20 years. This is quite alarming especially for people who have to stay and live in this country for years. </i></span></h4>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photos by Chin Cabrido</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In most developing countries, a large number of citizens walk as their daily social, recreational and livelihood activities. Every trip begins and ends with a walking trip. Nearly all trips made by people entail some walking either directly to a destination or to another mode of transport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In Kathmandu, a large section of population prefers to walk. This was very evident when I first visited the Kathmandu Durbar Square, the week I first arrived in Nepal. With the intricate designs of its temples, this landmark has consistently attracted tourists from all parts of the world. In all my walks, I was constantly looking for a Filipino amongst the crowd, hoping that a familiar face would make me feel at home. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photos by Chin Cabrido</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Walking in Kathmandu is a skill on its own. A narrow road is used for multiple purposes – vendors encroaching the footpaths, motorcycles and bicycles using the same street at the same time and rickshaws picking up tourists at the middle of the road. There are no clear signs to guide you where and when to cross safely to the other side. Everyday seems like a battle on who is the rightful owner of the road. I learned that in order to survive, I always have to set my guard high as a way to protect myself. Otherwise, I can be part of the 40 percent of pedestrian fatalities and injuries derived from unsafe pedestrian environment in Kathmandu (KVMP, 2001).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photos by Chin Cabrido</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Beyond the complexity of the pedestrian environment in Kathmandu, there is also the issue on air pollution. Particulate matters in forms of dust and vehicle emissions are high. You just need to stand at the center of Basantapur and inhale a deep breath to prove that this is true. In fact, during my first week here, I already developed dust allergy, a condition that I never had for more than 20 years. This is quite alarming especially for people who have to stay and live in this country for years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As a first step towards helping and encouraging cities such as Kathmandu to improve their pedestrian facilities, the Asian Development Bank in coordination with the Clean Air Initiatives for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) is developing a ‘Walkability Index’. The index project is quite simple. Asian cities are ranked based on field surveys, pedestrian interviews and government surveys that will examine the safety and security, convenience and policy support towards efficient and safe pedestrian facilities. A single rank index is useful in encouraging the low-ranking cities to take actions and improve on its overall walking conditions. Aside from this, the gathered data will generate a countermeasure guidebook that will show city leaders what immediate and long term steps maybe taken to improve their index ranking. The documented data will be very useful in recommending further analyses such as spatial mapping of high risk areas or case studies. The end goal of the project is to promote walking as a sustainable urban transport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This Walkability Index project will be implemented in Kathmandu next year by the Clean Energy Nepal (CEN). It has been a month now since I arrived in Nepal and I feel that I have learned a lot about the city’s walking conditions based from what I see and I encountered. This has given me more conviction that I can help make this place better for everyone. It may not be the ultimate solution, but i always believed that together, we can create small ripples to produce the waves. As a way forward, my CEN family together with the volunteers that we work with will continuously lobby with the government officials for an improved planning and investment in pedestrian infrastructure. So joint efforts needs to create awareness amongst the general public to make Kathmandu’s pedestrian facilities safer and accessible to everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>This story was released in Nepalnews in 2009</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>http://www.nepalnews.com/home/index.php/guest-column/2670-lets-walk-for-clean-blue-sky-in-kathmandu.html</i></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-54431774158124444852013-07-30T00:01:00.001-07:002017-07-09T03:11:53.095-07:00Ripples of Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><i>Based from my daily walks, I have seen positive changes in the pedestrian paths and I look forward to see more in the days to come.</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Early this year, fresh from my vacation in Philippines, I was welcomed by colorful displays of vibrant tourism year billboards around Kathmandu on my way from airport to my apartment. There is an intense enthusiasm from people greeting and meeting tourists who just landed in Kathmandu, committed to the country’s goal of receiving at least 1 million tourists this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My heart throbbed and I felt that this is going to be a good year for me and Nepal. For over a year now, I have been working on a project that campaigned for safer streets for people, clean and leveled pedestrian footpaths especially for the differently-able population. And I am still waiting for the time when this will come into fruition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal is a country where huge number of people relies on walking as a mode of transport from one point to another. Walking has infinite benefits; it enhances the city’s urbanity and lifestyle. Geared towards Nepal tourism year 2011, walking is a great window for people to appreciate sights of incredible icons and temples in the city, creates a vibrant environment and healthy ways of life and helps promote cleaner air.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e0e0e0; color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 15px;">Improved drainage systems are in placed in Putalisadak area</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The transition to Walkable streets for people do not need massive creation of infrastructures such highways and bridges. Lessons learnt from New York City in its Plan YC in 2006 paved way for a bold but widely accepted plan to enhance urban environment and livability in the city. It consisted of paints, designing public ceilings, using old stones, slabs and planters. New York City redesigned its streets by adopting a “people’s first” approach and looking after the growing demand of a diverse population. Underutilized stretches of roads were created into public plazas with colorful array of chairs, tables, umbrellas and planters inviting people to stay and talk. Streets were painted with canvasses of art to attract more people to walk. People started flocking and initiated weekend community programs such as public concerts and school activities. Information and directional signs for walking were used to unlock navigation of streets. The city program made pedestrian experience pleasing by planting on sidewalk streets, installing flower filled window boxes, and creating mini gardens in vehicle free zones. A sidewalk tree planting program called Block Beautiful became a private initiative mobilizing people to will and own it. The results were sweeping. There was a 71 percent increase in retail shops as a consequence of ‘pedestrianization’. In just one year, New York City has planted 33,150 trees in neighborhoods that have now enhanced the city’s streetscape. These improvements conserve energy, improve air quality, and increase property values.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal has still a long way to go but hopefully is on its way to transition. Based from my daily walks, I have seen positive changes in the pedestrian paths and I look forward to see more in the days to come. For instance, the footpaths are renovated with leveled bricks within the stretch of Putalisadak. This is complemented with the improved drainage systems with people manually cleaning the canals. Traffic signs are placed at Durbar Marg with traffic police monitoring the road to see that this is actually being followed. What I love seeing are the big green bins for waste that is easy to pull and move for the cleaners to collect the garbage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have also witnessed greater authority in Traffic Police as they pull up illegally parked motorcycles from footpaths into police vans for confiscation. Later this week, when I visited the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office, I witnessed a long line of people recovering their confiscated motorbikes with a punched hole in their license. I later knew that five punches in the license is equivalent to suspension of license to drive for 6 months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I consider these initiatives as ripples of change that will eventually turn into a tide of transformation. If a multitude of likeminded individuals could create enough momentum this will significantly make Nepal a better place to live in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>This story was released in Nepalnews in 2011</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/others/guestcolumn/feb/guest_columns_02.php</i></span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2227196251754297889.post-71252000373832634772013-07-29T23:49:00.001-07:002023-11-10T18:07:46.389-08:00Community Radio : The Voice of the People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The sun illuminates the green patches of cauliflowers and cabbages in the field as farmers arrange sacks of crops to be dispatched to the city. Karuna Bista sports her Kurtha Suruwal, arms herself with a cassette recorder, and prepares to take the first story for the day. Broadcasting within a 60-kilometer radius, Radio Palung is perched up in the hill south of Nepal, and Karuna’s voice is heard by 2,000 households, reaching as far as Bihar, India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Karuna is one of the 9 reporters in Radio Palung, a community radio that is 3-hour drive from Kathmandu city. The station prides itself of installing the first audio tower in Asia, with distinct amplifiers that generate the voice news in 3 languages - Tamang, Newari and Nepali. Karuna captures narrative snippets of farmer’s activities, recording their daily experiences on vegetable diseases, and consulting experts on how to resolve it. Informally, farmers share their views on site, and this is broadcasted to listeners using satellite technology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This kind of community radio empowers the whole village to build their capacity for problem solving, decision making, and collective action. It also replaces the function of the telephone systems wherein messages can be broadcasted advising that a relative in another village is ill, announcement of parents-teachers meeting or placing a public notice that a goat or buffalo is up for sale. Remarkably, advertisements such as these maintain the radio’s 70 percent operational expenses, the rest of which comes from donations and grants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Community radio has established its position across Asia since 1980’s. In Sri Lanka, a shining impact of this unique technology enabled the movement of a million of settlers from lush upstream habitations to arid zones, when Mahaweli River Development Authority constructed a massive dam in 1980. Mahaweli Community Radio used 7 jeeps, 40 radio producers and technicians, and followed the settlers in major zones of the Mahaweli region before the actual release of water dams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was soon followed by the Philippines with Tambuli Community Radio. Tambuli stations are known to cultivate social consciousness of the community. In Camarines Sur, the Goa Station convinced its listeners to give up gambling, something that the law enforcement had not achieved. In Thailand. community radio is credited for having mobilized the peasants and farmers' red shirt movement to bring down the traditional ruling elites in Bangkok that include the monarchy and the military.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal, whose inspiration was Tambuli, has seen a dramatic increase in community based radio within the Himalayan republic. Today, there are over 60 community radio stations operating in the country, using low powered transmitters and independent of government and commercial interests. Raghu Mainali, who has been in the forefront of community radios in Nepal, admitted that acquiring the license for Radio Sagarmatha was a test of time. After 6 years of continuous saga, Radio Sagamartha became the first independent community radio in the entire South Asia. Now, it is empowering voices of 2.5 million regular listeners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Radio Sagamartha has always ensured a community oriented voice. To demystify the technology, Raghu’s team brought a mobile radio, 12 kg. in weight, and demonstrated its effectiveness by broadcasting in front of the people. This started championing people’s voices. This is the same medium that mobilized the people in a democratic movement to overthrow the monarchy and created a republic in 2006.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nepal’s experience with community radio is renowned for approaches of ingenuity and innovation. Unique protests like blowing conch shells in air time signified death of a political stance, playing the same kind of music in all stations served as satirical complaints, and singing broken parts of the Constitution to the people all hammered the government to perform what they are elected for. This has effectively converted movements into joint protests and created mass rallies for peace and solidarity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In December 2005, Radio Sagamartha was raided by army troops and the journalists were arrested. The crackdown was initiated by the royal regime against the radio station for broadcasting an interview from CPN-Maoist that was transmitted from BBC Nepal Service. During that time, community radio stations used to broadcast content produced by radio production units from the centre of Kathmandu. Now, media pluralism can be heard from radio messages that are delivered with dialogue, music, and words in more than 50 languages that are easily understandable to the people who can’t read or write. Stories are owned by the community and villagers can now speak about their everyday affairs with greater assertion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The presence of community radios in Nepal has given voice to 85 percent of the country that is known for its mountainous geography. This has opened a media to discuss issues in their own dialect. Community radios continuously beams across Asia as it significantly changes the lives of the people.</span></div>
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Chin Cabridohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14485710561668865528noreply@blogger.com0