सुन्यतामा हराएं

सपनामा डुबेँ
रहरहरु सजाएं
जब कल्पनामा रमाएं, तिम्रो प्रेमको स्पर्शमा बिलाएं
जब रङहरुसँग खेलें,  जीवन नै भुलाएं

आँखा खोल्दा तिमीलाई मात्र देख्न चाहें
जब ति मिठा पलबाट झसकिये
आफुलाई एक्लो पाएं,
सबै फिक्का फिक्का पाएं

जब संसार नियालें, आफुलाई रित्तो पाएं

सबैबाट भागन खोजे तर सुन्यतामा हराएं

Season of green

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions ‘Shrawan’? If someone  sks this question to a Hindu woman, the answer would most likely be lord Shiva, fasting, a yellow dress, green bangles and mehendi. Shrawan marks the beginning of the festive season as major Hindu festivals like Teej, Dashain and Tihar follow and as such, the fourth month of the Nepali calendar has religious significance. It is regarded as the month of lord Shiva in Hindu mythology.

Throughout the month, Hindus avoid eating meat, onions and garlic, and some even fast every Monday as it is considered Shiva’s day. There is a myth that Prabati, Shiva’s consort, underwent a tough fast to get Shiva as her husband. Additionally, the month’s full moon (poornima) is considered auspicious as the star ‘Shrawan’ rules the sky. There is also a tradition of going on a barefoot ‘Bolbam’ pilgrimage for good health, wealth and prosperity. Apart from its religious importance, Shrawan holds special attraction for Nepali women.

Blatant loot

The results of School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations published few weeks ago, opening the door for higher education for a large number of students. Daily newspapers are filled with colorful and eye-catchy college advertisements. Students are confused about choosing the best college. Going through almost all the advertisements and word of mouth promotion by friends and relatives, an SLC graduate finds it tough to get admitted in the right college. 

Moreover, it is not only the students’ sole choice but parents; best friends and financial status also determine things. Because of it, a SLC graduate has to appear for entrance examinations in different colleges in hope of getting admitted in the most suitable one, fitting all criteria or standards. 

Unhealthy habits

One fine summer morning I witnessed more than 50 people queuing up in front of outpatient department desk in a government hospital. The number of people doubled within next hour, with continuous entry and exit till afternoon. The long awaiting queue was filled with tiring and gloomy faces, standing along with family members for registration, routine check-up or follow-up on health status. Some were rushing to emergency ward with fearful expressions, few bargaining with security guards for entry passes to see their patients in general wards and remaining waiting up their turns to see respective doctors. 



What is most surprising is it’s not only a sight of a single government hospital, but each and every hospital of Kathmandu is filled with similar crowd every day, except on Saturdays, when most of those hospitals remain close apart from the emergency service. Beds full of patients in every hospital, always occupied intensive care unit (ICU) and coronary care unit (CCU), emergency ward filled with fresh patients 24/7, packed pharmacy and medical stores and same mass in every hospital; it seems a big chunk of population of the country is unwell.