Hunger in the third world: Human right behind coercion

“I hate this food, mom”; said Ankit very angrily, “I won’t have it at any cost”; he rushed from table furiously, threw it out off the window and locked himself in a room. Below there, was a small child, named Rishi running hurriedly to eat the chucked food. Doesn’t this situation seem pathetic?

The axiom, “All men are created equal, and everyone has a fundamental right to be free from hunger" turns out to an abstract concept here. Do every people have enough access to food for livelihood?  For sure, the answer is “No”. There are thousands of people like Rishi who are accustomed to the hurled food for living. It is averred that about 21,000 people die globally, every day from hunger or malnutrition, of which most of the victims are children.  What is the reason behind this bane? Why are they deprived of the most basic human right?  Why 98% of the world’s undernourished people are from developing countries?  Isn’t it a serious issue? Of course, yes, it is!

Hunger seems to be voiceless, in the sense it doesn’t attract the media although it has no less tragic implications for its victims. We all know there is disproportionate distribution of resources around the world, dividing single class of humans into two contrary groups: gormandizing hedonists on the one side, and the ones fighting against hunger and craving to mitigate their starving stomach on the other. Food rights are protected under “International human rights and humanitarian” and even recognized  in article 11 of the “International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)”. Also, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger but everyone is not able to feed themselves in dignity resting their rights behind coercion. Experiences shows us markets or governments aren’t protecting access to sufficient and nutritious food for everyone. There is neither food security nor food sovereignty. Only liability by those who produce food and regulate society can mollify the situation installing food needs to be treated just as a policy goal.

Right to food is not about charity but the capacity of every people to feed themselves enough for living. Therefore, it is responsibility of the concerned sectors to ensure every human even from a third world or any part of the world is free from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

मोबाइल फोन

मोबाइल फोन! सुन्दा पनि साह्रै प्रिय लाग्ने वस्तु। अझै प्रविधिले थपिदिएको इन्टरनेटको सुबिधा! सुनमाथि सुगन्धको यो भन्दा राम्रो उदाहरण मलाई केही लाग्दैन आजकल।

बिहान उठ्न भन्दा पहिला फोन हेर्न मन लाग्छ। आँखा खोल्ने सजिलो उपाए- मोबाइल। एकैछिन काम गर्यो, थकाई लाग्छ; रेस्ट गर्नु पर्यो- मोबाईल! एक्जाममा पढ्दा पढ्दा बोर भयो, माईन्ड रिफर्रेस गर्नुपर्यो-मोबाइल। यसै बस्दा अल्छी लाग्छ, टाइम पास गर्न भरपर्दो माध्यम- मोबाइल। कहि घुमेर आयो, सबैभन्दा पहिला- मोबाइल। कोही टाढाको मान्छेसँग बोल्नु छ- मोबाइल। सुत्नु भन्दा पहिला- मोबाइल। 

के हजुर पनि त्यसै गर्नुहुन्छ? सायद प्राय जसो यसै गर्छन् रे, मैले सुनेको! 

कहिलेकहि लाग्छ मोबाइल बिना जिन्दगी असम्भव छ। हुन त पहिले चल्थयो रे। तर पहिले र अहिलेको परिस्थितिमा ठूलो फरक पनि त छ। त्यसैले अहिले मोबाइल बिना जिन्दगी चल्न अप्ठ्यारो छ। अप्ठ्यारो भन्दा पनि असम्भव छ; एकदम असम्भव।

 

 

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Youth's Role Today: Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development

Though the world has become technologically more advanced, we can't deny the truth that it is being more and more unsafe. Violence, injustice aggression and harassment are increasing day by day. Nobody knows when and where, the man created disaster like: chemical attack, bomb attack will take place. It has not only threatened the lives of all people but also have caused problem in sustainable development. Now a question arises, "what could be the role of youths in such situation?" Well, there are many possible ways by which youths can involve but they should act as responsible citizen to promote peace and carry out developmental works.

Youths are pillar of a nation. They can shape the state. They have strength to accept the challenge, ideas to tackle the problem and determination to reach the goal. Only the thing is that they should utilize their capability to get optimum result. Youth should mobilize themselves in different sectors for change. Many social problems prevail in our society. Discrimination on the basis of caste and race, gender inequality, exploitation, torture are some examples of them. Similarly, fear of terrorism, nuclear and bio-war are a great threat to world peace. Regarding this, youths can create awareness programs in public. They can carry out oppositional rally, present street dramas or perform flash mob to promote human rights.

It is said that politics is a key to open the door of positive changes. But when this science is thought as a medium for corruption, it brings negative impacts. Where the fraud prevails, there persists barrier for work. Today's youths should raise their voice against such illegal works. They must enter into politics to finish the game of corrupted people, end up bribery and allow only legal works. Common people face many problems due to ruined politics and it is the role of youth to improve it. Works on proper procedure may take little more time but it will sustain for longer period.

Pen has power to become voice of voiceless. It sounds louder than bullets. Youths can involve in literature, journalism, article writing or anything like this to expose the current situation among public. They should show positive works to encourage new youths and discourage them about negative ones. They have power to influence and unite other in their aim. Through club and organization they can hold their hands together and work for benevolence of people. There are several young leaders across the world who fought against injustice, brought revolutionary changes and lead the nation towards development. Peter Benenson(Founder of Amnesty International), Bipana Sharma(Child Right Activist), Martin Luther King Jr.(Leader of Civil Rights Movement), Malala Yousafzai(Activist for Female Education) etc are some of them. Such people are the source of inspiration for everyone.

Youth is the state of age where revolutionary thoughts and creative ideas arise in mind. Due to their enthusiastic and energetic nature; they become key people in most of the activities; whether it is war, politics, social works or developing works. Their active participation is essential to complete almost all of them. So, proper guidance is necessary to grip them in productive works. Also, they should utilize their knowledge and skill properly. Their positive actions will surely ensure the sustainable development of any nation.

The future of nation depends upon youths. For this they should get education. Education opens knowledge, knowledge develops ideas and ideas bring actions. Nobody listens to an illiterate person. Educated youths are respected and their voice is heard too. Therefore, it is responsibility of government to provide quality education to them. Whether in social organization, politics, projects or in productive works qualified youths must be selected. Then, definitely they will bring best outcomes. Today's world needs new vision and new skill and for this, youths are the source. Once they get opportunity, they should contribute in welfare of others. They must prove their existence as a boon and make a meaningful life. And if all youths organized together for a specific goal, one day the world will overcome the success; the success of world, where people are living in peace and harmony and are working for sustainable development.

Haunted House

Brothers and sisters were on discussion about haunted house. I didn’t care much. I thought they must be murmuring something nonsense.

Later, I got to know haunted house exist in real. Now, you must be thinking what’s the new point on it? We do all know about haunted house. We’ve seen it in movies, heard in many stories, even read in books blaah blaah blaah………………..Well, I think I’m not talking about the haunted house you might have thought. I could be wrong too but will try to present an interesting haunted house.

The story is of Shillong, capital of Meghalaya in India, while I was on tour with my family. We visited many other places and finally, the day came where we thought of exploring the most awaited place, “haunted house.”

I imagined about it all the way. “There would be a bungalow where we had to go, no ghosts would be there, but still we will be getting much afraid. This must be going to happen all in haunted house” I said to myself. After all who could believe they will see ghosts at once?  Imagination rocks!

I surprised at once when I saw it from a distance.  It was quite different from my notion. “It seems just like game parlor? Oh gosh! Is this haunted house of which we all had a panic?” I laughed inside.

 We took the steps and reached to the place. But, as soon as we arrived there, we listened some horror sound coming from inside, the screaming of the lady, perhaps might be the phantom! A cold entered into my soul, then! We started watching into each other’s face.

 There was one of the man, perhaps might be the owner of haunted house. “Everything here is artificial, you don’t need to worry”, said he along with other suggestions. We calmed down. After listening him, we thought why not have a new experience? Dad bought the tickets. I started reading the instructions printed in the entry door. All we need to go from entry and come out from exit which was about 1 meter far from that entrance. I was going through the instructions; I found people having heart problems and high blood pressure, medically insecure ones, children less than 5 years etc are suggested not to go there. That moment, I realize it is not going to be easy. One of my brothers started screaming and he didn’t want to go there. We all forced him to get a new experience.

We were waiting for our turn. People who were inside came out crying, with their face red and sweating all around. Looking at their condition everybody dreaded again. Only because we knew, the set up was artificial we build up courage to go inside. We made a train of us catching the shoulder of one another and became ready.

          Finally, we went inside. Dad was ahead of us all. A complete dark place was it. We could see nothing but heard many horrible sounds.  With fear and anxiety we started walking. Wherever, the way takes, dad went, touching the wall and we followed him. Suddenly, something pulled my hair from upside. I looked up. I saw  a skeleton hanging above me! "Oh my god! Save me today"; I screamed a lot. Meanwhile one of us yelled out. He started crying “Somebody hauled my legs.” The situation got worse when we all saw a mummy approaching in front of us from graveyard. Everybody seemed to panic according to the way they were shrieking. The heart left the place. We neither could leave the place, nor could reach the exit. Encircled by the situation, enclosed by the room, horrified by the specters I was about to cry. The way was of about 2-3 minutes, but it felt like it was hours since we entered there. Automatic appearance of a ghost, sometimes skeletons, mummies from graveyard, wraith etc really frightened us. It was like do or die situation. We were in compulsion to complete the way. We went on searching the door. Thanks to god, lastly, we found it. The door was exit. We were all happy to find all of us good. I mean, none of us were fainted.

Having a new experience of haunted house, I found it quite scary but interesting too. Going back to situation, now I think, how creative set up was it to earn money. Just build an dark haunted house, mix the sound effects with artificial ghosts, create enthusiasm in people, take the entry fee and earn, lol….!! I wish if there would be such place in Nepal too. Moreover, it will be a new kind of experience for everybody in our own country as well.

[मित्रता]

सधै जस्तो आज फेरि राम्ररी ढोका लगाउन बिर्सेछु!
रुममेटहरु देख्ने बित्तिकै कराउन थाले, मच्छ्यड छिराउने भैइस् भनेर। नकराउन् पनि किन, पक्लिहवाको प्रचन्ड गर्मी, त्यस माथि मच्छ्यडको बिगबिगी, लाईन जाने समस्या अनि झुल लगाएर बस्नै नसकिने अवस्था!
लुरुलुरु ढोका बन्द गरेर आए।
एकैछिन बिस्तारामा पल्टिए! पुनम पानी पिउनु पर्यो भनि बोतल खोज्न लागिन्। बोतलमा पानी थिएन। कहिले पानी हुन्न रुममा भन्दै कराउन थालिन्! दिब्या पनि थपिई! दुई जना मिलेर एकैछिन तहल्का मच्च्याए। अनि उनिहरुले बोतलमा चावी लगाएर राख्ने निर्णय गरे।
पुष्पा उनिहरुको कुराको खण्डन गर्न लागिन्। म चुपचाप गएर पानी भरेर ल्याए। सानो बोतलमा पानी ल्यायौ भनेर पुनम ले भनिन्, यहि विषयमा दिब्या एक पटक फेरि कराई म माथी। पुष्पाले पानी पनि ल्याउनु छ अझै कराउछन् भनिन्। बिनिता हाम्रो भनाभन सुनेर मुस्कुराउदै थिइन्। उनले थपिन्-"अनुषा तिमी सोझो भएर यस्तो गरिराछन् यिनीहरु"। बिनिता र पुष्पाको साथ पाएपछी त म फुरुङ भए अनि सामिल भए कराउनुमा। अनि हाम्रो गन्थन सकियो। त्यसपछी सबै आ-आफ्नो कामतिर लाग्यौ।
हल्काफुल्का विषय पाउने बित्तिकै एकले अर्कोलाई जिस्काउनु पर्ने, गाली गर्नुपर्ने हाम्रो चलन त अनिवार्य नै थियो। यसै विवादबिच लुकेको छ हाम्रो माया, हाम्रो साथ अनि हाम्रो मित्रता।

नारी र घर

      तम्घासबाट बुटवलतर्फ जाँदै थिए, कलेज खुल्ने भएछ। आखिर १६ दिने कलेजको साईनडाई सकिएको जो थियो। केही दिनमा बोर्ड एक्जामको रुटिन आउने होला। केही पढेको थिएन, कलेज जानै पर्ने थियो।
     बुटवलतर्फ लाग्दै थिए!
     अब पब्लिक गाडी, ड्राइभर सङ हुने मेमोरिकार्डमा भएका गीतहरु बज्ने नै भए। मैले भने गाडीमा हिड्दा अल्छी नलागोस् भनेर आफुलाई मनपर्ने गीतहरु संगालेर फोनमा राखेकी थिए। गाडीमा बज्ने सबै गीत मन नै पर्छ्न् भन्ने त थिएन!
    म सुन्दै थिए आफ्नै तालमा......
    गाडिमा टि.भी रहेछ, एकैछिन पछि टि.भी खोलिएको थियो! एयरफोन कानमा लगाएकाले के बजेको थियो, सुनिन तर हेर्दा तीज गीत जस्तो लाग्यो! हरेक वर्ष नयाँ नयाँ तीज गीत आइरहन्छन् हामीसामु, कुनै राम्रा हुन्छन्, कुनै मन नपर्ने खालका पनि! कस्तो रहेछ त भनेर एयरफोन निकालेर सुन्न थाले।
    गीतमा सासु बुहारीको गन्थन देखाइएको थियो। "गीतका रचयिताले कस्तो परिवेशलाई समावेश गरेछ्न्; बुहारी सासुमाथि कराएको," मैले मनमनै भने!
    यस्ता प्रकारका गीत सुनेको पहिलोपटक त पक्कै  थिएन। त्यो चित्रण देखेर म थाहै नपाई हास्न पुगेछु। साइडमा बसेको मान्छेले सोध्यो-"किन हासेको, गीत हेरेर हो?" मैले टाउको हल्लाएर "हो" भन्ने संकेत गरे। उसले फेरि अर्को प्रश्न गर्यो- "आईमाईहरुले नै हो है घर भाड्ने?" मलाई चित्त बुझेन, "हैन" मात्रै भने। मैले भनि नसक्दै उसले भन्यो-"आफू पनि त्यस्तै हुने होला, अहिले हैन रे" यसपटक म केही बोलिन! उसलाई जवाफ दिनु जरुरी लागेन। एयरफोन फेरि कानमै लगाएर आफ्नै तालमा व्यस्त भएजस्तो गरे। गीत सुन्न थाले। तर यसपटक  मलाई उसको वाक्य खट्कियो। म सोचमग्न भए। के नारीले नै हो त घर भाड्ने? के घरमा आमा, हजुरआमा,  ठुलीआमा, काकी, भाउजू आदिले नै घर भाडिरहेका छ्न् त? कसरी भन्यो उसले आईमाईले नै घर भाड्छन् भनेर? मैले देखेकी छु, एक नारी नभएको परिवार कस्तो लथालिङ्ग हुन्छ भनेर। के उसले देखेको थिएन? हुनसक्छ कोहि कोहि खराब निस्किएलान् तर के सबै त्यस्ता हुन्छ्न् त?
    के उसले घर भाड्ने नारी मात्रै देखेको छ? बिग्रेको घर सम्हाल्ने नारी देखेको छैन? कतिको जायज छ त उसको प्रश्न "आईमाईले नै हो है घर भाड्ने?" अह म कदापि सहमत हुन सकिन, म एकैछिन सोचिरहे। फोनमा मलाई मन पर्ने गीत बज्न थाल्यो अनि मेरो ध्यान मोडियो।

[खट्टा मीठा]

       बाटोमा हिड्दै गर्दा भाइले 'खट्टा मिठा' मिठाई किनेछ अनि मलाई पनि खान दियो।मिठाई खाएर कागज बाटोमा फाल्नै लागेकि थिए, अचानक पुनमलाई सम्झिए र मेरा औंला रोकिए।
       पुनम मेरो क्लासमेट र रुममेट पनि! वातावरण सफा राख्नुपर्छ भन्ने थाह सबैलाई हुन्छ, तर त्यो सबैमा एक फरक व्यक्तित्व थिइन् "पुनम" जसले यो कुरा व्यवहारमा पनि उतार्ने गर्थिन्। आफ्नो रुम जस्तो भए पनि बाहिर वातावरण प्रति गहिरो लागाभ थियो उनको। बाटोमा सङै हिड्दा  खाएको चकलेट होस् या चिप्स, कागज बाहिर फ्याँकेको कहिल्यै थाह छैन मलाई। बरु उल्टै मेरो चकलेटको कागज  पनि राखिदिएर रुम आएर डस्ट्बिनमा फाल्ने गर्थिन्।"हामीहरुले नै हो चेन्ज ल्याउने; हामी नै आफुलाई सुधार्न सक्दैनौं भने कोसङ बाट अपेक्षा राख्ने त?" भन्थिन्। त्यस्तो "साथी"को रुम पार्ट्नर "म", कसरी एक खट्टा मिठाको कागज बाटोमा  फाल्न सक्थे?
      स्कुल पर्दा प्रदुषण र सरसफाईका बारेमा कति "Essay" त लेखेकी थिए मैले पनि जसमा छुटाउदै नछुटाउने  एक वाक्य हुन्थ्यो "Public awareness is necessary to raise." What the hell, public awareness about which I used to write,  when I myself can't be aware enough? What's the point of education when the litter thrown by educated person is picked up by an uneducated one? सडकमा आफुले फोहोर गर्नुहुन्न भन्ने थाह भएपनि व्यवहारमा  लागू गर्न चाहि मैले पुनमबाट नै सिके।
      यी कुराहरूले त्यो खट्टा मीठाको कागज मेरो हातबाट खस्न रोकियो। भाइलाई हेरे। उसले त फाल्न भ्याईसकेछ।। उसलाई पनि अबदेखि बाटोमा नफाल्नु भनेर सम्झाए। बाटोभरी "फोहोर मलाई"को डस्टबिन नहेरेको पनि हैन, तर भेटिन। त्यसपछि त्यो कागज घरमै लगेर डस्टबिनमा फ्याँके।
        एकछिन गर्व लाग्यो पुनमको रुममेट हुनुमा।
सचेत नागरिक भएजस्तो  लाग्यो। अनि अब कहिल्यै कागज, प्लास्टिक जस्तै अन्य वस्तु जथाभावी नफाल्ने निर्णय गरे।

One world one health

All living beings, from smaller to bigger one, live in this world. So, it’s not a new thing to know that some relationship exists between different species. From the health point of view, there is a strong connection between humans and animals including bacterial, fungal, viral, or microbial pathogens that exist in our environment. This had emerged a new concept of one world one health in world; a thought of interdisciplinary collaboration; an idea of communicating in all aspects of health care, where it is believed that human health and animal health are not different, rather they are interdependent and bound to the health of ecosystem in which they exist.

Some research has showed that six out of every 10 known human infectious diseases (60%) are transferred from animals. Also, 70% of emerging human disease and 80% of pathogens could be latently used in bioterrorism. This, not only affects the animal and human but also the environment. When environment is favorable for pathogens, they are in virulent stage and the animals or humans are in susceptible stage which is the reason for disease. Also the transfer of zoonotic diseases is common. Due to this, when environment itself becomes affected with pathogens, it affects humans as well as animals.It has become like a cycle, where one is associated with another.

Going through, “one health” concept, it is a recent idea, introduced at the beginning of 2000s. Later, it was ideated and implemented by Office International des Epizooties(OIE) as a cooperative global approach for understanding animal and human health risks including ecosystem. It is well known that historically, war of microbial species against human species have killed far more people than war itself. Worldwide, naturally occurring infectious disease become major causes of death. Recently, the big problem of climate change has made the pathogens more adaptive and resistant to the environment where they used to get suppressed before. So, the only way to prevent this hazard is to adapt health governance system in a harmonized and coordinated manner globally.

One world one health concept aims to recognize the connecting link of threat between environment, humans, domestic and wild animals, surveillance of diseases, causes and modes of transmission to monitor properly for ensuring better health and promote it. Hence, this concept can be concluded as a worldwide strategy which chains up the all creatures in this world to make a ring of health.

Climate Change- Biggest problem of 21st century

Did you notice the days are being warmer and warmer than they used to be? Have you ever realized how come the spring so earlier and aren't the winters short enough? This is all due to the change in climate. Simply understanding, climate change is a change in statistical distribution of weather pattern not only regionally but also globally. It is one of the most serious issues of 21st century which has already started showing observable effects in surrounding. Many of the prediction that scientists made regarding climate change has not gone wrong. And if this issue is not fixed on time, then the future generation is likely to have hazardous effect.

          Climate change occurs due to different reasons. Volcanic eruptions, variations in solar radiation received by Earth, plate tectonics, variation in reflectivity of atmosphere, oceans  etc are some of the causes. Apart from natural and biotic processes, artificial activities by man are another chief cause.  Human beings, being the supreme creature of this planet are primarily responsible for this rising problem.  The main culprit is human induced emission of greenhouse gases. These gases lead to global warming and global warming leads to rise in temperature of our planet that ultimately shows the effects of climate change. 

Increased greenhouse effect and global warming cause polar ice caps and glaciers to melt as well as stimulate the thermal expansion of ocean which results in rise of seal level. Hurricanes, heat waves, floods, drought and tornadoes everywhere are projected to become more intense. The length of frost free season and corresponding growing season are shifting. The number of freezing day is declining. These changes affect the timing and makeup of natural life cycle events.

The change in climate has badly affected forest areas drying out soil moisture which induces forest fire. Firstly, climate change forbids proper growth of trees; secondly, forest fire destroys the available trees. The two way destruction adds further negative impacts on surrounding. Agricultural practices are also not free of the hazards. The net yield of agricultural crops gets decreased and the quality of seeds too gets degraded. Hence, the global price goes down which turn out to be a great loss to farmers. These all signs show that there is going to be a massive challenge for us to maintain food security.

  Human activities such as use of improper drainage, disposal of carcasses, wastage from commercial, household and industrial activities into water bodies have already caused water pollution. In addition to these actions, when climate change combines makes the situation more worsen. Natural calamities such as floods and droughts in their extreme intensity will occur taking the lives of many living beings, polluting environment and causing destruction of infrastructures. Flood contaminates the fresh water resources and there turn out to be the risk of diarrheal diseases. It is expected that two hundred fifty thousand additional deaths occurs per year due to different diseases like malaria, malnutrition, cholera, diarrhea etc. Extremely high temperature produces heat wave of summer and has effect on heart and lungs. Cardiovascular diseases, asthma and respiratory diseases, especially among elderly people are recorded in Europe. Not only human beings but also animals and birds will be losing their habitat. Endangered, threatened, vulnerable and rare species are at risk.  Their existence might extinct for forever, if present situation continues.

 Politically and economically, many countries are trying to solve the problem worldwide through COP but there are still other measures, which we can apply in local level. Highly industrialized countries are more culprits of climate change but the impacts fall upon all the countries that are not developed industrially. That's why it has become a necessity of all people, across the world to search a solution with respect to climate change. We cannot undo the impacts that have been already caused but we definitely can reduce the approaching effects. Alternative sources of energy should be searched. Solar, wind, geothermal and bio energy  must be preferred to non- renewable ones. Consumption of fossil fuels must be reduced. New measures of low carbon and zero carbon technology should be developed.Since, plants absorb carbon dioxide and liberate oxygen for us, afforestation programs must be launched from community to national level. 1 plant (biogas) saves 5 tons fuel wood/year, 1000 installed plants saves 5000 tons of fuel wood per/year.

 Our homes also contribute in emission of gases. Let's try to reduce them. We must not forget to turn off the appliances when not in application, use energy efficient recommended models, insulate the home and try to make lifestyle greener to reduce greenhouse gases. One of the most important steps we can do is raising public awareness. We can teach others about the risks that are being observed globally. It is not sufficient that only few researchers, limited job holders dealing with the issues, intellectual persons and media persons know about climate change. Common people also know about this situation so that they also would join to reduce global warming. Who knows, our small step will inspire other to join with us. So, let's think globally and act locally to reduce severe climate change and save our Earth.