THE NEWSPAPERS TELL ONLY HALF OF THE STORY

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henever I pick up a newspaper, I see articles, news items about the dismal state of caste discrimination in Nepal, and I feel as if I have once again entered a long, dark tunnel where I'm surrounded by anguished faces and heavy hearts, and where on one dares speak of anything positive. The truth is, relations among the races are far better than many thoughtful and concerned Nepalese give themselves credit for. We are without a doubt a prejudiced nation, but there are countless numbers of us who abnegate to give in to our own impulses.

       But everyday kindness that crosses the colour line doesn't make good copy like a Dalit woman is fed faces inhumanly in the name of witch. Every political leader claims that our country will be better served if they win the election. Our leaders never hesitate to blow their own trumpet, but after winning the election they forget what promise they had made. Later on the so-called leaders are forced to resign. I'm delighted and that the story forced us to ask ourselves how our society could have allowed the individual to rise to such an elevated post.

        These examples of bigotry and ignorance prove that caste tension is always bubbling underneath the surface of upper caste people's and lower caste people's interaction with each other, but I don't think that should come us to sink spirit. The fact is, a wealth of people choose each day to treat each other with respect, we'd live in a state of chaos otherwise. These acts of tolerance may not sell newspapers, but they are what ultimately move us forward.

   My understanding of how far basic fairness can take us came easily on in the form of my 10+2 school teacher though she was a powerful lady, the queen of her domain. My bench partner in the school was one of the lower caste students in the classroom, but she made him feel equal to every other searching diatribe on caste relations, she simply treated him like everyone else. She never dropped even a hint that her student's caste, we all had to adhere to the highest academic standards. What she dreamed of one, she demanded of all. Eventually, we too became a teacher, and when I encountered students whose backgrounds were by caste and ethnically diverse, the memory of my teacher helped me assess my young charges on nothing more than the quality of their work.

  

I remember another example of the brighter side of caste relations that happened just before my best friend died. Though terminally ill, he was always optimistic that he would see the sun rise for one more day.  Two days before he passed away, I visited him and his wife in his hospital room. He was especially pleased because on this particular evening, he was being entertained by young upper caste guitar players who came to the hospital twice a week to play for cancer patients. My friend, whose skin was blackened even more by the chemotherapy that ravaged his body, listened with rapt attention to rock song, his favourite.

        Whilst he was abandoned in the music class, I was thinking of something else together. I was marveling at the scene-- a young upper caste male playing for some lower caste friends with whom I had not the slightest acquaintance. This, I thought, was at least a partial answer to our country's caste misunderstandings. We had discovered a common thread, in this case music, and were enjoying it with equal passion. Loving what is shared leaves little room for loathing what is different. In that room and among those four individuals, there were no rules, no regulations, no quotas, no affirmative-action concerns--just some musicians, a loving wife and a lifelong friend transcending caste to bring joy to a suffering man.

        Moving beyond caste, like all human involvements, always comes down to caring. To think beyond caste is commendable, to act beyond race is to take a real step toward a more equal society. We'll know we've made progress when we can automatically look past the color of a person's skin, caste, clan and focus on his or her value as human being. I believe we're getting there, one small act of kindness at a time.

If it is too long to publish, some paragraphs can be deleted

This article was published in The Rising Nepal in 2012.

Amar Sherma( Limbu, teaching at a well-known school, a Chief Editor of Writers' Diary, and a vice-secretary of Sustainable Education Nepal-Group (SEN-G)

POWER OF MUSIC

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an you imagine life without music? No soothing lullabies. No romantic serenades. No lively pop, hip-pop songs. No stirring symphonies. And no inspirational melodies. Most would consider that a dull and unappealing prospect. Yes, music is a powerful bond—which appeals to virtually the full range of human emotions. Not only does it soothe, pacify, excite, entertain us but uplifts, unites and inspires us. It moves us to ecstasy and reduces us to tears. Moreover, music is so powerful that speaks straight to our heart. Why are we so moved by music that is pleasant to our ears? The answer is straightforward:

          Music is a beautiful invisible gift created by humans. As such, it should be treasured, wholesome and everyone—young and old should have access to it. It has a very long history. For instance, in accordance with archaeological evidence indicates that centuries back African tribes played drums, horns, bells etc. the ancient Chinese played a form of mouth organ and panpipes. The people of Egypt, India, and Israel etc played the harp.

           Of course to enjoy instrumental music in the past, mankind had to play at least an instrument or listen to who would play. Nowadays, in spite of availability of a wide range of music to millions at the touch of a button or the click of a mouse, indeed; all forms of it is recorded or downloaded to play on device that can slip into your pockets. A 2011 survey in one Western land found that 8- to 18- year-olds spend more than four hours a day listening to the music they like.

              This trend, which is not uncommon, helps analyze why music industries are flourishing. Music is leading a big business. Taste of music varies as people grow older. It influences us. It affects our feelings. So, it is believed that songs can be like the people we associated with. Some bring out our positive emotions, such as happiness and love. Others dredge up bad feelings, such as anger and hatred.

Many songs have innocent lyrics. But others, either subtly or openly, approve of or even promote behaviors that violates wholesome values. Indeed, some musical genres are known depravity, hatred and violence. Heavy-metal lyrics often include violence and the occult. Music has both pros and cons to weigh, therefore, we ought to discard the music which stirs up undesirable feelings or foster improper thoughts and irritation. Apart from these, music helps audience ease their pains, anxiety and tensions. Scientists claim that even it nurtures plants to grow faster. Therefore, there is no human being that dislikes music. Also it tells us about the human natures. It is believed that the people who love listening to heavy-metal sounds are rough whereas the people who love listening to slow-versioned songs are peace-loving, meek and silent. Music is indispensable. One of the notable things of music is that we are unable to move to early stage physically, but when we listen to the songs that we used to listen to in childhood; it obviously drives our mind to the past. It reminds us of our past activities—music is played at anytime, anywhere, so music is present, fresh not stale.

AMAR LIMBU

This article was published in The Kathmandu Post.