As usual, I walked into the classroom and nothing seemed new; there was gossip and small fights. Two of my friends, Norah and Kaya, came to me with smiles as I sat down. "Did you hear about the new transfer student?" Kaya asked me. "Yes," I responded honestly, not really caring. While we were talking, our teacher entered and introduced us to a new girl named Aurora. I sensed something was wrong with her as soon as she walked in. She went and sat at the back with my worst enemy and the class topper, Rowan. He always came first, just by a few score differences with me, but I knew where he fell back. I was always ahead of him there. The class started, and soon it was lunchtime. While we were getting lunch, I bumped into Aurora. She looked at me and grinned; I wasn't intimidated by it, but somehow that look seemed familiar.
Four months later, life was usual. I was a humiliation to my father, and somehow Rowan was getting good at maths. Today, as we were getting our first semester's results back, I was excited to see Rowan's face of defeat. But when the results were distributed, Rowan scored a perfect score for all subjects. Not only that, Aurora came in second and I placed third. Aurora gave me a shivering look as I turned back to see their faces. This was my first time placing third in my life. Rowan's parents and mine were very close friends and business partners, so I've known Rowan since I was a baby. We have studied together since playgroup, and no matter how hard I tried, he was always the best. He was good at everything, and my father found more things to compare us with. I have been compared to him my whole life, and it has become routine for me now. Placing third was a nod to my father. I was afraid to go home that day, but worst of all, Aurora's face made me want to tear her face apart. I kind of had a feeling she had something to do with it, but what could an orphan do? Yes, about a month ago, I found out she was poor, didn't have parents, and lived in a small place with her younger sister. I was surprised by how well she managed everything and provided a good life for her sister.
When I reached home, my maid informed me that my mother and father would be late due to a work meeting. I was glad because normally their meetings took up the whole night, and by the time they got home, they would fall asleep, and the next morning, before I was awake, they were off to work again. I went to my room, freshened up, and ate dinner. I decided to study while waiting for time to pass, but then I suddenly got a call from an unknown number. I picked it up, and surprisingly, it was Aurora. "Hey, I just called to congratulate you for coming third overall; I heard it's your first time," she said to me. My blood suddenly boiled with rage, and I was about to hang up when she said, "Good luck with your parents." I didn't understand what she was saying, but then I heard my parents' voices. I hung up and went downstairs. I went down with the results in my hand while they were sitting on the couch, and one of the maids was serving them water. No matter what, Father would ask for it first. They looked at me and smiled, but I couldn't smile back. "How was it?" my father asked. "Fine," I replied. He raised his eyebrows while taking the papers. "Ok, what's your rank?" I said 'Third,' and both my parents looked at me with raised brows. My mother's eyes held worries and care, while my father's held a wave of slight anger and dissatisfaction. 'Who was it?' he asked. 'A new girl named Aurora,' I replied, omitting all titles. 'Who was it that belonged to Rowan? When I was younger it was Rowan that father was sometimes annoyed and would yell at me or worse, hit me.' I didn't mind because it wasn't something new to me, and I grew accustomed to it over time.
My father demanded, 'Tell me about her.' I gulped and recounted all I knew. He stood up, came close to me, and slapped me. I crashed into a nearby vase, shattering it. My mother's eyes reflected pain, but she knew there was nothing she could do. 'How dare you when I've provided everything for you. You lose to a low-class girl like that!' he yelled, then stormed off.
I quietly stood up and went to my room, sliding into bed and falling asleep. The next day, on my way to class, I saw Aurora and Rowan near the back school gate. I hid slightly to see what was going on and then witnessed Rowan handing cash to Aurora. I stood there in disbelief."
दयालु र शुद्ध,
कहिल्यै गर्दिन युद्ध l
चाहिने जस्तो साथी,
लाग्छ मलाई माथि l
मायालु र सहयोगी,
मातृस्नेहको उपयोगी l
आमाको जस्तो व्यवहार,
दिन्छ प्रेमको ठुलो हार l
खुसीको समयमा,
मसँगै हाँसेर l
दुखीको समयमा,
मसँगै रोएर l
स्नेहकी खानी
संस्कारकी रानी
मेरै बहिनी
मेरो संसार !
मेराे साथ
सबैकी प्यारी
मेरी प्यारी बहिनी
Most of us have probably seen articles speaking on the discrimination endured by the oppressed especially in the education system. However, probably not on the curriculum itself causing discrimination due to its discriminatory bias. I can give you some examples. Many subject books ranging from grades 1 through 10 have a sexist and anti-LGBTQIA+ message in my mind. Firsty, over and over again I see just “him” used in questions even if a pronoun isn’t needed.
We can use gender-inclusive language, such as they/them, or alternate between he/she, to be more inclusive of individuals who do not fit into a strict gender binary. It's important to use language that is respectful and affirming of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Going through some grade 1 and pre-school books I found that household jobs were basically not given to men as for every 10 examples of females doing household chores there was one male. It's important for children's books to represent a diversity of gender roles and activities. Many books didn’t even present the idea that men could even think of doing these activities. Not only were these in the text but also given in the pictures. When profession is considered, jobs such as teachers, nurses, air hostesses are “girl” jobs and scientist, mathematician, doctors, engineers etc are “boy” jobs. These things are what cause people who did just as much hard work as others to not be recognized such as a female doctor being called a nurse. The reason we don’t have much development in STEM is due to the fact we are pushing girls away from this field. I hope I won’t have to explain how this is wrong.
When constructing a family tree grandfather and grandmother at the top, mother and father following that and sister, brother and you written in the squares where you are supposed to put pictures of your family. This makes kids believe that there can be no mother and mother, father and father, parent and parent, parent and mother/father or even just a single parent. Kids won’t accept other families then one where there are only people together who fit into one of the two genders and only have parents or grandparents (yes plural), one of each gender. That is the frame we have given them and yet get shocked when people don’t accept other types of families. Showing these things to developing minds is what causes bullying towards their peers. When a specific idea is shown as “right” and others “wrong” and they see something wrong then according to them they are helping to turn wrong to right. This will often cause bullying and as we know that causes major issues later in life.
We haven’t been taught on time about mental health and menstruation either. You are introduced to the topics in grade 6 when I think these things should gradually be started talking about in grade 1 as some get their menstruation in grades 3,4 and are clueless about it. Along with that they’ll learn that aspect of respect early on so it sticks with them their whole life. Mental health care also should be taught early on to make sure they don’t have issues later on in life. We get shocked when finding out 10.7% students have suicidal ideation yet we still don’t teach mental health from a young age. Mind you though we talk about it starting in middle school the way it is explained isn’t done well. Unless the teacher is really good at explaining it, the reason why we have it taught is just negated.
Let's talk about casteism. Regarding casteism we haven’t properly discussed it at all. Not even in social studies, where we are supposed to be given a clear idea of casteism yet going through the mandated curriculum there is not even a mention of it where it has been explicitly called out. Not even in chapters discussing social issues. They briefly mention it but never elaborate and explain it. Why is it that such a prevalent issue in our country is basically brushed under the rug?
Racism is also taught in a way where you can’t tell it is being taught. Racist names are present in all subjects. Images doing good deeds are often presented with people that have lighter skin than images of people committing crimes. Along with racism body shaming names and in stories descriptions of people’s physical features are written in detail. Often people who are not conventionally attractive are given the roles of antagonists and vice versa for protagonists. Oh and I can’t forget to mention how neither of these things are mentioned as issues and not even discussed at all. All books have never discussed it yet promoted it. Racism and body shaming has psychological evidence proving it causes insecurities. These things lead to much worse mental health.
Speaking of chapters discussing social issues they don’t properly discuss them and only focus on issues in remote parts of the country. Never once is it mentioned how sexism, racism, casteism, classism, etc is still very much prevalent in the more developed areas. How misconceptions about many things such as mensuration, mental health, physical health etc are still in places such as cities. It is equally as important to point it out as it is in villages.
Psychology says up to the age of 7 a kid is clueless about everything and is guided by whatever is suggested to them and is an important time period as it is when their beliefs are set into stone. It is much harder to change preconceived ideas of anything after the age of 7 then it is to before. Knowing this, is it a shock to see no matter the protests that things don’t change? How can anything change when during the most valuable years of our life we are introduced to these harmful gender roles? How do we expect change when the upcoming generation has these issues taught to them the same as the one before? How can we expect change when we aren’t changing the fundamental learning platform? You can’t guarantee that every person will be given opportunities to learn outside of school. Even in schools themselves since most teachers teach only the material from the curriculum mandated and you can not say everyone will have a teacher who is aware of these issues either. Nor will everyone have a family aware of them or even a family at all. For change to happen we must change the curriculum itself. I’ve found that not a lot of people talk about this issue. If the fundamental education mostly everyone receives isn’t talking about these social issues, what is the point of writing articles on them yet not the fact education on the issues isn’t incorporated in the fundamental curriculum?
These things directly factor our society and personal life. This may be an opinionated article however when going through any of the mandated curriculum you will find this is very much a real issue that needs more concern. You must understand for a better world a wiser next generation is important. I was barely able to find a recent article on this topic. I hope this topic is given more concern by curriculum developers, teachers and authors soon as our entire society depends on this. The point of school is to stop people from being ignorant. Change starts from education.
What is life?
We were born, but why?
What is the purpose of life?
At last, all of us will die.
We take our first breath.
We keep breathing until our death.
We learn many things every day.
In the end, what is the way?
How were we formed?
Or did we just evolve?
How was life possible?
Is it just an imagination?
These are the things people wonder,
Even scientists don't have an answer.
Every day, we have many thoughts.
But will it clear out doubts?
जब तपाईं आउनुहुन्छ
त्यो समय पहिले नै रात छ
जब तपाईं जानुहुन्छ
त्यो समय त्यो दिन हो
राम्राे समयकाे सुरु
कामबाट हुन्छ
बिहानीकाे सुरु
मिर्मिरेकाे उज्यालाे
घामबाट हुन्छ ।
मलाई थाहा छैन
त्यहाँ केही छ
जसले मलाई राम्रो महसुस गराउँछ
जुन दिनकाे उज्यालाे
अनि रातकाे अँध्याराे छ ।
साथ दिएका छन् महत्त्व छ अदभूत
नभएमा हुँदैन थियो जीवन मजबुत
उनकै सहाराले बाँचेका छन् कोही
उनकै कारणले सास फेरेका छन् कोही।
आमा-बुबा जस्तै परिवार हो तिमी
कसैको जीवनका सहारा हाै तिमी
कठिनाइहरूमा तिमी हुन्छौ सँगै
सुखमा पनि छोड्दैनौ साथ सधैँ।
मान्छु म तिम्रो माया र साथ
कहिल्यै बिर्सिदिन तिमी एउटा गाथ
मरेर गए पनि सधै अमर रहने छौ
सबैको मनमा एउटा छाप छोड्ने छौ।
I was looking at a grave
So I don’t have to be a slave
No one can sense or heal my pain
I was crying, was it easy for you
To give me up like that
Say that I am a disgrace?
I wish I could erase
My past, present, and future
I question if I gave enough
I wanted to fly high but I was tied
With thoughts that never went by
Shatter me as you did,
But I will not give up not to you at least
Because like Ashe said,
"It's alright to make mistakes."
It's a lesson, for my own sake.
किसानकाे काम धेरै छ ठुलाे खुवाउने सबलाई माम
त्यसैले अन्न नफालाैँ साथी कठिन छ गर्न काम ।
एउटी आमा धेरै महान सबैलाई सघाउने
हाँसेर भुल्छिन् पीडा र मर्का निरन्तर काम गर्ने ।
हाम्रा शिक्षकले माया गरेर सबैलाई पढाउने
हामीलाई असर संस्कार दिई अगाडि बढाउने ।
घरकी लक्ष्मी नगर्नु पढाइ छाेरीलाई नभन्नु
पढेर ठुली ऊ पनि बन्छे घरमा नराख्नु ।
सबै हामी नेपाली हाैँ त एउटै नेपाल
सुन्दर फूलका असङ्ख्य माला बन्नु छ झलमल ।
Chess is a board game played by two players. It is divided into two different colour sets. Each side has 16 pieces each and the players try to capture or checkmate the king. It just requires lots of tactics, thinking, and calculation. Just one more can either cost the whole game or make the whole game way better.
Playing chess can help improve our decision-making skills and problem-solving skills. It also improves our calculations, it improves memory , makes us more creative, it deepens our focus and helps with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Chess can give us a different meaning of life. You as the king and all the other pieces are the people you know. You must use your pieces wisely and try not to lose them, but you realise that you must also sacrifice some pieces at a certain point. As the game goes on longer, the harder it becomes.
Chess is said to improve our overall IQ. Well, chess is just like an exercise for our brain and helps improve your memory, so chess can really improve our IQ. A person with a high IQ can easily learn chess and has more potential. A person with a high IQ is better at calculating, analysing, and memorising positioning. They also know how to manage the situation. Skills like this not only help with chess, but they also help in life.
विषयप्रवेश:
यस कथा ‘रोल नम्बर एक’की लेखिका राधा पौडेल हुन् । यो पुस्तक बाल्यकालीन संस्मरण हो र यो किताब मदन पुरकार विजेता पनि हो। यसमा चित्र बनाउने काम चाहिँ टाइम्स क्रिएसनले गरेकाे हाे । यो कथा साङ्ग्रिला पुस्तक प्रा.लिले प्रकाशन गरेको हो। याे पुस्तक २०७९ भदाैमा प्रकाशित भएको थियो।
पात्रहरू:
यस कथामा धेरै पात्रहरू छन् । यस पुस्तककाे प्रमुख पात्र राधा हुन्। यो कथाका सहायक पात्रहरूको रूपमा आमा, बुबा, दिदीहरू, राधाका छिमेकीहरू, राधाका साथीहरू, पसले, आदि रहेका छन् । यी विभिन्न पात्रहरूले गर्दा यो कथा अझ राम्रो बनेको छ । कथामा राधा एक असल, मिहिनती र सहयोगी पात्रको रुपमा देखाइएको छ ।
कथावस्तु:
राधालाई सानैदेखि काम गर्न मन लाग्थ्यो । राधा सानी हुँदादेखि नै गाइभैँसीहरूलाई चराउन जान्थी । ऊ ठुली भएपछि चाहिँ आफ्नी आमा र दिदीहरूसँग घरधनीका घरमा काम गर्न जान्थी । राधाले एकदिन आफ्नी साथीले भाकल गरेको देखी र उसले पनि आफ्नो जाँच अगाडि भाकल गरी । भाकल गरेमा पनि उसकाे राम्रो अङ्क आएन र ऊ धेरै दुःखी भई। उसकी आमाले उसलाई भाकल मात्र गरेर हुँदैन, मिहिनेत पनि गर्नुपर्छ भनी। त्यसपछि राधाले धेरै मेहनत गरी । राधा एक कक्षादेखि दुई कक्षामा जाँदा प्रथम भइन, दुई कक्षादेखि तीनमा जादा पनि प्रथम भइन तर तीन कक्षादेखि चार कक्षामा जाँदा ऊ प्रथम भई ।
नयाँ विद्यालयमा राधा एक्लै प्रथम केटी थिई। उसलाई आफ्नो नयाँ विद्यालय त्यति मन परेन । त्यहाँ पढाएको उसले धेरै केही बुझ्दिनथी। पछि उसले आफ्नो पुरानो विद्यालयको बारेमा सोची । उसले पहिला कसरी पानी खाने ठाउँ, शाैचालय र फूलबारी बनाएको भनेर सम्झी । ‘भरजन्म घाँसतिर मन दिई धन कमायो, नाम केही रहोस् पछि भनी कुवा खनायो, घाँसी दरिद्र घरको तर बुद्धि कस्तो, म भानुभक्त भइकन आज यस्तो।’ यस श्लोकको अर्थ पहिले राधाले बुझेकी थिइन। उसले आफ्ना दिदीबाट यो श्लोक सुनेकी थिई । जब ऊ कक्षा ५ मा पढ्थी, उनले त्यसकाे अर्थ बुझिन । त्यस श्लोकले 'सामाजिक काम वा असहायलाई सहयोग गर्न धनी हुनुपर्छ’ भनेको थियो ।
एक पटक उसकी साथीको लुगामा आगो लागेको थियो र ऊ ६ महिनासम्म विद्यालय जान सकिन, त्यसैले राधा उसको घरमा जान्थी र शिक्षकले पढाएको कुरा बुझाइदिन्थी । एकदिन राधाले एक भाइलाई आफ्नो किताब दिई र त्यो भाइ एक पल्ट दोस्रो भयो तर पछि जहिल्यै प्रथम हुन थाल्यो। राधाले एकदिन पसलबाट सामान किनेर फर्कदा बाटोमा पैसाको हिसाब गर्दै थिई । उसले दश रुपया धेरै पाएकोमा ऊ त्यो पैसा दिन फेरि पसल गई। पसलबाट फर्कँदा अँध्यारो भइसकेको थियो र राधालाई डर लाग्न थाल्यो। ऊ बाटामा हिड्दा उसकी आमाले उसलाई लिन आएकी थिइन् र राधा र उसकी आमासँग घर फर्की । एकदिन राधा आफ्नो छिमेकीलाई मदत गर्न गई र फर्कँदा उसले तल्लो जातका दिदीको घरमा सेलरोटी खाई। ऊ घर जाँदा आमाले गाली गर्नु हुन्छ होल भन्दै सोचिरहेकी थिई तर उसलाई केही भन्नु भएन।
होलीको समय थियो। राधा आफ्नो अनुहारमा अबिर लगाउन चाहन्थी तर ऊ बजार जानु परेकोले कसैलाई नभेटी खेतको बाटोबाट गई । फर्कँदा एकजना दाइसँग उसको भेट भयो। त्यो दाइले टीका मात्रै लगाइदिने भने तर पछि राधाको अनुहारमा अबीर लगाइदिनुभयो। राधा रुँदै दौडिन थाली । ऊ घर पुगी र सिधै आफ्नो कोठामा गएर बसी । राधाको एकजना साथी केही दिनदेखि विद्यालय गएकी थिइन। ऊ विद्यालय आएपछि राधाले उसकी साथीलाई के भयो भनेर सोधी । उसकी साथीले आफूलाई महिनावारी भएको कुरा भनी । ऊ कसरी घरबाट टाढा आफ्नो गोठमा सुत्नुपरेको कुरा भनेर भनिन् । उ्सलाई कसरी कुनै पुरुष हेर्न अनुमति दिइएन र विद्यालय आउन पनि अनुमति दिइएको थिएन भनेर बताइन्। त्यसपछि उनीहरू दुवै कक्षामा सँगै बसेर आफ्नो कठिनाइको बारेमा कुरा गर्दै रोए।
परिवेश:
कथाकाे स्थलगत परिवेश चितवनको घर, अहिलेको घर, विद्यालय, घरधनीका घर/ ठाउँ, पसल, खेत हुन् । कथामा गाउँमा बस्दाको कठिनाइ, भेदभाव आदिको बारेमा देखाइएको छ। यो कथाको समयगत परिवेश करिब १७ वर्श सम्मको अनुमान लगाउन सकिन्छ ।
निष्कर्षः
विशेष गरी लेखककाे बाल्यकालीन सङ्घर्षकाे वर्णन यस पुस्तकमा गरिएकाे छ । यस पुस्तककले वर्गीय, लैङ्गिक विभेद, दुख सुखका पलहरूलाई देखाउँदै परिवर्तकाे सङ्केत गरेकाे छ । पुस्तक अत्यन्त राेचक छ । यसले हामीलाई जीवनमा केही पाउनका लागि सङ्घर्ष गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने कुरा सिकाएकाे छ त्यसैले ११ देखि १५ वर्षकाे उमेरसम्मका विद्यार्थीहरूलाई म याे पुस्तक पढ्नका लागि सिफारिस गर्दछु ।
Musahars are a local tribe in the Terai region, often depicted as Dalits or lower-caste people. Their origins can be traced back to the Tharu people who were left in the western Terai region. The Musahar tribe was founded in 1356 in western Terai when the region was ruled by the Delhi sultanate. They served the Delhi sultanate in fighting the late Gupta empire, and Gopal Das Musahar was even awarded gold and jewellery by King Alaudin Khilji for his services.
In 1678, the Musahar tribe was attacked by the Gupta empire, and 14 thousand Musahars fled to Nepal. They are specific labourers and farmers who are disputed from the world because they eat rats. Many foreign people have donated to the development of the Musahar tribe. They also engage in other traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery, and basket making. They speak a language known as Musahari or Musahari, which belongs to the Devanagari language family. One unfortunate stereotype associated with the Musahar community is that they consume rats. While it is true that some members of the community have traditionally eaten rats, it is not a practice that is really bad, many people eat rats and it is not a defining characteristic of the community. The stereotype has contributed to social discrimination against the Mushar in many parts of South Asia.
In conclusion, the Musahar community is an ethnic group in South Asia that has faced discrimination and stereotypes, but they have a rich history and culture. While they have traditionally engaged in agricultural and other traditional crafts, the stereotype that they consume rats is not a defining characteristic of the community. Efforts are being made to improve the social and economic conditions of the Musahar community.
Reference: Life of Terai Dalits (Musahar), Herne Katha, Web Documentary Series
The sun shines high up in the sky,
And shakes the trees, as time goes by,
The water flows, without a rest,
And in my mind, thoughts manifest
The wind blows, and the sand dances,
Making me feel happy, taking chances,
I help day and night, seeking peace,
And in the quiet, my worries cease.
I sing a song, under the stars,
Thinking of you, no matter where you are,
Making my dreams come true, every day,
Living in harmony, with nature's way.
