“Pokhara ko Punte Damai nachhi nachhi hinchha, euta churot salkayera pasal bhitra paschha.”
In my crude English translations this should read like below:
“The little Damai (tailor) of Pokhara walks on dancing then after lighting a cigarette enters his workshop”.
This used to be a common scene. A daily life of celebration and a magical atmosphere existed in Nepal and especially in Pokhara Valley, where many such folk songs were created. These were the days when happy people danced, worked, lived peacefully and were contented. Numerous fine folk songs were created about these people, their daily life, culture and traditions. In those days, life had a joyful meaning, and simple purpose, so it was generally good. Life was a celebration and it now looks like that same momentum is making a long awaited comeback. Even Sir Edmund Hillary expressed great hope few months back on his visit following the restoration of democracy in Nepal.
During my college days in the faculty of economics there was one question, which was frequently asked.
“Nepal is a rich country inhabited by the poor” Please Justify? I would say Nepal is definitely a rich country. It is no doubt scenically beautiful and has a mix of castes, creeds and communities with a natural tolerance of each other creating a unique ambiance. This country is like a magnificent garden having multi-dimensional beauty. Blindfolded one can point a finger at a map of Nepal and find an interesting place to visit. Nature has been very generous to Nepal and offered so much abundance for everyone to enjoy. It is a paradise meant for sustainable tourism, which if implemented thoughtfully and well managed will help us create prosperity for all. Since the dawn of real democracy here, it should not take so long to make things happen. Strong will, dedication and honesty are few basic words, which if applied correctly can bring back prosperity for the people. Then we will welcome the return of the Punte Damai dancing and singing again spontaneously as life regains its full richness.
hey deadkid – http://www.samudaya.org is just another “me too” site. At least EU is not posting news from other site. EU will rise up. And at EU we respect bloggers’ opinion. You did not seem to understand implied meaning of thought what Mr. Rajnedra Pandey was trying to express through his little Punte Dumai note. However, it prooked thought – that’s why you wrote a long paragraph.
oye punte damai,
somebody should seriously define what sustainable is…the rampant use is so sustaining, rather it is sustaining us.
and how do you want to sustain tourism when it’s not at that par to be sustained.
and again, you talk about real democracy. oye, nepali people have even lost the freedom to think for themselves…the recent brainwash drill by the maoist on grade 8-10 school children…!
what on mind were they thinking?
punte damai, far in the dolpo and other remote areas, people are still leading a hunting and gathering society. it’s a different story that they are content with their life and are very spiritual unlike us, concrete warriors but my point is, when you blog, blog as a blogger.
everyone seems to be writing essays, and can’t even conclude properly. a blog is supposed to be thought provoking, should ecnourage other bloggers t have that last serious thought when they sleep for 8 r 10 hours. wake up bloggers. visit: http://www.samudaya.org
and if this is for real and IF this is EVEREST ‘UNCENSORED’; million times, have i raised this issue: nepal is not just mountains and the land of buddha or the prevailing notions.
there are young creative designers today, we have the modern publishing houses, open minded software programmers, artists in almost all sectors. i do understand there’s a PLATFORM issue but why don’t we insource platforms? isn’t that viable?
Good writing. But I have only a reservation with your view that Nepal has a mix of castes, creeds and communities with a natural tolerance of each other creating a unique ambiance. It was rather a domination by the ruling elites that forced others to remain dumb. IT was not the tolerance but fear that still prevails on mainland of the country.