VENT!

What do you think you can do for your country at this moment?

ACT NOW FOR NEPAL and V.E.N.T! Magazine are collecting your ideas for action. Tell us what you think you can do for your country.

Nepal has gone through a lot of changes in the past decade or so. Whether you are in Nepal or abroad, we have a common link—we share a country that is dear to our hearts. Change cannot happen without personal sacrifice. So, what do you think you can do for your country at this moment?

nepaliketi ( Feb 11th 2010, 11:51 PM ) says:

you know what they say....think global, act local

- worried about the environment? don't throw trash on the street
- sick of the sucky education system? read on your own terms
- frustrated with the political deadlock? write a letter to your CA member
- depressed at the sight of street kids sniffing glue? collaborate with friends and help your helper's child go to school and stay there
- annoyed at the men who answer their phones at the movies? tell them to shut the f*** up
- want your freedom? take responsibility for yourself

but, above all, DON'T be a hypocrite - practice what you preach and then enjoy your license to CALL PEOPLE OUT - don't stop telling line-bumpers to get back in line!

Pauva Prajapati ( Feb 6th 2010, 02:46 PM ) says:

What can I do to make a difference? What can we do to make a difference?

Stop relying on the NGOs. More hype than results.
Stop relying on the politicians. Many promises, few results.
Stop being polite - when you know you are getting screwed.
If a Nepali politician screws around with you, screw him back - twice as hard.

"Most people think
Great god will come from the skies
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth
You will look for yours on earth
And now you see the light
You stand up for your right."

And here is what Ventzine can do -

Have more articles that may be controversial but that everyone is thinking about. And can vent about, even if it gets Pauva Prajapati irritated.

dipshikha thapa gurung ( Dec 9th 2009, 12:48 PM ) says:

really, the one thing i so vehemently detest is the indiscriminate use of polyethenes and plastics. as an individual i am really struggling with the thought of how to minimise its use. But evertime i cut open a packet of milk i in the morning or a packet of oil, i only regret the decisions that i have had to make. i alone cannot do it.
but to answer your question i think that as a single Nepali citizen i must strictly watch the amount of plastic that i am sending to the dump and try very hard to recycle them.

Indra Gurung ( Aug 4th 2009, 11:56 PM ) says:

It seems a simple and common question. Anybody, anywhere can ask such a question.

Wait! is it that simple? I went through some of the thoughts expressed over it. An inspiring note that I discovered --everyone at some point of time wants to give back something to the motherland, serve the country with their best ability.

To share some thoughts with you all, I'm reminded here again-- JF Kennedy's 1961 inaugural speech --- 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.' Isn't it time to retrospect ourselves?

I would like to share some of experiences and thoughts over what can I do for my country. It's never late and its not always necessary to do big things. A small help can have a lasting impact.

This is the fact that inspired me and a group of my friends about five years ago to start a small fund to sponsor financially-troubled kids to continue with their education. We also support schools and teachers to ensure that teaching environment at public schools (where the Fund-supported kids study) is improved and enhanced.

We began with about 10 students in 2005 and today we are supporting about 70 kids.

As I mentioned earlier, it is a rather small group and so as the fund. We don't have any institutional or corporate donor and we don't want either. We don't have any big ambition to be on limelight

We generate funds ourselves by cutting daily dose for cigarettes, drinks or through a small sum of monthly contribution or not spending much on fancy gadgets etc... One of our team members in Norway has even devised his own strategy to raise fund-- 'Drink one bottle (beer) less a week; send a girl to school in Nepal'.

We neither have physical office nor any staff. Out team works 100% voluntarily. So, overhead is zero. This also keeps us growing though we are small.

Lets stop playing a blame game. Lets start something whatever we can do within our means and limits. Its never late nor small.

sushila ( Jun 4th 2009, 05:54 PM ) says:

Well i can do nothing but can just watch the stupid act of Nepali politicians. As long as there is political unstability in Nepal we Nepali can do nothing nor the voice raised by us are heard. So, i can just wait for a peace day for Nepal

pratham ( Jun 4th 2009, 03:10 AM ) says:

It would make sense that the first comment appeared at the top of the comments field...haina?

Richa Neupane ( Jun 2nd 2009, 05:38 PM ) says:

I can at least not blame others. Wish everybody could.

Suraj Upadhaya ( May 28th 2009, 08:23 PM ) says:

hmm. This is confusing that what to do now. There are a lot of things to be done by me for country at right now.. I have to switched off the unused electrical appliances and electricity at time to decreased loadsheeding, i can close water tap before the water overflow from bucket to decrease the pressure on water supply. I can go to NTC office to pay bill at time inorder to help NTC to collect revenue at time. I can decreased the use of plastics inorder to save my country from being polluted. I can use local coffee and tea rather then foreign imported...So many things i can do.Everysmall things i can be a great for my country......

Sangam ( May 22nd 2009, 10:47 PM ) says:

I dont throw any waste materials like wrappers and papers around. I always keep it in my bag and throw it in dustbin. I encourage my friends to do the same. My this contribution can help make my city clean, not completely though. But atleast I have taken initiatives and I believe that it takes time but not impossible.I am glad that I am not the one responsible for dirty streets around.....
Besides, most of the youths of our country have gone out and many are in the process. I cant stop them from going abroad but atleast I can bring positive thoughts about the country and make them return and serve for the nation.

sajju shrestha ( May 21st 2009, 10:08 AM ) says:

I am not sick of calling myself Nepali. I feel proud to be one
But I can hustle …..Sick of blaming those cock suckers out there. They were like us... n today they are not what they thought they would be…I don’t know. Politics is good. I feel we all need to be disciplined Wellll…….I think Nepal needs a Saddam and Hitler without a lethal poison. Thing is... we can see japan... yes same old fucking oldy example... but they walked together … they made the japan, JAPAN... IT’S A NO FUN BUSINESS... WE ALL TRY TO ESCAPE OUT.... what the fuck can a writer do? Might be I am wrong the way I think... might be my frustrated brain is getting a feeling of mojo.... tell me how satisfied u r to Bea writer …. ask few questions? Why bring this silly topic ….. How do u fucking feel to be a Nepali? Bubble heads all around … its our identity... that’s what I say ….... its not like calling dolli , dolly in the dream busting nation which is blessed by G-O-D (… REVERSE IS... BITCHs'S AMIGO … DOG: )' )
ASK A REFUGEE WHAT A NATION IS … .. ask a Palestinian …. Ask that Bhutanese residing in Ilam … how much they want their identity. So far we must be proud of our self... we never refust to sign trouble check of complains... multi layered... complainssssssssssssss… We all are a fuckhead tangled with our problems … in this loop hole .. … ok not you :P ..don’t be sad amigo :P !!!
p.s Emy winehose is rolling .. life is like a wine …
… We got to abandon... our dreams of being some one … n practicing for the fuckn shake of nation... our Nepal…… can u do so? I think I can’t. Instead of listening
TO WAR MACHINE … AC/DC MY ASS: P
Law is good …. Why can’t we practice law our way... not the way as in movie WALLSTREET…?
DO ANYONE REMEMBER MR gekko ?
Kudos to stone oliver !!!
BRODA N SITRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR .. CAN U HELP ME OUT .. I REALLY AM MESSED UP … WHAT SHOULD I DO …

What was the topic .. sorry for my weird … doped thoughts .. they r not dyed :P !!!!

thinkinink ( May 17th 2009, 10:06 PM ) says:

I *could/can/will
I won’t/can’t
I am

Nothing.

Leave the country, like rats
deserting a sinking ship.

I don’t love my country.
Is that a crime?
Will you beat me for it, hang me for it, hurt my family, my friends for it?
Or denounce me? Hurl insults like rocks, aiming for the spot between my eyes?

Nationalism is a disease, like cancer, like AIDS, like leprosy.
It is used by leaders, to fan the flames of anger, divisiveness, hatred.

I love people.
Not just Nepalis. Americans, Europeans, Latinos, South East Asians, Australians, Africans.
When you look at people, do you see white, black, brown, yellow, red?
When you look at people, do you see Nepali, Indian, American, European, African…?
If racism is being done away with, why not nationalism?

Hold on, hold on,
before you get angry, before you get defensive, let me elucidate:
I have the right to hate my country. You have the right to denounce me for it.
I have the right to leave my country. You have the right to call me a coward.

Whatever I do, I will do to better people.
Not in the name of nationalism, not in the name of Nepal, not in the name of the king/president/prime minister
I read, I write and I learn.
As of now,
in no position to help anyone.
Which is why I’m in New York, New York.
To learn.
And apply that learning.
Be smarter.
I am a realist. A wise Nepali once said, I’m a “short term pessimist, long term optimist.”

If I’m into real estate, I make cheaper economical housing, instead of a gated community.
If I’m a doctor, I travel to remote areas and treat the poor for free, instead of charging an arm and a leg in Kathmandu.
If I’m a lawyer, I fight for those who can’t afford to fight, instead of manipulating the system to give more to those who already have too much.
If I’m a writer, I write about those who don’t have a voice, instead of trying to cash in on tragedies.
If I’m a student, I learn, instead of slaving away in a gas station for money to buy that iPhone.

But, I am me and you are you.
I write stories and poems, you might burn tyres.
We all make our own choices.

But,
listen to Jeal-Paul Sartre:

“Existentialism’s first move is to make every man aware of what he is and to make the full responsibility of his existence rest on him. And when we say that a man is responsible for himself, we do not only mean that he is responsible for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men.”

Khushbu ( May 14th 2009, 10:38 AM ) says:

This is such a common question..still we fail to give concrete answers to it...basically because nobody, including me is doing anything for the country at the moment..everywhere it is more about "me" than "us", it is more about "my rights" than "my responsibilities"...It is sickening to see riots everywhere...why would everyone want to go on the streets for everything...isn't there a middle solution to it...why are we so extremists...So, the best thing one can do for our country at the moment is "STOP BURNING TYRES" for every insignificant issue.Another thing: People who are leaving the country for reasons like instability in the country, political chaos..etc..etc.. are acting like scapegoats...they don't have the guts to stay here and face the situations...i believe its always better to live a dignified life in your country....Face the truth...and stay back in your land..and do something for YOUR country..this is another thing one can do for the ailing nation at the moment...Start with a small cause...a little generosity goes a long way.....!!!

Sneha ( May 13th 2009, 06:12 PM ) says:

I could help by volunteering with an organization..we cannot change the world in an instant but we can do little things to make a big impact.

Aruna Joshi ( May 13th 2009, 04:47 PM ) says:

At the moment I can write and publish articles about different issues to make people aware about the situation and status of their rights and talk about probable solutions with the peoples in my locality and academic circle.Collecting ideas and making them reach to as many as possible can be my primary concern at this time.

Koji ( May 12th 2009, 10:59 AM ) says:

First understand what the big issues are. Read: http://sapkotac.blogspot.com/2009/05/bad-infrastructure-as-most-binding.... When coming up with solutions seems difficult, you could also try reverse brainstorming - how could you make things worse! Write a list and turn it round. Very interestingly some of you creative minds out there could try to work out what this would be like for Nepal: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/indian-election-satirical-ca.... Who could invent a fake political party that spoke the truth about how things are?