Critical pedagogy: schools must equip students to challenge the status quo

Teachers should embrace a radical pedagogy and provoke students to demand equality for themselves and others, argues Tait Coles --

The pedagogy popularised by E.D.Hirsch, and recently promoted by the likes of Civitas, reduces teaching into nothing more than a bleak transmission model of learning.

Hirsch's theory focuses on what he calls "cultural literacy". He argues that all students need a "core knowledge" so they can develop into better citizens. In one of his books, he lists various facts, phrases and historical events that he believes all young Americans should be aware of, including the Founding Fathers and Adirondack Mountains.

Record turnout for Hong Kong's district council elections; two pan-democratic big guns out, three new pro-Occupy candidates win

Record turnout for Hong Kong's district council elections; two pan-democratic big guns out, three new pro-Occupy candidates win. 1.36 million people cast ballots in district polls, with results likely to reflect whether Occupy had lasting impact on city's political landscape.Voters turned out in record numbers in Sunday's District Council elections, scoring a historic turnout rate of 47 per cent and early results saw two veteran pro-democracy lawmakers defeated and at least three candidates inspired by last year's Occupy protests scored unexpected victories.

Ganesh Thapa: Ten-year Fifa ban for Nepal FA president

Ganesh Thapa, an influential figure in Asian football, has been banned for 10 years by Fifa for bribery.

Nepal Football Association president and ex-Asian football vice-president Thapa, 55, was found guilty of "various acts of misconduct over several years".
He is also under investigation by Nepalese authorities for allegedly embezzling millions of pounds of football development money.
Lao Football Federation chief Viphet Sihachakr

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa || Jiwani

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (Nepali: पासाङ ल्हामु शेर्पा 10 December 1961 – 22 April 1993) was the first Nepalese woman to climb the summit of Mount Everest.
She was born into a mountaineering family and was involved in climbing from her teens. She had successfully climbed Mont Blanc, Cho Oyu, Mount Yalapic, Pisang Himal, and others. She had attempted Everest three times before, but did not succeed until April 22, 1993, when she reached the summit by the South Col via the Southeast Ridge route.

Iman Sing Chemjong : किराँत विभूति इमानसिंह चेम्जोङ

Iman Xin Chemjong or Iman Singh Chemjong was a Limbu historian, writer, linguist, lexicographer, folklorist and philosopher of Nepal. Although some say that his middle name Xin was spelled as Singh due to mainstream Nepalese or Indian influence, others say Singh is correct because in his book Kiratakalina Vijayapurako Sankshipta Itihasa, Chemjong writes his name in Nepali as Iman Singh Chemjong. Chemjong devoted his entire life to studying and documenting various facets of Kirati tradition and culture at a time when such activities were frowned upon and even punished by the Nepalese ruling elite as being subversive and "anti-national".

Mahakavi Devkota Jayanti in Hong Kong

Devkota contributed to Nepali literature by bringing the Sanskrit tradition to its end and by starting a modern romantic movement in the country. Devkota was the first to begin writing epic poems in Nepali literature. Nepali poetry soared to new heights with Devkota's groundbreaking and innovative use of language.

Jindagi Yo fulai fulko Thungo hudaina | Anju Panta Nice Song

Anju Panta (Nepali: अन्जु पन्त) is a Nepali ghazals and playback singer. Having lent her voice to popular numbers like the title song of Ma Timi Bina Marihaalchhu, Bhun bhun bolyo bhamara of Saput, Dil yo mero dil in Kismat, and Sustari sustari mannma for Darr, Anju has sung for 18 films and more than 100 Nepali melodious songs both in duets and solos. Her ghazal Na birse timilai na paye timilai (Nepali: न बिर्सें तिमीलाई न पाएँ तिमीलाई) is considered one of the best song of her career.

To His Excellency Ranjit Rae

-- Sumit Sharma Sameer

Your Excellency,
I write this letter to you not merely as a citizen of Nepal, but as a concerned South Asian who thinks that India should play a leading role at the global level. Though the reputation of Modi government has hit nadir in Nepal, given India's democratic credentials and a strong social-cultural ties with Nepal, many Nepalese would want India to further advance her democratic image in front of the global audience.

Construction declines as China shifts from industrial sector

Construction growth in China, the world’s second largest economy, is forecast to reach historical lows in the short term, with housing construction registering a decline for the first time ever.

WE Will Rise - On The Way

Nepal witnessed a devastating natural disaster due to April 25 earthquake & continuous major aftershock, which resulted in massive destruction & loss of properties and human lives. In these times of great difficulties many people, organizations worldwide came forward to support, assist and provide help. In this context we started the campaign 'We will Rise -हामी उठ्ने छौं' to raise support for the earthquake survivors and create strong bonds between Nepali Diaspora populations.

The spirit of our campaign we will rise is Let's be united for the Nation wherever we are in the World.

Myanmar’s ruling party concedes defeat while Suu Kyi’s party expects to win more than 70pc of vote

The acting chairman of Myanmar’s ruling party conceded defeat to Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition on Monday and said he would accept the result of the country’s first free national election in 25 years.
“We lost,” Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) leader Htay Oo said in an interview.

About Remembrance Day

The poppy is the emblem of Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) which is a day to remember the members of the armed forces around the world who have died in the line of duty since World War I. This day is celebrated by all Commonwealth Nations. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918.

Why Gurung (Tamu) unity is so important ?

The Gurung people, also called Tamu, are an ethnic group from different parts of Nepal.
The Gurung people are an ethnic group who migrated from Tibet in the 6th century to the central region of Nepal. Gurung, Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Manaaggi, Mustaaggi, Walunggi and many east Asian featured people of Nepal are the indigenous people of Nepal’s mountainous valleys.

Nepalese Media in Hong Kong

- Nepali Online Radio (hknepaliradio.com) is a simple online radio. We want to help all younger generation in Hong Kong to value their own and others' cultural heritages and contribution to history and civilization. We would like to promote social harmony and equal opportunity in Hong Kong.
-- HK Nepali Radio is trying to bring in stories of Nepalese people living in Hong Kong. Stories such as how they have been integrating in the local community, their work lives, their businesses, radio features stories how parents can play their roles in their children's education in schools.

Don’t forget Gurkhas’ contribution to Hong Kong

Two illegal immigrants from China are arrested.
Photo: Tim I Gurung

-- Tim I Gurung
Gurkhas are a well-known army contingent of Nepali origin who have served the British Crown since 1815.
This 200-year-old tradition started with the British Raj in India and is still going strong today.
After Malaysia became independent, the British garrison, including Gurkhas, was moved into Hong Kong in the early 1960s.

Shadow warriors

VC Ram Bahadur Limbu @San Tin Barrack
Hong Kong with Dev Raj Rai

---- Kelly Ip
Gurkha faces were familiar in Hong Kong right up to the restoration of Chinese rule, for many thousands of them were here as soldiers to help defend the territory for Britain. But not all followed the famous line that "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away" when the British army's Brigade of Gurkhas was withdrawn on July 1, 1997.
Hundreds of ex-soldiers from Nepal remained, often with their families, and a job in security was a welcome option.
One firm was noted for the ex- Gurkha soldiers riding its cash-carrying armored trucks even before 1997. Other Gurkhas stepped into the boots of former soldiers and people from the martial classes of India and Pakistan, who until recently were familiar shotgun-toting figures outside banks and jewelry stores.

The Nepalese community in Hong Kong looks to preserve Gurkha legacy

Capt. (Retired) Nam Sing Thapa

- Mark Sharp--
When the city marks the Ching Ming festival next week, Chinese families won't be the only ones honouring their dead. The local Nepalese community will observe Purkha Diwas, or Ancestors' Day, by gathering at the Gurkha Cemetery in San Tin Barracks.

Purkha Diwas is a rare gathering of Gurkha clans - Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Rai, Thapa and other lineages - and helps the younger generation learn about their history and culture.

Visits to the cemetery in Yuen Long are uncommon because, since the British handed the barracks over to the PLA in 1997, its gates have been locked. Permission to visit must be sought from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Security Bureau.

The Global Federation for Nepali Literature Central Committee onThursday honored Non Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) PresidentShesh Ghale

Kathmandu – The Global Federation for Nepali Literature Central Committee on Thursday honored Non Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) President Shesh Ghale with the Best Rescuer Honour for contribution in rescuing the victims of the massive ‘Gorkha Earthquake’ which struck Nepal on April 25.

Ghale termed the honour as the first and most important in his life and expressed desire on behalf the NRNA to work with the Federation.

Nepal’s first international festival of photography week

From 3-9 November 2015 the alleys and courtyards of Patan will be transformed into a live exhibition space as the old town plays host to Nepal’s first international photography festival, Photo Kathmandu. The week-long festival is being organised by the photo collective, photo.circle.
“Patan is an incredibly rich urban landscape - both in terms of tangible but also intangible heritage; the patis that are home to evening bhajans, the local corner shops that sell woh, aloo, sukuti, choela. By locating a festival in the midst of this, by trying to weave it into the fabric of the Patan streets, we would like to both celebrate this urban landscape as well as draw attention to how it needs careful planning and preservation,” says festival director NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati of choosing the festival destination.

Ex-guerrilla is Vice President

Vice-President of Nepal - Nanda Kishor Pun

After a woman Speaker of Parliament and a woman President, Nepal now has a former guerrilla commander as a Vice President.

Nanda Kishor Pun, 49, became Nepal’s second Vice President by winning a vote in the parliament on Saturday. He succeeds Parmananda Jha and is the first Maoist to become Nepal’s deputy Head of the State. Early this week, Bidya Bhandari had created history by becoming Nepal’s first female President.

Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, herself a former Maoist guerrilla, announced Pun’s victory. He defeated the NC’s vice presidential candidate, Amiya Kumar Yadav, with 325 votes. Yadav secured only 212 votes. Despite being backed by the ruling coalition of UML, UCPN(M), RPP (N) and MJF (D), Pun’s victory was not a foregone conclusion. The UCPN (M) had supported UML Chair KP Oli and Vice Chair Bidya Bhandari to become Prime Minister and President respectively, and it was expecting the leading party of the ruling coalition to reciprocate.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari was given a farewell

Nov 2, 2015- President Bidya Devi Bhandari was given a farewell by CPN-UML aligend Youth Association Nepal (YAN) amidst a ceremony held in the Capital on Monday.

The Association's former in charge and a delegation of incumbent officials met President Bhandari at the Shital Niwas wishing her a successful term. CPN (UML) Politburo member Bhanubhakta Dhakal, central member Sherdhan Rai, YAN incumbent Chairman Rajeev Pahari and former chair Niru Pal among others met with the President.

Laxmi Prasad Devktota

He has fallen from the black clouds

and is living in the shadows.
Do we see a god in him,
or do we see a beggar?

Devkota was born on the night of Gai Puja, when Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is honored. Seeing this as an omen, Devkota’s parents named him after the goddess. It was an omen indeed, but of a different kind. In Nepal, Laxmi is seen as a bitter rival of Saraswati, the goddess of education and learning. Saraswati is displeased if a person is wealthy. On the other hand, Laxmi is not inclined to grant favors to those whose main pursuit is learning. As it turned out, the rivalry between the two goddesses was played out in Devkota’s life. He was known as Mahakabi, the great poet, and lived and died a poor man.

Balkrishna Sama

Bal Krishna Samser janga bahadur Rana was born in 1902 as the second son to General Samer Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana and Kirti Rajya Laxmi in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal. He was born in Rana family (equivalent to Royal family) of that time so he was able to pursue the best education available in the country.

He completed his high school from Bhanu School (Durbar High School) in Rani Pokhari and went to Tri Chandra college as a science student. Balkrishna Samser Janga bahadur Rana by birth had right to become military officer went to Dehradoon (India) training and became a Lieutenant Colonel. Then prime minister Chandra Shumshere did not find Sama's interest in writing positively. Sama was not happy about the Rana rules and the regime.

He got married to Mandakini in 1921.

बालकृष्ण समको सङ्क्षिप्त परिचय

समरशमशेर तथा कर्र्तिराज्यलक्ष्मी राणाका सुपुत्र बालकृष्णशमशेर जबराको जन्म १९५९ साल माघ २४ गते काठमाडौंको ज्ञानेश्वरमा भएको थियो ।

बालकृष्ण समले दरबार हाइस्कुलमा दशौं कक्षासम्मको अध्ययन गरेपछि कोलकाताबाट म्याटि्रक गरे । त्यसपछि उनले त्रिचन्द्र कलेजमा विज्ञान पढेे । त्यसै बखत उनी सैनिक सेवाको कप्तानमा पनि प्रवेश भए । लेफ्टिनेन्ट कर्र्णोल भएपछि बालकृष्णले सैनिक सेवा छाडे ।

१९७० सालमा स्थापित 'गोरखा भाषा प्रकाशिनी समिति'लाई बालकृष्णले नै 'नेपाली भाषा प्रकाशिनी समिति'मा रूपान्तर गराए । केही कालसम्म उनी त्यही प्रकाशिनी समितिका अध्यक्ष भए । २००० सालभन्दा अघिदेखि नै उनी त्रिचन्द्र कलेजमा पनि नेपाली पढाउँथे ।

इन्टिग्रेसन, चिनियाँ भाषा अनि हाम्रा आवश्यकताहरू

–देवराज राई

कार्यकारी प्रमुख सीवाई ल्योङले पोलिसी एड्रेसमा भनेका छन्– साउथ एशियन इथनिक माइनोरीटीजहरू ६० हजार छन्, पछिल्लो दशकमा ५० प्रतिशत बृद्धि भएर गएका छन् । किटानीका साथ हामी र हाम्रा नानीहरूलाई डिस एडभान्टेज समूहमा राखेर सहयोग गर्ने नाममा हाम्रो नाडी छाम्ने काम भएको छ । हामीलाई अपांग, असक्षम वर्गमा राखेर इन्टिग्रेसनको नाममा चिनियाँ भाषालाई कारक मान्नु कतिसम्म जायज छ ? के हो त वास्तविक समस्या ? यस बारेमा विभिन्न चर्चा–परिचर्चा भइरहेका छन् । हाम्रो प्रश्न छ– किन साउथ एशियन मात्र ? ईष्ट एशियन अनि यूरोपियन पनि त छन् । उनीहरूले अंग्रेजी पढ्दा इन्टिग्रेसन भयो ? हामीले पढ्दा डिस एडभान्टेज ? 

The Second State

-- Indira Prasai
Translated by Dr.Anita Dhungel

“Amita, What is this you have done? Not even in my dreams had I envisaged you would disgrace me in my old age. What is lacking in Sambeg Babu? Why are you nurturing dishonourable relationships with Anuttarit and Anawarat ? What about your two innocent youthful children ? You need to think about them as well! Sambeg Babu, my son-in-law is akin to divinity and I have presented you to him. So, be advised Sambeg Babu’s tears will jinx you forever.” After many-a-days I had gone visiting my mother to inspect her health and fitness. It had been just a moment since I had gotten to my mother’s house, and when unable to hold back her harrowing inquiries any longer, she started enlisting her distraught concerns before me.

विश्वभरका सम्पूर्ण नेपालीहरूको एकता, सद्भाव र प्रेमकालागि अभियान

-- ‘’सधैँ-सबै-एकै नेपाली’’

ईतिहासका क्रमवद्ध समयको परिवर्तनसँग नेपालीहरू छरिएर विश्वका कुनाकाप्चामा पुगेका छन् । १८ शताब्दीको शुरुवातसँगै नेपालीहरु बिदेशिन थालेका हुन् । बृटिष ईष्ट ईण्डिया कम्पनीमा नेपाली युवाहरू सेनाको रुपमा प्रवेश गरेपछि त विश्वभर छरिने क्रम बढेर गयो । प्रथम विश्वयुद्ध र दोस्रो विश्वयुद्ध दुबैमा अनगिन्ति नेपालीहरुले प्राण आहुति दिइसकेका छन् । बितेको ५० बर्षमा मात्र करिब २,००,००० नेपाली जवानले बिभिन्न युद्धहरुमा लडेका छन् । करिब २०० बर्ष त नेपालीले बृटिषको सेवामा अनेक युद्ध लडेका छन् । यसरी सेनाको रुपमा र अनेक कारणले नेपालीहरू आज संसारका धेरै भूभागमा पुगेर बसेका छन् । आखिर आज जसरी, जहाँ र जस्तो अवस्थामा नेपालीहरू बसेता पनि हाम्रो केन्द्रिय थलो नेपाल हो । हाम्रो बंशज र पूर्ख्यौली नेपालसँग गाँसिएको छ । हामी सबै-सधैँ- एकै नेपाली हौँ ।