Fiction Park: Do not Judge, Understand!

Always seated in the last bench of the class was an overweight boy with thick eyeglasses named Kancho. Small eyes with big eyeglasses, small head with large torso, tall and heavy but weak, Kancho was an eccentric person- obnoxious, introverted and anti-social. Characterized by a reclusive nature, he rarely spoke to any of the classmates in the class, let alone the teachers in school. Isolated, in so as much by his own will as by social boycotts, he was not interested in social activities and gatherings. His eccentric behavior became the subject of mockery to the class. The whole class, not excluding me, used to bully him for his attire, looks, and big eyeglasses.  A day never went by in which we did not make fun of him.  However, he neither responded to us verbally or physically, nor did he complain to teachers in his defense. This stirred us to decisively make fun of him as much as we liked.  

      It never occurred to me why Kancho acted the way he did. There should have been a reason, if not many, I never thought- it was too much to think for a twelve year old kid like me. I did what most of the people did to him: teased and made fun of him. Time moved along as we made progress towards our junior year of high school. Even after a couple of years together in the same school, our attitude towards Kancho unfortunately did not change; neither did Kancho’s attitude and behavior. In the junior year of our high school, Kancho transferred to another high school.

    The same year that Kancho left our school, great adversity struck my family.  My father, the only economically active member of my family, had to wash his hand of his job because of job cut offs in my country following economic depression. This made my family economically weak and volatile. I started to work an average of four hours a day to support my family while still continuing my studies, in the process making my academics as fragile as the economic situation of my family. My routine became so hectic that I had scarcely any time to do school work. Thus, it became hard for me to cope with rigor of the curriculum. In the meantime, I was struggling economically even after my earnest effort to improve economic condition of my family. My family had a scarce amount of money to perform even the mundane economic activities. I passed through such miserable times that I did not have enough money to get myself a pack of lunch. I went from a well off and brilliant student to an impecunious underperformer in one turn of event!

     

       This change in circumstances changed the behavior of my friends towards me in an unprecedented way. My friends started to harass me for not being tidy, for struggling to pay my tuitions, and for being an underperformer. They started to speak in patronizing tones whenever I approached them; they just were not as co-operative as they used to be.  This led to my isolation from my friends’ circle. I neither cared what my friends said about me, nor tried to elucidate them of my changes in circumstances which attributed to the ways I acted in my life. Whether or not they included me in their gatherings, parties and hangouts did not bother me after all. Nothing besides myself became a matter of my concern. I started to enjoy my struggling life which was, to a great degree, analogous to Kancho’s life when he was in our high school: dejected, declined and desolated.   

      With profound understanding of reasons for my own isolation, I then understood the reasons for Kancho’s isolation as well.  I concluded that it was not Kancho who was responsible for his eccentric behavior, but the society around him which shaped him to act in certain ways. Because he was obese and wore thick glasses - traits which he might have obtained from the genes of his parents- he was disliked, and thus bullied by the majority of the students.  These two judgmental effects made me reach some understanding of my life, which I would not have deciphered had I not gone through similar circumstances as that of Kancho. I, like my friends, was disposed to judge Kancho on account of his obesity and optical problem. Then, I went through an uncontrollable circumstance in my life that affected the way I acted in my life, which in turn catalyzed my friends to derogatively judge me.  This unique juxtaposition taught me to never judge people on basis of uncontrollable circumstances, genetic traits or possessions which they gain by birth. 

Shia Sunni Conflict

After the death of Prophet Mohammed in 632AD, Islamic world got divided in the question of Prophet Mohammed’s successor as the caliph of whole Islamic community. This was the start of long conflict in the Islamic community, which we now understand as Shia- Sunni conflict. Shia are the minority Muslim population comprising an approximation of 10 to 20 percent of total Islamic population with their majority population in Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Bahrain, while Sunnis are the majority Islamic population with majority population in all other Muslim countries.

Modern Shia-Sunni conflicts holds much of the importance in politics of Middle East and also in the politics of many western countries ,which is one way or other associated to Middle East. The Iranian Islamic revolution changed the calculus of Shia- Sunni power equation in Muslim countries with overthrowing of the rule of Shah Mohammad Pahlavi supported by the United States and United Kingdom, by Shia leader Ayatollah Khomeini; thus arousing the traditionally subservient Shia to the alarm of traditionally dominant Sunnis. Shia dominated Iran was in favor of Shia- Sunni harmony, but their contentious relation with Saudi Arabia divided Arab countries into two different front. Countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan went through a new wave of revolution following this Islamic revival. American military intervention in Iraq also fueled Shia- Sunni conflict to new height.

Iraq was dominantly ruled by Sunni people under the leadership of Saddam Hussein until 2003, under which period some 50,000 to 100,000 Shia were mercilessly persecuted. After an intervention from USA in 2003, Shia majority have handled the administrative position in Iraq which previously used to be hold by Sunni. The violent Sunni-Shia conflict took a new turn with Sunni majority killing Shia population by suicide bombings, and Shia majority through death squad, a practice of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearance for political reasons to keep the secrecy of killed and to avoid the accountability.

Al-Qaeda, terrorist group against any anti-Sunni Islamic principal, is also responsible for provoking sectarian violence among Muslims. Al-Qaeda has carried out many attacks on non-Sunni Muslims and  non-Muslims; 9/11 attacks,  Yazidi community bombings, the Sadr City bombings, the Ashoura Massacre and the April 2007 Baghdad bombings are some of the examples of attacks. Taliban, another Islamic terrorist group, has also been instigating the sectarian conflict between Sunni Pashtun and Shia population in Afghanistan after Soviet Union’s withdrawal in 1989. Similarly, recent Syrian uprising has reawakened the sectarian tensions in Syria, which now is turning into a sectarian strife between the Alawits and Sunni Jihadists.

In countries like Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, sectarian conflict is pervaded primarily by an effort to change the political system in the country- this sectarian conflict has not come by itself. When Iran tried to transform itself into republic state, it brought about the sectarian conflict all over the world that has influence up to today’s world. When USA tried to bring democracy in Iraq by out-casting the Sunni minority led by Saddam Hussain, it brought about a political havoc not only in Iraq but also in USA, whose aftermaths  of involvemnet still has influence in downturn of American Economic to this date. Similarly, when Soviet Union in one end of the spectrum and USA and Saudi Arabia on the other tried to solve political fiasco in Afghanistan, it brought about the sectarian problem with Taliban and Al-Qaeda, the greatest threat of Western world. Contemporary Syrian crisis is another vivid example where an effort to change political system has backfired the struggle into a sectarian conflict. It is safe to assume that whenever Middle East nations have tried to transform their fundamental political system, it have always created a problem with Sectarian issue.

If world wants stable, non-extremist and democratic Middle East, it needs to settle sectarian conflict before it wants middle east countries to walk along the road of democracy- the political change these countries are trying to embrace. Trying to change the political system without ousting the probability of sectarian conflict will always create troubles in world.

References: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=a-QH_CxIFTEC&oi=fnd&pg=PA9&dq=sunni+shia+conflict+iraq&ots=pqbl9nh-TN&sig=LJgBXm69IzWi6RQ0jY9UYWaeHtI#v=onepage&q=sunni%20shia%20conflict%20iraq&f=false

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia%E2%80%93Sunni_relations

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2013/09/sunni-shia_conflict_being_stoked_by_syrias_civil_war.html

Spreading Smiles through Toilet Papers

I used to spend quite a lot of time in the library reading, doing homework or preparing for the tests. One Tuesday, as I was preparing for a calculus test, I got bogged down in few questions. Tired of unsuccessfully trying the same questions again and again, I rested my head on the table, covering my face with my hands. It was then that I heard a heavy and gruff, yet affectionate voice. "Are you alright, son?,” asked a tall African American man with an oval face, a pointed nose, large and wide ears, and intense brown eyes below dense eyebrows. He cleared his throat, and patted my leaning torso. Raising my bowed head, I looked at the tall figure with amazement and replied that I was okay, rubbing my eyes. He introduced himself and offered me a bottle of water, which I took without hesitation. He was Lawrence Perry, a janitor at the University of New Orleans. This was the first time I was approached with such kindness after I had left my country, Nepal. Even though Mr. Perry holds a mop, not a briefcase, he holds the power to spread a smile, and he has every reason to be happy himself.

“I think my job is one of the most important jobs in UNO”, says Lawrence Perry, who has been working as a janitor at the University for the last five years. “Imagine what would happen if I did not keep toilet papers in the restroom”, he continues with a giggle in his voice.  He has a defined chin and a strong jaw line that gives an aesthetic element to his broad smile. He always smiles when he sees a familiar face. “There are people who show nonchalance when I smile or try to talk to them, but I never have any grudges against them”, Perry says with immense weight in his voice. “Life is about sharing what you have. I have a smile to give to people. It is their discretion whether to respond to me or not”, he continues in a slightly indignant tone.  “I am happy with my life, you know! I have done what I need to do to my family, and I try to be good to every person. That is my life to me”, he ends abruptly in a graver toner.

Mr. Perry is a familiar face around the Earl K Long Library, where his work is mainly concentrated. Mr. Perry, who has been working as a custodian for the last nineteen years in one place or another, is very aware of cleanliness. Mr. Perry’s job is to clean the restrooms and to make sure that every restroom in the entire four story building has toilet paper and soap. He performs his task of cleaning with great care and sincerity.  His job is such that if he does everything right his work is rarely given a credit. “I wonder if people ever notice that there is a man who is doing all the work behind the scene”, Perry speaks contently in response to the question of what people’s response is towards his job.  He recalls the time when he was ignored by some people on account of what he does for living. “When I say my profession is a janitor to people, some people try to forestall the conversation. You know what, next time those people see me, they just ignore me”, he quickly lifts his shoulders as he speaks with wonder.

 In the same momentum of the conversation, he mentions about an incident when he was excluded from an invitation to a staff member’s wedding, when the whole building was invited.  “I have come to realize that some people judge me as being unworthy of their time and attention, but the bitter truth is that those people need a through contemplation of their own life”, he says vaguely.   He takes a deep sigh and looks at his wrist watch. His sad and humble voice, when he spoke, reflected his disapproval of the people’s prejudiced attitude towards people like him. “But again, I feel my life is the way it should be. You cannot really make grievances against anything”, he gives his second thought, shifting his focus from his watch to my spectacles. That belief is the reason why he starts every day with a cheerful smile.

In his twenty eight years of marriage, Perry values his family the most. He believes that his marriage is the greatest blessing in his life. “My wife is the most influential person to me. She has always been by my side to support me in ups and downs. She accepts me for who I am, and that is the reason why I feel satisfied even though I have not accomplished a great deal in life,” he says, leaning on the chair. In response to the question of what makes him happy, he says with a smile in his face, “My reasons for happiness are rather modest. My wife’s birthday, my children’s birthday, my children’s promotion to the higher grade, my dog and my small world are the causes for my happiness.” Perry believes that everything that makes his family happy is the biggest achievement of his life. “My family is happy with what we have. This is actually an achievement for me. When my family becomes discontent or dissatisfied with me, then making them happy will be my challenge”, he says re-iteratively.  

         

 Mr. Perry made me realize that people become great by their deeds, not by the job they hold. He does not hold grudges against any people, but performs his work with sincere effort and tries to help others as much as he can. “What distinguishes men from another creature is their care and concern for another being .I try to make my family happy, and try to give others what I can”, he says in a philosophical tone. After an awkward silence, he says,” I do not frown to people, nor do I hate them whatsoever. I respect everyone for who they are”. Mr. Perry always reminds me of the importance of positive attitude in life. 

Syrian Issue- A political Conundrum

Whether USA should attack Syria or not is the most debated topic as of 11th of August, 2013 as far as international politics is concerned. This topic has gathered varying opinions on what USA’s move should be, typically after Obama’s “red line” has now been crossed. This is my attempt to explore, analyze, critique and improve two contradicting opinions, one from Radwan Ziadeh, spokesman for the Syrian National Council,   and other from Stephen M. Walt, professor of international affairs at Harvard University. Walt makes valid arguments against intervention, but fails to address possible ways the Syrian Crisis can be resolved. He is more concerned about the interests of the US than of a conflict that has clearly gone out of control. Ziadeh represents that side of the world, which still look up on the western world to help check the atrocities against civilians around the world. He however, fails to explain how western intervention will lead to or even help reach political stability in Syria.

Walt makes strong arguments against the intervention in Syria. He holds strong proclivity against any kind of attack against Syria on USA’s part. Walt addresses the fact that deadlier weapons than those used by Assad regime have been already used, so violation of international law against chemical weapons should not be the triggering factor for a reaction. He reminds us of how USA has violated the international laws to get what Washington D.C. wanted in the past; thus, it would be inappropriate to talk about international law at this point.  He further believes that half-hearted attack as proposed by Obama Administration contributes nothing towards depriving Assad of his power, and even if this attack helps rebel group backed by Jihadists to topple the ruling government, it would be unfortunate for Syria and western countries to have the extremist Jihadists as the ruling power of Syria. In his view, the USA need not intervene at this point regardless of use of chemical weapon when people were mercilessly killed from the beginning of the conflict. In Walt’s view, Obama’s red line is the only reason for the USA to attack or at least punish Syria for using chemical weapons. This drawing of a line was foolish in his opinion due to the presence of deadlier weapons already, and responding to a foolish decision with another foolish move would not be what the USA would want to do. Any reluctant action taken to hold firm on the earlier stance might push USA into deeper trouble, Walt further argues.

Walt’s argument on why USA should not attack Syria following recent chemical attack is agreeable from the American point of view. It is true that the USA cannot afford to go to another war, particularly in Syria, because the consequences are unknown, yet most likely miserable. He defends the counter argument too by convincingly putting forward the domestic concerns of the USA. His argument on the last paragraph about intervention being a foolish act to save Obama’s face sounds convincing, especially when looking back at the aftermaths of American intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

On the other hand, Radwan Ziadeh argues that the USA and international society have decisive power to control the rebel in Syria as the only legitimate organ to respond to these attacks is paralyzed by Veto Power of China and Russia in United Nations Security Council. It seems reasonable, in his View, for powerful western nations to take action against impunity by Assad’s regime.  He elaborates that preceding events which were not kept on track by the NATO and other nations opened the door for the attacks of higher magnitude and destruction by Assad’s Regime. He believes that targeted air strikes and enforcement of non-flight zone can end impunity and bring back stable Syria.  However, he does not defend counter- arguments about retaliation from Syria and its allies. Even though Ziadeh mentions that international intervention can thwart away the evils of Syria, he fails to address looming questions of world war, as well as stability and leadership in Syria after intervention.

It is interesting that a Syrian writer himself is expecting intervention from the western world because Syria indeed has lost all hopes. However, Zaideh doesn’t sound convincing in his proposed solution of targeted air strikes and enforcement of a non-flight zone, especially after the international community has already decided that intervention is not going to solve the problem and that Syria is rather on its own. While the argument is whether western intervention is essential for checking chemical weapon use, Zaideh is hoping too much by pointing that the international community might be able to solve this crisis.

After 9/11 attack, USA government is keeping tight scrutiny in Middle East countries with an influence of either Al-Qaeda or Taliban. It has also been cautious over the issue of nuclear weapons, linked especially with North Korea and Iran. Syria seems to attract attention from both of these issues. USA fears that conflict ridden Syria can act as base for terrorists groups like Al- Qaeda. On top of that, recent use of Chemical weapons have attracted its attention as it is something USA is weary of. However, intervention is still a bad idea even for USA at this point. Middle East is going through a lot of trouble, and involvement of USA could mess the situation more. The half -hearted attack, as the United States Government claims, will only outrage allies of Syria namely Russia and Iran, which in turn can disturb the delicacy of international politics leading to serious political crisis. If half-hearted attack as USA government proposes turns out to help the opposition Jihadists, whose involvement in the protest have lately been verified, to take control over Syria, it will only escalate the burden of USA and international society. Learning from experience at Iraq and Afghanistan that foreign intervention in internal conflict of country does not work out well, USA does not want to get involved in Syria the way it did in Afghanistan and Iraq. If USA is to attack Syria even at small scale, danger persists that attack to punish the violation of law against Chemical Weapons may drag USA into the war, in which it does not want to be involved. As far as the question on violation of international law about chemical weapons is concerned, it would be ironical to attack by violating another law, law concerning UN Security council, as Watt argues.

 

In a vicious circle where every action looks inappropriate to give direction, the best way to solve the issue would be to wait and watch as the questions on attack is adjourned by the agreement between USA and Russia. As far as punishing Assad regime for chemical attacks is concerned, it should be a step taken not only by the USA, but by a collaboration between powerful states. Although Chemical weapons are less destructive than several other weapons, as argued by Walt, it is best for the world to have it under control because of its tendency to affect more civilians than the intended target.

Radwan Ziadeh’s Article

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/08/26/is-an-attack-on-syria-justified/the-west-must-finally-respond-in-syria

WALT’s Article http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/08/26/is-an-attack-on-syria-justified/type-of-weapons-assad-uses-shouldnt-affect-us-policy

Beliefs are Subject to Change

      
               We have been changing our beliefs since the beginning of human civilization. Long back, people believed earth as the center of the universe. They believed that the universe was static, an idea that the universe neither expands nor contracts.  Cholera was believed to be caused by air pollution. California was identified as an island and what not.  However, these beliefs are now repudiated, for we now have different beliefs which we believe to be true. These changes in beliefs have been acquired through long chronological researches, scientific toil, effort and energy. However, there is no certainty that the beliefs which we believe to be true will not be denied in future as we move with better research and effort.

           We form beliefs not only through pure sense gained by experience and knowledge, but also through sensibility- emotional attachment to something. Even though some beliefs may not sound logical, they manage to penetrate deep down our reasoning system from strong influence from someone or repetition of same belief among our influence circle. For instance, I momentarily liked Manchester Football Club because of repetition of belief among majority of people in my circle despite the fact that I did not have any affinity towards this club. Belief as this eventually changed because this was never my belief.

      My other beliefs are no exception. They are transient just like every single belief in the world. I had a dream of playing professional football in my early teen age. I practiced hard to make my dream come true. I truly loved football at those times, but this belief persisted only till the June of 2011. Playing in hot and humid conditions, I was running for the ball, which was on the left wing of the opposition half. I increased my speed to take hold of the ball before anyone could reach it .The moment I held on the ball, I was fiercely tackled by the opponent who, along with me, was vying for the ball. I lost balance, fell in the ground and cried out loud in agony. I had fractured my leg there and then. That was the moment which changed my belief about football. After the incident, I distanced myself from football and never held the belief I used to hold about football.

          Similarly, I hated math until I started to excel in it. If it were not for exams, I loved reading. I loved our National Football team when it won a game, and hated it when it lost a game. I judged and criticized people before I knew their circumstances, which made them the way they were. We are always adding something new to what we already had, which leads to refinement of our beliefs.  Therefore, I believe in the fact that our beliefs are subject to change.  

       

Doing the "basics"!

      They say it is about doing the basics right. That has been quite a story for me as well: doing the basics right.  I always took rigorous curriculum, good subject combination and performed to my optimum and this, thus, did not have questions about security of my educational career. As every career opened that way, I have spent my high without a definite educational aim. I did not know what I wanted to be, and the uncertainty still persists.

        My gap year is a result of the uncertainty that loomed over what I really wanted to be and where did I want to see myself.  I did not know if I was applying abroad until I finished my A levels. Had the majority of my friends not applied USA, I probably would have followed their path. This again comes to doing the basics right, this time in a belief that what my friends did was for something better that what opportunity was on offer in Nepal.  Many people join A levels only to apply for USA, but I did not have faintest of idea for what particular reason did I read A levels.  My father suggested me to read A levels because he wanted me to have different educational experience from what he had when he did his I.SC. Neither my father nor me what prospects did A levels have to offer in reality.

     Even though I planned to apply to US Colleges, I was not sure what definite major I was to choose and what kind of colleges I was to apply. I prepared and gave SAT and TOFEL, very frivolously the latter, as these standardized tests were the prerequisite for applying to US; doing basics alright! Thus began the rigorous work of searching the US colleges for me.  Because I needed large amount of financial aid, options for applying dropped very sharply as not every US College provides adequate financial aid to international students like us.  The list of colleges narrowed as the process went along and I ended up applying some seventeen "everyone applying" colleges. Since every candidate like me needed an aid and since the number of students like me was large, the application pool that my application belonged to happened to be very competitive.  

As a result, the basic things that I had been doing all the time did not work out well in college Application. The kind of US colleges I was applying to needed more than basics if I was to become a part of any big news.  I ended up being rejected by nine colleges with three waitlist turned rejections and five acceptances.  Of the five colleges that accepted me, only a second tier university in USA and a good college in Germany provided decent financial aid. The financial aid the latter provided is not as good as the aid that first one provided, but the cost is still manageable.

     I do not know whether attending the college in USA that provided good aid is better a decision than attending the university in Germany. I do not know what the "basics" is this time. Whatever it is, I think this time I need to show some defiance against the basics regarding my college and major.

मेरा कामरेडको देश

शिशिर यामको स्पर्ससंगै  सुस्ताएकी सेती थिचोलेर

भावाना को आन्तरंगामा आशाको दियो बोकेर

 म आईपुगे कामरेड 

म आईपुगे कामरेड सीङ दरबारमा

आनगिन्ति सवारीले भरिएका लामा फाट जस्ता सडकमा

म आल्मलिए, हो म आल्मलिए कामरेड

मुस्कुराई रहेका प्रजोलित गगन चुम्बी भवनहरुले

म  सल्बलिए, हो म सल्बलिए कामरेड

साचै साचै आनौठो भएछ हजुरको देश

खैर म आएपुगे कामरेड

जहाँ हजुर को  देश नया   बिहानी  को पाईला  समाउदैछ

उता मेरो देश लपमस्त निन्द्रामा रमाउदैछ

हजुर बफे दिनर खादा मेरो देश भोक मारी मा झाँगिएको छ

कथ्यनरिदो जाडोमा पनि सरम लाग्दो नांगिएको छ

आभाब र उपेकछया ले मेरो देश नराम्री उदांगिएको छ

खैर म आएपुगे कामरेड

मैले सुनेको हजुरकै लागि मोबाईल  सेवा बदाईदैछ अरे

मुस्ताङका लागि भवनहरु धलाईदैछ अरे

उपचारका लागि बाहिये बिमान मागाईदैछ  अरे

अनि शिछयाका लागि ठुला ठुला भवनहरु ठदाईदैछ अरे

तर कामरेड

 मेरा देश बसीले न त मोबाईल देखका छन् 

न त लामा फाट जस्ता सडक देखेका छन् 

न त लोबै लाग्दा अस्पताल देखेका छन्      

 अनि सायदै कुनै डाक्टर भेटेका छन्

हो मेरो देश हजुर को भन्दा धेरै भिन्न छ

हजुरको देश विकासमा होमिदा  मेरो देश पिछदिएर खिन्न छ

साचै मेरो देश रासटका लागि रादो भएको  छ

अनि भ्रस्टका लागि मागी खाने भादो भएको छ   

यस्तै यस्तै छ मेरो देश

खैर म आएपुगे कामरेड

तर मैले आशा मारेको छैन कामरेड

कुनै दिन शिशिर र शरद को उडासिनता बिर्सेर

मेरो देश बसन्त मा प्रबेस गर्ने छ

अनि नलेखिएका पताहरु सोर्निम क्रान्ति ले भर्नेछ

तब त्यो दिन  मेरो देश हजुरको जस्तै बन्ने छ

यस्तै यस्तै बन्ने छ मेरो देश