For the purpose of simplicity, intelligence may be defined as mental faculties, such as, discernment, wit, acumen, brilliance, smartness, shrewdness, perspicacity, sagacity, etc. Intelligence also applies to facts and figures in general and sensitive information of investigative, political, military and/or national value. Other connotations of the word are irrelevant to this essay and will be [...]

The Universe is stupid and was probably hastily conceived. The Earth should have been an equal distance away from the Sun, so that I wouldn't feel so damn cold. To counter the human ageing effect resulting in the shortened Earth year, Earth could well have bounced to the heavens and back again intermittently while going [...]

I’ve noticed people being disdained and slandered for what they say right here at EU. This isn’t the right way to communicate. It is, instead, a mirror image of our times where everyone claims legitimacy – whether it be integrity, knowledge, wisdom, judgments, conjectures, etc. The same also affects the political circles with each claiming [...]

The Maoists: The Maoists insurgency and tactics were carbon copies of ” the people’s war” as practiced by the Khmer Rouge, Sendero Luminoso, the Naxalites, the Shining Path of Peru (Prachanda Path for Nepal)., etc. The tactics were a) Mass Line: parallel administration aimed to resolve local problems aligned with political aspirations of the party [...]

The clock ticks nine and I head for the window Another hopeful day, hopefully Thuds of approaching footsteps down below See her crossing the road skillfully     Jeans and top: the usual cosmopolitan expression Cascading rivers of burgundy on top Subtle traces of burnt sienna in her complexion Arrested by beauty, my senses get [...]

Is there anything on the news about a large, bright sparkling star in the heavens? I've been following a star (could be a planet, maybe Venus) towards the east for the last 30 minutes. It's 5:38 am right now in Kathmandu. Over the last 30 minutes, the star travelled an eye distance of one foot [...]

Prashant Tamang has won the Indian Idol competition. It is 1:21 am in Kathmandu at the moment and Nepali brothers and sisters are celebrating this win emphatically – I hear roars, whistles, fire crackers bursting in the neighborhood. I congratulate Prashant for having won the competition and wish him all the best in his job and singing career. [...]

This inescapable journey of unfolding secrets Revealing, rewarding and punishing too I see confusing paths and their various outlets But, caved in, I’m helpless as time goes through     The trails of glitters, allurements and artifice are there Superimposed in shadows of lust and vanity Buried are the remnants of piety and prayer So [...]

To destroy is bestial, to love: harmony; to improvise: ingenious. To do all is human. Desires shape continuity, but existence remains ephemeral. Times change and so do prevalent realities, we somehow learn to compromise and accommodate. Determination defines means; persistence, measures to live on. ****** “Welcome aboard unit 14a, sector 104089, and your new abode”, [...]

Past experiences have left a defining legacy. We passionately advocate change, but fail to institutionalize the same. We manage bandh’s and uprisings, but can’t envision, plan, team work, implement and develop. We find fault in stereotypes and systems, but forgo introspection and self examination. We value simplicity and continuity, but avoid challenges. Our words speak [...]

Verity stands melancholy, engulfed by oblivion Perturbed by the practices of worldly apathy The implements of materialism dictates existence Reality befits a contorted ideology Fundamentalism plays its ugly machinations Deterring holistic integrity Humanity advances to the spirit of modernization Ignorance: the human epitome Religious and racial bias thwarts eclecticism Positivism taints spiritual profundity All the [...]

See the foreground: dark, barren and grey A stockpile of hue: scattered astray Could be a war, an awakening, defiance or play Welcome home: good to see you today   Look around you, but try not to glare Panorama is horrific; aesthetics is rare Empathy is now a stranger, so be aware Trust only yourself [...]

Polarization of power centers that began during King Mahendra’s reign has gradually dividing the country into various political pockets. Throughout our history, various political centers have collaborated with the other to fight a common political enemy. Later, the same collaborators have become arch rivals. Why? Because, there was never a culture of unity, collaboration and [...]

This is an attempt to find solutions to Nepal’s present problems through historical analysis. I believe that problems should be solved by clinically analyzing their roots. Countries like Nepal, that are diverse in ethnicities, cultures, creeds, religions, languages and demographic peculiarities are usually challenged by varied: – Levels of literacy. – Social structures, practices and [...]

People alienated from society on grounds of ideological indoctrination escape the mainstream, turning into noncommittal, introverted personalities. They exchange denial with beliefs of conceived utopia that they regard as panacea for all ills inflicting society. In due course of voluntary reclusion, their ideological stronghold turns into ideological imprisonment and the personalities find all means justifiable [...]