PLASTIC FREE CITY (WELCOME TO PLASTIC BAG FREE KATHMANDU)

Plastic Free City  
(Welcome to Plastic Bag Free Kathmandu)
Published in The Republica, April 14, 2015)

                                                                                            Sandhya Regmi

sandhyaregmi2000@gmail.com         

With the dawn of 2072, Kathmandu valley is set to join the plastic-bag-free club, which includes many countries or their states across the world. With the aim of making Kathmandu valley clean and pollution-free, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) has imposed the ban from Baisakh 1, 2072—on import, storage, distribution, sell, and use of plastic bags up to 40 microns thickness.

As an informed citizen and environmental specialist, I rejoice over this positive move, and much like the rest of the Kathmanduities, offer it a red-carpet welcome. We may consider this as a first step in our dream of having a clean-green Kathmandu free of not only plastic bags but also of other hazardous wastes, sewages, carbon emission and other forms of air pollutions.

During my last Shimla visit in August 2014, I had an opportunity to witness the plastic-free hilly station, and was fascinated by its greenery and beautification of its surroundings with pine trees. Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, was in fact among the first cities in India to ban plastic bags in August 2003. More to it, illegally cutting down a single tree in this hilly station may lead one to a heavy penalty, including years of imprisonment. I could not see a single littering anywhere on the street, much less the polythene bags and improper disposal of solid waste. I had then wished deep in my heart the same to come true in my dear Kathmandu soon.  

 Tension with Competing Forces

The process leading to the ban imposition has not been smooth and not been achieved in a single day, due to the tension between competing forces. The dismissal by the Supreme Court on the ground of public health concern—one week before the scheduled ban date—of the writ petition filed for a stay-order against the ban, cleared the last hurdle in the way for the ban imposition. The petition was filed by Nepal Plastic Manufacturers’ Association—that represents 300-strong plastic-manufacturing industries that collectively produce some 30,000 tonnes of plastic bags annually—arguing that the ban was made in a haste and without necessary preparations, including the choice for alternatives to plastics.

Compromise

Apparently, the ban notice represents an act of compromise. It retracts from the earlier decision of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment Protection as well as of the Cabinet to ban all forms of plastic bags. And the notice is silent on the production ban of the bags in the valley. Further, if the ban aims to achieve a clean and pollution-free place as stated by MoSTE, and relates to the public health concern, as held by the Supreme Court, why was the scope of ban limited to the valley?

Enforcement Issue

Yet, success or otherwise of the ban hinges on its enforcement. In the past, similar attempts have failed. In 2011 MoSTE had come up with ‘Plastic Bags Control and Regulation Directives’, barring companies and individuals from production, import and storage of polythene bags thinner than 20 microns, and had even provisioned fines ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs 50,000 for producing and using of such bags. But the regulation could hardly be enforced, due to the fierce protest from the Association that had argued on the ground of investment loss and job loss.

 Addressed Evils

Obviously, the plastic-bag hazards affect human health, and other lives, and degrade environment from multi-fonts. The bags litter the landscape, and take hundreds of years to decompose even if dumped properly. After years of dumping, they may breakdown, but never biodegrade. So, earlier or later, their toxins get released into the environment, thereby adversely affecting the health of organisms that come into contact with the toxin. If not disposed of properly, the bags can clog sewages, prevent ground-water seepage, pollute water bodies, and affect water habitats. When plastic bags are blown by wind into trees and other plants, animals and birds can be mistaken for flowers and plants, and can die after eating the bags. Making the matter worse, the ingested plastic toxin remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animals and birds, and thus can be ingested by another cycle of victims. If the bags are burnt, they infuse the air with toxic fumes, which once inhaled can damage human health and lead to cancer.

Nor is plastic bag’s production-process environmental friendly. Every year some 100 million barrels of oil are burnt to produce plastic bags around the world, thereby adding air pollution and taking away much of the vital energy resources needed to meet other energy requirements. 

Effect of Ban

The ban is bound to have some effect on the plastic manufacturers, but they would be far from being out. The ban only affects production of the thin plastic bags, and the affected volume is limited to that being consumed within the valley. Concurrently, this will generate a new business opportunity to other support industries that produce biodegradable and recyclable bags, such as papers, jutes and cloths. For consumers, this may mean more frequent recycling of their bags or paying more from their pocket for more expensive alternative bags. Further, unless its hygienic condition is maintained, recycled bag itself may become a source of contamination.  

Road Ahead

Towards realizing the goal of making the capital and the country clean and pollution free, besides the plastic ban, the state must go through another long to-do list. But for now, the real test is whether or to which extent the enacted ban can effectively be implemented. Obviously, making it a success or otherwise hinges not only on the efforts of the state authorities, but also of Kathmanduities.  

(Regmi holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Singapore)

RAGS TO RICHES (WHAT CAN NEPAL LEARN FROM LEE QUAN YEW'S SINGAPORE)

Rags To Riches 
(What Can Nepal Learn From Lee Quan Yew's Singapore) 


(Published in The Kathmandu Post, April 14, 2015)

                                                                                            Sandhya Regmi

sandhyaregmi2000@gmail.com         

“Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards! This is your life and mine! I've spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is going to knock it down.” This inspirational quote fairly reflects the doctrine applied by political genius Lee Quan Yew in repositioning Singapore’s map from the third world to the first. The visionary prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and influential politician until 2011, died on 23^rd March at the age of 91.

When I first entered Singapore in 2001, soon after my 2-year stay in Japan as a researcher at the University of Tokyo, the first thing that astonished and welcomed me was the brilliant greenery and dazzling cleanliness of the perfectly managed & preserved metropolitan garden city, which I had not seen even in the highly developed European countries during my stay in Germany and visit in its neighboring countries. Singapore looked like the princess clad in silk and satin. Chewing gum was banned, littering was fined, and grafting was canned. The place that practically guarantees highly honorable, respectable, and safe life for women and children alike—free from both environmental and social pollutions. I recall my days, commuting by train, bus and on walk, all the way from the National University of Singapore, sometimes reaching my residence, Bedok North, at midnight, without any feeling of insecurity.

In 50 years, under the Singaporean Lion’s visionary leadership, the country got transformed from an impoverished British colonial outpost with swampy island having no natural resources—a stinking fisherman’s village suffering from poverty, malaria, and dunge fever—into a dreamland. Today Singapore stands tall on the global map as a knowledge-based economy, with one of the highest GDP per capita ($55,182) in the world, just 2% unemployment, third in the global education club, among the 3 least corrupt nations (including Finland and New Zealand), and almost the lowest crime rates. A clean and green city. A dream city in the real world.

This miraculous achievement by Lee’s Singapore has brought into limelight the issue on whether or to which extent other countries may draw from Lee and his Singaporean model. In Nepal’s context, Lee’s doctrine pyramid may be dissected as follows: 

 Lessons for Nepal

(1)

The vision for prosperous country and people forms the top block of the pyramid. Nepal needs a vision that goes beyond beggar’s mentality that seeks to limit the vision to the threshold of poverty or literacy over a decade or two, and yet fails to achieve it. We need a vision that is founded on stability, health, and prosperity of people and the country. In the past, some of our politicians had lip-served to make Nepal like Singapore. But a vision differs from such day-dreams in that a vision is premised on the state’s robust and time-bound plan and strategy with discrete roadmap to achieve the underlying goal.

(2)

Sincerity and accountability of the state operators could constitute the second block. In fact, until it is installed in the system, the accountability can easily be swapped to the top of the pyramid in a country where, even after spending billions of rupees taxed from the people’s toil and spending over five-year period, our 601-member strong team of constitutional assembly has failed even to deliver a 100-page document. Why not put them to test to see if they are playing the ‘game of cards’, or if they are really working with the feeling of the ‘life’ that Lee was referring to? Look at his spirit: "Even from my sickbed, even if you are going to lower me to the grave and I feel that something is going wrong in Singapore, I will get up." Hello, politicians of Nepal ! wake up to your conscience.

   (3)

The requirement for the elimination of prevailing practice of power abuse and corruption by authorities in all organs of the state does not need to be overemphasized. The recent case of Dr. Govinda KC’s Satyagraha typifies the extent to which the country is swamped with the evils at all levels of the state administration. We need to do introspection on why the state decisions are being sold or abused, and how the matter could be resolved. While the moral and ethics work for the majority, it does not seem to do so for all. So, craft strict punishment codes to account for such abusers. No mercy to corrupts. No shelter to criminals. No undue favour to anyone. Lee’s Singapore did not drop the ‘iron’ despite the mercy plea by the US president Bill Clinton in 1994: the American graffiti convict Michael Fay was not spared from canning.

   (4)

To put the country into the track of prosperity, Nepal must put the state-endorsed anarchism to an end once and for ever. Sparing peaceful demonstrations, ban and criminalize any and all forms of strikes: political, trade-unions, educational institutes, and any other. At best, a strike is an abuse of democracy and others’ right. At worst, it provides cover to anarchists at the cost of the country and people.    

  (5)

Lee’s Singapore has proved the world that human resource is the most powerful of all the resources. For inclusive prosperity of the country rich in human resources, Nepal must devise mechanisms for and provide access to quality education, medical facilities, housing and other basic needs to all its citizens.

   (6)

And finally the country must stop begging, instead focus on enacting and implementing investor-friendly laws and regulations. The resource-starved Singapore—which even lacked drinking water in its land—was not transformed by begging or by any ODA fund, but by genius policy formulation and implementation. By crafting and implementing such genius policies, Nepal can score better, considering the abundance of natural-resources advantages that we additionally have.

         

(The author was a researcher at the National University of Singapore from 2002-2004)  

LET'S DEAL WITH LUMBINI'S ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

LET'S DEAL WITH LUMBINI'S ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

(Published in The KTM POST, November 30, 2014)

                                                                                           (Sandhya Regmi)

International Conference on Buddhism

A three day International Conference on Buddhism took place in Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha – the apostle of peace - from 15^th to 17^th November 2014 for the promotion, preservation and protection of Buddhist Cultural Heritage. The conference was jointly organized by the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy of Myanmar and the Teravada Buddhist Academy ‘Vishwa Shanti Vihar’ of Lumbini Buddhist University of Nepal. The conference was a landmark achievement in itself with the participation of the most venerable monks and respectable nuns from over 32 countries across the world. The participants included professors, educationist, cultural experts, archaeological & environmental professionals, research scientists, dignitaries, officials of governmental and international non-governmental organization, universities, educational institutions, Buddhist organizations and communities.  

The conference provided a golden opportunity for many enthusiastic participants like me to be a part of and interact with the educational, intellectual and spiritual Gurus. The elegant gathering ran through a series of intellectual sessions on Buddhist Heritage, Buddhist Culture, Buddhist Educational System, and Environmental Conservation & Sustainable Development of Lumbini.  For me the event enriched with Buddhist Education and Self-Enlightenment. As a firm believer in Buddhism, an admirer of Buddha’s teachings & philosophies, and an artist of Buddha portraits, my enthusiasm met the event.

Further,  my Environmental Engineering background  gave me an opportunity to pour out my opinions and ponder for a better environmental management system and the protection & preservation of both the natural and social environment of the internationally recognized world top class authentic pilgrimage site, which at the moment is found to be at risk of deterioration due to serious environmental pollution threats, and needs immediate attention by all concerned individuals and authorities at the local, national and the international levels.  

Air Pollution in Lumbini

A comprehensive and quantitative air quality assessment was conducted at the Lumbini World Heritage Site and its vicinity by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2013 in the project entitled the Heritage Air Quality and Weather Assessment for Lumbini Protected Zone (HAWA-LPZ) through scientists from Indian Institute of Tropical Meterology (IITM), Pune, India.  The results showed that during the winter season the air quality of Lumbini and vicinity is alarmingly poor and unhealthy mainly due to the temperature inversion phenomenon and the trapped local industrial pollution where PM2.5 (fine particles) touch unhealthy level of 270 µg/m3 and PM10 (bigger particles) hit the level of 350 µg/m3 both far exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS 2012) of Nepal and the WHO guidelines. This high level of air pollution is extremely dangerous and poses serious health hazards especially the respiratory and heart diseases on human beings and threats to biodiversity in and around the heritage site. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by the IUCN in 2013 confirms an estimated release of about 912.6 metric tons of carbon emission per day from 4 cement industries in the Lumbini area. The carbon emission is carcinogenic to humans and has been declared by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the WHO as a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.        

Tourists and Pilgrims visiting Lumbini are yet ignorant about the fact that the early morning fog visible in the sacred garden is not just the fog rather the smog, which is the high concentration of smoke particles accumulated in air, which can do substantial damage and are sometimes poison and carcinogens; and the Buddhist monks and nuns living in the monasteries are unknowingly breathing into their lungs this carcinogenic air while practicing yoga, pranayama and meditation. The deteriorating air quality of Lumbini and surrounding has caused significant adverse impacts and been proved hazardous both to the social and natural environment, and thus requires immediate preventive and mitigation measures.

Solid Waste Mismanagement in Lumbini

The growth of tourist infrastructure, increasing population especially the visitors, the increasing commercial and industrial activities in the area have contributed to the increase in waste generation in the world heritage site inscribed on UNESCO’s list.  Furthermore, the increase in number of visitors after the completion of the ongoing international airport in Bhairahawa will generate more waste and will impose serious adverse impacts on the environment, if an efficient waste management system is not timely established.       

The currently practiced SW Management is ineffective as there has been no proper segregation, collection, transportation and disposal of waste. Waste has been swept only from the cleaning routes and not from main roads, pedestrian paths and gardens, and waste has been dumped direct in open areas and even at the backyard of the Mayadevi temple. While we were taken to visit the Lumbini museum as a part of the conference activities, it was alarmingly unhygienic to see the area covered with litter producing foul odor, an extremely neglected SW disposal scenario totally ignored by the local residents and authorities. Hence a systematic and scientific SW management mechanism is required timely to preserve the environment of this internationally significant pious heritage site.   

Degradation of Monuments in Lumbini 

The most important monuments - the spiritual, cultural and social assets of the sacred garden of Lumbini – namely the Marker Stone, the Nativity Sculpture and the Asoka Pillar are undergoing degradation due to industrial and vehicular emission in the vicinity of the heritage site apart from the growth of algae and microscopic fungi and bacteria. The emitted SO2 and NO2 react with water vapor in the air in the presence of oxidizing agents to form sulfuric and nitric acid—the acid rain—which is very corrosive and attacks limestone, marble and metals of ancient sculptures and monuments. Not only the precious monuments of Lumbini, but also the world’s most cherished buildings - the Taj Mahal of Agra, the Colosseum of Rome and the Lincoln Memorial of Washington D.C. are slowly dissolving away because of the action of the weathering.

Actions to be taken

I propose to take the following actions to deal with the environmental issues of Lumbini.

1)    A comprehensive environmental study needs to be carried out to map out and update environmental issues (including air, water, solid waste noise pollutions) and to identify specific measures to be taken to deal with the issues. Any master plan for Lumbini development must address all the environmental issues.

2)  A stringent legal framework specifically devised to protect environment of Lumbini might be needed. This needs to be considered after due consultation with all stakeholders.

3) The major pollutants in and around the heritage site are the industrial emissions. Most of the industries set up in the periphery of Lumbini poorly regulated and exceed the acceptable pollution threshold, and do not comply with the laws and standards. Hence the Ministry of Science, Technology & Environment (MOSTE) and its Department of Environment (DOE) should urgently undertake compliance monitoring of Legislation, Regulations and Standards in the industrial sector of Lumbini.

4) Immediate and stringent legal actions should be taken to exclude all carbon-emitting industries especially the brick kilns and cement factories and all other major environmental polluting industries established within the Lumbini Protected Zone (LPZ)—which is the region covering a 15 km aerial distance from the Lumbini Project Area (LPA). Any new industry to be established should be outside the LPZ, and need to comply strictly with the Regulation, Bylaws and Standards of the Environment Protection Act (EPA).         

5) The vulnerable population of Lumbini including the monks and nuns living in the monasteries, the visitors & pilgrims as well should be made aware of the fact that all the environmental pollution has adverse impact on human health, biodiversity, air quality, water quality, noise quality and also on the precious historical monuments, sculptors and masonry. In any environment related project undertaken by the government, the participation of these local people, authorities and institutions are of utmost importance.

6) Environmentally Friendly Renewable Energy Technologies (RET) especially the solar PV and Electric Vehicles (EV) should be promoted in the heritage site in order to minimize the industrial pollution, the vehicular emission and thus prevent the related irreversible impact of acid rain’s degradation of monument.  

7) The 3R principle of waste Reduction, Recovery and Reuse should be adopted in order to minimize the waste generation and its final disposal.

I take this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to come forward and create a working front through which we could contribute in preserving the environment of Lumbini. At the individual level, I am willing to participate and contribute in dealing with the environmental issues of Lumbini, with governmental and non-nongovernmental institutions and the stakeholders.

(The author is an Environmental Engineer and has conducted research on Energy & Environment at the University of Tokyo and the National University of Singapore)





POOJA’S CASE REMAINS WIDELY UNSETTLED: LEADERS OF CONSCIENCE WANTED

Pooja’s Case Remains Widely Unsettled:

Leaders of Conscience Wanted

(Published in The Kathmandu Post, March 24, 2015)

                                                                                           (Sandhya Regmi)

                                                                                       (sandhyaregmi2000@gmail.com)

The brutal rape of the six-year old child in her own town in Kalaiya— one of the most heinous crimes against humanity in the country’s record—has emotionally shaken up the country, induced feeling of insecurity in women and female children, and degraded the country’s image as a child-unfriendly and insecure place to be.  Pooja—who was thrown to the dumping site after the rape—breathed her last on 8^th March in the Kanti Children Hospital, 18 days after the incident.

The whole nation reacted to the incident spontaneously with rage and agony. The country witnessed protest rallies, demands for justice, deliberations and solidarities against the violence, and peace marches, prayers, and candle-light vigil in memories of the victim.

The unusually speedy justice in the case delivered by the trial court—slapping 35-year jail terms and Rs. 200,000 fine to the convicted criminal—is definitely a welcome development. This has provided a sense of partial relief to the victim’s family, and of assurance to the people on the state-machinery’s capability in discharging justice, if the system is put to work to its true intend.

Yet the underlying issues remain widely unsettled. Will that justice be ever able to help return that sweet little Pooja to her mother’s lap? Nothing less is likely to give solace to the heart-broken mother; so she is bound to suffer from nightmares after nightmares. And only time can tell whether, when or to which extent she will ever recover from the trauma.

This heart-wrenching case has woken me up at the middle of the night, making me feel suffocated and restless. As a mother of a girl child, when I put myself in Pooja’s mother’s shoe, I fail to fall asleep for hours with the sense of insecurity. Any other mothers, sisters, and daughters across the nation are likely to have gone through similar senses. 

Each morning, when I sit down to drink tea with the daily national newspaper in my hands, I have to be prepared to confront such news of heinous crimes with cold chill running down my spine. A day hardly unfolds without an incident of physical abuse and brutal attacks on women and minor girls. At times, I fail to draw a boundary that could demark a safe zone for women and female children—parks, schools, public places, religious places, and own home.

The evil of sexual abuse against female child (and woman) pervades every corner of the society. Out of the 912 rape cases recorded in 2070-71 by Women & Children Service Directorate of Nepal Police, 80 victims were reportedly below 10 and 169 in 11-18 age group. In Tehrathum, a 6-year old child was raped when she went to the neighbour’s place for charging the mobile phone. In Bardia a similar incident took place when the mother of the girl had gone to collect fodder. In Arghakhanchi an elderly of 76 had been committing sexual crime on a 11 year old minor since the past 10 months. In Sankhu a 7 year old minor gone for a picnic was raped by a bus conductor in the vicinity of Bajrayogini temple. In Dhanusha a 30 year old mother living together with her 12 year old son was gang raped by a group of 10 robbers.  Nepali women have been raped and murdered several times in gulf countries including our neighboring India. A 28 year old mentally challenged Nepali woman was recently raped and murdered in Rotak in Haryana India. And these still do not account for the unknown number of cases that go unrecorded, and the cases that get buried even before reaching the door of justice.

So, I submit that the Pooja-case remains grossly unsettled and will continue to do so, until a sense of security is installed in the heart and mind of every child, every girl and every woman in the country.

Installing that sense demands fully addressing the underlying wider issues. Task list in addressing the issues is straightforward. But, to implement them, leaders of conscience are wanted. The sea of solidarity extended by the people across the country reflects their desperate call for and overwhelming support to the leadership that is capable of addressing the underlying issues.

The task requires the incumbent to deal with the issues from multi-fonts at each level: state, society, and individual.

Arguably, the most important task on the list is to devise and implement an education system that helps to put into right track the mindset of each person across the country. The mindset that recognizes and respects life, values and rights of every human being. The mindset that regards, and plays its role to protect, the rights of children, women and other vulnerable people in the society. This calls for installation of holistic education system, where moral education gets the highest priority; and where everyone becomes aware about his/her rights and duties, and about how the law would take its course if anyone breaches his duty. Likewise, adult literacy needs fresh definition and campaign that focuses more on educating citizens’ rights and duties than on memorizing the shapes and sounds of ABC.

Secondly, the state should establish an integrated network system of functional access points across the country, where each individual could, freely and with ease, learn and consult on human rights matters, and report on any rights-abuse matters. Specifically, this calls for installing in each school a counseling desk, led by well-trained female counsellor, with authority and duty to report on any rights-abuse matters directly to the state authorities and the National Human Rights Commission. Similar access points should be installed in each community to serve its members.

Thirdly, the state should review and enhance its institutional capacity to implement the legislations in force, so that no one dares to abuse the existing legal system. The set-up where no criminal could dare to abuse his connection or resources to influence the justice delivery in any way so that every criminal could be booked to justice. This task calls for installation of system-purifying machineries with top-bottom approach, so that no politician and no office-holder of the state dares to abuse his position, connection or office to influence the justice.

      

Fourth task involves requiring the state to devise and operate adequate institutional system to rehabilitate the victims and affected families.

Fifthly, the state should review, amend and supplement related legislations to realize the above tasks. Among others, a fast-track-justice system should be enacted and enforced to deliver speedy justice in rights-abuse evils in general, and in cases involving female child and woman victims in particular.

Finally, as a citizen and as a member of the civil society, each of us must continue to serve as a constituent of human-right watchdog. And most importantly, to eliminate the evils completely from this land of Buddha, each of us and all of us must act in a responsible, accountable, and civilized way with due regards to the rights and values of every human being.

 (Sandhya Regmi, an Engineer by Profession, is a freelance writer.)

PROMOTING THE BUDDHIST CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR WORLD PEACE

 PROMOTING THE BUDDHIST CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR WORLD PEACE

(Published in The Rising Nepal, December 12, 2014)

                                                                                           (Sandhya Regmi)

In the sacred birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama—after the long-lost Lumbini got inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage in 1997—a series of international events have been taking place over the past one-and-half decade. The first international Buddhist conference entitled “Lumbini in the New Millenium” was organized by the government of Nepal in 2001. Then the World Buddhist Summit was organized in 2004, by the government and Lumbini Development Trust under the theme of “Lumbini: a Symbol of Unity in Diversity – the Fountain of World Peace. The third International Buddhist Conference on Promotion, Protection & Preservation of Buddhist Culture & Heritage in the historical garden of Lumbini was organized in November 2014 jointly by the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy of Myanmar and the Teravada Buddhist Academy ‘Vishwa Shanti Vihar’ of Lumbini Buddhist University of Nepal.  

With its universal appeal and timeless value no other venue may stand for such events compared to the sacred garden of Lumbini. It is the heart not only of all the Buddhists but also of every peace lover across the world. And such events enhance the image of the sacred garden and the glorious heritage of Nepal, the fountain of peace—the glory of mankind and the world’s top class pilgrimage site.

The author had had the privilege to join the 2014-conference. Venerable monks and respectable nuns from over 32 countries across the world were the lime lights of the event. Besides, its participants included professors, educationist, cultural experts, UNESCO-affiliated archaeologists, UNEP-affiliated climate experts, research scientists, dignitaries, officials of governmental and international non-governmental organization, educational institutions, Buddhist scholars, Buddhist organizations and communities. The occasion, among others, provided a golden opportunity for many enthusiastic participants like me to listen to and interact with the educational, intellectual and spiritual Gurus. The event ran through a series of intellectual sessions on Buddhist Heritage, Buddhist Culture, Buddhist Educational System, and environmental conservation & sustainable development of Lumbini.  

For me—as an enthusiast in Buddhism, and an admirer of Buddha’s teachings & philosophies—the 3-day conference offered a rare opportunity to enrich myself with Buddhist Education, Buddhist Culture and Self-Enlightenment. It blessed me with the insight into the teachings and philosophies of Buddha. I felt as if I were living in the monasteries for ages. Neither I am an expert on Buddhism, nor I was clad in the maroon gown, nor was chanting the religious hymns, nor had been living in detachment and isolation from the society. Yet, with Buddhism in my heart and the Buddha in me, the occasion provided a moment to experience the Self–Enlightenment leading me to a meaningful life of wisdom, peace and harmony. I felt extremely spiritual. 

 Despite born in a Hindu family, I have very high regard for Buddha and Buddhism. In fact, I view Buddhism as the highest pedestal of all religions and philosophies in the world. Buddha always humbled himself even after his 'Enlightenment', and conveyed his disciples and followers that he was no God, no Teacher, no Preacher, and asked them never to worship him as the Almighty, rather follow the path of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Shangha’. I hold this philosophy to the utmost.

 I concur with the view that Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha is not only the light of Asia but the light of the world. By following his steps, we can lighten the world that is overwhelmed with the darkness: the darkness of sorrow, misery, ignorance and impurity. My love, passion, respect, and dedication to Buddha and Buddhism have inspired me to actively participate in conferences like these in future and to spread Buddha’s message of oneness in peace, harmony, and happiness across the whole world.      

 Buddhism does not rely on the concept of Heaven (Swarga) and Hell (Narak), or Man and God. Everyone is equal. This sharply contrasts with the other religions that believe in a Creator the Almighty Lord positioned and crowned high in Heaven and all the human beings down below on Earth creating a ‘Laxman Rekha’—an unbreakable concrete barrier between Man and God. In Buddhism, all ordinary men and women born, and grown up as a human being can in their course of life attain Enlightenment and become a Buddha themselves. Attaining Buddhahood is to become the Awakened One to the noble truth.

Buddhism’s another unique attribute to the society is the education. In fact, the heart of Buddhism is education, and Buddha is synonym to Teaching. Buddhist teachings go beyond formal educations in universities and institutions—where one earns degrees merely for bread-and-butter and for comfortable and luxurious physical life. In contrast, the Teaching has its own philosophy of holistic education that helps understand the whole process of life through the inner-intelligence. It focuses on eliminating the darkness within oneself.

The teachings of Buddha bonds one’s morality and conduct with meditation, and wisdom. It is directed towards developing in us the seed of spiritual nobility and fostering true humanity into life. The teachings include the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight Fold Paths, which are the greatest way in transforming an ordinary human being into an enlightened person. This ultimately helps the society, and the whole world to live in peace, harmony and happiness.

In our age, the necessity for Buddha‘s teachings has only grown up. Today’s overly materialistic world has only pushed the world towards darkness in life. A large section of our society has gone void of moral principles. Human sufferings including stress, depression, suicide and other extremities are only growing. A day does not unfold without tragic incidents of women abuse, child abuse, human trafficking, drug addiction, and murder. Terrorism is growing in all forms and manifestations.

Promotion of the truth helps establish peace in the world. The teachings can play instrumental role in awakening us and in developing in each of us self-awareness, wisdom, and compassion to our fellow being. S by adopting Buddhist teachings in our daily life, most of those problems can be solved.

The supreme heritage we inherited from Buddha is Dhamma. Unlike any other religion, the teaching of Buddha, focuses on the substance and procedure to discover the truth and peace in this materialistic world.

Introduction of Buddha’s teachings in our education system can induce and enhance high moral principles. If we incorporate the Buddhism studies and culture in curriculum of our schools from the very primary level, our children could benefit. And we need to put in place a system where one could put into practice Buddha’s Teachings.

Besides, we all should strive to preserve the heritage of mankind. This too can be achieved through Dhamma. By preserving and promoting Buddha’s teachings, protection and promotion of Buddhist culture and heritage is possible. Additionally, Nepal can and should be projected as a Sacred Pilgrimage for Peace, Harmony & Happiness across the whole world. 

Realization eventually dawns in each and everyone’s life that we ourselves can become Buddha, Dhamma and Shangha. It is called the grand awakening. Let us all strive to protect, preserve and promote Buddhist Cultural Heritage and to unitedly work together to contribute to make the world a peaceful and prosperous place to live by spreading Buddha’s message of love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness and equanimity.  

THE KINGDOM OF WONDERS

  THE KINGDOM OF WONDERS
-VISITING CAMBODIA -THE PEARL OF ASIA

(Published in The Himalayan Times, October 23, 2014)

                                                                                           (Sandhya Regmi)

 

After eight years out of my decade-long stay and work in Vietnam, I had a change for a milestone trip to its neighboring country—the Kingdom of Cambodia—the ‘Pearl of Asia’ and the paradise for the ancient and enchanting archeological wonders. And the pearl of the pearl is Angkor Wat, a colossal structure located in Siem Reap. Tagged by UNESCO as a world heritage, the gorgeous Angkor Wat stands as the largest and the oldest religious structure man has ever made in the world.  

We travelled by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Immigration procedure at the boarder was chaotic. On the way, we halted for 2 nights in Phnom Penh, enjoying its beautiful and historical landmarks and attractions: Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, National Museum, French colonial buildings, and river-side restaurants.   

After a tedious 7-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the luxurious 4 star Prince D’ Angkor hotel & spa welcomed us with open arms to bask in its splendor of elegance. After a plunge in its relaxing saltwater pool and a short nap in the finely decorated deluxe room with traditional Khmer style furnishing and wooden floor, we took a brisk walk to the heart of the city to dine in the Temple Balcony restaurant. The popular airy balcony surprised us not only with mouth-watering selection of both local Khmer and international cuisine but also with Apsara Dance performance, a living Khmer culture.

Early morning next day, after a truly sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Blue Diamond Restaurant of Price D’ Angkor, we headed to our main expedition to explore the legendary Angkor temples and undiscovered treasures in Cambodia. Even the burning heat of May could not deter us.

What a pleasant coincidence it was. The first day of our visit to Angkor fell on the sacred day of Bhaishakh Poornima, May the 2^nd, the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Buddha.  Monks within Cambodia and from the neighboring countries had come all the way long to be in the holy land of Angkor; we were walking together with a crowd of monks, clad in all orange costumes, till we reached the main entrance of the colossal temples. It gave me such a pious feeling as if I were living in the pagodas for ages. This association with the monk outburst a blend of extreme satisfaction and joy within my heart, the heart that has always welcomed and adored the teachings and philosophies of Buddha & Buddhism. 

Our first visit was to the legendary Angkor Wat and the giant faces of Bayon. We stood gazing at the massive 3-tiered pyramid crowned by 5 lotus-like towers 65  meters from ground level. No exaggeration, Angkor Wat is architecturally and artistically breathtaking!! We could see the exterior and interior of the temple densely carved with hundreds of figures of ‘Apsaras’ and scenes from Hindu Mythology.  Though Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple, it has served as a Buddhist pagoda since Buddhism became Cambodia’s dominant religion in the 14th century. I paid homage to the Buddha Images before departing Angkor.          

On the way trip to Bayon we could see the south gate of Angkor Thom, a classic example of Jayavarman VII monument, the Khmer King who constructed hundreds of monuments in Cambodia in less than a 40-year period. Angkor Thom contains the Bayon temple with its more than 2000 enormous mysterious faces. I captured several shots of Angkor Thom in my camera which I later dared to reflect on my canvas.

While in the temple city, we also grabbed an opportunity for a half–day trip in the Happy Ranch Horse Farm, riding on gorgeous Cambodian horses through rice fields, villages and Buddhist pagodas. 

Now, the time for final judgment. The trip generated both regret and relief. Regret for not visiting such a wonderful place earlier. Relief for ultimately being able to visit the land of archeological wonders, monks and ‘Apsaras’. Holidaying in Siem Reap and exploring the wonders of the precious Angkor seemed to me like an endless journey as life itself. Just as the Angkor, once the capital city of Cambodia, lost to the world for 1000 years, got rediscovered and now stands tall as the pinnacle of the ancient art, architecture and civilization, I found myself rejuvenated, reunited and reincarnated in the series of Buddha Images with new creative prowess. My trip to Cambodia remains one of the most unforgettable, educational, and historical trips in my life.

VIETNAM IS FLOURISHING

VIETNAM IS FLOURISHING

(Published in The Himalayan Times, April 24, 2014)

                                                                                           (Sandhya Regmi)

Throughout my stay abroad in Asia and Europe I have been highly influenced by the literature and art of the host country and —being a literary writer and artist myself—I’ve played my part to introduce and promote Nepal’s literature and art through various available means to those countries, particularly India, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam. Hence my visit abroad has always been special because it has been not only for a vacation but also to represent Nepal internationally.

To me, literature and art are not only instruments for expressing sentiments and providing entertainment, but also benchmark for calibrating cultural and social prosperity of the nation and impetus for political and social change. Moreover, I have always seen possibilities of social networking and program for literary exchange and interaction—in the global context. This on one hand gives opportunities to writers and artists from different nations—with diverse cultural, social, and religious background—to introduce themselves and their works to the international world and on other hand serves as an intellectual forum to express and discuss ideas, opinions, suggestions, and proposals to preserve and promote our art, culture, language and literature.

In December 2013, I was formally invited by the vice-dean of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Humanities and Social Studies to participate and represent Nepal in the international literary conference in HCMC Vietnam, where I had the pride of introducing Nepali literature, prominent literary figures and Nepali literary masterpieces to the vast literary world of Vietnam and beyond.

Many foreigners still configure their imagination about Vietnam through the lens of war, though Vietnam has overcome the hardships caused by almost 20-year long war-destructions. Many are unaware of how Vietnam got independence and reunification. The situation of today’s Vietnam and its people, as I observed with my own eyes, make me believe that the country is healing its wounds, reinventing itself and developing rapidly with free market economy favourable for foreign investment. Its rapid progress in infrastructure development could serve as an example for a developing country like Nepal.

During my journey, I saw Vietnam flourishing amidst captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, far from being devastated, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is amongst the most delicious and healthy in the region. Today, this gracious and graceful country is an outstanding travel destination.

My trip to Vietnam also opened my eyes to many interesting facts: Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashews in the world, and the second largest exporter of rice; despite being a developing country, its literacy rate is 94%; Vietnam has one of the lowest unemployment rates among all developing countries, Vietnam has a rich art, culture and literature background. The list goes on. 

The War Remnant Museum, filled with exhibits of descriptive histories of the American war in Vietnam. The photograph of the heartbreaking events during the war, the unbearable sufferings of the prisoners of war and of the innocent victims of the Agent Orange (the toxic chemical spread by the American aircrafts from 1961-71 in South Vietnam) left us feeling awfully gloomy. Our heart got some solace after visiting the Reunification Palace, the Fine Art Museum, the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and the renowned monument of uncle Ho Chi Minh in front of the beautiful architecture of Saigon City Hall.

From Saigon the Petro Express Hydrofoil took us in less than 2 hours to the nearest sea beach of ‘Vung Tau’ Peninsula and to the seaside resort, from where we could enjoy the majestic panoramic sea views. The romantic Lan Rung restaurant offered us fresh lobsters and a variety of seafood performing the traditional Vietnamese Dragon Dance as a preparation for the New Year Celebration.

The most memorable part of my trip to Vietnam was the journey to Halong bay in northern Vietnam next to Hanoi, 2 hours flight from Ho Chi Minh City, a place of extreme natural beauty and serenity. We were traveling in the Imperial Cruise admiring the majestic beauty of thousands of amazing limestone islands, islets and spectacular rocks in the middle of the bay. Adventuring into caves and grottos climbing up and into vast chambers to see the stalactites and stalagmites and hear the folklore stories was amazing. We passed by the floating village which still accommodates the fishing people, enjoyed kayaking in the vast ocean renting a boat and even took a tour to explore pearl farming in the island. An overnight stay in the cruise was a remarkable experience with great service of hospitable staffs offering an excellent blend of Vietnamese culinary delights and continental cuisine.



Halong bay has not only been recognized as the UNESCO world heritage site but has also been declared one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. It is universally acknowledged as an unmissable corner of Vietnam. Indeed, the site ranks as the top tourist attraction in the country. The Vietnamese say “If you haven't seen Halong Bay, then you haven't seen Vietnam.” In truth, to truly grasp and appreciate its wonder, you really must see it with your own eyes.