Archive for July, 2007


American Idol to Indian Idol

Filed under: Videos by Prajwol — 17 Comments
July 21, 2007

The only time I watch television is to view sports or watch news, so I am not into reality TV shows. However, this season I got into two different shows: American Idol and Indian Idol. The first show caught my attention because one of the contestants (Sanjaya Malakar) was making some buzz. Nepalese also have Malakar as a family name so I assumed him to be a Nepali, which he wasn’t. Anyways, after viewing couple of episodes I got addicted to the show and completed the entire season.

Now, a new name was making waves in Indian Idol: Prashant Tamang. He is definitely from Nepalese origin, dwelling in the beautiful hills of Darjeeling. It was a great respite to see that he really has some talents (much more than Sanjaya Malakar), as he was the reason that I got into that show. I was watching the clips of Indian Idol online when I saw one of his performances where he was depicting as Gurkha (Like Actor Pran did in one of the Bolywood movie). Gurkha in India is coined to a watchman unlike in Britain where Gurkha’s represent brave Victoria Cross winners. I was really sad with what he portrayed; I know majority of watchmen working in India are Nepalese but Indians have misconception of what Gurkha’s are really about. Some of my friends who did their college in India were derogatorily referred to as Gurkha (not a brave soldier but watchmen at their house). A close source to Prashant suggested that he was not inclined on doing that act but the Channel (Sony) pressed him. I don’t think Sony Channel intentionally asked him to perform that to harass Nepalese community voting for him, but it should be made clear to them that we are not proud of being labeled just as a watchman.

Coming back to musical aspect of the show, like I mentioned earlier Prashant really has some talents and I have to confess my bias towards him. But still, I don’t think he is the best among the remaining ten finalists. Though I would like him to win, I would also like to encourage all other finalist. May the best one win the Indian Idol III.

Isn’t it funny, a single name motivates you to watch the whole show and ultimately the whole season?

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Paradigm of life

Filed under: Ramblings on life by Prajwol — 9 Comments
July 15, 2007

All my life, I lodged a philosophy that with an age sense of responsibility also develops in a person. With maturity an individual steps up to their responsibilities. Now, as I validate my philosophy with my own life I feel how wrong I was. As I look up in the mirror I can definitely see a man over a boy, at least physically, but I still try to shy from accountability. The truth is: unless forced with responsibilities no one becomes responsible. Growing age simply prepares a person, but accepting one is different story altogether.

Getting wed is the biggest burning issue among my age groups. Generally, from social, cultural, as well as natural aspects wedding is inevitable. Some of my buddies have already tied their knots while some are still pondering over it. For those pondering, age is not the issue anymore, either they have some unaccomplished targets or they are simply running away from the responsibilities. Recently I had talked with one of my friend, a PhD student, who is refraining to go to Nepal (haven’t been there for a long time now) fearing that his parents will get him married. His case seems to be the combination of both causes that I mentioned above.

My perspective on marriage was to get settled first and then tie a knot. I wanted to be secure with myself to start with and then think of someone else. I underwent through the shitty aspects (hectic works & ever lasting financial burdens) of foreign life while a student and I didn’t want my spouse to ever face those, so I kept on delaying the inevitable. But, even after getting out of school I don’t feel secure and settled. If I was back home, with my degree and with a job that I have, I might have felt more comfortable. After spending 15 months in the wilderness of Lafayette Louisiana my perspective on marriage also changed. I can’t seem to define what settled or security is, so there is no point in waiting for infinite. Besides, if I ever attain my “settle”, my spouse will never understand the hardship that I had to put through to get there. And I have started in believing that if the couples rise through the ranks together there would be more love and sustainable prosperity.

A year ago I wouldn’t even have thought about all these stuffs, today I am even prepared to share those in my blog. Now it’s my turn to deliberate, am I really being responsible or I have just moved a step closer to be more accountable for life.

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Beer Guff 3

Filed under: I love to drink by Prajwol — 5 Comments
July 6, 2007

I was very excited with public holiday (July 4th, Independence Day) in the middle of the week. I did not had any plans but I intended to sleep till afternoon (normally I have to be in my office by 7:30 am). I guess my plan was more than fulfilled, I had to bed rest another day too with 101 fever. What a waste of Independence Day :(

While in Nepal, as far as I remember, every time I got sick my parents took me to a doctor who always prescribed me the same medicine: Amoxicillin, Vitamin – B complex, and Aspirin. After repetitive prescription, I became my own doctor and any time I have the similar symptoms (mild fever, cough & cold etc) I would go the drug store and buy myself my favorite combination. It worked all the time, I was so much used to antibiotics that Aspirin alone simply couldn’t heal me.

My situation in USA is quite different now; in last 4 years that I am here I went to the doctor only twice, and yesterday was one of the occasions. Unlike in Nepal, to buy antibiotics (in general) you need prescription from a doctor, so I can be my doctor no more. After spending whole day in bed Wednesday and missing my work Thursday too, I finally decided to see a doctor. And guess what I got prescribed, the same magical formula but with different brand names. However, my sinus problem was bigger than while in Nepal, consequently I got extras for that too. So, I took those magic bullets, and Friday I am back to work again.

The worst part in this episode was dragging my fever struck body out of the bed and driving to the doctor’s place by myself. While I was weak and craving for soup from lambs’ feet (खसीको खुट्टी), I was fortunate for no more than Quesadilla from Taco Bell. No wonder, foreign life is good only when everything is working well.

I was thinking, can’t it be possible to create a USB cable that has a sensitive prong to scan the human body. Just like the anti virus software scans the computer, software to be created that with the help of the prong USB scans human body and explains what part requires immediate or future attention. For the problems that require immediate attention one could download software’s to fix it. Sorry doctors, if my idea works you guy’s will be out of business, but wouldn’t that be convenient for all. Doctors can still get jobs in the places where there are no internet or slow connection.

Although this post is listed under my Beer Guff series, I am 100% sober while writing it, remember I am still on medication :D

Check out my other Beer Guff series

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Species harmony in a swamp

Filed under: Let the picture speak by Prajwol — 6 Comments
July 2, 2007

This picture was taken in St. Johns River, Florida (2003). Looks like a baby gator sharing a joke with a turtle.

When animals can live together in a harmony, why is there bloodsheds among the humans ? Does genocide in Darfur, killings in Iraq, recent failed terrorism in UK, carnage in Terai of Nepal etc prove we are superior to animals?


Picture courtesy of Rebecca Moss.

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