hi behoove_me, i was intrigued by your teej article to go throught this one too, but honestly i didn't find this one to the par of the last one. May be you had written this one beforehand,  based upon your other postings, i assume that you are someone who would welcome a critique of your work whole-heartedly. here is what i think of your writing on this article, you need to focus on the flow of thoughts, somehow i didn't find it smooth enough many a times you have used some words just for the sake of using them. i know its far more easier to be a critique than to be a writer. i have tried to write several times, and deleted my writings before someone else could read them. so i can tell that you are definitely a better writer than me, keep sharing other things that you've written.

jay-z · Aug 9, 2011 4:45 PM

Jay_Z, Thank you for being honest. Also, I am gratified that you not only chose to read it, but decided to provide feedback as well. Yes, this post lacks a lot of condiments what could have made it a good read. But then again, this is just a narrative, this post does not have an exchange, could that be one of the reason this might not be as interesting? Also, this post had few personal details that I chose to delete and that could have put the sentence structure in complete disarray as well. But I am thankful someone noticed the difference between the last post and this one.  I reiterate, I am very obliged.

behoove_me · Aug 9, 2011 5:19 PM

 i'm glad that you appreicated my comments. i also aspire to be a writer one day, but i know i need to read a lot, familiarize myself with different styles and expresions, and build a repetoire of words before i can write something significant.  happy writing!

jay-z · Aug 9, 2011 8:20 PM

Right on Jay! I consider writing as a part of my eccentricity, an outcome fueled by mood-swings. There was a time I went on a reading spree (I was led to believe that only reading makes one a good writer) which, I soon realized had no end. I also realized that true sense of  writing good gestates out of how observant one is, and how effectively he/she translates those observations into words. So, in nutshell (again this is my personal opinion), I think it is observation (and assimilation) that is a primary factor, knowledge and vocabulary are secondary. 

behoove_me · Aug 10, 2011 7:34 AM

behoove Your writing is good. I am aware of Mr. Dhamala's infamy; however your writing seems to only criticize him without offering anything concrete to do so. Did he talk to you in condenscending manner while he was waiting for the "great one" (Sujata K)? Say whatever you want about him, you gotta give it to him for his progress.

Stiffler · Aug 10, 2011 11:20 AM

Stiffler, My heartfelt thanks to you for reading this gibberish. As far as 'giving it to' Dhamala regarding his progress, I already did, I have mentioned it in one of my last paragraph. Also in my disclaimer, I mentioned it was only 'my' perception, the  haugtiness and uncouthness he clearly displayed and the fact that he clearly lacked humility. And I have written this article based 'only' on that, he could be the nicest of human beings for all I care, all I am doing here is franchising my free speech right. Do I sound peurile? Of course I do. Could I be completely mistaken? Very much so. Thanks for pointing that out Stiffler, but it wasn't something I wasn't aware of. :)

behoove_me · Aug 10, 2011 11:32 AM

Thanks for clearing it out. I was prying to get anything specific he did to deserve the loathe; I got my answer. Good writing though.

Stiffler · Aug 10, 2011 12:33 PM

i hope we aren't breaking the well established decorum of sajha threads by not denouncing and bashing each other. :) lets keep the appraisal a bit low or they might well censor us :) jk i fully agree with you that writing is a continuous process of learning, seeking, observing, expressing, sharing..., its not that i've not started yet,but at this moment i'll keep my writings to myself, once i find them worth sharing, i would do it. i have some plots for fiction as well as non-fiction, at this moment i don't think my pen can do enough justice to those ideas.  i'm glad i've started the journey, as these days a chunk of my free time goes towards honing my writing skills, the first step to which i think is lots of reading. writing here on these threads isn't hurting either :)

jay-z · Aug 10, 2011 1:03 PM

Stiffler, Thank you again. Quite honestly, this post requires a sharp criticism because as you mentioned, there isn't a specific ground why I should gloat about Dhamala. Just like I preach we shouldn't resent Indians, I MUST LEARN I shouldn't live by such enmity as well. But I guess I did a wise thing about putting that disclaimer, it just made me dodge the bullet. I shall be careful about posting such articles here on. Just because I admit I am wrong doesn't make me holier than thou. Great humor Jay, Maybe we must add few profanities to exist. But let me tell you, as an avid visitor (I wasn't a member of sajha then and maybe you are aware of it too) few years ago there I did witness a clout of people who convene only to post quality writings. They displayed humility, maturity and generosity despite disapproval, things are a little different now, everyone's hands are at everyone else's thoat if someone raises flag. Speaking of your effort, I would certainly encourage you to post your articles here, or maybe in other public platforms, because one important factor that hones your writing skill is - criticism. Believe me, it acts as a catalyst. But then reading your replies makes me feel you write well, very well in fact and that you wouldn't have to worry about censures. I remember a girl from Dallas who posted her stories here, as much as I like her as a person, her stories were utter nonsense. As expected, readers hurled stinging rebuke her way each time she wrote. The outcome - her last story was so well written, I thought for a moment if she plagiarized it. She doesn't write here anymore. So post your works here. Agreed it won't be as popular as some Priyanka's lovelife, but it'd make my day and many others'.

behoove_me · Aug 10, 2011 1:28 PM

Very nice piece, Behoove_Me. I have often wondered why Sujata Koirala allowed a parasitic personality like Dhamala around her. He brought her nothing but trouble. Perhaps there was some financial interest involved, I don't know for sure. However, as I reflect back on things, I think some people in power feel a need to be surrounded by sycophants and yes-men. The volatile nature of politics, especially Nepali politics, breeds deep insecurity in many politicians. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown as Shakespeare said. Indira Gandhi, Richard Nixon and former King Gyanendra were others who  were driven to desperation by thier insecurities and they too kept close to them some rather odd characters. As was GPK in the early years of his Prime Ministership.I think Dhamala played to Sujata's insecurity as did Arjun Narshing KC and others who she allowed to take advantage of her proximity to her father. Dhamala strikes me as a kiss-up, kick-down person going by your story. I can't find the right vocabulary to describe him. He was slapped by Indian security personal in South Block/Rashtrapati bhawan for trying to force his way in by faking to be part of a visiting Nepali delegation, was thrown of a plane en-route to Bhutan when he demanded a seat in a govt delegation and has a history of doing things that point to a man lacking self-respect and dignity. Just the kind of person an insecure leader needs to comfort them. Back in the days Kings had jesters in their courts to amuse them,I guess these days we have the likes of Rishi Dhamala :) Last edited: 12-Aug-11 10:44 PM

Vivant · Aug 12, 2011 9:20 PM

Vivant, Well said! And I am sorry for the late response, there was a sudden ‘assignment surge’ at work and it bled through the weekend. Speaking of Dhamala, I personally think he is a nutcase, but then the question is – why wouldn’t Sujata Koirala see it? Or why would any political figure like to associate with someone who is despicable as him? Well, here is my take, only people like you and me, who think rationally, do not display our haughtiness, practice generosity and magnanimity, believe in ethics and choose our words carefully reproach people like Dhamala. Unfortunately the percentage of erudition and nobility among Nepalese is few (I might sound prejudiced while saying this, but heck this is not a research paper, it is entirely personal) and many choose to hail Dhamala because he leaves no stone unturned to get his point across. A country boy with little education made it big in Kathmandu - what else could be a better story of success in the eyes of an underprivileged youth? As we speak of hordes of underprivileged youth, we are speaking of vote banks. Sujata Koirala, instead of beseeching in person, to people like us that would cost her significant amount of time and ordeal would choose someone like Dhamala to propagate her ability like a leader to people with lesser outlook, after all, everyone of us are equal when it comes to casting votes. And in all essence, it works perfect. I am not asking Dhamala to stop doing that, I know how politics in a third world nation is like. I am only asking him to display a little humility, or at least feign it. Thanks for going through my asinine post, Vivant. I really appreciate it.

behoove_me · Aug 16, 2011 11:10 AM

Vivant said:"I have often wondered why Sujata Koirala allowed a parasitic personality like Dhamala around her" ....and then I laughed and laughed.

Stiffler · Aug 16, 2011 11:37 AM

Vivant and Stiffler, On the same note, like reading Stiffer's reply - isn't that expected from Sujata Koirala anyways? I mean, she is another example of a nutcase, if it were Churchill or Gandhi I would have been seriously troubled.

behoove_me · Aug 16, 2011 11:58 AM

Stiffler, Why? Behoove_Me, If anything is asinine, it is not your writing by any means but rather Dhamala's shenanigans :)

Vivant · Aug 16, 2011 12:17 PM

Vivant, Few years ago I met Dhamala in some Koirala lady's apartment in Queens, New York. She is fiercely into Nepalese politics, but would practice it from the comfort of her living room preaching everyone who came to meet her (ludircous right?). I was there during a party, and to my dismay, not only in Nepal,  but in United States too, there were people who displayed high degree of obsequiousness towards Dhamala. He is just a journalist for Pete's sake, and I am certain anyone could do without him.

behoove_me · Aug 16, 2011 12:40 PM

I think I know the lady you are referring to. I have nothing against her but yes preachy politics can get annoying and unfortunately it is all too common in our society. I am glad I was not invited to that party :D Hope the food was good at least ;) As for people swooning over Dhamala, most people I know don't think much of him. I am actually surprised that he got the kind of attention you mentioned. Most rank and file party members (of all the parties he has hitched his wagon to) really don't speak highly of him -- even the less privileged among them. But then maybe I live in a bubble where I conveniently shut out distractions like Dhamala.

Vivant · Aug 16, 2011 12:57 PM