Among many “hotties” so conspicuous in the Nepalese community in America, Sweccha Baral is one of the most elegant, friendly,open-minded pretty lady with very generous spirit and great moral values. She prides herself more for the values she stands for than cheap popularity and applause. Here’s a rare lady we can be very proud of. Baral represents passion for her work, dedication and love of life that must be learned by anybody who wants to be happy. There is no lack of models and fashionistas in the liberalized world of today but there is a sore need of role-models in our modern society for young girls who are growing up in MTV and Nightclub society that teaches “pleasure is happiness, become pleasure seekers”. Young gals need heroes and SWECCHA BARAL is definitely one of their ideals. She has a sense of responsibility for the society she is part of and is doing her best to contribute so that the world will be a better place for the future generations. Baral was awarded MISS MOST TALENTED at MISS NEPAL USA 2012 the jury of which consisted of famous personalities like Karna Shakya and Om Bikram Bista. Nobody is perfect and we are not to judge anybody for their faults but we can always set a good example for people to follow. That’s where Sweccha Baral’s role in the society comes into play. Introducing Nepal:The land where “Guests are Gods” by Sweccha Baral Having traveled to many countries in the world, I have found in almost all the places the locals have an advantage over the tourists. Arguably Nepal is the only country where foreigners have an advantage over locals in most places and most cases. Rooted in its culture and religious traits, Nepalese believe that guests are torsos of gods so the famous saying goes, “Athiti dewa bhawa” (guests are Gods). Nepalese believe in gods and they pray to gods every day.I think the best thing about Nepal is its simplicity (or the simplicity of its people rather) and hospitality of the people. The culture of Nepal is a unique combination of tradition and novelty. The traditions are followed as they were and new customs are created to keep pace with the changing times. Culture here is embedded in the high peaks of Nepal, tradition flows with its rivers, art traverses through its valleys and religion lies in the heart of its people. Nepal, in short, is a country where art, culture and religion are a part of life of the inhabitants. People celebrate every moment with aroma, adding novelty to the traditions without affecting their essence. Nepal is the pious Hindu country in the lapse of the Himalayas, which is beautiful, quiet, the birth place of Buddha and origin of Hinduism. Besides being the country of Everest it is equally popular with its diverse cultural values. This is the land where civilization began and is also known as the country of ‘SANGRILA.’ Nepal is as holy place to Hindus & Buddhists, as Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem to Jews and Christian. Nepal has rich cultural history because of Nepal’s vast diversity in altitude that has reflected to our unique culture. Also being sandwiched between both India and China people exist at different altitudes which also affects the way in which they live their lives and hence their culture. Many of ethnic groups have their own dramatic culture, language and dialects. Although some customs have merely been converted to habits without thought, ancient texts justify them with far-fetched reasons, sometimes making sense and sometimes not.People say, Nepal’s natural beauty – the rugged terrains, the mountains, rivers and the jungles, is the best thing about Nepal. I agree with it. But, I think, more than this the easy going, hardworking, fun loving and guest-respecting nature of the people here is its best thing.   CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD- TEEJ by Sweccha Baral “The real ornament of a woman is her character, purity and the respect that she shows to her man”.  In our Nepalese culture there is an especial day to Celebrate womanhood with utmost dedication and love by the women. Also Teej is a celebrated by Nepali women, for the long life of her husband and long and firm relationship between them until the death this life and all the lives to come. Teej is observed for marital happiness, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul. Teej is the most famous festival among Nepali women. The festival is celebrated Preparations for the festival begin well in advance. Fabric stores, sarees and suit outlets are stocked with the bridal red color fabric. Women spend most of the time shopping when Teej is near. The folk music and dances add more flavor to traditional values of Teej. It is fascinating to see women, in “Red” dancing and singing on the street, going to temple in holy and fasting mood. Teej is also called Hari Talika Teej. This festival is celebrated by Nepali Hindu women all across the world. Teej is a three-day-long festival in Nepal and each day has its own significance. First day is called ‘Dar Khane Din’, the day to make merry. Second day is a ‘fasting day’. The third day is called ‘Rishi Panchami’ in Nepal which is a day to perform Teej Puja. Dar Khane Din The first day of Teej in Nepal is called the ‘Dar Khane Din’. On this day, the womenfolk dressed in the finest clothed gather at one place and perform traditional dance and sing devotional songs. A special food called ‘dar’ is eaten. Celebrations continue till midnight after which the 24-hour-long fast begins. Fasting Day The second or the fasting day of the Teej festival is dedicated to pujas and prayers. The holy Pashupatinath temple is thronged by women in red sarees to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. Women gather in the temple and circumambulate the Lingam (phallic symbol of the Lord) adorned with flowers, sweets and coins. The beautifully decorated idols of Shiva and Parvati are offered fruits and flowers to seek blessings of the divine spirits. Lighting of an oil lamp is very important part of the puja ceremony. It is said that the oil lamp should be kept lit all night to avoid bad omen. Rishi Panchami The third day of the Teej Festival is called Rishi Panchami. On this day, the seven sages of the Hindu pantheon are worshiped by women in a belief that it will cleanse all sins of the previous year. Womenfolk take a holy bath with red mud found on the roots of the sacred Datiwan bush, along with its leaves. After three hours of rigorous cleansing, they come out purified and absolved from all sins. After this they sit in a semicircle while a priest sitting in the middle chants devotional prayers. Married women go to their natal home to unite with their mother and sisters and celebrate this festival together. The previous night of the festival day women feast heavily and sing and dance.  Women wear colorful clothes and gold-diamond jewelry to look like a new bride at the time of Teej. Many women especially the newlyweds wear their wedding dress on the day. Most prominent colors of Teej are red, pink and green. Married women will also wear Tilahari, a cylindrical gold necklace in glass beads. The women fast on the day of the festival. Some conservative women even refrain from drinking water or swallowing saliva. They visit the temples in the neighborhood, perform rituals and chant prayers to appease Lord Shiva and ask for good health, long life and prosperity of their husbands. Those who are still singles do also celebrate the festival with equal zeal in hope of finding nice groom for them. Since this is the only festival that celebrates womanhood in our culture so we need to preserve and promote “Teej.” An Interview with Sweccha Baral: 1. Tell us little bit about you. Ans) I am Swechha Baral from Kathmandu, Nepal. Born and raised in a family where everyone respected each other and believed in “simple living and high thinking”. I am friendly and fun person. I am very optimist and I see ‘the glass half full rather than half empty’. That’s the reason when everyone says,”cancer has no answer”, I still believe “I will discover that answer for cancer”. So, I am currently majoring in “Microbiology” and am volunteering for Philadelphia Cancer Centre. 2. How’s life different now from one before hearing about Miss Nepal USA? Ans) It has totally changed. I have started getting opportunities already. I feel more empowered and participation in this pageant has enhanced my confidence, personality and my attitude.   3. Are you enjoying the process? Ans) Yes, I am enjoying the process and the journey. There are few things more wonderful than knowing where you want to go and being on the path to getting there.   4.Do you have suggestions for young Nepalese-Americans growing up here for a great future ahead? Ans) I personally believe that “America is land of opportunities”. So, young Nepalese-American growing up here already have a brighter future. For American Nepalese, it’s really important for them to realize what they have that we don’t. For their better future ahead I suggest the young Nepalese American to contribute equally to both of these great nations in whatever career, to promote our heritage and to take part in Nepalese functions and to stand on behalf of Nepal on any American event.   5. What kind of positive developments would you like to see in Nepal in next 2-5 years? Ans) In next five years I wish our nation to have “Value based Constitution” that would orient people to the path of peace and unity.   6. Who inspires you the most? Ans) My mother. Being a single parent, she has been my mother and father at a same time. I have seen my mother cutting on her medicine to provide me and my brother top education and that inspires me always to be “the giving tree”.  She taught me to believe in myself, be strong to fight the odds, have stamina to last there forever until I succeed. For me she is my creator and my inspiration.   7. What makes you come alive? What makes you really happy about what you have done? Ans) Recently, I donated my hair to a cancer patient. When she got it, she hugged me tight and blessed me. Her smile and happiness enlivens me and made me happier for what I did.   8. What do you think about the current situation in Nepal? Ans) As I already mentioned I am an optimist and I see a glass half full than half empty. So, In my opinion, Nepal was exposed in a tough political scenario and the failure of government has taught us a good lesson. We are now overcoming and learning as well. Every Nepalese are now contributing for the development of our nation. Even I have seen so many Students are returning back to our motherland to be that “Change” after their graduation.  We are now in a process… “a process towards development”.   9.What are 5 things you suggest Nepalese Americans do to contribute for the well being of Nepal? -Educate their children about our Cultural values and be respectful to others cultural values as well. -Fight, in whatever capacity they can, to preserve what our ancestors earned for us by the blood they shed. -Get involved in the political process -Volunteer time to help others -keep God in their life and live like he would want us to be.   10. How do you think the world can be made a better place for future generations? Ans) By taking responsibility for our own actions and  by leaving the place in better shape than when we found it. 11. What do you think makes an ideal woman? Ans) An ideal woman will vary for every person as their ideals will be different. Personally, I think an ideal woman is comfortable and confident about herself, loving, funny and has a positive view on life and has capacity to be the change by making the difference.   12. What do you think CONSISTS of a successful man? Ans) Successful man is the one who can enjoy what he has achieved in life without gloating about it, a man who can be a man enough to truly love and express his love without boasting about it, and a man who can forgive whatever others may think of him or do to him for believing in himself.   13.Tell us few special moments that make you cry or make you smile from within. Ans) I feel like crying when I fail, but I don’t, because I see my mother always being so strong and having that courage and stamina to stay still and calm against the odds till the end. So when I fail, I smile, get up, get hurt, get humiliation and finally succeed.Please smile in trouble, gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.   14. How are you planning to handle your demand in Nepalese community after you become Miss Nepal USA? Ans) )The search for something different, something new, or something that can be a challinging journey, therefore, I plan to start my journey from a local level. I know I will focus in simply a matter of defining where I want to go next, reading a map and then setting off on my journey.   15. What is your ultimate goal? Ans) Be the change that could cultivate a relief in the world that has no answer for Cancer and HIV AIDS.   16. How do you want to be remembered (after you are gone from this world)? Ans) I really do not want to be remembered for my own personal traits or accomplishments, I think that would be so selfish. I don’t care about physical or academic accomplishments, money or beauty. As long as I have helped as many people as possible, I think then my existence would not be in vain. I want to be remembered as the personality that my nation and my people would treasure forever.   17. Tell us few favorite books you have read or you are reading for some of our avid readers. Ans) Muna Madan and Palpasa Café.   18. Being from Nepal, how do you find living in America? Ans) I always dreamt to come here. So, I found America as ‘land of opportunity and excitement”. I got chance to expose in a new culture so living in America has helped in  evolving a ‘NEW ME”.   19. What do you find particularly interesting about American life? Ans) Everything in America is interesting. Weather, people, life style, their thoughts, foods, culture etc. But the most impressive thing about this land is “the firm Government” that built America as the most powerful nation in the world.   20. What’s the major barrier for you in interacting with Americans? Ans) People are essentially the same everywhere you go in the world. They want to be loved, heard and respected. And I come from a culture that teaches me to be warm, welcoming, tolerant and respectful. So, I didn’t find any major barrier in interacting with Americans. Infact, I am connected to them in a very deep level and it’s all because of the cultural values I got from my Nation.   21. What do you do when you are not busy with your regular work? Ans) I normally spend quality time with my mother and my brother when I am not busy with my regular work.   (Sweccha Baral is a Microbiology student at Temple University in Philadelphia. Highly active in the Nepali community in PA, Baral was awarded “Miss Most Talented” at MISS NEPAL USA 2012. Baral is also very active with the Nepali Community in New York City. She is coming out with many new entrepreneurial projects very soon and is a lady to watch out in next few years.)

ryanblair · Sep 8, 2012 12:41 PM

नेपालका अनाथालयलाई सहयोग गर्ने क्रममा नेपाली बालकलाई यौन शोषण गर्ने बेलाएती नागरीकलाई ३० बर्ष जेल सजाएँ हुँदासमेत नेपाल सरकार र नेपालका प्रमूख मिडियाहरुको आँखा गएको पाइन्न । तल दिइएको समाचारमा धेरैकुरा थाहा पाउन सक्नुहुनेछ– ____________________ लन्डन, ८ सेप्टेम्बर । ६ बर्षे नेपाली बालक र १० बर्षीय बेलाएती युवकलाई यौन शोषण गर्ने बेलाएती नागरीक सिमोन म्याकार्टी (Simon McCarty)लाई अमेरीकाको हवाईस्थीत अदालतले हिजो ३० बर्षको जेल सजाएँ सुनाउनुका साथै पिडित बालकहरुलाई ९८,००० अमेरीकी डलर बुझाउनुपर्ने सजाएँ सुनाएको छ । विभिन्न समाचारमध्यमहरुका अनुसार ४० बर्षीय साइमन म्याकार्टीले नेपाललगाएत विभिन्न मुलुकहरुमा संचालित बालगृहहरुलाई सहयोग गरेको तर सन २००५ देखि २००७ सम्ममा उनले बच्चाहरुको नांगो भिडियो बनाएको र यौन शोषणसमेत गरेको अदालतमा प्रमाणित भएको थियो । म्याकार्टीले बालकहरुको भिडियो बनाएकोसमेत स्वीकारगरेको समाचारसूत्रले जनाएको छ । म्याकार्टी ब्रिटिस रकस्टार जिम म्याकार्टीको छोरा हुन् । [Source: http://www.titanherald.com/np/... _____________________ माथिको समाचार पढ्ने हो भने सायद नेपाल सरकारले यस बारेमा पूर्ण अनुसन्धान गर्नुपर्ने देखिँदैन र? किनकी समाचारमा एकजना ६ बर्षीय नपाली बालकको यौन शोषण भनीएको छ तर त्यो भन्दा बढी पनि त हुन सक्छ ।

titanherald · Sep 8, 2012 1:06 PM

Nepal government has no time of this. They are running to save their khurchi only.

facebook · Sep 8, 2012 6:44 PM