I know, this whole issue has been talked about, argued upon, examined, re-examined, and dissected for countless times, here in the forum since long. Due to my lack of in-depth knowledge regarding this matter of instability back home, most of the detailed discussions however, does an OHT [Over Head Transmission] for me. But today, this simply told short report and seeing the photographs caused quite an acute feeling of sadness?.and despair in me, amidst a tandem of confusion. A myriad of questions, rap insistently on my under-utilized cerebrum, making me feel like I am tumbling headlong into the ?Ambience Warp? visualization of the ever faithful Windows Media Player. Feels like, if I don?t give it some kind of outlet right now, I will get smothered by this overwhelming feeling, so please bear with me?. but, where do I even begin to comprehend ?........ :::::::::::::::: Some intel on Nepal ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Population: 27 million Percent of Nepalis who live below the national poverty line: 31 Rank of Nepal among poorest nations in South Asia: 1st Percent tourist numbers have dropped since 1998: 38 Nepalis killed by Maoists from 1996 to 2005: 4,500 Nepalis killed by government in same period: 8,200 :::::::::::::::: Some excerpts from the commentary report ::::::::::::::: ?Some of their demands include -------->>redistributing of land rights, power moving from urban centers to rural areas, elimination of traditional caste system, equal rights to women, institute a communist republic? ?movement fueled by extreme poverty all over Nepal? ?Fierce Focused Females??. approx. one-third of the fighting force is made up of young women??seemed like the most fierce of the fighters, reason maybe cause they clearly know what they are fighting for?lot of Maoist women enjoy decision making power ? ?Self styled Maoist rebels are waging a deadly ?People?s War? against the King of this Himalayan Country, yet it?s the people themselves who are suffering. ? ?call themselves Maoists and follow the teachings of Mao Zhedong, though they have nothing to do with China? ?conflict largely ignored by International media ? etc etc etc???? Courtesy : www7.nationalgeographic.com Credits : Ed Douglas and Jonas Bendiksen Photographer : Jonas Bendkisen :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A visitor to the site Forum, Joel writes ?In closing I would just like to say that I think anyone who is even slightly inclined to travel to Nepal should do it. Who knows how long it will be that way it is now. ?----------->> Somehow I never thought of it this way?.it is rather disturbing, strikes too close to home. Ram ram kasto alachin boleko hola maile?..hari om hari om ! Ok, will stop. Won?t post more excerpts. Anyone who did read my ramblings must be bored by this point. Must be the longest post I ever typed. Most of the demands seem reasonable! Errrrr?.And don?t understand why this conflict is ?largely ignored by International media?, when Khmer rouge and Tamil tigers guerillas whatever used to be broadcasted all over the earth. Are we so insignificant ? I feel worthless. Maybe because we don?t take ourselves seriously enough, the rest of the planet sees no reason to either. The cold chilly October wind, through my open window bringing in its wake, the first hints of snow fails to compete with the chill inside my heart, that this sense of helplessness brings?.I don?t really see any distinct right or wrong here [maybe it?s just me]. Who are the good guys, who are the baddies ? Its all muddled up so much, even the combined efforts of CSI Miami,/Las Vegas,/New York, FBI, CIA, Navy SEALs and a dozen other alphabet-soup-letter agencies would have a hard time to fathom. But of course there are some significant auxiliary support/help being offered to Nepal. There are a whole lotta stoopid questions ajai baki on my part?pooh ignorant me, but I think I should stop?.errrrrr. Just for once I wish I really was Lara Croft, with those inexhaustible supplies of hi-tech, ultra-sophisticated artillery and all those amazing contacts of hers. Oh my, am I getting violent ??! I better go offline now. I know the National Geo. report has a relatively small piece than many other reports/documentaries etc, but yeah sometimes some things do affect you in a certain way I guess. . And I am neither advocating nor under the aegis of any Maoist/government/student union affiliated stuffs, just an average worried Nepali student [Student ID cha University ko, bhandiya chu aile nai]. Just my half-baked thoughts, for my own peace of mind. I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone with my silly ramblings. ~ Om namoh Shivaya ! May the lord rakchya garun sabai ko.