Rein writes: "I have never heard any opposition from the likes of Ashu on this regard." Based on this sort of "I-have-not-seen-any-evidence-of-this-therefore-this-must-not-exist" sweeping logic, Rein hints that I, Ashu, have never been critical of Panchyati education. Well, one thing about writing publicly is that one can always refer to one's publication, good or bad, when and if necessary. (I know, I know, just saying this sort of thing here irritates the hell out of my usual two detractors here on Sajha, but sorry guys, seethe on!) Anyway, I don't have a copy of that article with me right here and now, but I suggest Rein take a look at one article on education I had published in Himal (English) in the Fall of 1994 -- some 13 years ago, which was critical of the then Panchayati education. I remember, at the time, as someone interested in education, I went around interviewing various Panchayat-era education-architects, including Narayan Prasad Shrestha and Mohammed Moshin. What's more, I have also run and taken parts in various education-related conversations at Martin Chautari, an intensely lively give-and-take forum where my views re: Mahendra Mala-type of education are public. Look, I do NOT believe in opposing everything and all things all the time, and therefore wasting my very limited intelligence. I do not believe in having a 25-item ko demand list to get my points across. Logistically, from experience, I have come to believe in having ONE and ONLY ONE clear and concrete future-oriented priority in every domain, and I believe in going after that priority like a bulldog with all the focus one can muster. In this vein, I am NOT interested anymore to talk about the past -- the ills of the Panchayati education and what not. Panchayat is gone. Finished. No point looking back to go forward. That's why, I, as a citizen, am interested in talking about a possible FUTURE scenario: That is, what if the Maoists' force down their roti-in-the-sky education down our children's throat? What then? Sure, I accept that the probability of that's happening varies from person to person (depending on who you talk to) -- but, I, for one, based on what I know from Nepal, would like to assign that probability a high number. Now, just because -- to come across as some sort of a goddamn 'balanced' person and then play to some self-declared democrats' gallery on Sajha -- I say that does NOT mean that I have to turn around and be critical of the Mahendra Mala type of education too. Mahendra Mala type of education is NOT the issue here. oohi ashu