April 6, 2009 by kishorpradhan
Freedom of Press is such a dear and dreaded issue in South Asian democracies. Freedom of Press at the moment is not only an issue in Bhutan and Nepal, but across South Asia.
An Editor in Sri Lanka gets killed. Journalists in Nepal and across the border in Bangladesh get beaten up. And out of intimidation and compulsion there is self-censorship in the practice of journalism and the press.
But despite the dismal situation, there is a need for Press Freedom in our countries of South Asia for deep rooting democracies.
Truth hurts and hounds. But for Press Freedom there has to be nothing but ‘Freedom for Truth’. (My speech on the release of a book on journalist in exile by a Bhutanese refugee journalist in Nepal; 31|03|2009; the book can be downloaded at www.apfanews.com).
Posted in My Views | Leave a Comment »
February 4, 2009 by kishorpradhan
I started my French language lessons from today. It’s quite a challenge not only learning French when you are above fourty and your learning curve is nose-diving and have to reach the classroom by seven in the morning:).
The teacher is a young French lady called Cindy. She told the class she gets really mad when you arrive late (for the class). The French people are very specific about punctuality.
Cindy taught us “Comment tut’ appellas?” or “What is your name?”. Jema’ appelle Kishor Pradhan. That is my name is Kishor Pradhan. It does not end there. For a girl when you are asking a name in French its “Comment elle’ apelle?” And for a boy its “Comment ils appelle?”. You know the gender thing in languages.
How are you is “Comment sava?”. And you say,”C5 va bien (I am fine) and merci (thankyou) et toui (and you)? Altogether its, I am fine thankyou, and you?
And counting in French is Un (one), Dui (two) Troi (three), Kueta (four), five is a tricky one and did not get it this morning:). Told you already about my learning curve:)!
And Cindy also taught the class how to say, “Je ne sai’s pas”, that’s “I don’t know!”. I liked that.
Back from class at home I tried practicing my French with Diya and she told me to shot up:)! Literally. Lesson of the day. What you write in French is not how you read and pronounce.
Look forward to tomorrow’s class. Can’t afford to be late and left out in the still cold winter morning in Kathmandu! Bonsous!
Posted in Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
