Nepali bloggers, only those who attended BLOGAN meeting due to the geographic advantage i.e. being in the capital, Kathmandu on April 21st.
BLOGAN (Bloggers’ Association of Nepal)- conceived as just an idea few months ago, by few prominent and popular bloggers of Nepal, is now taking a form. Deepak Adhikari writes,” Sujana questioned: What is the mission of BLOGAN? For what are we being united? I tried to answer it there. But, Sujana, here's the detail answer: This is the time of advocacy and raising your voices. If you speak alone, you'll hardly get audiences. But, if it is a collective voice, then it will definitely grab attention. Why attention, you may ask. Because, as a nation we are lagging behind in many aspects. Our voices as bloggers, as a nation and South Asians get subdued in the cacophony of powerful nations. Internet, blog to be more specific, provides us such forum. In April Movement, we showed to the world what we are capable of. The blog played vital role in disseminating the infos. Now, you may ask, why info? King stepped down because of the protests in the streets. No, the information has very important power in today's world. You must have noticed Nepali Diaspora's role in the movement. So, is blogs'. We must (form BLOGAN) to show the world that we are vying for change.”
But questions do arise about the real motif behind the formation of any formal association. Although I’m also on the favour of a formal organization, Ghanshyamji (Ojha) had very legitimate concerns about the future of BLOGAN’s working committee members. Yes, I agree that when money comes, it takes away the high-held values. But are BLOGAN founders sincere enough to their cause? Is it all about bringing all Nepali bloggers under one umbrella? Ujjwalji (Acharya) provided a short hint: “Personally, I think that BLOGAN will also contribute something to me.” One would think, he deserves the credit- but the question about his honesty would arise in many minds. But he cleared the air- “We won’t be president for ever. The post will be given to one person, after his/her term, another will get to the same post.” He is doing his best to make it transparent and democratic, which I believe is the reason we are so assertive about the formation of a formal BLOGAN.
While many bloggers are still not clear about the idea itself, the state of awareness among the Nepali citizenries is not beyond anyone’s guess. Neha Viswanathan, of GlobalVoices, wrote in an email to me yesterday, "You would probably agree with me - that Nepali Blogosphere is yet young - and doesn't have too many blogs.” But the trend is sure on rise. Particulary, I was more concerned with the citizen journalism concept of blogging rather than those of ‘very very personal’ kinds. (Please, read “We the Media” by Dan Gillmor (link).)
More on BLOGAN meeting by Deepak, Umesh, Ujjwal, and Utsab.
Some of Nepali Bloggers, photograph courtesy: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya.
7 discussions:
शालीकजी
ब्लगप्रतिको तपाइको उत्साह देखेर खुशी लाग्यो । राम्रो । केहि गर्नुस र हामीलाइ पनि प्रेरणा दिनुस । तर एउटा कुरा , तपाइको फोटो क्याप्सनमा गल्ती भएछ । म ( अविनाशी )र रिनाजी सँगै देखिएका ब्लगर तिलक हैनन् , पोष्ट बहादुर बस्नेत हुन (मलाइ जहाँ सम्म लाग्छ)।
यतिनै , अरु राम्रो छ ।
भुल् औल्याईदीनु भएकोमा धन्य्बाद्, अविनाशीजी।
I've corrected, thank you once again.
Happy blogging- blogging that's not void a cause.
Hello shalik,
I do hear about the Blogan stuffs now and then. Its good that Nepali bloggers are trying to create an organized platform. It is my strong opinion that a common Nepali blogger platform must be created that would challenge conventional mainstream media. For that, the scope, mission and vision of the organization must be clearly defined. I don't know if I am wrong but I haven't seen this in Blogan.Moreover, locational difficulty hinders all bloggers to meet at some particular physical location. Virtual conferencing can be suggested to make it more inclusive.
Your writings on citizen journalism was quite good to read.
I agree with your views Nepali Akash, particularly, about the creation of a powerful common Nepali blogger platform that could challenge conventional mainstream media.
Yes, you are not wrong, BLOGAN is yet to come up with its scope, mission and vision which will be formulated, I think, following a series of discussions among the present BLOGAN (informal) members.
I also think that your idea about video conferencing will make it more inclusive and will be best to organize meetings.
But I'm afraid that not so many bloggers do own their own computers? At the same time, the speed of internet in Nepal is far below than what is necessary for smooth data transmission for such conferencing. But I believe Skpye-cast can be also equally useful, given that it is done at night time, when the average traffic is minimum at most of the ISP.
And thank you for reading my write ups, Nepali Akash. I would appreciate if you have anything to say or share about the citizen journalism in Nepal.I do like the way you select write ups from different sources and some of your own too published in your blog.
Happy blogging. Keep in touch.
Yes Salik (sorry I mispelt(again?) this in the previous comment),
To think of video conferencing would be too frustrating for bloggers in Nepal given the sevice and cost. But there are still other better options of virtual conferencing like using collaborative workspaces where our papers on proposals of its scope and mission can be discussed in real time simultaneously. As a blogger, I would be glad to share my ideas and be a part of such an offing. One such collab. service that I can think of is Mayetic Village. It used to be free when I checked it long time back. I hope it still is.
Thank you for your time to stumble into my blog. I need to admit this that I have not been able to write articles by myself other than quoting the relevant ones from different sources. The ideas of intellects such as Arundhati Roy, Tarun Tejpal, Krishna Pahadi frustrates me and baffles me most of the times knowing I can't be as articulate and sharp enough as them. Deep acumen fails me most of the time. They speak my mind and that consoles me a lot. I find a lot of resonance in what you write too. Thats why I come in your blog quite often. They rightly say, common bastards flock at the same place. Ha ha !!
Some day I will surely write about Citizen Journalism. Count on that.
And Keep Blogging.
Nepali Akash
Cheers! Dear Nepali Akash, Seems like yeah! we are to some extent yeutai dyango ko mulaharu...
But I've felt this- that most of the times people around me don't understand me. I'm more than happy that I'm discovering more and more resonating people like you. You said rightly about Arundhati Roy.
"Who knows, perhaps that is what the twenty-first century has in store for us. The dismantling of Big. Big bombs, big dams, big ideologies, big contradictions, big countries, big wars, big heroes, big mistakes. Perhaps it will be the century of the small. Perhaps right now, this very minute, there's a small god up in heaven readying herself for us."
Particularly, I'd say that lest we find that kind of intimacy, resonance and similarities with ourselves in what one writes, we won't be grasp to its underlining meanings. It's what makes her write ups distinct- you can find yourself in her write ups. A desire which is so common- one that constantly hunts every sane soul.
Well, I'm yet to go through Tejpal but I am equally bemused by Pahadi. The first time I saw him laughing before his office (I was there to cover news)- I inquired with one man- "Why is he so yellow?" I can't stop feeling unusual about my stupidity.
Nevertheless, his intellect and firm standing for those high-held values- they act as catalyst for change, and as inspiration to many.
Read you again. And well, I'm still trying to figure out why do we need to drive three miles for a jalebi.
Happy blogging, Nepali Akash.
Good Luck.
Salik.
Salik,
I am still not done with collecting information from your blog. So much to do, so darn little time. (or, "to waste?" like the happiest man ever quoted one Greek Philosopher?).
Im reading materials on citizen journalism these days. Thanks for the link for “We the Media” by Dan Gillmor.
Keep Blogging !!!
Nepali Akash
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