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Learning To Live

Since every human being is different, it all comes down to the basic question of personal survival

By AKSHAY SHARMA

The ‘me-first’ ethos of city life is striking deeper roots in Kathmandu and bogging down the people. "It’s a ghetto kind of lifestyle that is the most intriguing part of the problem," says psychologist Bipin Jangam. "It is a prevalent nature in leaders, because once they come to power they tend to seek economic benefits that can be easily attained."

However, the problem has far-reaching effects. Instead of doing something for a cause, people now seem to be more focused on their own well being. "In my opinion, my first focus would be my career. After that, I feel that I have to do something for my family," says 28-year-old Sudhir Serchan who works at the Radisson Hotel. "I have to build my social status and earn money first, then I look to society as a whole."

College students : Future uncertain

"Friends play a vital role in my life and the family follows you throughout your life," he adds. "My old circle of friends will be there for me and I have to stay far from the friends that are into anti-social activities because I do not support these kind of activities. It is nice to share thoughts with old friends. They come from different backgrounds and the ideas we exchange and share are my treasure."

Those still guided by the idealism of a higher calling find themselves hardly able to step off the ground. Pawan Rai, 30, says: "I have a quest for knowledge and want to feel the human activities happening around me. But it is strange, because every human being is different. I want to do something for the country as I see the youths being victimized. The elder generation, instead of focusing on the development and nurturing of the youths, are acting as if they are the young. So I am confused as to what I want out of life."

"I know I have to go in parallel with my family and friends otherwise, it would be almost impossible to survive. Well, I know it will be a battle for survival," he adds.

"It is I who must be strong first. Then come others things like family, friends, country," says 19-year-old Pradeep Thapa. "The whole equation is centered on this. Times have changed and the feedback the young are getting from the older generation is not satisfying. It is not the world it used to be."

"If you are a doctor, the elder generation will generation will definitely accord you importance. But in this world of steel-eyed death and men trying to get reborn, education doesn’t count at all. The elders should see the talent in the youths and give them a chance," says 40-year-old Amrit Lama.

"Life is beautiful and my happiness lies in the needs I fulfill," says 31-year-old Amir Ratna Tuladhar. "Things like friends, family and country will follow you throughout your life. You have to set your targets according to what you want. And whether you get it or not it is a different matter."

He believes elders have a kind of ego feeling. "They want to hand over things to the youths in their own particular way, but it does not happen in minutes. That seems to intimidate them," says Tuladhar. "If someone is an expert in something on he has worked for 20 years, he’ll not step down easily. But he doesn’t know that his refusal may be squandering the efficiency and talent the youths bring."

Siddhartha Sharma, 25, says every human being is different and it all comes down to survival. "Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest might not work in this cruel world. If a mouse could eat a cat, he would certainly do it."