Do you start each New Year with a sense of expectation, or do you figure that it's just another day? Is January first or Baisak ek gate a milestone which you use to take stock of your life and make plans for the future, or do you simply see it as a time to party? With 2007 opening up a host of new possibilities, WAVE gathered six students to discuss what the beginning of a new year means to them.
Participants:
Bhanu Gurung, Campion College (Grade 11);
Sal Tiel Limbu, Campion Academy (BBS 3rd year);
Gabi Gurung, BVC College (BA 1st year); and
Rekesh Shrestha,
Zimness Tamang, and
Vishal Thulung Rai, all studying in grade 12 at Xavier International College
 ALL PICS: ANUP PRAKASH GABI |
Does New Year really mean a fresh start?
Bhanu: Yes, I think it's a time to forget the past and start anew.
Gabi: I think it's the time for new thoughts, to look back and then look ahead more positively.
Rekesh: I don't think so. To me, it's just another day.
Vishal: I look at it with excitement.
Sal Tiel: We can actually restart things.
How do you celebrate New Year?
 BHANU |
Bhanu: Go out with friends to Basantapur and New Road during the day, and then have a barbecue at home in the evening.
Sal Tiel: Stay home with the family, share jokes, and then at midnight call relatives and friends to say 'Happy New Year'.
Rekesh: I go to Nagarkot with my family on New Years Eve, and enjoy the sunrise the next morning.
Gabi: Hang out with friends in Thamel.
Zimness: Hang out with my brothers, go to clubs, have some drinks.
 SAL TIEL |
Have drinking and smoking become a part of the celebrations?
Sal Tiel: Yes, there are people who get dead drunk.
Bhanu: If there's no alcohol, the party feels incomplete.
Zimness: I think it is okay to drink.
Rekesh: I get permission from my parents before I drink.
Gabi: Our male friends encourage us to drink, but we don't.
Vishal: Sometimes we have to tell friends not to drink, but they won't listen.
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
Gabi: I don't think it's important at all.
Zimnesh/Rekesh: Haven't made them before, but are planning to this year.
Sal Tiel: I did once, but didn't manage to keep them.
Vishal: I don't think it's required, but I once made a resolution to quit smoking and I stuck to it.
 REKESH |
Which New Year do you celebrate the most?
Rekesh: Nepali.
Gabi: English.
Bhanu: English, because everyone celebrates it.
Zimness: I don't think making English New Year a priority is a good idea; it's just another way to introduce foreign culture.
Vishal: Nepali New Year should be more important.
 ZIMNESS |
Do you think it's necessary to spend a lot of money to have fun?
Zimness: Not at all! Money shouldn't be wasted recklessly.
Vishal: Moderation is best, so we don't regret the fun later.
Rekesh/Sal Tiel: We use our regular pocket money to celebrate.
Gabi: Sometimes we overspend for new clothes to wear to parties.
Bhanu: I ask for extra money, but don't really overspend.
What are some creative ways to celebrate New Year?
Rekesh: Stay home all day watching old Hindi movies like Sholay and Kabhi Kabhi. Or write a review of the year that's passed.
Vishal: Invent new dance steps to show off at dance parties.
Bhanu: Scare friends with ghost masks.
Gabi: Or threaten them on phone saying, 'you're next'.
Sal Tiel: Invite friends over and cook fried rice or chicken biryani. But get them to bring some alcohol.
 VISHAL |
Your expectations from Nepal in 2007?
Gabi: Since we have peace now, I hope things will quiet down. I expect all people be treated equally.
Vishal: I expect corruption to be wiped out.
Sal Tiel: I'm looking forward to the elections and a new prime minister.
Rekesh: I hope there are fewer traffic jams.
Zimness: I expect people to work together.
Bhanu: I don't have new expectations, because things might not work out that well.
Your hopes and expectations from the world in 2007?
Vishal: I hope there are more developments in science and technology. Something like a machine that can eat the smoke that vehicles emit.
Gabi: I hope countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, and Lebanon don't have to face war again.
Bhanu: May women across the world be taken into civil and armed service.
Rekesh: May more visas be issued for Nepali students to study in the US.
