(3) Electricity
Electricity is one of the most important Electricity
blessings that science has given to humankind.
It has also become a part of modern life, and one
cannot think of a world without it. Electricity
has many uses in our day to day life. We use it
for the domestic purpose such as lighting rooms,
running fans and using domestic appliances like
using electric stoves, A/C and more. Likewise,
people run large machines with the help of
electricity in industries, hospitals, homes and
offices. Such machines produce essential items
such as food, clothes, paper, and many other
things.
Electricity supports other infrastructures of development such as education,
health, communication, transportation and drinking water. We use electricity
at schools for various purposes such as lighting, billing, running computers,
watching videos, etc. In the same way, electricity is used at hospitals and health
centres for lighting, cleaning, heating, running different heavy machines, such as
x-ray, ECG, etc. Electricity has revolutionised modern means of transportation
and communication. Various electric vehicles and means of communication need
electricity for operation. We need electricity to pump and filter drinking water in
our home.
Electricity is a good servant but a bad master. Electricity is a boon for humankind.
We can use it for various domestic and commercial purposes in different fields such
as agriculture, medicine, industries, transportation, etc. The fans, electric lights,
electric trains and televisions, mixers, grinders, electric ovens, the internet, etc,
are of great use to us. They run with the help of electricity. However, electricity
can even take one's life. Electrical appliances can cause fire and other forms of
accidents if they aren't used carefully. Likewise, many people lose their lives
because of electric shock every year. Therefore, we must use electrical appliances
with great care.
There is a great prospect of hydroelectricity in our country as there are many
fast-flowing rivers in Nepal. Hydroelectricity is the electricity produced using the
power of water. It is the cheapest and the most reliable source of energy in Nepal.
Hydroelectricity was generated for the first time in Nepal in 1911 AD (1968 BS)
during the period of Chandra Shumsher. He built Farping Hydro-electric power
station after he visited London in 1908 AD. It was also known as Chandrajyoti. The
capacity of the station was 500 KWH. After getting inspired by the living style and
effects of electric light in London, he thought about building an electricity power
station in Nepal.
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Nepal is estimated to have a hydro potential of 83,000 MW electricity, and 43,000
MW is considered to be economically feasible. However, the current hydropower
generating capacity is far below its capacity. Various reasons such as lack of
sufficient budget, shortage of skilled human resource, lack of proper plans and
policies, lack of political commitment, donor oriented and remittance dependent
national economy, lack of appropriate technology, etc, are responsible for it. Hence,
the authorities concerned need to do more in order to meet the goal and fulfil the
growing energy demand in the country and also boost the national economy.
Ongoing Hydroelectricity Projects of Nepal
SN Names of the Projects Capacity (KW) Year of Production
1 Trishuli (Nuwakot)
2 Sunkoshi (Sindhupalchok) 24000 1967
3 Gandaki (Nawalparasi)
4 Kulekhani 1 (Makwanpur) 10050 1972
5 Devighat (Nuwakot)
6 Kulekhani 2 (Makwanpur) 15000 1979
7 Marshyangdi (Tanahun)
8 Jhimruk (Pyuthan) 60000 1982
9 Khimtikhola (Dolakha Ramechhap)
10 Modikhola (Parbat) 14100 1984
11 Upper Bhotekoshi (Sindhupalchok)
12 Kaligandaki 'A' (Syangja) 32000 1986
13 Chilime (Rasuwa)
14 Mid-Marshyangdi (Lamjung) 69000 1989
15 Lower Modi (Parbat)
16 Sipring Khola (Dolakha) 12500 1994
17 Mai (Ilam)
19 Upper Mai (Ilam) 60000 2000
19 Upper Marshyangdi (Lamjung)
20 Hewa Khola A (Panchthar) 14800 2000
21 Upper Madi (Kaski)
22 Chamelia (Darchula) 45000 2001
144000 2002
22000 2003
70000 2008
10000 2012
10000 2013
22000 2015
12000 2016
50000 2016
14900 2016
25000 2017
30000 2018
Source: Ministry of Energy
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GLOSSARY
efficiency : the ability to do something or produce something without
wasting materials, time, or energy
advent : the time when something begins or arrives
deployed : organised and send out people or things to be used for a
particular purpose
boon : something pleasant or helpful
prospect : the possibility that something will happen in the future
feasible : possible to do
ACTIVITIES
(1) Present the educational status of your village or municipality with the help of
concerned authorities or officials.
(2) What problems are you facing currently at your school? Write an application
to the principal of your school requesting her and him to solve them.
(3) Some people initially take patients to a witch doctor or Dhami Jhankri for
treatment. When they realise that treatment is not possible there, they bring
them to the hospital at the last hour. If patients die, they blame hospital and
medical personalities for death. How would you explain to such persons?
(4) How would your life be without electricity at present? Imagine and write a
short paragraph.
EXERCISE
(1) Give very short answer to the following questions
(a) What do you mean by the infrastructure of development?
(b) Write the meaning of education in a sentence.
(c) Write the definition of health as defined by the WHO.
(d) Write any four uses of electricity in our daily life.
(e) How can you say that there is a great prospect of hydroelectricity in Nepal?
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(2) Answer these questions in brief.
(a) Education is an essential infrastructure of development. Elaborate on this
statement.
(b) Write a short note on the condition of education in your community.
(c) Healthy human resources are the foundation of development in a country.
How? Put forward your opinion.
(d) What measures do you think should be taken to improve the health condition
in your community? Write any four ways.
(e) Why is electricity necessary in modern life? Explain in four points.
(f) ‘Electricity serves as a good friend and a bad enemy.’ Put forward your ideas
to justify this statement.
COMMUNITY WORK
(1) Visit one of your local hospitals or health post in your community and fill
in the blanks with a suitable number.
Particular Number
Doctors
Nurses
Health assistant
The average number of patients in a day
(2) Fill in the blanks with suitable numbers as found in your community.
Particular Number
Pre-schools (Montessori schools)
Basic level schools
Secondary level schools
Colleges
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Lesson Infrastructures of
Development-II
2.4
Communication
Communication is the process by which people exchange information or express
their thoughts and feelings. We can know about currents affairs of the world
with the help of means of communication such as the radio, telephone, television,
newspapers, magazines, emails, internet, etc. Likewise, they help us to maintain
a cordial relationship with our family, friends, relatives, etc. Similarly, they
are reliable and useful sources of infotainment. We can get information and
entertainment with the help of various means of communication.
Means of communication play an important role in the development process.
They inform the government about the requirements and problems of any parts
of the country. They make the government and common people aware of their
responsibilities towards the nation. Modern means of communication have played
an important role in solving various social problems and evils. They draw the
attention of the concerned authorities by broadcasting the news about such social
stigmas.
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Modern means of communication have turned the world into a global village. It has
been very easy for people of one corner of the world to contact the people of another
corner through various means of communication. They are connected because of
the need for mutual assistance and global trade and business. No country cannot
remain in isolation at present. Development work cannot take place smoothly
in the absence of means of communication. They have saved the time, money
and resources of the government and the common people. For all these reasons,
communication is an essential infrastructure of development.
Some years ago, when Pemba sent letters to his parents, it used to take nearly a month's
time to reach them. But nowadays people can talk on the telephone anywhere they want.
He can communicate by watching live through Skype and Viber. He uses Facebook on his
mobile phone and stays in touch with his friends abroad. He has two daughters. They use
the internet to learn a lot from computers. Pemba listens to science news on radio and
television. He sends his research abroad via fax and email and receives information from
abroad. Communication facility has reached to many nooks in the country through wireless
phones and mobile phones. FM radios broadcast news every hour. Private and public
television channels broadcast many useful programmes. From this, the general public has
got enough information and entertainment. Since modern means of communication cannot
function without electricity, it is considered an integral part of modern life.
Transportation
Transportation is a system or method for
carrying passengers or goods from one place
to another. Any vehicles such as trucks,
aeroplanes, cars, buses, jeeps, ships, taxis,
etc. that we can travel or carry goods in are
means of transportation. The development of
transportation facilities reflects the overall
status of a country.
We use different materials and services in Transportation
our daily life. Some of these are available
in our immediate surroundings, while other
requirements are met by bringing things from other places. Goods and services do
not move from supply locales to demand locales on their own. They need means
of transportation and human resources to drive them. Likewise, various types
of raw materials are necessary to carry out any development work. Means of
transportation fulfil such demands. The pace of development of a country depends
upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over space.
Therefore, efficient means of transportation are the infrastructure of development,
and transportation is also known as the backbone of development.
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Raw materials necessary for running any industries are supplied by means of
transportation. Likewise, the manufactured goods can reach different corners of
the country with the help of different vehicles. Due to difficult land topography
of our country, the development of transportation is difficult. Poor transportation
facilities have affected the overall socio-economic progress of Nepal. It is evident
that a good network of the road is essential for local and global trade and business.
The means of transportation are the basic infrastructure of development through
which we can lower the regional imbalance, give mobility to economic activities
and ease service delivery and the development of other sectors.
The waterway is the cheapest mode of transportation among all modes. It is
not necessary to develop any physical infrastructure for waterways, and a large
number of passengers can travel in huge ships and cruises at a time. However,
Nepal doesn't have a direct link with seas and most of the rivers in our country flow
in steep land with high current. Therefore, rivers in Nepal are more suitable for
adventurous activities such as rafting, boating, etc, than regular transportation.
Several jet boats ply in the Saptakoshi River.
Among the various modes of transportation in Nepal, the roadway is the cheapest
and the most suitable one. Air service is expensive in Nepal, and they focus on
densely populated areas than rural areas. Expansion of the road network is more
expensive and more difficult in the hilly and mountainous regions. Ropeways and
railways are limited to certain regions of Nepal only. Tribhuwan Highway is the
oldest highway in Nepal. It was constructed in 2013 BS with the assistance of
India.
The current Fifteenth Plan (2976/77-2080/81) has made the following strategies for
the development of transportation in Nepal.
Airways
(1) To encourage partnership and collaboration
between the government and the private
sector in the construction, development
and management of air infrastructure.
(2) To make the air service more secure, quality Airport
and reliable by adopting international
standards related to security provisions
and making the highest use of the latest
technology.
(3) To strengthen regulatory bodies for
aviation services and aviation regulation.
(4) To make the air service universally accessible by making the service providing
bodies competent, competitive and effective.
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(5) To increase the access of Nepali Airlines to the international market by
aviation agreement and expansion of air routes and market promotion.
Roadways
(1) To develop a road network based on the
master plan with modern structures
including high capacity expressways,
underground routes, via-ducts so as to
maintain the regional balance.
(2) To give high priority to the development
of institutional capacity and making
maximum use of modern technology.
(3) To reduce dependence on traditional Roadways
government resources and mobilise
alternative sources of investment.
(4) To focus on the use of modern technology for road design, construction,
maintenance and safety.
(5) To minimise the possible impact or loss due to natural calamities and climate
adversity.
Railways Railways
(1) To identify, develop and expand national
needs by studying the feasibility of
railways.
(2) To increase the institutional capacity of
the railway department.
(3) To promote reliable alternative sources
of investment in the development
and operation of railway transport
infrastructure.
Waterways Waterways
(1) To develop and expand water transport for Unit Two: Development and
domestic service and sea access. Infrastructures of Development
(2) To attract private and other sector
investment for water transport service
development.
(3) To develop and enhance the institutional,
managerial and technical capacity in water
transport development and operation.
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Major Highways in Nepal
Highway Name of the Highways Length Places connected
Code No. (in KM)
H01 Jhapa to Kanchanpur
H02 East-West Highway 1027.67 Kathmandu to Parsa
H03 Kathmandu to Kodari
H04 Tribhuwan Highway 159.66 Dhading to Kaskil
H05 Mugling to Narayanghadh
H06 Araniko Highway 112.83 Mahottari to Kavre
H07 Kechana to Taplejung
H09 Prithivi Highway 173.43 Saptari to Khotang
H10 Rupandehi to Kaski
H13 Madan Ashrit Highway 36.16 Surkhet to Jumla
H14 Kailali to Darchula
H15 B.P. Highway 158 Dadeldhura to Doti
Mechi Highway 391.06
Sagarmatha Highway 178.97
Sidhartha Highway 146.94
Karnali Highway 233
Mahakali Highway 415.15
Seti Highway 65.96
Drinking Water
Drinking water is the most important basic need of all living beings. The Constitution
of Nepal has provided the right to drinking water as a fundamental right. One
cannot live without drinking water. Safe and pure drinking water ensures one's
health. Not only human beings but other living organisms also need water for
survival. Human beings can live without food for more than three weeks, but they
cannot live for more than a week without water.
At present, more than one-third of the people in Nepal are deprived of safe drinking
water. Due to increasing urbanisation, industrialisation and increasing population
pressure, the demand for drinking water has increased, and people are forced to go
far in search of drinking water sources. Due to the geographical distance of drinking
water sources from the residential area, there is a problem of increasing the cost of
the project. This can be improved by raising the standard of construction materials,
production of skilled human resource, the establishment of the processing system,
development of information management system. Also, the purity and distribution
system of drinking water can be improved by using modern technology.
Water availability has declined due to the depletion of water resources due to
various natural and human-made factors. Drinking water service has not been made
safe, reliable and sustainable as expected. With the expansion and development of
human settlements, rivers, reservoirs and the environment are getting polluted
due to a lack of proper management of waste generated by human activities.
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Consumers should be made aware of leakage of drinking water, conservation
of resources and proper use of water. Drinking water projects should be made
participatory from construction to operation. The state has given priority to the
health of the people and has taken drinking water as an important infrastructure
for development.
Even in the hilly areas, a systematic system of proper distribution of water from
the source has not come into operation. No attention has been paid to provide
treated and pure water from the source. Groundwater is widely used in the Terai
region. Since toxic substances like arsenic are also found in groundwater and have
negative impacts on public health, the distribution of pure water seems necessary.
In Nepal, rainwater is heavily available during the rainy season. The shortage of
water during the dry season can be alleviated by storing the rainwater on the roof
or roof by placing it in an underground tank. Such a process of collection of water
is known as rainwater harvesting.
The problems of drinking water can be solved with the following measures in
Nepal.
(1) We should conserve and clean the sources of water.
(2) Training should be provided to local people on proper utilisation and
management of water resources regularly.
(3) We need to carry out the plantation programme time and again.
(4) We should collect and utilise rainwater during the rainy season.
(5) We have to create awareness among local people about the conservation of
sources of water.
(6) We should appeal to the private and government agencies to manage safe and
clean drinking water
(7) We need to maintain pipelines and clean reservoirs of drinking water from
time to time and install a standard purification and filtering system
(8) People should be taught about various ways of purifying water such as boiling,
filtration, use of chlorine and so on.
Problems in the Development of Infrastructures in Nepal
(1) Lack of capital or poverty;
(2) Lack of technically skilled human resource;
(3) Difficulties in infrastructure development and operation due to lack of
equipment;
(4) Lack of proper plans, policies and projects of the government to utilise available
means and resources;
(5) The frequent occurrence of natural calamities, such as floods, landslides,
earthquakes, etc.
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(6) Widespread corruption and wastage of foreign aid;
(7) Excessive dependency and inability to build capital within one's own country;
(8) Continuity of deterioration and destruction of infrastructures built due to
weak and challenging ground;
(9) Unequal representation of people in mainstream development and politics;
and
(10) Lack of commitment, vision and nationalistic feeling of political leaders and
civil servants.
GLOSSARY
infotainment : the combined form of 'information' and ' entertainment'.
stigma : a set of malicious and often unfair beliefs that a society or
group of people have about something
isolation : the state of being in a place or situation that is separate
from others
evident : clear to the sight or mind, obvious
ply : to go along the same route regularly
strategies : careful plans or methods for achieving a particular goal
usually over a long period of time
aviation : the business or practice of flying aeroplanes, helicopters,
etc.
via-duct : a long, high bridge that carries a road or railroad over
something
toxic : containing poisonous substances, poisonous
a poisonous chemical that is used especially to kill insects
arsenic : and weeds
ACTIVITIES
(1) What problems do we need to face in the absence of transportation facilities?
Discuss among your friends and write.
(2) How would our life be without means of communication? Discuss among
your friends and draw a conclusion.
(3) Prepare a poster to raise awareness on the importance of safe and clean
drinking water.
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EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by communication?
(b) Give any four examples of means of communication.
(c) Why is transportation known as the backbone of development? Write in a
sentence.
(d) The waterway is the cheapest mode of transportation. Why?
(e) Write the importance of drinking water in a sentence.
(2) Offer short answers to the following questions.
(a) Why is communication regarded as a vital infrastructure of development?
(b) Transport is an important infrastructure of development. Justify this
statement.
(c) Why is road transport considered to be the best transport system in Nepal?
Give suitable reasons.
(d) Road construction is slow, difficult and costly work. Why? Give appropriate
reasons.
(e) State any five plans proposed by the current fifteenth plan of Nepal for the
development of transportation in our country.
(f) Why is safe drinking water essential? Explain in a paragraph.
(g) How is the present situation of drinking water in Nepal? Discuss.
(h) Write any four measures to solve the problems of drinking water in Nepal.
(i) What are the problems in the development of infrastructures in Nepal?
Mention any four of them.
COMMUNITY WORK
(1) What changes have means of communication and means of transportation
brought in your community? Make a list of at least any four changes. You
can include both positive and negative changes or impacts.
(2) Visit one of the sources of drinking water in your community and write a
short report including its utility and ways to preserve it.
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Lesson Traditional Knowledge, Skill
and Technology, and their
2.5
Creative Use
People have been using their knowledge Local technologies
and skills to develop and use different
sorts of technology since ancient times.
Our ancestors developed such technologies
according to the necessities of time using
locally available means and resources as per
their need. They have made their life easier
and more convenient. They are called local or
indigenous technologies. They are simple in
construction and don’t need fuel. Moreover,
they are cheap, durable and eco-friendly.
Some Local Technologies and Their Uses
Local technologies Uses
Aaran manufacturing and sharpening metal tools and weapons
Dhiki crushing cereals
Dhiki Pump pumping water
Halo ploughing field
Janto grinding cereals
Kol producing oil from seeds
Pani Ghatta grinding food grains
Pottery making earthen pots
Theki and Madaani extracting butter from curd
Tuin crossing rivers
Some people prepare Gundruk by compressing in the bamboo vessels in some parts
of our country, and some people prepare it by keeping in the earthen vessels or
covering it with soil. Such traditional practices reflect diversity in our traditional
skill. Making Guitha (baked dung) from dung of animals is another traditional
practice prevalent in the Terai region of our country.
With the transition of time, some of these technologies have been modernised.
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For example, mixer or grinder have replaced Silauto and Lohoro, plough has been
modified into tractor, electric turbines have replaced Pani Ghatta, Dhiki Pump has
been modified into the electric motor, improved ovens have replaced traditional
ovens, and so on.
The Importance of the Use of Traditional Knowledge, Skills
and Technology
(1) They help to maintain our traditional identity.
(2) They are based on locally available means and resources. Therefore, they are
cheaper.
(3) They are environment friendly and durable.
(4) They support the protection and promotion of traditional knowledge, skills
and technology.
(5) They make us proud of the heritage of our ancestors.
(6) They help to save our labour and energy.
(7) They help to attract tourists and earn foreign currency.
Measures to Preserve Traditional Knowledge, Skills and
Technology
Traditional and local technologies and skills are our identities. They are precious
gifts of our ancestors. We must recognise, preserve and promote them.
(1) We should be familiar with such traditional skills and technologies and realise
their benefits.
(2) We have to try to modify them with the application of modern technology
without damaging their originality.
(3) The government needs to prepare some effective plans and policies in the
preservation and promotion of such traditional skills and technologies.
(4) Young generation should be taught about the benefits, uniqueness and glory of
such traditional technologies and skills.
(5) The government and concerned authorities have to support the people who are
involved in their exploration, promotion and preservation.
GLOSSARY
convenient : allowing us to do something easily or without trouble
produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region
indigenous : or environment
a change from one state or condition to another
transition :
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ACTIVITIY
(1) Discuss among your friends and find out the configuration and working
principle of any two local technologies given in the lesson.
EXERCISE
(1) Identity the following indigenous technologies of our country and write their
uses in short.
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(2) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by local or indigenous technologies?
(b) How do people prepare Gundruk?
(c) Mention the use of Silauto and Lohoro.
(3) Write short answers to these questions.
(a) Name any four local technologies of Nepal and write their uses.
(b) Mention any four importance of local technology.
(c) Write any four measures to preserve traditional knowledge, skills and
technology.
(d) Write the working principle of Jaanto and Pani Ghatta.
COMMUNITY WORK
What local technologies do people use in your community? Draw pictures of
any two of them and give a brief introduction to each of them.
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UNIT OUR TRADITIONS, SOCIAL
3 VALUES AND NORMS
Learning On the completion of this unit, we will be able to:
achievements • introduce our traditional arts;
• discuss religious tolerance and secularism, and perform accordingly;
• recognise our national luminaries; and
• express the concept of empathy, cooperation and peace culture, and
behave accordingly.
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Lesson
3.1 Our Traditional Art
Introduction
Art is the use of painting, drawing, or sculpture to represent things or express
ideas. Artists create art to express their creative ideas and imagination. It is a
part of the culture. Nepal is a land of veritable treasures. There are several pieces
of evidence that suggest that Nepalese art and architecture flourished in Nepal
since olden times. Many scholars believe that the definitive history of Nepalese art
began from or far before the Lichchhavi rule.
Nepalese artistic traditions are ancient and deeply rooted in religion. They are
based on religious beliefs, gods, and goddesses. The character of Nepalese art is
best described as simple, original, religious, and special. It has always been guided
more by spiritual elements rather than realistic ones. Nepalese artists have been
designing the images of gods and goddesses using their outstanding skill on clay,
wood, stone, wall, metal, cloths, paper, etc, according to their description on various
religious scriptures such as the Vedas, Purans, Buddhist, and other scriptures.
Particularly Nepalese art has been found to be divided into three categories:
painting, sculpture, and architecture. In this lesson, we are going to discuss
painting in brief.
Painting (Chitrakala)
The art or skill of making a picture using paints Painting (Chitrakala)
is called painting. It is an important skill or
art because it is often said that a picture is
worth a thousand words. It is often easier to
show something in a picture than to describe it
with words. Nepal has a long history of artistic
creativity, and painting is one of the major
mediums used for expressing it. Painting as
an art form has flourished in Nepal from very
early times, as it is evident from the remains
that have been discovered in the books, walls,
paper, leaves, and cloths.
Although we can still find many excellent statues built during the Lichchhavi
period, painting samples made during that time are not available at present. It
is because paintings drawn on soft or weak surface such as paper, books, leaves,
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walls, etc, are less durable than sculpture. As a result, paintings drawn during that
time might have got destroyed. However, by observing the outstanding sculptures
of that time, we can assume that painting had equally developed during that time.
Nepalese art of painting is highly based on religion. They reflect our tradition,
customs, and culture. Supernatural activities hold an important place in Nepali
paintings. By observing our traditional paintings, we can conclude that artists
made those ancient paintings not to express their personal ideas but to achieve a
spiritual or religious objective.
The paintings of the ancient and medieval period can be studied in the following
three ways.
(1) Book Painting (Grantha Chitra)
The Buddha images drawn in ancient
Buddhist books that are as old as 900 years
are samples of ancient book paintings of Nepal.
In fact, book painting is the oldest painting
among the Nepalese paintings. There used to
be an act of writing and copying sacred texts
in the Buddhist monasteries during ancient
times, according to different sources of history.
‘Ashtasahaasrika Pragyaparamita’ and Grantha Chitra
‘Pancharakshya’ are among the most copied
scripts. In comparison with the Buddhist
paintings, very few paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses have been found. No
picture books prior to the medieval period have been found yet. Tadpatra (Palm
leaves) were used to print picture books during that time. They measured 12 inches
to 18 inches long and 3 inches to 4 inches broad. Letters used to be written on both
of the leaves. Various designs and pictures were made or drawn at the centre or
side of the leaves.
Book paintings are divided into two groups:
(a) Cover Painting (Gata Chitra):
Cover paintings are the paintings drawn on the inner, outer or on both sides
of the wooden cover, which are kept on the book's front and back to cover it
safely.
(b) Character Painting (Patra Chitra):
The paintings on the right or left of the main text or the paintings drawn as
per the story keeping the main text on the right or left are character paintings.
The 10th-century book painting called ‘Astasahasrika Pragyaparamita’ is
considered the oldest among Nepalese book paintings. It was made in 1028 BS.
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Niswastantra (made in the 11th century) Pancharakshya (made in the 13th century),
Bishnudharmashastra (made in the 12th century), Haribamsha, Hitopadesh, etc. are
some notable picture books made in the medieval period. Pancharakshya consists
of magnificent paintings of Goddesses on the cover page. The Goddesses are seen
destroying the devil, Mahishasur, in the painting. It is in the Bhaktapur Painting
Museum. It is also written on the Tadpatra. Likewise, Haribamsha's cover shows
the tale from Krishna's birth to Krishna's killing of Kansha.
(2) Scroll Painting (Paubha Chitra)
Scroll paintings are drawn on cotton or
silk cloths. In Nepalese painting, the paintings
made on clothes have a distinct position.
Scroll painting is commonly known as Paubha
Chitra or Pata Chitra in the Kathmandu
Valley and Thanka in the northern regions of
Nepal. Paubha Chitra is a traditional religious
painting made by the Newar people of Nepal.
They depict deities, mandalas or monuments.
Thangka or Thanka is considered to be its
Tibetan equivalent.
The size of the scroll painting is larger than the Scroll Painting (Paubha Chitra)
book painting. The principal deity is created at
the centre of the paubha, and subsidiary deities are around the central figure. In
the nineteenth century paubha, Shakyamuni Buddha, the Buddha is at the centre,
and other images of the Buddha in various postures and gestures and devotees are
around the central figure. Attractive designs, flowers, and vines are heavily used
in such paintings. Besides the pictures of Gods and deities, there are also pictures
of rivers, rivulets, mountains, peaks, clouds, plants, and other natural sceneries.
Historically, most of the paubhas used to feature Hindu and Buddhist deities.
However, they can also feature Bhrikuti, Manjushree, Buddha, or any deities.
The Thangka depicts the life story of Gautam Buddha—from his birth to
Mahaparinirvana by summarising the life cycle of the Buddha in twelve deeds
as is noted in historical texts. Various kinds of mandalas are found in most of
the paubha paintings. Mandala is a well-ordered geometric structure, which is
used as visual support for concentration or meditation. Patachitra is another form
of traditional Nepali painting that narrates the stories from religious texts and
mythologies.
Mahayani Buddhist communities of Nepal have a tradition of getting pauba chitra
made while conducting any religious ceremonies. There's a tradition of performing
‘Bhim Rathaarohan’ in the Newar culture of Kathmandu Valley when someone
reaches 77 years, 7 months, 7 days, 7 hours, 7 minutes and 7 seconds. People make
scroll paintings on that occasion which contains the portrait of family members
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performing Bhim Rathaarohan below the pictures of deities. On such paintings,
the couple of the person who has reached the age are in different seats of a carriage,
and the carriage is pulled by male family members in a queue and the females in
another queue.
Similarly, when somebody passes away in the Buddhist community, a scroll
painting is prepared to wish the departed soul to achieve eternal peace. The
name, date of birth, and date of demise are mentioned in such paintings. There
is also a tradition of doing a religious function and giving some paintings to the
priest. There is a custom of exhibiting various pictures and paintings in different
Bahaals (Buddhist Vihars) of the Kathmandu Valley once in a year from the day of
Gaijatra to Krishnaastami. There is a collection of many Paubha Chitra and other
traditional paintings in the museums of Nepal and some foreign countries. Many
accomplished artists are engaged in scroll painting in the present context of Nepal.
(3) Wall Painting (Bhitte Chitra)
Wall paintings are the paintings made on
walls of homes, buildings, temples, monasteries,
etc. People from different cultures in Nepal draw
pictures or images of various gods, goddesses,
and animals on walls or hang such paintings on
walls to ward off demons and evil omens.
The paintings made on the wall of Taleju
Bhawani temple of Bhaktapur in about the
15th century are considered to be the oldest Wall painting (Bhitte Chitra)
among the wall paintings available in Nepal.
The tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata,
Krishna's birth and his love affairs have been inscribed in the Fifty-five Windowed
Palace of Bhaktapur in attractive paintings. The palace also has paintings of
the armed soldiers ready for battle. Kumari House built by Jaya Prakash Malla
contains paintings of gods and goddesses such as Rato Machchhindranath, Seto
Machchhindranath, Pachali Bhairab, Bhimsen, Bajrayogini, Ganesh etc. Malla
Period painting samples can also be seen at Kirtipur's Baghbhairab temple and at
Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu.
According to the wall painting rule, what and where to draw paintings on the
walls of temples or Bahaals is fixed. The Kumbakarna and Raavan paintings are
usually drawn on the outer wall of temples and Bahaals. Likewise, the paintings of
Yakshya, Buddha, Bodhisatwa, etc, are drawn above the windows of the temples of
Bahaals. Similarly, Bodhibriksha 's image is drawn at the main place of worship.
On the inner side of the door, a picture of a king riding an elephant is made.
Ancient wall paintings couldn't be protected due to various reasons. Frequent
renovation and repairs on temples, monasteries, and palaces resulted in the loss of
original paintings on them.
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(4) Mithila Painting
Mithila painting is a traditionally designed
painting created by the women of various
communities in the Mithila region of Nepal.
It is also known as Madhubani art because it
is believed to have started from Madhuwani
(Bihar state) of India. It is one of the most
refined forms of art. The paintings have a
common theme and are usually drawn from Mithila painting
religious motifs of the Hindus. The paintings
are also made depicting auspicious occasions
like birth, marriage and festivals. Some of the common features of these paintings
include straight double line borders, bright colour, decorative flowery patterns and
exaggerated facial features. There is also a tradition of painting on walls in the
Tharu community.
Importance of Our Traditional Art and Ways to
Preserve It
Traditional Nepalese art and culture introduce our country to the rest of the
world. They are a tremendous source of pride for Nepali citizens. They represent
the ancient lifestyle, tradition, culture, and civilisation. Similarly, they depict the
skills, artistry and achievements of our ancestors. They are significant in voicing
the realities of the then society. In this way, they are the reflection of the overall
lifestyle, situation and environment of contemporary society. Therefore, we should
learn to recognise, value and appreciate our traditional arts across culture and
times.
In order to preserve our glorious traditional art, the following steps can be carried
out from the individual and government side.
(1) The individuals should learn the artistic and economic value of such art and
assist the government in their promotion and preservation.
(2) The government should organise awareness campaigns periodically to make
the citizens aware of the significance of such traditional art.
(3) The common people should organise various exhibitions, workshops, seminars
and other programmes regularly to support artists and their valuable works.
(4) The government should conduct regular renovation of sites where such works
are present without destroying their original feature.
(5) The government should conduct various programmes to facilitate and award
renowned artists so that other people would be motivated in the promotion
and protection of such valuable art.
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GLOSSARY : a piece of art that is made by carving or moulding clay,
stone, metal, etc.
sculpture
: true or real
veritable : the sacred writings of a religion
scripture : gods or goddesses
deities : not as important as something else
subsidiary : single or repeated designs or patterns
motifs : very large or great
tremendous : the act or process of repairing and painting an old building,
renovation
piece of furniture, etc. so that it is in good condition again
ACTIVITIES
(1) Have you ever seen a wall painting? If yes, what was it about? What objects
were painted? Share your memory with your friends.
(2) Have you ever seen a Pauva Chitra (Thanka)? Where was it? Why was it kept
there? What materials were used to make that type of picture? Find answers
to these questions and share your findings with your friends.
EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What is painting?
(b) Why can’t we find many samples of our ancient paintings at present?
(c) What are the different types of Nepali paintings?
(d) Which painting is considered to be the oldest of its kind in Nepal?
(e) Define Paubha Chitra in your own words.
(f) How is Mandala different from Patachitra? Explain in a sentence.
(g) Which is the oldest accessible wall painting in Nepal?
(h) Define Mithila painting.
(i) Write any two common features of Mithila paintings.
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(j) Identify the types of the following paintings.
(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) Into how many types can we divide the traditional paintings in Nepal? Give
a short introduction to each of them.
(b) Write any two similarities and differences between book painting and wall
painting.
(c) Why should we promote and preserve our traditional paintings? Write their
significance in four points.
(d) What needs to be done to flourish and preserve Nepali paintings? Present
your opinion on four points.
(e) "Nepali art and culture have been greatly influenced by religion." Justify the
statement.
COMMUNITY WORK
Visit places of historical and religious importance such as museums, temples
or monasteries in our locality and find out some models of available traditional
paintings there. With the help of concerned authorities, try to find out as
much as information about the paintings including when was the painting
made, for what purpose was it made, who made it and what it represents.
Share your findings with your friends.
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Lesson
3.2 Nepali Sculpture (Murtikala)
The work of art of making a solid figure or object by carving or shaping wood, stone,
clay, metal, etc. is called sculpture. Such artistic works represent a person, thing,
idea, etc. Nepali sculpture is also linked to religious traditions and practices in
Nepal, as in the art of painting. However, Nepali sculpture is younger than the art
of painting.
The origin of Nepali sculpture dates back to the Kirant period. However, date,
Tithi and scripts weren't mentioned on the statues of that time. Therefore, there
aren't enough pieces of evidence to validate them. It is difficult to find a sculpture
with reliable proof. Some scholars believe that the sculpture of Birupakshya of
Pashupati Aryaghat is the oldest sculpture in Nepal. They consider that it belongs
to the Kirant period.
We can find various authentic sculpture made in the Lichchhavi period. Nepali
sculpture developed much during the period. History testifies that the influence of
sculpture in the Lichchhavi period had spread as far as China and Tibet.
Trivikram or Bishnubikrant found in Lazimpat and Pashupati Tilganga, Lord
Bishnu of Budhanikantha lying down in the water, Garudh Narayan of Changu,
Chaitya of Dhokabahal, etc. are the wonderful examples of stone sculpture of the
Lichchhavi period. Likewise, statues of Palanchowk Bhagwati in Kavrepalanchowk,
Baraha Avatar of Dhumbarahi, Mahishashurmardrini of Pharping, Vishwobirat
in Changunarayan, Kaliyadaman inside Humandhoka, etc. are recognised as the
attractive sculpture of the Lichchhavi period.Sculpture flourished significantly,
even during the Malla period. During this period, statues were made of metal and
wood apart from stone.
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GLOSSARY : to make valid
: real or genuine
validate
authentic
ACTIVITY
(1) What can be done to commercialise sculpture in Nepal? Discuss with your
friends and present the conclusion in the classroom.
EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by sculpture?
(b) Which sculpture is believed to be the oldest one in Nepal?
(c) Why do foreign tourists observe Nepali sculpture with too much curiosity?
(d) What can we do to preserve our ancient sculpture? Mention a useful way.
(2) Answer these questions in brief.
(a) Write a brief history of sculpture in Nepal.
(b) 'Nepali sculpture flourished too much during the Malla period in Nepal.'
Justify this statement with abundant evidence.
(c) Why are most of the sculptures in Nepal related to religion that artistic
creation? Give reasons.
(d) What should be done to promote Nepali sculpture from the artistic and
religious point of view? Mention any four ways.
COMMUNITY WORK
Visit one of the religious places in your community. Interact with the concerned
people and local people to gather information about the following issues to
present details in the classroom.
(a) Name of the sculpture and designer (b) Date of construction
(c) Religious significance (d) Located area of the sculpture
(e) Present condition
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Lesson
3.3 Nepal Architecture (Vastukala)
Architecture is the art and practice of planning, designing, and constructing
buildings. The word ‘architecture’ is derived from the Latin word ‘tekton’, which
means builder. In the Nepali language, "Vastu" means a dwelling place, and "Kala"
means art. Thus, Vastukala means the art of creating buildings, and the study of
architecture covers the art of building temples, stupas, palaces, monasteries, forts,
inns, memorials, and other buildings.
The ancient architecture of Nepal is renowned for its speciality, magnificence, and
originality. It is found to be outstanding even from the technical and cultural point
of view. Periods of the Lichchhhavi and Malla dynasties in Nepal 's history are
known as golden periods in the development of original architecture. During that
time, Nepali architecture had a profound influence even in foreign nations.
Ancient temples, chaityas, stupas and other buildings are built from perishable
materials such as clay, bricks, wood, etc. They do not last as long as statues made
of stone, iron, etc. Therefore, historical statues are available more in number in
comparison to ancient temples, stupas or chaityas. We have no concrete evidence
of architecture built during the Lichchhavi period now. However, by studying the
old Lichchhavi era sculptures, we can conclude that certain architectural buildings
were there in order to protect them. For example, no remains of Mangriha built by
King Mandev, Kailashkut Bhawan built by King Amshuverma, and Bhadradhiwas
built by Narendra Dev exist till now.
The medieval (Malla) era deserves special notice from the point of view of
architectural development. Various buildings or temples built at that period still
remain for architectural observation and gratification and stand as a true cultural
treasure of Nepal. King Bhupatindra Malla built Nyatapole, the five-story of the
temple of Bhaktapur in 1702 AD during the medieval period to keep the goddess of
Siddhi Laxmi inside it.
Traditional architecture of Nepal can be studied under the following three major
categories.
(1) Pagoda Style
The temples in pagoda style are those with multiple storeys and several layered
roofs. They are also called multiple roofed temples or tiered temples. Originally made
of gold, bronze or brass, their roofs become narrower from the lower to the higher,
and the top is usually a gold Gajur (pinnacle). This style of architecture emerged in
Burma (Myanmar). They usually have a large square base usually raised with some
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carved steps. They also typically have designed Changu Narayan (Pagoda)
wooden support for the roof called ‘Tudal’
attached to the wall. They are further decorated
by torans in arches. Mangriha, Kailashkut
Bhwan, and Bhadradhiwas Bhawan, etc, are
ancient models of Pagoda style. Similarly,
Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu),
Muktinath Temple (Mustang), Changunarayan
Temple (Bhaktapur), Nyatapole Temple
(Bhaktapur), Khumbheshwor Temple (Patan),
Rato Machhindranath Temple Lalitpur
(Karyabinayak), Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple
(Kavrepalanchowk), etc. are excellent examples
of temples in Pagoda style.
(2) Stupa or Chaitya Style Swoyambhunath (Stupa)
A stupa is a building with a dome (rounded
roof) which is a holy place for Buddhists. It also
refers to a monumental pile of earth or other
material, in memory of Buddha or a Buddhist
saint, and commemorating some event or
marking a sacred spot. It is also known as
Chaitya.
Buddhist followers bury any significant objects
related to their own religion and lift or build
a monument thereon. Such constructed
roofless semi-circular monument is a stupa.
It is believed that Indian Emperor Ashoka
introduced the stupa style of architecture in
Nepal. Swoyambhunath (Kathmandu),
Bouddhanath (Kathmandu), Charumati
Stupa (Kathmandu), etc. are the supreme
examples of stupa or chaitya style of
architecture.
(3) Shikhar Style Krishna Mandir (Shikhar)
The temples of Shikhar style are raised to
the sky and look like peak at a first look. They
are made of stones and do not have roofs. Such
types of temples were built in India during the
time of the Gupta dynasty. Temples of this
style are not found to have been built at the
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time of Lichchhavi kings, who were contemporary to the Guptas. But in the 17th
and 18th centuries, many temples of this kind were built. Brahma temple in the
premises of Pashupati, Mahabouddha temple of Patan, Pratapur and Annatapur
of Swayambhu, Krishna Mandir of Lalitpur, Shiva Mandir of Kathmandu, etc. are
remarkable examples of Shikhar style temples.
Other Styles Rani Mahal in Palpa
Besides the major styles of architecture given
above, temples and buildings of other styles are
also found in Nepal. The Janaki Temple, built
by Queen Brishavanu Kumari of Tikamgadh
of India, is an excellent example of mixed
architecture style. The temple has a unique
combination of Rajput and Mughal style. There
are some fine Gumbaj Style architectures,
especially in the Terai region. Some buildings
and palaces of Nepal, mostly built during
the Rana regime are also influenced by the
European style of architecture. Their examples
include Singha Durbar, Keshar Mahal, Rani
Mahal, Shree Mahal, Thapathali Durbar, etc.
Promotion and Preservation
Our traditional paintings, scripture and architecture reflect our art and culture.
They are our important national heritages. We should always promote and preserve
them. There are few people who are professionally involved in the creation of such
art. We should always recognise their contribution and respect them. Besides
them, many individuals and organisations are working in the field of preservation
of Nepali art and culture. Such institutions include Lalit Kala Campus, Nepal
Academy, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Nepal Tourism Board, etc. Lalit Kala
Campus is the first college for fine arts in Nepal, which was established in 1894
AD. The Nepal Academy is a national institution of Nepal for promotion of the
languages, art, literature, culture, philosophy and social sciences of Nepal. Nepal
Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is the umbrella organisation of Nepali artists, art
researchers and art critics that helps for the creation and exhibition of artworks and
study and research of various categories of arts. Nepal Tourism Board organises
art exhibitions from time to time to promote our traditional art. There is a need
to increase the efficiency and number of these existing organisations for better
promotion and preservation of our art and culture.
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GLOSSARY
inns : houses usually in the country where people can eat and
rent a room to sleep in
profound : having or showing great knowledge or understanding
likely to spoil or decay quickly
perishable : the state of feeling pleasure when something goes well
for you or when your desires are satisfied
gratification : curved parts of a structure that is over an opening and
that supports a wall or other weight above the opening
arches :
ACTIVITIES
(1) Draw a sample picture of each Pagoda style, Shikhar style, and Stupa style.
(2) If you get the responsibility of promoting and preserving heritage sites of
your locality, what work will you carry out? Discuss in the classroom.
EXERCISE
(1) Offer very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by architecture?
(b) Why do not ancient buildings last as much as statues of that time?
(c) Categorise the ancient Nepalese architectural styles.
(d) Write a slogan to promote and preserve our traditional architecture.
(e) Give examples of architecture built in the Mughal style and European style
in Nepal.
(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) Give a short introduction to the styles of Nepalese architecture with
examples.
(b) Offer a brief introduction to Nepal's Pagoda-style architecture.
(c) How is the Stupa style of architecture different from the Shikhar style? Write
any four differences between them.
(d) How can people of a community preserve and promote their art and culture?
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Suggest any four ways.
(e) What are different organisations in Nepal working in the field of Nepali art
and culture? Give a brief introduction to any four of them.
(f) In which style are the following temples or palaces built?
(i) Bouddhanath (Kathmandu)
(ii) Changunarayan temple (Bhaktapur)
(iii) Charumati Stupa (Kathmandu)
(iv) Krishna Mandir (Lalitpur)
(v) Machhendranath Temple (Lalitpur)
(vi) Mahabouddha Temple (Patan)
(vii) Mayadevi Temple (Rupandehi)
(viii) Muktinath Temple (Mustang)
(ix) Nyatapole Temple (Bhaktapur)
(x) Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu)
(xi) Rani Mahal (Palpa)
(xii) Singha Durbar (Kathmandu)
(xiii) Swoyambhunath (Kathmandu)
COMMUNITY WORK
Some old architecture can be present in your community too. Visit any of
these sites, find its construction style, and the materials used to build it.
Prepare a report based on your findings.
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Lesson Religious Tolerance and
Secularism
3.4
People follow and practise different religions in Nepal. In fact, Nepalese people
follow more than ten religions. They are Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam,
Kirant, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, Bahaism and some other ones. However, they treat
and respect all religions equally. They accept and respect other's religious beliefs
and participate in one another’s ritual and religious activities. No conflict has ever
taken place in the name of religion in Nepal. All religions in Nepal are equal in front
of the law. Therefore, we can conclude that there is religious tolerance in Nepal.
Religious tolerance is the recognition of all religious beliefs and fair behaviour
towards people, who hold different religious views. Lack of religious tolerance can
bring hostility, conflict, clash and social fragmentation.
The following pieces of evidence validate that religious tolerance has existed in
Nepal since ancient times.
(1) Kings of the Gopal and Kirant dynasty used to follow Shaivism, whereas
the Lichchhavi King Mandev’s family used to follow both Shaivism and
Vaishnavism.
(2) The Lichchhavi rulers were followers of Hinduism, but they never hated
Buddhism.
(3) The Lichchhavi King Mandev built Mangriha to mark respect to Buddhism
and also renovated the Chakra Mahavihar.
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(4) King Pratap Malla permitted Christian clergies to stay in Kathmandu.
(5) King Bhaskar Malla gave space to the Muslims for his service in his palace.
(6) King Prithvi Narayan Shah invited Muslim artisans in his palace for
manufacturing arms and ammunition and giving training to the army.
(7) Both the Hindus and the Buddhists worship Pashupatinath and
Swoyambhunath with equal reverence.
(8) The Hindus worship the daughter of Shakya, who follows Buddhism as
Goddess Kumari.
(9) Buddha is accepted by many Hindus as a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu as are
Ram and Krishna.
Nepal was declared a secular state on 4th Jestha BS 2063. Before it, Nepal was
known as the only Hindu kingdom in the world. Secularism is a belief that religion
should not play a role in government, education, or other public parts of society.
The government of Nepal does not interfere with the religious beliefs of people.
Although the majority of people of Nepal are Hindus, our country treats people
of all religions equally. It remains officially neutral in matters of religion, neither
supporting nor opposing any particular religious belief. It doesn’t give any special
preference to a particular religious group. Therefore, Nepal is a secular nation.
Secularism has contributed to developing more religious tolerance in Nepal.
Different religions have different sets of festivals. People of various religions worship
and pray in different places. However, all the religions in the world have the same
spirit. The main objective of every religion is to attain the welfare of humankind
and maintain peace and harmony among people. Some of the common essences
of the religions are: show good behaviour, serve for humanity, be optimistic and
thankful, be disciplined, maintain social harmony, and so on.
Constitutional Provision Regarding Secularism and the
right to Religious Freedom
According to Article 4 of Part 1 of the Constitution of Nepal, “Nepal is an independent,
indivisible, sovereign, secular, inclusive, democratic, socialism-oriented, federal
democratic republican state.” It also further explains that “secular” means religious,
cultural freedoms, including protection of religion, culture handed down from the
time immemorial.
Likewise, a provision of Right to Freedom of Religion as a fundamental right has
been made in Article 26 of Part 3 in the constitution of Nepal. It states that:
(1) Every person who has faith in religion shall have the freedom to profess,
practice and protect her or his religion according to her or his conviction.
(2) Every religious denomination shall have the right to operate and protect
its religious sites and religious Guthi (trusts). Provided that nothing shall
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be deemed to prevent the regulation, by making law, of the operation and
protection of religious sites and religious trusts and management of trust
properties and lands.
(3) No person shall, in the exercise of the right conferred by this article, do, or
cause to be done, any act which may be contrary to public health, decency and
morality or breach public peace, or convert another person from one religion to
another or any act or conduct that may jeopardise other's religion and such act
shall be punishable by law.
Therefore, every person must enjoy her or his religious freedom without disturbing
other's freedom. Every religious group should perform religious activities only
according to the law.
Benefits of Secularism
There are several positive aspects of secularism. They are as follow:
(1) All citizens can enjoy equal facilities and services from the state despite their
diverse religious background.
(2) The people develop a sense of cooperation and fraternity without the feeling of
biases and hatred.
(3) Without the pressure of any religious community, the state can work freely.
(4) It is possible to promote and preserve the customs, traditions, culture, and
heritage of all religious groups equally.
(5) It is possible to exercise a higher degree of social justice.
(6) It implies that no religion is superior or inferior to other religions.
An Example of Religious Tolerance in Nepal
There is a dense population of Newars at Bagbazar in Kathmandu. In the same place,
Muslims are also found residing since time immemorial. In recent time, people from Mechi
to Mahakali are also found living there permanently. Muslims in Newars' houses and Newars
and other people in a Muslim house is living as tenants. Those people are freely working in
different occupations. They also follow their religion and culture. Near Bagbazar, there is the
Hindu temple in the middle of Ranipokhari. To the east of Ranipokhari, there are two mosques
of Muslims. There are also different Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and Christian churches
around Bagbazar. The eastern side of Indrachowk is called Raki Tol, where Iraqi Muslims
have been living.
In Bagbazar, the houses of people belonging to different caste and religious groups are
attached to one another. People of different religions take part in each other's festivals
enthusiastically. There has never been any conflict. They respect each other's religions.
This is an example of religious tolerance in a multi-religious, multicultural and multi- ethnic
society.
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GLOSSARY : an unfriendly state, attitude, or action
: the act or process of breaking or making something break
hostility
fragmentation into small pieces or parts
: people (such as priests) who are the leaders of religion
clergy
and who perform religious services
artisans : persons who are skilled at making things by hand
immemorial : from a time so long ago that it cannot be remembered
profess : to say or declare (something) openly
conferred : given something to someone
breach : a failure to do what is required by law, an agreement, or
jeopardise a duty
tenant : to put (something or someone) in danger
: someone who rents or leases a house, apartment, etc.
from a landlord
ACTIVITIES
(1) Make a chart showing the advantages of secularism and then present it in
your classroom.
(2) Prepare a chart showing some examples of religious tolerance practised in
our country. Present it in your classroom.
EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by religious tolerance?
(b) Does religious tolerance exist in Nepal? How can you say so?
(c) When was Nepal declared a secular state?
(d) What is secularism?
(e) How can you say that Nepal is a secular state?
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(2) Write brief answers to the following questions.
(a) What are pieces of evidence that justify that religious tolerance exists in
Nepal since ancient times? Mention any four of them.
(b) Write a letter to one of your close friends describing the importance of
religious tolerance in Nepal.
(c) Mention the constitutional provision regarding secularism and the right to
religious freedom in Nepal.
(d) Mention any four common themes of all religions.
(e) What are the positive aspects of secularism? Mention any four of them.
(f) How does secularism help in the promotion of religious tolerance? Present
your logic in four points.
COMMUNITY WORK
What religions do people follow in your community? How is their relationship
with one another? Prepare a report and present it in your classroom.
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Lesson Contribution of Our National
Personalities and Luminaries
3.5
Those people who have contributed to the progress and welfare of their country
are national luminaries. They are experts in a special area or activity. They
are highly respected for their skill and knowledge of a particular subject. Those
great personages have made unique, significant and praiseworthy contributions
in various fields. They are our national heroes. They have raised the glory and
prestige of our country. They have helped in making Nepal a great nation. The
government of Nepal has declared them as the national luminaries for their great
deeds. Let’s learn about such national personalities and their contribution.
(1) King Janak
Rajarshi Janak was the king of Mithila (Present-
day Janakpur). He was a learnt king and a great
philosopher. He was a follower of Lord Brahma. There
used to be gathering and discussions of scholars and
intellectuals such as Ashtavakra, Sukdev, Maitreya,
Gargi, Yagyabalkya, etc, in his palace. In fact, King
Janak was the disciple of one of the most spiritually
enlightened masters of the world, Ashtavakra. He
developed Mithila as the centre of intellectual discourses.
Art, literature and civilisation flourished much during
his rule. His real name was Shirdhwoj. King Jank was King Janak
widely renowned as Videha too because he lived beyond
the body by remaining away from worldly pleasures. He used to give more priority
to the soul (Atma) than the body (Deha). He was called Rajarshi as he was both
a king (Raja) and a sage (Rishi) and a pride of his kingdom too. In this way, King
Janak popularised Janakpur as the educational, cultural and spiritual hub of the
entire civilisation of the Indian sub-continent.
(2) Sita
Sita was the daughter of King Janak. She was married
to Lord Rama, who was a prince of Ayodhya. Ramayana,
one of the greatest epics of the Hindus, recounts the story of
Lord Ram and Sita. She was also known as Janaki. She was
an ideal and faithful woman. She is an inspiring personage
for Nepalese women. She is often remembered for her Sita
several virtues such as courage, wisdom, tolerance, dignity,
and self-discipline. Hindus believe Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi.
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(3) Gautam Buddha
Gautam Buddha was born on the full moon day in
Baisakh in 563 BC in Lumbini, Nepal. He propounded
Buddhism. He also spread the message of peace, non-
violence and truth all over the world. His real name
was Siddhartha, and was the son of King Suddhodhan
and Queen Mayadevi of the Shakya dynasty. However,
he didn’t enjoy the worldly pleasure of marital life and
the palace. Therefore, he left his palace at the age of
29 years old in quest of salvation. After a lengthy and
difficult meditation, he attained Nirwan later in 483
BC. So, the 'full moon day of Baishakh' is celebrated Gautam Buddha
as the Buddha Jayanti throughout the country. The
teachings of Buddha can be summed up in four noble truths and the eight- fold
path or the middle path. The four noble truths are:
(a) The world is full of sorrow and miseries. Birth, old age, death, separation from
the beloved ones and contact with unpleasant ones are the causes of sufferings.
(b) The main cause of human suffering is desire (Trishna).
(c) One can get rid of the suffering through salvation (Nirvana) or by staying
away from desires (Trishna).
(d) One can achieve salvation by following the eight-fold path. They include the
right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right
effort, right concentration and right mindfulness.
He is also known as “The Light of Asia.” He is the apostle of peace in the world.
He died at Kushinagar, India, at the age of 80.
(4) Amshuverma
Amshuverma was a minister of Shivadev, a
Lichchhavi king. He was able to influence the king
with his work, ability and shrewdness. Later, the king
married his daughter to Amshuverma, and he became
king after Shivadev. He was a learned and clever king.
He was a social reformer who developed art and culture
in the country. He built a seven- storied palace named
Kailashkut Bhawan in a very artistic and praiseworthy
manner.
During his rule, foreign policies with Tibet, India, and Amshuverma
China were implemented successfully. People had
enjoyed religious liberalism and autonomous governance during his rule. In fact,
his non-aligned foreign policy has been the basis of our current diplomatic relations.
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Amshuverma married his daughter Bhrikuti (Chiju) to a Tibetan king Srong-
brtsan-sgam- po (Shrongchangampo), and his sister to an Indian king, Sur Sen, to
establish and maintain a good relationship with neighbouring countries. He wrote
a book named Sabda Bidya. It was a grammar book in the Sanskrit language.
Nepali art and architecture reached their height during his period. Nepal had
developed a lot during his period. As a result of such progress and development, he
happened to be the first ruler with the title ‘His Majesty’.
The practice of formal declaration of the crown prince began from his time.
Therefore, his ruling period is also known as the golden period in the history of
Nepal. He died around 678 BS.
(5) King Ram Shah King Ram Shah
Ram Shah was a king of Gorkha. He was famous
for justice delivery. He made his kingdom popular
as the centre of justice. During his time, there was a
common belief, "Nyay Napay Gorkha Janu". It means to
go to Gorkha if you didn't get justice. He brought other
reforms as well. He introduced the measurement system
of Mana, Pathi and Dharni. He fixed the standard rate
of interest. He also started scales like Dhak Taraju. He
also set up courts in different places to ensure justice
for the common people. He made many rules and
regulations. He systematised the irrigation system in
his kingdom. In this way, King Shah is famous as a
king of reform, measurement and justice.
(6) Prithvi Narayan Shah
PN Shah was born in Gorkha district on Poush 27, 1779 BS as the first son
to King Narabhupal Shah and queen Kausalyawati.
He ascended the throne of Gorkha after the death of
his father in 1799 BS at the age of 20. He began to
train soldiers and started the process of expanding the
territory of his kingdom immediately after becoming the
king. Nepal was divided into small kingdoms as Baise
and Chaubise Rajyas during his time. He unified small
kingdoms and made a single, independent, unified,
strong, and greater Nepal. He extended his territory up
to Tista in the east through his unification campaign. Prithvi Narayan Shah
He is truly known as the founder of modern Nepal.
If King Prithvi Narayan Shah had not led the unification campaign, it would not
have been possible to see Nepal in its current form. Far-sighted Shah also protected
Nepal from foreign invasion, especially from British invasion. We celebrate Prithvi
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Jayanti Day every year on Poush 27 to honour the founder of modern Nepal. If we
see a statue of PN Shah, we can see him raising his index finger. It signifies all
Nepali as one. It means that although people come from different backgrounds in
Nepal, they have a common identity as Nepali. He encourages us to live in unity,
peace and harmony.
(7) Araniko
Araniko is the Chinese name of a famous Nepali
architect and sculptor. His real name is Balabahu. He
was born in Patan of the Kathmandu Valley. A Chinese
Emperor named Kublai Khan invited some artists
of Nepal to make statues in his country. King Jaya
Bhimdev Malla was the king of Nepal at that time. He
sent a team of Balabahu and some 80 Nepalese artists
to China in 1260 AD. Balabahu was 27 years old then.
They built several pagoda style monasteries in Lhasa
and other parts of China. The emperor liked his work Araniko
very much. The Chinese people conferred him the title
of Minghoi after his death. Minghoi means great talent
in the Chinese language. He spread the fame of Nepali art, architecture and skill
all over Tibet and China. Several scriptures made by him are still available in
China. His contribution helped Nepal maintain a good relationship with China.
(8) Amar Singh Thapa
Amar Singh Thapa was a great warrior during
the Anglo-Nepal war from 1814 to 1816 AD. He fought
bravely against the British soldiers during the war.
He also played a significant role in the unification
campaign. He helped to extend the territory of Nepal
up to the Tista River in the east and Kangada in the
west. He joined Baise and Chaubise states into greater
Nepal.
Once, the British General Octerloney asked him to
join them. He promised to offer a high rank and better
payment. However, he didn’t fall into his temptation. Amar Singh Thapa
He always believed that only traitors deceive their
nation. He also regarded that nothing is superior to the motherland. He sacrificed
everything for the welfare and betterment of his nation. When Nepal decided to sign
the Treaty of Sugauli, he became extremely depressed and went to Gosainkunda
where he lived until his death. He is also known as ‘The Living Lion of Nepal.’
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(9) Bhimsen Thapa
Bhimsen Thapa is regarded as the first prime
minister of Nepal. He was the prime minister of
Nepal during the Anglo-Nepal war. He was a good
administrator and a courageous warrior. He was against
the East India Company. He wanted to chase them
from Asia. He made several plans to protect Nepal from
them. He served the motherland as Mukhtiyar for 31
years. He had constructed Sundhara and the Dharhara.
However, the massive earthquake of 12th Baisakh 2072 Bhimsen Thapa
BS destroyed the original Dharhara completely. The
construction of the new Dharhara has already been completed. He extended the
territory of Nepal as far as Sutlej in the west.
He modernised the Nepali Army by making arrangement for army barracks. He
also introduced the postal system and constructed several inns in our country.
Regarding his patriotism and bravery, King Rana Bahadur once said, “If I die,
it doesn’t matter. But if Bhimsen dies, the whole country will sink.” Likewise,
Chandra Shumser once stated that if Bhimsen Thapa wasn’t born, Nepal would
have been eliminated from the world map.”
(10) Balbhadra Kunwar
Balabhadra Kunwar was a great warrior of Nepal.
He played a significant role during the Anglo-Nepal
war. He was the in-charge of Khalanga (Nalapani)
during the war. He led the army to protect our country
from the British invasion.
Kunwar had some 600 people only including women
and children, during the war. On the other hand, East Balbhadra Kunwar
India Company had more than 3500 soldiers with
modern weapons like cannons, guns and bullets. There
was a fierce war between them. The East India Company couldn’t defeat Nepali
troops. The British generals were impressed with Kunwar’s bravery. He was just
twenty years old at that time. They tried to tempt him. However, he never accepted
their offer. Instead, he and his army were ready to die for their country. If he and
his army had not defended the country, we would have lost this country. The East
India Company erected a stone inscription in Nalapani to show respect for him.
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(11) Bhanubhakta Acharya
Bhanubhakta Acharya is the Aadikabi of Nepal. It Bhanubhakta Acharya
means he is the first most important or impressive poet
who wrote poems in the Nepali language. He has made
a great contribution to the field of Nepali literature. He
made it rich and prosperous. He got inspiration from a
grass cutter to be remembered for one’s deeds. Inspired
to be remembered for his deed, Bhanubhakta began
writing poems. During the period of Acharya, poets
used to compose poems in Sanskrit, Urdu and Hindi
languages only.
However, Acharya composed beautiful poems in the Nepali language and proved
that one could compose poems in the Nepali language, too. He translated the
Ramayana from Sanskrit into easy Nepali language. This helped in the promotion
of the Nepali language. Just like PN Shah unified modern Nepal politically, he
appealed to all Nepali people to be united through their common Nepali language.
He also wrote books such as Bhakta Mala, Badhu Sikshya, Prashnottar, and many
other ones. Therefore, he is the pioneer poet of Nepal.
(12) Motiram Bhatta
Motiram Bhatta is also known as Yuwakabi Motiram Bhatta
(Young poet) of the Nepali language. He introduced
Bhanubhakta Acharya and his works in Nepali
literature. He set up the printing press of Nepal;,
published Bhabubhakta’s Ramayana, and made it
available to common Nepali people. In addition, he has
composed a large number of Nepali poems and Gajals.
In fact, he introduced Gajals in Nepali literature. Thus,
he has made a significant contribution to the field of
Nepali literature.
Once Motiram attended a marriage ceremony in Kathmandu, where he heard
the poem of Bhanubhakta Acharya recited by some people. He liked the poem so
much that he was eager to discover the other poems of Bhanubhakta Acharya.
He searched all over the place and went to many people and collected the works
of Bhanubhakta Acharya. He published them and also wrote the biography of
Bhanubhakta Acharya. He lived for only 30 years, from 1866 to 1896 AD.
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(13) King Tribhuwan
King Tribhuwan played an important role to end
the 104-year long autocratic Rana Regime from Nepal.
As a member of the Praja Parishad, he put his life and
throne in danger and went to India to support the anti-
Rana movement. Nepal was declared a democratic
country on the 7th of Falgun, 2007 BS. He supported
Nepali people in this democratic movement.
(14) Shankhadhar Sakhwa King Tribhuwan
Shankhadhar Sakhwa founded Nepal Sambat.
The Government of Nepal recognised Nepal Sambat as
the national calendar in 2007 AD. Nepal Sambat was
the national calendar of Nepal in the Malla and early
Shah era. Bikram Sambat replaced it as the national
calendar.
Sakhwa was a merchant of the Kathmandu Valley who
used to live in Ilachhe tole. He was a generous and kind-
hearted person. He helped the poor and needy people of
the Kathmandu Valley by paying off their loans during
the period of Lichchhavi King Raghab Dev. The king was Shankhadhar Sakhwa
impressed with his work and started Nepal Sambat to
honour him. The government headed by the then Prime Minister Krishna Prasad
Bhattarai, on November 18, 1999, declared Sakhwa as the national luminary of
Nepal.
(15) Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa is the first Nepali woman
to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. She scaled it on
Baisakh 10, 2050 BS. She lost her life while descending
the mountain. She proved to the world that even Nepalese
women are brave and courageous. She has inspired all
Nepalese women to be fearless and bold like her. The
government has named 117 km long Trishuli (Nuwakot)
to Dhunche (Rasuwa) road as the Pasang Lhamu Highway
to respect her achievement. The Government of Nepal has Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
renamed the Jasamba Himal (7,315 m) in the Mahalangur
Range as the Pasang Lhamu Peak to honour her contribution.
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(16) Mahaguru Phalgunanda
Phalgunanda Lingden is Mahaguru of Limbu
community. Phalgunanda was born on November
10, 1885 AD, in Chukchinamba of Ibhang-5 of Ilam
district. He was the third son of Hansamati Limbu and
Jaganbaj Limbu. He is a noted saint and preacher of
the Kirant religion. He has brought several social and
cultural reforms in his community. He organised the
General Kirant Conference in 1988 BS and approved a
ten-point long code of conduct Satyadharma Muchulka. Mahaguru Phalgunanda
It was against the use of alcohol and animal sacrifice in
the Limbu community. He always promoted love and
non-violence. He worked to end evil practices in his community. He died on April 4,
1949 AD.
The government of Nepal declared Lingden as a national luminary in 2009 AD.
He is the 16th national luminary of Nepal. The Kirat people, especially in eastern
Nepal, celebrate 25th Kartik in the Nepali calendar every year as Phalugananda
Jayanti.
GLOSSARY : an important or famous person virtue
: suggested an idea, theory, etc. to a person or group of
personage
propounded people to consider apostle
: sharpness or cleverness
shrewdness : if a country is non-aligned, it does not support or depend
non-aligned
on any powerful country or group of countries
temptation : a strong urge or desire to have or do something
traitor : a person who is not loyal to her or his own country, friends
preacher : a person who speaks publicly about religious subjects
ACTIVITIES
(1) Find buildings, institutions, peaks and highways named after our national
luminaries, and present the finding in your classroom.
(2) Collect the photos or posters of our national luminaries and paste them on
a sheet of chart paper. Write any two major contributions of each of them
below their picture. Paste the chart paper on the wall of your classroom.
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EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Who are national luminaries? Define.
(b) Why should we respect our national luminaries?
(c) Why is Prithvi Narayan Shah also known as the founder of modern Nepal?
(d) What is Bhanubhakta Acharya’s contribution to the field of Nepali language
and literature? Explain in a sentence.
(e) Why is Pasang Lhamu Sherpa an important source of inspiration for all
women in Nepal?
(2) Offer short answers to the following questions.
(a) Prepare a list of all sixteen national luminaries of Nepal.
(b) Mention a significant contribution of the following luminaries.
(i) Gautam Buddha
(ii) Araniko
(iii) Amar Singh Thapa
(iv) King Tribhuwan
(c) Write any two-two reasons why King Janak and Sita are respected as national
luminaries in Nepal.
(d) How is the contribution of King Amshuverma different from the contribution
of King Ram Shah to Nepal?
(e) What moral lessons did you learn from the life of Bhimsen Thapa and
Balbhadra Kunwar? Mention any four of them.
(f) Write a letter to one of your friends, emphasising the contribution of Motiram
Bhatta and Shankhadhar Sakhwa.
(g) Write a dialogue between two friends discussing the contribution of
Mahaguru Falgunanda.
(h) Whose names do you wish to add to the list of national luminaries? Why?
Give suitable reasons.
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Lesson
3.6 Empathy and Cooperation
(Mohammad Ansari studies in grade nine in one of the local schools in Rupandehi
district. One day, he remained absent due to his sickness. The next day, he went
to his Social Studies teacher to learn about the missed lesson on the previous day.
Here is the conversation between Mohammad and his Social Studies teacher.)
Mohammad : Sir, I was absent yesterday due to my health issues. I missed the
lesson named ‘Empathy and Cooperation’. Could you please tell
me what empathy means?
Teacher : Sure, why not? Human beings are rational and sensitive
creatures. They always understand each other's feelings and
sentiments and help one another. The ability to understand
another person’s feelings, problems, experiences, emotions, etc,
as if they were own is called empathy. It is the power of entering
into another’s personality and imaginatively experiencing her
or his experiences. It also refers to the capacity to understand
how someone feels because you can imagine what it is like to
be them. It is actually understanding what the other person
is feeling because you’ve had a similar experience yourself, or
you’re able to put yourself in their shoes. Empathy is different
from sympathy.
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For example, when a doctor provides comfort to a sick patient
and his family, she is being sympathetic. But when the doctor
supports the family of a patient because she herself has a relative
who is suffering from the same illness, what she is feeling is best
described as empathy.
Empathy means the ability to recognise and understand another
person’s situations and feelings, but sympathy means feelings of
sorrow and pity for somebody else’s fortune. An empathetic person
can understand another person’s situation, but a sympathetic
person cannot understand another person’s situation. Empathy
arouses understanding and acceptance, but sympathy evokes
pity and sorrow.
Mohammad : Empathy seems to be such a good virtue. Then, why is it rare
these days in our society, sir?
Teacher : Yes, you are right. Empathy is declining sharply nowadays.
Various factors are responsible for this. They include the rise
in selfishness among young people, the growing prevalence of
personal technology and media use in everyday life, a shrinking
family size, hectic lifestyle, modernisation, urbanisation, and
stronger pressures on young people to succeed academically and
professionally.
People have become very busy due to rapid industrialisation
and urbanisation these days. The trend of concerning oneself
is increasing day by day. Due to their hectic lifestyle, people
do not get time to think about others. They are becoming
unsocial, materialistic, greedy and uncivilised. The tendency of
understanding other's feelings, views, grief, and difficulties is
declining day by day. Likewise, there is strong pressure on young
people to become successful professionally and academically.
In fact, many people judge others not on the basis of their
academic qualification and knowledge but based on her or his
earnings. Therefore, people are compelled to undervalue human
relationship and focus on personal benefit.
Mohammad : Could you please tell me something about cooperation also, sir?
Teacher : An individual cannot fulfil her or his desires, needs and wishes
through her or his personal efforts. She or he needs cooperation
from others. Cooperation is a situation in which people or
organisations work together to achieve a result that will benefit
all of them. It also means the act of working together with
someone towards a shared aim or doing what they ask you. It
is always better to cooperate with others and work together.
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Hellen Keller has rightly said, "Walking with friends in the dark
is better than walking along in the light."
Cooperation is of three types: voluntary, coerced (forced) and
unintentional. All parties agree to do something in voluntary
cooperation. It strengthens the relationship and is best from
the humanitarian point of them. Coerced cooperation is when
cooperation between individuals is forced. It can increase
hostility or enmity. On the other hand, unintentional cooperation
is a form of cooperation in which individuals do not necessarily
intend to cooperate but end up doing so because of their selfish
interest. It can develop fraud behaviour or dishonesty.
Mohammad : What are the benefits of sympathy and cooperation?
Teacher : Since human beings are social creatures, it is necessary to
maintain cordial relationships with all by understanding
their feelings and conditions. We expect something from other
members of society. The feeling of empathy and cooperation
prevents an individual from hurting others and making them
suffer. The feeling of empathy helps us to understand how others
are feeling, and we can respond appropriately to that situation.
If they are in distress, we can help them with the feeling of
cooperation.
If all people of our society have the feeling of sympathy and
cooperation, they can receive help from one another in need. Then,
they feel secured and safe in society. Similarly, such type of feeling
can prevent social relationships from misunderstanding, thus
reducing social conflicts. In this way, the feeling of sympathy and
cooperation enhances social unity and mutual trust. Ultimately,
it helps in the formation of a civilised society.
Nepali society is full of diversity. We need to strengthen the
racial, religious, ethnic, lingual, gender and regional cooperation
for the progress and prosperity of our country. It helps to
maintain national unity. There is peace in a society where people
practise empathy and cooperation. Peace is the primary need
and condition for a prosperous and meaningful life. Therefore, it
is necessary to develop the feeling of empathy and cooperation in
our society, country and the entire world.
Mohammad : What kinds of problems arise when there is a lack of sympathy
and cooperation in a society?
Teacher : That’s a good question. There cannot be mutual harmony and
social solidarity in the absence of sympathy and cooperation.
Instead, there will be a feeling of hatred, enmity and conflict,
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which can ultimately result in war and destruction. War and
devastation cause a great loss to human civilisation and human
development. If a person doesn't receive cooperation from others,
she or he feels isolated and insecure.
We have had enough experience of many insurgencies, civil wars,
revolts and two major world wars. People have already suffered
agony caused by them. One can live a pleasant, prosperous
and meaningful life only where there is love, cooperation and
goodwill. Therefore, empathy and cooperation are essential for
the progress and prosperity of humankind.
(Mohammad thanks the teacher. The bell also rings, and both of them go towards
the classroom.)
GLOSSARY : causes to happen
: becoming smaller in size or amount
evokes : very busy and filled with activity
shrinking : a person who works to make other people's lives better
hectic : a very difficult situation in which you do not have enough
humanitarian
distress money, food, etc.
: a feeling of unity between people who have the same
solidarity
interests, goals, etc.
isolated : separated from others
insurgencies : usually violent attempts to take control of a government
agony : extreme mental or physical pain
ACTIVITIES
(1) Prepare an article on the topic: “Empathy and cooperation form the base for
world peace."
(2) Maybe there are several disputes and quarrels in your community due to a
lack of empathy and cooperation. Share such events in your classroom.
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EXERCISE
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by empathy?
(b) How is empathy different from sympathy? Write in a sentence.
(c) How do you cooperate with your friends at school? Write in a sentence.
(2) Offer short answers to the following questions.
(a) Why is the feeling of empathy and cooperation gradually in people these
days?
(b) What do you mean by cooperation? Give a short introduction to its every
type.
(c) What are the advantages of sympathy and cooperation? Write any four of
them.
(d) What kinds of problems may arise when there is a lack of sympathy and
cooperation in our society? Mention any four of them
(e) What should we do to maintain sympathy and cooperation in our society?
Mention any four ways.
(f) “Empathy and cooperation are inevitable in a country like Nepal, which is
full of diversity." Justify this statement.
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