भगवत् गिता

 

हिन्दूहरूका साथै अन्य सबै धर्मका मानिसहरूले भगवद् गीताप्रति धेरै आदर गर्छन्। धर्मवालम्बी मात्र नभई अल्बर्ट आइन्स्टाइन, हेनरी डेभिड थोरो, अल्बर्ट स्विट्जर र अरू यस्ता वैज्ञानिकले पनि यसबाट ठूलो प्रेरणा लिएका छन्। यो एक प्रेरणाको पुस्तक भएतापनि हामी मध्ये कसैलाई आजकल यसलाई खोलेर यसमा के लेखिएको छ भनेर हेर्न चासो छैन। हामी गीतालाई टाढाबाट धार्मिक रूपमा हरेर आदार मात्र गर्छौ , पढ्ने फुर्शद कसैलाई छैन।

गीता अर्जुनका लागि मात्र थियो र आज यो मेरो लागि सान्दर्भिक छैन भन्ने सोचेर हामीमध्ये धेरैले गल्ती गरिरहेका हुन्छौँ। भन्छन्, ५००० वर्ष पहिले बोलेको, लेखिएको पढेर के पाईन्छ ? अहिले हामी आधुनिक २० औं शताब्दीमा बाँचिरहेका छौं, हामी प्राविधिक रूपमा त्यो समयका मानिसहरू भन्दा धेरै उन्नत छौं, समय परिवर्तन भएको छ हामी केहि नयाँ चाहन्छौं, त्यसैले हामीले विगतका युगहरूमा लेखिएका यस्ता पुस्तकबाट कुनै पाठ सिक्न सक्दैनौं भन्ने सोच्छौँ। यसलाई पढेर समय बर्बाद नगर्नु राम्रो, यो त बुढेसकालमा पो पढ्ने हो भन्ने सोच्छौँ।

तर हामी प्रविधिमा धेरै अगाडि बढिसके पनि जीवनका त्यही समस्याहरू भोगिरहेका छौं जुन त्यसबेलाका मानिसहरूले भोगेका थिए भन्ने कुरा बुझ्न सकेनौं। प्राविधिक रूपमा धेरै उन्नत भए पनि जन्म, वृद्धावस्था, रोग र मृत्युको समान समस्याहरू अझै छन्। कारण फरक हुन सक्छ तर चिन्ता, डिप्रेशन, तनावले मनलाई सताइरहेको हुन्छ। अझै पनि मन भित्रभित्रै भ्रम र विचारहरूको लडाइ छ।
गीता सबैलाई चाहिने व्यावहारिक मार्गदर्शन हो।अर्जुन यो सन्देश हस्तान्तरण गर्ने माध्यम मात्र थिए।


कुरुक्षेत्रको रणभूमिमा राजकुमार अर्जुन र भगवान कृष्णबीचको संवादको रूपमा रचिएको, यो दार्शनिक उत्कृष्ट कृतिले मानव अस्तित्व, कर्तव्य, नैतिकता र आध्यात्मिक ज्ञानको मार्गको सारलाई समाहित गर्दछ। यसका शिक्षाहरूले समयलाई पार गरिसकेका छन् र हाम्रो आधुनिक जीवनमा सान्दर्भिकतालाई निरन्तरता दिइरहेका छन् ।

१. कर्तव्य अंगाल्ने:

भगवद् गीताको केन्द्रीय शिक्षाहरू मध्ये एक 'धर्म', वा कर्तव्यको अवधारणाको वरिपरि घुम्छ। युद्धको मैदानमा नैतिक दुविधाको सामना गरिरहेका अर्जुनलाई कृष्णले योद्धाको रूपमा आफ्नो धार्मिक कर्तव्य पूरा गर्न सल्लाह दिन्छन्। यसले अहिले समाजमा हाम्रा व्यक्तिगत जिम्मेवारीहरू र भूमिकाहरूलाई बुझ्ने र अंगाल्ने महत्त्वलाई हाइलाइट गर्दछ। हामी विधार्थिलाई आफ्नो पढाईमा  दृद हुन सिकाउँछ ।

 

 

 

2. नतिजा होइन प्रक्रियामा रमाउने

भगवद् गीताले हाम्रो कर्मको फलबाट अलग रहनु पर्ने आवश्यकतालाई जोड दिन्छ। । यसले हाम्रो द्रुत-गति र परिणाममा आधारित संसारमा ठूलो सान्दर्भिकता राख्छ, हामीलाई अन्तिम नतिजाहरूमा रमाउनुको सट्टा प्रक्रियामा ध्यान केन्द्रित गर्न सम्झाउँछ।

3. आत्म-शङ्का र डरलाई जित्ने:

युद्धमा प्रवेश गर्नु अघि अर्जुनको प्रारम्भिक हिचकिचाहट र आत्म-शङ्काले हामीमध्ये धेरैले हाम्रो जीवनमा सामना गर्ने आन्तरिक द्वन्द्वहरू झल्काउँछ। भगवद् गीताले हाम्रो भित्री शक्तिमा ट्याप गरेर र हाम्रो वास्तविक प्रकृतिसँग जोडेर आत्म-शंका र डरमाथि विजय हासिल गर्न मार्गदर्शन प्रदान गर्दछ।

४। मूल्यमा आधारित शिक्षा:

मूल्यमान्यताले व्यक्ति र समाजलाई आकार दिन महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेल्छ। गीताले अनुशासन, लगनशीलता, निस्वार्थता र कर्तव्यप्रति समर्पण जस्ता मूल्यहरूलाई जोड दिन्छ। गीताबाट व्युत्पन्न मूल्यमा आधारित शिक्षालाई जोडेर, विद्यार्थीहरूमा यी गुणहरू विकास गर्न मद्दत गर्न सक्छ, जसले समाजमा सकारात्मक रूपमा योगदान गर्ने जिम्मेवार नागरिकहरू सिर्जना गर्दछ।

५। जीवन कौशल र निर्णय लिने क्षमता वृद्दी:

भगवद गीताले निर्णय लिने र समस्या समाधानको लागि व्यावहारिक ज्ञान प्रदान गर्दछ। यसले आलोचनात्मक सोच, विवेक, र सही छनौट गर्ने क्षमताको महत्त्वलाई जोड दिन्छ। गीताका शिक्षाहरूलाई एकीकृत गरेर, शिक्षा प्रणालीले विद्यार्थीहरूलाई आवश्यक जीवन सीपहरू प्रदान गर्न, उनीहरूलाई सचेत निर्णयहरू गर्न र जीवनका जटिलताहरूलाई प्रभावकारी रूपमा navigate गर्न सशक्त बनाउन सक्छ।

 

 

यसरी, भगवद् गीताले सांस्कृतिक र धार्मिक सीमानाहरू पार गर्ने कालातीत ज्ञान प्रदान गर्दछ। यसका शिक्षाहरूले जीवनका चुनौतीहरूलाई नेभिगेट गर्न र हाम्रा कार्यहरूमा अर्थ र उद्देश्य खोज्न व्यावहारिक मार्गदर्शन प्रदान गर्दछ। हाम्रा कर्तव्यहरू अंगालेर, आत्म-शंकालाई जितेर, ज्ञानको खोजी गरेर, र सजगताको अभ्यास गरेर, हामी गीताका पाठहरूलाई हाम्रो आधुनिक जीवनमा लागू गर्न सक्छौं। गीताले हामीलाई थप सन्तुलित, पूर्णता र आध्यात्मिक रूपमा पङ्क्तिबद्ध अस्तित्वतर्फ डोऱ्याउने प्रकाशको रूपमा काम गर्छ! गीता समयको बन्धन होइन, यो शाश्वत हो, यसको सन्देश विगतमा पनि सान्दर्भिक थियो, वर्तमानमा पनि सान्दर्भिक छ र यो अनन्तसम्म सान्दर्भिक रहनेछ।

New Public Administration

 New Public Administration (NPA) emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a response to the limitations and criticisms of traditional public administration. It sought to make public administration more relevant to the needs of the public and more responsive to social issues. 

Here are some key features and principles of New Public Administration:

Focus on Social Equity: NPA emphasizes the importance of social equity, advocating for policies and administrative actions that address social inequalities and serve the needs of marginalized groups. This marked a shift from the traditional focus on efficiency and effectiveness alone.

Value-Oriented: NPA encourages administrators to be guided by values such as justice, fairness, and equality. It argues that public administrators should not be neutral technocrats but active participants in promoting ethical standards and social justice.

Client-Centered Approach: There is a strong focus on serving the public and meeting the needs of citizens. NPA promotes the idea that public services should be responsive to the needs of the people, rather than just following rigid bureaucratic procedures.Innovation and 

Flexibility: NPA advocates for innovation and flexibility in administrative processes. It encourages administrators to be adaptable and creative in solving public problems, moving away from rigid, rule-bound approaches.

Decentralization: NPA supports decentralizing administrative functions to bring government closer to the people. This involves empowering local governments and communities to have more control over their affairs.

Participatory Management: NPA promotes participatory management and decision-making processes. This includes involving citizens, employees, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.

Rejection of the Politics-Administration Dichotomy: Traditional public administration often maintained a strict separation between politics and administration. NPA challenges this dichotomy, arguing that public administration is inherently political and that administrators should engage with political processes to advocate for social change.Key figures associated with the development of NPA include Dwight Waldo, who emphasized the need for a more humanistic and democratic approach to public administration, and H. George Frederickson, who highlighted the importance of social equity in administrative practice.

In summary, New Public Administration represents a paradigm shift that seeks to make public administration more relevant, responsive, and socially conscious, emphasizing values such as equity, participation, and innovation.

13 things to do for Christmas in New York

The New York City scene turns truly spectacular at Christmas time, the Big Apple is worth visiting

at other times but particularly during the Christmas season, the city is more live and vibrant with

vivid lights,decorations and the festive markets that attract thousands of international tourists

and locals.

You can have your perfect holiday time in New York at Christmas time. Stick with us to explore

our favourite picks for you from among the many to-dos in NYC.

1 . Gaze at the Spectacular Christmas tree decoration at Rockefeller Center

One place you don’t want to miss is the Rockefeller Center. The Rockefeller Center is famous for

its astounding Christmas tree lighting and is one of the top visited places during Christmas in New

York. In addition, you can shop to your fullest and go gaga with ice skating at this place.

2. Ice Skating at Bryant Park

The next Vox populi, in New York at Christmas is having a wide range of experiences at Bryant

Park. The ice skating here is one of the experiences you cannot skip. Yeah, you can fulfil your quest

for holiday shopping while you enjoy your skates along with hot chocolates in Bryant Park.Who

would not want this?

3. Watch the Rockettes at Radio City

The Rockettes are hailed for their synchronised dance moves and high kicks. They will amuse

anyone with their dancing spirit. This popular show will fill your heart with dance and songs, but

remember to book your tickets prior.

4. Stroll to see dazzling household lights at Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

The neighbourhood competition here turns this place into an amazing lavish festival lights

spectacle for anyone visiting during Christmas. Christmas has been getting bigger and brighter

out in Brooklyn every year and the households here spend thousands of dollars fixing their light

decorations. Gear yourself to go for an amazing night walk in the streets at Dyker Heights.

5. Shop at holiday markets

If you are either looking or not having a single thought to go shopping, paying a visit to holiday

markets is a great idea. The Winter Village, Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday

Market, Brooklyn Flea and Chelsea Flea, Grand Central Holiday Fair, and many more are there to

help you shop your needs to please your dear ones. You can find the complete list of holiday markets here.

6. Visit the Times Square

The iconic Times Square is a must-see place for the Christmas holiday. The crowds here become

unbelievable with packed sidewalks and we can see lots of bright lights in stores. You can enter

any souvenir shops, book a show, enter a restaurant for good food, or just take your time walking

outside.

7. Singing Christmas Carols

Is Christmas complete without Christmas Carols? You can join the crowds and sing your heart out

in some of the famous avenues for Christmas Carols. There are plenty of places where Caroling

events will be taking place like Washington Square Park, Jackson Heights, and Judson Memorial

Church among others. So, plan yourself ahead to be part of it.

8. Music at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which is also the world's largest Gothic Cathedral, will hold

a broad spectrum of musical offerings annually at Christmas time. If you want to immerse yourself

in the true Christmas plethora, you are recommended to visit the church.

9. Lavish store window displays of Midtown Manhattan

Almost all of the stores go for window displays for the festive season, some go beyond that

draping the whole of the building with LED lights and ocassional music plays. It is a sight to see,

isn’t it?. Better if you go for an hour- long Bus tour ride to witness the displays.

10. Hang out at Central Park in NYC

If you want to skip the Christmas crowd, there is a way. You can have a quiet time walking in the

iconic Central Park. It is known for its beautifully designed landscape with playgrounds, fountains,

statues, sculptures, gardens, lakes, and ponds. You wouldn’t want to miss a peaceful night walk

at the Park in Christmas.

11. See Santa Claus at Macy

Macy's Santaland is the place you or your kids should not miss. It is one of the few magical places

where you can see Santa. The place is usually decorated with an enchanted forest and Christmas

trees, animatronic toys, a train display, artificial snow, stuffed animals, and many Santas.

12. Go to the Restaurant of your choice

The NYC sightseeing will not fill your stomach hunger, right? You need a place where you can

order your favorites. There are thousands of restaurants nicely decorated in the Christmas theme

in the city where you can enjoy your holiday time. We recommend choosing the restaurant considering your time, budget, and food choice. It is wise if you enter nearby restaurants from 

the places mentioned above, where you can enjoy your fun activities.

13. Revisit any popular places

Offbeat to any other to-dos you can visit the iconic landmarks in NYC. There are so many of them 

that choosing a few is hard. However, you should not miss the Empire State Building, the Statue 

of Liberty, Ellis Island, the New York Public Library Main Branch, The Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Bridge, 

the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and so on. Each one is unique in its way, so choose your taste 

for the holiday time. If you have been to New York but happen to miss this places , you may have 

no stories to brag!

As Christmas is one of the busiest times in the city, be sure to make a plan yourself to enjoy your 

time to chock-full. And, one definite takeaway is don't pass by NYC at Christmas time. This is all 

we can say in nutshell. If you have any favorite experience at Christmas in New York ,feel free to

comment below.

Covid, Karma and Bhagavad Gita

 The corona pandemic can be seen in another way from a more higher dharmic perspective. Dharma states that each one of has a purpose and there is  a reason on why we exists? There is a optimal path for each one of us that is specifically designed for our soul which aligns with the cosmic order. But when number of us has moved away from our path , nature reacts to restore the balance in the cosmic order. Does this corona pandemic  imply vengeance  and wrath upon  the human society? No, It simply demands change from us. But can't this be done in less harsh way ? The truth is transformation only happens when we are challenged. Superficial understanding does not lead to core transformation.

We can see that the corona pandemic has caused  catastrophic scenes all around the world since more than a year. Each one of us are facing different challenges , some are realizing the value of life due to fear of death, while others are having immense financial difficulties, anxiety and many other difficulties. But , these challenges are designed to bring us back to our true purpose, to reflect on what is more important , make us more spiritual conscious.

Although the spread of corona virus is a global event, each one of us are bound to face it according to our individual karma. Karma is anything we do that produces results. Karmic activity sets context of our life over  which we have no control and  dharmic activity is the  correct way to navigate through these context, it is the best path to walk given the circumstances and to grow spiritually too. 

People are destined to die through any means be it virus, old age or other diseases, So , instead being  anxious, Gita teaches us to  contemplate on; What is actually death? Why we die although none of us wish to die? Can’t we become deathless? Why we get diseased although none of us like to get diseases? Why are we getting old day by day although none of us like old age? Who are we actually? How do we get out of this  temporary , miserable world ? Anyone who truly contemplates and seeks to understand is assured of realization of the reality of  our existence and death.

Krishna says ; That which pervades the entire body you should know to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul.  The body we have is made of matter and is destined to get diseased, become old and die out one day. And the good news is we as a soul are eternal, deathless. Living entity keeps on changing bodies and getting new births. What we have to endeavor for; is to be out of birth, disease, old age, death cycle.