CLIMATE CHANGE- a battele within

I was busy preparing my trip to INDIA for a crash course in cinema when news broke that HIMAL ASSOCIATION was holding Climate Change Film Competition . For someone who’s been born and raised in this day dream of cinema, this is easily one of the most wel-coming oppurtunity to have- and to do. And that’s all I could do. Glued to my papers in my own room , far away from friends and folks , I absorbed everything I knew and everything I collected. Everyone had a sound byte. Everyone had to come out and express his or her opinion. Himal Media should be praised. Certain so called Film makers should be bashed,for those not letting us how to participate though(middle finger for them). I agree with most of what’s already been said about Climate Chamge at front. Some have been eloquent and some have sounded like loud, misinformed banshees. Collectively we’re grappling with the ineffectiveness of the system and what was presented to us as information. Jajarkot was a high tide,a misfortune of our time. On the serious issue of Climate Change even Ministry of Envioroment appeared as soulless and emotionless,. They all were addressing their five stars meeting ,nonsense cocktail parties while reading off of current tragedy. Can you not feeling anything? Can you say nothing to make us feel just a little more secure in your hands? Poorly conducted “press conferences” announcing the death and casualty toll for press with the speaker unable to successfully read a list from a sheet of paper, confusing Vice- president for Judicary and generally making us look like illiterate idiots to a global audience. It left me embarrassed and struggling to find pride in our government.

I can’t offer a unique perspective on this yet because my grievances at this moment are primarily observations on humanity. The most common thing I hear from people is, “I want to do something, but what can I do?” The answer to this question has resulted in 124 film makers and their films to show support to these JAJARKOTIS and solidarity. It’s all very well and good because it is therapeutic. Our natural instincts veer us towards acting out – or at least towards being more active. In times like these, it becomes a challenge to look at the big picture. Climate Change attacks, massive loss of life – the reality eventually forces you to look at how we react individually and as a collective community. But I had to ask myself, when was the last time we rise a voice for a relationship that ended in floods and (un)natural disaster?

The hypocrisy unnerves me. We have issues with political figures, but how are we at home (NEPAL) with our parents? We can’t fix anything on the outside until we fix our equations on the inside. The universe has given us a body of relationships that we have a right to live up to – and we have no business expending our energies on vocalizing disdain towards the system or typing out petitions for change until we create peace in our individual worlds. Only then can we have peace on the streets. Only then can we truly be fit to fight.

A lot of anger has been spewing and stewing, and now seems like the perfect time to point fingers and run our throats hoarse. Everyone has a theory and most have taken a stance on something without allowing facts to surface. People criticized the media coverage, but how about acknowledging the tremendous amounts of bravery that went into tirelessly reporting horror and carnage (BE IT IN JAJARARKOT NOW )? A load of what was showing up on my TV was perhaps misinformation OR information , but for the most part, I felt an undeniable pride towards the journalists who risked their lives to film the truth. yes film,in any way.

I cancelled ny my trip and went ahead to pump my voice on CLIMATE CHANGE . We didn’t have a story to sort out,at first place. this issue had to be addred once by my side and i feel this necessery from the time being the competition was announced We’re fine and always will be. But just in case, just to be able to sleep better at ease, I had to make sure that the nation i've been seeing my pride within is strong and in tact. Only then did I feel fit to tackle the situation outside. But I have to ask, how fit do you feel?