Student Counselor- A need in Nepal's school

The need of student counselors in Nepal’s schools is a common and constant wish of every parents. They expect their children to be a better decision maker. An adolescent is exposed to 8-10 hours of daily school, bullying, family issues, and raging hormones. Add social media and video games to the mix and you have the typical teenager of this era. Easily irritable, rebellious, restless, impulsive, moody and secretive. How can we expect students to maintain balance in their lives after all these emotional ups and downs?

Erik Erikson (a German psychologist and psychoanalyst) has developed a theory of psychosocial development which consists of 8 stages. One of them is role confusion vs. identity which occurs during the adolescence period i.e. 12-18 years. If a student faces a new behavior beyond his experiences, then it’ll be hard for the student to face the changes that leads to conflict. I believe having a counselor at least in school level might change the dynamics of school and the life of student.

Based on the context of Nepal, a student generally gets exposed to 8 hours of daily class. Every subject teacher provides education on the subject matter. It is hard for the subject teacher to take on the role of a counselor in a class of 35 to 40 students. Now, the problem is how can a parent know the overall behavior pattern of their children if a school doesn't even have a student counselor? Subject teacher, class teacher, management simply scratch the surface of the behavior of a student whereas a counselor goes into a deeper level to encourage the student. A student who's carrying a family's expectation might be heading towards the wrong direction (drugs, disrespecting elders, undisciplined and so on). We can imagine the situation, right? The stress for families and school as well.

The role of a student counselor is to help students in their academic performances, career development, boosting their confidence and overall making them productive as well as working to fulfilling the common wish of every parent. Even educated parents expect a subject teacher or management to know everything about their child but it becomes easy if a school has a counselor. Isn’t that true? They are one of the vital members in the educational team these days. 

Sadly, in Nepal we hardly find the concept of student counselor and the ongoing conflict goes on where parents cannot know their children behavior pattern and school management wants to get rid of such student.

In a nutshell, like I mentioned earlier, they can change the overall dynamics of a school and life of a student. Shouldn’t we as parents and schools be aware of these matters?

Thank you

C: Has it helped?
Me: Of course, It has. If I have to say it in one line,"You taught me to live my life again and helped me to know who am I (Still in search).
C: Great!
Me: By the way, whenever I feel like I'm going to that same direction again, your faith, your time invested on me drags me back to my new life. :) I'm blessed.
C: (Just smiles) 
Me: Well, Happy new year. For me, I've so many plans for this year. Do more adventurous stuffs, travel, listen to my heart and do things I like doing. Oh and most importantly not to lose the confidence that I have achieved to live my life. Just thank you :)
C: Happy New year. You're expressive. Haha. You won't stop sharing your story to the world, will you? Don't get changed. Enjoy your life.
Me: :) :)

A girl?

Hi I am Pinkee Shrestha. I am 20 years old and I am a girl. A GIRL. Growing up a girl alone is challenge enough. Don’t do this/Don’t do that, do this/do that. Living a life as a girl is like living with so many limitations and boundaries that some days it feels like your own life is not yours at all. Like someone else owns you and your life.

I have always been a feminist. May be a little bit of a feminazi too. Cause I do think women are greater than men. Always have been and always will be. Like every other girl, I grew up to being catcalled stupid names, whistled, jeered and leered at. Initially, I used to argue and shout back at those chauvinistic pigs who thought they owned the streets. But as time passed by, I started feeling what was even the point of me arguing. Those poor, poor souls never even registered what I shouted back at them. It was probably just a means of entertainment for them. I started ignoring them but that did not make me feel any better. Because they got away with making me feel vulnerable and powerless and they probably never even realized that.

One day I was walking back home from college. The way to my home is not a bustling street but rather a quiet road. Suddenly, I got spanked from behind. Growing up with sisters at home, it is not really a surprise to get spanked out of the blue. I turned to see which of my sisters wanted to die from my hands that day (not literally). There was no one but a bike passed by me. The biker was giving me odd looks turning again and again. It took me a whole minute to register that that guy had spanked my behind & nbsp; I had never ever expected to be treated like that. I hurriedly looked around for stones to throw at that pathetic excuse of a man but since it was a pitched road, there were none and I even tried running after him but him being on a bike and me on foot, you can guess how that turned out. I was left feeling utterly powerless that day. So powerless that it infuriated me and rocked me to my deepest core.

Even now when I think about that incident, it angers me that I could do nothing and that person got away with it so easily. I probably was lucky, for lack of a better word because girls around the world have to face probably much much worse. And it angers me to no ends that girls have to go through such horrible experiences and just because they are a girl. Girls these days are standing up for themselves and defending their honor on their own. And it gives me immense pleasure to see that. It truly does but we should not have to go through all of that at all. None of us should. Ever. What is it gonna take for men to stop objectifying and oppressing women?

Written by: Pinkee Shrestha

I am not LIMITED.

“Kal karey so aaj kar, aaj karey so aab” 

I vividly remember how I asked Sadikshya di for the number of Nischal Basnet (a film director) as I kept this dialogue from a Bollywood movie on the back of my mind. It was to invite Mr. Basnet as my first guest in a talk show.

It was January 1, 2016. I somehow gathered energy and power from somewhere to initiate a talk show. Well at first, the name of the show was supposed to be Taste and Guff but it ended up with Ramailo Guff. 

I never knew that the show would come this far. Each episode has taught me to be strong, to have patience, and to keep on learning. My amazing guests, Anil Keshary Shah (CEO – Mega Bank), Sambriddhi Rai (Singer/Adventurous Media Person), Rohit John Chettri (Singer/ Vocalist of 1974 AD), Najir Hussain (Actor) and Karna Shakya (KGH Group), have always boosted my confidence and I carry their blessings while I am pursuing my dreams.

Recent incident – I was shocked to see another talk show with the same name “Ramailo Guff”. There has always been a dream, a belief, and a story behind “our” Ramailo Guff. However, I could do nothing other than to keep on continuing my work since we are not yet registered as a company and don’t have a trademark over Ramailo Guff. Whatever Ramailo Guff is today, is not because of someone’s individual efforts, but because of the input of a passionate team behind the curtains and also because of the amazing love and support from people. I feel blessed and really grateful to have been surrounded with such an amazing circle of positive people.

What this experience has taught me is, “Someone can hate me completely, and can hate my creativity but by doing so, he or she can never steal my confidence and with each interview, I gain more experience and more strength to never give up on my dreams. No one can predict what I am going to do next. The road that lies ahead me has stored a special destination for me and I am not LIMITED,” This thought is what inspires me to keep on exploring the world. I had always believed that I did something right by starting Ramailo Guff and today, I can proudly say that I am satisfied to have paved my own path and walked on this journey; and the best part? Well, the best part of it all is that my journey doesn’t end here. 

Ramailo guff and Baibhav (The Journey)

Baibhav Pandey

Engineering graduate Baibhav is self-motivated Video Editor with the Graphics designing and Animations Skills.  A critical thinker with strong analytical skills has good organizational skills developed in a variety of deadline orientated situations. He gets well with people having different behavior which leads him to good working relationships and flexible in team works. Responsible person by nature Baibhav is currently working as the Chief Video Editor at Ramailo Guff. He is also one of Founding member, creative Head at Women in STEM Nepal and also Graphics Designer at Welcome Advertising Agency. 

What Ramailo guff means to you?

For me Ramailo guff is an inspiration. Watching the interview of renowned Celebrities of the country I think all the youth will get inspired by their stories of struggles and the hard work they have come across. Ramailo guff also means a kick start to my career as an inventive editor.

The reason why you're associated with it?

The reason I am associated with Ramailo guff is the concept of the show and the enthusiasm of my friend Nita. The show provided me the right platform to showcase my skill to a larger audience via YouTube. With the growth in technology YouTube - the second most used Search Engine, Nepalese youth are more into YouTube than Televisions. I think it is the best to show your talent.

What is the best part about Ramailo guff to you?

The whole concept of Ramailo guff is astonishing. For me the best part is to get to know the personal life of the celebrities and the struggle they came across to fulfill their dreams. I take it as an inspiration for myself.

How your journey started in Ramailo guff?

It was not planned. I got a call from Nita says she was about to start a show and asked if I wanted to be a part of it as an editor (Core). I didn’t know her till that point but I replied yes for sure. Honestly I thought it was just a prank call from some girl and her friends having some fun but later I realized that this really happened and the 1st episode with the star himself Mr. Nischal Basnet which was mind blowing. And this is how my journey started here.

How you're planning to Upgrade "Ramailo guff" from your side?

Talking about Ramailo Guff, it gave me a chance to get closer to my dream which is becoming a Movie director hopefully in the near future. Ramailo guff also gave me the opportunity to showcase and upgrade my skills of editing. Talking about the development of Ramailo Guff, I personally have a responsibility to present the show to our beloved viewer more attractively and make the interview more fun.  So one of the upgrade in Ramailo guff shall be the part which I am currently responsible for i.e. editing.

What are your areas of interest that you'd like to pursue in future?

I aspire to be proficient director in the near future and always wanted to contribute to the Nepali film industry. That’s a long way to go but put my hard works to achieve the dream one day.

Today's Moon and Spain

There is something different about today’s moon.

Today's Moon

It took me to Spain.

What can be a night more than a dinner (Paella and Arroz a la Cubana) watching Flamenco in a classic café.

People enjoying Flamenco in Barcelona

Arroz a la Cubana

Paella

Obviously with Tapas and Sangria (Popular Spanish drink).

Sangria with Tapas

What can be a life more than to see people enjoying their life? All of a sudden it made me realize that there are so many things to explore.

म त अरुको सपना पो रहेछु, के सपना देख्नु?

सायद ८-९ बर्ष अगाडिका यादले होला- आज त रात पनि लामो लाग्यॊ,

समय त ढिला चलेको हैन नी ?

डर लाग्छ भोलि जिन्दगीमा के गर्छु, आफ्नो जिन्दगीलाई कसरी अगाडी बडाउछु भनि,

गलत त सोचिरहेकी हैन नी ?

येही सोच्दा सोच्दै कहिलेत गहभरि आँसु आउछ,

आँसुको केहि अर्थ नभएकोत हैन नी?

आफ्नो सपनालाई भुल्न खोज्छु, इच्छा, आकंछ्यालाई दबाछु, केवल कर्तब्यलाई पालना गर्न खोज्छु,

कायर त हैन नी?

कसैलाई भनुम त के भनुम, भन्न खोज्छु तर उनीहरुको भाग्येले दिएको दुख देख्दा- आफै उत्तर पाउछु|

बरु होस् सपना बिलिन भएपनि केहि छैन, मेरो लागि दिन-रात दुख गर्नेको अगाडी सपना त के होर? एउटा काल्पनिक पात्र? 

कहिले कहिँ त सपनालाई येथार्थमा परिणत गरुम भन्नि जोश आउछ तैपनि भाग्येले एस्तो भुमरीमा बाद्योकी म त अरुको सपना पो रहेछु, के सपना देख्नु?

के म दुखि त भएको हैन नी?