Strength in Numbers Teach a Man How to Donate, He Might Do It Once
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www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 97 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 21 December 2011 | ^ kf}if @)^* ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 www.facebook.com/fridayweekly 10 3 105 1817 PAGE 3 FEATURE HALLOFFRAME ENTERTAINMENT Here are opinions on The recipient of an Presenting to you exclusive Read about the classic lounge whether the aversion to international award shares his pictures from the cake that just got revamped with people living with HIV has ideas on revolutionizing the mixing ceremony at Hotel extensions to its menu and eased in our society. hospitality sector in Nepal. Annapurna. some touch up. NEWS | CLASSIFIED | SHOPPING tech | style | decor Strength in Numbers Teach a man how to donate, he might do it once. Teach him how to cultivate goodwill, he will give forever. — Nishchal Oli For more, turn to page 2. 2 Issue 97 | 21 December 2011 Fr!day cover Strength in Numbers t was an eventful year, a ethics would be your last stop. cure meager salaries. The big- for people who are concerned raised from Art for Philanthro- milestone for the world of Why should I care for another? gest deterrent to idea of do- about the end result of their do- py will go towards supporting politics. Economic debt sent The field of ethics is one of the nating is the notion that people nation. To date HeNN has com- a school in a remote village of Isome of the world’s wealthi- most debated topics in philoso- rather spend their hard earned pleted more than 70 projects Arghakhanchi district in Lum- est nations trailing a downward phy. Great minds have pondered money on themselves than across Nepal. These projects bini Zone,” confirmed Mishra. spiral and natural disasters upon this very question only “waste” it on society. Chal- focus on education and health Art for Philanthropy is a were on the regular. Humanity to provide insufficient answers lenging these values and en- sectors to empower youth and bold step. In the past, galler- hit the 7 billion landmark, while open to interpretation. Answers, visioning a practical solution students, and healthy living in ies have involved themselves concerned individuals ‘occupied’ no more complete than a poster to discontent with donation at rural Nepal. in social causes but this time economic hubs in the western for the Golden Rule, the ethic of the grass-root level in Nepal, HeNN’s achievements, how- art itself is being used a so- hemisphere. And of course the reciprocity. Boldly claiming the the Help Nepal Network has ever, lie in what has helped make cial mechanism. 17 paintings Arab Spring mobilized million universal mantra for goodwill been laboring to promote an these projects possible. Nepalis by Dixit from his exhibition others onto the streets across the is “do unto others as you would “affordable” and unassuming all over the world have contrib- “Tribute to the Great Art- Middle-East and Africa. News have done to you.” - a formula alternative to charitable work. uted over the years, regardless ists” will be up for auction outlets had their hands full, si- that restricts itself to activity. Back in 1999, HeNN was of their location, age, occupa- at Moksh. The paintings are multaneously covering both, the How do you address the is- simply an idea floating around. tion. They have dedicated their Dixit’s take on famous art- excess indulged by prosperous sue of indifference? Attach- The founding members were time, wealth and skills to vouch ists like Picasso, Warhol, Van countries and the depravity ex- ment to society is relative, aware of the aid agencies, for their fellow country-people. Gogh and others, all bearing a perienced by citizens of oppres- making the Golden Rule uni- NGOs and foreigners involved “Some have made one donation, personal touch from the artist. sive regimes. However, there versally inapplicable. Goodwill in charitable work in Nepal, others have made monthly con- “This is all from my visits to was no comment regarding the cannot be dictated, so laws or but there was a serious lack of tributions on a regular basis” MOMA” says Dixit, referring ever-growing gap between the even religious maxims are out Nepalis in this circuit. Able Ne- says Rabindra Mishra, president to his experiences visiting the rich and poor, the privileged and of the question. Human abil- palis who were making a good of HeNN, adding, “donations Museum of Modern Art in the underdogs. Even then, it was ity to thrive through collective living abroad and locally were have ranged from a small amount Manhattan. “But how long do I an important year for equality. let my paintings hang in a gal- Whether it was a park around lery,” Dixit questioned, “I can- Wall Street or the alleys in Cai- Realizing social ventures can only be sustainable if not sit and wait till the day it ro, people stood together, shoul- Nepalis themselves take responsibility for their fellow becomes valuable,” so instead der to shoulder without fear of citizens, HeNN came up with one simple message: he has chosen to give them up. prosecution or pain. From New In many ways, Dixit’s York to Tripoli the 99% that social responsibility requires dedication not money. paintings reflect on the nature have suffered from the greed and of charity in Nepal. Dixit is megalomania of others vented effort might be the only silver- barely involved, as if charity of say, 100 rupees, to one crore.” known for his nude painting, the recognition of the self, a lining present. Nature informs somehow had been outsourced. Others have run marathons, or- and he uses live models. This need to protect it in everyone, that there is strength in num- Realizing social ventures can ganized cultural events and food is unheard of in Nepali art not just the one percent. More bers. Living in a group requires only be sustainable if Nepalis festivals to collect money. And circles that shy away from nu- importantly the world shared a harmony and understanding, themselves take responsibility on 20 December, for the first dity unless used in traditional similar call for more of its in- caring naturally emerges from for their fellow citizens; HeNN time HeNN will be using art as a depictions of deities. Limited habitants to care. Those lulled these two pillars. Studies have came up with one simple mes- platform to collect funds. exposure accounts for prevail- by social movements are weary actually backed the theory of sage: social responsibility re- Tuesday, HeNN will be host- ing perceptions in this society of the possibility of relapse and philanthropy as a natural trait. quires dedication not money. ing Art for Philanthropy, an whether it is nudity in art or the fact that impromptu revolu- So what we are missing might Give up a can of beer, a carton auction of Kapil Mani Dixit’s giving back to the community. tions are never sufficient to curb be a conduit, the right reason- of juice, a plate of momo or paintings. Dixit is a visual artist Hopefully, through this joint the ills of society. All countries, ing, perhaps, that could spark couple of cups of tea, by for- trained in the US, who has pre- venture HeNN and Dixit can one way or another acknowl- the passion again in a modern saking such extraneous expen- viously donated his paintings acknowledge the need to shift edge basic human rights but ju- society where duties have been diture, and donating whatever for the Katrina Relief fund and perspectives, and also promot- diciary actions are costly. Thus, extradited to institutions. is saved, collectively Nepalis has worked with Faith Founda- ing the event as a viable op- becomes the never ending cycle In recent years there have could bear the weight of social tion Nepal. Returning to Nepal tion for the art community. of money being both the cause been signs of hope. People, responsibility without putting three years ago, Dixit says he This will require massive sup- and solution for inequality. governments and organiza- a strain on their finances. was looking for opportunities to port; both Dixit and Mishra Celebrating this paradoxical tions at the top of the eco- Today, HeNN is the biggest get involved in social issues, but acknowledge this. But they mismanagement of logic and nomic pyramid have leveraged charitable network of Nepalis. “ I had not yet found a platform do not lack enthusiasm, Mishra the 63rd anniversary of the Uni- their wealth for philanthropic There are more than 14 chap- to donate my work.” That was anticipating a great turn out versal Declaration of Human causes, donating vast amounts ters globally, and the Nepal before a cameo appearance in the added, “We hope that this year’s Rights, this past Sunday, Human of money. But none of us War- chapter officially mediates be- Deepak Rauniyar’s film High- event will generate interest in Rights Day gave a regular day in ren Buffet or Bill Gates, com- tween donations and the proj- way which led to an encounter both artists and art buyers/lov- December a fancy name. Was it pared to their billions there is ects it undertakes. HeNN is run with Mishra. From there, Dixit ers, whose support we will need an attempt to externalize moti- only a modicum amount at our completely on a voluntary basis and HeNN entered into a mutu- to make this event annual.” vation to give back everyday? If disposal. And worse we have ensuring that all contributions al relationship in order to raise Even if you are still undecided one were to go down that rabbit the sense of entitlement that directly feed into specific proj- money for a school rehabilita- about giving, come out and sup- hole, the universal question of comes from hard work to se- ects.