Subodh Bhattarai (English & Communication Notes - BBA/BBS/BBBS/BHM/BIM/BMS/MBA/MBS & +2)

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings  is a magical realist story that examines the human response to those who are weak, dependent, and different. The story shows human nature-related curiosity, greed, and cruelty. Once upon a time, after days of relentless rain, a humble couple named Pelayo and Elisenda discovered a strange sight in their backyard. Among the muddy grounds and dying crabs, they saw an old man who was unlike anyone they’d ever seen.  He had enormous, filthy wings attached to his frail body. He was too weak to stand and barely spoke, mumbling in a language they couldn’t understand. Pelayo  was busy throwing dead crabs from his house into the sea. The smell was terrible, and they believed it was making their baby sick. The world felt gloomy, with the sky and sea blending into one gray mess. One afternoon, while cleaning up, Pelayo saw something moving in the muddy backyard. He got closer and was shocked to find an old man lying face-down in the mud. The man...

Background In his story, Shankar Lamichhane reflects on the spiritual and cultural richness of Nepal, showing how the country balances its ancient traditions with the pressures of modern life. Nepal is portrayed as a place of extraordinary natural beauty and deep spirituality, symbolized by the calm, half-closed eyes of the Buddha. These eyes represent a peaceful state of meditation—looking at the world while also turning inward to seek wisdom. Lamichhane looks at Nepal's heritage in light of the modern world, where materialism and globalization often threaten to overshadow its spiritual roots. The Buddha’s eyes, along with the setting sun, serve as powerful symbols of wisdom, peace, and the passage of time. They remind us to honor Nepal’s culture and encourage us to protect its inner harmony even as the country changes. The story is filled with a sense of nostalgia, mixing the past and present. It challenges readers to think about how we can embrace progress while also keeping our...

  Garbage management is a big problem in most of the cities in Nepal. Write a letter to the editor to be published in the daily newspaper suggesting the ways of " Solving Garbage Problems. "  Ramu Pandey Tilottama 5, Manigram Rupandehi 11 September 2024 The Editor The Rising Nepal Dharmapath, Kathmandu 44600 Bagmati Subject: Suggestions for Solving Garbage Problems in Cities Dear Editor, I am writing to share my concern about the increasing garbage problem in many cities of Nepal. This issue affects both our environment and health, and we need to find solutions as soon as possible. I would like to suggest a few simple ways to improve the situation. First, we should start separating waste at home and in businesses. If people sort their garbage into things that can rot and things that cannot, like plastic and glass, it will be easier to recycle and reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Second, the city should improve garbage collection. Waste should be picked up regula...

  A Matter of Husbands   Ferenc Molnar   Translated by Benjamin Glazer   " A Matter of Husbands " is a one-act play written by Ferenc Molnár , a Hungarian playwright, and translated into English by Benjamin Glazer . The play is a clever and witty exploration of relationships, trust, and the nature of deception, all wrapped up in a lighthearted and comedic manner. Summary of the Play The play features only two characters: The Famous Actress : A confident, charming, and intelligent woman who is accustomed to being admired and desired. She is articulate, persuasive, and enjoys her power over others. The Earnest Young Woman : A naive (innocent), earnest (serious), and somewhat timid young woman, who is married and concerned about her husband’s fidelity (faithfulness). Her innocence makes her vulnerable to manipulation. Setting : The play is set in the drawing room of the Famous Actress’s apartment, which suggests a sense of luxury and sophistication. The setting is inti...

  Knowledge and Wisdom   Bertrand Russell   Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a British philosopher and logician known for his work in mathematical logic and analytic philosophy. He contributed to logicism, refined predicate calculus, and supported neutral monism (the theory that denies the existence of a duality in a particular sphere such as that between God and the world). He also developed theories of definite descriptions, logical atomism, and logical types. In his essay, Russell distinguishes between knowledge and wisdom. He says that knowledge is about acquiring information, while wisdom is about using that knowledge practically to create value. Wisdom comes from learning and experience, not just memorizing facts. Although we have more knowledge today than ever before, we haven't necessarily become wiser . Defining wisdom and finding ways to promote it can be challenging. First, let's consider what wisdom is and how it can be taught. Wisdom involves several elements...

Marriage as a Social Institution   Stephen L. Nock Steven L. Nock was a sociology professor at the University of Virginia who researched marriage and family issues. He wrote books and articles about how American families have changed, including topics like privacy, fatherhood, cohabitation, and divorce. His book, Marriage in Men's Lives , won a major award for its impact on family research. In this essay, Nock discusses the national marriage debate, focusing on how social and demographic trends have changed marriage and family roles. He believes marriage and parenthood are private matters, relevant only to the individuals involved. He also highlights programs that have improved marriage stability, reduced divorce rates, decreased births outside of marriage, and promoted responsible fatherhood. Marriage is more than just a partnership between two people; it's a relationship defined by legal, moral, and societal norms. These norms create rules that shape how marriages work and ma...

  On Libraries   Oliver Sacks   Oliver Sacks' essay " On Libraries " is a heartfelt tribute to the importance of intellectual freedom, community, and the joy of discovering something unexpected. Sacks, a renowned neurologist and author, reflects on how libraries shaped his mind and spirit throughout his life. Sacks' essay is a heartfelt reflection on the irreplaceable value of libraries and books, both in his own life and in society at large. He argues that digital books, while convenient, cannot replicate the profound experience of handling and reading a physical book, nor can they replace the centuries of knowledge contained within traditional libraries. As a child, Sacks was drawn to his family's home library, a large, oak-paneled room filled with books. This room was a special place for him, where his father, a Hebrew scholar, kept his books, and where the works of Ibsen, poets of his father's generation, and adventure books belonging to his older brothers...