Being KALPABRIKSHYA

Finding peace at the edge of the world. @Kalpabrikshya

Mr. K had planned a relaxing weekend getaway for his family. They were all looking forward to escaping the busy city life for a few days and breathing in some fresh air. As the weekend came to a close, they began the long drive back home to Sydney.

It had been a tiring weekend for Mr. K, and he was feeling drained and exhausted. But he knew he had a responsibility to his wife, mother-in-law, and their 17-month-old baby boy to get them safely back home. As he started the drive back, he found himself struggling to stay awake. He knew he needed a caffeine boost to help him stay alert, but there wasn't a café in sight.

As Mr. K continued to drive in his fatigued state, his mind began to wander. He started to daydream and lose focus on the road ahead of him. In one heart-stopping moment, he blacked out for a second and nearly lost control of the car. His wife and mother-in-law screamed in terror, but luckily he regained consciousness just in time to avoid a catastrophic accident.

This was a wake-up call for Mr. K. He realized that he had put not only himself but his entire family in danger with his reckless driving. He couldn't imagine the devastating consequences that could have occurred had he not regained consciousness in time.

Mr. K's experience is a reminder to all of us that driving while fatigued is extremely dangerous. We often underestimate the impact of exhaustion on our ability to operate a vehicle safely. But driving while drowsy is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

It's important to listen to our bodies and acknowledge when we're too tired to drive. We should never hesitate to take a break, grab a coffee or energy drink, or even take a nap before getting back on the road. We owe it to ourselves, our passengers, and other drivers on the road to practice safe driving habits.

As Mr. K reflected on his near-death experience, he realized how quickly life can change in just a second. One moment of drowsy driving could have shattered all of their dreams, including the life of their innocent 17-month-old baby.

It was a harsh reminder that life is fragile, and it can be taken away in an instant. Mr. K realized that he needed to appreciate every moment of his life and live it to the fullest. He also recognized the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. In the moment when he blacked out, his family's lives were in his hands, as well as the lives of other innocent drivers on the road. It was a humbling experience that reminded him of the responsibility we all have when we get behind the wheel.

Mr. K's story is a testament to the fact that we should never take our lives or the lives of others for granted. We should enjoy each moment of our lives as if it were our last and treat others with the kindness and respect that we all deserve.

As they finally arrived back home safely, Mr. K made a promise to himself and his family to never again take the risks he had taken on that long drive home. He knew that his family's safety was worth more than any amount of caffeine or time saved on the road.

Let Mr. K's story be a reminder to all of us to prioritize safe driving practices and to appreciate every moment of our lives. A second can take our lives and other innocent lives, so we must always take care of ourselves and others on the road.

 Back in 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Spring School in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Looking back on this experience now, I am reminded of the importance of peace in the world, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I embarked on this journey with my friends from Erfurt. We were excited to explore a new place, but we also had a little bit of fear as to what we were to expect in encountering a new country altogether. However, our mixed emotions were quickly replaced with a feeling of ease as we were warmly welcomed by two Russian colleagues and Prof. Ettrich.

During our time at the Spring School, we had the opportunity to learn about new ideas and immerse ourselves in a new country and its history. The lectures we attended were informative and engaging, and we had the chance to learn about the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and other important issues regarding border policies. The city tour was also a memorable experience, as we braved the cold to explore the history of St. Petersburg.

As we continued our journey, we visited Ivangorod-Narva, the border of Estonia and Russia. It was here that we gained a deeper understanding of the bitter reality of language problems and stateless people, and the importance of building bridges between nations. The table talk with the local administration was a road to another revelation for me to know about how the administration and policies work in Russia from the local level to the federal level. Hats off to the local administrator who tried to answer all of our questions. It would have been nice if we had gotten the opportunity to know more details from the Russian federal level, but I think it was not possible.

The same day we met with the Ivangorod administration, we also crossed the border into Narva, the third largest city of Estonia with 82% Russian-speaking minorities. In Narva, we had the chance to get to know more about Estonia and Russia, especially about the nature of the projects and the mechanism of collaboration at the local level despite having no connection to the federal level. It was quite surprising for all of us to have a close look at Narva through the perspective of the bitter reality of language problems and stateless people. I found this to be one of the most important things that we have to learn or researched during our Spring School.

With lots of information, we headed to Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, where we had a methodology lecture on PEST analysis by Prof. Grimm. After learning about it through the lecture, we also discussed with the professor about the problems and other information we had collected during our talks with the local administration in the border region.

The presentation on the last day was another important and exciting part of Spring School. We tried our best to prepare and present. As a result, Professors Ettrich and Grimm were happy to know about the information and the ability of the students to present these topics in a comprehensible way. And, we also felt highly privileged in getting the opportunity to discuss with the professors.

The trip ended with wonderful sightseeing in Tallinn and the farewell dinner of the Haniel Spring School. I couldn’t have hoped for a better finale. The overall experiences, the emotions, and the knowledge I gathered during the period are so overwhelming, I feel I cannot rightly express my impression of the Haniel School in words.

Looking back at the experience, it is clear that the need for peace in the world is more important than ever, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The visit to the border of Estonia and Russia highlighted the need for building bridges between nations and working towards a future where conflicts can be resolved peacefully. It is crucial to stop wars like the one in Ukraine and promote peaceful dialogue and cooperation. It is important for all of us to remember that we share this world together and that we must work together to create a better future for ourselves and future generations.

In conclusion, my experience at the Spring School in Saint Petersburg was truly unforgettable. I had the opportunity to learn about a new country and its history, make new friends, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of peace in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this program, and I hope that more people will have the chance to participate in programs like this in the future. Let us all work towards a future where peace and understanding prevail, and where conflicts can be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.

@Kalpabrikshya. 2015. On the way from Dhorpatan to Nisheldhor.

As I walked through the picturesque landscape of northwest Nepal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and frustration. Just a few years earlier, this region had been torn apart by a brutal civil war. The scars of that conflict were still evident everywhere I looked - from the abandoned bunkers that dotted the countryside to the fear and mistrust that lingered in the eyes of the people I met.

But despite the challenges they faced, these people were some of the most resilient and welcoming I had ever encountered. One of the most poignant moments of my journey came on the fifth day of my two-week trek when I encountered two small children on the side of the road. They were no more than five or six years old, and they were carrying a traditional basket on their backs as they walked towards a distant source of water. It would have taken them at least an hour to reach it, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness as I watched them trudge along.

I spent the next hour talking with the kids, trying to impart whatever knowledge and encouragement I could. I took their photo with my DSLR camera, their curiosity piqued by my camera, which was like nothing they had ever seen before. My thoughts turned to the countless INGOs and NGOs working in the western part of Nepal, specifically in this region, claiming to protect children's rights and offer assistance. The reality, however, is that these organizations have never truly reached the communities where help is most needed. It's a story that can be found all across Nepal, in villages where the heart breaks at the sight of children working hard at such a young age, with no opportunities for education due to a lack of resources and access.

The sandals the children wore were expertly repaired, a testament to their family's poverty. I couldn't help but wonder about the power that decides which children are born into privilege, with all the toys and opportunities one could wish for, and which are doomed to a life of struggle and pain from the moment they are born. It's not just a problem in Nepal, of course, but a global issue that affects countless children in many countries.

As I watched these two young children, I couldn't shake the thought of their future careers - how would they shape up if they had never been to school and were unaware of even the most basic concepts? It was a stark reminder of the many challenges Nepal faces in promoting rural education and awareness, particularly in the aftermath of the civil war that had left so many communities in ruins.

But despite these challenges, the people of Nepal remain resilient and determined. As I think back on my journey and the stories I heard from the people I met, I am filled with a sense of hope for the future. With hard work and determination, I believe that we can help to build a brighter future for the children of Nepal and work towards a world where no child is left to struggle alone.

And then, just a few short months later, Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake that further exacerbated the struggles of these already impoverished communities. Homes were destroyed, schools were reduced to rubble, and countless people were left homeless and traumatized by the disaster. But even in the face of such overwhelming hardship, the people of Nepal remain resilient and determined.

As I reflect on my journey and the stories I heard from the people I met, I am filled with a sense of hope for the future. With hard work and determination, I believe that we can help to build a brighter future for the children of Nepal and work towards a world where no child is left to struggle alone.