Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Life Without Fuel

By Shila Parajuli

Picture Courtesy: DWIT News

I really hate strikes. Why only me? Haha..I know it’s not ONLY ME! Everyone hates it when one’s country is entirely dependent on neighboring country for everything from “nun to sun” (English translation: “salt to gold”).

Madhesi Andolan, which has been ruining the lives of Nepalese for almost two months now, will not end easily. When a country is landlocked, it does not have any means of transportation except for vehicles that runs from diesel and petrol, and airplanes that runs from fuels. For these fuels, Nepal is wholly and solely dependent upon India. Nepal gave tender to India, and Nepal Oil Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation signed a contract 30 years ago.

Now let’s come to the point. How would your life be without fuels? Has anyone ever imagined? I have already imagined the scenario without fuel. First of all, you would have to go to your school, wherever it is, on foot. Yes, it does not matter how far it is. I have already started doing so. This substitutes my morning and evening walks. Hence, I really like strikes when it comes to short walks. Moreover, you would have to go for shopping too on foot. And, every time you go for shopping you would have to pull a big basket with wheels. If you are planning to buy a lot of things, then you’re going to be a living cargo when returning home with all that you’ve purchased (laughs). If your hometown is too far like mine, you will have no option than to go cycling all the way to your hometown. If you have a total of 10 days of holiday, 6 days are going to get used up by cycling (3 days to go home and 3 days to return to where your college is). You will then have 4 long days to spend with your family. FOUR long days. Wow, that’s so fantastic! Out of 10 days, use four days to enjoy your holiday!

Why don’t we try using some alternatives to make our life easier and to prevent ourselves from the consequences of “no fuel”? Hydroelectricity is a good source of energy in context of Nepal. There are lots of city safaris in Terai region that are only a means of transportation these days. Plus, we already have electrical scooters and cars available in Nepal. These all require electricity to charge. Hence, generating electricity by using our rich water resources as soon as we can is what the moment we’re all facing desires. Solar panels can also be a good choice for lighting our home. There can be many other innovative alternatives. All we have to do is effective brainstorming rather than sitting in restaurants in the name of meeting and filling our tummies!

Everyone is free to drop their suggestions. What can be other alternatives? Feel free to comment.