History of MAPS

Multidisciplinary Academic PerspectiveS

(MAPS)

towards broader horizons


MAPS conceptions:


We talk, act and interact. And when we talk, we also discuss on ideas in their various forms and under different names: thought, theory, principle, philosophy, ideology, and so on. In doing so, we come to know more of the ideas already familiar to us, and often also something about unfamiliar ideas. Hereby, one gets to find out what one knows and what one knows not. In addition, one also gets to become acquainted with perspectives of and interpretation made by individuals from various academic, intellectual, socio-economic, intellectuals, and professional backgrounds and orientations. Hence, academic dialogue on the level of ideas is insightful and rewarding. MAPS came into being with the aim of marching, in an organized manner, Towards Broader Horizons of knowledge and understanding.


MAPS- further on


Having decided to march ahead, MAPS started up with a purely academic exchange/discussion and interpretation program to be held on a regular basis. The discussion program is planned to be one among the other initiatives to be taken in the days to come.


Discussion Programs


Episode 1: May 20, 2006 (Jestha 06, 2063)--Saturday


In the first episode thirteen participants attended the program and the topic for discussion was 'Marxism'. The same topic was chosen for the following episode too, since much under the topic was felt to have been left unexplored. Also, membership to the MAPS was announced to be open to all interested. The details of the programme are as follows:


Date/time: May 20, 2006/ 4 pm to 6pm

Venue: International Alert, Anamnagar

Topic: Marxism

Moderater: Bhasker Kafle

Presenters: Sachin Ghimire, Badri Pudasaini, Sagar Mudvari

Participants:

  1. Bhasker Kafle

  2. Sagar Mudvari

  3. Binu Rijal

  4. Shreedhar Neupane

  5. Sushil Shrestha

  6. Sachin Ghimire

  7. Jivan Adhiraki

  8. Bikram Sherchan

  9. Yashad Dangol

  10. Kushal Pokharel

  11. Badri Pd. Pudasaini

  12. Rukh Gurung

  13. Samip Sagar Rai


Episode 2: Saturday, May 27, 2006 (Jestha 13 2063)


The turn out of participants in the second episode was 24. The following are the details:


Date/time: May 27, 2006 (Jestha 13 2063), 4-6 pm Saturday

Venue: Free Student Union, Tri-Chandra College, Ghantaghar

Topic: Marxism

Moderator: Bhasker Kafle

Presenters: Bikram Sherchan, Sagar Mudvari, Badri Pudasaini


A core group comprising of seven members was also constituted after the formal session. The participants nominated Bhasker Kafle as the coordinator of the Group. Sagar Mudvari, Shreedhar Neupane, Subahsh Chandra Kattel, Binu Rijal, Kamala Rimal, Badri Prasad Pudasaini were other members of the Group.


The group met again on Monday, May 29 inside Tri-Chandra College premises, and discussed on various issues concerning the MAPS and its future course.


Core group discussion (May 29, 2006)


Following are the decisions made by the group:

  1. The discussion program to be named 'Shastrartha' meaning interpretations of the 'Shastras'—Disciplines.

  2. A guest analyst to be invited to each episode.

  3. Shastrartha to have 2 sessions; presentation and open discussion.

  4. Presentaion:

    • Presentation 1- to be followed by a brief classification, question round.

    • Presentation 2- to be followed by a brief clarification, question round.


  1. Open discussion:

    • Discussion among all participants.

    • Guest annalist's presentation.

    • Question and open discussion


  1. Topic for the following week: 'Structural Functionalism'.

  2. Fund collection from among the core group, Rs. 5 from each = Rs. 35.


Episode 3: June 03, 2006 (Jestha 20, 2063)


Bhasker Kafle and Sachin Ghimire obtained permission from Martin Chautari in order to run SHASTRARTHA (The name given to interaction and interpretation program) inside the Chautari premises, for a probation period of 3 months. Thirty five participants registered their participation in the third episode.


Date: June 03, 2006 (Jestha 20, 2063)

Time: 4 pm to 6 pm

Venue: Martin Chautari, Thapathali

Topic: Structural Functionalism

Moderator: Shreedhar Neupane

Presenters: Sachin Ghimire, Balmukunda Prajapati


Details of the core group meet on June 03, 2006


  1. Core group extended by four new members: Jivan Adhikari, Sanjaya Adhakari, Sachin Ghimire and Dipak Bhattrai making the total membership number 11.

  2. Moderator for the 4th episode: Sanjaya Adhakari

  3. Number of presenters to be 2

  4. Role assigned:

Bhasker Kafle: contact guest analyst and send emails.

Sachin Ghimire: contact guest analyst

Binu: to make phone calls, treasure

Sagar Mudvari & Subhash C. Kattel: documentation

Jewan & Shreedhar: media contact

  1. Core group absentees: Kamala Rimal and Badri Pudasaini

  2. Fund collection from core group Rs. 45

  3. Total fund Rs. 80


Episode 4: June 10, 2006/ 4 pm to 6 pm


This was the first episode to have a guest analyst. Participation was encouraging and discussion was livelier than earlier. Forty seven participants registered their names in the program.


Date/time: June 10, 2006/ 4 pm to 6 pm

Venue: martin Chautari, Thapathali

Topic: Postmodernism

Presenters: Bkasker Kafle and Binu Rijal

Guest analyst: Sanjeev Pokhrel

Moderator: Sanjay Adhikari


In the program, the same topic- postmodernism was chosen as the one for following episode too. Sushil Shrestha entered the core group as a new member, making the total membership number 12. The core group met after the Shastrartha and discussed on the following issues:

  1. Moderator: the moderator would have to be a core group member with a minimum of 3 times attendance in Shastrartha.

  2. Core group: The core group membership to range from 15 to 20 members.


Following were the issues discussed:

    • Pod casting shastrartha in the internet,

    • Documenting Shastrartha presentation and discussion,

    • Posting wall magazine in Martin Chautari,

    • Publishing articles in papers,

    • Jivan Adhikari informed the group about web posting of Shastrartha in www.spotnepal.com