Blog of Rajneesh Bhandari

Just near the famous Marina beach is Nochikuppam slum that houses 13 hundred huts where around 5 thousand people live below poverty level. Among them is 35 year old Nandani who sells fish to earn her living. The scorching heat of the summer makes her life more difficult as her husband can´t find fishes in the ocean. "We don´t have enough money to have two meals a day," says Nandani. She adds that "It´s difficult to run the family."

ALCOHOLISM: THE MAJOR PROBLEM

Nandani lives under the global poverty line with her three children and her husband. The family earns Rs 50 a day. But all the money is spent by her alcoholic husband. "My husband drinks all the time. Alcoholism has been one of the major problems in the area", says a concerned Nandani. The fishermen were enjoying playing cards in the afternoon while Nandani was speaking about the effects of alcohol in her family. Most of the fishermen seem to be drunk in the day time.

The concept of living together is popular in western countries like America, United Kingdom and Australia. The concept adopted mainly by westerners is gaining popularity amongst Eastern countries as well and Nepali youths are no exception to this. But the couples staying together are not found speaking openly about their relationship. The major reason behind it could be the fact that the issue has yet to gain legality socially and religiously. Living Together means living without getting bonded in any cultural or legal provisions such as Marriage and sharing the bondage emotionally.

However Nepali youths living in foreign lands have already adopted the concept. Youths landing up in countries like Australia, America, United Kingdom and India for higher studies are in the line to adopting it. According to Bhuwaneshore Sharma, a Nepali Journalist based in Australia, this concept is prevalent among some youngsters there.