Emerging Voices on Asia Blog - Author Archive
The Emerging Voices on Asia blog is for young Canadians’ perspectives on our linkages with a changing Asia.
About Vince Ng
Posted on January 17, 2013 10:17 / Author: Vince Ng / Tags: Bandh, Civil War, Maoism, Maoists, Nepal
On February 13, 1996, The Communist Party of Nepal launched their ‘People’s War’ against the ruling monarchy. After over a decade of struggle, the Maoist Party now holds the largest number of seats in the Nepalese Constituent Assembly and there is relative stability and peace. On April 10, 2012, The Nepalese Army and Maoist People’s Army finally merged, and I was fortunate enough to witness first-hand the lead-up to that event. Statistics and casualties are information that anyone can get in the newspapers or on websites. What I would like to share...
Posted on October 23, 2012 10:28 / Author: Vince Ng / Tags: Anandaban, healthcare, Leprosy, Nepal
Leprosy seems to be one of the oldest (or if not, most infamous) of diseases in human history. Yet, the closest a Canadian has, or probably ever will, come to the disease is through movies like Ben Hur. After the chariot race scene, Ben Hur makes his way to Jerusalem’s leper colony in search of his mother and sister in order to bring them to find Jesus. In the movie, lepers are portrayed as zombie-like, living a pitiful existence in caves and shut off from society. Unfortunately, leprosy is still alive and common in Nepal due to unsanitary living...
Posted on July 26, 2012 10:48 / Author: Vince Ng / Tags: development, healthcare, hospital, Nepal, NGO
After two days of traveling on treacherous, dusty mountain roads, we pulled into Tansen from Rukum and Napalgunj. The transition from the bustling Indian-style bazaars and Maoist rallies to gently sloping mountains was a much-anticipated relief for weary travelers. The old charm of the Rhana dynasty architecture still graced the facade of the city. Ethnic Magar men sporting distinctive, brightly colored toppi (Nepali hats), hand in hand, leisurely walked the steep roads while exchanging ‘Namaste’s’ to passing acquaintances. Women carrying baskets...
Posted on June 08, 2012 18:31 / Author: Vince Ng / Tags: Nepal, Rukum
Imagine fields of yellow mustard flowers as far as the eye can see, painted over a landscape of fast-moving rivers in the foothills of the Himalayas. Villages, comprised of brown houses that were painstakingly built by the hands of their owners, are perched upon mountain slopes that test the physical stamina of the inhabitants every single day. The tallest building in Rukum, a four story concrete warehouse, stands proudly in the bazaar’s dusty road lined by numerous general stores and chai tea stands. Caravans of mules with empty loads make their way...
Posted on May 18, 2012 09:27 / Author: Vince Ng / Tags: Asian Heritage Month, Japan
Having lived in Toronto and Vancouver nearly all of my life, I felt that every day was Asian Heritage Month. The fact that one does not recognize a special event dedicated to oneself is quite a blessing, I would say. Imagine if moms were to receive flowers and breakfast-in-bed every day, including on Mother’s Day. That is being Asian during Asian Heritage Month. Very few countries acknowledge the contribution of Asian immigrants. Fewer even make it a government mandate, which leads me to believe that Canada is truly a world leader in...
