Author: space4knews

The book “The Peculiar Democracy: An Extraordinary Election” authored by former Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Thapaliya offers a comprehensive reinterpretation of elections as broad social, political, cultural, and psychological processes. The book deeply analyzes the structural contradictions in the American electoral system, limitations of the two-party system, and challenges posed by the digital era. The author proposes measures to improve Nepal’s electoral system and describes democracy as a continuous process of reform and reconstruction.

Rather than limiting elections to a narrow administrative or technical process (voting, counting, and result declaration), the book endeavors to redefine elections as extensive sociological, political, cultural, and psychological phenomena. The author urges understanding elections “not as events but as processes,” and “not as numbers but as societies.” This perspective encourages readers to perceive elections beyond the act of voting centers, viewing them as expressions of deeper structural societal relations.

Another significant analysis in the book focuses on the “peculiar contradictions” of American democracy. Moving beyond superficial praise of the United States—considered the world’s oldest democracy—the author thoroughly exposes the structural contradictions within its electoral system. In particular, he interprets the dominance of the two-party system as a potential limitation of democracy. In this context, the book interestingly portrays the coexistence of technology and tradition within the American electoral process.

The author highlights the extremely high financial investments in election processes—especially the expenditure of billions of dollars and the associated opaque fundraising systems—as primary challenges to democracy. He interprets elections not merely as “celebrations of democratic values” but as intense competitions for power, wealth, and resources. This exposes the profound gap between democratic ideals and practical realities. The author’s analysis is highly relevant not only to the American context but also to democratic practices worldwide.

Microsoft has increased the prices of its new Surface PCs equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. The price of the Surface Pro has risen from $799 to $1,049, while the Surface Laptop has jumped from $899 to $1,149. The primary reasons for this price hike are the rising costs of memory and components, along with shortages of RAM and storage chips. Microsoft has made notable changes to its Surface lineup, resulting in higher prices. Devices that were available for $1,000 two years ago now require a minimum payment of $1,500. Consequently, Microsoft will no longer offer any new Surface devices priced below $1,000.

Key points regarding the price increases for the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are as follows: The 12-inch Surface Pro now costs $1,049, and the 13-inch Surface Laptop is priced at $1,149. The higher-end Surface Laptop and the 13-inch Surface Pro have reached a price of $1,499, marking a $300 increase.

Microsoft attributes the price increase mainly to the rise in costs of memory and other components. Particularly, shortages of RAM and storage chips have driven up prices across the technology sector. With this price adjustment, Microsoft appears more expensive in competition with Apple’s Mac products. Currently, the Apple M5 MacBook Air with comparable specifications is available for $400 less than Microsoft’s Surface Laptop. In 2024, Microsoft decided to transition from Intel and AMD chips to ARM-based processors. Although these devices have been successful after several years of development, the recent price hikes may disappoint customers.

2 Baisakh, Myagdi — Beni Municipality in Myagdi district has closed one school this year and reduced classes or realigned levels in 15 other schools. Due to a shortage of students, Chetana Basic School located in Beni Municipality–5 has been shut down. According to Arjun Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer of Beni Municipality, 32 teachers from the closed and downsized schools have been reassigned to schools with higher student populations.

Chetana Basic School, which offered education up to grades 1 to 3, was closed due to no new student enrollment, the municipality stated. Previously, Jagannath Basic School in Upper Gajne and Okhle Basic School in Ward No. 10 of Beni Municipality–5 were also closed last year.

The municipality reported that in Beni Municipality–1, Gyanpunj Basic School; Ward No. 2’s Hansabahini Basic School; Ward No. 3’s Navjyoti and Bhume Basic Schools maintain only kindergarten classes, although they originally offered grades 1 to 3. Similarly, Bhanubhakta Secondary School in Ratnechaur was reduced from grades 1–12 to 1–8; Jadabharat Sanskriti Secondary School in Galeshwor from 1–10 to 1–8; and Thakanpokhari and Radhakrishna Basic Schools from 1–8 to 1–5.

Basic schools such as Barah, Gyanpunj, Navdurga, Vidyamandir, Barnath, Syalikhet, and Chandroday offer classes only up to grade 3, down from 1–5 levels. Mayor Surat KC explained that as per the decision of the 17th Municipal Assembly, “Where students exist, teachers must be present.” Teachers from schools with fewer students have been reassigned to schools with more enrollment.

He added, “Following on-site inspections by a task force in last Bhadra and discussions with subject committees, communities, and ward representatives, a decision was taken in the executive meeting on Chaitra 27 to reduce school levels and classes and manage teacher assignments. We have communicated this for implementation from the new academic session. If student numbers increase in downsized schools, we have a policy to restore levels and classes accordingly.”

The Education Section’s Deputy Secretary Ksheer Bahadur Bhandari noted that schools have been notified to appoint head teachers according to the revised levels decided by the executive. In secondary schools and basic schools offering grades 1–8 and 1–5, senior teachers in their respective grades have been organized as head teachers.

A subcommittee has been formed to assess the physical assets of closed schools, with assets and documents planned to be stored in the nearest schools. The municipality is preparing for a second phase involving further adjustments of levels and reassigning teachers to schools based on subject requirements.

Currently, Beni Municipality has 55 community schools with facilities such as well-equipped buildings, internet, electricity, drinking water, toilets, and computers. However, rural community schools have seen a decline in student numbers annually due to population migration. Due to insufficient students for running classes, 11 schools were realigned in the 2079 academic year and 7 schools in 2080.

The rapid migration, attraction toward private schools, failure to gain parental trust, inability to provide English-medium instruction, and lack of subject-specialist teachers pose significant challenges for community schools.

During summer, the air pressure inside motorcycle tires increases with rising temperatures, making regular tire pressure checks essential for safety and optimal performance. Overinflated tires become hard, reducing their contact surface with the road, which can compromise motorcycle balance and increase the risk of accidents. The hot season impacts not only the rider but also the motorcycle itself. Particularly, fluctuations in tire air pressure due to temperature changes can make even routine trips hazardous if ignored. Incorrect tire pressure is a common, though often overlooked, cause of many accidents. Overinflation weakens road grip, while underinflation leads to quicker tire wear and reduced mileage. Therefore, checking the tire pressure (PCI) before riding in summer is vital for safety and good performance.

Why does tire pressure change in summer? As temperatures rise, the air pressure inside sealed tires increases. According to basic principles of physics, gas expands with heat, causing tire pressure to elevate naturally. This explains why tires that feel normal during cool mornings can seem much firmer under the midday sun. If this change is not monitored, tire pressure can exceed recommended levels. Extended rides, hot asphalt, and high speeds further increase this pressure. In such cases, only the middle part of the tire contacts the road, reducing grip. The consequences include longer braking distances, destabilized motorcycle balance, and increased chances of slipping while cornering.

What PCI level is appropriate? Generally, front motorcycle tires require 25 to 30 PSI, and rear tires need 30 to 35 PSI. However, this is not universal. The ideal pressure can vary based on the motorcycle model, engine capacity, tire size, number of passengers, and manufacturer recommendations. Most manufacturers provide the correct tire pressure details on the motorcycle’s chain cover, swing arm, fuel tank sticker, or user manual. Therefore, it is wiser to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines rather than relying on estimates when inflating tires.

The common belief that “a little extra air pressure is safer during summer” is misleading because the road temperature itself increases tire pressure. Maintaining the correct PSI prolongs tire life, improves fuel efficiency, ensures stable braking, and facilitates better overall motorcycle control. Although a tire with excess air pressure may seem fine at first glance, it carries significant risks. Overinflated tires become rigid and have reduced contact with the road, which can disrupt the motorcycle’s natural balance.