Holi and Party

Yesterday, March 19, 2011, we, Laramie-Nepalese, celebrated Holi, a hindu festival of colors. Lok dai and his family came along with Sonam, Saroj, and Puspa in our apartment. They "smeared" our face with colored powder. Then we started our journey from one Nepali's apartment to others to celebrate Holi and we headed from one apartment to other. When we reached Baichhabi dai's apartment, more people joined us. Then we went to other Nepali's apartment who are living 'Spanish Walk apartment.' Almost all Laramie Nepali people smeared each other's faces with colored powder. Lok dai, Saroj dai, and kaman Dai were playing Madal-a Nepali musical instrument, and signing folks songs while some were dancing.

Furthermore, we planned to organize a get-together so as to enjoy and celebrate Holi by eating, singing, and dancing. According to our plan, we all gathered at our apartment and started to prepare, manage, and be ready for the party. Party started at 7:00 pm and last at 2:00 am. It was a great time to enjoy with joyful friends and brothers, so I did not miss the opportunity to have a fun at the party. Lok Dai, Basant Dai, Rajan Dai, Rajendra Dai, Saroj Dai, Baichhabi Bro,Vagaban, Ajit, Sudip, Manoj, Shanker,Sano Saroj, and I all were enjoying the party very much by dancing and singing. I would like to thank you all for making party very enjoyable and special thanks to Bhaujus and Dhurba for their great help and contributions.

(Saroj Dai playing Maddle- a Nepali musical instrument)

( Brothers are enjoying the party: Sudeep on the right and Sanu Saroj in th middle with long hair )

( We are heading to Nepali Brother's apartments in Spanish walk.)

( Lok Dai, in the middle, playing Maddle- a Nepali musical instrument )

(Vagaban Subedi is knocikng on the door of one of Nepali brother's apartment)

( Durba(on left) and Shanker (on right) are smearing face of Kaman Dai( on middle) with 'abeer' )

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

           Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are those organisms whose genome has been modified to develop specific traits. Recombinant DNA technology is being practiced for altering or modifying genetic materials of living organisms such as plants, fish, animals and microorganisms. There are various views about regulating GMO. In my opinion GMO is in USA should not be regulated in the same manner as other new organisms. There are some benefits that can be gained from GMO, but there are very serious problems concerning with GMO.

   

                  Moreover, some of the mosquitoes developed resistance to pesticide DDT; many people assume those insects will resistant to Bt corn or other crops that have been genetically modified to produce their own pesticides. According to laboratory study published on Nature magazine a genetically modified Bt. Corns’ pollen grains caused high mutation rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars.  Bt toxins kill many insect larvae. As scientists have developed high herbicide resistant crops the farmers used increased amount of herbicides because they think that that crops can tolerate herbicides. In 2004, GMOs production banned in California, Mendocino city.

                  Furthermore, there is possibility of transfer genetically modified organisms’ gene to other new organism, which results in modification of unwanted organisms with untargeted gene developed. Pollen grains transferred from insects, birds, and winds carry genetically altered seeds into neighboring field. This pollen from transgenic plants can cross pollinate with natural crops. All crops are then vulnerable to contamination from cross pollination. Conventionally bred crop plants can be cross pollinated from pollen of modified plants. Winds, animals, and insects usually disperse pollen over large areas. 

                  On the other hand, there are possibilities that GMOs could introduce food allergens in the food or lead to spread of antibiotic resistance. Though scientists and governments have said that consumption of these types of crops is safe without any adverse health effect, these crop’s consumption is being discouraged by many environments groups in many countries.

                  Additionally, there is probability of transfer of gene from herbicide or pesticide resistant genetically modified plants into weed. This makes super weeds resistant to pesticides. This results in growth of weeds that harms to yield crops. There will be high growth of weeds with unwanted gene. That decreases the productivity of crops.

                  The cost production of genetically modified organisms is high, these processes includes high sophisticated techniques. Consumers need to pay high amount for buying genetically modified foods due to high cost of productions. Many companies are producing genetically modified foods for benefits. There may be problems for poor people to buy expensive genetically modified foods. There are many adverse health effects on human health with the consumption of GMO food; many children have faced health problems due to allergens of GMO food.   There are some advantages to produce, consume, and use GMOs, but; it can cause adverse health problems.

((References:

                        Genetically modified organism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                        Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?

                        Turtle Mountain - GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms   ))