Tansen (Palpa), November 19- Jana Utthan Community Library in Palpa Tansen has been established a few months ago with the objectives to promote the awareness level of Dalits, to develop it as learning center for Dalit youths, and to promote it as an electronic information center. Mr. Man Bahadur Bk, the founder President of JUP-Nepal, and also the member of National Cooperative Development Board inaugurated the library on 18 November 2007. In his inaugural speech, he said that JUP since its inception, has been working for the empowerment of Dalits and other disadvantaged groups through media advocacy by publishing its monthly magazine ‘Jana Utthan’. He added that the library will promote awareness against discrimination among Dalits as well as non-Dalits especially youths at local level. On the occasion, he remembered the initial support of Dr. Drona Prakash Rasali, a scholar from Palpa Humin now residing in Canada, and admired the effort of local Dalit youths for its establishment. Mr. Bk urged all the local agencies and the well-wishers residing abroad for the support to enhance the library capacity.

On the occasion, Mr. Dhanendra Raj Ghimire, the member of CPN–UML Central Account Division said, the problem of all form of caste-based discrimination would be resolved after the end of feudalism and through establishment of democratic republic by Constituent Assembly. Mr. Madhav Nepal, the District Secretary of Nepali Congress said human rights have been violated because of caste-based discrimination; so, we all need to work for it. Comrade Prakash, the District Secretary of YCL (CPN-Maoist) said, the programs, which are organized to uplift Dalits, should be village centered rather city oriented. Mr. Thakur Lohagun, the President of Oppressed Caste Liberation Society, and Mr. Dal Bahadur Rajput, the Member of Dalit Sangh congratulated for this initiation and said that the movement of Dalits should be initiated from every village of the state. Mr. Satish Chapagain, the Central Vice-president of Nepal Press Union and Mr. Gopal Basyal, the District Vice-president of Nepal Journalist Federation–Palpa said, Dalit journalists should be included in the media sector. They also committed to continued support for the library.

Jan Uthan Community Library, Tansen inaugurated.[More pictures: >>>More pictures of Jan Uthan Community Library]

In the program Mr. Man Bahadur Bk handed over the cash NRs. 6,360.00 (Six thousand three hundred and sixty only) and 35 pairs of cloths collected by JUCN (Jana Utthan Communicative Network) Palpa to the Secretary of YCL–Palpa (CPN–Maoist) for taking it to the victims of Kapilbastu incident. Mr. Baburam Bk, the Acting President of JUP, welcomed by Mr. Milan Khati- the JUP peace volunteer, hosted by Mr. Raju Rasali- the Coordinator of Jana Utthan Public Library and JUCN Palpa, chaired the program. JUP-Nepal started working in Palpa three years ago by airing the radio FM program “Naulo Bihani” in collaboration with Shreenagar FM and conducted some community level programs in collaboration with District Development Committee-Palpa.

Report by:
Raju Rasali
Coordinator
Jana Utthan Public Library, Tansen
and JUCN Palpa