Excerpts from Naya Patrika Daily, published on December 06, 2008.

The story is about the Dalan TV serial, which was producted by Jagaran Media Center and broadcast by Nepal TV.

मध्यपृष्ठ

दलन: एउटा अलग सपना
2008-12-06, Saturday

बिस्तारै चराले चिठी बोकेर आउँछ । लाग्छ, त्यसमा ठूलै सन्देश छ । पन्चेबाजाका सहयोगी बाजा नगरा र नर्सिंगा बज्छन्, मानौँ शुभकार्यको थालनी भयो । यसपछि दुईतिर सेतो र बीचमा रातो अक्षरमा हातले लेखिए जस्तै तीन अक्षर देखा पर्छन् । यसपछि मादलको ताल मिसिएर संगीत सुरु हुन्छ । यो सांगीतिक धुनसँगै आगोको ज्वालाभित्र चित्रहरू चलमलाउँछन् । यी चित्रहरू चलमलाउँदा लाग्छ, प्लेटोले परिकल्पना गरेको मानिसको गुफाको संसार यही हो । जहाँ मानिसहरू वर्षौंदेखि ठूलो पहाडको गुफामा छन्, अलिकति उज्यालो छिर्छ र चित्रहरू चलमलाउँछन् । मानिसहरू त्यही अँध्यारो गुफालाई साँचो संसार ठानेर बाँचेका छन् । त्यस्तै गरी कोही घन पिट्दै, कोही सारंगी बजाउँदै र लुगा सिलाउँदै गरेका चित्रहरूसँगै सुरु हुन्छ दृश्यमाथिको संगीत बयान ।

माथि-माथि अरूहरू, तल म छु छाँया एक्लै,
जन्म उस्तै, मृत्यु उस्तै, बाँच्नुपर्ने ढंग बेग्लै
मान्छेभन्दा मान्छे सानो, क्रूर कस्तो चलन
यो दलन, यो दलन, यो दलन !

शुभबहादुर सुनामले सिर्जना गरेको सुमधुर लयमा साहित्यकार श्रवण मुकारुङका यी शब्दसँगै नेपाल टेलिभिजनको पर्दामा प्रत्येक आइतबार बेलुका आठ पचास बजे प्रसारण सुरु हुन्छ, नेपाली टेलिशृंखला दलन । जागरण मिडिया सेन्टरको प्रस्तुतिमा आहूतिको लेखन र नवीन सुब्बाको निर्देशनमा दलन तयार भएको हो । नेपाली टेलिभिजनको इतिहासमा मात्र होइन, नेपाली समाजको चलचित्रको इतिहासमा नै यसले नयाँ उचाइ कायम गर्दै अगाडि बढिरहेको छ, दलन । विनातर्क तथा नेपाली समाजका यथार्थभन्दा पृथक् दृश्यहरू थुपारेर ‘ड्याङडुङ’ र ‘झ्याङझुङ’का साथै भारतीय सिरियलका फोटोकपीवाला नेपाल टेलिभिजनका सिरियललाई पछार्दै कसौटी जिन्दगी की र कुमकुमका दर्शकलाई पनि आकर्षण गर्न सफल भइरहेको छ दलन ।

नेपाली सिरियल मात्र होइन, नेपाली चलचित्रको परम्परागत प्रवृत्तिमाथि पनि औँला ठड्याएको छ यसले । यसले कायम गरेको उचाइ मापनको एउटा नमुना हो, टेलिशृंखलाबाट प्रभावित भएर बनेका दलन-क्लबहरू । यसले दलनको प्रभाव र लोकपि्रयता झल्काइरहेको छ । मुलुकमा संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनपछि नयाँ संविधान निर्माणको क्रम यतिवेला चलिरहेको छ । नयाँ नेपालको सामाजिक विसंगतिविरुद्ध तथा सामाजिक रूपान्तरणका पक्षमा त दलन नमुनाकै रूपमा स्थापित हुन सकेको छ भने नेपाली चलचित्रको विषय र प्रस्तुतिमा समेत चलचित्रकर्मी, समीक्षक र दर्शकलाई यसले घोत्लिन बाध्य पारेको छ भन्दा अन्यथा हुनेछैन । सहरदेखि गाउँ, बालकदेखि वृद्ध-वृद्धा, बौद्धिकदेखि सर्वसाधारण, राजनीतिज्ञदेखि कार्यकर्तासम्मको मनमा बस्न दलन टेलिशृंखला सफल भएको छ । के छ त दलनमा त्यस्तो ? किन दर्शकलाई बाँध्न सफल भयो ? के नेपाली चलचित्रका दर्शकले खोजेका चलचित्रहरू यस्तै हुन् ? वा नयाँ नेपालको चलचित्रको स्वरूप र शैली कस्तो हुने ? यी विषयमा जति छलफल र बहस हुनुपथ्र्यो त्यो भएको कतै सुनिएको छैन । दलनको छोटो समीक्षासँगै यस विषयमा एकछिन घोत्लिउ“m ।

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अहिलेसम्म प्रसारण भएका भागहरू हेर्दा नेपाली समाजको यथार्थ चित्रण गर्न कुनै कसुर बाँकी राखेको छैन । यही यथार्थ प्रतिविम्बका क्रममा कतिपय दृश्यमा निकै जोसिला शब्द पनि प्रयोग भएका छन् । तर, ती शब्दहरू प्रगोग गर्दा निर्देशकले तरिका पुर्याएका छन् । दर्शकलाई शब्दको पछि होइन, भावनात्मकतातर्फ मोड्ने काम गरिएको छ ।

नेपाली सिरियलको सुरुवात लामो दूरीबाट खिचिएको डाँडापखा र गाउँको दृश्यबाट हुन्थ्यो । नेपाली चलचित्रको हालत पनि यस्तै छ । तर, दलनले यो परम्परागत सुरुवातलाई भत्काउँदै कालो पहाडी घोडाको टापबाट सुरु गरेको छ । यसपछि, घोडा छाँटेर हिँडेका जिम्वाल र उसको अर्दलीको दृश्य सुरु हुन्छ । यहीँदेखि दर्शकमा कौतुहल जाग्छ । गाउँका कट्टर बाहुनका छोरा हरिहरको त्यही गाउँकी टुल्की दमिनीसँग प्रेम हुन्छ । टुल्की दुई जीउकी भएपछि यो भेद समाजका अगाडि खुल्दै जान्छ । बाहुनको छोराले दमिनीलाई पेट बोकाएकाले कुलको मानहानी हुने कुरा गाउँका पञ्च-भलाद्मी भनाउँदाले गर्छन् । यसबाट पन्छाउन हरिहर नेपाललाई बनारस पठाउने र टुल्की दमिनीलाई लाटो किनेर विवाह गरिदिने प्रपञ्च रचिन्छ । लाटोसँग जानुभन्दा आत्महत्याको बाटो टुल्कीले रोज्छे । तर, भाग्यवश बाँच्न सफल हुन्छे । उता बनारस हिँडेको हरिहर टुल्कीको मायाले आधा बाटोबाटै फर्किन्छ । दुवैको भीरमा भेट हुन्छ । यी दुवै नछुट्टिने भएपछि सजायका लागि ठिंग्रोमा हालिन्छ । गाउँमा पण्डित खलकको इज्जत बचाउनका लागि चारपाटा मुडेर सँुगुरको पाठो बोकाउँदै कहिल्यै त्यो गाउँ र्फकन नपाउने गरी भेरीखोला कटाइन्छ ।

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यसरी २००७ सालको माघ महिनामा भेरीको सेरोफेरोबाट कथा सुरु हुन्छ । भेरी कटाइएको त्यो जोडी बाग्लुङ-पर्वतको सरोफरोमा आग्पुग्छ । कथा यहीँ आएर अगाडि बढेको छ । यसको कथा काठमाडौंसम्मको रहको भए पनि यो सामग्री तयार पारुन्जेल गाउँमै छ । २००७ सालको परिवर्तन हुनुभन्दा केही दिनअगाडिको समय, भेरीवरपरको स्थान र विषय वस्तुसँगको परिचय सुरुवातदेखि नै मज्जाले गरिएको छ । सबल नाटक, उपन्यास, कथा, र चलचित्रको भाषामा भन्ने हो भने दलनको सेटिङदेखि नै राम्ररी बुनिएको छ । यहीँदेखि दर्शकलाई बाँध्न सफल हुन्छ । त्यस कालक्रमको जिम्वाल, तालुकदारदेखि त्यतिखेरको मान्छेले प्रयोग गर्ने सामग्रीलाई लोभलाग्दो पाराले प्रयोग गरिएको छ । भेरीखोला कटाएपछि तरेको डुंगाको दृश्यले झन् दर्शकलाई त्यही कालमा पुर्याउन सफल भएको छ ।

सात सालदेखिको समय परिवर्तन हुँदै जाँदा प्रयोग गरिने सामग्रीदेखि लुगा पनि परिवर्तन हँुदै गएको देखाएको छ । जिम्वाल, जनजाति र दलितबीचको अन्तर कपडाबाट पनि प्रस्ट हुन्छन् । त्यो बुझाउनका लागि संवादै-संवादको थुप्रो पेस गरिएको छैन । धेरै कुरामा दृश्य आफैं बोल्छन् । कालक्रमअनुसारको संस्कृति र चाडपर्वहरू पनि राम्ररी रचिएका छन् । जिम्वालका दुई छोराको सानै उमेरमा भएको जोरविवाह, जिम्वालको घरमा दसैँमा टीका लगाउन आउने मान्छेको ताँती, सत्यनारायणका पूजा र छेओरजस्ता पक्षलाई पनि उनेको छ । लगौँटीदेखि पाइन्ट, कोराको भोटोदेखि सर्ट, हातले सिलाएको जुत्तादेखि आधुनिक जुत्ता पनि देख्न पाइन्छ यसमा । टोपीलाई मात्र याद गरियो भने इतिहासको फेहरिस्त नै छ भन्दा हुन्छ । घरको बनोटदेखि प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्यमा काखैमा हिमाल, गाउँका डाँडा-पाखा, वनजंगल, गोरेटा र बारीका पाटा तथा खेतका गह्राहरू राम्ररी चित्रित भएका छन् । भेरीमा देखिएको कालो घोडा, जिम्वालको रातो घोडा र सेतो घोडाले निर्माण मूल्य -प्रोडक्सन भ्यालु) बढाएको छ ।

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२००७ आएको प्रजातन्त्र, ०१६ सालको बिर्ता उन्मूलन, ०१७ सालको राजा महेन्द्रको ‘कू’, ०२० सालको मुलुकी ऐन, २१ सालको भूमिसुधार, पञ्चायती शासन, गाउँर्फक अभियान, ०३६ सालको जनमत-संग्रह, गाउँ-गाउँ पुगेको आधुनिक शिक्षा जस्ता महत्त्वपूर्ण घटनाक्रमलाई पनि दृश्य दस्ताबेजका रूपमा उतारेको छ । जनमत-संग्रहमा बहुदलको पराजयपछि निर्दलीय शासन व्यवस्थाले बोकेको चरित्र र त्यसपछिको मानिसको राजनीतिक चेतनालाई लिएर टेलिशृंखला अगाडि बढ्दै अहिले २०४६ सालको परिवर्तनको वरिपरि आइपुगेको छ । साथै, यसमा नेपाली समाजको विकासक्रम राजनीतिक, समाजशास्त्रीय, शासकीय कोणबाट पनि प्रस्ट्याइएको छ । नेपाल टेलिभिजनको पर्दामा अझै यस्ता राजनीतिक घटनक्रमहरू पनि उठ्दै जानेछन् ।

जस्तो शासनव्यवस्था उस्तै पात्रहरू यसमा देखिएका छन् । पहिलो पुस्ताको जिम्वाल जो प्रजातान्त्रिक कालदेखि पञ्चायतअघिसम्म देखा पर्छ । ऊ घुमाउरो पाराले अन्याय गरे पनि अलि उदार देखिन्छ । तमसुकमा चढाएरै भए पनि ऋण दिने, केही गर्छु भन्नेलाई गर्न दिने स्वभावको देखिन्छ । पहिलो पुस्ताको जिम्वालबाट सत्ता हस्तान्तरण भएपछि छोराले चलाउने सत्ता जति पञ्चायत छिप्पिँदै गयो उति दलितहरूको हुर्मत काढ्दै जान्छ । दलित तथा जनजातिको सामाजिक र राजनीतिक चेतनामा पनि समय क्रमसँगै विकसित भएको देखाइएको छ । कथित ठूलाबडाबाट गाउँले जनजीवन त्यसमाथि पनि दलितलाई गरिँदै आएको शोषणलाई राम्ररी उधिनिएको छ । दलनमा देखाइएको अन्याय र अत्याचारलाई देख्दा लाग्छ, हाम्रो मुलुक नर्कमा नै छ । गाउँमा भोग्दै आएको जीवनलाई टपक्क टिपेर पस्किएको छ । चलचित्र हेर्दा लाग्छ, यो दृश्य कैद गरिएको नभई हामी नेपाली समाजलाई हेरिरहेका छौँ ।

प्रत्येक दृश्यले चलचित्रको भाषा बोलेका छन् । क्यामेराको चाल र कोण, कलाकारका क्रियाकलाप, सट साइज र मौन दृश्यहरू आफैं बोलेका छन् । समाजमा दबाइएका पात्रहरू जो दलित जीवनमा बाँचेका छन् तिनलाई देखाउँदा क्यामेरा माथिल्लो कोणमा राखिएको छ र पात्रहरू तलतिर देखिन्छन् जसले दबाइएको अर्थ दिन्छ । कथित ठूला-ठालूका लागि तल्ला कोणमा क्यामेरा रहेर माथिपट्टिबाट खिचिएको छ यसले ठालूहरू सधैं माथि छन् भन्ने कुराको संकेत गर्छ । निर्देशक नवीन सुब्बाले नुमाफुङपछिको आफ्नो निर्देशकीय क्षमता मजाले देखाएका छन् । विनातर्क कुनै सट वा दृश्य देखा पर्दैनन् । सट साइज र सट टेकिङ पनि जीवन्त लाग्छन् । यस अर्थमा कि, त्यति साँघुरा गाउँले घरमा पनि क्यामेरा मुभमेन्ट देखिन्छ । यसमा छायाकार सिद्धार्थ शाक्य र मोहन शाहको खुबी पनि देखिएको छ ।

सुरुवातमा कथाले छिटो फड्को मारेको भएर निकै घोरिएर हेर्नुपरे पनि पछिल्लो समयमा सरल बनेको छ । पात्र छनोटमा अनुप बरालको कास्टिङ निर्देशकको भूमिका अब्बल देख्न सकिन्छ । गाउँका ब्राह्मणको छोरा हरिहरको भूमिकामा भूषण पोखरेलको अभिनयले धेरैको भावनामा तरंग पैदा गरिदिन्छ । दलनको छायांकनदेखि कतार एयरलाइन्समा जागिर खाएकी टुल्की वविता शर्मालाई सुरुमा गाउँकै पात्रजस्तो अलि कम देखिए पनि अन्य दृश्यले त्यसलाई भुलाएको छ । पहिलो पुस्ताका जिम्वाल देशभक्त खनाललगायत धेरै कलाकारको भूमिकामा खोट लगाउने ठाउँ देखिँदैन । कालीको भूमिकामा दिया मास्केको, जुठेमा अनुप बरालको अभिनयले झन् शृंखलालाई जीवन्त बनाउँछ । दर्शकले कहिल्यै नर्बिसिने कलाकारका रूपमा स्थापित भएका छन् धम्बरेको भूमिकामा देखिएका प्रकाश घिमिरे । स्थानीय कलाकार, जो क्यामेराका अगाडि कहिल्यै परेका थिएनन्, उनको अभिनय क्षमताले पनि दलनलाई जीवन्त बनाएको छ । यी अनुहार देख्दा लाग्छ, यी साँच्चिकै चलचित्र शिल्पी हुन् । मनमा जिम्वाल, रछ्याने, माने, ठूली, माइली, कटुवाल, होमबहादुर, मीतज्यू, सतमान, धम्मरे, गौलेड, मास्टरबाजस्ता भूमिकामा जो-जसले अभिनय गरेका छन्, तिनले अभिनयको राम्रो पाठ सिकाएका छन् ।

साहित्यकार आहूतिको लेखन नेपाली चलचित्र साहित्यमा एउटा कोसेढुंगा साबित गराउने दौडमा दौडिरहेको छ । नेपाली समाजमा रहेको विभेदकारी सांस्कृतिक मान्यता, त्यसको उपज र न्यायपूर्ण संघर्षका स्वरूपहरू टेलिशृंखलामा देखाइएका छन् । सामाजिक जीवनका यथार्थ विम्ब कथामा प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ, जसले सिलसिला र यथार्थलाई तोडेर जथाभावी कथा प्रस्तुत गर्ने परम्परालाई समेत तोडिदिएको छ । सांस्कृतिक संगीतकार शुभबहादुर सुनामको संगीतले कथ्य र चलचित्रको भाषालाई नेपाली शैलीमा बगाएको छ । समग्रमा सबै समूहको चलचित्रमा पकड देखिएको छ, जसले गर्दा चलचित्रको बनोट राम्रो भएको छ ।

अहिलेसम्म प्रसारण भएका भागहरू हेर्दा नेपाली समाजको यथार्थ चित्रण गर्न कुनै कसुर बाँकी राखेको छैन । यही यथार्थ प्रतिविम्बका क्रममा कतिपय दृश्यमा निकै जोसिला शब्द पनि प्रयोग भएका छन् । तर, ती शब्दहरू प्रगोग गर्दा निर्देशकले तरिका पुर्याएका छन् । दर्शकलाई शब्दको पछि होइन, भावनात्मकतातर्फ मोडिदिन्छ । जसले दृश्यमा ऊर्जा थपेको छ । जीवन्त अभिनय, मौलिक संगीत, दृश्य संरचना, क्यामेरा मुभमेन्ट, क्यामेरा कोण, ध्वनिजस्ता चलचित्रको भाषाका साथै कलाको त्यस्तो योग छ, जसले दर्शकको संवेग र बुद्धिमाथि कार्य गर्छ र गौरव र आनन्दको भावना जागृत गराउने समाथ्र्य प्रदान गर्छ । यसैबाट मान्छेलाई आन्दोलित पनि बनाउँछ । यसरी हेर्दा यसले नेपाली दर्शकमा नयाँ चलचित्र सौन्दर्य निर्माणको बाटामा लम्केको देखिन्छ ।

सन् १९५० को अन्त्य र ६० को पूर्वार्द्धमा फ्रान्समा नयाँ तरंग चलचित्र आन्दोलन चल्यो । परम्परागत शैलीमा निर्माण हुने चलचित्रलाई चुनौती दिँदै जन लुक गोदार्डलगायतका समूहले पुराना पुस्तालाई यसरी सम्बोधन गरे- ‘तिम्रा क्यामेरा चाल कुरूप र खत्तम छ, किनकि, तिम्रा विषय नै खराब छन् । तिम्रा कलाकारले खराब अभिनय गर्छन्, किनकि संवाद ज्यादै कमजोर र शब्दमा छन् । र, तिमीहरूलाई चलचित्र कसरी रचना गर्ने भन्ने नै थाहा छैन किनकि तिमीहरूलाई चलचित्र भन्ने नै थाहा छैन ।’

इटलीको नव यथार्थवादी आन्दोलनले पनि संसारभरि चलचित्रको शैली र स्वरूपलाई बदलिदियो र विश्वव्यापी पहिचान कायम गर्यो । नव यथार्थवादीले सेटमा छायांकन गर्ने परम्परालाई तोड्दै कथ्यको मागअनुसारको यथार्थ स्थानमा छायांकन गर्ने संस्कृतिको विकास गरे । व्यावसायिकभन्दा कहिल्यै पर्दामा नदेखिएका कलाकारबाट चलचित्र बनाउन थाले । नव यथार्थवादी चलचित्रकर्मीले परम्परागत चलचित्र निर्माणलाई विस्थापित गरेर नयाँ उचाइ कायम गर्यो । आज पनि नव यथार्थवादी धारका चलचित्रहरू कालजयी बनेर रहेका छन् ।

विशेष गरी फ्रान्स, इटली र जर्मनीका युवा चलचित्रकर्मीले नयाँ शैली र स्वरूपको खोजीमा चलाएको चलचित्र आन्दोलनलाई संसारभरि पढिन्छ । अझै पनि यी आन्दोलनताका बनेका चलचित्रहरू नहेरी धरै पाइन्न । यस्तै चलचित्र आन्दोलनको नेपालमा पनि खाँचो भएको छ । यो आन्दोलनको थालनी दलनले गरेको छ ।

Courtesy: Suvash Darnal, Jagaran Media Center.
________________________________________

Naya Patrika: दलन: एउटा अलग सपना (2008-12-06, Saturday)

The NIN Special Report

Kathmandu, November 24- A prominent national Dalit leader of Nepal, Dal Singh Kami passed away. The Nepaldalitinfo International Network (NIN) expressed tribute to the departed leader, with gratitude for his contribution, and heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

Late Dal Singh Kami

Late Kami was one of 200 Dalit activists arrested while encircling the central government secretariat demanding that the government ensure representation for dalits in the interim constitution drafting committee in July 2006. [More on this story]

Late Kami was the President of Nepal Dalit Sangh, the Dalit wing of Nepali Congress Party. He was elected to Central Working Committee of Nepali Congress Party from a reseved quota for Dalits in January 2006. Formerly, he served a term as a member of Rastriya Sabha (National Assembly) from Nepali Congress Party. He hails from Gorkha district of Nepal.

RELATED NEWS:

NC central leader Kami passes away

Nepali Congress (NC) central leader and president of the NC-affiliated Nepal Dalit Association, Dal Singh Kami, passed away on Monday at the age of 68.

Kami, who had been suffering from kidney problems since last two years, died while undergoing treatment at Om Hospital, Kathmandu.

NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and other leaders went to Om Hospital to pay tribute to Kami.

Late Kami spent eight years in exile during the struggle for democracy and served jail terms in Nepal. He is survived by four sons and five daughters. Source: nepalnews.com Nov 23 08

Jagaran Media Center (JMC) has established the Dalan Film Fund from the money collected from the telecasting of a popular Tele-serial “Dalan”. “Dalan” a Tele-serial written by the Litterateur and Dalit human right activist Aahuti and directed by well-known film director Nabin Subba has been produced by Jagaran Media Center. It was being broadcast since June 15, 2008 at Nepal Tele-vision on every Sunday at 8:50 pm. Dalan has successfully completed broascasting of 22nd episode.

Until this stage of transmission, Dalan has differently been able to raise the height among the entire Tele-serials broadcast from Nepal TV. After the transmission of Dalan, discussions has been begun to make exquisiteness in film art. Dalan has been successful in establishing a concept like film can be the powerful means in establishing new exquisiteness by breaking up the traditional discriminatory socio-cultural exquisiteness.

Not only against the caste discrimination of Nepalese society, Dalan has raised voices against inequalities through its powerful art performances and approach. Being impressed from the Dalan Film, several self-helped Film Clubs have been forming to express solidarity against discrimination practices. So far 300 Dalan Films Clubs are formed in the various districts of Mechi to Mahakali of Nepal, along with India, Dubai and USA. These clubs are involved for social reformation. These clubs will continually work in eradicating socio-cultural discriminatory practices along with social reformation process even after the completion of Dalan transmission. This initiation will help in establishing new trend in Nepalese film industry.

The feedback received from all age groups, class audiences and well-wishers have added synergy in us. We have been wakeful and energetic from the crystal comments received from Dalit and Non-Dalit communities along with intellectuals and activists involved in the social reformation movement. Along with Nepal , Universities from abroad has shown their interest in transmitting the Dalan serial in their initiation. Being impressed from the film, people have started sending money too. Along with Dubai , other countries have informed to contribute money. Jagaran Media Center has established the Dalan Film Fund from the collected money. From now on, receipt amount will be collected in the fund. In future, the fund will be mobilized in producing and promoting social ad right based Film. Several film funds are established in various countries. This will be the first initiation in the Nepalese context. Let’s hope, this efforts will help in making and promoting several films like Dalan. And, obviously voiceless people’s voices will have space in such films.

Only one effort will not be sufficient to raise height to such event. Common solidarity and commitment is must to meet this goal. To make the film scholastic, the role of Film critics, Social and Dalit Activist, Academician and Intellectual’ s must be influential. Thus, we expect comments, feedbacks and advices from those who are directly and indirectly concerned with Dalan Tele-serial.

For further inquiry about Dalan Tele-serial, please visit: www.yodalan. com.

Report by:
Purna Singh Baraily
Jagaran Media Center

दलन चलचित्र कोष

जागरण मिडिया सेन्टरद्धारा प्रस्तुत टेलिश्रृङ्खला दलन २०६५ असार १ गतेबाट प्रत्येक आइतबार बेलुकी ८:५० बजे नेपाल टेलिभिजनबाट प्रसारण हुँदै आइरहेको छ।। साहित्यकार तथा दलित नेता आहुतिको लेखन र नवीन सुब्बाको निर्देशन रहेको दलनको हालसम्म २२ औं श्रृङ्खला प्रसारण भइसकेको छ ।

प्रसारणको यो अवस्थासम्म आइपुग्दा दलनले नेपाल टेलिभिजनबाट प्रसारण भइरहेका टेलिसिरियल मात्र होइन, चलचित्रको इतिहासमा नयाँ उचाई थप्न सफल भएको छ दलनको प्रसारण प्रारम्भपश्चात् चलचित्र कलाका बारेमा नयाँ सौन्दर्य निर्माणको कोणबाट पनि छलफल प्रारम्भ भएको छ । परम्परागत विभेदकारी सामाजिक―सांस्कृतिक सौन्दर्यका कारण निर्मित चिन्तन प्रक्रियालाई भत्काइ नयाँ सांस्कृतिक सौन्दर्य स्थापित गर्नका लागि चलचित्र पनि एक सशक्त माध्यम हुनसक्छ भन्ने मान्यता स्थापित गर्न दलन सफल हुँदै गइरहेको छ।

नेपाली समाजमा रहेको जातीय विभेदविरुद्ध मात्र होइन, समाजमा विद्यमान असमानताका विरुद्ध कलाका माध्यमबाट दलनले आवाज उठाएको छ। विभेदविरुद्धको आवाजमा ऐक्यबद्धताका लागि दलन टेलिश्रृङ्खलाबाट प्रभावित भएर दलन फिल्म क्लब गठन क्रम तीब्र रुपमा भइरहेको छ। नेपालको मेचीदेखि महाकालीसम्मका जिल्लाहरु, भारत, दुबई र अमेरिकामा गरी हालसम्म ३०० दलन फिल्म–क्लबहरु गठन भइसकेका छन्। यी क्लबहरु सामाजिक जागरणका लागि क्रियाशील भएका छन्। दलनको प्रसारण सकिएपछि पनि यी चलचित्र क्बलहरु समाजिक रुपान्तरण र विभेदकारी सामाजिक–सांस्कृतिक मान्यताहरुलाई अन्त्य गर्नका लागि कलाका क्षेत्रबाट क्रियाशील हुने छन्। यो कार्यले नेपालको चलचित्र सस्कृतिमा दरिलो टेवा पुर्‍याउने छ।

सबै उमेर समूह र वर्गका दर्शक तथा शुभ चिन्तकहरुबाट आएको प्रतिक्रियाले हामीलाई नयाँ उर्जा थपेको छ । दलित तथा गैर–दलित समुदायका साथै, बौद्धिक, चिन्तक र सामाजिक रुपान्तरणको अभियानमा गाँसिएका व्यक्तित्वहरुको स्वच्छ प्रतिक्रियाले हामीलाई अझ जागरुक बनाएको छ । नेपाललगायत अन्य मुुलुकका विश्वविद्यालयहरुबाट प्रदर्शनको लागि सोधनी हुन थालेको छ। अभिनय गर्ने कलाकार र तिनीहरुको अभिनयबाट प्रभावित भएर खामबन्दी रकमहरु पनि प्राप्त हुन सुरु गरेका छन् दुवईलगायत अन्य मुलुकबाट रकम पठाउने जानकारी आएको छ। यसरी प्राप्त रकमहरुलाई संगाल्दै जागरण मिडिया सेन्टरले दलन चलचित्र कोषको स्थापना गरेको छ। अब उप्रान्त स्वइच्छापूर्वक प्राप्त भएका रकमहरुलाई कोषमा जम्मा गर्दै लगिने छ। भविष्यमा यस चलचित्र कोषबाट सामाजिक र अधिकारमुखी चलचित्रको निर्माण र प्रबर्द्धनका लागि परिचालन गरिने छ। अन्य मुलुकमा थुप्रै चलचित्र कोषहरु स्थापित छन्। नेपालको सन्दर्भमा यो पहिलो प्रयास हुनेछ। आशा गरौं, यो प्रयासबाट दलन जस्ता अरु थुप्रै चलचित्रहरु निर्माण र प्रबर्द्धन हुनेछन्। र समाजका आवाजबिहीनहरुको आवाजले चलचित्रमा स्थान पाउने छ ।

यो अभियानलाई अझ उचाइमा पुर्‍याउनका लागि कुनै एउटाको प्रयासले मात्र सम्भव हुँदैन । त्यसका लागि सबैको ऐक्यबद्धताको जरुरत पर्दछ । चलचित्रलाई प्राज्ञिक बनाउनका लागि चलचित्र–समिक्षक, सामाजिक अभियान कर्ता, दलित आन्दोलनकर्मीहरुका भूमिका झन सशक्त हुनु पर्दछ। तसर्थ आउँदा दिनमा दलनसँग सरोकार राख्ने, फिल्म क्लबका सदस्यहरु तथा शुभचिन्तकहरुको थप सल्लाह र सुझावको हामी सधै स्वागत गर्दछौं।

Regina (Canada), October 31- The founding moderator of nepaldalitinfo international network Dr. Drona Rasali has been actively taking on his new role as an Advisor of Non-Resident Nepalis- Canada (NRN-Canada) in its National Coordination Council. Dr. Rasali was named one of the two advisors of the National Coordination Council during its first National Convention held in Toronto on August 23-24, 2008, along with the other Advisor Dr. Kunjar Sharma, who is the Honorary Consul General of Nepal to Canada.

Speaking as a guest speaker in an interaction on the NRN issues held recently in Calgary city, Dr Rasali said that historically Gautam Buddha could be the first well-known NRN who gained divine knowledge and enlightenment in India after he left his country more than 2,500 years ago. The development of Non- Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), however, was connected with FNCCI (The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry) which attracted NRNs around the world for investment and socioeconomic development in the country. He also highlighted some of the events and activities that are currently being carried out by NRNA globally and Canada. In Canada, Census 2006 recognized Nepalese people for the first time as a distinct ethnic group, even though the population of Nepalese reported from the Census sample seemed to be underestimated. He realized that the understanding and cooperation of Nepalese people living across Canada was phenomenal. There are hurdles and challenges ahead but Dr Rasali appeared more optimistic for achieving NRN’s goals. Click here for >>> More on this story .

Dr. Pramod Dhakal, an another member of nepaldalitinfo network has been elected as the National Coordination Council Member of the NRN-Canada and its Executive Member responsible for international affairs, during the First Convention held in Toronto on August 23-24, 2008. Another member of nepaldalitinfo Prakash Mugrati has be unanimously elected as a National Coordination Council Member representing the city of Montreal in Quebec province of Canada.

RELATED ITEMS:

NRN-Canada Website

Non-Resident Nepalis- Canada National Coordination Council, 2008-2010

October 29, 2008, Washington, DC- Suvash Darnal, a prominent activist for Dalit rights in Nepal has been selected as a member of the Board of a Washington DC based non-profit organization The Advocacy Project (AP). He is joining the Board along with two other new board members, Soren Jessen-Petersen, who served as the United Nation’s Special Representative in Kosovo during the run-up to the country’s independence, and Devin Greenleaf, a former AP Peace Fellow in Nepal.

Suvash Darnal has played a leading role in exposing caste discrimination against the Dalit in Nepal, and insisting on social change. He founded the Jagaran Media Center (JMC) in Kathmandu and served as Coordinator of the Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), a network of over 40 Nepalese human rights groups. Mr Darnal is currently a Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington DC.

“I feel very proud to be the first AP Board member from a partner (organization),” said Mr Darnal. “AP is doing fantastic work in many conflict-affected areas, and partners are key toward achieving the goals of AP.”

Devin Greenleaf brings the perspective of AP fellows to the Board. He spent last summer as Peace Fellow with the JMC in Nepal and helped to train the JMC’s network of field reporters.

“During my fellowship I experienced the exhilaration of working with grassroots organizations on the ground, but also the inherent challenges that come with it,” he said. “I relate to the concerns of AP’s fellows and I look forward to advising the Board on how to best guarantee their success.”

The selection of three new members of AP Board, each representing an important AP constituency, signals an increased role for the Board as the organization prepares for 2009. Mr Jessen-Petersen will explore synergies with the UN system. Mr Darnal will represent AP’s community-based partners. Mr Greenleaf will speak for AP volunteers (Peace Fellows).

The three new members join Mr Scott Allen, Ms Teresa Crawford, Her Excellency Claudia Fritsche, Mr Iain Guest and Professor Susan Martin on the AP Board.

>>> More on this story

Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the first democratically elected Maoist Prime Minister of Nepal, took part in an interaction program on the topic, “A Maoist’s Vision for a New Nepal” organized on Friday at the India China Institute of The New School, New York city.

Amrit Sunar representing Nepali-American Oppressed (NASO) Community put forward some key issues of Dalit community to the attention of the visiting Prime Minister, over a closed session of the interaction program.

Over an another public interaction program, “New Nepal: Justice, Equality and Prosperity”, the NASO Community submitted a memorandum with 9-point demands of Dalits in Nepal.

Nepaldalitinfo Special Report

New York, September 27-

Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, the first democratically elected Maoist Prime Minister of Nepal, took part in an interaction program on the topic, “A Maoist’s Vision for a New Nepal” organized on Friday September 26 at the India China Institute of The New School, New York city. The Prime Minister of the World’s Youngest Democratic Republic is currently visiting the United States for attending the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Amrit Sunar representing Nepali-American Oppressed (NASO) Community put forward some key issues of Dalit community to the attention of the visiting Prime Minister, over a closed session of the interaction program, where selected 20 intellectuals of various walks of life or representing academics and various organizations were invited to make their remarks. Mr. Sunar emphasized the fact that it is impossible for Nepal to progress without inclusion of 20% of Nepal’s population in the “economic revolution” the Government of New Nepal was spearheading. “Absence of a Dalit representation in the current cabinet of Ministers under the Prime Minister’s leadership can be seen as sidelining Dalits from the governance of the country” . Mr. Sunar said, “This should be rectified immediately”. In response to Mr. Sunar’s specific remarks, PM Prachanda promised saying, “All what you said will happen”.

Dr. Pramod Dhakal, the Executive Director of Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN), who also spoke in the closed session, provided a “Dos and Don’ts” list to the Prime Minister. The list included emphasis in “inclusive” governance and making the marginalized communities respectable participants of Nepal’s development.

On the occasion, making his remarks, Andrew Arato, a Professor of Political & Social Theory, The New School, many other academics and representatives of Nepali organizations in the United States also expressed their remarks on the contemporary issues and challenges facing New Nepal.

Dalit issues were raised in the open public forum with Questions & Answer session of the program, which was organized later and was moderated by the former UN Assistant-Secretary General Kul Chandra Gautam. Mr. Gautam is currently a Senior Fellow at the India China Institute.

On Saturday, September 27, over an another public interaction program, “New Nepal: Justice, Equality and Prosperity”, sponsored by various Nepali organizations in the United States, NASO Community made representation of Dalit issues for immediate attention of the Prime Minister. The NASO Community President Mr. Dharam Bishwokarma, its Member Dr. Ramesh Sunar, and other Members of NASO Community attended the Program and submitted a memorandum with 9-point demands of Dalits in Nepal. The 9- point demands put forward to the Prime Minister were as follows:

1. A high level Coordination Committee headed by the Prime Minister should be formed to supervise the effective implementation of rules, law and policies relating to untouchability and caste discrimination

2. Rights of most backward (Dalit) communities should be charted in the new constitution without any question

3. The state must express an explicit apology to the people for state’s disgraceful role in nurturing the inhuman untouchability and caste discrimination handed down from centuries

4. In addition to the declaration of “untouchability and caste discrimination free country”, a definite time line must be fixed for its effective and result-oriented implementation. For this purpose, a year of national campaign against untouchability and caste discrimination should be launched mobilizing all agencies and citizens to achieve the goal in full within no longer than two years.

5. A reservation quota of 25% should be allocated for inclusion of the most oppressed Dalit communities in all sectors of the state, and this provision should be made through of an ordinance to be effective immediately until the new constitution is announced.

6. National Dalit Commission should be elevated to a high level making it a fully powerful constitutional body.

7. Remove and disband a feudalistic slogan “Char Jat Chhattis Varna Ko Fulbari” (Garden of four Castes and thirty-six Varnas) from all government and public documents and current educational curriculum. Instead, messages that promote ending of untouchability and caste discrimination and creation of an egalitarian society should be included in the educational curriculum.

8. Free education at all levels and free health care should be provided to the most backward oppressed (Dalits). For the time being, reservation of 25% quota in foreign employment with implementation of “one-employment for one-Dalit family” criteria should be ensured.

9. Accurate statistics of the most oppressed Dalit communities should be collected and publicized.

Unofficial Version of the Memorandum Submitted to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal by Nepal American Society for the Oppressed Community( NASO Community)

नेपाल अमेरीका सोसाइटी फर दि अपरेष्ड कम्युनिटी

सम्माननीय प्रधानमन्त्री ज्यू,
प्रधानमन्त्रीको कार्यलय
सिंहदरबार, काठमाण्डौ

विषयः माग पत्र

विश्व समूदाय बीच आर्श्चर्य बन्न पुगेको नेपालको जनआन्दोलन-दोस्रोले राजतन्त्रको अन्त्य र प्रजातान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपालको स्थापना र त्यस पश्चात सम्पन्न संविधान सभाको निर्वाचन बाट नेपालको प्रथम प्रधानमन्त्री बन्न पुग्नु भएकोमा सम्माननीय प्रधानमन्त्री श्री पूष्पकमल दहाल “प्रचण्ड” ज्यूलाई हाम्रो संस्था NASO Communityको तर्फा ट हार्दिक बधाई ज्ञापन गर्न चाहन्छौं । त्यसै गरी वर्तमान सरकाले आफनो वाषिर्क नीति तथा कार्यक्रम र आर्थिक वर्ष २०६५/६६ को बजेटमा नेपालका अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायलाई लक्षित गरी विशेष नीति तथा कार्यक्रम प्रस्तुत गरेकोमा हाम्रो संस्था हार्दिक धन्यवाद प्रकट गर्न चाहन्छ ।

हाम्रो संस्था NASO Community अमेरिकामा रहेका अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समुदायको साझा सामाजिक संस्था हो । सन् २००४ मा स्थापना भएदेखी कृयाशील यो संस्थाको उद्देश्य यी समुदायहरुलाई संगठित गर्न, उनीहरु बीच सरसहयोगको आदान प्रदान गर्न, हाम्रो असल सांकृतिक पक्षको संरक्षण संर्म्वर्धन गर्न र विशेष गरी नेपालमा चलेको वा चलाइने जातीय विभेद विरुद्धको आन्दोलनलाई निरन्तर सहयोग पुर्याउनु हो ।

नेपाल नयाँ युगमा प्रवेश गरी सकेको र्सर्न्दभमा नेपाली जनताले जीवनका हरेक पक्षमा ठूलो परिवर्तनको प्रतिक्षा गरी रहेका छन् । त्यसमा पनि विशेष गरेर मुलुकमा करिब ५० औं लाख संख्यामा रहेका अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायहरु, जो सयौं वर्षदेखी मानव कलंकित जातीय छुवाछुत एवं अमानवीय ब्यवहारबाट प्रताडित हंदै आइरहेका छन्, उनिहरुले आफनो मानवीय मूल्य र मान्यता सभ्यताको विकाशको क्रममा कही कतै नदेखिएको उत्पीडन, दमन एवं अमानवीय ब्यवहार अहिले पनि नेपाली समाजमा यी समुदायले भोग्नु परिराखेको तीतो यर्थात हो । जातीयता कै कारणले कतिपय र्सार्वजनिक स्थलको उपभोग गर्न नपाउनु, निश्चित (तोकिएको) अर्थात जातिगत पेशा गर्न बाध्य पारिनु, नगरे वापत नाकाबन्दी खेप्नु पर्ने जस्ता अनगिन्ती घटनाहरु अहिले पनि यथावत छन् । सबै भन्दा अफसोचको कुरा त के हो भने गणतन्त्र नेपालको स्थापना पश्चात पनि अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदाय माथि दिनानु दिन जातीय विभेदका घटनाहरु घटि रहदा वर्तमान सरकार पीडक पक्षलाई कार्यवाही गर्न सकिरहेको छैन, जसका कारण ब्राहमणवादी अंहकार बोकेका समूहको मनोबल बढ्न पुगेको छ र अर्को तर्फअत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायको यस सरकारप्रतिको विश्वासमा शंका उब्जाएको छ । यो उत्पीडित समूदाय नेपालको इतिहास निर्माण देखि पछिल्लो ऐतिहासिक जनआन्दोलन वा महान जनयुद्धमा महत्वपूण निर्ण्र्क भुमिका खेल्दै आएका छन् । अब पनि राज्यले यो समुदायलाई फेरी पनि भूल भूलैयामा पारेको खण्डमा नेपाल राष्ट्रले ठूलो मूल्य चुकाउनु पर्ने निश्चित छ ।

यसकालागि हाम्रो संस्थाले तपशीलमा उल्लेखित तत्कालिन मागहरु पुरा गर्न गराउन सम्माननीय प्रधानमन्त्रीज्यू समक्ष पेश गर्दछः

मागहरुः

१. जातीय भेदभाव तथा छुवाछुत सम्वन्धि नियम, कानुन एवं नीति कार्यान्वयनकोलागि सम्वन्धित समूदायका विज्ञहरुको प्रतिनिधित्व हुने गरि प्रधानमन्त्रीको नेतृत्वमा अनुगमन समिति निर्माण गरिनु पर्छ ।
२. अत्यन्त पिछडीएका (दलित) समूदायका हक अधिकारहरु आउदो संविधानमा र्निविवादरुपमा लेखिनु पर्छ ।
३. शताब्दीयौं देखि चल्दै आएको अत्यन्त अमानवीय जातीय छुवाछुत प्रथा प्रति राज्यले गर्दै आएको यस घृणित कामको लागि जनता समक्ष माफि माग्नु पर्दछ ।
४. जातपात तथा छुवाछुत रहित नेपाल राष्ट्रको घोषणा संगै त्यसको प्रभावकारी कार्यन्वयन र परिणाम निष्कर्षा निम्ति निश्चित समयावधिको किटान गरीनु पर्छ जस अन्तरगत जातपात तथा छुवाछुत विरुद्धको सांस्कृतिक अभियान वर्षघोषणा गरी बढिमा दुइ वर्षभित्र पूण लक्ष्य प्राप्त गर्न राज्यका सम्पूण निकायहरु र नागरीक समाजलाई परिचालन गर्नु पर्दछ ।
५. अत्यन्तउत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायलाई राज्यका सम्पूण क्षेत्रहरुमा समावेश गराउन २५ प्रतिशत आरक्षणको ब्यवस्था गरीनु पर्दछ र नयाँ संविधान जारी नहुन्जेल सम्म यसको कार्यान्वयनका लागि विशेष अध्यादेश लागु गरिनु पर्दछ ।
६. राष्ट्रिय दलित आयोगलाई उच्च अधिकार सम्पन्न संवैधानिक आयोग बनाइनु पर्दछ ।
७. वर्तमान शैक्षिक पाठ्यक्रम तथा सरकारका दस्तावेजहरुमा समेत वर्षौ देखि चल्दै आएको “नेपाल एउटा चार वर्ण्र्त्तीस जातको फुलबारी हो” भन्ने सामन्ती कहावतलाई पूण रुपमा हटाइनु पर्छ । जातपात तथा छुवाछुतको अन्त्य र समतामूलक समाज निर्माणको सन्देश दिने सहितको पाठ्यक्रम लागु गर्नु पर्छ ।
८. अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायलाई सबै तहमा निशुल्क शिक्षा र स्वास्थ्यको ब्यवस्था गरिनुपर्छ । तत्कालका लागि एक दलित परिवार-एक रोजगार को ब्यवस्था सहित बैदेशिक रोजगारमा २५ प्रतिशत सिट सूरक्षित बनाइनु पर्दछ ।
९. अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायको वास्तविक तथ्याङ्क संकलन गरी र्सार्वजनिक गरिनुपर्छ ।

सम्माननीय प्रधानमन्त्री ज्यू,

अत्यन्त उत्पीडित (दलित) समूदायको समस्या स्वभाविक रुपले आम नेपालीहरुको समस्या भन्दा भिन्न र जटिल छ भन्ने कुरा यहाँलाई अवगत गर्राई रहनु पर्दैन ।
हामीलाई आशा एवं विश्वास छ वर्त्तमान सरकारले यी मागहरुलाई पुरा गर्ने छ जुन कार्यको लागि नेपाल बाहिर बस्ने अत्यन्तउत्पीडित (दलित) समूदाय लगायत समताप्रेमी जनताको सहयोग निर्विवादरुपमा रहिरहने छ ।

ध्न्यवाद ।

गणतान्त्रिक संविधान र नयाँ नेपालको निर्माण को लागि पूण कार्य सफलताको लागि कामना सहित

धर्म विश्वकर्मा अध्यक्ष - नासो कम्युनिटी
अमृत सुनार, संरक्षक - नासो कम्युनिटी

प्रतिनिधिमण्डलका सदस्यहरु:
१. प्रकाश नेपाल - उपाध्यक्ष
२. मनेाहर बमरेल - उपाध्यक्ष
३. दीपक जंग विश्वकर्मा - महासचिब
४. राजेन्द्र सेनचुरी - सचिब
५. मीना विश्वकर्मा - कोषाध्यक्ष
६. रमेश सुनार - सदस्य
७. रत्न विश्वकर्मा - सदस्य
८. पदम विश्वकर्मा - सदस्य
९. सीता थापा - सदस्य
१०. कमला विश्वकर्मा - सदस्य
११. हिक्मत विश्वकर्मा - सदस्य
१२. दूगा विश्वकर्मा - सदस्य
१३. व्रि्रम पोखरेल - सदस्य
१४. चन्द्र कला स्नार - सदस्य

Prakash Nepal, who was covering the Saturday`s event of PM`s Interaction live through the DCNepal.Com media adds (September 29):

NASO Community has done a significant job at this time letting the media and the Prime Minister know that there are people in USA standing behind the marginalized community (’dalit`) movement back home in Nepal. I believe this was a voice heard.

All the credit goes to the NASO Community, New York Chapter; especially Mr. Ram Nepali, Kamal Bishwakarma, Ram Gajmer, Ratna Bishwakarma and further DB Sagar who specially requested Mr. Ashok Gurung for these meetings and program to happen.

My sincere thanks and congratulations for all the efforts of these individuals who made these New York events possible.

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The Nepaldalitinfo Special Report

Kathmandu, September 19- Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai presented the first budget of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. His speech for the Government of new Nepal led by CPN (Maoists) announcing an ambitious budget to the tune of Rs 236 billion at the Constituent Assembly parliament here today included some targeted programs for Dalits under program headings, namely Inequality and Discrimination, Social Security and Inclusion, The Development of Public Distribution System, Social Security, Economic and Social Transformation, Free Primary and Secondary Education, Forest and Soil-Conservation and Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Programs.

Notably, the budget makes provision for Free Education upto Secondary Level (free and compulsory upto grade-5 with day meals, free upto grade-10 and free up to grade 12 for Karnali Zone and Dalits)

Excerpts of the Budget speech that mentions specific programs for Dalits are as follows:

Inequality and Discrimination:

“Pervasive socio-cultural and economic discrimination and inequality on the basis of class, caste, region, gender has become a serious problem of the country. Prosperous and just Nepal is next to impossible unless we come out with the scientific resolution of the problems created by feudal unitary state power. It has become urgent to properly address the demands raised by various oppressed castes including Madhesi, and by regions, women, dalit, indigenous and ethnic groups, etc.”

Social Security and Inclusion:

“The budget has placed reasonable priority towards expanding the benefits of economic development to the suppressed classes, ethnicities, region, and gender and also guaranteeing social security to the senior citizens, differently abled, widows, Dalits and endangered ethnicities. In particular, I have made efforts to maintain an appropriate balance between economic growth and social justice through cooperatives movement, massive employment creation program and village-oriented development campaign.”

The Development of Public Distribution System

“But the poor, disadvantaged and conventionally exploited people cannot be organized in Cooperatives without empowering them technically. In view of this, annual subsidy at the rate of Rs. 100 thousands will be provided to 4,000 Consumers Cooperatives, one each for all village development committees and one in each for a cluster of 30 thousand populations in municipalities. The Cooperatives that will be established regionally with a strong presence of the laborers, Dalit, the poor and students will receive such subsidy.”

Social Security:

“The average age of people belonging to some geographical regions, endangered ethnicities and Dalit communities is lower than the national average age; hence the current 75 years of age threshold for providing monthly allowances may not be applicable to such people. Considering this, massive changes in social security arrangements have been made effective from 17 September 2008.

According to thisnew provision:

• Monthly Rs.500 for all age groups of endangered ethnicities,
• Monthly Rs.500 for Dalits, Single Women and people of Karnali Zone above 60 years,
• Monthly Rs. 500 for all other citizens above 70 years,
• Likewise, I have increased the monthly allowances of blind-disabled. A monthly Rs.1000 for fully handicapped and disabled and Rs. 300 for partially handicapped and disabled will be provided.”

Economic and Social Transformation:

“To increase agricultural productivity through the slogan “Cooperatives in every village, food storage in every house”, small farmers will be motivated for farming through cooperatives models. The agriculture farming will be encouraged, on the basis of feasibility and without encroachment, utilizing the community forest, freed Kamaiyas area, new aforestation area, barren land under the electricity transmission lines and public barren lands by organizing the Dalits, socially poor and disadvantaged ethnicities, women, homeless, freed Kamaiyas and landless into Cooperatives. I have allocated Rs. 85 million for providing incentives to cooperative farming. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will publish the detailed procedures, amend and revise the directives within mid-November and implement accordingly.”

“I have allocated Rs. 400 million for the implementation of special livestock program for the direct benefit to 14 thousand families through community livestock development project to be implemented in Tanahu, Lamjung, Baglung, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Nawalparasi, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Banke, Bardia, Doti, Achham, Baitadi districts having densely populated districts by Dalits and freed Kamaiyas. I have earmarked Rs. 33.3 million for the implementation of livelihood improvement program for the poor through commercial livestock in high hill districts such as Darchula, Bajhang, Mugu, Humla and Jumla.”

Free Primary and Secondary Education

“Primary education shall be made compulsory and free in pursuance of the state’s declared policy of making education a fundamental right of all and gradually making secondary education free. School launch program shall gradually be extended throughout the nation to attract all to the primary education. Beginning from this Fiscal Year, school education up to class 8 shall be made free and fee for class 8 and 10 shall be reduced to gradually make them free. Free education opportunities shall be provided to all public school students of Karnali Zone and such a privilege shall extend up to class 12 in the public school for all Dalit students across the nation.”

Forest and Soil-Conservation:

“At least 75000 families from poor class Dalits, Janjatis and other marginalized people will be provided with the opportunity of income generation through based industries and occupations and leasehold and community forests.”

Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Program:

“Main thrust of the government is socio-economic development with inclusiveness as its character. Government is dedicated to provide opportunities and access to the service delivery for minorities, third sex, dalit and backward Janjatis. High priority will be provided to those sectors in services such as education, health, drinking water, social security and all opportunities of socio economic developmentincluding employment.”

“In this fiscal year, intensive program based on human development index for poverty alleviation will be implemented in 55 districts directly focusing on backward community including deprived, women, Dalit, Janjati, Madhesi. Traditional skill promotion, income generation, community infrastructure such as roads, bridge and culverts, drinking water, irrigation and capacity development programs such as education, health, and training will be implemented under this program. I have allocated Rs. 2 billion 978 million in Poverty Alleviation Fund for this program.”

“In line with the commitment made by the Government of Nepal in ILO Convention No. 169 and international manifesto regarding the rights of tribal and indigenous people, I have allocated Rs. 167.8 million to continuity for special program for uplifting and empowerment of caste, indigenous people, neglected, oppressed, dalit, muslim, backward madhesi which have fallen behind from the socio economic development. Access to all programs implemented in local level should be assured for these people. Programs under the sectoral offices in local level will be monitored and audited in line with inclusiveness and gender responsive.”

Fulltext of Budget Speech by Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai

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Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN) has launched CFFN Radio, a new audio network where listeners can access radio programs produced and distributed by the organization. CFFN Radio’s first program is called Yuba Sanchar. In first two episodes of Yuba Sanchar, youth of Ottawa city discussed about Dalit system in Nepal and how its problems could be mitigated by providing proper education to all and by giving all people equal changes to succeed regardless of their background.

Ottawa, Canada (September 16, 2008) - Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN) has launched CFFN Radio, a new audio network where listeners can access radio programs produced and distributed by the organization.

The audio programs can be downloaded or played directly from CFFN Radio’s website. All contents are also available free of charge through the iTunes Store. The CFFN hopes that the radio programs published online will be broadcast through radio stations in Nepal so that anyone in the region, regardless of their available resources, could listen. The program content is richly educational, while remaining entertaining and inviting discussions.

CFFN Radio’s first program is called Yuba Sanchar. Directed by CFFN’s Geeta Thapa and Ben Wood, the program is run entirely by youth members of the Nepalese community in Ottawa. It focuses on topics and discussions relevant to today’s Nepalese youth, balanced by education segments, as well as entertainment segments that include music, stories, and jokes. Yuba Sanchar’s first two episodes are currently available; new episodes will air every other Thursday.

Yuba Sanchar was ceremoniously launched on August 27 by Hon. Hisila Yami, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation and a member of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, at an interaction program hosted by CFFN. “It was a great timing for us to have Hon. Hisila Yami to launch Yuba Sanchar amidst a program of great interest and attendance following her wonderful presentation,” says Yuba Sanchar coordinator Dr. Pramod Dhakal. As Hisila Yami officially launched this program, the sound of Yuba Sanchar filled the hall. “It was an exciting and exceptional moment for Yuba Sanchar and for its team members whose enduring work made this program a reality.”

Yuba Sanchar embodies everything that CFFN stands for; it connects Canada and Nepal in a meaningful way, provides a platform for discussion, involves youth participation, and innovates upon existing paradigms through creative ways of sharing ideas and utilizing emerging technologies. “Yuba Sanchar was the starting point for this project, and it will always be the flagship program for CFFN Radio,” says Ben Wood, who is also the Manager and Spokesperson of the radio program.

The CFFN plans to produce one more show by year’s end. Beyond airing its own content, the CFFN has the ability to distribute contents produced by others about Nepal, Canada, or building cooperation between the two nations. In addition to programs, CFFN Radio will be able to air specials, including audio presentations from conferences and other events.

To access CFFN Radio programs and to learn more about CFFN Radio, please visit http://radio.cffn.ca.

About Canada Forum for Nepal

Established in 2006, Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN) is a registered not–for–profit organization aspiring to see a peaceful, democratic, just, and prosperous Nepal. CFFN channels its endeavours towards meeting the following three objectives: raising awareness about Nepal in Canada, incubating research in Canada on solutions to Nepal’s economic, social, and political issues, and promoting cooperation and collaboration between the grassroots peoples of Canada and Nepal. Our programs stem from awareness towards the needs of individuals, families, nations, and the world as a whole.

The CFFN promotes critical thinking and scholarly exchanges between Canada and Nepal. In particular, the organization likes to position itself as a bridge between the Canadian public who are concerned about global issues and the most disadvantaged children, women and men of Nepal who are deprived of basic education, knowledge, and capacity required for overcoming poverty and for inculcating innovation and progress. This stance comes from a conviction that knowledge and education is the most profound requirement for building a just and prosperous Nepal.

For more information, visit us at www.cffn.ca.

Contact:
Dr. Pramod Dhakal, CFFN Executive Director
+1-613-596-6692
pdhakal@gmail.com

Ben Wood, Manager and Spokesperson, CFFN Radio Program
bwood@cffn.ca
Canada Forum for Nepal
33 Bellman Drive
Ottawa ON K2H 8S3
Canada

###

Nepaldalitinfo Special Report

Ottawa, August 28 - Constituent Assembly (CA) Member and Former Minister of Physical Planning and Public Works of Nepal Hisila Yami, speaking over a series of various gatherings held in Canada, pointed out the Nepal’s reality of exploitation of Dalits handed down from the feudal past. Inaugurating the First Convention of Non-Resident Nepali (NRN)-Canada in Toronto on last Saturday, the August 23rd, the central leader of the ruling political party CPN (Maoists) Yami said, “We have a great challenge ahead in carrying out economic revolution for liberating women, Dalits and poorest of the poor in the country.”

On August 24th, speaking from the dais of Himalayan Festival called Nepali Mela organized in the open area of Nathan Philip Square of Toronto city, she mentioned that Mushahars are living a life of one of the most oppressed communities in Nepal.

Yami also mentioned about the current wretched living conditions of Dalits in Nepal over a gathering of Nepali Canadians and other Canadians organized by Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN) at Ben Franklin Place in Ottawa city on August 27th.

This was the first time that any leader of national stature from a major ruling political party of Nepal had raised the issues of the oppressed people of Nepal over a series of gatherings in Canada. The former Minister Yami is currently on a visit to Canada for attending the First Convention of the NRN-Canada held on the August 23rd as the keynote speaker.

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The nepaldalitinfo special report

Ottawa, August 19- Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN), an Ottawa based organization, has initiated a web-based radio program run by Nepali youth in Ottawa to educate children and youth in rural areas of Nepal. The most part of its maiden radio webcast covered problems of caste discrimination and issues around dalit rights in Nepal. In particular, the webcast of the radio program included Yua Sansar’s interview with Dr. Pramod Dhakal, the Executive Director of CFFN for a briefing on the Dalit issues discussed during the recent NASO Community Convention held in American University, Washington DC, followed by a positive debate among youth participating in a group discussion on the dalit issues.

Although most of the youth running the program are from so-called upper castes, the views they expressed in the program during discussion on dalit issues were quite out of ordinary. To listen the radio program discussing dalit rights,
Goto: CFFN.CA Radio Program- Yuba Sanchar.
(For your convenience, you may want to download it before listening.)

The nepaldalitinfo expresses its solidarity with bright and forward looking group of youth in Ottawa and CFFN for bringing out an innovate way of disseminating postive education to rural youth in Nepal from distant radio-webcasting, that will go a long way in contributing towards formation of an egalitarian society in Nepal.

The CFFN is advocating restructuring of state for a federal democratic, all inclusive, and equitable governance in the new era of Nepal.