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.
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.
Posted under News, Focus on Tuesday 19 August 2008 at 10:25 pm
Kathmandu, August 18- Mr. Richard Benett Chief of United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) in Nepal launched a documentary “ACHHUT’, amid a program organized by DNF on 14th August 2008 at Yak Palace Kathmandu. The program was witnessed by the sister organizations of various political parties, leaders, Human Rights activists, journalists and other social activists. Mr. Benett was the chief guest of honor in the launching program.
Terai Dalits in comparison to the hill Dalits are more marginalized group people. Chamar, Harijan, Mushshar, Paasi, Pattharkatta, Dhobi, Dom, Daraika and Chidimar are the main castes intensively facing the caste discrimination in the mid-southern zone-Nawalparasi, Rupandehi & Kapilbastu. These three districts are recognized as the area where the significant size of Terai Dalits, both men and women are living a life of exploitation, discrimination and severe form of exclusion in all spheres of social, economic, political, cultural, and civil rights.
To address the issues of these three districts Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) in collaboration with Care Nepal has launched the SAMANATA project for promoting Human Rights and Social Inclusion of Madhesi Dalits in the three districts of western Nepal. SAMANATA is a three years (2007–2009) Project funded by European Union.
In this regard, to show the real picture of the condition of the Terai Dalits DNF and Care Nepal have made a documentary on the human rights violation cases of the Madhesi Dalits named ‘ACHHUT’ which means untouchable.
Mr. Bimal Gadal Project Manager of SAMANATA project Care Nepal highlighted the historical background of the Dalits in Nepal . Mr. Gadal conceptualized the documentary and lead, producing the documentary Achhut. Highlighting the aim of the documentary Mr. Gadal said that the international organizations, political parties and other stakeholders should understand the real plight of the word ACHHUT meaning untouchable. Make responsible to the policy makers of the national and international level to prepare plan to implement the policies to eradicate discrimination from our society.
The High Commissioner of UNOHCHR, Mr. Benett launched the CD of the documentary ACHHUT by opening the cover of the VCD. Addressing the program after launching the documentary Mr. Benett thanked DNF and Care Nepal for the release of the documentary and congratulated the team of the documentary makers. He said that looking at the long hard caste discrimination we need to address the root cause of the discrimination. He added that OHCHR is intensifying its works on the HR violence issues and to uphold the economic, Social and cultural Rights. He also accepted that the constituent Assembly has been recognizing the human rights of each society. He said that OHCHR is looking forward to the new government to address the issues of long standing marginalized community especially the issues of Terai Dalits.
Mr. Bimal Gadal Project Manager of SAMANATA project Care Nepal highlighted the historical background of the Dalits in Nepal . Mr. Gadal conceptualized the documentary and lead, producing the documentary Achhut. Highlighting the aim of the documentary Mr. Gadal said that the international organizations, political parties and other stakeholders should understand the real plight of the word ACHHUT meaning untouchable. Make responsible to the policy makers of the national and international level to prepare plan to implement the policies to eradicate discrimination from our society.
The High Commissioner of UNOHCHR, Mr. Benett launched the CD of the documentary ACHHUT by opening the cover of the VCD. Addressing the program after launching the documentary Mr. Benett thanked DNF and Care Nepal for the release of the documentary and congratulated the team of the documentary makers. He said that looking at the long hard caste discrimination we need to address the root cause of the discrimination. He added that OHCHR is intensifying its works on the HR violence issues and to uphold the economic, Social and cultural Rights. He also accepted that the constituent Assembly has been recognizing the human rights of each society. He said that OHCHR is looking forward to the new government to address the issues of long standing marginalized community especially the issues of Terai Dalits.
The launching program, which was chaired by the Acting president of DNF Mr. Tek Bahadur Raika and hosted by Mr. Bom Bahadur Bishwakarma General Secretary of DNF, was followed by the premier show of the documentary. Other leaders from various political parties also expressed their commitments to work for the betterment of Terai Dalits.
Washington DC, August 9- Nepali-American Society for Oppressed (NASO) Community organized its First Convention successfully here today. The first session of the day-long event organized in the Mary Graydon Center hall of the American University’s Community Services Center in Washington DC, comprised of the inaugural function and a talk program. The inauguration program was started with one minute silence for paying tribute to all Dalit Martyrs who gave their lives for bringing democracy in Nepal. The program was inaugurated by Acting Nepalese Ambassador to the United States Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel.
During the Talk Program, a panelist Dr. DP Rasali gave a backgrounder of the situation of Dalit rights in Nepal, reviewed the Nepal specific initiatives undertaken by various international organizations around the world, including the Nepaldalitinfo, ICDR and NASO Community, and finally presented a set of What-to-do (Ke Garne) points to address the issues relating to caste discrimination as ways forward. One of the recommendations made against the issue of historical truth of state being responsible for legalizing the caste discrimination and untouchability was a demand of explicit apology from the state with appropriate compensation package for the oppressed community. Another panelist Dr. Pramod Dhakal, Executive Director of Canada Forum for Nepal presenting a commentary on the Dr. Rasali’s presentation emphasized the need for energizing the youth in NASO Community activities. Similarly, third panelist Dr. Steven Folmar, a Faculty member of Anthropology Department of WakeForest University, Wind-Salem, North Carolina presented an account of experiences of his team of himself and his students during their recent field visit to Nepal, giving a whole new thinking that all non-activists from oppressed community are de-facto activists in the way they are reacting to the problems their community are facing on day to day basis, as there is no clear distinction between the declared activist and non-activitivists or locals. Finally, the fourth panelist Dr. Ramesh Sunar presenting his commentary on the Dr. Folmar’s presentation resonated Dr. Folmar’s observation that of “Macha, Macha- Bhyaguta” truly represents the Dalit plight in modern politics in a simplest way. Dalits had been and are being cheated not only by upper castes, but also by Nepali culture and Hindu Religion for centuries. In modern times, they have been cheated by Political parties following a “Macha, Macha- Bhyaguta” game.
At the end of first session, Acting Nepalese Ambassador to the United States Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel outlined the current position of Nepal Government and progress made in elimination of caste discrimination. Finally, speaking as the Chair of the first session, the NASO Community President Mr. Dharam Bahadur Bishwokarma concluded the first session.
Earlier during the inaugural function, Dr. D.K. Gurung, a representative of International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR) and Dr. Praveen Satia, Policy Analyst on Civil Rights in the US Department of Agriculture spoke highlighting the context of Dalit rights in Nepal and India respectively. Ms. Shoshanna Sumka, Coordinator of Global and Community-Based Learning at the American University’s Community Services Center also spoke on behalf of the American Univesity. Representatives of various organizations including the Nepaldalitinfo, Canada Forum for Nepal, Advocacy Project (United States), DCNepal.com and other Nepalese organizations in DC-Virginia-Baltimore Metro areas were other guests who participated the Convention.
The Talk Program was moderated by Mr. Krishna Sob. Ms. Sukim Pokhrel welcomed the guests in the inaugural gathering. Mr. Rajendra Kumar Senchury served as the EmCee running the convention program as a whole.
The General body of the organization discussed several contemporary issues of oppressed community both in Nepal and North America, and elected a new 15 member Executive Board under the leadership of Mr. Dharam Bishwokarma as its President. Other executives elected are Mr. Prakash Nepal (Vice-President), Mr. Manohar Bamrel (Vice-President), Mr. Deepak Bishwokarma (General Secretary), Mr. Rajendra Kumar Senchury (Secretary) and Ms. Mina Bishwokarma (Treasurer), while Dr. Ramesh Sunar, Ms. Chandrakala Sonar, Ms. Sita Pariyar, Mr. Padam Bishwokarma, Mr. Bikram Pokharel, Mr. Durga Bishwokarma, Mr. Hikmat Bishwakarma, Mr. Ratna Bishwokarma and Ms. Kamala Bishwokarma are the elected members of the board.
The outgoing Executive board presented to the General Body its progress report, financial report and discussed various issues relating to the organization’s by-laws. The General Body also formed a By-law amendment drafting committee with Mr. Padam Bishwokarma and Mr. Hikmat Bishwokarma and Mr. DB Sagar Bishwokarma.
Finally, the newly elected Executive Board held its debut meeting in closed doors and decided to assist the Constituent Assembly in the making of the new constitution of Nepal with the provision of full dalit rights eliminating all forms of social discrimination including caste discrimination and untouchability in the country.
Thumbnail photo highlights of the convention gathering:
More pictures:
Video recording of the Convention Inauguration and Talk Program:
Various Dalit organizations in Nepal including Dalit Liberation Front of Nepal (Unified) and Udpidit Dalit Samudaya Sanjal (Oppressed Dalit Community Network) of Baglung have protested against oath taking in Hindi Language by Vice President Permananda Jha.
Countrywide protests sparked against Vice President Parmananda Jha, when he took the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi language, and continued on Saturday, for the third straight day. Read a report at: ekantipur.com.
Last Wednesday (July 23), President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath in Nepali language while Vice President Jha was taking the oath translating into Hindi. Hindi is one of the main national languages of India, and is neither VP Jha’s mother tongue nor a national language of Nepal. Many political leaders have felt that the VP Jha’s action has hurt the sentiments of all Nepali people.
The press statement released by the Dalit Liberation Front of Nepal (Unified) is given below:
नेपाली जनताको लामो समयदेखिको बलिदानीपूण संर्घष, विशेषगरी दश बर्षो महान जनयुद्ध तथा १९ दिने ऐतिहासिक जनआन्दोलनद्वारा स्थापित संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपालको गरिमामय उपराष्ट्रपति पदमा विभिन्न छलछाम, षड्यन्त्र र अपवित्र गठबन्धनद्वारा निर्वाचित हुनुभएका श्री परमानन्द झाले यही साउन ८ गते शितलनिवासमा आयोजित सपथग्रहण कार्यक्रममा उपराष्ट्रपति पदको सपथ ग्रहण गर्दा आयातित “हिन्दी भाषा” प्रयोग गरी नेपाली जनता र राष्ट्रको गम्भीर अपमान गरेको कुरा हाम्रो गौरवशाली संगठनले ठहर गर्दछ । उपराष्ट्रपति परमानन्द झाले हिन्दु अतिवादी शैलीमा “कपाल मुण्डन गरेर” भारतीय राष्ट्रभाषा हिन्दीमा सपथ लिएको सो कार्यप्रति हाम्रो संगठन कडा शब्दमा भर्त्सना समेत गर्दछ । राष्ट्रिय अखण्डता, र्सार्वभौमिकता र स्वतन्त्रतामाथिको ठाडो हस्तक्षेप हुनेगरी उपराष्ट्रपति झाले गरेको सो सपथ ग्रहणले धर्मनिरपेक्ष र छुवाछूतमुक्त राष्ट्रको उपहास समेत भएकाले उनलाई संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपालको गरिमामय उपराष्ट्रपतिको पदमा बस्ने कुनै नैतिक अधिकार छैन । तर्सथ, हामी मुलुकका ५० औं लाख दलित समुदायको तर्फाट उक्त कार्यको कडा शब्दमा भर्त्सना गर्दै तत्काल उपराष्ट्रपति पदबाट राजीनामाको माग गर्दछौं । अन्यथा, लामो त्याग र बलिदानबाट प्राप्त उपलब्धीको रक्षाको निमित्त जुनसुकै संर्घष्ा गर्न हामी बाध्य हुनेछौं ।
तिलक परियार
अध्यक्ष
नेपाल दलित मुक्ति मोर्चा (एकीकृत)
केन्द्रीय समिति
साउन ११, २०६५ ।
A news distpatch from Udpidit Dalit Samudaya Sanjal (Oppressed Dalit Community Network) of Baglung:
बागलुङ/ १२- उत्पीडित दलित समुदायको सञ्जाल बागलुङले नेपाल राष्ट्रका गरिमामय उपराष्ट्रपति पदमा परमानन्द झाले हिन्दी भाषामा लिएको सपथका विरुद्ध एक कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न गरेको छ । करिब ७५ जना दलित सहभागीताको बीचमा बागलुङ सञ्जालले सदरमुकाम बागलुङको पर्रि्रमा गरि उपराष्ट्रपतिको पुतला जलाउने र नेपाली भाषामा शपथ लिनु पर्ने माग राखेको छ । कार्यक्रममा बोल्दै नेपाल दलित मुक्ति मोर्चा (एकीकृत) बागलुङ जिल्ला कमिटीका सदस्य ओम वहादुर विश्वकर्माले विदेशी षडयन्त्रका विरुद्ध दलित समुदाय सजग हुनु पर्ने बताए । कार्यकंमका अर्का वक्ता नेपाल उत्पीडित जातीय मुक्ति समाजका अञ्चल कमिटीका अध्यक्ष गोविन्द नेपालीले दलित सभासदले विदेशी भाषाका विरुद्ध सदनमा बोल्नु पर्ने माग राखे । त्यसैगरि दलित महिला सञ्जालकी अध्यक्ष लक्ष्मी बोहोराले राष्ट्रमा हुने चलखेल र धोकाका विरुद्ध दलित महिलाले आन्दोलनमा लाग्नु पर्ने बताइन । कार्यक्रममा उत्पीडित दलित समुदायको सञ्जालका अध्यक्ष धनवहादुर परियारले उपराष्ट्रपति जस्तो गरिमामय पदमा रहेर विदेशी भाषालाई ठाँउ दिन खोज्नु नेपालीहरुप्रति बेइमानी भएको विचार व्यक्त गरेका छन । नयाँ नेपालमा दलित लगायत देशभकत र राष्ट्रभक्तलाई झुक्काउन नपाइने चुनौति दिए । कार्यक्रमको संचालन उत्पीडित दलित समुदायका सञ्जाल बागलुङका महासचिव वीरवहादुर विश्वकर्माले गर्नु भएको थियो ।
Women Human Right Defenders are launching relay Anasan (hunger strike) at Maitighar Mandala for past 15 days, putting the demand of formation of “High Level, Free and Unbiased Commission” to end the violation against women.
“In this context, the most of the women human rights violation cases happen with Dalit women.” Gaura Nepali. Acting President Association for Dalit Women Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) and Women Human Rights Defender said “I would like to invite all the Dalit Women Right Activists to participate in the Anasan and the protest programs organized in the coming days.”
Movement Program scheduled are 12th of Shrawan- A rally to New Baneswor starting from Mandala sharp at 10:30am.13th of Shrawan- An interaction with the political parties at Mandala at 11:00am. For further information, contact phone is 9841554603.
BN
Posted under News on Saturday 26 July 2008 at 7:35 pm
Baltimore, MD (United States), July 22- Nepali-American Society for Oppressed (NASO) Community is holding its 2008 Convention in Washington DC on Saturday, the August 9th.
“For the day’s event, an inaugural function starting at 10:00 am, and a Talk Program to discuss international efforts for Dalit rights in Nepal starting at 11:00 am and finally, a closed business session (General Body Meeting) from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm are planned.” Mr. Dharam Bishwokarma, the President of NASO Community said. “The event is expected to generate a concrete set of agenda, policies and programs for NASO Community’s work for next couple of years.”
Representatives from the Government of the United States, Embassy of Nepal, American University, all Nepali organizations in Metropolitan areas of Virginia, Washington DC and Baltimore and other guests are invited to attend the inaugural function and the talk program of the convention. Friends and members of NASO Community from the United States and Canada are attending the convention.
The event is organized at the Community Services Center of American University, 200 Mary Graydon Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC 20016-8175.
Topic I: International efforts for ending caste discrimination in Nepal : What can we do from North America?
Invited Speaker: Dr. Drona P. Rasali, Canada Forum for Nepal/ The Nepaldalitinfo International Network. (Dr. Rasali will review the ongoing international efforts and present some directions for a way forward)
Commentary by Dr. Pramod Dhakal, Canada Forum for Nepal , Ottawa, Canada .
Topic II: Dalit and political inclusion at the threshold of the new republic of Nepal.
Invited Speaker: Dr. Steven Folmar, Anthropology Department, Wakeforest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
(Dr. Folmar, who recently visited Dalit villages in Nepal, will propose a whole new thinking about the activists of Dalit movement.)
Commentary by Dr. Ramesh Sunar, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Talk Program is organized in cooperation with Nepali-American Society for Oppressed (NASO) Community, New York, Nepaldalitinfo, the international network for dalit information resources (the nepaldalitinfo), Empower Dalit Women of Nepal (EDWON and International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR), and Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN).
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Dharam Bishwokarma at (443) 690-5677 or Mr. Prakash Nepal at (703) 864-4141.
Congolese Luji speaks Nepali fluently, also learns about the discrimination of his color in Nepal
Luji, a national of Congo in Africa who has never visited Nepal speaks Nepali fluently. He has been working in the camp of Nepalese in the UN Peace Keeping Force for past four years. During this time, he has learnt with them to speak Nepali language. He speaks Nepali so well that he is indifferent from the native Nepali speakers, as if he is culturally and emotionally attached to Nepal.
However, the Nepalese peace keepers with a mentality of all kinds of social discrimination did not only teach Luji Nepali language amazingly, but also unscrupulously discriminated him calling him a Kalo Biralo (Black Cat) though with some affection, in the typical manner how dalits are discriminated with some affection in Nepal. In the video shown below, Luji jovially tells that he is fully aware of how he would be discriminated and humiliated because of his color, if he goes to Nepal and tries marrying a Nepali girl.
Posted under News on Monday 21 July 2008 at 8:44 pm
Kathmandu, July 17- On this Saturday (July 19), the Constituent Assembly (CA) members will vote for Ram Prit Paswan (UML) and Maan Bahadur Bishwakarma (NC) to elect them respectively as the first ever President and Vice-President of Nepal, if Dalits are to be at least partially compensated for discrimination and oppression meted out to them for centuries. However, in the real world of political equations playing complex role, it is less likely that it will happen in it’s entirety. Nominated by Maoists the largest party and if supported by the fourth largest party Madheshi Jana Adhikar Forum (MJAF), Ram Raja Prasad Singh, who is an iconic leader and veteran advocate of establishing a republic in Nepal already commands little over simple majority of votes only from the two sponsoring parties. Other smaller parties may also add some feathers in his hat in decorating him as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. In the election of the Vice-President, however, many alternative possibilities may play the game. One of the most probable things to happen is that Maan Bahadur Bishwakarma will win in this game. The votes of the second largest party NC, the votes of Dalit CA members largely from Maoists’ camp, and the votes of CA members from smaller parties that did not field their candidates for either of the two top positions can be counted on to catapult him to the second-in-command position. For the greater interest of Dalits, who have been most oppressed and downtrodden in the history of Nepal, it shall be an epoch making event to have a Dalit as the first ever Vice-President of the country. Can all Dalit CA members unite on this? Can Dalit CA members from Maoists camp convince their top Party leadership and Chief Whip that they could have a little non-partisan politics for a good cause of their own? Answers to these questions will have heavy bearing on the outcome of this election.
Report by:
Bhakti Nepal
for nepaldalitinfo network
The nepaldalitinfo adds (July 19, after the election results came out) :
It was understandable that the political parties, which nominated Dalit leaders Ram Prit Paswan and Maan Bahadur Bishwakarma respectively for Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates had not fielded them any seriously to elect them to the country’s top positions. The candidates were used only as the Baliko Bokos (the pawns) in the political game fastly unfolding, as they did not have even an opportunity to withdraw their candidacies. In the results, both the candidates were deprived of votes from the CA members of their own parties. This is one of the many instances where all Dalits and particularly their leaders should rethink about their allegiance to their political parties that do not serve their interests.
Desirably, if Madheshis could claim the President, Dalits should have gotten the Vice-President, while a Bahun is almost certainly going to be the Prime Minister, and Janajati may get the CA Speaker, some of the persons holding these positions being women. We will have to go a long way ahead to see such a situation materialized.
Kamal Nepali suddenly became a superhero after he successfully rescued a little girl trapped in the Seti river crevasse for over 20 hours. He received bravery awards from many organisations and individuals. The media gave an unprecedented coverage of his achievement. We even heard of competition between two TV stations in Kathmandu over who should project Kamal’s heroism better.
Kamal Nepali with PM Girija Prasad Koirala after the felicitation of the little superhero by Government of Nepal
That fateful deed saved the life of a two and half year old girl and dramatically changed the life of the rescuer - a 13-year-old poor Dalit boy in Pokhara. He received not just name and fame but also money and an opportunity for quality education in Kathmandu. The boy deserves it all for his extraordinary deed.
Everybody is excited about the outcome, but interestingly nobody has asked the obvious moral and legal questions about the process. A simple question we can ask ourselves is, would we contemplate sending our kids as small as Kamal for a potentially fatal rescue mission such as this one? Would the girls’ parents consent to send their elder child down for the same task? If another unfortunate incident of a similar nature occurred again, should we venture another child down the deep gorge? Was it right to use the boy?
It was a violation of national and international laws to exploit a child like that. It is annoying to see that even the organisations that claim to champion the movement against exploitation of child labour such as CWIN actually welcomed the task and announced cash prize for Kamal, instead of condemning the use of the child.
What prevented the government, child and human rights organisations, intellectuals and civil society to point out the serious mistake? What do ILO, UNICEF, OHCHR and like minded organisations think about this event? Who would be responsible if Kamal had got trapped and killed? He would have easily lost his life if everything had not gone right. There was no way of saving him because he was sent to a deep hole where nobody was able to enter. The other side of the coin would have the loss of life of one more innocent kid.
According to the news, he was asked for his consent to undertake the risky task. Still it was wrong because he was not an adult who could make an independent, rational choice about his actions. As a minor, he was not able to envisage the potential dangers to his life. Besides, he was not a trained rescue worker and was not given any training before he was sent for the arduous task. Probably his parents were also not consulted beforehand. From that perspective, it was an illegal and immoral undertaking.
It is not hard to understand that he was assigned the task because everybody involved were least bothered about his safety and security. He was used because he was a son of poor, uneducated cobbler parents struggling to feed the family. He was exploited. The fact remains that even dogs are not sent for any dangerous missions without training and preparing them well. In essence, it appears the rescuers and others were prepared to sacrifice a boy’s life in an effort to try and save the unfortunate girl. Everybody’s life is equally important and valuable, isn’t it?
The other big question is – why did the father let the girl fall down the crevasse in the first place? There are many children who get killed or physically harmed every year due to parent’s carelessness, very few are as lucky as little Aradhana Pradhan.
(This article also appeared in this week’s issue of Newsfront weekly, Nepal)
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