| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 09-Mar-02 08:35 PM
Hi all,
Last Friday, at a restaurant in Thamel, amidst a few ex-kamaiyas, and Nepalis and non-Nepalis who had/have been campaigning on behalf of the ex-Kamaiyas, a high-quality pictorial book, printed in Nepal, on the ex-Kamaiyas was released.
The book release ceremony became a reunion of sorts for many of the Nepali and non-Nepalis who had long been active (in various capacities, in the "Kamaiya Movement"), and it was good to see a number of old friends.
Peter Low, a Danish volunteer at MS-Nepal, a Danish development organization, was an advisor to Backward Society Education (BASE) when the Movement to Emancipate Kamaiyas from Debt Bondage started in full force in May 2000.
It was in the midst of the Movement that Low realized that something very significant was happening in front of his eyes, and decided to take pictures, and interview some of the then Kamaiyas/landlords/activists in the field and let the pictures someday tell a coherent story of how one of the most marginalized communities in Nepal used democratic and non-violent means to fight for ther own freedom and dignity in their own country.
The book is the result.
The pictorial book "Kamaiya: Slavery and Freedom" -- and I quote the jacket --"challenges the usual postcard image of ethnic groups in Nepal and tne ease with which issues involving the lives of thousands of underprivileged people so easily slip off the public agenda."
It's a picture book, yes.
But it's not a pretty picture book.
Background info: "After many long hellish years of bondage the Kamaiya freedom movement emerged in the midst of the gloom and frustration pervading the ten-year annversary of democrcy. The movement was supported by a coalition of social and human rights organizations, working together with the then bonded laborers themselves, the media and international organizations and networks. In a sustained three months of campaigning the movement managed to force the government to cancel generation-deep debts of the Kamaiya."
As it was clear at the meeting in Thamel, the fight of the Kamaiyas is far from over, and the lessons taught by the Movement are all the more relevant in these times when there is much conflict between those who believe in democracy and those who do not.
If you wish to order a copy, please email: Binay Dhital at MS-Nepal at info@msnepal.org
Or email: Madhab Maharjan at Mandala Book Point at books@mos.com.np
Total cost: Rs. 750
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| Rajib Sharma |
Posted
on 09-Mar-02 11:38 PM
I had well enough time to study about Kamaiya situation in western Nepal. I had traveled many villages and met many people so called bondage labor. But here I am still very wondering with those men get benefit from MS Nepal and decorated to Dillli Bdr Chaudhar. They have diverted kamaiya issues completely their own benefit. I have quite well knowledge about BASE and very familiar with the BASE President Dilli Bahadur Chaudhari. What has been doing BASE by taking Kamaiya Issues, What is behind it? How are social and cultural practices? What are the values and norms of community. Did BASE show up with some solid self-sufficiency long-term program in front of the so-called bondage labor? Not at all.
This is completely biased and malicious propaganda. Does that book describe after and before situation and does this book have those people who are victimized by BASE by Kamaiya Issue within Tharu society. This is called our slavery culture and mentality.
Thnx
Rajib Sharma
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| Pervert!! |
Posted
on 09-Mar-02 11:40 PM
good damn....expensive
i could phuck 7 gals
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| ashu |
Posted
on 10-Mar-02 01:15 PM
I have worked very closely with Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary -- a winner of a Reebok Human Rights Award in 1994, when Dilli was just a 24-year-old activist.
Though my present work is as far as you can get from Kamaiya-related work in Nepal, I do keep in regular touch with Dilli and a number of other friends from Backward Society Education (BASE) regarding various strategic issues
concerning ex-Kamaiya rehablitation and other such related matters.
And so, having known Dilli quite well -- both professionally and personally -- I can say that I do NOT agree with him all the time. I also do find some of his behaviours a bit disconcerting at times. So sure, Dilli has his share of faults, but then who is perfect anyway?
That said, I have nothing but the highest regard for Dilli as a community leader,
as a grassroots activist who has made a big difference in the lives of thousands
of ex-bonded laborers in Nepal. As someone who is not easily impressed with fellow-Nepalis who rejoice in amassing a string of safe and predictable achievements, I happen to remain very, very impressed with Dilli's and his organization BASE's work on the still ongoing Kamaiya Movement, which is full
of difficulties, uncertainties and unclear processes as ALL genuine social movements are.
I am also aware that in some quarters in Nepal, Dilli is very much a hated man
and that there are some whose greatest joy in life would be to see him fall
down and crash.
Then again, I remind myself: If you want to bring out positive changes in Nepal
or among Nepalis, and if you have not run into conflicts and have made a few bitter, fire-breathing enemies who's do anything to destroy you, then, hey,
you have not done anything worthwhile . . . you have not risked anything.
Viewed this way, I measure -- dispassionately, of course -- Dilli's admirable
success and enormous influence by the number of overt and covert attacks against him and his organization BASE.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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