 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
सबै मगरहरुको एउटै आवाज "मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेश" काठमाडौं, 26 Mar, 09- संयुक्त मगर मन्च नेपालले नयाँ बन्ने संविधानमार्फत मगरहरुको अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्नका लागि प्रधानमन्त्री, संविधान सभाध्यक्ष, संवैधानिक समिति, राज्य पुनस्रंरचना मन्त्रालय र राज्य पुनस्रंरचना तथा शक्ति बाँडफाँड समितिहरुको सभापतिलाई सुझाब पेश गरेको छ । शनिबार अपरान्ह जनसाचार अभियानमा पत्रकार सम्मेलन गरी विभिन्न निकायमा शुक्रबार पेश गरेको मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको प्रस्तावित खाका सार्वजनिक गरेको छ । सामाजिक र राजनीतिक कार्यमा सकि्रय रहेका विभिन्न ६ वटा मगर सङ्घ सङ्गठनहरु आबद्ध रहेको संयुक्त मगर मन्चले शुक्रबार नयाँ बन्ने संविधानमा मगरहरुको अधिकार र मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको खाकासहित सुझाब पेश गरेको थियो । मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको प्रस्तावित खाकामा सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल निर्माण गर्दा मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेश स्थापना हुनुपर्ने र अन्य क्षेत्रमा जातीय जनसङ्ख्याको आधारमा समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्वसहितको सङ्घीय राज्य स्थापना गर्नुपर्ने छ । नयाँ बन्ने संविधानमा मगर जातिको राजनीतिक, आर्थिक, सामाजिक, साँस्कृतिक, भाषिक अधिकारहरुको सुनिश्चित गर्न आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकारसहितको मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको आवश्यक भएको खाकामा प्रस्ट्याइएको छ । पत्रकार सम्मेलनमा संयुक्त मगर मन्च नेपालका प्रतिनिधीहरुले राज्यको पुनःसंरचना हुँदा मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको स्थापना नगरिए सशक्त आन्दोलन गर्ने चेतावनी दिनुभयो । नेपाल मगर सङ्घका अध्यक्ष झकबहादुर थापामगरले आफूहरुको सुझाब कार्यन्वनय नभए आन्दोलनमा उत्रनुको विकल्प नहुने बताउनुभयो । 'मगरात स्वाय्त्त प्रदेश र जातीय जनसङ्ख्याको आधारमा समानुपातिक सहभागीता हाम्रो माग हो ।' पत्रकार सम्मेलनमा उहाँले भन्नुभयो 'सुझाब कार्यन्वयन नभए सशक्त आन्दोलनमा उत्रने छौं ।' नेपाल मगर सङ्घका महासचिव वसन्त घर्तीमगरले सरकारलाई सहयोग स्वरुप सुझाब पत्र पेश गरिएको जानकारी गराउनुहुँदै सकारात्मक पहलको बेवास्ता भएमा सम्पूर्ण मगर समुदाय आफ्नो अस्तित्व र पहिचानका र स्वाभिमानका प्रतीक मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेश स्थापनाका लागि सङ्घर्षको आँधिबेहेरी सृजना गर्ने चेतावनी दिनुभयो। मगर राष्ट्रिय मुक्ति मोर्चा नेपालका महासचिव शरुण बाँठामगर, नेपाल मगर राष्ट्रिय सङ्घका अध्यक्ष गणेशबहादुर थापामगर, मगर हाङ परिषद् नेपालका प्रतिनिधी क्या. यमबहादुर बुढाथोकीमगरलेसमेत मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशको स्थापना नगरिए आन्दोलन गर्ने चेतावनी दिनुभयो । उहाँहरुले मगरात स्वायत्त प्रदेशका लागि एकजुट हुन सम्पूर्ण समुदायलाइृ्र अपीलसमेत गर्नुभयो । माघे संक्रान्तिको अवसर पारेर नेपाल मगर सङ्घ, मगर राष्ट्रिय मुक्ति मोर्चा नेपाल, नेपाल मगर राष्ट्रिय सङ्घ, नेपाल लोकतान्त्रिक मगर सङ्घ, नेपाल स्वशासित मगर सङ्घ, एकीकृत मगर हाङ परिषद् नेपालसम्मेलित संयुक्त मगर मन्च नेपालको घोषणा गरिएको थियो । भूतपूर्व सैनिकहरुको पनि सुझाब यसैगरी भूतपूर्व सैनिक कल्याणकारी समितिले पनि नयाँ संविधान निर्माणका लागि सुझाब पेश गरेको छ। शनिबार जनसन्चार अभियानमा पत्रकार सम्मेलन गरी समितिले सुझाब पत्र सार्वजनिक गरेको छ । भूतपूर्व सैनिक कल्याणकारी समितिका अध्यक्ष क्या. यमबहादुर बुढाथोकीले शुक्रबार प्रधानमन्त्री, संविधानसभा्ध्यक्ष, संस्कृति तथा राज्य पुनसर्ंरचना मन्त्रालयलगायतमा सुझाब पेश गरिएको जानकारी गराउनुभयो । भूतपूर्व सैनिकले नयाँ बन्ने संविधानमार्फत भूतपूर्व सैनिकहरुलाई क्षमतअनुसारको रोजगकार दिनुपर्ने सुझाब दिएको छ । - स्मिता मगर, काठमाण्डौंमा साभार: यूएसनेपाल अनलाइन डट कम ---------------------------------- ** *** **
Magar Community Pressing for the Establishment of Magarant “Autonomous State with Right to Self-determination is the Right Answer for Freedom of Ethnic Communities"-Defense Minister Thapa Kathmandu, December 14, 2008- Senior Maoist leader and Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar ‘Baadal’ said on Friday that while demanding their autonomous states the concerned communities need to communicate with each other in order to avoid conflict among themselves. Speaking at a national seminar organized by Nepal Magar Association (NMA) on Magarant, Minister Thapa said, “The geographical boundary of demanded autonomous states from different ethnic communities and regions should be taken very sensitively because concocted decisions are sure to lead the communities into conflict.” Thapa said, it is therefore a must for these communities to come together to discuss and decide on geographical boundaries for autonomous state. “We are living for the ethnic liberation and dying for it. But while doing so, we should keep in mind that while we are fighting for our freedom, we are not killing others’ freedom. Instead, our fight for liberation should act as a support for liberation of other ethnic communities as well,” Thapa added. He said that autonomous states should be determined by analyzing the history, culture, language and population of that area. “With these autonomous states we are respecting the communities’ culture, language and history and at the same time letting them to decide on their fate themselves.” He stressed that the new Constitution should make public winners. “The Constitution should not have provisions where, in the name of competition, the public – poor, marginalized, disadvantaged people – compete in order to loose. The Constitution should make us winners. For that there should be competition among equals – poor with poor, women with women, Dalit with Dalit, Janajati with Janajati”. “Autonomous state with Right to self-determination is the right answer for freedom of ethnic communities so, united, they have to fight to ensure their political, cultural and social rights through new the Constitution,” Minister Thapa added. Jhakendra Gharti Magar, a sociology scholar presenting a resource paper on Magarant also expressed the urgent need for common consensus with other ethnic groups that are demanding autonomous states before NMA decides on the boundaries of the Magarant Autonomous State, as lots of drafts presented by different communities on their respective autonomous states’ boundaries overlap with each other. “It is of utmost necessity to form Magarant Community take our issues into serious discussion with other ethnic groups to determine our state’s boundary so as to avoid conflict among ourselves,” urged Gharti Magar. Magar intellectuals gathered from all over the nation emphasized the formation of Magar Morcha and Magarant Community as soon as possible to strongly expressing Magar issues and Magarant autonomous state so as to guarantee it’s inclusion in the up-coming Constitution. They urged Magar Constituent Assembly Members to play a crucial role in the Constituent Assembly for ensuring Magar rights and establishment of Magarant. ‘We will play our roles through lobbying, discussions and, if necessary, from road,’ they said. NMA President Jhak Bahadur Thapa Magar made it known that the decisions of the interaction program will be taken to the Magarant areas to discuss further with the local people and produce a final paper on Magarant and Magar agendas concerning rights to be included in the Constitution of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal.
--------------------------------- ** *** ** UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples Visited Nepal Kathmandu, December 4, 2008- “United Nations Special Rapporteur’s visit to Nepal has played the role of ‘loud-speaker’ for ensuring Nepalese indigenous people’s rights in upcoming New Constitution of the country,” expressed Dr. Sumitra Manandhar, President of National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD). Professor S. James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples, wrapped-up his nine-day visit to Nepal from 24 November to 2 December on Tuesday. “This is definitely a positive indication for us that our issues will get space in UN forum and can help us a great deal to pressurize the Nepali government for ensuring our rights.” During his stay, the UN Special Rapporteur held meetings with senior government officials, representatives of indigenous peoples' organizations, members of civil society, and various representatives of the United Nations. Many indigenous experts, notably Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, Mukta Sing Lama, Dr. Sumitra Manandhar, Malla K Sundar and Chaitannya Subba presented their papers on different issues concerning Nepalese Indigenous people in several programs held in Kathmandu. The UN expert utilized his 2 days in Kathmandu valley holding discussions with representatives of indigenous nationalities and indigenous nationalities’ institutions and organizations regarding present conditions of Nepalese indigenous people. He spent five days visiting Ilam, Jhapa, Chitwan and Kailali districts and consulted with indigenous communities and local authorities. Special Rapporteur will present the visit's findings in a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council which will then act as the resource for the annual report of General assembly that will be presented by UN General Secretary. Professor Anaya observed with satisfaction the Nepal government’s commitment to international standards upholding the rights of indigenous peoples—in particular its ratification of ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and its support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “But only ratifying international standards is not enough, the government should implement them as well,” he stated. Nepal is the first Asian country to ratify the convention, which commits states to securing indigenous peoples’ distinct cultures and ways of life, rights over lands and natural resources, as well as the right to meaningfully participate in all decisions affecting them. “We believe the Special Rapporteur’s visit will facilitate relevant authorities to address indigenous peoples’ issues and rights amicably so there will be no longer perpetuated exclusion, discrimination and marginalization against indigenous peoples and be treated equally in the restructuring of the nation,” said Chini Maya Majhi, President of National Indigenous Women’s Federation.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- ** *** ** Tamu (Gurung) Journalists Elected 11 Members as Their Leaders Pokhara, November 10, 2008- The first convention of the Tamu Mass-Communicators Association (TMA) elected 11-member executive committee. The Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Kiran Gurung said that Gurung (Tamu) journalists will play their crucial role to unite Tamu community through information and communication for the successful participation of Tamu in the process of making ‘New Nepal’. Inaugurating the first Tamu Mass-Communicators Association (TMA) in Pokhara on Saturday, Minister Gurung said, “I hope Tamu journalists with their power of being 4th state of the country will play their important role in making of New Nepal by being the voice of marginalized and disadvantaged ethnic group, class and communities.” Similarly, Constituent Assembly (CA) member CPN (UML) Nabindra Adhikari asked all the political parties to be responsible towards the comprehensive peace agreement. He warned them that if the peace process will not be started with the full speed then it nation’s nationalism and sovereignty will be compromised. Punnya Paudyal, chief of Western Region, Federation of Nepalese Journalists expressed his hopes that TMA will being the Tamu community’s voice in the media while forming the journalists network all over the country. Karma Tamu, President of Tamu Dhi Kaski said TMA will play special role for ensuring the rights of Tamu in new Constitution, uniting the Tamu community to achieve Tamu Autonomous State. Speaking in the program, President of Association of Association of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (ANIJ) Khim Ghale requested Tamu parents and guardians to inspire their children in studying journalism if they are interested as journalism has developed in the profession through which people can earn the living. In the same program, four prominent individuals were felicitated for their contribution on their respective fields in the community. Karma Tamu, for her social contribution in the community for more than 2 decades, Bhim Prasad Tamu for his contribution in the promoting of Gurung language, Dharma Raju Tamu for his contribution on promoting culture through cinematography and Mansudan Thapa Magar for his contribution on the formation of new committee of TMA. Each of them was handed out the appreciation letter and khadas by Minister Gurung. The Convention concluded on Sunday forming an eleven-member committee of TMA under the presidency of Ganesh Man Gurung. Name list of first TMA committee are given below:
Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** ‘Fewer Federal States Is Better for Nepal’ - George Anderson Kathmandu, September 17, 2008- Nepal is going for federalism and experts say the better approach is to have fewer federal states. Speaking in a round table discussion jointly organized by Reform Forum and Forum of Federations on ‘Regular series on Federalism in Nepal’, George Anderson, President of Forum of Federations said on Tuesday in the capital that fewer federal states will be better for Nepal. “I think you should limit the numbers of the federal states in the country. The federal states can range from 7 to 11 in number in a geographically small and ethnically diversified country like Nepal,” said Anderson. Speaking on ‘Dimensions of Federalism’ Anderson said, “Ethnicity is one of the bases of Federalism. There are other important issues which cannot be ignored as well so I don’t think Nepal will have pure ethnic federalism.” He urged that concerned people think of the nature of the country while talking about federalism in Nepal. “Nepal’s situation has drastically changed since I was here two years ago. Now the situation seems more optimistic but there are many challenges in this transition period,” he said. He suggested that first of all, Nepalese people need to make a constitution in which everyone can feel that their voice will be heard somewhere in the new constitution. He also spoke for the power sharing between the central government and federal government, taxation in the country, management of natural resources etc. Minister for Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly affairs Dev Gurung said that federalism in Nepal will be established with consideration given to the social, natural resources and economical suitability of the nation. Minister Gurung added that suggestions and cooperation from national and international experts in federalism will help them in the Constitution making process as well as deciding on the federal system of the country. CP Mainali, General Secretary of CPN (MALE) said, “We have to think about viability of the federal state so for equal development we have to include Mountain, Hilly and Terai regions in one federal state. Inside these federal states we should have ethnically autonomous units.” Another speaker, Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, Constituent Assembly (CA) member from CPN (UML) said the demand for federalism from ethnic communities is for identity, proper representation in decision making and excess. “No other country’s federal system can fit our country so we have to use our capacity, whatever we have to create our constitutional and federal framework ourselves,” he added. CA member (NC) Suprabha Ghimire agreed that ethnicity should not be the only basis of federalism as economic viability is also needed. Participants in the discussion program included representatives from different political parties, CA members, lawyers, journalists and civil society. George R.M Anderson has been President and CEO of the Forum of Federations since 2005. He served over thirty years in Canada’s federal public service, where his positions included Deputy Minister of Natural Resources (2002-2005) and Deputy Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Cabinet office (1996-2002). He held assistant deputy minister level positions in the energy, finance and foreign ministries. He is the author of Federalism: An Introduction (Oxford University Press: 2008) and is a trustee of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Anderson was on a two day visit to Nepal for round table discussions on federalism in Nepal. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** Signatures for Nepalese Indigenous Peoples' Rights Kathmandu, September 4, 2008- Speaker of the CA (Constituent Assembly) Subash Chandra Nembang said the CA will make the Constitution of ‘New Nepal’ on the basis of the ILO 196 and UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights to guarantee indigenous people their rights and ownership over forest, water and land resources. On the signature handover program of indigenous organizations with 9 point demands that should be included in the new Constitution for ensuring rights to the indigenous nationalities, Nembang said that now no one can stop the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal from being a proportional and representative state. The NGO Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (FONIN) organized to collect the signatures on a 2,500 meter-long cloth from August 2nd to 9th on the occasion of the 16th World International Indigenous Day. More than 500,000 signatures agreeing to their demands were handed to Nembang. After receiving the collected signatures and letters for 601 CA members from organizers Nembang said that it is a must to have the participation of maximum possible numbers of Nepali people in the making of a successful Constitution of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal, so these peaceful campaigns were a way of listening people’s voice to act upon. Nine point demands include that the bases for federalism should be ethnicity, linguistic and regional, along with the Right to Self Determination, implementation of ILO 169 and the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights, guarantee of special rights to the highly marginalized and indigenous minority groups, Prerogative Rights to the indigenous nationalities of the autonomous state on the land and natural resources, and formation of Ministry of Indigenous Nationalities, and Indigenous Council. “If our demands will not be addressed then the government will be responsible for the consequences,” said President of NGO-FONIN Yem Bahadur Kukung.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- ** *** ** Magar Leaders agreed to form a Coalition for Magarant Autonomous State Kathmandu, August 29, 2008- After Limbu indigenous peoples of eastern Nepal formed their common political front, Magars of western region of Nepal hailing from different political background and social organizations have reached an agreement to form a coalition for establishing the Magarant Autonomous State, thus ensuring Magar indigenous peoples’ rights in the new constitution. In an interaction program organized by Nepal Magar Autonomous Association (NMAA) on “Common Issues and Common Magar Front”, the leaders of Magar community reached the agreement which will establish a common front. Senior Vice-President of NMAA and CPN (United) Lila Bahadur Thapa Magar presented the concept paper on the issue which focused on the need for Magar leaders to raise their joint voice for ensuring Magar indigenous peoples’ issues in the new constitution. President of Nepal Democratic Magar Association, CPN (UML) and also Constituent Assembly member Dal Bahadur Rana Magar said, “Without Common mechanism it is impossible for the establishment of Magarant Autonomous State so we have to move forward together with common agendas." Jhak Bahadur Thapa Magar, President of Nepal Magar Association (NMA), a common social organization of Magar community said, “NMA will take the initiative in creating the common mechanism.” President of NMAA, CPN (United) Chitra Bahadur Ale Magar urged that NMAA has taken the initiative but it is not enough, so it is a must for all Magar leaders to come up with the concrete concept on how jointly they can play an effective role in establishing the Magarant and ensuring Magar indigenous peoples’ issues will be addressed in the new constitution. President of the Nepal National Magar Association (NNMA), the sister organization of Nepali Congress (NC), Ganesh Bahadur Thapa Magar expressed that though Magar leaders may have different political ideology they should have common agendas and voice on Magar indigenous peoples’ rights and issues. They have agreed to identify common issues of Magar community and establish common political front after they discuss the issue in their respective organizations before meeting again on September 5th for further discussion.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** UNDP Brought Magar CA Members Together for a Lesson and Talk About the Constitution Making Process Kathmandu, August 22, 2008- Constituent Assembly (CA) members from the Magar indigenous community placed stress on the constitution making process and on their roles to make sure the Magar community’s voice is addressed by the New Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic Nepal in capital on Friday. The workshop was organized jointly by the Forum for Indigenous Studies (FIS), Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal (SPCBN) and UNDP to discuss Magar CA members’ effective role in the constitution making process by understanding the details of what the Magar community wants in the new constitution. Maoist CA member Barsaman Pun Magar ‘Ananta’ urged that CA members need to be well aware of what people want from the constitution and what procedures are needed to ensure that their demands are addressed. “Deciding the basis for Federalism is going to be very challenging. Therefore, it is a must for us to interact with each other on the people’s voice about the different issues so that we can address them effectively in the constitution making process,” said Ananta. Presenting their papers, 'Constitution making process and its important aspects of Constitution law' Prof. Purnaman Shakya and advocate Dinesh Tripathi persisted with the necessity of CA members to have at least minimum ideas of Constitutional bodies, be well informed about their communities’ voices, as well as asking help from experts on specific subjects to be able to raise their issues powerfully and be certain that their issues are addressed by the constitution. Brinda Magar, representative from SPCBN said that UNDP was supporting the indigenous organizations to organize such workshops to empower CA members and effective participation of people belonging to the communities in the constitution making process. She informed that they have already conducted such programs in Dalit, Madhesi, Tharu and Muslim communities. The SPCBN started in May 2008. It plans to conduct this same workshop in other indigenous, minorities and marginalized communities. Participants included CA Members and civil society members hailing from the Magar community. They urged that the basis for federalism should be ethnic, regional and linguistic, autonomous state with right to self-determination, indigenous peoples’ prerogative rights of control over natural resources within the autonomous state, guarantee of special rights for minorities and marginalized communities, gender equality and many other important issues to be addressed in new the constitution. Magar, the largest ethnic community in Nepal has 29 CA Members at the National Assembly in Nepal who were elected from various political parties. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** Magar Journalists form Magar Community United Kathmandu, August 15, 2008- Magar journalists have come together to form Magar Mass-Communication Society (MMCS) with the objective to protect rights of working Magar journalists, promote their professional skills and to disseminate information on Magar culture, social, economic and political activities via media to national and international audiences. Presenting a concept paper in the first gathering of Magar journalists and mass communicators, scholar of social movement Jhakendra Gharti Magar said, “The necessity to form Magar Mass-communicators Society is a must as in today’s world, media can play the most important role in the protection and promotion of Magar cultural identity. At the same time, it can play the vital role to ensure our social, cultural, lingual, economic and political issues in new Constitution through media lobbing.” Preliminary study shows among 8,000 journalists in the country there are only about 100 Magar journalists listed under the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ). That is about 1.25% or less of all professional journalists. The study shows there are 23 Magar journalists in daily newspapers, 9 in weeklypublications, 1 in biweekly, 5 in monthly magazines and there are 4 Magar journalists in television, Radio /FM. An additional 13 include 3 in online, 12 freelance journalists and 2 photographers. Advisors to the newly formed MMS are senior journalists Khildhoj Thapa Magar, Lok Deep Thapa Magar, Ujir Magar, Radha Budhathoki Magar and Jhakendra Gharti Magar. Nepal Magar Association (NMA), Magar National Liberation Front (MNLF) affiliated to CPN (Maoists), Nepal National Magar Association (NNMA) affiliated to Nepali Congress, Nepal Democratic Magar Association (NDMA) affiliated to CPN (UML), Magar Autonomous Association (MAA) affiliated to CPN (United), Magar Liberation Organization (MLO) affiliated to Janamorcha Nepal and Magar Hang Council (MHC) affiliated to National Janamukti Party are the patron organizations of MMS. Newly elected President of MMS Naresh Khapangi Magar said, “We are taking it as a serious responsibility especially because this is the period of Constitution making process. The responsibility rests on our shoulders to be a bridge between the Magar voice and Nepal Government to ensure Magarant and other Magar cultural, social, economic and political related issues in New Constitution.” Khapangi Magar added that MMS will focus on bringing out the Magar related issues in the media by forming a network all over the country among Magar journalists. He hopes that will bridge the gap between mainstream media houses and Magar mass communicators. Appreciating the initiation, senior journalist Khildhoj Thapa Magar said, “I congratulate the MMS adhoc committee and hope they will be the voice of the Magar community to ensure their rights, cultural identity and political representation in the country.” President of NMA Jhak Bahadur Thapa Magar, Member of Constituent Assembly (CA) and Vice Chairperson of MNLF Onsari Gharti Magar, President of NNMA Ganesh Bahadur Thapa Magar, CA member and President of NDMA Dal Bahadur Rana Magar, CA member and General Secretary of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Ram Bdr Thapa Magar, Vice President of MAA Lila Bahadur Thapa Magar, President of MLC Tek Balampaki Magar, President of Nepal Magar Women Association Syam Maya Pun Magar, President of Nepal Magar Students Association Bhoj Bikram Budha Magar, President of Nepal Magar Cultural Association Kabita Ale Magar and businessman Man Bahadur Thapa Magar also congratulated and gave their best wishes to the new committee in the occasion. Central Ad-hoc Committee of MMS members are as follows:
2. Vice-President: Dilip Thapa, NTV 3. General Secretary Manoj Gharti, Janadisha 4. Secretary Madhusudan Thapa, Sagarmatha TV 5. Treasurer Manu Thapa, Dhankuta Weekly 6. Members: Dhan Bahadur Magar, FNJ (Kathmandu) 7. Ishwor Raj Magar, Morang Saptahik 8. Dhurba Ale Magar, The Himalayan Times 9. Nabin Bibhas, Naya Patrika 10. Santa Gaha Magar, Himal Media 11. Smita Magar, www.usnepalonline.com 12. Dipendra Rana, Naya Nepal (Gorkhapatra) 13. Prakash Rana Magar, Gorkha Sainik Aawaj (monthly) 14. Kumar Lungeli Magar, Metro FM 15. Sachin Roka Magar, Nepal FM
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** World Indigenous Day Celebrated in Kathmandu with 19 point Declaration Demanding IP Rights Kathmandu, August 9, 2008- A week long celebration of World Indigenous Day concluded in capital on Saturday with indigenous leaders urging the inclusion of indigenous voice in the new constitution of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal. “This is the closing program of this year’s World Indigenous Day but for we Nepalese indigenous nationalities, this should be the beginning of new, powerful programs for ensuring the inclusion of indigenous voices in the forthcoming new constitution,” said the newly elected Speaker of Constituent Assembly (CA) Subash Chandra Nembang. He also said that as the time was crucial for making the constitution, now is not the time for political parties to quarrel with each other but rather to find common ground. “Political parties have to reach for consensus and move together in the making of Constitution; this is the mandate of the Nepali people,” added Nembang. He also requested indigenous people from every region to unite for the making of a Constitution that equally represents and includes indigenous people. “The campaign must continue, as all indigenous peoples have to participate in the making of the Constitution to make it as we have always wanted it to be,” Nembang added. On the same occasion, Kanak Mani Dixit of Civil Society said there has to be empathy for each other among different ethnic groups in this crucial time for the country. “Empathy among ethnic groups at a time like this is a must. One ethnic group must consider other ethnic groups to make a successful constitution, else the situation will be very dangerous,” said Dixit. Finance Minister Ramsharan Mahat said in the country of diversity it is very challenging to make a Constitution, but with unity and understanding of people it can be made a better so that everyone will feel that it is equally theirs. Dendoha Jalai Tipura, representing indigenous people of Bangladesh, said they hoped to survive with their identity. He declared the solidarity with indigenous people of Bangladesh and Nepal. He also said that these kinds of celebration in Nepal have inspired and encouraged Bangladeshi indigenous people to celebrate and be proud for being indigenous. In the new constitution NEFIN demanded that the basis of federalism in the country must be ethnicity, language and region, and guarantee the ethnic autonomous states with Right to Self Determination. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and ILO Convention 169 should be written exactly in the new constitution as it in the document and implement them. While making CA committees, CA has to make ‘Right to Self Determination Implementation Committee,’ ‘Ethnic Autonomous State’s Boundaries Decision making Committee,’ ‘Indigenous Nationalities Committee’ and ‘Indigenous Nationalities Women’s Committee.’ The new constitution should guarantee 66% of Prerogative Rights in the ethnic autonomous state’s Judiciary, Executive and Legislative bodies. It has also demanded the ensuring of the indigenous people’s rights in their ancestor land, water sources, jungle/forest and regional ownership in the law of autonomous state. Along with these demands it has demanded that the CA include issues of minorities, indigenous rights for their cultural identities and many other rights in the promotion and preservation of their ethnic and cultural identities with proportional representation in the country’s bodies. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala sent his message congratulating indigenous people in their celebration. He has asked all indigenous people to play important roles in the process of making new Nepal peaceful and developed. Federation for Indigenous People of Nepal in America (FIPNA) and many other organizations also sent their best wishes for the occasion. Nembang awarded prizes to the winners of different games and participating artists in cultural show. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** Nepal’s Mountain Indigenous People Demand Autonomous State Kathmandu, July 27, 2008- Nepal’s mountain indigenous nationalities are demanding a Himali Autonomous State in a Federal Democratic Republic Nepal calling all people living in mountainous region to unite and raise a strong voice for it. In a felicitation program of Constituent Assembly (CA) members belonging to the mountainous region, Vice President of Himali Democratic Republic Civil Forum (HDRCF) Bishwo Thakali said, “It has been of extreme necessity to raise the united voice for the Himali Autonomous State to ensure the rights, cultural identity and representation of Himali indigenous nationalities.” He urged CA members to raise their voices for it in the CA as every time, the government has only shown interest in mountains (Himalayas) but not in indigenous people living there. Maoist leader and local development minister Dev Gurung said that by establishing federal structure based on ethnicity it is necessary to make every ethnic groups qualified, dignified and with all rights for their equal development. “Whether Maoist Party will be in the ruling government or not, it will always fight for the Federal autonomous states with right to self determination to insure indigenous nationalities’ rights,” said minister Gurung. He condemned Vice President Parmananda Jha for taking his oath in Hindi saying Jha knelt in front of a foreign power, putting a threat to Nepalese people’s sovereignty and integrity. “We have to unite to guarantee our rights in the new constitution and federal system in which we can utilize our natural resources for our development,” Sherpa added. The program was jointly organized by Manang District Development Society, Mustang District Development Society and Gorkha Chum Welfare Committee. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------- ** *** ** Leadership Training for Nepalese Indigenous Youth Activists Dhulikhel, June 30, 2008- With the objective of reaching out to every indigenous nationality of the country on present indigenous issues and agendas, and to raise a strong voice on ensuring rights in the new constitution, Janajati Empowerment Project (JEP) of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) has started a five day workshop in Dhulikhel district starting on Monday. The “Training of Trainers (ToT) program for Second Generation Indigenous/Nationalities Leaders” hopes to produce the second generation of (youth) leaders prepared to train other new indigenous leaders of different backgrounds, professions and regions on indigenous issues, and to raise decisive unified voices for rights in the coming constitution of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Inaugurating the program, NEFIN President Pasang Sherpa said, "By understanding the importance of this training program, I am hopeful that trainees will play vital roles in our indigenous nationalities movement to ensure our rights in constitution of new Nepal." He appreciated the initiative taken by indigenous Nepalese people working and living abroad who are forming indigenous nationalities (janajati) alliances to draft the constitution for new Nepal on their behalf, representing their voices in spite of vast geographical distances. Reports are that Nepalese indigenous nationalities living in countries such as Australia, United States of America, Japan and so on are forming alliances with those representing their ethnic groups' organizations. "In Australia, there are many Nepali indigenous taxi drivers. They are said to be distributing draft papers of new Nepal's Constitution which focuses on rights of indigenous nationalities to every customer who use their service. We appreciate and are very grateful for their encouragement," said Sherpa. The program resource person, indigenous expert Balkrishna Mabuhang, said that indigenous issues must also be politically established. "While raising our issues, we janajati need to have common vision. We should not only seek for unity in diversity among ourselves but also cultivate our diversity," he stated. "Proportional representation on the basis of caste, ethnicity, gender, religion and political party in all the committees of the Constitution-making process must be insisted upon," said Prof. Purna Man Shakya. But the challenges for ethnic leaders include the lack of constitutional experts among ethnic groups, the danger of overshadowing ethnic issues by party whips, neutralization of ethnic strength in the Constituent Assembly by insisting on political consensus and a lack of unity, coordination and 'consensus addendum' on major constitutional issues among ethnic groups. Thirty-five indigenous youth leaders from many ethnic communities equally representing gender and regions are signed up for the training.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------- ** *** ** 28 Magar CA Members were Honoured काठमाडौं, May 25, 2008-Magar Members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) raised a united voice to introduce Federal Democratic Republic, overthrowing Monarchy, establishment of the Magarant Autonomous State and other Magar issues at the very first meeting of the CA on 28th May. “Though we have different political beliefs our goals on the Magar issues are the same so through dialogue and understanding we must achieve our goals by fulfilling our responsibility,” Maoist leader and member of the CA Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar (Badal) said at a reception for Magar members of the CA organized by Nepal Magar Association and its sister organizations. Badal said the successful CA poll with 28 Magar members on the CA was only the partial victory. “Magars will have their full victory when they will get to fully practice their political rights, have economic development and feel equal to others through respect for their language and culture.” He further added, “To achieve that ‘full victory’ we will keep on fighting in the CA house but it will not be enough until Magars from every corner of the world unite to create new ideas and present new directions for our movement.” NMA presented the 19 point memorandum for 28 newly elected Magar members of CA. Memorandum gives main priority to demolish the monarchy and implement Federal Democratic Republic at the very first meeting of the CA. Then, during the nation’s re-structuring process the memorandum demands the establishment of Magarant Autonomous State with right to self-determination, implementation of mother-tongue language system in autonomous states, proportional representation in every policy making sector of government, and to implementation of the ILO Convention 169 as the fundamental rights of Magar and other indigenous nationalities. Strong priority is given to keeping the nation religiously secular; to write the new constitution without declaring cow as national animal and maroon (simrik) as national colour, and to establish the system of deciding Presidency and Chief Ministerial System through direct election. “With this 19 point memorandum we are hoping that Magar members of CA will play a vital role in raising the voice for our issues and guaranteeing our rights in the House of the CA,” said Jhak Bahadur Thapa Magar, President of NMA. Kumar Thapa Magar, Vice-president of Nepal Magar Democratic Association (NMDA) said, “In this program, those khadas, appreciation letters, pens and flowers presented to Magar members of the CA are not only to congratulate on their victory but also to remind them that they have their responsibility to fulfill the dream of 25 lakh Magars.” “Therefore, no matter what political beliefs they have they should be united while addressing Magar issues,” Thapa added. Member of the CA, Dal Bahadur Rana Magar elected from Palpa-1, urged the Magar community to fight for their rights from their respective sectors while Magar members of the CA will fight for Magar issues in the CA. NMA also felicitated the newly-elected central member of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Ujir Magar and Lankaman Roka Magar, newly-elected President of the Nepal Carpet Industry Association. Nepal Magar Students Association (NMSA) will be giving pressure by sit-in-protest on 28th May at outside International Convention Center in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.
-Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ----------- ** *** ** Three Nepalese Indigenous Journalists were felicitated Kathmandu, May 19, 2008-Nepalese indigenous intellectuals voiced their opinion that Nepal’s new constitution’s laws and provisions concerning indigenous issues should be derived from the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ILO Convention 196, as has been done by Bolivia. Speaking at a program organized by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) to congratulate newly elected indigenous journalists of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an advisor of NEFIN, Dr. Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan said, “Learning from Bolivia, where the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People became the law of the land, in Nepal too, it should be adopted as fundamental rights.” Dr. Bhattachan added that to make this a certainty in the new constitution, indigenous members of constituent assembly should be well informed. “At the same time media has to play its role.” Speaker of the Interim Parliament Subash Chandra Nembang commented, “In the new constitution, laws will be made on the basis of agreements between NEFIN and the Interim government, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO Convention 169.” Last year, Nepal’s government voted in favour of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ratified ILO Convention 169.. Nembang emphasized the immense role of media and journalists in informing the public about issues and laws to achieve successful implementation. Newly elected 3 indigenous journalists of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Ujir Magar, Rajkumar Dikpal and Bharat Shakya were felicitated with khadas and appreciation letters. Ujir Magar was elected from Kathmandu valley whereas Dikpal and Shakya were elected from janajati (indigenous) quotas. After being felicitated Ujir Magar said that with the position comes great responsibility. “We are conscious of indigenous issues so we will be raising and writing about those issues in the new constitution-making process.” President of NEFIN, Pasang Sherpa said he hoped that newly elected members of FNJ will use their pen for the rights of indigenous nationalities. Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ----------------------------------- ** *** ** American Benefactor Honoured by Kulung Peoples in Nepal -Smita Magar in Kathmandu काठमाडौं, March 6, 2008-“I am overwhelmed, Dhanyabad! (Thnak you!)” said Candy Chaplin upon being congratulated for her support in health and education of Kulung (Kirat) community of Solukhumbu district, home of Mt. Everest in Eastern Nepal. Speaking at the program which was jointly organized by the Alliance of Mahakulung NGOs and the Association of Nepal Kirat Kulung Language and Development (ANKKLD), Chaplin expressed her delight. “I did not see it coming so this occasion really surprised me. I am very thankful for this lovely gift,” she said, showing “Tamrapatra” and sacred khadas. Ms Chaplin is the president of Nepal Children’s Health and Education Foundation (NCHEF) USA. Through NCHEF she has been playing a crucial role in improving the education and health of women and children of Bung and Cheskam of Solukhumbu district. “I grew up near the mountains in New Hampshire, USA, and I love mountains, so I always wanted to visit Nepal”, she said. Her wish was fulfilled when she visited Nepal for the first time in 1999 for trekking. As her guide was from Bung she was taken there to see the cultural and natural beauty of the place. “It was fascinating,” added Chaplin. “As a teacher I was very concerned about education and also being a woman I thought about the health of women because the health of children depends on their mothers’ wellbeing.” “For that we have been trying to connect with other groups, other NGOs for teacher training, mid-wife training, a health information center and for the building of libraries and hydro-electro power for the improvement of basic facilities.” NCHEF has been giving scholarships to students and providing salary to certain teachers at primary and secondary schools. Scholarships are given to students on condition that they return to their community and help those who are coming up behind them. “This way they will help improve both their community and their own situations,” she said speaking to the journalists. Apart from this, NCHEF also has been providing clothing to community residents. Interim Parliament Member and former minister Bal Bahadur Rai also spoke: “We are very grateful to Chaplin for everything she has been doing in our rural villages by filling basic needs such as health, education and water supply which have direct and immediate impact on village development. May her work in these villages be successful,” he added wishing her success. Kulung youth leader Surya Kulung expressed his gratitude to Chaplin in the program. “On the behalf of all students you have been helping, I am very thankful,” said Kulung. He warned those students who are getting financial support from NCHEF to understand and share in Chaplin’s dreams of helping others and to not misuse their support. Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------- ** *** ** Proportional Representation Demand at Magar Day Celebration काठमाडौं, February 27, 2008-The Magar communities celebrated the 26th Magar Day on 27th February in the capital, demanding proportional representation in the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls and that Lakhan Thapa Magar be declared as the first martyr of the nation. Starting the celebration with nearly 1,000 Magar participants, the rally moved from the Bhadrakali to Ratnapark and finally to Bhrikuti Mandap where the formal program was conducted. Inaugurating the program, Minister of Cultural, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithvi Subba Gurung urged leaders of the Magar community to present the facts and essential documents that prove Captain Lakhan Thapa Magar to be the first martyr, so that he can begin the process of declaring Thapa Magar the first martyr of the country. “I request Magar community leaders to present the facts that prove Thapa Magar to be the first martyr as soon as possible. I give my words, if facts support, I will myself put forward the process to declare Thapa Magar first martyr of the country,” said Gurung during the program. He continued: “For centuries the Magar community has been ignored by the state’s ruler and so it has suffered for its ethnic identity, equal rights and representation in the country’s administration. Now, through upcoming CA polls, Magars will write their own history. It is an opportunity for Magars to write their history and ensure their rights and representation in the country.” Nepal Magar Association’s President Jhak Bahadur Thapa handed a memorandum to Minister Subba Gurung in which the following three major points are highlighted: Magars are to be given the Magarat Autonomous State, Captain Lakhan Thapa Magar will be declared First Martyr of the country and implementation of the full proportional CA poll system on the basis of ethnic population. Mohan Thapa Magar, coordinator of the Magar Youth Association (MYA), said that the State has been ignoring the sacrifice of the Magar community. “Every ruler has been using Magars as the pillar of their rule/regime, whether the Rana regime, Shah Regime or Maoist, but once in power they forget the blood spilled by Magars for the betterment of the country,” he said. “They have been insulting our sacrifice, but this time we will fight for our identity, rights and representation,”. He added “Our main goal at the moment is to establish the Magarat Autonomous Region and for that Magar youths are more ready than ever.” Kumar Thapa Magar, vice-president of the Democratic Magar Association, emphasized the declaration of Lakhan Thapa Magar as the first martyr of the country and said, “My salute to those Magars of Rupandehi district who established Lakhan Thapa’s statue at the place of King Birendra. Now, it is time for Magars of Kathmandu to put the statue of the first martyr at the place of King Tribhuban’s statue that is at Shahid Gate.” On the Lakhan Thapa Magar Day, 2nd of Falgun in Rupandehi, Magars established Lakhan Thapa Magar’s statue where once stood King Birendra’s statue which was destroyed during in the beginning of Madhesh Movement last year. Jhak Bahadur Thapa Magar, President of NMA said that NMA will bring many programs, protests to pressurize government to declare Lakhan Thapa Magar as first martyr, establish the Magarat Autonomous State and implementation of full proportional CA election system. “Our protests and voices will not stop until our demands are fulfilled,” he added. At the same occasion, President of Tamang Ghedung Association, Dhan Prasad Tamang said that like other janajatis he hoped Magars will fight to get Magarat Autonomous State and its ethnic identity with full proportional representation in CA. “We will be helping each other to fulfill these demands,” Tamang added. Kshyam Thapa Magar, former President of Nepal Magar Association of South Korea, handing over 1 lakh 73 thousand and 3 hundred to NMA said, “It is a plight of nation and Nepalese people that when an ethnic community is demanding autonomous state it is taken as the splitting of nation.” Personalities like Bom Kumari Budha Magar, Bhoj Bikram Budha Magar, Hong Kong Rana Magar, Fatik Thapa Magar and others also spoke, calling for all of the Magar community to join hands and fight for the ethnic identity, rights and maximum representation in the coming Constituent Assembly. Magar Day is being celebrated on the occasion of the establishment of day of Nepal Magar Association, known as Nepal Langhali Association until 2048 B.S. Nepal Langhali Association was established on Falgun 15 of 2039 and its first National Convention in Damauli decided to celebrate the day as a Magar Day. Last year Magars celebrated their Silver Jubilee. Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------- ** *** ** A New Hope for Endangered Indigenous Languages Smita Magar in Kathmandu काठमाडौं, February 9, 2008 - Eight of Nepal’s many endangered languages are Raji, Bankariya, Dumi, Thakali, Danuwar, Kisan, Santhali and Kou. “Language is endangered when it is spoken by fewer than 10,000 of the population, when there is no transmission of the language to the next generation, and single language policy is implemented in the area by the local administration or the country,” said Chief of Central Department of Linguistics of Tribhuvan University, Yogendra Prasad Yadava. “All these languages have been declared endangered based on these three main factors.” Nepal, a country known as the multi-lingual and multi-cultural, has suffered much with the ‘one nation-one language’ government policy for 239 years. A new dawn began in the country with Jana-Andolan 2062/2063; with new hopes for the promotion and preservation of cultural and linguistic identities of indigenous communities when The Interim Constitution of Nepal (2007) ensured provisions for all the languages spoken as the mother tongue will be established as national languages of Nepal. It also made provisions for the use of the mother language in local level government offices. Provision for optional use of mother tongues as medium of instruction in primary education was passed by the Interim Constitution of Nepal. These provisions give new hope for some of the endangered indigenous languages. Linguists and organizations working for the promotion and preservation of languages that define cultural identities finally received a boost. “We are doing everything in our power to promote and preserve the endangered indigenous languages of Nepal” said Lok Bahadur Thapa Magar, Member Secretary of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN). Recently, Maithili font was named “Janaki”. While Kaike (Dolpa) language, one of the Magar languages that has about only 300 speakers, had its alphabet-determination, the initial stage for the preparation of written documentation of the language. Another milestone in the language protection task began with the agreement between National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) and Central Department of Linguistics of Tribhuvan University in which research on 8 different endangered indigenous languages will be carried out to make a grammar sketch and dictionary of the languages. NFDIN will be helping Central Department of Linguistics of Tribhuvan University in the research. The National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) and Central Department of Linguistics of Tribhuvan University have agreed to give yearly scholarships to four MA linguist indigenous scholars to do their research/thesis on indigenous language. The scholarship will be given by NFDIN to the MA linguist indigenous scholars studying in Tribhuvan University. The amount of scholarship is 2500 per month. Beaming at the agreement, Member Secretary of the NFDIN, Lok Bahadur Thapa Magar said that the agreement will not only help in preserving endangered indigenous languages but also help in producing indigenous resource persons. “This will help in producing enough manpower to fulfil the demands of indigenous communities in new Nepal,” he said. He further added, “This step will bring linguist vigilance creating a vital assistance to the feeling of nationalism among Nepalese people.” Joyful Professor Yadava said “There will be documents of these endangered languages so that even if these languages are lost to the posterity, these documents about languages will give information about the languages,” pointing at the bright side of the agreement. Further adding, he said that archiving of language will prevent a loss of knowledge carried by language which will also preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic community. The best thing is, he said, “This research will help the language to be in use in primary education as provisioned by the Interim Government policy on mother-tongue. The use of language will save any languages from extinction as there will be the new generation to speak it.” Eight endangered indigenous languages which will be surveyed are given with its total number of speakers and total population in table below: S.N. Mother Tongue Total Population Speakers 1. Thakali 13,731 7,113 2. Danuwar 53,229 23,721 3. Santhali 42,698 8,030 4. Raji 2,399 2,399 5. Dumi 5,271 5,271 6. Kisan 2,876 speakers are fewer 7. Bankariya 400 about speakers could be low 8. Kou 2641 Source: National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) There are doubts about these figures as census done by government was not scientific. Therefore, Yadava stresses over the pressing need for a linguistic survey in Nepal as soon as possible. Over hearing about the agreement, language activist Malla K. Sunder said, “I personally appreciate the positive activities that NFDIN and TU are doing.” “Indigenous languages need the special focus from related organizations to be preserved and promoted; this is one of the endeavours. These kinds of efforts are a must from every related community, organization and expert” he added. This is just one of the endeavours to save more than 70 indigenous languages of the country that are on verge of extinction or at least facing endangerment. Appreciation, support and close observations from communities, experts and public will encourage these organizations to make more plans and effectively work for the upliftment of the endangered languages in coming days. February 9, 2008 Our Special Contributor/Representative Smita Magar is an intern at The Kathmandu Post (Kantipur Publication) in Kathmandu. She can be reached at: Tel: +977-984-160-0316, or email her at: smitamagar@usnepalonline.com. To read her blog visit: http://www.smitazcorner.blogspot.com Published: UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- ** *** **
एक मात्र भाषा बोल्ने जिबित: आदिबासी भाषा प्रति सरकारी रबैयाको ज्वलन्त नमुना
Kathmandu, Dec 28, 2007-Nepal, a country with so much diversity in culture, language and faith has paid the high price with the off-putting nature of the government monopolistic policies for 239 years in the name of creating ‘unity in diversity’. Whether a Rana regime or a Panchayat system, the Hindunization process with the concept of one language, one dress, and one religion has resulted in the endangerment of cultural identities of many of the Nepalese indigenous peoples. Language being the most prominent factor of culture in society, defining the communities’ cultural values, distinct cultural activities and the hidden art of living with nature, has suffered most in those 239 years of Hindunization process. Due to this, at the moment many indigenous languages are on the verge of extinction. Dura language is one example. The language of the Dura ethnic group, who mostly reside in Lamjung district of Nepal, is the most critically endangered of all the indigenous languages because it has only one surviving speaker. Soma Devi Dura, now blind, deaf and 82 years old, is the only surviving speaker of Dura language. “If something happens to her not only will we lose Dura language forever but we will also lose the most essential element of Dura culture,” says Nepalese linguist Prof. Madhav Prasad Pokharel. “A few years ago a student belonging to Dura ethnic group came and asked me if there were any speakers of Dura language,” added Prof. Pokharel emphasizing the pitiable condition of Dura language. “Sadly, we do not have sponsors for publishing of the research book on our language,” says Kishor Dura, President of Dura Seva Samaj. He further voiced “We are on the verge of losing our identity with the loss of our language and yet no one seems to be sensitive enough to realize the fact that with our language lost, we will lose the cultural values it carries for our community.” Examining this seriously challenging situation, Nepalese linguists express their concerns over the urgent need for preservation and promotion of critically endangered indigenous languages like Dura language. “Language is the symbol of identity so when a language is lost a culture is heavily affected and that is most likely to bring ethnic identity crisis and a biodiversity loss,” says Chief of Central Department of Linguistics of Tribhuvan University, Dr. Yogendra Prasad Yadava. “Therefore to preserve the centuries of ethnic values, culture and history of Dura community we need to give top priority in preserving its dying language,” he adds. Kedar Bilash Nagila who did his thesis on Dura language and is now doing a Ph.D. on the same language says, “If Dura language is not revitalized, not only Dura will face the danger of loss of culture but will also fail to register themselves as an indigenous group of Nepal according to Government criteria which requires a distinct language to be an indigenous group.” Although there is only one speaker of the language, linguists agree that the revitalization of Dura language is challenging but not impossible. “Indigenous communities are growing more sensitive about their language and government is being serious in implementing its policies to preserve and promote languages so while the job is very challenging it can be achieved with a new generation of speakers,” says Yadava. “The most important key to language revitalization”, he said, “is developing a new generation of speakers. There must be inter-generational transmission of language to preserve and promote it,” he says. “We have been given one more chance to save Dura language through Soma Debi Dura, so everyone, community, linguists, government and related international and national language organizations need to give high priority to revitalizing the language” says Prof. Pokharel. “We have to learned words and sentences from her and teach the scholars of Dura language so they in turn can teach the new generation of this community,” says Prof. Pokharel. “We are very concerned about the critical situation of Dura language,” says Secretary Member of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, Lok Bahadur Thapa Magar. “We are ready to do anything that can be done within our power to protect this dying language. At the moment we are talking with both the researcher and Dura Seva Samaj. Once technical problems are solved we will bring Soma Debi Dura to Kathmandu and then with some necessary instruments for communicating with her we will begin to document the language,” he added. “But this is not going to be enough to protect the language,” Thapa says, “the concerned community’s representatives, linguists, researchers and community itself have to concentrate on its preservation.” “Approximately 1,500 words and 250 sentences have been found so far in Dura language” stated President Dura of Dura Seva Samaj. “With these our communities’ children are learning the language.” According to Dr. Yadava, the 12 most widely spoken languages in the country account for about 96 percent of the country’s population, while more than 70 indigenous languages account for just 4 percent of the country’s people. That means nearly 80 percent of indigenous languages are facing endangerment. “The major reasons for indigenous languages being on the verge of extinction is lack of use. There is no writing system and minor language speakers are mostly using to Nepali (Khas-edit.) language,” says Dr. Yadava. Also critically endangered are the Kushunda, Walung, Kaike languages, etc. It is hoped that there will be sufficient effort on the part of concerned groups, government and community to revive the language that has already been declared ‘a dead language’ and yet has found a ray of hope in its last speaker, Soma Debi Dura. Let the dark days of 239 unconstructive years that dominated and caused the endangerment of precious indigenous languages which carry the knowledge and values of communities be overcome by high-speed plans to preserve, promote and protect all other indigenous languages along with Dura language. Our Special Contributor/Representative Smita Magar is an intern at The Kathmandu Post (Kantipur Publication) in Kathmandu. She can be reached at: Tel: +977-984-160-0316, or email her at: smagar@gmail.com. To read her blog visit: http://www.smitazcorner.blogspot.com Published: UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
सर्वाधिकार: स्मिता मगर
© Smita Magar. All rights reserved.
| Site Map |