#menstrualrestriction #SDGs, #Constituion2015, #Newaricommunity, #lalitpur

A day interaction program organised with the Newari women leaders from Lalitpur municipality. Discussed gender, gender based violence, menstrual practices and linkages with SDGs and Constitution 2015. They also discussed on roles and responsibilities on it.
Among Newari community the following restrictions observed at Lalitpur;

1. Not allowed to enter in Kitchen 
2. Not allow to enter to worship room or temple and perform of  any forms of puja or rituals 
3. Not allow to touch the trees of vegetables, fruits 
4. Used clothes as well as sanitary pads available at market

They are following these by considering the part of religion. They often don't like to touch by hear even though their husbands said no more restriction.

They are belong with low economic class and literate with primary school though they have broad level of understanding and confidence.

Over 70 years woman also joined in interaction

ॠषि पञ्चमिमा बाजेको सम्झना

आज कृष्ण अस्टमी चितवनमा बिरामी परेर भर्ना भएका बालाई भन्दा पनि बाजुरामा करीब दुई महिना अघी भेटियेका बाजेलाई खुबै सम्झे। तेही नियास्रो मेटाउनलाई यो कोसेली पस्केको छु। मरी मरी फोन लगाउन कोशीस गरे तर पटककै जोडीएन। अर्को मनले चित्त बुझाये, हैन बाजे पूजा लगाउन् बेस्त छन होला । यो पनि सम्झे उनले  अबको पाचौ दिनमा ॠषि पञ्चमिको पनि पूजा लगाउchhan।

भबिस्योतार पुरान अनुसार  ॠषि पञ्चमी पूजा बिधी अनुसार उनले भन्ने कथा यस्तै हुन्छ-सत्य युगमा बिदर्भनाम शहरमा जय श्री नामकी ब्रामनीले महिनाबारी भएका बेला छोइछाइ गरेकोले मरे पछी उनी कुकुर्नी र उनका श्रीमान सुमित्र गोरु भएर जन्मे र धेरै दु:ख पाये । तेसैले   महिनाबारी भएका बेला भएको छुइ छाइ बाट मुक्ती पाउन वा सुध हुन , दतीवनले ३६० पतक दात माझ्नु, ३६० पतक माटोले सम्पूर्ण शरीर धुनु पर्दछ। ब्रहमाले ईन्द्र भगवानलाई ब्रम्हा हत्याको दोश मेटाउनलाई एक बर्ष भोग गरी बाँकी दोस प्रिथी, ब्रिछ, जल र स्त्रीमा फ्यकिदिये। तेही कारनले महिलाहरुलाई तीन दिन सम्म छुनै हुन्न। किन् भने पहिलो दिनमा चन्डाली,दोस्रो दिनमा ब्रमघातिनि, तेस्रो दिन्मा धोबिनी र चौथ्यो दिन चोखो हुन्छन।

कान्छी दिदी आमा किन रुनु भएको ?

कान्छी दिदी, कान्छी दिदी आमा किन रुनु भाको ?

भर्खर आठ बर्ष लाग्दै गरेको लक्स्मिकान्त मलिनो अनुहार लगाउदै, आमा संगै टासिएर बसेकी दिदिको दुई खुट्टा छुटाएर, काखैमा लेसिएर बस्छ । एकै छिन्मा हातिले निधार कनाये झै टाउको उठाएर फेरी सोध्छ- कान्छी दिदी भन्नुन आमा किन रोको ?

आमा मर्नुहुन्छ हो ?

हो आमा मर्नुहुन्छ तर अहिले होइन ।

Peeling up Symbolic Interaction for #Equality

Namaskar/Good morning Hajur ! 

Sanchai Hajur (How are you)? 

Hajur in Nepali is very common word and have different actions according to the context such as yes (if someone call your name or hello in telephone), ok (ok in yes and no question), name (your shop or restaurant), respect (use hajur instead of you) etc. This writer is always wondering what meant by Hajur among non Nepali speakers who are headed of almost UN agencies and INGOs in Nepal for equality and promotion of human rights in a way and the other around. Do they aware about its symbolic meaning in Nepali context specially whom they seek changes. In practical sense, if someone use the word Hajur frequently or followed by each statement, Hajur connotes higher or creates hierarchy rather simply yes, ok, or respect. The villagers, poor or powerless people use the word Hajur while interacting landlords, seniors or powerful people for please or respect or expecting some favours indirectly. Such interactions distinguished easily even by lay people. It has deep and wider meaning. By and large, it is being used in royal or elites since history where scholars, activists, called and used as symbol of feudal culture at micro level.

Acted as Priest during Janaipurnima

दश कक्षा पड्दै गर्दाको कुरा हो । बा बेसरी बिरामी पर्नु भो, केही कसै नलागे पछी ठुलो भिनाजु उमा कान्त रेग्मी र बा भएर काठमाडौं जानु भयो। तिन्तका खबर खाबर गर्ने केही साधन पनि थिएन र औकात पनि। आमाले सधैं बेलुका बत्ती बाल्नु हुन्थ्यो शायद भगवान सँग प्रथाना गरेको होला भन्ने लाग्छ किन भने हाम्रो घर त्यस्तो धार्मिक थिएन र छैन पनि जुन छिमेकमा थियो र छ । हजुरबा आमा नहुनु, बसाइ सराइ गरेको, एक्लो गरीब परिवार भएर होला त्यस्तो भएको जस्तो लाग्छ।

जनै बान्ने बेला भो, बाटोमा जनै बानेर र बान्न हिंडेका मानिसहरु देखिन थाले तर घरमा कोही आउने छनक थिएन न घरमा पहिले पहिले जस्तो खाने कुराको परीकार नै पाकेको थियो ।

स्कुलमा पडाउने भट्टराई थरका, मेरो खेत घरकै बाटो भएर हिंड्ने जसलाई बाहुन बा भनेर जती पटक भेट्यो उत्तिनै पटक नमस्ते गरिन्थ्यो तिनी आउने छाट् भएन किन भने पानीको बहनामा उनिहरु झगडा गरेका थिए अर्थात झगडा गर्ने समुह तिर मिलेर मुख फोरेका थिए। मैले कल्पना पनि गरेको थिईेन कि तिनै भाई शिक्षक धनी र सामन्तको तेती पक्ष लीन सक्छन । उनी हाम्रो घर काटेर गए। भान्जा दाई हुनु हुन्थ्यो तर पहाडमा । उहा कहिलेई पनि चाड पर्बमा आउन सक्नु हुन्थेन किन भने उहा गोर्खाको केराबारी भन्ने ठाउमा बस्नु हुन्थ्यो ।

मलाई थाहा छैन कती बजेको थियो शायद १२ बजी सकेको हुदो हो। माहिली दिदी बिन्दुको भर्खर मात्र विवाह भएको थियो, उहा नबलपरासिको पर्साउनी भन्ने गाउमा बस्नु हुन्थ्यो । आउन जान सजिलो त थिएन तर पनि चाडओ आउन सकिन्थ्यो तर उहा १२ बजे सम्म अाइ पुग्नु भएन। पर्साउनी बाट चोर्मारा निस्कने, बस चडेर् नारायणगाद् बजार आएर फेरी साइकल्मा गौरीगन्ज तेती सजिलो भने थिएन।

भोक पनि लाग्यो होला र नरमाइलो पनि। आमाको अनुहार पनि मलिनो लाग्यो । म पनि अछुतो रहन त के सक्थे र तै पनि निर्डय गरे। भाई किशोर र बहिनी सम्झनालाई आमाले थाहा नपाउनेगरी बोलएर भने - पन्डित आउन्नन किन भने हामी सित झगडा परेको छ, माहिलो भिनाजु आउने नाऔने ठेगान छैन टाढा छ तेसैले म धागो बानी दिन्छु, कसैलाई नभन्नु । कसैले सोधे भिनाजु आउनु वको थियो भन्नु ।

मैले धागो बानिदिये, आफुलाई पनि बाने अनी आमासँग भने आमा हामीलाई खान दिनुस्। शाहीली दिदी उशा ठुलि दिदी बिनुलाई साथी दिन भोजाड जानु भएको थियो तेसैले मेरो भूमिका महत्व पनि मानिन्थ्यो। आमाले केही नबोली खान दिनु भयो र हाम्रो जनै पुर्णिमा सकियो । यसरी म जिबनमा पन्डित भएर भूमिका निर्बाह गरे।

तेस्बेला देखी माहिलो भिनाजु सधैं सके सम्म बिहानै आउन थालनु भो।  मलाई तेती चासो लाग्दैन, अनुकुल मिले घर पनि अाइ हाल्छु, सबै सित भेट घाट हुन्छ,सबै भन्दा बदी त बा सँग बस्न पाईन्छ भन्ने लाग्छ आमको मृत्‍यु पछी । तर यो चाड सजिलो, सामान्य लाग्ने तर बदी साकारअत्मक लाग्ने चाड हो। आफ्ना ज्वाँई भान्जा भान्जी भेट घाट गरेर छोरी चेलीको सन्चो बिसन्चो जान्न पाइने ।आज भोली त राखी पनि बानिन्छ, बच्चा बच्ची खुशी हुन्छन अनी संसार भर नै छरिएर बस्ने साथी भाईले सम्झेर दिदी भनेर फोन, म्यासेज पठाउदा झन रमाइलो र खुशी लाग्छ .।  

#Menstrualrestriction is still matter of stigma at school children at Kathmandu

Chief guest for award distribution of best students in SLC, felicitation of SLC graduates, Book launch at Niharika Shishu in August 10, 2016, Machhapokhari, Kathmandu.

I had shortly explored the condition of menstrual restrictions among boys and girls from grade 9 and 10 before starting the program. I interviewed 12 students where they all were following various forms of restrictions even they are living in Kathmandu since last 7-6 years. Most of the migrated from Kavre, Sinduli, Jhapa, Chitwan and also from Kathmandu. They belong with poor and middle class family and most of the parents working as helper, driver, shopkeeper in same area of Kathmandu. They are following the menstrual restriction because they believe that menstruation is a matter of female body, polluted as others. However, a girl who belongs with so called higher caste but attempting to enter Kitchen, touching her brothers and father during menstruation where mom and dad were not happy.

They all are using sanitary towels, has toilet and water supply in school but many of them didn't understand about menstruation and shock while they have. Many of them experienced menstrual blood when they were studying at grade 7.They all are continue their education.

Many boys not aware about it though they have gone through this chapter at their class. Thank you Yubak Parajuli MEET brother who created this opportunity.

Warm welcome by school administration

Madhesh Women Empowerment, Parsa, Nepal

I had deep feeling to engage critically at Terai when I witnessed so many evils regarding empowerment of women and girls specially hurt by child and early marriage, dowry, domestic violence. It was not easy though I continuously attempted many ways such as spent four weeks in Terai during boarder blockade, investigation a case of Child Marriage where I was not happy and struggling to know more about gaps on empowerment. Thus, I had visited to Parsa from August 11-16, 2016 where I had met so many people from different walks of life. It was possible due to incredible support from Sano Paila specially Subir Ghosh  and Superintendent of Police Dr Rajababu Shrestha.

Menstrual Restrictions Shaped Radha’s Journey towards Peace, Human Right, Empowerment and Development

Status of Women and Children after Earthquake 2015

#Flood, Support #Saptari

Hope you would go through all photos till end !

Meeting with  Chair, Disaster Management Committee, in blue shirt, he is CDO, Saptari  

Media coverage, forwarded by Manohar Pokhre, Saptari

RARA: A Venture of Love, Inspiration and Pride

Namaste, where are you from?

Jumla?  A tiny boy responded somewhere middle of the group.

Jumla! Where? I was thinking, the group of students were from somewhere nearby Rara village. They were replying with reading data of Rara National Park at the premises of Rara Lake.

each idea or action leads either liberation or exploitation

यो Status Especially महिला पत्रकार तथा सम्बन्धित Stakeholder महिला मित्रहरुको लागि; प्रेस काउन्सिलका एक पदाधिकारीले आजको Gathering लाई देखाउँदै भन्नुभयो, " ल हेर्नुस्, तपाईँहरु महिला प्रतिनिधित्व भएन भन्नुहुन्छ; बोलाउँदा उहॉहरु आउनुहुन्न। आज पनि टन्नै महिलाहरु बोलाएको हो, खोइ त उहॉहरु ?"
हुनपनि, आजको छलफल महत्वपूर्ण नै थियो।
कोसँग गुनासो गरौँ ?


Thank you Amrita jee for posting. It is NOT a time of complaining; it is time for REFLECTING. There are many questions to reflect. Did you dare to ask the name list of women ? why did they seek particularly these women ? why did they not come ?++++
It is the outcome or result of our way of working in over last 2 decades. This question is very crucial to think, ask and reflect by both state and non -state actors and by both men and women lead organizations. We can’t change the things what we have done earlier but we have enough opportunity to take corrective action. Today is the time for ACTIONs, not for saying. We refined our destination or dream but we hesitate to redefine the strategies. Means we don’t like to leave the comfort zones at large. Men are equally responsible for such situation so they are not supposed to give shatter too. Here, I humbly request to think everyone whether your each idea or action LIBERATE people or EXPLOIT or contribute for PEACE or CONFLICT..

Kolti to Bolding, Bajura

Walking through Karnali at Bajura at Raghe Gauda

Education in Bhi Village,Mugu

How is a high school  operating in the most remote and poor village called Bhi, Mugu. What I saw myself. It#s a great tragic, how can children learn and think about give to back nation.

This is the class room at Bhi village, Mugu, June 2016

comments on quality of women in literature

आपको मौसम छ, आप मात्रै भनेर के गर्नु थरी थरिका आप छन । कुनै कुनै आप हिउदमा पनि फलाईंछन । तेस्तै हो साहित्य पनि ।

#ISEC Kathmandu With

Miteri Recycle Center (MRC) started by Action Works Nepal in 2010. It has long and panic story, you can watch Video under MRC. Since then I am using clothes from MRC.

MRC participated at first International Social Entrepreneurship Conference at Hotal Hyat, June 30 and July 1, 2016.

Very few member are interested to continue it, but I don't like to give up. It has huge scope and great social impact. I am person for action not for saying. Might my friends feel lose their height to talk about MRC nowdays.

Menstrual Restriction is Learned Fear Only!

Bajaya from Bolding, Bajura 

It was quite shocking while a guy whispered himself, I wouldn’t eat anything, I might not walk tomorrow?’ I was following him and asked, what happened to you Bajaya (priest), why couldn’t eat dinner? We were just stopped at Netrasen, Humla. There was only one so called house (temporary shelter) on the way to Bhi village Mugu. The house was so tiny had three rooms; one for store, the other was shed for goats and the third one for the place for hiding while having alcohol by passer-by. The kitchen was outside and open. We all were so tired due to hot weather, sandy storm, dirt and hunger. I persuaded Bajaya, why hadn’t you cook yourself for all of us and why were you delayed for it?

Patience #poem

मैले जानेको को नै सहन् हो,
आमा भन्नु हुन्थ्यो,
सहे एक्दिन देख्न पाईन्छ ।

Open Letter to Stakeholders for Open Defecation Free Campaign

Accidentally, I engaged with a gentleman who is civil servant while flying down to Nepalgunj from Jumla, June 2016. He concluded the talk, sorry madam, you were from Jumla, but it was so dirty why? It was not a single question. The goers and not goers to Karnali and far west, educated and uneducated, NGO workers etc. asked the same question: oh so much flies, too dirty, got sick etc. I observed flies everywhere in the world, just a matter of degrees. Simply, flies multiply or attract with dirt. According to the government’s report 2011, the far and mid-western development regions have the least sanitation coverage (30%).

Trip to Jumla from Kolti, Humla, Mugu, Rara, Jumla

At Kolti Airport, Bajura with crew team,June 12, 2016