It’s
true, the media can make a difference, and people still
care. Residents of Jogimara VDC in Dhading district were
moved when they received $500 sent by fellow Nepalis living
in Washington DC, upon reading the plight of the village,
which lost most of its working male population in an army
operation. (See “Unfriendly fire”, #106.)
“At least there are people who share our sorrow,”
says Gyan Bahadur Biswokarma who lost two sons who were
working on an airport runway in Kalikot. The money was raised
by the District of Columbia Athletics Club, a group of Nepali
amateur athletes, who organise sporting events and fundraise
for those in need. Parents who had lost a son, widows, and
orphans from Jogimara walked three hours to gather at Majhimtaar
Bazar on the Prithvi Highway Monday to collect the money.
Families received Rs 2,250 for each member they lost. Tanka
Bahadur Malla, former chairman of Jogimara VDC, says the
community is drawing strength not just from the money, but
from the fact that someone is listening to them. “Apart
from the monetary assistance, we feel that there is someone
to share our sorrow. While the army remains quiet over its
killing of innocents, it’s heartening to see Nepalis
living in America extend a helping hand.” |
Various
artist and creative workers are again going to participate
in the Bichchalit Bartaman programme, to be held in Pokhara
(September - October) and in Biratnagar (October - November).
According to a press release issued here today from Bichchalit
Bartaman Organising Committee, the main aim of the programme
is to express their feeling towards the chaotic situation
going on in the country.
On
August 17, the first Bichchalit Bartaman was organised at
Basantapur Durbar Square in which 18 organisations participated.
Creative artists working with various media presented their
work, calling for an end to social injustice and appealing
for peace.
In the programme twenty-three popular painters exhibited
their artwork and nine photographers exhibited 25 photographs.
All
the creative work will be displayed in Siddhartha Art Gallery
from September 15-22. Money collected from selling the creative
art work will be used for the welfare of innocent people
of Jogimara, Dhading, who are suffering from violence going
on in the country, states the release.
|
