Laudable Achievement
MINISTER for Information and Communication Jaya Prakash
Prasad Gupta initiated the link up of Regional Transmission Centre of Nepal Television in
Kohalpur with the national transmission the other day in Kohalpur, Banke district the
other day. The link up between the national transmission and Kohalpur transmission unit
facilities expansion of the NTV’s reach in Mid-Western and Far-Western development
regions of the country. The Kohalpur Transmission Centre, which had been established about
four years ago, had been airing only the regional programmes. Now, the entire Western and
Far Western areas are linked with the NTV’s mainstream. Addressing the inaugural
function, Minister Gupta said that communication sector has made good achievement after
the restoration of democracy. What Minister Gupta said is true and the country has, of
course, seen a substantial progress in the field of information and communication, thanks
to the government’s policy of according high priority to the information and
communication sector. The senario of both print and electronic media is encouraging.
However, there is much to be done, especially in the field of electronic media as this
sector plays a more vital role in properly informing the people living in every nook and
corner of the country. Newspapers cannot reach all parts of the country because of our
topographical constraints and problems of transportation. In such a situation, electronic
media plays very important role in informing the people of the government’s
development works and they have also proved their worth. Television is even more effective
and powerful media in informing and educating people. But unfortunately the reach of
television till date, is not that enocuraging, although it is slowly expanding its
services. Still not all parts of the country have access to the national transmission of
Nepal Television. In such a situation NTV’s reach needs to be expanded and its
quality further enhanced. Perhaps, considering this need, the government decided to link
up Kohalpur Centre, with the national transmission of Nepal Television. This is a
significant move towards this direction since the government has already declared its
policies and plans for further development and expansion of different kinds of
communication facilities and provide these services to all people in the country.
Undoubtedly, the advacement in the field of communication has made the life of people
easier and contributed a lot to economic and social development of the nation. As such, to
expedite national development pace, Nepal also needs to take maximum benefit from the
advancement in the field of information and communication and apply in for the improvement
of socio-econoimc condition of the people.
Anti-Untouchability Year
DECADES after untouchability was legally
abolished, the practice of treating people with certain castes as "impure"
persist. The so-called Dalits are subjected to a wide range of discrimination by so-called
upper caste people. Deep-rooted superstitions and beliefs in our traditional society
nurture this abominable practice. Every day all over Nepal, Dalits are made to suffer from
one or the other form of untouchability. With winds of new age, some Dalits are asserting
themselves and demanding that they be given a fair deal by the society and the government.
Used to supressing them, the upper caste people do not take kindly to a Dalit getting
rebellious. So, they often resist with violence against Dalits to "show them their
place". Increasing incidents of violence are being registered at this juncture
against what little Dalit movement is there in the country. This just goes to prove that
Dalits have a long way to go before they see the end of untouchability. To even take some
of the edge off the practice of untouchability, there is clearly a need to undertake
actions in a campaign footing. A two-day national colloquium held in the capital city the
other day has called on the government to observe the next Nepali year, 2058 B.S. as the
"Abolish Untouchability Year". All should support this call.
There is ample justification to declare such
a year as past years have been witnessed to much indifference to the Dalit cause.
Hopefully, an anti-untouchability year would bring to sharper focus the related issues.
Such a year, when observed earnestly, could bring some results. It is true that dedicating
a year to something by itself is not going to be of much value if a campaign is not
sincerely launched. Thus, in order for that to happen, the government, soon after
declaring "Abolish Untouchability Year", should make requisite preparations for
the year in collaboration with various actors in the civil society raising the issues of
Dalits. Perhaps, the Committee for the Upliftment of Depressed Commiunities under the
Ministry of Local Development can take a lead in this regard. It should, by bringing
together all those campaiging for an end to untouchability, formulate strategies on how to
proceed with various issues like enacting more stringent laws to deal with
untouachability. Successful resolution of such issues during the year could pave the way
towards eventually giving Dalits their due, be it a couple of decades from now. |
