Lecture on poverty alleviation and the
plight of Kamaiyas
Hundreds of lectures on programs
and policies made every day by the government regarding the poverty alleviation and their
airing through electronic media, albeit government controlled ones, the fact is that the
people falling below poverty line is definitely exhibiting an up-going trend. Had the
eloquent lectures made by our ministers or for that matter by the Prime minister even
worked to a certain minimum degree, the poverty factor would have just shown the trend
otherwise. The hard fact is that lectures alone do little. So do the five star
hotels’ dinners or for that matter the luncheon on the same topic. The situation has
been that now the people whom the lectures are targeted for, read the common men falling
below the standard poverty line, prefer not to listen to the false ministerial lectures.
Surprising as it might appear but yet the fact is that the donors’ sagacity and the
generosity continues unabated. Though the donors understand how their money is being used
so far as the targeted group is concerned, however, this has not deterred their firm
determination to help Nepal come what may. Undoubtedly, they possess the knowledge as to
which project officer or for that matter the chief of the NGO or INGOs have pocketed the
bulk of the donated amounts meant for the poor. The process goes on and on. Now a new set
of issue perhaps would draw the attention of the donors. The new sector in which their,
read the donors’, sagacity is called for is the rehabilitation of the just freed
bonded laborers. The government freed the Kamaiyas without much preparation in this
regard, which resulted in their landing in the cold. No body can predict at this stage as
to what problems further lay in store for this destitute.
Shockingly enough, though this lot possesses the potential of
working as common laborers in the agri and the construction sector, however, the hostile
attitude currently acquired by their former masters debars them from being employed rather
their genuine place is being snatched by Indian laborers. What could be most unfortunate
than this. A Nepali has become the enemy of another Nepali and the benefit goes easily to
alien nationals. Horrible indeed.
It is time that Nepalese intellectuals living here and abroad
must impress upon the government to act fast so that the Kamaiyas get settled soon. It is
here that the donor community too should think sympathetically. The Kamaiyas first need
land for shelter, food for sustaining their disturbed life and finally job to live a
dignified life. How these things are arranged for them is the government’s problem.
that the money is continuing |
