The word "feminist movement" itself doesn’t suit for the country like Nepal

-Ms. Nitu Singh, Masters Level Student,T.U

She hails from the Terai plains. She grew in Bhadrapur, Jhapa district.

Ms. Nitu Singh is about to complete her Masters Degree in English literature from the Tribhuvan University within a month or so.

She is also a social activist and claims that she is associated with several NGOs that deal with the Women’s plight.

Talking on the Kathmandu centered NGOs, Ms. Singh says that these NGOs don’t wish to go out of the valley and hence they miss to get in touch with the real problems and the issues that have been confronting the women folks of the Terai plains.

She is qualified but yet considers that getting a suitable job in Kathmandu required "source and force" which unfortunately she doesn’t possess. This explains perhaps her internal pains.

She writes articles on contemporary national events. As a female social activist, naturally she wishes that the women folks of the country be provided their due rights so that they could exhibit their hidden talents in the nation building task.

Last week, I met Nitu Singh at a social gathering and instantly proposed a tete-a-tete to which she gladly accepted. This is her first interview, so said Nitu Singh.. Below the results: Chief editor.

TGQ1: How you Ms. Singh as a responsible citizen of the country have understood the past thirteen years of the democratic system in Nepal? Has the system been up to the mark and thr aspirations of the people? How you rate the performance of our leaders? Your comments please.

Ms. Singh: In our country, it seems that democracy is going to be a failure, there is no touch between the constituent and the way the government works. The dream of the citizen has been shattered per year and the past thirteen years is like a dark period where we can only get deception. The leaders’ have gone astray, forgot every promise done before entering the parliament. Past days are like mirror image to watch their progress, they are in CIAA’s list, have lost belief, prestige, are in scandals and yet try to veil their deeds. A big gap is between them and the general citizens. When they are in power, they create hegemony, do monopoly and when they are out of the government cry for the same thing done by others. They are out of the principle. Most of them are like hungry-dogs following a piece of meat.

TGQ2: As an educated female member of the society how you have taken the "feminist movement" now on in Nepal? Have they done well or simply earning green dollars in the name of the movement? How you have been supporting the movement individually or collectively? Your remarks please.

Ms. Singh: The word "feminist movement" itself doesn’t suit for the country like Nepal, there again come the radical "feminism" and it depends upon you which you are going on. The word feminism is itself creating discrimination, which is an obstacle for a prosperous society. I do support the women who are spraying awareness. Women should try to develop themselves, voice for equal opportunities, come forward in every field as competitor, should be confident to touch the horizon but at the same time should not create a havoc in the society. They should know their nature and strength should be confident and try to come out of the concept of "fragility" than surely they can win. If they go as- "miles to go before I sleep" (Robert Frost poem that deals with the philosophy of life…) then half of the problem will itself be solved. Initiatives should be taken by themselves.

TGQ3: As an informed student of the TU, would you wish to subscribe to the general allegation that the quality of education at the TU has become a rare commodity? If yes then whom you consider the blame should go? By way of reference, do you support the Maoists students’ demand for "non-commercialization" of education? Your opinions please.

Ms. Singh: Yes! In my opinion, T. U’s education is not hope full according to the demand of the modern time, confusion is there producing a large group of educated unemployed. Yearly examination system is creating harassment and killing large groups’ energy and creativity rather they should go for "improved system ‘’regarding exams. T.U should try to decrease its own inner problems to create a healthy environment. For the bad condition of the T.U, I would like to blame the whole system, no doubt that there are some honest people too but are in shadow. The so-called scholars should stop experimenting on student’s mind and time and create an environment where students can feel from within about their teachers as historical "Guru" in a creative environment of friendship.

As I know about Maoists, they are doing good as they are demanding education for all because the little kids shouldn’t grow "inferior complex" just because of property, good education is everybody’s human right.

TGQ4: We understand that you belong to the Terai plains basically and now reside in Kathmandu. What noticeable differences you have noticed in between the women folks from two different cultural settings? Have these differences, if any, been obstacle to national development and integration?

Ms. Singh: I myself too some times think about my weaknesses grew only because I am outsider. There is a vast cultural difference what moulds the psychology and have effect on life itself. Here I see lots of opportunities that’s why girls of this place are more competitive. Life is different. The life-style here and just out of THANKOT can symbolize a lot if we try to find out. Facilities, opportunities are centered so it need to be decentralized because a large group should not feel themselves inferior who are out of the valley, there should be feeling of unity and integration.

TGQ5: Should the students engage in politics? It is alleged that the students from remote districts become the political tool of the political parties. Is it fair to do so? Or you differ with this notion? By the way, have you seen the kids of Nepali leaders leading the student demonstrations and being injured? Your comments please.

Ms. Singh: In my opinion, students should be neutral but should be alert about the political ups and downs to a certain age. They should not step into the mainstream politics till they are students.

In most of the political parties’ demonstrations, people come out from the valley likely about students too the outsider work mainly. They have simply become a tool, the hot-blood and energy is used for destruction perhaps by some temptation , I feel pity that they are deceived , without showing their dionysion quality they should use their mind.

No, till now as a conscious observer, I haven’t heard any leaders’ children being injured in the demonstrations, I hope, if they are students perhaps, out of the country by some scholarship.

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