It’s only been few weeks, three weeks to be exact, since Nepali TV Blog had a broadcast of it’s very first episode on Avenues Television. You can catch it on Saturday morning at 8.30AM or catch the repeat on Sunday at 9.30PM. I hope the time slot is load-shedding free because Nepali TV Blog is definitely worth watching, here are few reasons why.
At a time when everyone’s fighting over what it means to be Nepali, this TV blog led by Yubakar Raj Rajkarnikar could not have come at a better time. If possible, I wish they could jumble this all together, make a movie and present it to our leaders and people who are so keen on dividing us up on the basis of our ethnicity. Though only three episodes has aired (I’ve watched all three), I’ve liked LOVED the TV blog since the very first episode. It is so much more than a biker, our main guide, Yubakar taking us from Mechi to Mahakali and asking people what it means to be a Nepali. This past three episodes have been so informative, I’ve learnt so much about different towns and cities of Nepal, how they were constructed, their history, to how people there live, their ways of making a living and what makes them a Nepali. Some groups, Tharu I believe, eat snails. Now that was very fascinating! I shall definitely search for that delicacy next time I hit Sauraha. Being informed about the Muslim population in Nepalgunj was aspiring. I don’t know if there will be a story, an episode, based on Janakpur but I can’t wait to watch it if there is. I am so fascinated about all these diverse ways of living, different religion and traditions which I hardly ever had a chance to learn.
Director Tsering Choden spoke with Republica newspaper few days ago, when asked how the response was, she did not describe it as an elating experience, “the response is trickling in”. Well readers, you know what to do and I know you do it the best. You guys make even the highest achiever feel shit and the normal person feel on top of the world with your comments, please I request you to watch the episode of Nepali TV Blog and give your honest view on the show. Do consider the types of TV shows there are out there at present on Nepali channels though.
I like the concept, the journey to discover the Nepali in us, however I wish the team had chosen a more excelling title for the show. Something that when heard, raises a question on people’s mind automatically. In addition to that, limiting the use of texts on the show maybe better or alternatively present the background information in a more attention-grabbing way. At time’s it may feel like a power-point slide springing up from nowhere. That’s it, that’s my constructive criticism.
Apart from that, this is not a nice attempt, it’s the best damn thing I’ve watched on Nepali Television so far!
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| Photo by Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka. “The subject worked at my mama’s farm, but is now in Punjab, India working as a migrant worker. He is a Madhesi and is proud to say that he is a Nepali. He, however, feels sad to say the same thing in front of Pahadi people of Kathmandu as they think he is from India due to the colour of his skin.” |
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| Photo by Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka. “I found out that the subject was a Muslim seeing a sign on the opposite house where he was coming out from. For me this is Nepali because it’s not only daura suruwal clad people who reflect Nepalipan. Nepal has numerous faces and this is one of them.” EPISODE 1 |
Do share if you like it.
Read More:
Nepali TV Blog – Official Website
Tapai Nepali Ho? – Lex Blogs!
Lex in Nepal
Tsering Choden – Republica Interview
Prithvi Narayan Shah may have lived to geographically unite Nepal, but sadly didn’t live long enough (died aged 52) to unite the Nepali people. Let’s do him proud and finish his legacy by Uniting the Nepali people emotionally.
I’m not sure if you read all the comments on your blog, but federalism is really important for Nepal. Whether on ethnic grounds or not, something has to be done to decentralise Nepal and empower ethnic minorities and regions throughout the country. You talk about unity, but it’s seems like a colour-blind/caste-blind unity that you seem to be proposing. Of course it would be nice to believe that we all get along and that there aren’t any social inequalities in Nepal whatsoever, but IGNORING the social (and regional) inequalities that are rampant in Nepal is deflecting the issue at hand. Just “feeling” as one isn’t going to solve Nepal’s problems. There needs to be distinct changes, opportunities and developments in each region and within each cultural group of Nepal so that we can build prosperity together as a nation.
Ethnic federalism isn’t proposing to “divide” Nepalese people up, it’s proposing to empower the Nepalese ethnic groups who have been marginalised so far by the ruling groups in Nepalese society. Can you imagine various regions celebrating their ethnic heritage rather than being clouded by the remnants of Panchayat Nepalese identity (which we all now think and believe is what is meant to be Nepali). Of course that’s not to say federalism on ethnic grounds will be the cure to all of Nepal’s issues on representation of diversity, however, it is at least empowering to groups who have been ignored for the past 250 years.
Even if you don’t support ethnic federalism, the support for federalism itself is so important since Nepal is so Kathmandu-centric. We need to make dramatic changes to start seeing results, plurality and autonomy within various regions of Nepal. We should look for unity whilst acknowledging diversity instead of pretending we’re all “one” type of people. Yes we are Nepali, but Nepali means various things… and the reality is that not all elements of “being Nepali” is represented as we would like to think. And if you want to take it back, state and a “national” identity are relatively new social constructs anyway. To what extent should these identities be taken on by our generation, whilst erasing the individual identities and cultures of our ancestors and forefathers? To what extent should ethnic groups not be represented at all? And I wonder whether we find ethnic division (thus ethnic power) in various groups uncomfortable because we in fact feel actually feel comfortable with the ruling Bahun-Chhetri ruling elite?
Just something to think about because I am a bit shocked at how strongly you don’t support [ethnic] federalism. I personally am not completely drawn to ethnic federalism per say, but I do believe measures like federalism in general are important to the progression of regional development in Nepal.
I don’t think I can truly be proud of Nepal’s “developments” if they’re just happening in Kathmandu. I want to see the people of my country have better standard of living everywhere. I don’t think this can happen by just supporting Kathmandu, and being proud of Kathmandu achievements. We need to look outward and truly see what is going on in our country… and now to relate it to your blog post, this program shown by Nepal TV is excellent in raising awareness for doing so.