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Views of a Changing Nepal |
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KATHMANDU: Winner of the Nestor Almendros Prize at the 2008 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, the documentary feature ‘The Sari Soldiers’ by American director and producer Julie Bridgham was first screened in a small gathering of six women who had never met each other. Bridgham had arranged the screening as she felt it was important the women watch it first.
The six women who had gathered for the screening were the same six characters Bridgham had followed for three years, realizing the need of telling the world how women were taking charge and making strong changes in Nepali society.
By the time, the screening was over the women felt their truth had been told. They then exchanged numbers, hugged each other and were engaged in a dialogue for two and half hours.
A lot has changed since then but the six women continue to resonate with what has been shown in the film. Republica met four of the six protagonists recently. Here are the excerpts of their take – their views of a changing Nepal.
Ram Kumari Jhankri
“Students have a major role”
Namaste (greeetings to all), I am Ram Kumari Jhankri. It has been two and half months that I have been appointed the president of All Nepal National Free Student’s Union (ANNFSU). I believe students have a major role to play in the current setup. We should pressurize the government to act effectively and promote dialogue among the people. Currently, I am busy campaigning for education, health and job opportunities.
´The Sari Soldiers´ shows how six different women seek justice but in their own ways. In a way, the film will also give birth to revenge. At present, the coalition government has both the oppressors and the oppressed. The film asks what we are going to do about it. It has also inspired many. Personally, it has helped my political career and my networks have expanded.
Devi Sunwar
“They might kill us”
Namaste, I am Devi Sunwar. The conflict has internally displaced me. My fight for injustice continues to date but the perpetrators of crime live free. I currently work as a human rights activist for Advocacy Forum in Kavre district. With a little help from well wishers, I have also set up Maina Bal Vikas in Dhulikhel with a fund of Rs. 100,000 to support the conflict-displaced children. Currently, I help educate four children to fulfill their education.
´The Sari Soldiers´ shows that we are different people with different pain. Julie made the movie undertaking huge risks. Even filmmaker KP Pathak made a movie based on my daughter’s case but I wonder why everyone else who have been victimized by the conflict didn’t wake up like me. Julie’s film talks about the struggling steps that I and other women took and inspires others to seek justice. We want to breathe in peace. Victims should get justice and perpetrators should be punished.
Justice is still being denied and delayed. We really don’t have a voice for ‘New Nepal’. Decision makers still protect the soldiers who tortured my daughter to death and the army still hides people. The Maoist-led government is preoccupied with its own agenda but the prime minister should punish all guilty and even people within his own party. The government should have its policies against impunity. Over 300 cases have been dismissed by the current government but these cases should be made public. The government should come transparent in these issues.
Personally, I believe people are still being protected but I remain hopeful. The prime minister has vowed to me in person that he will bring the perpetrators to where they rightfully belong. I am aware that I have filed a case against the army. I might as well be a victim as thousands of incidents are reported these days. I don’t know. They might kill us. I am not secure. I am not 100% secure.
Krishna Shahi
“It’s only surface level peace”
Namaste, I am Krishna Shahi. At present, I am busy with household duties and agriculture. Right now, there is peace in Dailekh but its only surface level peace. The people in Nepal have been victimized by both the Maoists and the army. Just putting down the arms doesn’t guarantee peace and justice. Thoughts should change as per time. Mine have changed and I am hopeful that the new government will solve all problems.
Kamala Roka Magar
“We have a hotchpotch government”
Namaste, I am Kamala Roka Magar. I am the Maoist Constituent Assembly (CA) member from Rukum district and am occupied with my responsibilities. When I am not in the parliament, I visit the rural areas for inspection. I just got back from an inspection of a GTZ project that’s constructing a 35 km road.
Not all has been fulfilled. What we have achieved so far is the gift of the sacrifices that were made during the decade-long conflict. Our party has been blamed for straying away from its ideology but it isn’t so. The government and the parliament should integrate and the CA members should come to a compromise as the nation needs a major restructuring.
Change can not come overnight. We have a hotchpotch government right now and the tradition of pulling legs prevails. Three things need to be fulfilled immediately to realize the nation’s goals: the CA members should consider the nation’s interest rather than fulfilling their vested interests, the revolution should reach its climax and the army integration should materialize.
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