Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas historically celebrated in Jawaharlal Nehru University
Writes Dawa Sherpa
Nepali music and poetry wafted for the first time in the hallowed halls of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The programme celebrating the 24th Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas organised by Gorkha Students (JNU) at School of Social Science- 1, Auditorium on 20th August, 2015 saw huge participation of not just Nepali speaking students but also other students of the University. The main speakers in the programme were Mr. Uttam Kumar Chettri and Dr. Saroj Giri (Political Science, University of Delhi).
The program started with group song titled “Yo desh ko mato le bhancha”. After which Dawa Sherpa who on behalf of Gorkha Students in his welcome address argued that the recognition and inclusion of Nepali language in Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was a major step forward in the struggle of the Gorkhas in India to demolish the arguments/doubts which were trying to obstruct and eliminate the aspirations for a separate state of Gorkhaland. He said that despite getting constitutional recognition, the unbroken chain of exploitative moves of West Bengal Government against the Gorkha community based on its linguistic identity has not changed rather worsened overtime. He argued how the Nepali language is still not included as an optional language paper in the West Bengal Civil Service Examination (WBCS) for years without giving any explanation, while all other optional language/subjects like Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Santhal and even Pali are included.
The first speaker of the programme, Mr. Uttam Kumar Chettri who had played an important role during the Bhasa Andolan and was also the Convenor of All India Nepali Bhasa Ekta Samiti during that time relived his personal experiences. In his speech, he gave the social-political context under which this movement emerged and gave exhaustive historical details related with the Bhasa Andolan in India. He argued that Gorkhas has faced immense amount of racial and political discrimination at the hand of the Indian government and that the Gorkhas need to unite and assert themselves politically to get rid of these exploitations. Palzor Tamang also enthralled the audience with the song "gazalu le'
The second speaker Dr. Saroj Giri spoke about need for space of dissent and disagreement in our Nepali society and how they are the soul of any democratic society. He said how any movement of oppressed community should have that space for self reflection for giving democratic soul to any such movement. He told the audience how before fighting larger external battle there is a need for a critical evaluation of internal exploitation within our community.
A cultural program followed the talk. Members of Gorkha Students, Pritika and Bhawana sang ‘baneko cha pahara le’ to a glorious applause. This was followed by poetry elocution/ recitation starting with Ishani Waiba who recited jaha mah ubchu tehi mero desh by Gopal Yonzom followed by Marina Rai who recited brahm ko pahar by Raja Puniyani and Bibas Sewa who recited his own poem call Chinnari. Followed by a mesmerizing group dance by Priyanka Chettri, Bhawana Khati and Ishani Waiba. In the end Gorkha Students members sang Gau Gau Bata Utha.
The entire programme was in Nepali and conducted by Barun Adhikary and vote of thanks was given by Bijay Thapa. The programme was attended by more than 200 hundred students of different communities.
-Gorkha Students, JNU
Writes Dawa Sherpa
Nepali music and poetry wafted for the first time in the hallowed halls of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The programme celebrating the 24th Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas organised by Gorkha Students (JNU) at School of Social Science- 1, Auditorium on 20th August, 2015 saw huge participation of not just Nepali speaking students but also other students of the University. The main speakers in the programme were Mr. Uttam Kumar Chettri and Dr. Saroj Giri (Political Science, University of Delhi).
The first speaker of the programme, Mr. Uttam Kumar Chettri who had played an important role during the Bhasa Andolan and was also the Convenor of All India Nepali Bhasa Ekta Samiti during that time relived his personal experiences. In his speech, he gave the social-political context under which this movement emerged and gave exhaustive historical details related with the Bhasa Andolan in India. He argued that Gorkhas has faced immense amount of racial and political discrimination at the hand of the Indian government and that the Gorkhas need to unite and assert themselves politically to get rid of these exploitations. Palzor Tamang also enthralled the audience with the song "gazalu le'
The second speaker Dr. Saroj Giri spoke about need for space of dissent and disagreement in our Nepali society and how they are the soul of any democratic society. He said how any movement of oppressed community should have that space for self reflection for giving democratic soul to any such movement. He told the audience how before fighting larger external battle there is a need for a critical evaluation of internal exploitation within our community.
A cultural program followed the talk. Members of Gorkha Students, Pritika and Bhawana sang ‘baneko cha pahara le’ to a glorious applause. This was followed by poetry elocution/ recitation starting with Ishani Waiba who recited jaha mah ubchu tehi mero desh by Gopal Yonzom followed by Marina Rai who recited brahm ko pahar by Raja Puniyani and Bibas Sewa who recited his own poem call Chinnari. Followed by a mesmerizing group dance by Priyanka Chettri, Bhawana Khati and Ishani Waiba. In the end Gorkha Students members sang Gau Gau Bata Utha.
The entire programme was in Nepali and conducted by Barun Adhikary and vote of thanks was given by Bijay Thapa. The programme was attended by more than 200 hundred students of different communities.
-Gorkha Students, JNU
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