The only full timer out of the 200,000 Nepalis in the US to work for Nepal's democracy and social justice movements in 2005-06.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Somnath Ghimire, Family, Friends
Audio
Somnath Ghimire 1 (00:19:13)
Somnath Ghimire 2 (01:01:03)
Somnath Ghimire 3 (00:07:41)
Somnath Ghimire 4 (00:41:29)
Somnath Ghimire 5 (00:02:30)
Somnath Ghimire 6 (00:00:30)
Somnath Ghimire 7 (00:33:38)
Somnath Ghimire 8 (00:01:50)
Somnath Ghimire 9 (00:08:25)
Somnath Ghimire 10 (00:09:59)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Hamro Nepal Has Three Goals
(1) Democratic Republic in Nepal.
We can do that as a pressure group, but if we have to we should be willing to launch a political party. For the short term, we should work to expand our membership.
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
(2) Double digit economic growth in Nepal.
I think it is very possible. If democracy is superior to the other ideologies, Nepal should be able to grow faster than China. And I think it can. Two things to offer:
Proposed Republican Constitution 2006
Think Tank
(3) Political Empowerment of the Nepali diaspora.
Democracy Diwali 10
I mean voting rights for the 100,000 Nepalis in America. And I mean in America. The blacks earned it half a century ago. The whole thing has to be a package deal. There is this guest worker program being talked about, the idea of earned citizenship for the 11 million "illegal" immigrants. But I get the impression the white males on the Hill are not being creative enough. They are not getting globalization, they are not getting the 21st century. They are not doing their economic analysis.
Immigrant Power
No taxation without representation. If you pay taxes, you should be able to vote. That has to be the bottomline. And the Nepalis are small in number. But we can hope to lead if we can turn Hamro Nepal into the glow it deserves to be. We can infect the immigrant community with our digital democracy concept to truly empower them during the struggle itself.
For the short term the idea is to get a resolution passed at the ANA Convention in July. But I am worried there has not been enough open discussion on the topic. There is not one mass based Nepali organization in America. Not one. Show me an organization that has 5,000 members all of whom directly elect the organization's president. It simply does not exist. That is a gaping hole.
For now let's work on the wording of the resolution.
Hamro Nepal Will Not Be Registered
Hamro Nepal: Free Membership
Hamro Nepal: Membership Drive
Hamro Nepal, Latest
Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
Organization: Hamro Nepal
Your Many Identities
All Dalits Should Convert To Buddhism En Masse
Give up on Hinduism. The Hindus are not about to change. The caste system will stick around. Turn Hinduism into a three caste religion instead of a four caste one. Convert en masse. I recommend Buddhism as a Buddhist myself. Pull the rug from beneath the feet of the Bahuns.
I don't get it, the whole thing about Dalit rights. What is the idea? Is the idea to reform the caste system? You can not reform something that is wrong in its entirety. You can only abolish it, if you can. But if you can't, you either reject it, or put up with it.
Is the idea to appeal to the good side of the high caste folks? They don't have a good side, at least not on the caste issue they don't.
Is the idea to keep the four castes intact, but somehow achieve equality among them? That is highly imaginary. That is not going to happen. The caste system is by definition a hiearrchy. Water is wet. How do you work and turn it dry? If you want to get dry, get out of the water.
I think all Dalits should get organized into one organization or the other, this or that, and form an umbrella organization of all their organizations, and build a coalition with the Adivasi, Janajati, Madhesi groups. And write to the Dalai Lama or something. We are 20% of the country, about five million people, and we just passed a political resolution that we all would like to convert to Buddhism en masse. Can you please help with the process? Something like that.
I am serious.
You can only reject the caste system. There is nothing else that can be done with it. And if you have to reject a religion in the process, so be it.
Hindus, Chill
What's Wrong With The ANA Convention
Janajati Sammelan At The New School
Dixit, Lawoti, Tamrat At Asia Society
मधेशीसँग संख्या छ, शिक्त छैन
Prakash Bom For Strong Districts
Internalized Racism Among Nepalis In NYC
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
No Short Cuts: Madhesis Will Have To March
Madhesi Rights: Total Equality
ितमीले देखाइ िदयौ
18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory
On The Web
Dalit Freedom Network: ABOLISH CASTE ≡ NOW AND FOREVER
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
Dalit Christians
Dalit (outcaste) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
International Dalit Solidarity Network
Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO)
RELIGION AND DALIT IDENDITY
A Dalit
DALIT SENA Homepage
Edwon - Home page
DNF
Dalit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and His People
Dalit Voice - The Voice of the Persecuted Nationalities Denied ...
A Dalit Bibliography
nepaldalitinfo- nepal dalit information resources
Dalit Rights and Issues Home Page
Dalits - Gospel For Asia
<<>Dalit Issues Home Page>>
World Dalit Conference
Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO)
Dalit Solidarity
Dalitstan Organisation Homepage
India Caste System Discriminates
DALIT WOMEN: The Triple Oppression of Dalit Women in Nepal
Dalit poems: Presented by dalitindia
Dalit foundation - Accelerating change for equality
Dalit Gurevich
Badges of Color
Home Page
Amazon.com: Dalit: The Black Untouchables of India: Books: VT ...
DSiD - Dalit Solidarität in Deutschland
Christian News, Updated Daily - Christian Today > Christian Dalit ...
Googlism what is dalit
DALIT SOLIDARITY NEWS
Dalit: The Black Untouchables of India
outlookindia.com
Dalit Netwerk Nederland (DNN)
India Dalit Leader’s visit to London cancelled after arrest ...
Social Research: The dalit in India - caste and social class
FEMINIST DALIT ORGANIZATION
Dalit Solidarity Peoples: The Vision
Dalit writing makes its mark | csmonitor.com
BBC NEWS | South Asia | India mourns Dalit ex-president
Category List --- Religion-Online.org
DBLP: Dalit Naor
The Mathematics Genealogy Project - Dalit Baum
Attacks on Dalit Women: A Pattern of Impunity - Broken People ...
Dalit Freedom Network | Stylegala
Dalit Human Rights
[PDF] UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion
Police Arrest Indian Christians Over Dalit Conversion ...
IMC India - WSF Songs of Dalit Resistance Part 2
Terai Dalit Women - Violation of Political Rights
What is the Dalit/OBC voice on quotas? Tell us!
Dalit villagers accuse Forest Department of forcing eviction
www.dalitwarshaw.com *** DALIT WARSHAW'S HOMEPAGE ***
BBC Nepali Audio: कृष्णबहादुर महरासंग-24.05.06
Audio: Prachanda
Adivasi Janajati Talk At Harvard: Photos
Hindus, Chill
What's Wrong With The ANA Convention
Janajati Sammelan At The New School
Dixit, Lawoti, Tamrat At Asia Society
मधेशीसँग संख्या छ, शिक्त छैन
Prakash Bom For Strong Districts
Internalized Racism Among Nepalis In NYC
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
No Short Cuts: Madhesis Will Have To March
Madhesi Rights: Total Equality
ितमीले देखाइ िदयौ
18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory
Video: Sakewa Celebration
In The News
Janamorcha Nepal splits up NepalNews
Government forms task force to implement Working Journalist Act
Govt., rebels sign 25-point code of conduct; agree to invite int'l team to monitor ceasefire over five-hour-long marathon talks ...... a 25-point code of conduct ...... cease all types of military activities during the period of ceasefire...... agreed not to call 'bandh' or transport strike throughout ceasefire. ....... rallies and meetings could be organized peacefully ...... agreed not to create any obstructions in the movement of medicines, food, construction materials meant for development programmes and goods for daily consumption...... no donations would be collected, whether cash or kind, through coercion....... agreed to make public whereabouts of "disappeared people," help displaced people to return to their villages and release the detainees gradually...... agreed to involve national and international team in the monitoring of ceasefire "on the basis of mutual consensus." ....... doesn't specifically mention whether the international monitor would be the United Nations or any other international agency....... may be amended on the basis of mutual consensus........ peace negotiations would continue and date and venue of second round of talks would be decided through mutual consultation....... at the deluxe Le Meridian hotel cum resort at Gokarna
Revival of local bodies unacceptable: Maoist leaders
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Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hindus, Chill
I am a Buddhist, and I have been part of the April Revolution, even though I have been in New York City and not in Nepal. (DPACNY: The Empire Strikes Back) I was born a Hindu, I grew up a Hindu. But I became a Buddhist. I have a stake in the April Revolution.
A country can not call itself a Hindu nation and still claim to be a democracy. The state has to be secular, or it is not democratic. The state may not patronize any one religion, or any religion. But democracies provide more room for religious activities than autocracies. It is called religious freedom, and that is a human right. A Hindu in Nepal can be as Hindu as he wants to be. Nothing stops you. Go worship all day if you want, does not bother me.
But if you can only live in a Nepal that calls itself a Hindu nation, that is not a Hindu, that is a Hindu supremacist. You are saying the only way you can feel Hindu is by feeling the non-Hindus are somehow inferior to you. That is not okay. That is not something to be tolerated.
There can be no room whatsoever in the new Nepal's mainstream for Hindu supremacist thinking. Push them off to the fringes.
To defend the secular state is to defend the April Revolution, and that shall be done.
We also have to watch out for counter-revolution. The defeated royalists might be working in the background. We can not stand by watching.
We might have to organize our own rallies for religious tolerance, and religious equality. All Nepalis are equal regardless of their religious background. The Hindu supremacists are simply going to have to put up with that basic fact.
This can not be taken lightly. This riot has been the first act of counter-revolution. We have to respect the right to peaceful assembly, even that of the Hindu supremacist, but we do have to hit back politically.
We also have to organize some inter-faith dialogue. We should gather the top Hindu religious leaders and organize a conversation where we make the point that now after democracy there actually is more room for Hindus for their religious activities not less.
This riot is something to get alarmed about, but it also can be an opportunity to educate the people. The jump to a secular state has been a big one. And we have to help people adjust to the new reality. We should take that up as a challenge.
Democracy is not a small decision. It is a process. There is a lot of institution building we will have to engage in over years to fully cement the achievements of the April Revolution. We have to be realistic in terms of all the homework we still have to do.
Nepal Hindus in secular protest BBC News, UK
Strike by Hindus shuts down Nepal town
Nepalis protest over secular moves Reuters AlertNet, UK
Thousands protest against Parliament's move to declare Nepal a ... OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal Should Be a Hindu Nation OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal: Hindus protest Montreal Gazette (subscription), Canada
Hindu groups block roads in southern Nepal Zee News, India
Hindus protest Nepal's secular move United Press International
Thousands of Nepalis protest over secular move Gulf Times, Qatar
Thousands protest Nepal secular statehood Brocktown News, USA
Protest against move to declare Nepal a secular state Zee News, India
Hindu activists close down Birgunj Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Hindu ultras shut down Nepal's industry hub NewKerala.com, India
'Secular Nepal' finds itself in the eye of controversy Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Catholic leaders welcome Nepal as secular state CathNews, Australia
Strike by Hindus shuts down Nepal town Boston Globe, United States
Strike by Hindus Shuts Down Nepal Town Guardian Unlimited, UK
Thousands Protest Nepal Secular Statehood Washington Post, United States
Thousands protest Nepal secular statehood Boston Globe, United States
Thousands Protest Nepal Secular Statehood Salon
Thousands protest Nepal secular statehood San Jose Mercury News, USA
Nepal Hindus in secular protest Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Hindus Protest Nepal's Secular Move Post Chronicle
Nepal Hindus in secular protest Samudaya.org, AZ
Hindus protest Nepal's secular move Washington Times, DC
Strike by Hindus Shuts Down Nepal Town Wilmington Morning Star, NC
Thousands Protest Nepal Secular Statehood The Ledger, FL
Thousands protest Nepal secular statehood News & Observer, NC
Nepalis protest over secular moves Samudaya.org, AZ
Hindu ultras shut down Nepal's industry hub Indian Muslims, California
Hindu ultras shut down Nepal’s industry hub India eNews.com, India
Hindu ultras shut down Nepal's industry hub DailyIndia.com, NY
In The News
Maoist team holds talks with SPA leaders NepalNews
Govt. will scrap anti-media freedom laws: Minister Badu
Government to release all political detainees
Birjunj shut down for the second day
'Secular Nepal' finds itself in the eye of controversy
Prime Minister, CoAS discuss security situation
Doctors call for indefinite closure of health services Kantipur Publications
PM holds consultations with Army Chief
Lawmakers demand action against defaulters
Talks team, code of conduct today
MPs critisize govt for flouting Proclamation
NHRC urges govt, Maoist to sign human rights accord
Angry group vandalizes Nursing Home
प्रधानमन्त्रीले घोषणा उल्लंघन गरेकामा आपत्ति
संविधानसभामा अलमल नगर्न सुझाव
वार्ता टोलीको पूर्णता आज
हिन्दु राष्ट्र घोषणा माग गर्दै प्रदर्शन
स्वास्थ्य केन्द्रमा आक्रमण
जनमतको अनादर नहोस्
लोकतन्त्रमा अपांग
शान्तिप्रतिको प्रतिबद्धता र जनयुद्धको अवतरण
प्रतिनिधिसभा घोषणा र राज्यका चुनौती
इमानदारीको पुनःस्थापना
दरबार र सेनाको खर्च घट्नेछ’
श्वेतपत्रप्रति संसद्मा असन्तोष
Nepal to free Maoist prisoners ahead of talks Times of India, India
Nepal seeks talks with Maoists CNN-IBN, India
Nepal frees 467 Maoists
India ready to extend financial aid to Nepal Financial Express, India
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Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Dinesh Tripathi Appearance in Baltimore
AMNESTY TALK ON NEW CONSTTUTION MAKING PROCESS OF NEPAL
May 24, 2006,
Amnesty International, University of Baltimore, USA Organize talk program on “ Challenges of new Constitution making in Nepal.” Advocate Dinesh Tripathi, Supreme Court Nepal was invited to speak on the occasion. Tripathi Spoke on the occasion-Nepali people has shown enormous courage and bravery. Under the massive pressure of mass movement authoritarian king is forced to step-down. King and his army are responsible for gross violation of human rights and fundamental freedom. King has committed a crime against people and democracy. But now Nepal has entered into new era of democracy building. Parliament has taken a drastic step to curtail the power of king. People are aspiring for republican set up and full and genuine democracy. Now Nepal is in new Constitution making process. Now Constitution is going to make by “We the people.” Nepali people no more want a given Constitution, given by king or somebody else. Nepali people want to be full sovereign and want to exercise full sovereignty. New Constitution is going to ordain and establish by “We the people” of Nepal. People are the source of ultimate power and authority. Constitution is the _expression of sovereign will of the people and people are aspiring to exercise its sovereign will. Nepali people want a total democracy, rule of law and full guarantee of the fundamental rights. New Constitution should be the charter of the full sovereignty of the people. People’s aspiration of the genuine, parcipatory and inclusive democracy must be addressed by the new constitution. “All power to the people” should be the motto of new constitution. It must transform a bureaucratic and police state into fully democratic, responsive and accountable state. Kingship must be totally abolished because it always became the threat for people’s rights and liberty. Now it is proven fact of the Nepali history is that monarchy and democracy cannot go together. We need to build a grassroots democratic structure. Total power to the local body and institution. To address an aspiration of people we need to build a federal structure. Army must be put under the parliamentary control and need to incorporate instition and mechanism to ensure accountability and control the abuse of the power by any state authority and institution.
But complex challenges are ahead to making a new constitution. King is down but not out. No action has been taken against any army personal. Entire democratization process is weak and fragile and it is full of the uncertainty. We have yet to start credible peace process. We have to start the process of transitional justice. Impunity must not allow. All the violator of human rights should bring to justice who committed a crime against people. King should also make liable about his act and he is also need to bring to the justice. No one allow getting immunity and impunity for the crime he is committed. Equality before the law is important aspect of justice. Nepal must immediately ratify the Rome Statute Of International Criminal Court so all the perpetrator can bring to justice and held accountable for their action. Without successful management of the transitional justice it is very difficult to move for full democratization of the polity and the state. There must be free, fair and conducive environment so people can freely vote for constituent l assembly. People must allow to exercising their free will. International community must be a watchful toward peace process and new constitutional making process in Nepal. There is clear need to closely monitor the peace process in Nepal. Credible International organization like UN must come forward to monitor peace process and hold both side accountable. International community must support Nepali people’s aspiration of full democracy without king. Maoist should also accept the democratic aspiration of people. They should behave as a responsible political force and stop abduction and extortion and participate in the new constitution making and democracy building process peacefully. There is no alternative to the democracy and rule of law.
Prof. Dr. Jason Trumpbour introduced the Speaker and also said that- there is exciting development is taking place in the Nepal. People are aspiring for democracy and rule of law. International community must support the democracy building process in Nepal. We should provide our helping hand to Nepali people and must support their endeavor to establishing polity based on the rule of law.
Dinesh Tripathi, Your Worst NightmareDinesh Tripathi Raising Dust
Dinesh Tripathi, "Arthur Kinoy Of Nepal"
Dinesh Tripathi In New York
Dinesh Tripathi: In Person
In The News
Royal Palace expenditure will be slashed: Finance Minister NepalNews
NHRC sends draft ceasefire agreement and human rights accord to the govt. and rebels stresses on withdrawal of all forms of armed activities, purchase of new military equipment, halt military recruitment by both the government and Maoists and remove landmines laid down by both the sides within 60 days....... urged the government to scrap the controversial anti-terrorism law, TADO, within 15 days. Similarly, the Commission has also urged both the government and the Maoists to make public whereabouts of people under their custody within 30 days (of signing of the agreement)....... urged both the parties to respect the right to life, dignity, liberty and security, liberty of movement, right to speech and peaceful assembly and right to work of individual citizen. The Commission has also urged both the parties to guarantee right to food, health, education and right of children and women during the period of ceasefire........ asked both the parties to remain committed for result-oriented talks and work towards permanent restoration of peace in the country.
'Secular Nepal' finds itself in the eye of controversy
Hindu activists close down Birgunj
FNJ calls for immediate govt steps for media independence
SAARC members agree to set up direct air links
Nursing Home accepts mistake; provides Rs. 250,000 compensation to victim's family
Jana-Andolan II and New National Agenda Kantipur Publications
NC to launch political awareness campaign in rural Nepal
Travel restrictions on Dr Giri, others
VDC secys unable to return to villages
Berserk mob vandalizes hospital
Food shortage grips mid-western hills
Security bodies must cope with changes: Home Minister
उत्तेजित समूहद्वारा अस्पताल तोडफोड
शपथबारे सर्वोच्चमा छलफल
अनुसन्धान प्रमुखद्वारा ँगोप्य’ कागजात कब्जा
माओवादी सभा
संविधानसभा हुन नदिन षड्यन्त्र ः ढुंगाना
चन्दा उठाउने सिपाही क्रान्तिकारीको कब्जामा
रक्षामन्त्री नराख्नुको कारण
नौलो संवैधानिक प्रयोग
Thousands protest against Parliament's move to declare Nepal a ... OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal Should Be a Hindu Nation
Nepal Government forms team for dialogue with Maoists Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Govt-Maoists Talks to Start Soon: Home Minister
Nepal govt names two ministers for talks with rebels
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(emailed by Shobhakar Budhathoki from Kathmandu)
Shobhakar Budhathoki: Transitioning The “Royal” Nepal Army
Notes from the Talk Program on
Constituent Assembly and Transitional Arrangement
Key speaker: Prof. Yash Ghai
OHCHR
16 May 2006