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Communications From Abroad - October 2008

October 25, 2008
(regarding the questions about the caste system)

People makes fun of the children because the first main point is that the caste (our families and the children are all of lower caste). Some are called Sharki (like Bippin and Tilak whole family, Ramesh family). And the next thing is that they are poor. Because of poor they are dirty, unclean. So we have to give more concern about the good health and cleanliness.

In all Nepal there is a caste system. It means people are judged and viewed under the caste-wise. Brahmans are the supreme caste, then comes the Chhetri, then the Newar and then the Gurung and Magar. Then the other remaining caste are all called the lower caste. (like Kami means "the ironsmith", Sunar means "the goldsmith", Sarki means "the cobbler" and many more). These Brahmans, Chhetri, Newar, Gurung and Magar always oppress those lower caste socially, physically. Like they do not use the same water tap that the lower caste people go for the water. Now in the television there is one awareness programme about the caste. It is called the DALAN. It is all shot in the eastern part of Nepal called the Baglung because there is the most that the caste system is still in practice. These upper caste people still do not let these lower caste people inside their house. They make them work in their farm and give very little for their work.

About myself, my caste is Bishowkarma or the Sunar (The Goldsmith). Even our family is also lower caste family. We are also facing all these things. But my father had the citizenship card in the Rana so we are called Rana.

Take Care,

Bijay DHF