A majority of Badi men and women have opted for surnames like Nepali and BK in their citizenship certificates fearing social exclusion. [break]
However, with the government introducing special identity cards, which would entitle people of the Badi community to special privileges under the government scheme, a majority of them have decided to retain their original surnames.
Karna Bahadur Badi, a local of Dashera-9, who has a surname Nepali in his citizenship certificate, has recently taken a Badi identity card from the DAO. “Because I couldn´t get any facility from the state, I decided to retain my original surname,” Karna Bahadur Badi said.
Likewise, Parse Badi of Dhime-5 has also decided to take his Badi identity card.
Chief District Officer Khyam Bahadur Thapa said that certain procedures were completed before handing out the identity cards.
Unlike in other districts, the Badi women of Jajarkot aren´t involved in the sex trade. Though the traditional occupation of Jajarkot Badi community is making madal, and fishing, the educated youths in the community are increasingly opting for blue collar jobs.
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