A preview: The 9th episode of the TV blog is an interesting mélange of information from the eastern side of the nation.[break]
Samabedana, a daily 30-minute condolence radio program on Kanchanjunga FM at Birtamod, has been running for a decade. The host of the program is 56-year-old Shiromani Khatiwada who was an Assistant Lecturer of Management at Mechi Multiple College.
The program, besides broadcasting condolences, also focuses on philosophy of life and is aired six times a week except on Saturdays. The station provides condolence services free of cost and makes sure the information they are given is correct by accepting news from only reliable sources.
“We’ve had five false news items in five years. We now accept information from dependable people only,” says Chandra Bhandari, Managing Director of Kanchanjunga FM, adding that now people who send false information are prosecuted by the people in their own village.
Bhandari also mentions that they ask other FM stations to host programs like this but they respond by saying it’s too difficult a task. He is proud that his station is doing this despite the odds and wishes more FM stations would take it up as it is a one-of-its-own-kinds program.
Besides the unique program, mushroom farming that is being done in the eastern side of our country is also worthy of appreciating and applauding. Gopal Khatri, who has been involved in mushroom farming, says that it is expensive as they use natural methods and that the government does not help at all.
Another sector that receives no help for the government is the Jamunkhadi Community Forest in Surung Village. The forest, covering an area of 400 square meters, was established some eleven years ago and is the second largest community forest group in east Nepal.
Buddhiman Bohara, vice president of the community forest group, says that a lot of development has yet to take place. From building an entertainment area to a swimming pool for kids, a lot is being planned.
According to Yam Prasad Shrestha, secretary of the same community forest, as they are on a budget and receive no help from the government whatsoever, it will take some time for their plans to materialize.
Another fascinating aspect of the eastern side is that it has the lowest point in the country at merely 70 meters above sea level at Kechana. But the residents of the area complain of feeling neglected and left out, especially since Krishna Prasad Sitaula of Nepali Congress has won many elections from there but has done nothing for its betterment.
All in all, this episode provides attention-grabbing tidbits from eastern Nepal and is quite informative. The episode comprises places and things that have until now stayed out of the limelight and brings to focus the issues that need to be taken seriously.
Nepali – A TV Blog airs on Avenues TV every Saturday at 8:30 am and on Sundays at 9:30 pm. The series, hosted by Yubakar and directed by Tsering Choden, will also be available on YouTube <youtube.com/user/nepalitvblog>