But in what seems to be a fancy for the mobile phone, members of the Raute community residing at Khanekhola forest are walking several hours to Surkhet district just to be able to talk on a mobile phone. They have lately been talking on the mobile phone almost every day. [break]
"We have arrived here to communicate on the phone. We need to talk on the phone as we want to be acquainted with the latest gadgetry," said an enthusiastic Raute, Shiva Raj Sahi, on Monday. He had arrived at Gumi VDC in Surkhet with other Rautes primarily to talk on the cell phone.
He said he gets very excited whenever he talks on a mobile phone. Earlier, the Raute community used to shun the phone even if they were offered its use.
Much to everyone´s surprise, the Rautes came to the village to speak by mobile phone with representatives of the Raute Upliftment Foundation. "We are here to talk with Satya Devi of the Foundation and tell her about our problems," said another Raute, Surendra Bahadur Sahi, adding that if they had a mobile phone in their village, they wouldn´t need to waste so much time traveling to Surkhet.
Members of the Raute community said they have asked Satya Devi to send them consumer items of daily use as they have been facing an acute shortage of food stuff for the last several weeks.
The Raute community´s attachment to the mobile phone has become so intense that they are now mulling keeping a mobile phone of their own in their settlement. "Nobody offers us use of their mobile phone," the Rautes said.
The Rautes assemble at Jhasendra Pun´s house to talk on his mobile phone. "They show keen interest in the phone. They enjoy using it. But they do not know how to operate it properly," said Pun.
He said the Rautes talk only after he dials the number for them.
"They have been asking me constantly to bring a mobile phone for them. But I have been keeping them anticipating," said Satya Devi Adhikari, chief of the Prathisthan.
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