Unleashing Nepal: The History of Rent-seeking Mentality

Post published:March 19, 2018
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:8 mins read

This section from Unleashing Nepal describes how the Birta and Jagir systems implemented by Prithvi Narayan Shah created cultural practices and values and shaped some of the attitudes of the upper caste males of the Brahmin, Chhettri and some Newar castes, which, still prevalent in one form or another, has been and continues to also be an impediment to social, economic and political progress. (Another consequence of the systems were to impoverish and marginalize the indigenous population of the country.)

Nepali People by Job Applications

Post published:September 18, 2017
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:2 mins read

COMMITTED, in the process of expanding, recently advertised fourteen different positions. Reproduced in this blog post are charts of the applications by age, gender, caste etc.

You Can Lead a Horse, Even One With Blinders On, To Water…

Post published:October 27, 2016
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:13 mins read

A reproduction of a Twitter lesson on the reasons behind the inclusion debate that the Madhesis (and other indigenous Nepalese) are having with Kathmandu.

Singha Durbar: The “Singha” That’s Lost Its Roar?

Post published:October 4, 2016
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:12 mins read

Neither the physical structures and the state Singha Durbar is in nor those working inside the buildings in the complex on our behalf represent the country of Nepal. Those employed inside those compounds can't even maintain the facade of the main structure! The complex needs cleaning.

Social Justice: Politics of Dignity And Equity

Post published:August 17, 2016
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:3 mins read

Parts of Professor Thorat's presentation at the Politics of Dignity and Equity: Dalits in Nepal symposium. He talked about some of the issues faced by Dalits in Nepal, their remedies, including lessons learned from India.

“Tell Me, Where is Ethnicity-based Discrimination in Nepal?!”

Post published:March 28, 2016
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:9 mins read

A meme, using completely false reasoning, tries to prove that there isn't any discrimination in Nepal. But, ironically, in the way the the non-Khas-Aryas are characterised in the meme, the creator ends up outing himself or herself as a bigot!

There is Poor Representation…and Then There is Nepal

Post published:November 23, 2015
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:10 mins read

The incredibly homogeneous power structure of Nepal is an anachronistic slap in the face of the equally incredibly diverse population of the country.

A Graph is Worth a Thousand Words…It Seems

Post published:November 7, 2015
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:9 mins read

How do some Nepalese see statistics about composition of different bodies in Nepal?

While a few explain away the disproportionate representation of the High Caste by ascribing it to education, others are against disseminating such information because, according to them, they promote animosity and inter-caste hatred etc. These "educated" Nepalese fail to see/understand -- among other things -- how information is actually educational and empowering!

The Blinding Effect of Structural Privilege

Post published:August 19, 2015
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:9 mins read

Social structure propped up, supported and perpetuated by Nepal's very highly patriarchal caste system has given rise to a bureaucractic and political--and other--systems that's characterized by deplorable structural inequality, which many of those responsible aren't able to understand or, if they do, will not acknowledge.

But there is a solution!

In side the kitchen: The fireplace on the other side.

What is Privilege in Nepal?

Post published:August 15, 2015
Post category:Social Justice
Reading time:10 mins read

What does privilege in Nepal look like? Here's an exercise to visually and dramatically show that.