Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal, USA

Proudly Announces

?Bichaar Bimarsha?
A periodic socio-political discussions on Nepal
______________________________________________________________________
Co-Sponsors:

Human Rights Working Group, SIPA, Columbia University
South Asian Institute, SIPA, Columbia University

STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN NEPAL:
ROLES OF, AND CHALLENGES FOR, YOUTHS
Interaction with Gagan Thapa

Gagan Thapa is a former General Secretary of Nepal Student Union, student wing of Nepali Congress -- the largest political party in Nepal. He is undoubtedly the most prominent student leader who has become one of the leading figures in the current struggle for democracy in Nepal. He was jailed numerous times after the February 1, 2005 royal takeover on charges of ?sedition against the state? for his outspoken stance against King Gyanendra?s regime. Amnesty International had declared him a ?prisoner of conscience,? since he had been detained despite his peaceful and legitimate activities in support of democracy and human rights in Nepal. His release was procured on each occasion only under tremendous pressure from various human rights organizations and international governments.

*Mr. Thapa?s presentation will be in Nepali. Written English transcripts of his major points will be available for non-Nepali audience.
** Q & A session will be held in English, with a translation help from the moderator if needed.

Venue:
Columbia University, W. 116th Street and Broadway.
(Exact room location will be announced later.)

Subway:
# 1 or # 9 to 116th Street Station.

Time: 5:00 pm

Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2005.

Admission: Free

Questions? Call Anil: 917-670-1057 or, Sanjaya: 917-902-2667

Yo Prem dai, your out bof box theory sounds right to me. specially the biasness issue you have raised is the climax of this discussion here. I think most of the people doing Jay Jay of Gagn Thapa are somehow related to NC now or in the past and they are sympathizers. Yes, they must think differently and they can do so only when they will throw away their NC goggles. NC is not going to do any good for the country anymore.. it's already on the dead bed. The followers of NC are the idiots.. and that's the only reason why NC leaders are feeding grass to their cadres.

Prem Dai,
People over here seems to be too optimistic about Gagan and his gang.
Talking about Gagan, I remember another student leader from ASCOL, Tendi Sherpa. Well, he went to jail many times too. I dont know whether he did any good or not. I am not comparing Tendi with Gagan all the way down the road. Oh! I remember Sher Bahadur Deuba was also a great NC student wing leader of the past. We do know all his deeds.Gagan had many blisters in the past. All of us know that, unless there are someone who doesnt like to hear anything bad said about Gagan. But, everyone change. The situations he was in, the years he has passed, maturity he has gained might be in our favor. He might have turned good or better. Last couple of years, he has suffered in the hands of royal regime. He dared to stand against them. Thats a very real thing when most of the political figures in Nepal is mum and helpless. Lots of us do have grudges against student leaders of the past. They would close our colleges, wont let us appear in exams, break railings and windows. Those of us who were peace loving and really loved our country were upset with their agressive ways, the violence they used. But, most of the things he says now is right. He seems to have taken a good stance. So, why not listen when he says right thing. Why not follow him for good? Remember, leaders come and go, the will of people stay. Gagan is not main here, his belief that coincides with people's will is important. So, prem dai lets hope Gagan is good Gagan now and lets not ridicule him any more. Remember, "bhai bhai fute, Gawanr lute."

Exactly, bhai bhai Fute, Gawanr Lute !!! So these bhai bhai are in Gawanr desh !!Anyways, read this first!!!

Contd....

16 days lessons to nepalese leaders.... you must be alert on this one. Gagan is then imported by US State department for what reason???

With the backing of foreign elements, even if the democracy (as wanted by the parties like NC/UML) comes in Nepal in future, without the support of Nepalese people it would be meaningless and Nepal will kep on falling flat in this viscious circle.

At this moment, these chor parties are not even trying their 1% best to gather Nepalese peole's support, but they are all the time running after foreign help like beggars!!!!!!!!! Holy shit!!

So Gagan is simply a piece (goti) !!! Nothing else....... just keep on watching!!!!

I think PUPPET is the correct word to use, not GOTI.

Visual report of the program. . . .

First, some clips from the movie "Andolan Jari Chha" shown at the beginning...
(I missed it. But thanks to the dvd copy sold at $15, I can share some clips with you)

clips...

More clips...

...

And these...

Wow ! I had not noticed the subtitles of the last composite images makes an interesting statement.

Now some pictures from the program. Taken after the speech and Q/A were over.

Gagan being presented a 'statue of liberty' with wishes for a statue of our own liberty some day soon...

with organizers and some participants...

Chatting with a participant...

Anil selling dvd of "Andolan Jaari Chha"...

Paramendra Bhagat, one of the active and enthusiastic participants, joins the photo session...

Nepeji,
Thanks for posting all the wonderful pictures from New York's program.It seems to me that you have endorsed Gagan Thapa and his outspoken-ness against ruthless brutal regime of Gyanendra Shah.Like many freedom lovers and human-rights activist from all over the world your concerns and Gagan's concern are valid.The autocratic manners of monarch has crossed the limits of human decency.Gyanendra has tried to push the country back to the dark ages.
The so called democratic leaders of Nepal too didn't deliver better days either during their stay in power after the re-establishment of multi-party system in the 1990's.I support Gagan and his voice for liberation of Nepalese from the brutality of a despotic authority.But Gagan too emerged from the same circle of ring which produced many corrupt figures in the past.Ok agreed he is different well maybe...He is young and idealistic.Speaks differently than the very familiar faces of Nepalese esp. the older generations.And is able to portray charisma sometimes like none of his contemporaries.Recently,he admired the leadership skills of his party's leader rather a dictator Girija Koirala on issues of organizational skills.Koirala undoutedly is the most corrupt figure in the history of Nepal.Corruption isn't just manipulating the state's property and privatizing for your own ego-feeding purposes it also is creating an environment to encourage your juniors freely.Koirala did that in his longest stay in power more than any other politicians after 1990.Koirala ran Nepali congress and still runs it today how Gyanendra runs the country.
They are both fascists and ruthless, one represents the institution of monarchy the other tries to represent people but has failed them many times needless to say giving birth to the maoists of his corrupt mind.One way or the other Nepalese have no choice but to ruled by the dictators.Gagan simply represents the party run by Girija since he hasn't been able to openly condemn his leadership on the top esp.Girija and his clans.Well hopefully this scenario will overturn and Gagan will take over and for the first time Nepali people will be able to breath fresh air of corruption free Nepal.
Contd....

iZen-jee,

I admire Gagan for many things. I have a lot of hope from him. However, endorsement is probably not an accurate word to describe them.

Nepe