DARSHAN RAUNIYAR’S RESPONSE
I was shocked and could not believe the story by Salokya on the
Mysansar blog and on seeing the video attached. I realize that an
email requesting my comments was sent to me but it went into spam and
I just read it last night. It is very disappointing to note that a
blog like Mysansar decided to rush this story to publication in
complete disregard of fair and responsible journalism. They did not
bother to extend minimal courtesy, did not follow-up and made no
further efforts to reach me. As a result, blog readers have posted
irresponsible comments without reading my side of the story. The bulk
of the comments therefore are shallow and judgmental. The commentators
jump to the conclusion that I exploited and abused Ms. Bista, which is
utterly false. I wish they had been afforded the opportunity to hear
my clarifications on such a grave litany of charges. To me, it smells
like a conspiracy to maliciously discredit me and to damage my
reputation. I wish Mysansar will behave more responsibly in the future
and adhere to the basic principles of fair journalism and honor the
basic ethics of responsible journalism.
My Clarification
Ms Bista is a long and trusted family friend. She joined my mother and
my family in Nepal as domestic help and worked for many years. It
greatly hurts my feeling to hear the charges in her voice. I believe
that she has been misled. Knowing her and on the basis of her loving
and affectionate relationship with my mother and rest of the family, I
could hardly believe her words and I am confident that she did not
mean what she said. Hopefully, she will set the record straight one
day.
As far as I know, she expressed her desire to visit U.S.A. and
accompany my mother. As she was very close to my mother and in view of
her long dedicated service to our family, we decided to reward and
grant her wish. We paid for her air ticket. While in the U.S.A., we
provided her room and board. She travelled and stayed as a family
friend and there were no contractual obligation to do any work. As
members of American households do their part and share the household
work, she voluntarily did her part just like rest of us. But, there
was no compulsion or obligation whatsoever. She was very pleased and
repeatedly expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to
visit U.S.A.
I am a law abiding person and it is patently absurd to think that I
would have brought Ms. Bista to the US for any kind of work on a
tourist visa. I own and run a business and I know the regulations for
hiring help and the prevailing wage rates.
All the money given to her was for pocket expenses and sundries and
there never was any employment contract of any kind between us. So,
the fact is that she travelled and stayed as a family friend and she
promptly returned to Nepal and her passport was handed to her family.
There is absolutely no reason for us to hold her passport, which we
had helped her get so that she could travel to the U.S.
This sounds like a conspiracy against me and I am confident that
certain individuals are willfully and maliciously stirring up this
mischief. It may even have to do with my recent visit to Nepal and my
high visibility. As I believe in Democracy and Rule of Law, if
necessary, I will get to the bottom of this matter. I would like you
all to know that Nepal is very dear and special to me. I will continue
help Nepal and nothing will ever deter me.
