KATHMANDU -
I was born to a poor Dalit family in a remote part of Palpa district on
April 18, 1964. My father, Bhim Bahadur BK, was a menial worker in
India and my mother, Maya Devi, was a homemaker. Unlike many Dalit
children, I was lucky to have parents who believed in educating their
children. Despite facing several adversities, they always encouraged me
to study.
However, since it was a Panchayat period, there was serious
discrimination against the Dalit community. Villagers would make fun of
my parents, saying ‘Kami ko chora lai padayera k huncha?’ (What use is
educating a Dalit child?) When I overheard such mockery, I was afraid my
parents might stop sending me to school. Fortunately, my parents never
listened to them.
Back then, it was natural for the Dalit community to face such
discrimination. But one particular incident made me feel that society is
really harsh on Dalits. After completing my Intermediate degree, I
applied for a primary teacher’s post at the school from which I had
graduated. Despite being one of the best students in my batch in the
entire district, the school administration and the villagers denied me
the job because I was a Dalit. I felt bad but never lost hope. I applied
to another school and I was hired. I realised then that if you are
capable enough, you can get any job irrespective of your personal
background. Given my poor family background, I was obliged to work and
continue my education at the same time.
I first entered government service in 1988 as the finance officer for
the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). In
the absence of a private sector, government service was the only option
for someone willing to work. The Public Service Commission was not as
inclusive then as it is now. In order to be eligible for government
service, you had to have the support of someone influential or be
extremely capable. I might have been the first section officer from the
Dalit community although I cannot verify my claim.
Later on, I joined the Ministry of Industry as a micro-enterprise
officer and then the Department of Cooperatives as a cooperative
officer. During this time, I was granted permission to go abroad for
further studies. However, when I returned, I was barred from rejoining
my office on the grounds that my leave had not been approved. I filed a
court case against the government, asking that I be reinstated.
Considering the impending court case, I started to work for various
INGOs and NGOs, including the Rural Development Program from then GTZ,
Unicef, Save the Children and the Centre for Constitutional Dialogue.
In 2010, I became the first Dalit to receive a doctorate (PhD) in
economics (in Social Inclusion in Micro Finance) from Tribhuvan
University. It took almost three years for my professors to approve my
research although later, I was awarded for the originality of my
concept. During this period, I discovered how Dalit students were still
looked down upon in academia.
My constant study of Nepali society and its economic structure led me
to come up with the concept of a Community Banking Model for Inclusion,
which is recognised as ‘third generation micro-finance’. I have been
practising that model since 2010, when I formed a community bank. I am
also equally active in academic and non-academic research and teaching,
with special attention to children and the marginalised and excluded
groups.
In 2010, I once again entered state service as a joint-secretary
through free competition. As a single joint-secretary from the Dalit
community, my colleagues would tell me I could be placed wherever I
chose. However, the government deputed me to the Department of Labour
against my interest. I did my best to make the state mechanism and
service inclusive whenever I got the opportunity.
I am currently posted as a Chief District Officer (CDO) in Bardiya.
Since I am very much interested in working on the frontlines, in direct
contact with the general people, I am enjoying my job immensely. Many
people from across the country have congratulated me for being the first
CDO from the Dalit community. As a CDO, you are accountable to all the
people, irrespective of the caste and the class, but people from
marginalised and excluded communities expect a lot more from you. I
discovered that finding a Dalit at the helm of power increased the
confidence of these groups. Seeing a representative of their own
community in an influential position, it is natural for the
underprivileged, discriminated-against and excluded communities to have
expectations. But a single person cannot do much.
Although things have changed tremendously over the years, Dalit
communities still do not have the access to all state mechanisms.
Inclusion without empowerment makes no sense. In my view, there is
disparity in introducing rules, regulations and provisions and their
implementation. Since empowerment and inclusion are two parts of the
same coin, the state should provide equal attention to both. Inclusion
can be a solution only when the state thinks beyond the reservation and
quota system. The underprivileged and excluded people are still unevenly
represented in state mechanisms. Having said that, I do not mean that
people should receive something they do not deserve.
SOURCE:- kathmandu-post(As told to Roshan Sedhai)
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