Hello All.
I have chanced upon three threads of conversations in my Gmail on the topic. I am so glad for it. I have read all the emails, and I would also like to comment.
First of all, thank you. Thanks to all who have participated in the conversation. I feel honored to join the same.
Second, I commend the work of all those who have established and nurtured Madhesi organizations in a few different countries. I have seen Ratan Jha and friends launch ANTA, I have seen Ram Sah and others expand the same on the West Coast, and I have seen Dr. Binod Sah, a family friend, take ANTA to new heights in the New York Metro region where most Madhesis in America happen to be congregated. I was glad to be part of the conversations that launched the Madhesi organizations in Britain and India. I am so glad there is now one in Australia, and I am so glad the person leading it has a Muslim name. We the cream of the crop might be open minded, but we have to be mindful of the complexities of diversity in the Terai, Pahadi-Madhesi, Male-Female, Hinu-Mulsim, the various caste groups. The grievances on the ground are genuine, and we have to deal with those ground realities. It is not enough to say you personally are not prejudiced.
Third, some details.
One, there is no doubt in my mind at all that we do need a global organization. Actually the idea is long overdue.
Two, what will we call it? We could call it MI, Madhesi International, or ANT, Association of the Nepali Teraian. I am open to other possibilities besides these two.
Three, its composition. All national organizations will be members, naturally. The president of each national chapter will form a committee. That committee would work to launch new chapters in other countries, and grow in existing ones.
Four, the umbrella organization should have as little power as possible. The power should rest with the national chapters. The umbrella should only facilitate coordination.
Five, I emphasize democracy and transparency, as much of both as possible at all levels of the organizations. Face it, the reality is that in person meetings will be few and far between. Much of the work will get done over the Internet. We should use digital technology to the hilt. Do events, blog events, blog as in text blog, photo blog, video blog.
Six, the organization can not affiliate itself with any political party in Nepal. At the same time it can not stay detached from the ongoing political challenges of the Terai. ANTA played a key role in the January-February 2007 Madhesi movement. I vividly remember. That also has to be the spirit of the umbrella organization. That movement is what gave birth to AIMSA and ANMUK. We are naturally going to be party to the heated discussions on federalism. I am bothered that because the Madhesi parties won big in the Terai, the Pahadi police has gone slack on law and order in the Terai. We have to shout out and protest. Law and order is a basic function of the state.
Seven, the key thing is to keep talking, keep the conversation alive. That is how we will come across new ideas. That is how we will deepen our unity and spirit and understanding.
Madhesi Jagaran: Contents
http://www.terai.org
http://madhesi.blogspot.com
http://associationofnepalimadhesisinuk.giving.officelive.com
http://www.madheshuk.org
http://www.aimsanepal.org
http://www.terainepal.org
http://indiamadhesi.wordpress.com
http://www.madhesi.wordpress.com
http://yfmnepal.blogspot.com
http://groups.google.com/group/madhesiinchina
http://groups.google.com/group/madheshi-doctors-association
http://groups.google.com/group/madhesh-think-tank
http://groups.google.com/group/madheshi-freedom-fighters
http://groups.google.com/group/madheshuk
http://groups.google.com/group/madhesi
http://groups.google.com/group/madhesi---united-we-stand
http://groups.google.com/group/madhesiplatform
http://groups.google.com/group/passionate-madeshis
http://groups.google.com/group/edu4madhesh
http://groups.google.com/group/emadhesh
