On October 16, 2023, Bikalpa an Alternative in collaboration with the Pokhara Research Centre (PRC) and with support from the US Embassy Nepal, organized a YPG fellowship Interaction Program with Koshi province Assembly Members. The event commenced with an esteemed gathering of distinguished guests from various political parties who served as the Province Assembly Members. The interaction program was organized to provide insights into the Province Assembly members’ experience for YPG fellows to establish connections with the esteemed Members of Parliament.
The guest speakers for the session were Hon Narayan Bahadur Magar, The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) Hon Sabina Bajgain Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Hon Nirmala Limbu Peoples Socialist Party of Nepal. Hon Jay Prakash Chaudhary, The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), Hon Sapana Pariyar, The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) ,Hon Shila Dixit karki, The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and Hon Khinu limbu, Former Minister of Culture and Tourism of koshi province and parliament member of The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist)
Mr. Basanta Adhikari, representing Bikalpa an Alternative, moderated the Program. He warmly welcomed all the guests and attendees in his opening remarks, highlighting the significance of such interactions in bridging the gap between the legislators and the promising YPG fellows. He underscored the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences, creating a platform for mutual growth and collaboration. Mr. Saurav Wagle, representing the Pokhara Research Centre, then took the floor to deliver the opening remarks. His words set the stage for a constructive and enlightening discussion. He emphasized the vital role that the YPG fellowship members could play in supporting the Province Assembly Members in their parliamentary duties and during various research activities in the days ahead.
Honorable Narayan Bahadur Magar Magar emphasized the significance of politics in our society, stressing that it serves as the fundamental framework for policy formulation within the state. He acknowledged the prevailing perception that politics is regarded as a “dirty game” and no one wants to discuss it. He asserted that nothing of consequence occurs in the world without the underpinning of politics, as it is the driving force behind the implementation of policies. Magar articulated that politics, at its core, is the art of crafting the policies that guide a nation. He said that to move forward effectively, we need to understand the pattern of comprehending politics from within, advocating that this understanding is crucial to progress. He also pointed out the impending reality that we have four years left, and within this time frame, we must create many rules and laws that will shape the future of our province. He stressed that People can’t know everything just by reading and don’t understand everything just by experiencing. He advocated for a balanced approach combining theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, asserting that a harmonious fusion of these elements is essential in navigating the intricate realm of politics. Mr. Magar also emphasized the need for such a Program for young professionals to engage with various levels of government and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to influence public policy. He promised to work with the YPG members on the coming day.
Honorable Shila Dixit Karki extended her heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee for facilitating this important gathering. In her address, she expressed their challenges due to the current political situation. Hon. Karki acknowledged the governmental struggles that had impeded the formation of a working committee, hindering their ability to carry out their responsibilities effectively. She expressed concerns about the constant changes in ministerial roles, with ministers switching from one party to another due to the prevailing instability within the government. This continuous shift in leadership has created adequate problems for discussing the bills of policymaking. She also expressed her intention to seek assistance and support from the YPG member assigned to her after the province assembly begins.
Honorable Sabina Bagain opened the session with a statement emphasizing the pivotal role of young people in shaping policy both in the present and for the long-term future. She highlighted the importance of involving young voices in the policymaking process, highlighting that the representation of today’s youth can be instrumental at the decision-making level. Hon. Bagain also acknowledged the existing challenges within the legislative house, particularly the absence of committees to facilitate their work. This has hindered progress towards policy formulation and the establishment of proper procedures for legislation. Despite these challenges, Hon. Sabina Bagain expressed her optimism and enthusiasm for the work ahead. She conveyed her commitment to collaborating with YPG Fellow members, recognizing the potential for their active participation in overcoming these obstacles and contributing to the vital work of policymaking.
Honorable Sapana Pariyar, the youngest member of parliament and a youth representative shared her vision and aspirations with great enthusiasm. Hon. Pariyar began her address by expressing her commitment to championing the cause of the Dalit community through the creation of the Dalit Empowerment Act. In her speech, she also emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the political process. Hon. Pariyar encouraged the younger generation to take responsibility for themselves and their communities, underlining the transformative power of active participation in the democratic system. She recognized that the youth are the driving force behind societal change, and their contributions are invaluable. Furthermore, Hon. Pariyar expressed her vision for policies that could help reverse the trend of brain drain among the youth of our country. She sought to create a conducive working environment in Nepal to attract and retain the talents and skills of the country’s young minds. She told the YPG Fellow youth, urging them to assist her in formulating policies that would address the issue of youth emigration and promote opportunities for personal and collective growth within the country.
Honorable Nirmala Limbu addressed a pressing issue that concerns us all, focusing on the challenges faced by unemployed youth and the impoverished in Nepal. With unwavering resolve, she highlighted that the solution lies within our grasp. Hon. Limbu emphasized the pivotal role that young leaders like those in the YPG fellowship can play in bringing forth change. She eagerly anticipated the support and collaboration of the fellowship in presenting diverse and innovative agendas within the legislative house to address these critical concerns. In her speech, she drew attention to the remarkable skills and talents of the indigenous tribal communities in Nepal. She recognized the untapped potential of these skills. She proposed that if the Nepali government invested in these talents and established them as viable industries, it could significantly reduce the need for Nepali youth to seek employment in Gulf countries.
Honorable Kinu Limbu commenced her address by reflecting on her journey over the past five years. She vividly recalled her election from Illam and her dedicated service in the provincial assembly during that period. She spent twelve months working for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. With a sense of nostalgia, she pinpointed the challenges faced five years ago when the newly elected members had to grapple with a lack of infrastructure. There were no dedicated halls for the state assembly despite the central government’s allocation of funds. The need for clear policies and laws further complicated the situation, requiring them to start practically from scratch. Hon. Kinu Limbu acknowledged the significant progress in advancing the provincial assembly since those early days.
Moving forward, she delved into the substantial strides in formulating the state’s single rights legislation. These legislative efforts generated revenue to cover the province’s expenses and served as a foundation for effective governance. Over four years, they diligently practiced and implemented these laws, collaborating closely with local governments and engaging with the people they represented. In her address, she emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue to refine existing laws and identify areas that required enforcement. This dynamic process of monitoring and amending legislation ensured that the laws of the land were responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people they served.
Honorable Lila Prasad Chaudhary commenced his address by expressing gratitude to the organizing committee for the opportunity to speak. In his speech, he shed light on the challenges stemming from the provincial government’s political impasse, which hindered their ability to convene meetings and deliberate on newly drafted legislation. He underscored the importance of representing the public’s concerns across various sectors when addressing the Provincial House Assembly. Hon. Chaudhary noted the high level of organization and discipline within their meetings, with well-defined agendas made available to all elected members before the session. This level of preparedness ensured that discussions in the house were focused and productive. The Honorable Member of the Assembly went on to elucidate the structure of their speaking time. He explained that each speaker had a total of three minutes, which he referred to as “silent time.” During this brief window, the speaker must highlight their respective elected areas’ prevailing issues, challenges, and conditions. This allowed for a direct connection with the concerns of their constituents. In addition, there was an allotted ten-minute segment called “Special time,” during which speakers were expected to address current national and international issues of significance. This segment provided a platform for engaging in discussions on matters beyond the provincial boundaries, broadening their perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of global affairs. Hon. Chaudhary emphasized how YPG fellows could assist the assembly members during their speaking times by providing access to up-to-date data and insights on current affairs. The YPG fellow members could be valuable for keeping their discussions relevant and informed.
At the end of the session Mr Basanta Adhikari extended his gratitude to all the MP Member, and the engaged audience for their active participation.The program ended with a dinner and networking session.
