Advertising unity or difference??

It happened by accident. I had to participate in a programme organised by some of my neighbourhood aunties who also happen to be my mother's friends. It was basically a programme to represent unity among people of Newar Community. I had almost no idea what the programme was about except that the participants would consist of people from only my community i.e the Newars.

I have always hated the idea that people could be divided in terms of caste, creed or colour. But no matter what my beliefs are, I have to pariticipate in programmes as such which advertise more differences than unity. Actually we (five girls) were entitled to participate in the programme as panchakanya with traditional Newari dress, to welcome the guests. We were, in a way, a bit excited because opportunities as such only come only once in a while and when they come, it feels stupid not to grab it. Afterall, when in life do we get to see ourself in such traditional dresses? And, not that I am advocating Newari culture, but still I love Newari dress and Newari food.

In the programme, the guests of honours were all trying hard to convince the people that all the Newars should be united to safeguard their identity, their unique culture and stuffs like that. They were telling that people from this community also should go in the forefront of Nepali politics so that the Brahmins and Chhetris won't be able to rule them.

In some ways, it was a nice thing that they were encouraging young people to participate or be concerned about the politics and not just the usual Newari feasts and festivals... but on the other hand the same words were also convincing the youngsters that people other than those from Newar community were their enemies with whom they had to be aware... this is ridiculous!!!

Even as a child, I always protested the taboos related to caste and stuffs. Because deep within I always believed that there is no natural difference among men of whatever caste or creed other than those created my men themselves. Even my family wasn't that strict regarding all these. Specially my dad was quite open-minded in this thing. But my mom, she still complains that we don't listen to her, and that taboos related to caste systems need to be followed. But who cares? We don't listen to her, and we have millions of reasons to win her logics.

I wish the leaders guided people toward creating a more just and united society and not try to bring forward issues of differences and enemity for their personal benefits. I wish people understood that they are being used by the so-called leaders just to safeguard their own position!!