Khan,
K.C
.•
Krish
Akhter
S,
H.
1990
1977
for
Ten
Community
Professionals. Nepalese MSU. Lessons
Decades
*
Community
Context,
from
of
India,
Development
Rural
Kathmandu:
East
Development_
Development
Lansing:
Society
-
The
1.
process Fordon nation
definitions nts: Doshi, (Angel.
those linked Through belonging
process lively
°lecrurer
th'nk
Conc.pt
political
elements
relationship National
more (Etzimi.
their
1978).
as
(Ghurye,
1941);
that
National
and
this
quoted ness
colleagues
.nd suggest
closely
Reader
people
integration
process,
a
Ghurye
into
1965):
and
D.flniti.n:
condition
1968;
in
between
integration
respeclives
develop
Doshi. together
lor
that
something
thereby
it emphasizes
a
and
Iheir
is and
Nepal
process
integration
possible Integration'
achiev,able
the
1978,'
commenls
Cohan.
social
a
co-existence, a
al
is
various
deep
more
feeling Tribhuvan
an
that and
as
to integration.
&
-
and
sense
maintain
well
is emotional
it by
D,.. Dr. 1989);
cohesive
structural Middleton
suggeslions.
consists
of a
a
University
as
nation
drawing
Bishnu
of
GanlJh
It
national
a a
an
is
we'
harmonious
All
condition
with components
of attachment
through
as
end
feeling In
these (Aberle
would
two
Bhandari
together
Gurung*
quoted
the
loyality.
product
eleme
like above
parts
and
and
this
and
and
to
69
of in
of
to society, where so that people feel themselves to be part 01 a Ghurya. an Indian scholar, has classified the concept of comprehensive and harmonious social life. integration. Etzione (1965) stresses that national integration means an emotional condition, which includes the concept of Cohen and Middleton (Doshi. 1978) have substituted nation as well. It is a self-sufficient integrative mechanism the term integration by term incorporation. They have explained (the maintenance of its existeroce and form is provided for by its it in terms of condition and process. As a process they mean own processes and is not dependent upon those of external continuous interaction of diversed groUps, ethnic groups or systems or member units and the notion of integration of the individuals in a congenial situation. And as a condition, they nation-unit is its ability "to maintain itself in the face of have used the notion of pluralism. in which they have explicitly internal arid external challenges". He has used the term explained lhat the degree of incorporation would be higher (or unification to mean the process aspect of integration. greater) in a place where fhe boundary (socio-cullural, political, economic or sociological) would be at a minimum. Nihan Ranjan Roy (as quoted in Doshi, 1978: 53) advocates that integration means a kind of participation by all Gardon, who views 'it as a process has attempted to group in the mainstream, namely. look at it at two levels: the community integration level and the pluralistic integration level. Integration, in reality, is the (I) Integration into a common whole, where all diverse culture, population. geographical regions would be conglomeration of people from different walks of life, where brought together, they can share and interact with each other Continuously (lj) integration into a common productive organization; and without any obstacles. regardless of their stratified position in the society. In an integreted situation, they develop the sense of (iii) integration into a secular and democratic set up provided "we-feeling" and disown possibilities of conflict and tension. by the constitution". About the importance of integration. Roy (1989: 19) states. Lewis has said that "a single common language" is the primary force of integrating the heterogeneous societies into a integration presupposes the elimination of barriers single whole. He takes it as a process. in the primary group relations and community life of the various ethnic groups of the nation. It involves easy As regards the integration process of an individual, and fluid mixture of people of different social, Roy (1989:2) states; religious and nationality backgrounds in various walks "Inteyration, as a subjective and individual process. of life. like social cliques, famiiies, organizations and involves attitudinal changes and the removal of fears, hatreds. intimate friendship". suspicions, sterotypes and superstitions. Intergration involves Integration prevails in those societies, Where tensions problems of personal choice, personal readiness, and personal and conflicts do not prevail. It is both a process as well as an stability. Its achievement necessarily requires a longer period of end product. Thus it can be said that integration is the main time. It can't come about over night. it requires education and point in the society to reduce both tension and conflict. The deals poignantly with the problems of changing men's hearts and minds". question arises around what the societies should be integrated. In this Angel asserts that the "Common Values and Welfare" is Hark Gurung in his article Socia-economic Dimension of the key thing to achieve integration in the society, N,tion,llnregrerion asserts:
70 71 "National integration is a political idea and an ideaL Functional integration Is based on division 0/ laboul It implies a national state where citizens have full right without among a number of social actors. any form of segregation". He further makes distinction of two Employing the concept of "The Norms of Reciprocity". kind of integration socia-cultural dimension and economic Gouldner opines that social actors are obliged to return benefits dimension. to those from whom they have previously received benelits. Some argue that national integration comprises of The exchange relationship provides minimal ground for confi ,tate building and nation building. The former occurs at the dence and promote a willingness to initiate action. It is time the political elite create new structures and organizations universal; it provides a potential foundation for complementary aimed at penetrating the society in order to regulate behaviour elationship; and it is a process of creating unified social in it and draw a larger volume of resources from it, whereas the rganization. laller focuses on the cultural aspects of political development. According to Merton, manifest functions contribute to It refers to the process whereby people transfer their he adjustment of the system which are intended or recognized commillments and loyality from .smaller tribes, village, smell participants In the system". communities to the larger central political system. Landeckar argues that integration is not unidimensional 2. Theoretical Framework: co cept. It is rather a multi· dimensional one. Because of its mu i-dimensionality, it has been divided into four types of A nation can't survive, even a trivial CrlS'S without some degree of integration. Auguste Comte, the father of int ration cultural integration (consistency among cultural stan ards), normative integration (the society's values are sociology, expresses his opinion that consensus univofsslis is the foundation of solidarity or cohesion, which is used to insti tionalized in sttuctural elements of the social system), analyze social order of coexistence (social statis) and social com nicative integration (use of mass media in achieving conse us) and functional integration (mutual interdependence progress (social dynamics) in any society. among he units of a system of division of labour). Durkheim employs the concept of social solidarity to n sum, national integration is the process whereby analyze the society namely (1) mechanical solidarity and (2) people a particular nation are linked together by a force- -be ')'gal ic solidarity It is through these concepts the different that valu or func!ion- 'so that resources are made available or comoonents of society are bound together to maintain social accessibl a all the people, regardless of their status in the unity and cohesion. social hier chy. It is a constellation of social values, norms, socialorga sations and institutions. It is a conditiOn. a state Talcoll Persons suggests two theories 01 social integration. One is the theory of normative integration and the 01 affair to b achieved by the process of unification. other is the theory of functional integration. Normative inte No ciety can be completely homogeneous in nature. g,ation is based on common values shared by a population. In Its parts and mponent. are never similiar. In other words, a order to preserve these values and allain COmmon goals, heterogeneous party make up the society. A process called organizations are infused with these values and operate in integration is n ded to bind them together. The process is a accordance with accepted norms. Inter-group and ter-ethnic activity.
72 73 t Statement of the Problem: I, What is the socio'historical situation at whish national integration process has been taking place in Nepal Naturally, Nepal known as the abode of tranquility and especially after the unification campaign initiated by serenity situated at the southern fOOlhilis of the snow,tipped mountains is wedged between India in South and China in Ptithvi Narayan Shah? North. Because of its undulated terrain spreading toward the 2, How is national integration perceived by Nepali people? And what are its political, social, economIc South from the Himalayas, it has housed several zones ecolo gically different from each other and people culturally and psychological dimensions? heterogeneous and ethnically diversified. In the ocean 0 3. What kind of problems are related to national integra· diversification lies the dearth of resources. where one grou tion and how can we create a conflict free situation in comm3nds more of it than others resulting in an unequ Nepal 7 distribution of power, prestige and wealth, consequently, 0 4. What is a Nepali culture around which heterogeneous group supPresses the other for the sake of controlling the e groups of people can be integrated into a single whole resources. Thus there are always conflicts and tensions in t e Nepali culture 7 society Because the group is enjoying the privilege at the c st s. How can we assimilate them into a wholeness both of others. The dissati.sfaction of the under' privileged group as normatively (culture, values and norms) and functionally been heightened by many factors II) the general aware ss (interdependence) ? brought about by education among the people, (2) mobilit due to regular and systematic development of transportation sy em, and (3) incidence of ethnic violence, war and crisis in outh Methods Asian countries, where a number of ethnic wars hav been taking place simultaneously for the identity of their ow ethnic 4. Sources of Information: groups. This situation has further been aggravated by terna Primarily, data and information used in the study were tionaI incidence on ethnic problems. The above facto coupled with effective mass communication has played an portant collected from three different sources: role in stimulating ethnic crisis in the region. Becau of these (I) Key informants at the micro level. circumstances happening at the global level, Ne I has not (ij) Individual respondents at two dillerent villages remained unaffecled in this regard as it is a countr of hetero - representing Terai and Hill regions, and geneous ethnic group of individuals, (iiI) Case studies of two internal organizations (Nepal Langhali Sangh of the Magars and Tamu Baudha Sewa In order to find out the ways of new st ngthening in Samiti of the Gurungs). the country it is necessary to understand t e meaning of 5. findinge: integration as perceived by the people both at he micro-level Socio - historicsl conlexl ollnlegrslion in Nepsl as well as macro-level and document the proc ses of national A. integration prevailing in the country, Th' addresses the The territorial unification of Nepal had started some two hundred years ago at the time King Prithvi Narayan Shah, following questions. 75 74 was the ruling monarch of the mini-kingdom of Gorkha. He conquered and unified various small scattered mini-kingdoms Ths notion of "one nation and one nationality" has into one big kingdom now called the kingdom of Nepal. His also equally penetrated deep into minds and souls of Nepali greatness lies in the fact that even after conquering all these paople which in turn has helped revive the already diminisning Icingdoms, he never named the new country after his home feeling of national integration in Nepal. country, Gorkha. Rather, he chose to name it Nepal and he made the valley of Kathmandu as the capital city of his new Nepali language as the national language and Hindu kingdom. His quotation on Nepal such as "thl Gardenof four religion as the state religion have been adopted. to a great varnas,ndthirty six castes" was his pious and far'sighted intention extent towards the integration of various societies into a whole / to keep all the people within the umbrella of larger Nepali society. called Nepali society. However the higways and nalion-state. airservices. the establishment of communication networks. and Nepalization on school curriculum have no less been important It is said that Nepali culture is not an unique culture. in the integration of its mutifarious culture into a one whole Rather. it is the mixture or blending of Arya and Hindu cultures. culture called Nepali culture. The division of the whole country Because of the fear of Muslim invasion even in Nepal. the into five different development regions and fourt.een zon.es has different cultures got united or acculturated in Nepal and helped integtate the people of different ec?loglc~1regions as emanated as Nepali culture. This culture is the conglomeration well a9 cultures into a single culture. natIonal lIfe culture of of mountainous. Himali. Hilly and Terai cultures. Nepal. The periodic war with the British in India had sown a Last but not the least. the feeling that Nepal is e one seed of patriotism in Nepali people to feel emotionally attached nation and Nepali a one J,ti. conglomeration of various varnas. with Nepal and Nepali culture. The Rana regime. despite its castes (occupational group and cultures) has prevailed ~no~r tight control over the ru Ie of Nepali people to keep them away society for quite sometime. As long as this feeling pers~stsIn from modernization. has been able to maintain the feeling of the hearts, minds and souls of Nepali people, the feeh~gof national integrity on Nepali people. The recruitment of Nepali nationalism. and the strong desire to achieve the goal of natIonal people, especially from hill region of Nepal. to the Gurkha army integration will always be in Nepali people. cUlt~reand .then in India and the Great Britain has also instilled in these people society. Our observation suggests to the fact th~tnatIonal the feeling of "Nepal is our country and we are Nepali". integration is the lOyality of Nepali people to the natIon. where people of different social characteristics can ~:vetoget.her. In As a result. the movement of Jaystom Sanskrit,m initiated harmony with a stong feeling of • togetherness and so"~ant~. by a major party did bring out some programs for Nepali people In it theY do develop the feeling of "oneness" and yet maintain to eradicate Untouchability, eating in a place by the people of th .' own cultural identity among various caste. language. all caste·groupings. ploughing the land by the Brahmines. etc_ re~~ionand ethniC groupings. This is a condition. ",:,here they develop the feeling of brotherhood among vanous caste The psychological feeling "country is the common shelter for survival and co-existence" has red the Nepali people groupings. to work together in harmony and maintain unity in diversity in National integration is the emotional unity of different the country. enthnic groups. irrespective of religion. language, dress, place of . h d't' where the residence. communities. etc. 1\ IS also t e con I Ion 76 77 feeling of "security" prevails among them and extends mutual that prevail widely are primarily emanated 01 Hindu caste respect to each other's language, culture, religion, tradition and hierarchy adopted in the country. Their cultural differences can way of life and has rendered equal status in the society, Some be minimized when their functional interdependency can be key- informants even suggested the point that the national enhanced in the social system. This can be accomplished only integration in Nepal implies the rejuvination of the notion of upon the implementation and coordination of relationships "Sabai Jatko PllUlba,;" and stren'ghthen this idea in the country, among the people of different social backgrounds such as caste, 1, Politicil Dimension religion, language, ethnic group, occupation, class, etc. and this coordination should be based on the principles of equality Politically, national integration is the condition ofsharing and non-descriminated policy, practice and behaviours. In a power by people of different strata at the state affairs, where straight sense, there should be no descrimination against any the state attempts to create a congenial atmosphere in order to individual on the basis of caste, sex, religion, ethnic groups, secure people's genuine participation and their involvement etc. The untouchability that is deeply rooted in Nepali society voluntarily and spontaneously. People from different walks of be eradicated socially. Its elimination by legal provision has life have their fair representation attM House where decision been p'roved quite ineffective and inefficient in our culture a.nd that affects the people are made jointly; parliamentary debates identity of all caste, ethnic grpups and religion should be main are carried out in a democratic manner; voices of minorit'y are tained as charted out in the Malaki Ain of the country. In this way heard and the minority is given due respect so as to secure their only harmony among people can be brought out and uniformity full participation in the state affairs and policies are formulated accomplished. In order to achieve all these points mentioned to maat their demsnds, interests and needs. Policies are formul above, it is necessary to create an environment of judiciary ated to secure the p'rticipation of the depressed and downtro equity where everybody will be equal to law. dden segment of the society in administration, civil service, 3. Economic Dimension army and police so that people's significant participation can be secured to mobilize national resources wiselyforpeople'sbenefits The distribution of wealth and income is one indicator in the country. The state should provide a forum where people of meesuring economic equality in the country. The indicator of different ideological backgrounds can be accomodated in the such as minimum basic income (MBI) indicetes that 42.5 percent process-of decision making activities through mutual interaction of the total population is below poverty line. Without eradicating and sharing Of experiences on a regular basis. It was also this povertY, it is difficult to raise the living standard of the suggested that the state should have a uniform system to provide people in the country. There still lacks.the coordinated plan to opportunities to the people, and recruit people in the state use the local resources. skills and sources. And people have not system in such a way that the people from backward caste and been able to tap the opportunities that are available around them due to reasons such as ignorance, lack of skills, primitive ethnic groups can also enjoy the benefits of the state-run welfare programs. technology, etc. The specialized skills of the terai people, coupled with hard work and bravity and enterprising capability of the 2. Socii1Dimension mountain residents should be merged skillfully to bring in econo Nepal is a mosaic of different caste and ethnic groupings mic integration in the country so that a self-reliant development scattered all over the country vyhere cultural difference~ can be achieved to distribute benefits and fruits of develoment
78 79 to people - regardless of their economic and social status. A The similar sltuetlon pievails in police too. However 8 provision of uniform economic conditions and opportunities slightly improved situation can be seen in civil servi'ce, should be made available and a congenial environment should Thus there is a great under-representation of many ethnic be created so as to have access to these opportunities on the groups in these areas. basis of achieved qualities such as educational qualifications, !l, Descrimination Ag.inst C.ste: The biggest and most serious skills, including, backwardness and remoteness, problem faced by the nation is the question of untoucha 4. Psychological Dimanslon bility deeply rooted in our society from the time immemorial, Among the caste grouping, the touchable or higher caste National integration, from phychological perspective, people are more priVileged than the touchable ones It was is the feeling of unity developed in people and their emotional reported that the lower caste people who have been attachment to nation, In fact. it is the feeling of people, who exploited by higher caste people is the main causes of feel and develop the sense of unity and botherhood without any social problems in Nepal. interference and imposition from outside. This feeling is streng thened by the people especially at the time of crisis, when c, Monopolyof Nepalil.ngu.ge andHinduReligion: The philosophy sovereignty of a nation is endangered by external influence or of "one language, one country" has posed a serious threat cultural or political invasion. At this time, we need to develop to the survival of other languages spoken in various parts a feeling of "we are one". This feeling can not be raised of the country, without any massive program geared to enhance the feeling of nationalism. d. Thehighproportionof illite,acy: The extent of poverty, difficulty of transportation and unreliability of communication 2. Problems of Integretion as percBived by r.. pondBnts in Nepsl have exacerbeated the problem of exploitation in the The authors wanted to know the areas which have country, mainly the supression of lower caste and class potential problems as perceived by them. It was our observation groups by the privileged ones. Because of these that majority of their opinions were basically zeroed on the' constraints, the ex lent of exploitation and the pocket of questions of caste. religion, language and tradition, Some of poverty has distributed all country, the important problems reported by them are described below e. Intern.tional domin.tion end ideology have also been the in a nutshell. important variable th~thave played an important role in the a. Underrepresent.tion:The main problem lying before us is that integration of the country. their is no representation in army, civil service, police and Some of the areas suggested by key-informants to other semi-government sectors. It is said that Nepal is a reduce the problems related to ethnicity, language, caste, multi-ethnic country but it does not have a multi-ethnic religion, etc. are as follows: army. Ecologically, there is no representation from Terai region in the army, Those who are at the Royal Army are a. B.lance !tgional development: Economic prosperity of different at constable level only and virtually there are no officers ecological regions could solve the majority of the problems from these regions. Similarly, there are many caste faced by the country especially the problems of exploitation
groupings who have not had an access t<;>the Royal Army. through the utilization of local resources, skill and
89 81 manpower and distribution or national resources wisely I. Cllatlon of. Conflict-fill SfluaUln
and proportionately. ~shas bee~reported else where in the peper that the conflict and tension have arisen very recently in Nepal and The harmony betwaen religions could mlOlmlze the b. ere the functions of domination of one language. reI"Iglon and discrimination caused by the domination of one religion culture.•by another. Their exploitation end suppress .Ion have by the other. prevailed 10 the society to the extent that it has h d th '1' . reac e e c. Because of Nepali language as a national language. other b01 109 POlOt after which it may take different course af'action. languages spoken by minorities as their mother tongues Not only the domination of one caste by anothe th 'd I. rbtl u a so e have been paid either no attention or least attention and rap,•. acce erat,on of modernization process"has caused some thus totally overlooked by the majority. These languages ,nevltable. conflict and tension in the society Th e srtuatlon.. of can't be overlooked bec.use they are also the national conflict and tension can be uprooted by (il equaIt" reatment 0 f languages spoken by other segments of Nepali people All all caste, language,' ethnic groups. and religion,II (") deve Ioping . the langu.ges should be equally treated even though Nepali seIf-confidence, mutual trust good will a d 'f . T,psi (the use of Timi should be confjn~d.,nnfunl'lormflnf,g. of Is the official language adopted by the state as a national .. . ami y a ailS, language. only). elomlOat",g... ego-feeling of higher caste peopIe an d upgrad,ng ,nferoor complexity of down-trodde n peopIe. A"nd ,t Geographical constrains has played a prominent role to d. was also suggested that some kind of conscious strug 1 h Id create an inequality among the people as far the distribu' . d . g e s QU be carne. out 10 ord'er to raise awareness of peo I that t hey peso tion of resources are concerned in the country. The prioritY ca~.\Ive in harmony regardless of caste. sex, languages, should be accorded to these backward tribes and religion, etc. Also, it was observed that people should be downtrodden castes so that their fate. living standard can brought to gether not by compulsion but by persuation and be raised without bringing any struclliral changes in status voluntarily. For that sake, the informants were asked about the quo. The process of distribution could be further expedited mechanism of solving the conflict and tension in the society. by the application of decentralization principles and not the The responses as recorded by the author are presented below: centralized principles. e. The establishment a! a fully democralic political system e. The notion of. "one language. one religion, one culture" has where the minority should not be major beneficiary of th~ deaccelerated the process of integration in Nepal due to Its plans and programs. The target should always be the supression of other culture and languages, religion. etc. majority of the people from the middle and lower class, who This notion should be removed from the mind of decision are the silent majority of any society. makers and policy maker in order to strengthen the nation of Unity in Diversity in Nepal as it is a fertile garden for b. The formulation of a long term plans and programs should ,If. be developed right from the grass root level so as to avoid the gap between the rich and the poor end to enswre a f. The principle of equality should be practiced to ensure an equal and active p3lticipation of the people to achieve the wider participation of people from all social backgrounds from the very beginning of a planning procedure. . goal of reaching the beneficiaries.
83 d. c. e, f. g.
h.
\. 4, of
constitution political different preserve The A ethnic The struggle. go Massive Equality explain problem, with promptly. can people And However a be class should living concerned A as in The The domocratic
congenial
strong
rational
beyond
Neoal
well
constitutional
develop
The
coalition
notion abolished
a
the
establishment
coordination, standard
balanced
on
be
the
and organizations
and
melting
force party awareness
awareness as
they by
culture
principle
minimizing applied
this
policy
people
and of
forces.
environment and Homogeneity: good-Iaith,
upgrade
national preventing
of
should
"one
of should
boundary. of
by regional
crown. emphasizing
point
its
accelerating
the to and
into
the
restriction
of
religion,
program strengthening
exploitation-free accomplish providing
their
program not
people
be
01
role
levels
as
the
"get
guidslines
should
one, congress
conflict
good given
development.
regard be
they should
culture
of a
emergence
restricted
educated
language
below
sovereignty,
and
it
and democratically
01
national
should decentralized
will should
equal an
be
the
appears the
and
and
communally
be and
allowing
should
continuously
by opportunity
poverty
and
mission.
process
created brought
be tradition.
tension
status
il leftist society,
and
and the
of
be
integration
they
mutuality.
bound
to
ethnic
be
religious
people
get
culture" carried line.
to
be
could
of
would
to where
programming
developed
both motlvated
constructed into
grow
to
raising
organized"
easy
to integration
conscious
etc.
Once
problems,
all
closure.
be through
tackle
For
out process at torture,
like
people
should ellect.
to
those
made
more
local
they
any
the
say
lor'
to
to
it
e. d. c, b. theoretically a. raised f, perceived
below: implement
the Provision status values etc, level. dedicated Academy, representation mother Nep.l, existence Parliamentary level A languages government the that religion. The and nation. Some regardless Recognize religion formula
However
coordinating
hele
absence
whole
equality Muslims
sustain
in
This
rs
key-informants
to
of
by
appears
tongues.
socially.
order Hindu that
and not
but
class,
other
that should
of
to
majority Nepal
will to Nepali
our
Nepali
of
of
the pOSSible
other a is
upgrade
of should
binds
be
in
".rion, particular
democracy
Hindu
to
mother
diificult be occupation,
body to d~mocracy,
in the
opportunity
the key-informants process
included
TV,
be
society
as And a coordinate be
religions
all
of good country.
up made
caste,
an should educational
and
at not
The nation
politically
suggested
tongues
the
to
institutions
all
some the official
of
ethnic
favour
into
in
improve is
to
incentive
materialize
in
notion
etc.
the sex, should respondents integration the
the
whole
such
be
allow
should
Nepal.
various
a
of
groups
curriculum
homogeneous
too
integration
fundamental established
language
that a
institutions.
acceptable
are the ethnic
the
as
mother
be particular
nation
of
by
such to
Buddism. be
religion
t,aditional
provided
important and ethnic
it
briefly
the
one-language.
in
providing
continued
informed
practically.
group,
but
tongue
caste. upto
as
the
speaker into
of
at
but
religion
organizations force is
provide
one
Radio
Royal
to
country. the
high Christianity summarized the
an
one
norms
difficult
points
all language,
end
equitable
in
effective
of that of
to
nation,
central
school people
future.
due
Points
Nepal single Nepal
equal
unity other other
bring
and
one
the
85
In
to as
to II·
h. 5.
the Provision, where is doing, both here nation, culture cultures- an square of traditions, over of developed eX!'P'ple such country. followers Christian, to
86,
considered
various
.ave
uniqueness
Envision same accelerate
Allow
house. proportion their Allow
especially all Integratiln
in
material five
no
diversed
art,
kilometers
this
called
occured
a
Nepali
cultures evidences Nepali
of
dozen
Himali,
It
thing.
and
national
(iii) their tradition
Nepali.
Sikh, political
of
paper
a
customs,
is
religious to as
of
Nepali
the
encourage
of National
:
culture culture
several between
culture
own
be
well
in the
ethnic
Nepali
Jain. Hill Nepal, interchangeably. a
live process
(tibet-mongloid,
of
the
the
cultures
and
(j)
of
participation
cultural
culture
as
religious
nature
and
Nepeli
and
dresses,
harmony and the and
country. People's pillar
is
etc.)
religions non-material norms
groups
where customs.
culture
a the
inter-caste,
Terai. of
support
total
national
ethnic
mixed
have acculturation
network
representing
of
of
CUlture: live
terai
riots and
over
Thus caste
in arts,
It
people
national the
reflects
perception
culture,
of (Hindu, is
groups
They Nepal. livelihood. taken
together
In
values.
and life
40
an
peopla
Nepali
culture. Nepali population
the mixed
"
inter-communal other
for
dialects
are unity A
culture etc, in
war
place
where
the
make
communication
people
integration
in
all
Vitel
an
Buddhism,
considered
culture
in and in
have
words,
Nepal.
culture,
and where
(ii)
So
Nepali
three
diversity,
It
harmony. to
area
up
conglomeration have
are
in
is
Constitutional
Nepali hill NeceSiity make been
according
Indo-Aryan).
of
a the
is
spoken
of
it
they
been ecological
the
SANGAM
where people
an
thinking,
in
marriage
national
recorded which
one
a implies. Muslim, 1,46,000
culture
And
uniqua Nepal,
whole
single
in
used
have
and
and
the
the fOf
to
to
as
is
centuries tradition. popularly multi-cultural constitutional tho which feeling and hospitality interdependence
etc. these has to franchise, Nepal primary monarchy
explicity
aspirations constitute
Nation, educational and
the of
the the culture
harmony,
democratic been
publication,
is
(1990)
goals,
people of
people
goal Their Nepal
Politically,
what
The irrespective
"The
The
in known
nationalism,
and and
provided by
of the
parliamentary
and
th-e
rights.
Constitution
which
is
constitution
antire
ascriptive the monarchy
offering is in
conglomeration. is
multi people
groups Nation".
developed article
to practices of faith
of called
by an
Nepal.
provide
constitution
different
information,
the
the
the
Thus abode is ethnic
of party
in
by
of
the
2
Nepal's
religion, of
"Namaste",
name
respect
These the status,
kingdom
as pillars
of Nepal
the the
to
has
form
(1990) social,
fundamental of
system".
groups
the a
people,
caste be their
independence
source
basic
of a
guaranteed
rights constitution
being
nationallile
adopted Part
multi
of Nepali
to blending
of
provides race,
Nepali
and
explaining
groupings,
economic of
is
norms
national
own
each
of government,
who I
the
dresses
to
states.
united ethnic,
Nepal.
caste religion
unifying
law, culture.
equality,
law
name
by
others;
the
cultur.. belief, the have and
of
and
of
the
indigeneous
and
by
In
integration or
the
religious
of
of
the fundamental
multi,
of means
In acculturation the
force, and tribe, bond
state
order
integrity the nation political lived
Nepali
recognition Nepali freedom,
customs
term constitutional
Reciprocality,
other
kingdom
cultural lingual
of to
nation.
to functional
colletively
of
tolerance
here "nation"
has maintain common
process aChieve
people,
culture
words, way
justice
"adult
of
rights
press
been
and and
and
for
the
Its
87
of of of
is law and order in the country and provide basic human rights eommunally oriented to achieve their goal. ~omeeven arllU6 and welfare to the people of Nepal. that they are ethnocentric, too.
last but not the least, the Constitution (1990:17) To the response of our question, "are they dangerouS asserts "His Majesty is the symbol of the N~palesenation and to national integration ?" informants suggested that it is the unity of the Nepalese people... His Majesty is to nourish dangerous and threatening because they are always communally and protect Nepal". oriented in their goals and bring the feeling of communalism and regionalism. If allowed to grow, it will be like the cases of Emergence of Ethnic Organizations Sri lanka and India. It will be positive if it is established on the spirit of "Garden of all". The political awareness of Nepali people is reflected in the formation of new ethnic group organizations, that have To the question on "Ways to eliminate them", it was grown like anything during the last one and a half decades reported that only full-fledged democracy, multi-party and especially after the holding of referendum in Nepal in 1980. strong constitution could put ban on communal slogan and Since then more than two dozen ethnic organizations have publicity. communal feelings, etc. The party could help been reported to have been established mostly by people of neutralize this feeling. Some opined that ethnic organizations caste groups other than Brahmin and Kshetry. Some are purely should be discouraged as party can help voice their concerns based to promote and preserve their cultural heritage, whereas and grievances at the parliament. But parliament is no substitute other are primarily organization to advance the communal for non-governmental organizations and private volunteer feeling in the country. The former types of organizations are organizations in any country. complement to national integration, whereas the latter are dangerous to the stability of the country: the emergence of these Conclusion and Discussion organizations has caused many people raise their eye-brow as Some of the problems that our nation has faced are far as national integrity is concerned. Here, the researcher has attempted to collect some information about merits and demerits brieflY summarizad below. of these organization, their threat to national integrity and (I) Many ethnic organizations have emerged over the last means and ways to encougrage / discourage them in the present decades theSe organizations are primarily based on the context. principle of casteism and are intended to create communal It was reported to us that the formation of ethnic group conflict and tensions, Which are branded as communal organization raises the ethnic consciousness but their cast organizations. The emergence of such organizations is tell us about their rights (and less likely about their duties) very unfortunate to any country for its solidarilY. and develops the feeling that their society should be developed. integration, stability and survival spacifically to a country It will be helpful and positive for the particular caste groups like Nepal. It is estimated that there are presently as many provided they are free from politicization and have no support as fifteen different ethnic organizations in Nepal. Some from foreign powers. However, some informants suggested that have the purpose of preserving their culture and upgrade they are dangerous to the integration of the country as they their present lingual and ethnic status where as others always divide the ethnic groups. politicize them and are are purely formed on communal basis so as to raise their 89 88 (a) Policv l. (5)
90 (4) (3)
(2)
At A integration restrictions th ~~O~'~~fs free ;h~e~:~~~,~t:~r Rlcommendalions: mother from receiving bod and d'ff spe The over- T Pehr~ent Ethnhic
mot mlsreported of as t Buddism The tho co resources,
Awareness
,
grand e
the , .
em
elr
ns, the suppress
erent a a y res, "
k' d' declaration
soci.1
Politic81level movement 'd er way and 109
main ,spr~poort~onate for - ~e
°d
nation, ered
tongue
groups
program reported. p,opulation
er~nt ents ra,
caste tongue ,
centu equal N of JudIcIary
to
Coo
inequality in epa"
ch
hflstanoty by and national
are In alienate
to On
of
Nepal. a~ge
corners ,
and f1es, the the ~;~:~e:~o people
other treatment I .
Terai
dominate 's should have
the
of
causing 0
claim
's 'h N 1 not official
foil
has follower are
create tiS
integration, Indians oth ground
region
t
and 0 than
epa' representation
owers
of in that
at More
be
reported er bel,eved
been th
by
Muslim, army. d at the sam t~~ea~o~:::,~~le statistics the religious
0
those as re designed
as
h'
the
by
of that
,. 'g 0 t
seen Ig,ons
to h' e aCCess
COuntry f proporation a
h h
elr second
state, ,
under-representation
Hind
other CIVI
Voices
to
Hindu
. that serrous as
they speaking
Nepal
0 etc.
Proportion '/ of freedom as
from
' be to u,sm,
e t
in
service
0
Nepal they io religions class one including as
have
have
speaking
bring
state
the
the
above
W'th anguage unilateral
the
of problems
t,eatment take
lOUt of Nepali
enjoyed
been the cir mainstream
population Where and not legis/ative
awarness has
the has
/Zen
available
this
data such
Nepali' people rule
r:i:J:~ police
been
been
as as been
and any step 58 step
are
0
01 of of
of by
as
a
a 4
.
'
(b) (c)
(d)
(e)
2.
(a) (b)
about
etc The citizen nationalism power the The
class representation the from the
people voices Ethnic A culture, themselves taken that At
The mother at the Equal
and preserved facilitated all and -
quota
for
state the
communal
state the national backward principle
these country.
are remote according unique the
Hill
and mass
to of
consequently Soci.llevel
organizations
cost in
status
and tongues
language, at system communally
country, also
avoid the
civil,
or
caste representation
all by
at
of can body,
and characteristics
be mountainous of by
country. No tribes, shQuld
the maintaning grievances
of levels
other should marriages
army (even to
groups, engaged "Share
should
spoken inaccessible
be all allowing language
people,
the
A
tradition, grassroot
the
socially special languages, so instilled and
the should make
oriented ban
proportion
be
as
caste, and
The
and be
police in
political on
(marriage
in notion
women with to
given
~hould regularly
of intcr
a legislature.
granted
care" be etc, harmonY depressed level cultura atlention restrictions
intercaste
area, give
in Nepal provision in
ethnic
services
work
-
their encouraged
each
to
However people system, caste so of of
and
should
be
I
all
is
between
to
that practices
so their goals,
"caste" should of and and allowed
"Unity groups
caste,
religions
vice
mobility
on) in the
for and
equal
preserving
that
be
the
equality
the care constitution, every population
organizations
proportional
to
unprivileged
versa) adopted
even be
in and
a
and feeling followed
access country. to raise should
they should
practiced,
diversity" given should Terai
Nepali
advance
people
social
among
inter
which their
their
can by of
to man
to at
be
be 91 be in The gap between the rich and the pOOl. Inequitable lNill help mix the population with each other. theIr (el distribution of resources among these ecological zones offspring wi II be both socially as well as biologically adoptive to the heterogeneous conditio" of the country. should be removed by allowing balanced regional development as well as providing equal access to t~e This could be an one stage ahead towards the process of people regardless of their heterogeneous social Nepalization in the country. backgrounds and status. (c) The migration of hill people to the South has occurred in evel the country for some time even upto the extent of 4. At the f'sYchologicell transmigration due to action of pull factors (economic The state should create a situation where people are opportunities) in Terai end push factors (hardships. free from exploitation. feel secured and have faith in the system natural calamities etc). in the hills and mountains. The designed for them and create an environment where pe,ople can continuation of the trend may cause similar problems by trust each other and reciprocality can prevail in the socIety. people in hills and mountains. even in Terai. This is just 5. In order to ac'1ieve all these points mentioned above, it i~ one way of human traffic among three ecological zones. necessary for the state (government) to develop a b,roa This trend needs to be reversed back by developing and comprehensive plan covering all aspects of national pilgrimages tourisms, industries and uses of water integration in the country. It should be both ~ongas well resources. establishment of universities and technical as short' term in nature. specifically fOCUSSing on the institutes in the hills and mountains so that two-way areas which include; traffic of people take place from these ecological zones. This will allow blending of people. cultures. customs. ( j) Provision of research on all mother tongues by the etc and save the fertile land of Terai from heavy pressures Royal Academy for their preservation and on agricultural land. promotion
(d) The constitution laws and texts books should be ( Ii) News and cultural programs of all mother tongues published in other national languages. from Radio and TV.
( iii) Constitution. Acts a~dLaws should be written in all 3. At thl Economic level languages. (iv) Use of major language's in the court / legislative (a) The living standard of the people who are below absolute poverty line should be raised by raising their and offices percapita income and providing productive employment ( v) Inclusion of mother tongues as an optional opportunities to them. language.
(b) The programs such as income generation activities (vi) Quota system of opportunities to all ethnic providing opportunity etc should be developed so as to groups, eradicate poverly, both absolute as well as relative, from (vii) Equality in political participation by all caste and the society. class,
92 93 , , . H k B 1980. Soclo·economlc Dimension of •• tion.' (viii) Exact record of languages. caste. and thllt Gurung, at a ., . n olitical Dev. Integrelion:a paper Presented at the Seminar 0 P distribution, end Social Change in Nepal. ( ix) Making awareness programs across the country. . B 1980 Soci.1 Dimensions of Nalion.1 Integ"tion in Gurung, Harke., . Lastlv, the feeling of Nepalism can not be allained Nepal. The Motherland July 14, Kathmandu. simply by wearing Nepali Oauraand Surwal and a C,p. Nor can it Rand PK 1989, PolitiClI Process Manendhar and Ama tya, T be allained just by having a state religion and national .• ..'. .nd NationalIntegrationin Nepat. Rolamba, April - Jur.e. language in the country. Nepal is the country of heterogeneous 1968 TheProcessof Sociat Inregration. New Delhi: groups of people, where unity prevails in diversity. The Olsen, M. E.. . mandatory use of "one language, one nation ...... " is a biased Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. policy which blend traditional cultural difference can't the and NationBuildingin Nep./: A Case Study of the Pdst Poud I A. R.. . Ph D Dept of the people. And a condition of mutual trust, hate and love e. . . d (1950 - 81) Unpublished TheSIS . can't be allained until the total culture of Nepali people can be Revolution PeTlo .. amal-gamated into one called the national life culture of Nepal. of Political Sciences, T. U.• Kirtipur. IfrbanizarionOccupation.1Mobility.ndSocl.1 We believe that effolts should be geared toward that direction. Range Rao A,·VP 1989 , , d · 'A Case Study of Scheduled Castes Deep. an Deep. Inregrer'a., publication. References R 1987 EthnicityandNetionallnregrationin Nepal: A Sharma, Pt' f"proble~Indian Journal of Nepalese Studies. Angell Robert C.. 1941. The Integration of Americ,n Socieries. statemen 0 . New York: New Magraw Hill July - Dec. No.1 Vol. I.
Angell Robett C., 1951. The Morallntegration of AmericanCities. 1"he American Journal Sociology. Vol. Lvii No.1 in two parts, Part 2 * Ghurye, G. S., 1968. Social Tensionin India. Bombay, Popular Prakashan
D'Souza, V. S., 1977. Inequalityand SocialIntegrationin an Industrial Community.Simla, Indian Institute of Advance Study. Etzion, Amitai, 1965. Politicallfnification, New York Holt. Rinhart C Winston (As quoted in S. L. Doshi, Process of Tribal Unification and integration Concept Publishing Company, Delhi 1968) .
Gaige. F. H., 1965. Regionalismand Nationel Ifnity in Nepel, Vikas Publishing House Pvt, 9S 94 .