Humble Nepalese initiative turns into a role model
In his first speech as prime minister on radicalization and the causes of terrorism, David Cameron criticized ‘state multiculturalism. He backs a policy of ‘muscular liberalism’ to enforce the values of equality.
Muslims remain in the eye of storm like some other countries of Europe. In the words of Conservative co-chairperson Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and first Muslim cabinet member in the UK, Islamophobia has ‘passed the dinner-table test’ and become socially acceptable.
Not just the Muslims but other immigrant nations with non-European culture and lifestyles too face difficulties in assimilating with the British culture. Nepalese immigrants are known for their low-profile existence but challenges of integration in their found home have changed their profile.
Arjun Basnet is member of this small minority group in the United Kingdom, which numbers around 100,000 across the country. He founded Greater Reading Nepalese Community Association (GRNCA), London, with the aim to promote cross-cultural understanding through various activities including sports, religious events and festivals.
Basnet, recalling establishment of the GRNCA with a dozen of his colleagues, says: “Identity strikes first, so we decided to be united in the name of our own motherland - Nepal and formed Nepalese community a decade ago.”
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in the Himalayas bordering China and India. Many Nepalese do not distinguish between Hinduism and Buddhism and follow both religious traditions. The country has the world’s only national flag that is non-quadrilateral in shape.
When the GRNCA committee was formed, there were only a handful of people so that they could meet, eat and drink together in a house during festivals.
Within a few years’ time, the association membership grew to over 5,000 in Reading area, which is a complex multi-cultural community mainly comprising Indians, Pakistanis, Nepalese, Afro-Caribbean and Polish.
Through the platform, the Nepalese community in Greater Reading area, also provides volunteer help and conducts research on lifestyle, social behavior and political leanings.
Basnet says, “Integration of Nepalese community in the British system for overall improvements of lifestyles in the Greater Reading area is our main objective.”
The humble initiative now has spread to Reading Borough Council, Wokingham District and West Berkshire District Council where over 5,000 people of the community attend the progammes.
Members of other religious beliefs say the efforts of Basnet are very significant in understanding and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Hamja Khan, a local Muslim of Pakistani origin, says: “Contribution of Basnet is immense as we have been able to understand and engage with Nepalese community.”
George Osborne, another devout Christian of British origin, explains that the multi-religious and multi-cultural community has been living in harmony and mutual understanding. “The people here are role models for the other immigrant groups from across the world.”
Starting from one room operation, the community organized functions in mosques, churches, temples and Gurdwara to enhance understanding of each others’ culture.
Though small Nepal is a multicultural society with more than 60 ethnic communities living side by side following different cultures, religions and tradition and speaks dozens of different languages.
In the UK, the identity of all these groups is one – Nepalese community – irrespective of religions, culture, caste or creed back home.
People across the Britain participate in the football tournament of organized under the auspices of GNRCA regularly for the last three years.
“Finding it essential to start dialogue, interaction and understanding, we though it inevitable to be united first then we can get our identity,” says Basnet.
After the regular programme, people started to celebrate their festivals like Dashain, the biggest Hindu festival which is the national festival of Nepal; Diwali, the festival of lights; and Teej, women’s festival which advocates for equal rights of women.
“I thought that all people celebrate Eid but after seeing some Nepalese festivals, I knew there are other religious groups in our area,” said Mohammed Ekwal, a student living in Reading area.
The community invites local officials and people of other communities to their programs so that there is more interactions, networking, contacts and understanding.
In the past, people of other faiths did not welcome such festive fervor but now, the Nepalese community is invited to play in their houses, which clearly shows greater understanding among the people of different groups.
“We respect other religious beliefs as we are very liberal in this matter but people adopt mono-cultural lifestyles in the area also started to accept the reality- appreciate such activities.”
Meanwhile, Reading Borough Council has pledged 45,000 pound to the Nepalese community living in Reading for three linked projects, according to a report presented by Head of Policy, Performance and Community, Councilor Jeanette Skeats.
The amount will be used for individual advice sessions and information leaflets in the Nepali language, community coaching program to train Nepalese women, community advisor’s training program for young Nepalese people aged 18 to 30.
Under the plan, the grant will provide for the salary costs of a development worker for 15 hours per week and associated management and support costs.
While the Basent team tirelessly moves on with his mission, immigrants groups from other ethnic and religious background in Greater Reading area have been inspired by otherwise low-profile Nepalese people to initiate similar activities to break their isolation and become more inclusive.
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