‘Today’s fight is against poverty’

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 8: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati has said that the nation’s present fight is with poverty. 

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 36th establishment day of Kirat Rai Yayokkha, a social organisation of the Rai people on Monday, he expressed his belief that the country needed to tackle poverty and for this, a government of national consensus was imperative.

“Let no party remain in the opposition for the next 10 years,” he said. 

“But, we currently have a situation where one side has chosen to obstruct the parliament while the government has launched a crusade against corruption,” Minister Kirati lamented.

The Minister also highlighted his own efforts to preserve and promote Kirati culture and spoke about the glorious roots the Kirati and Rai people had. He also expressed his continued opposition to the name ‘Koshi’ that Province 1 has been given.

On the occasion, the Kirat Rai Yayokkha honoured several Rai personalities and celebrated their achievements and successes. Among those honoured were singer Rajesh Payal Rai who also objected to the province name.

He urged the provincial and federal authorities to heed the voices being raised against the name and cautioned that ignoring them would bring serious consequences.

Singer Rai also expressed dissatisfaction with those who called or would call him ethnocentric or identity-favouring. “Can I not call myself Rai? Can I not promote my Kirat identity?”

He further asked the Kirat community to take the initiative in preserving their language and accept Kirati media, including songs and music, too.

Other Yayokkha officials who spoke on the occasion also voiced their displeasure with the name ‘Koshi’ and asked the government to change it to reflect the region’s Kirati historicity and populace.