Dear Mark and Members of BNAC,
Namaste and greetings for the coming festival of Tihar and Dipawali.
I am new to this list. Only a few people in this list know me. Other's might have heard of me or seen my name under various articles here and there over the years. For the bulk of my life, I have been a journalist working for some major news networks from around the world.
I started my career as a Science Communicator at the then Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST, now NSA or Nepal Science Academy) for ten years. In 1992, I did a year-long course on journalism in France, following which I have been a full time freelance journalist/fixer/television production coordinator and correspondent for a number of print, television and radio network from across the globe. Those of you who were writing for or reading HIMAL from its inception days may have seen my name and my articles in it!
Recently, I have joined for PhD degree in the University of Reading from October 2010. My field of study is Nepalis Diaspora and Development. I have registered as a self funded student because of my interest but I plan to look for funds to support my research. I am writing to BNAC list because it is a hub, a repository of knowledge and information of scholars/specialists specialising in the issues relating to Nepal. I would be enormously grateful for any advise/tips on any aspects of the research that you may consider would be for me. May I also request you all for any information on journal articles/books that would make useful reading for my research work?
Respecting other member's personal space and interests, may I request you all to please write directly to me. After this generic email I will also limit myself to writing or replying directly only to those of you who wish to communicate with me directly.
A bit of information about myself. In 2003, I moved to the UK with my wife and two sons. In the UK, I have been involved in diaspora volunteering for the last three and half years. In the beginning I volunteered with the Connect for Change (CfC), a British Asian charitable organisation. As Deputy Director of CfC, I developed Nepalis Diaspora Volunteering Pogramme (NDVP) with support from VSO. We managed to send over 40 volunteers to Nepal in two years between 2008 and 2009. This year we are planning to send around 15 volunteers. Our programme being a diaspora volunteering programme we have been recruiting Nepalis doctors, nurses, teachers and community development experts to organise training programme in Nepal.
We were able to organise a three day training programme on geriatrics to Nepalis doctors, social carers and members of non-profit organisations working for the senior citizens of Nepal, the first of its kind ever organised in Nepal. We organise 3 such training programmes in Kathmandu, Biratnagar and in Nepalganj. We have trained nearly 100 doctors and nurses, over 100 social carers on health care aspects related to old age. We have organised and we continue to organise training programme for people working in the mental health sector. We have partners in Nepal through which we work on the needs felt by them and their local beneficiaries.
I am glad to report that a number of new initiatives have now started in Nepal following these training programmes from our Nepalis professionals. Patan Hospital is going to establish first ever Geriatric Ward/Department. The Government has now allocated specific budget to support this sector. Sanjal- the Federation of Organisations of Senior Citizens in Nepal continue to organise training and sensitise the government as regards to the policies relating to the senior citizens.
All this work done thanks to our professional volunteers recruited in the UK and commitment of our partners in Nepal. My direct involvement in the programme made me understand the enormous strength of diaspora community and their growing influence. It is this exposure to the strength of the diaspora community that encouraged me to seek more knowledge to establish best possible ways to entice the growing Nepalis diaspora community to contribute to the development of Nepal. I started to search for academic publications written on the immigration of Nepalis people and formation of diaspora community in the UK/Europe, the US, Australia or Canada. I haven't found much scholarly publication on this subject. My interest is to find (please feel free to give your suggestions) and recommend best possible ways to exploit the growing social/human capital of Nepal, the growth of high calibre Nepalis professionals in these countries for the development of Nepal.
I know that I have signed up for a formidable task. Any guidance and support that any one of you could offer would be highly welcome.
I am planning to leave for Kathmandu on 8th November. I will be happy to take the hard-disc or any other small items for your projects in Nepal. Here is my address:
Himalayan House
6 Canford Drive
Addlestone
Surrey KT15 2HL
Tel: 07805196172 (Mobile)
Landline - 01932 567659
With best wishes and regards,
Prakash
