 |
|
Casting Caste Away!
by PRAVAT J GURUNG & MALIN GURUNG
| FROM ISSUE # 158 (February 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
 |
|||
 |
REFER TO FRIEND |  |
PRINT THIS ARTICLE |
'Inclusive' is the new buzz word in Nepal these days but where are we really headed with the whole caste system? Headlines in the papers are proof enough that caste, creed and religion have developed into a political sword for the parties. But to the young minds, who live in a global village and are exposed to the international world, it really doesn't matter. The discussion clearly reflects that it wasn't an issue for them in the past and neither is it now. 
Participants:
Piyush Neupane, 19
Pauline Limbu, 22
Prerana Pakhrin, 18
Salin Neupane, 17
Suman Limbu, 24
Suman Magar, 20
How much do you think your caste defines the person you are?
Pauline: It really depends on how you are raised. If it is deep rooted in the family, then your caste really matters a lot. But for me it really doesn't matter. 
Suman M: I think so too. Many of us from this generation are pretty open minded but I cannot say the same about the society which is still very conservative.
Prerana: My caste really doesn't define who I am. The topic never came up and come to think of it now, it doesn't matter. 
Piyush: I won't deny that I don't realise my caste but it's not as in-your-face as it is with other. Like Pauline said we are raised in such a society that it automatically comes up.
Shalini: Even though we ignore the caste system the community and society doesn't, which is sad. We all have to change that.
Suman: I am who I am and my caste doesn't matter to me at all. It's high time we all changed for the better.
How culturally different do you think you are from your friends of other castes?
Piyush: There is really no difference when we are together having fun because everything is done with mutual understanding. But when someone enters someone else's house, you can clearly see the cultural difference which is fine, I guess.
Shalini: Some are really stubborn and follow their culture strictly without any modification. When someone is like that, then the differences just come out. We all have our own culture, so it's really not a problem.
Prerana: Exactly, I respect others' culture as well as mine. I don't see any difference in me and others culturally.
Suman: I don't know if its cultural difference but I find it really hard to mingle with the non-Mongolian castes. I just don't feel right but then that's just my point of view. Culturally, everyone is different and I respect that.
Suman M: When I go to a friend's place who is a Rai, they don't let me, or anyone else for that matter, enter the room where their deity is placed. I feel bad but then its culture and I respect that, so cultural difference is present.
Do you think there is any change in the way people think in these days of 'inclusiveness'?
Prerana: The idea is good but I think it is digressing people and making them more separated rather than doing any good.
Piyush: Exactly, the whole idea of providing a certain privilege just because you belong to a 'certain' caste group is wrong. Instead, we should arm them with better education.
Pauline: I disagree. Debate and dialogue is the only solution to problems. So, for me what's happening is good.
Suman M: It's good because it makes people more aware of their rights.
Shalini: One thing is for sure, this idea has definitely changed peoples' mindset. Now they've become more vocal and in turn more violent too.
What do you think of inter-cultural/caste marriages?
Shalini: I have no problem with it at all. The world is literally a global village and such marriages can be a learning process of each other's culture. Although my parents are of the same caste my grandmother was a Jung Thapa.
Suman: It's good. My parents had an inter-cast marriage and so did I. My mom is a Rai but my father is a Limbu. Mine is an inter-religion marriage, my wife is a Hindu and I am a Christian. It all brews up to a steady, fruitful concoction.
Piyush: The parents are happy, the children are more intelligent – what's there not to like about it?
Suman M: I feel lucky to have been born to such a family. I enjoy both the Rai and Magar culture immensely.
Pauline: My mother is a Rai but my father is a Limbu. I turned out fine so I have no problem with such marriages.
Did it have any effect on your up bringing, any perks or disadvantages as such?
Pauline: It makes you live your life on the surface, meaning that you cannot truly be of a certain caste.
Prerana: Not exactly. I like the fact that I can pick and choose the best of both the cultures but I regret not learning Tamang language because we don't speak in our native language. That might be one disadvantage.
Suman: No problems as such at all, besides how can anyone forget the food?
Piyush: Not that I can think of.
Shalini: Both of my parents are educated, therefore I didn't have any problems in my upbringing.
Why do you think the topic (inter-caste marriages) is of such a fuss?
Pauline: It's because we are bought up that way. It's injected in us by society.
Piyush: Exactly, no matter how liberal your thoughts maybe, you cannot help but to raise eyebrows in such cases.
Suman M: That's why education is such an important tool.
Suman: It's a pity that inter-caste marriages are even a topic today. This reflects clearly why we lag far behind in the global race.
Do you think it's true that kids born from parents who are of different castes are comparatively brainier and good looking?
Piyush: Lets not generalise but I think it's true.
Shalini: It is scientifically proven that different genes make up a good hybrid, so I guess it is true.
Suman M: I think it happens in only few rare cases. What if the parents themselves are very ugly?
Pauline: I don't know about looks but their intelligence certainly gets a boost because of the more liberal views that they are introduced to.