PROGRESS IN REPRODUCTIVE, MATERNAL HEALTH IN NEPAL HAILED

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEADERS HAIL PROGRESS IN REPRODUCTIVE AND MATERNAL HEALTH IN NEPAL

Kathmandu, 22 Sept.: The heads of the US and UK government aid programs have recognized that efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Nepal offer potentially “game changing” lessons in the fight against international poverty, US Embassy said.

At a high-profile event on September 21 during the UN General Assembly in New York, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, and Mr. Andrew Mitchell, UK Secretary of State for International Development, highlighted the innovative policies and programs to improve reproductive and maternal health in Nepal as bringing about a significant step toward achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The event – MDG Countdown: Successes and Innovations – examined the successes and the potential for expansion in other countries. Nepal’s achievements to date stem from the constitutional recognition of health as citizens’ rights, scale-up of effective reproductive and maternal health services, and innovative policies to remove financial barriers to utilize them. Dr. Sudha Sharma, Secretary of Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), presented Nepal’s case at the MDG Countdown event.

UK Secretary of State for International Development, Mr. Mitchell, said, “These efforts are making a real difference toward reducing poverty. We want to hold it up to the world, so others can learn from these successes. It demonstrates that development buys results – it shows that through innovations we can deliver inspirational change to people’s lives.”

USAID Administrator Dr. Shah remarked, “To meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, we must work more effectively and efficiently to deliver meaningful results for the people we serve. By working directly with country governments and local partners, we can increase transparency and support more innovative policies and interventions with the potential to transform development.”

The MDGs consist of internationally agreed targets to reduce global poverty by 2015. As the international community counts down to 2015, the US and UK remain committed to inspire action by celebrating successes and innovations across the MDGs. As the first of the MDG Countdown series, the event highlighted programs, policies and partnerships from Nepal, Brazil, Ethiopia, Gambia, Peru, Vietnam, and Zambia.
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OPINION

ONE NEPALI REGRETS LEAVING HOME FOR USA





Kathmandu, 22 Sept.: Shailesh Shrestha was struggling to establish himself as a successful actor in both silver and small screens before he flew to the USA in the hope of getting a better life. Today, twelve years after he landed in the US, Shrestha regrets his decision to leave for America quitting his budding career of an actor in Nepal, Bishnu Gautam writes in The Rising Nepal. .
"A strong critic of ‘lahure culture’ 12 years back in Nepal, I now find myself no different from a lahure in New York of the USA," he recently told this scribe over the phone. "I feel like a lahure (Nepalese man serving in British and Indian armies). I have also lost my identity in this alien land."
Shrestha who had done three NTV serials—Janaiko Sancho, Mriga Trishna and Sapana Shakti - and plays like Bina Chahanako Mrityu of the Arohan Group before departing for the USA had never imagined that the entertainment sector would flourish like it is today in Nepal. He has also played in Balidan, one of the box-office hits of early 1990s.
"Today I can only envy the progress made by my contemporary actors and others in Nepal," he said. "Had we been living in Nepal, we would have become capable enough to ride new cars every year."
His wife Anjana Subba had done the lead role in Balidan. She had also done over 50 dramas and four TV serials. Today, both of them think destined to be cheated as they missed the chance of becoming successful actors at home.
Though Shrestha realizes that their 12 years’ stay in the USA was a mere wastage of time, he is not disappointed much and is trying to make a comeback in acting. Recently he did two documentaries—Faceless produced by dedal Films, Switzerland and "In good faith: Stories of Hope and Resilience" produced by ASMA Society, New York, USA. Both the documentaries are now being edited.
Faceless is directed by Tristan Albrecht and Shrestha has played the role of a Mexican Immigrant (migrant worker) who survived the 9/11 attack in it. He is highly hopeful that his documentary would make him popular in the USA and elsewhere. "There is really a great chance to have another opportunity to work with dedal films and its director Albrecht," he said.
However, Shrestha had to struggle hard to get the opportunities to do the documentaries. He improved his language and participated in training and workshops related to acting and filmmaking. According to him, language was the biggest barrier for the Nepali migrants in the USA. He also built rapport with the film production companies and distributors. A member of American Theater Group ‘The Aching Dogs Theater’, he has also been taking part in their regular workshops. He has completed the advance course for acting career from School for Film and Television, New York. As an activist advocating for the rights of the restaurant workers and an anchor of the musical, cultural and other programmes organized by the Nepali community, he has also earned a good name in New York. He was one of the lading figures in the rally organized by the migrant Nepalese in Washington DC in 2004 against the Royal takeover in Nepal.
Preparing these bases required to make a comeback in his previous career, Shrestha has shown courage to give up his ‘lahure style life’ and work as a freelance actor and announcer. "I am doing a coordinated work with the production companies and directors to distribute and promote their films and documentaries. It could be a partial source of income to survive as a freelance actor/announcer," he said.
He has been a big support to the Nepali producers and directors to promote their movies in the USA. "Now I am negotiating/dealing with director Shailesh Acharya for his new movie "Khagrash", Deepak Rauniyar`s much talked about "Highway" and Nabin Subba`s "Good Bye Kathmandu", he said.
He said he earlier helped in promoting and screening Balidan, Je Bho Ramro Bho and Numafung in the US cities.
Shrestha is not the only Nepali actor to reach USA in search of better life. Actors Saroj Khanal, Ramesh Uprety, Puja Chand, Saranga Shrestha and others have been living in USA quitting their career in films in Nepal. Recently actress Gauri Malla has also reached there.
According to Shrestha, all of them are living a life of lahures to meet their needs. However, Shrestha finds him luckier than other actors of Nepali filmdom staying in the USA in the sense that he has somehow succeeded to resume his previous career.
"Although I had not reached the height of Khanal and Malla in Nepal, I have been able to make a gradual comeback in the silver screen here whereas they are still living a life of lahure," he said.
Affiliated to various organizations in the USA, Shrestha was conferred with "Jewel of the Community Award" in 2006.
This was his first international level recognition award given by human rights group of India, USA. He was one of the five recipients of the award from South Asia.
He received "Recognition Award" from International Nepali Literary Society, New York Chapter and "Felicitation Letter" from Public Relations Committee, USA in 2008.
Last year, he was presented "ANFS Distinguished Service Award" by America Nepal Friendship Society NY, USA.
Let’s hope Shrestha will succeed in his comeback endeavour.
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