Conservation of Tamagi

Date: 16 August 2009

Dear Tamagithemai,

Greetings from Norway!

It was a wonderful time in London for me and my wife Inga, being able to participate in the Tamagi Vela 2009. Thanks again for the organising committee for making a successful gatherings event.

Coming back to the issue on “Conservation of Tamagi” which we all have been discussing/exchanging various ideas and views through various ways during the last 5-6 months and also the issue of raising funds for such purposes. I am elaborating some thoughts/suggestions through this letter so that our vibrations on such important issues do not just disappear from us. I do hope that the Tamagi Samaj in UK takes initiative in pushing these ideas ahead by distributing/sharing thoughts and by making it gradually more concrete into action.

I have tried to describe my thoughts/suggestions by writing it concretely. I would particularly request to Rachha Soaltee in making this letter available in paper to Karna Bahadur Mama, Ghan Bahadur dai, VDC chairperson Bhakta Bahadurji, Ram Kaji so that they get access to it and understand fully about the contents of this letter. This is because and to my mind these are the people who are really committed in conserving Tamagi through different angles and capacity. It does not matter in which part of the world these gentlemen are living and which political party they belong to. Unfortunately, we lost Dhan bahadur, who of course was one of the genuine persons for conserving Tamagi.  Their concerns and worries are genuine. These are the people, who have been running hither and thither to protect our rights like water rights, jungle rights and cultural rights by taking initiative in contacting with the neighbouring villages, district authorities and many more.   Such works are very time and energy consuming but extremely important and particularly in the context of Nepal.  If no one raises hands on behalf of Tamagi then Tamagi will disappear from us. Tamagi has always been a very rich and strong in its natural property, leadership and in knowledge in guiding the local society. The dynamism of Tamagi in the Kaski district of Nepal is very special.  At the present context, these people have somehow managed to protect and maintain the interest of ours.  None of us should forget this and we need to develop the habit of assessing situation like how it was and what is going to be and who is taking care of: This is the moral obligation of each and every Tamagithemai.

Having these thoughts in mind, I propose the followings in connection with Fundraising Initiative.  My proposal and suggestions are:

Tamagi Samaj UK takes initiative, leadership and responsibility of such FUND. The name of the fund could be for example “Tamagi Samrakchhan Fund”. A steering committee comprising 5-9 persons mainly who are living in UK could run and take decision on administrating this fund. Please do not forget to include the ladies in the steering committee.  Consensus to select the members for the committee is just fine.  Let us not make too complicated in forming the committee.  But people like Ghan Bahadur dai and Bhakta Bahadur, who are living in UK should be given space.  Actually, it is an advantage that these people are visiting Tamagi occasionally and are having telephone communications with people there.   Concerning such initiative, please do not forget to include Sunar maila’s sons and daughter who also are living in UK. To my mind they are also from Tamagi as much as we are.

Writing it even more in concrete form:

Fundraising Strategy: Each and every people who shows sympathy in conserving Tamagi should be given opportunity in contributing fund. This might include our chelibeti, joi, bhanja bhanji and good friends of Tamagi, and even the British people who once have been to Tamagi. The size of amount does not matter. Even 5 pounds should be accepted with thanks. I assume the Tamagithemai will have a bit different and real obligation on this.

The minimum size of the individual contribution for the Tamagi people itself could be for example 50 Pound (just an idea only).  But those wishing to contribute more should be accepted with thanks. I would imagine that people will contribute 100 pounds quite easily. Even, if another member of the same family wishes to contribute for example £10  then it should be accepted. I would propose not to introduce “ghar dhuri system” strategy.

Further, a bank account is opened in UK and the money is taken out by signature of at least by three members of the committee. I have the feeling that there will be a good collection with a pretty size of amount in the bank account.

I will also have my own initiative in the Norwegians environment in collecting fund for the purpose of Tamagi Conservation.

Strategy on how the fund could be utilised?

I would propose that:

• 60% of the fund goes for conserving of Tamagi purposes.

• 15% is saved in a high interest bank account in the UK Bank. (This keeping in mind of the future’s expenditure.)

• 10% is used for the relief purposes. (Relief purpose means any person from Tamagi, if he/she is really in difficulties or death, this amount could be used for helping purposes and if the nature calamity takes place in Tamagi and people living there are really suffering of this, some amount could be used for this purpose).  Any one living there could get access to such tiny help which could be a great relief for them for coming ahead in their life. It is extremely important that Tamagithemaqi show their solidarity and inclusiveness in its common approach.

• 10% is used by Tamagi website in UK under the leadership of Rachha Soaltee.  He needs plenty of help in updating and collecting information for the website. If the website is not timely updated, then it gradually loses its value and interest by the surfer or readers. For this, he needs extra human resources. We, other Tamagithemai cannot always expect a volunteer service from him in keeping the website updated.

• 5% is used for administration and coordination costs for the committee.

 A good register with names of the contributors is established and make it public in the Tamagi website occasionally. I would not be surprised that Tamagi people and their sympathiser living around the world will also contribute money for the conservation of Tamagi.

 Funds already raised in Nepal (Pokhara):

I am aware of that there is plenty of money already collected for Tamagi Samrakchhan which is deposited at Pokhara Finance. I would propose that this money is also used more actively as well.

 I would therefore propose that:

• 50% of the budget is spent for conserving Tamagi purposes: For example maintenances of motor road each year so that road sector from Deurali to Tamagi or from Harpan to Tamagi could be converted into whole years metal road gradually. The government of Nepal is also willing to help for such project, if the local community can collect some matching amount (matching fund). Bhakta Bahadurji has very good knowledge for such plans of the government. However, the government never support with 100% cost-bearing of any kind of such project,

• 40 % is used for Tamagi Picnic and social gathering purposes in Pokhara. It is extremely important that the Tamagi gathering in Pokhara is continued in the future.  In today’s global context it is important that we have such social mechanism for collecting people together which keeps us together also in the future.

• 10% of the budget in Pokhara could be used for relief purposes.

A 3-5 persons committee could handle this budget so that Ghan bahadur dai does not feel lonely for the responsibility of this. Again, let us not make too complicated in forming and giving responsibility/authorisation to people who shows interest and initiatives.  Ghan Bahadur dai gave an excellent oral report at Tamagi Vela 2009 by informing how and where the various types of monies are being deposited.

What is meant by Conserving Tamagi and why does this need money?

Conservation of Tamagi to my minds means:

-          Rehabilitate all chautaries and manhes found in the Tamagi area.

-          Improve trails from Kuiredanda to Chyasineh, Harpanbari, Ramsenho ko bato, Tare bhirko bato, Devithan – Koiphera, Thigyuko bato and many more. Protect Tigyu Chihan in a nicer shape.

-          Conserve all those Paniko Kuwaharu (Khogyu, Phyagyu, Kyumula and so on) and Aal haru

-          Plant trees in the main areas where it needs for creating a better environment.

-          Protect and maintain drinking waters sources. Provide one person who can take care of this. (pani heraula)

-          In terms of new thinking, I would also propose that a STUPA is built at late Mr and

      Mr Deu Bahadur’s and Devi house with close consensus of their nearest relatives.  With a

      STUPA placed here in the middle of the village, Tamagi will give a completely new face of

      present Tamagi.

-          Produce a nice and informative brochure with pictures of Tamagi both in English and Nepali in the same brochure containing short history of Tamagi.

-          Find solution for the security of Tamagi. How can we restore security at Tamagi?

All these above-mentioned suggestions/work need CONSENSUS in the positive sense and financial support. To make consensus, I assume it will not be that much of a problem. Since, all Tamagithemai somehow want to conserve Tamagi, I hope.

Finally, encourage each and every house owners to rehabilitate or maintain their ancestor’s houses.

These are some of my thoughts. I do hope that we go ahead with an open approach and I am sure that many other Tamagithemei are also thinking about how to conserve Tamagi. It is good that we can meet together through modern technology which is really helping us to work for the sake of a brighter future of Tamagi.

Long Live Tamagi!

With regards, Hem in Norway