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'''Padam Sundas''' (Nepali: [[:ne:पदम सुन्दास|पदम सुन्दास]]) (born 15 July 1945) is a Nepalese social worker and activist for [[Dalit]] communities in Nepal.<ref name="embassy">{{cite web|title=Ambassador - Embassy of Nepal - Manama, Bahrain|url=https://bh.nepalembassy.gov.np/ambassador/|website=Government of Nepal Embassy of Nepal, Manama, Bahrain|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> Known as the "Guardian of the Dalits",<ref name="Himal">{{cite magazine |last= Bishwakarma|first=Baburam|date=14–29 April 2009|title=लाखौँमा एक तीस नमुना नागरिक|trans-title=30 one-of-a-kind ideal citizens|magazine= Himal Khabarpatrika|editor-last=Nepal|editor-first=Kiran|publisher=Kanak Mani Dixit|page= 87}}</ref> Sundas has published a number of short stories, poems and articles related to social justice and political reform. He has published two books of his own and over 25 books written by writers from Dalit and non-Dalit communities with the help of Ratna Maya Dalit Sahitya Samrakshan Samiti, of which he is a trustee.<ref name="Himal"/>
'''Padam Sundas''' (Nepali: [[:ne:पदम सुन्दास|पदम सुन्दास]]) (born 15 July 1945) is a Nepalese social worker and activist for [[Dalit]] communities in Nepal.<ref name="embassy">{{cite web|title=Ambassador - Embassy of Nepal - Manama, Bahrain|url=https://bh.nepalembassy.gov.np/ambassador/|website=Government of Nepal Embassy of Nepal, Manama, Bahrain|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> Known as the "Guardian of the Dalits",<ref name="Himal">{{cite magazine |last= Bishwakarma|first=Baburam|date=14–29 April 2009|title=लाखौँमा एक तीस नमुना नागरिक|trans-title=30 one-of-a-kind ideal citizens|magazine= Himal Khabarpatrika|editor-last=Nepal|editor-first=Kiran|publisher=Kanak Mani Dixit|page= 87}}</ref> Sundas has published a number of short stories, poems, and articles related to social justice and political reform. He has published two books of his own and over 25 books written by writers from Dalit and non-Dalit communities with the help of Ratna Maya Dalit Sahitya Samrakshan Samiti, of which he is a trustee.<ref name="Himal"/>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Sundas was born to Hasta Bir Sundas and Ratna Maya Sundas as the youngest among six siblings at [[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur Bazaar]] in [[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur]], [[Nepal]].<ref name="mulyankan">{{cite magazine |last= Silwal|first=Prakash|date= October–November 2009|series=27|title=कला-जीवन: जातीय मुक्तिको सेरोफेरोमा|magazine= Mulyankan|trans-title=The Art of Life: Caste Discrimiantion and Concomitant Worries|publisher=Hari Govind Luitel|pages=30–31}}</ref> After completing his [[School Leaving Certificate (Nepal)|SLC]] from Vidyodaya High School, Bhojpur, he moved to [[Kathmandu]] for higher education. He completed his engineering course from the Engineering School located in [[Jawalakhel]], [[Lalitpur, Nepal|Lalitpur]] and obtained his diploma in 1963.
Sundas was born to Hasta Bir Sundas and Ratna Maya Sundas as the youngest among six siblings at [[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur Bazaar]] in [[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur]], [[Nepal]].<ref name="mulyankan">{{cite magazine |last= Silwal|first=Prakash|date= October–November 2009|series=27|title=कला-जीवन: जातीय मुक्तिको सेरोफेरोमा|magazine= Mulyankan|trans-title=The Art of Life: Caste Discrimination and Concomitant Worries|publisher=Hari Govind Luitel|pages=30–31}}</ref> After completing his [[School Leaving Certificate (Nepal)|SLC]] from Vidyodaya High School, Bhojpur, he moved to [[Kathmandu]] for higher education. He completed his engineering course from the Engineering School located in [[Jawalakhel]], [[Lalitpur, Nepal|Lalitpur]], and obtained his diploma in 1963.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Revision as of 03:28, 28 September 2020

Padam Sundas
Padam Sundas photographed at an interview with Jagaran Media Center
Born
Padam Sundas

(1945-07-15) 15 July 1945 (age 79)
NationalityNepal Nepalese
CitizenshipNepalese
OccupationSocial work
Known forDalit rights advocacy
Movement
  • Siddhakali Mandir Pravesh (1964)
  • Sipa Pokhari Paani Ubau (2000)
  • Gorakhkali Mandir Pravesh (2000)
  • Gaindakot Doodh Bharau (2002)
Spouses
Amina Sundas
(m. 1964; died 1999)
Amrita Sundas
(m. 2001)
Children3
Parents
  • Hastabir Sundas
  • Ratna Maya Sundas
Awards
  • Jana Utthan Rashtriya Puraskar (2000)
  • Bhagat Sarbajit Manab Maryada Rashtirya Puraskar (2016)

Padam Sundas (Nepali: पदम सुन्दास) (born 15 July 1945) is a Nepalese social worker and activist for Dalit communities in Nepal.[1] Known as the "Guardian of the Dalits",[2] Sundas has published a number of short stories, poems, and articles related to social justice and political reform. He has published two books of his own and over 25 books written by writers from Dalit and non-Dalit communities with the help of Ratna Maya Dalit Sahitya Samrakshan Samiti, of which he is a trustee.[2]

Early life and education

Sundas was born to Hasta Bir Sundas and Ratna Maya Sundas as the youngest among six siblings at Bhojpur Bazaar in Bhojpur, Nepal.[3] After completing his SLC from Vidyodaya High School, Bhojpur, he moved to Kathmandu for higher education. He completed his engineering course from the Engineering School located in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, and obtained his diploma in 1963.

Personal life

Sundas got married to Amina Mohtey on 19 August 1964 at the yard of the Siddhakali Temple situated in Bhojpur.[4] After her death on 7 May 1999, Sundas got married to Amrita Trikhatri on 19 August 2001. He fathered a son and two daughters.[3][5]

Career

Sundas started his career as an overseer at Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur. Fifteen years later, he left his government job to work as an independent contractor. Sundas worked in construction as the chair of Sundas Construction Pvt. Ltd. and the deputy chair of Amrit Nirman Sewa Pvt. Ltd. till 2007. He left his job as a construction worker in the late 2000s to become a full-time social worker.

The success of united struggles have stressed on the significance and the inevitability of Dalit unity. Struggle is possible in unity; so are positive outcomes.

— Padam Sundas[4]

Sundas has actively participated and led several Dalit rights movements including the Siddhakali Mandir Pravesh in Bhojpur (1964), Sipa Pokhare Pani Ubjau in Sindhupalchok (2000), Gorakhkali Mandir Pravesh in Gorkha (2000) and Gaindakot Doodh Bharau in Nawalparasi (2002).[4] Sundas has actively participated and marched in several movements to demand judicial reform and end caste discrimination in Nepal. Having worked with different generations, Sundas is referred to as "Daju" (transl. "elder brother") by many.[6]

Affiliated organizations

SN Organizations Post Year Ref.
1
Nepal Dalit Sahitya tatha Sanskriti Pratisthan Chair 1995
2
Nepal Rashtriya Dalit Jana Vikas Parishad Vice chair 1982–1992
3
Nepal Utpidit Dalit Jatiya Mukti Samaj Vice chair Till 2006
4
Nepal Rashtriya Dalit Mukti Morcha Vice chair Till 2011
5
Rotary Club of Dharan President
Member
2011–2012
2012–present
6
Dalit Nagarik Samaj Organizer 2015–2016
7
Pandit Chhabi Lal Pokharel Smriti Pratisthan Member 2008–2010
8
Samaj Vikas Chhatravas, Kathmandu Member 1999–2009
9
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Cooperation Committee Member 2004
10
Asahaya Bal Anathalaya, Itahari Lifetime member 2004–2005
11
Sunsari Sahitya Pratisthan, Dharan Lifetime member 2000
12
Cancer Relief Society, Dharan Lifetime member 2003

Sundas is the patron of Nepali Manch, Dalit Sandesh and Parishrami magazines, and the special advisor for Jana Utthan magazine. The advisor of Jagaran Media Center, Sundas worked as an advisor for Sathi till 2003 and Shabda Samyojan till 2007.[7]

Activism

In memory of his late wife, Amina Sundas, Sundas established the Amina Scholarship Fund for the Dalit female students studying in Sharada Balika Namuna Secondary School, Dharan. The founder of Amina Sundas Dalit Scholarship Fund that provides scholarships to students of Purwanchal Campus, Sunsari District, Sundas believes that education is the most effective tool to improve the quality of life.[7] In 2007, Sundas worked as the deputy chair of the Dalit Development Committee of the then Ministry of Local Development.[1] From 2009 to 2017, Sundas worked as the executive chairperson of Samata Foundation, an independent think tank specializing in the area of caste-based issues concerning Dalit communities of Nepal.[8][9] From 2010 to 2014, he worked as the member of the national level council formed to promote equality and judicial reform within the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.[1] Sundas has visited several countries including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Switzerland, South Africa and the United States of America to raise awareness on the issues of caste discrimination and untouchability in Nepal, and to promote equality and judicial reform.[1]

Diplomatic service

Sundas was appointed as the Nepalese ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on June 28, 2017 on the recommendation of Council of Ministers.[10] According to a press statement published by the President's Office, the head-of-the-state made the decision in accordance with the Article 282.1 of the Constitution of Nepal.[10] At present, Sundas is in Bahrain as a part of his tenure.[11]

Works

  • Choriyeka Raat (Short story collection, 1969)
  • Bhojpur ko Chinari (1969)
  • Padam Sundas ka Purana Katha tatha Kavita (to be published)[7]
  • Parampara, Purpuro ra Punki: Dalit Jatiya Sangharsha ko Vivechana (to be published)
  • Farkera Herda; Jeevan ka Aafna Anubhavharu (to be published)

Awards and honors

  • Bhagat Sarbajit Manab Maryada Rashtirya Puraskar (2016)
  • Certificate of appreciation from the Utpidit, Upekshit tatha Dalit Varga Utthan Vikas Samiti (2009)
  • Public felicitation from Buddha Bihar, Dharan (2001)
  • Jana Utthan Rashtriya Puraskar (2000)
  • Certificate of appreciation from the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy (1997)
  • Engineering School Sanskritik Padak (1962)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Ambassador - Embassy of Nepal - Manama, Bahrain". Government of Nepal Embassy of Nepal, Manama, Bahrain. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b Bishwakarma, Baburam (14–29 April 2009). Nepal, Kiran (ed.). "लाखौँमा एक तीस नमुना नागरिक" [30 one-of-a-kind ideal citizens]. Himal Khabarpatrika. Kanak Mani Dixit. p. 87.
  3. ^ a b c d e Silwal, Prakash (October–November 2009). "कला-जीवन: जातीय मुक्तिको सेरोफेरोमा" [The Art of Life: Caste Discrimination and Concomitant Worries]. Mulyankan. 27. Hari Govind Luitel. pp. 30–31.
  4. ^ a b c Maharjan, Rajendra; Kisan, Yam Bahadur, eds. (15 September 2014). दलनविरुद्ध प्रतिरोध: नेपाली दलितहरूको सङ्घर्षगाथा [Resistance Against Discrimination: The Struggles of Nepalese Dalits]. Samata Foundation. ISBN 978-9937-8372-5-5.
  5. ^ Sundas, Padam. व्यक्तिगत विवरण [Biodata].
  6. ^ Bishwakarma, Baburam (July 2004). "दलितका दस हस्ती" [Ten Dalit Celebrities]. Dalit Khabar. 2. Jana Utthan Pratisthan. pp. 8–10.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wagle, Tribhuvan Chandra (October–November 2009). "दलित आन्दोलनका नायक" [Hero of the Dalit Movement]. Yuva Manch. 7. Indira Prasai. p. 58.
  8. ^ "About Us - Samata Foundation". Samata Foundation. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Team - Samata Foundation". Samata Foundation. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Padam Sundas appointed as Nepali envoy to Bahrain". The Himalayan Times. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  11. ^ "H.E. Padam Sundas, Ambassador(Nepal) speaks to Gulf Insider". Gulf Insider. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2020.