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Tips on South Asia > 2005 Crisis in Nepal
Also
see:Stylebook for Covering South Asiana
On Feb. 1, 2005, King Gyanendra of Nepal seized power from the democratic government, detaining leading politicians, censoring the press and cutting off communications from the outside world. This came after increased attacks in recent weeks by Maoist rebels seeking to install a communist government (the rebels and the government have been in a civil war of nine years).
INTERNATIONAL SOURCES
OPINIONS, ESSAYS, EDITORIALS
NEPAL MEDIA
NEPAL BACKGROUNDERS/HISTORY
March 7: Committee to Protect Journalists condemns detention of Kanak Dixit, prominent Nepali journalist. Contact: Kristen Jone: kjones [at] cpj.org
TIPS FOR CONVERING NEPALESE IN THE U.S. * The exact number of Nepalese in the United States is not known. According to the Association of Nepalese in America, more than 25,000 people from Nepal live in the United States. *In recent years, Nepalese have migrated to the United States in larger numbers, fueled in part by "diversity visas" that allow countries without high rates of immigration to enter the U.S. Where to find Nepalese in the US: Try contacting the Association of Nepalese in America to find a local chapter near you. Also, Nepali immigrants work as doctors, engineers, waiters, cooks, taxi drivers, etc. Chances are pretty high that if you have a South Asian commercial market in your city -- Jackson Heights in NYC, Devon Street in Chicago, Gerard Street in Toronto, Oak Tree Road in Edison, N.J. -- there will be dozens of Nepalis who live, work and shop there. * See SAJA Stylebook entries for Nepal | Nepali (Nepali and Nepalese are synonyms, though the latter is more common in the U.S.) Story Ideas about Nepalese in the U.S. from S. Mitra Kalita, former SAJA President <mitra at desiwriter.com> * Many Nepalese work in Indian restaurants they cling closely to their culture. Unlike India which was once a colony of the British, Nepal has been independent for its entire history. Of course, there are some similarities in language, dress and religion. Most Nepalis practice Hinduism, although with some Buddhist influence; Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal. One story idea is to look at their growth in the United States and how they cope with being lumped with South Asians. * The devotion of Nepalese to their monarchy. What do many Nepalis bring with them to the United States? A picture of the king and queen. Their loyalty to the monarchy remains fierce -- even on U.S. shores -- and many pray to the King, believed to be a reincarnation of Vishnu, alongside other Hindu gods. * A profile of Ram Kharel, producer of the first Nepali TV show in the United States, Sagarmatha (it means Mount Everest). Check it out at www.sagarmathatv.com or try him at 202-439-1628
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