Nepal was a Hindu country in the past. Now it is a secular country, where more than one hundred languages are spoken and different ethnic groups reside. Yet, there is still discrimination among different castes and inhumane treatment of some groups. For example, the goldsmiths and ironsmiths belong to a skilled group good at making ornaments and metal statues. The interesting thing is that they make statues of gods for temples, prepare uniforms for celebrations, and play good music for any good works, but after finishing their work, they cannot enter the temples or see the statues they made. Some castes are not considered human beings. Upper-caste people do not eat food or water touched by so-called lower-caste people. I have seen upper-caste people give lower-caste people food without touching their belongings. The plates lower-caste people use should be sprinkled with gold water and fire to make them pure and holy. Upper-caste people never go to the houses of lower-caste people to eat food for special occasions or ceremonies. Single women and people of poorer economic status are called witches in our society. Lower-caste people are not allowed to work in certain jobs, even if they are able and educated. I am surprised by the vast differences in how people are treated. Why must people discriminate against other people in the name of caste and economic status? This is the type of discrimination I have seen in my life.
Hari Pachabhaiya was born in Nepal. He writes, “I worked as a social worker in a non-profit organization in my country. My goal is to become a social worker, writer, and fluent English speaker. To achieve my objective, I am taking classes at the Queens Public Library’s Elmhurst Adult Learning Center. Reading is my passion. I live in Elmhurst with my wife and two beautiful kids. I am self-employed.” His teacher is James McMenamin, and Michelle Johnston is the center’s manager.