My memories(Contd), Period: During 2045 BS. My direct encounter with Panchayati minister. I lost my PhD degree but saved my job. I was working as an unit in-charge of an Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Khumaltar after I returned from obtaining my Masters Degree from the University of Melbourne in the area of Ruminant nutrition. I was also given two very important jobs by then the authority of Government of Nepal; 1.As a counterpart of Dr.Jim Yazman in the ATSP USAID project to upgrade the present laboratory. Here, we had the student of Prof. Van Soest, Dr.Nancy Coklin from the USA for the training in the area of animal nutrition in particular in the chemical analysis of the plants or forages for the use of ruminant livestock. We provided training to the participants from IAAS, Department of Forestry, and Pakhribas Agriculture Station(Then under DFID). After that training we were able to separate cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin from the grass or forage samples. 2. I was also given a job as a Principal scientist for the studies of temperate grass and legumes at Jiri, Dolakha in a FAO project Himalayan Pasture and Fodder Research Network, Nepal, India, Bhutan and Pakistan. I was given a FAO vehicle and I was at Jiri for the observations of my trial plots of grasses and legumes grown at the Jiri environment. During that period Ministry of Agriculture had one full Minister and two others his assistant minister, one responsible for livestock development and another one for the horticulture development. The assistant minister for livestock development was there at Jiri, same time I was observing my research trials. We had our dinner together. Whatever respect I could give to him as our honorable minister I gave him and went to our respective rooms to sleep. Quite early in the morning(may be about 4.00AM), he asked my driver to take him to Kathmandu. The driver was appointed from the office of FAO and he quite honestly told the minister he can not go to Kathmandu without taking me(FAO appointed Principal scientist). He furthur told the minister to request me if he wants to go together with me. However, it was the Panchayat raj. Minister was really very upset that the driver did not obey him. He was really very angry and for him to ask for a permission to ride on a vehicle was really an insult. All whatever happened between the minister and driver, I was unaware until I got up at 6.00Am and was ready to leave for Kathmandu. When I knew that minister also wanted to go to Kathmandu by my driver, I requested him to travel with us in our FAO vehicle. By this time there was a significant gathering. He not only rejected my offering, he very badly insulted me infront of the public. I was really very much humiliated just for nothing. Finally, there were people who requested minister to travel in the same vehicle. We were traveling together, there were other Panches, President of District, and 2 or 3 Pradhan Pancha. They started all the way insulting me. I finally was very upset and angry. What I told to the Asst. Minister for Liv.Dev was that If you can sack me from the job. No way I am giving the resignation. Only reason I did not give resignation was that I was not employed by him but by the Government of Nepal. This was really a great challenge for then the Panchayat regime. In Kathmandu, they try to sack me from the job. But during the Panchayat regime also, the Government employees once in permanent stage, was very difficult to remove or sack. What I lost, was my PhD from India. I was nominated from then National Agricultural Research and Services Center, Khumaltar. In the Ministry of Agriculture, my file had to move from him, and he delayed the file and I never approached him or apologized. Although I am not a PhD. holder, but I was fortunate enough to be able to provide scholarships for the NARC scientists to pursue Masters and PhD Degrees for the generation of needed technologies in the different areas of agriculture. I have no regret at all. Finally, I want to acknowledge Late Mr. Laxmi Prasad Sharma who help me to negotiate me with that Asst.Minister at his quater at Hariharbhawan. It was my first time to be in the Goverment Ministral quater. We had about 7 hours discussion to clear our misunderstanding. Because of Mr. Sharmas effort I did not resign. I am now one of the retired Principal Scientist(S-6) in the area of Animal Science from Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Kathmandu, Nepal. Just after one year in 2046 BS, there was democracy declared in Nepal and I among many others were relieved and happy. However, there are stil many more things to do which may take some time.....I am positive and will be OK if we think first this beautiful nation Nepal and second to the welfare of the peoples living either in or outside Nepal. Jai hos.(To be contd).
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:39:19 +0000
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