यसपालिको गफगाफ हाम्रो 'मनको भाषा' सँग हाम्रो सम्बन्धबारे। एउटा समुदायको भाषा मासिदै जाँदा सो समुदायको पहिचान मात्रै नभई तिनको इतिहाससँगको सम्बन्ध पनि हराउदै जान्छ। आफ्नो मातृभाषा दुङ्गमालीलाई संरक्षण गर्ने प्रयासहरुबारे शोधकर्ता कैलाश राईसँगको कुराकानी यो एपिसोडमा सुन्नु होला। नेपालमा बोलिने विभिन्न भाषाहरू कसरी लोप हुन्छन्/ लोप हुँदै छन्  र त्यसले ती समुदायका व्यक्तिहरुलाई पर्ने असरबारे कैलाश राईसँग रिपोर्टर सेवा भट्टराईले गर्नु भएको कुराकानी यस एपिसोडमा। 

How is a community's history, culture and identity linked to their language? And how do people process and come to terms with feeling uprooted when their language slowly starts dying. Journalist Sewa Bhattarai talks to researcher and editor Kailash Rai about her changing relationship with her mother tongue Dungmali, Nepali language and the Nepali state. Dungmali is one of the 123 languages spoken in Nepal. The last census listed Dungmali as an endangered language since it is now only spoken by about 6000 people, mostly Kiratis in different areas of Bhojpur district in eastern Nepal.

Follow Kailash Rai on Twitter @Kailash1819

This episode is part of a five-part series, Interrupting Spaces, produced by Boju Bajai in collaboration with the United Nations in Nepal.

Over the next five weeks, we will bring you stories of women who are interrupting and disrupting the spaces and structures around them through their work, their voices, and their presence. You do not want to miss this special series. For new episode updates, please subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, CastBox, or wherever you get your podcast.

Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast:
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/bojubajai​
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Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/33MiYm0​

Credit:
Reported by Sewa Bhattarai.
Sewa is a bilingual journalist based in Nepal, working in radio and print media. Her main reporting focus is gender issues, and her other interests are arts and literature, environment, and rural Nepal. Follow Sewa on Twitter: @sewa_ditee

Edited by Sikuma Rhiannon Rai

Illustrations by Stuti Sharma
Follow Stuti’s work on Instagram: @zealteal

Music by Flekke

Dong Pung Pada - Dungmali song from the Facebook page Hamro - Sanodumma
https://www.facebook.com/SanodummaBhojpur/posts/1615243225252866

'Hati Haina, Dati Ladne' by Ganesh Rashik and Friends

Sound design by Phatcowlee

Marketing and Social media:
Rabina Adhikari & Bidhyalaxmi Maharjan (Boju Bajai team)

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more guff gaff and laughs:
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai​​
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If you like our laugh and guff gaff, please do consider supporting our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

#51 मनको भाषा ‍| Ep 4 | Interrupting Spaces

Happy fifth birthday to us! We are trying to celebrate our birthday today amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. When we are surrounded and consumed by anguish, fear, loss, and rage it is difficult to step out, take pause, but we have decided to look back, reminisce, and relive moments of laughter, reflection, and joy.
In our birthday special episode, we revisit some of our favourite moments from the last twelve months. 

We would like to thank our Patreons for their support despite how difficult this past year has been.

Our podcast has always been about pushing for space and creating space for women in the Nepali public sphere, and if you like what we do, please subscribe to our podcast on @bojubajai.

Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast:
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/bojubajai​
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Support our work on Patroen at www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/​​
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/BojuBajai​​
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCNYRGvqtpi1aHAucXGcNWRw

Find and support some of the groups doing COVID relief work and sharing critical information in Nepal in this list compiled by Nepali Times:
https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/important-covid-helpers/

Watch and listen to the full guff gaff included in the rewind tape here:

Watch our स्याबास राष्ट्रवाद! I Guff Gaff with Boju Bajai Web Series - https://youtu.be/ns3-5YKBx1U

Hear more from Shubha on state surveillance (and other forms of surveillance) and how it almost always puts marginalized communities more at risk. https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/smile-please-sarkar-is-watching

What happens when ‘घरमे मा बेहेन नही क्या?’ goes online? We talk about violence against women offline and online https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/onlineoffline-ghar-ko-kahani

Listen to our ‘छाडा’ and ‘अराजक’ take on everything that happened earlier this year, which truly feels like 1000 years ago - https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/46-yeh-kya-ho-raha-hey

Sabse bada rupaiya? Talking about money and class in the time of Corona  https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/judaai-in-the-time-of-corona
We are only 2.3% behind Nepali men in our pursuit for happiness, dear ladies, according to a recent study by a CBS survey. Listen to us talk about things that would make us as happy or happier than Nepali men here: https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/unhappy-womaniyas-unite

What is your ‘मनको भाषा’? In this episode, journalist Sewa Bhattarai talks to researcher and editor Kailash Rai about her changing relationship with her mother tongue Dungmali, Nepali language, and the Nepali state. Listen now - https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/bb-ep-04-march

Shailee Chaudhary and Payal Pallavi took over Boju Bajai last year and talked about what it means to be a Madhesi, a Nepali, and a Madhesi woman in Nepal. Listen to ‘को कति नेपाली!’ - https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/l8t1wdqsqgna

In the episode ‘अनि तपाईको थर नि?’, we hear from Sona Khatik, Gauri Nepali, and Pradip Pariyar on challenging and speaking against the very foundations of caste-based discrimination. https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/2bay7k3z3p6z

Alongside Sapana Sanjeevani’s ‘Hum Ab Sita Nai Banbau’, listen to Sarita Pariyar, Bina Theeng, Pranika Koyu and songs by Pardafash, Jerusha Rai, Shreya Rai, and Flekke in the ‘Interrupting Spaces’ finale episode - https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/interrupting-spaces-finale

Watch ‘Only Sex’, the A**HOLE anthem of the year on our YouTube Channel here. - https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/only-sex

Finally, listen to our haudey guff gaff welcoming 2021 with utmost respect cos ओल्बा said so (स्योस?): https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/2021-aayi-bakshyos

#53 Boju Bajai को खल्लो birthday episode

हामीले गतवर्ष बबिता राईसँग 'भाले राष्ट्रवाद' र  सामाजिक सञ्जाल आफ्ना विचारहरू राख्दा महिलाहरू सामना गर्नुपर्ने tone policing, ‌moral policing र trolling र नेपाली सामाजिक सञ्जालमा उनीहरूको आवाज र self-expression लाई दबाउन हुने silencing का अनेक गतिविधिबारे गफगाफ गरेका थियौँ। महिलाहरूको राष्ट्रप्रेमको परीक्षा लिइरहने विषाक्त ‘भाले राष्ट्रवाद’, अनलाइनमा महिलाहरूले भोग्ने हिंसा र सामाजिक सञ्जालमा हुने बहसहरूलाई अझै सहज र समावेशी बनाउनेबारे उहाँको विचार सुनौँ है ।

Disclaimer: The episode contains unbeeped expletives.

Babita Rai is a feminist writer and one of the many clap back queens in Nepali Twittersphere. Follow her on Twitter @BabitaRages/www.twitter.com/BabitaRages

Read Babita’s writings here:
‘यौनमा पितृसत्ता’ - https://jhannaya.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/891/2020-03-14
महिलाको यौनिक अभिव्यक्तिको अर्थ - https://bodyanddata.org/meaning-of-womens-sexual-expression/

This conversation was recorded for Guff Gaff with Boju Bajai, a web-series presented by Book Bus Nepal. The series was produced by Satori Center for the Arts, Quixote’s Cove, and Boju Bajai. 

In the first episode of Guff Gaff with Boju Bajai, you can watch Jerusha's performance alongside our guff gaff on Lipulekh, 'bhale rastrabaad', 'm*ji rastrabaad' and many variants of toxic rastrabaad with Kalpana Jha and Babita Rai in 'स्याबास राष्ट्रवाद !', Watch it on our Youtube and please subscribe to our channel:
👉 https://youtu.be/ns3-5YKBx1U

If you like our laugh and guff gaff, please do consider supporting our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast:
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/bojubajai​
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…​
Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/33MiYm0​
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FjuUBD

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#57 Guff Gaff with Babita Rai

Cuffing season is here and so is the new Boju Bajai episode.

In this episode, we talk about dating apps or as we like to call them over at Boju Bajai- 'sutne' apps.

The heydays of love letters are long gone and it's the time of swiping and matching, of 'hey you up's and 'wyd?'s. But what hasn't changed is our desire to connect and find companionship. This episode explores how these desires were expressed before the internet and how it is done today. And there might or might not be dramatic readings of real life love letters in this episode!

We also hear from some of our listeners about their experiences - the good, the bad, and the weird.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent us stories. This episode really wouldn't have been possible without them.

This episode was reported by Nikita Tripathi. Nikita is a media producer based in Kathmandu and likes to walk. 

Irina Giri edited the episode.

If you like our laugh and guff gaff, please do consider supporting our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast:
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/bojubajai​
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…​
Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/33MiYm0​
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FjuUBD

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bojubajai/​​
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai​​
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNYRGvqtpi1aHAucXGcNWRw

Credits:
Lajja Sample
Film: Lajja
Song: Badhi Mushkil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg-geusO3rs
 
2. "Electrolyte"
Artist: Scanglobe
Album: Electrolyte
From freemusicarchive.org
 
3. "Ekatira Mayalu"
Artist: Kunti Moktan
Album: Mero Man
Released: 1997
 
4."Truth Hurts"
Artist: Lizzo
Album: Cuz I Love You
 
5. "The Silver Hatch"
Artist: Blue Dot Sessions
Album: Rayling
 
6. "Dear Kalyan" Music: Background Music// No Copyright//Dear Kalyan// Mero Katha// Katha Mitho Sarangiko/ Basuri Ko Dhun
 
Played by: Bishnu Ale
 
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4CiJvQidUI
 
7. "Chitthi Aaena"
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYNagcv6HTM

References:
“Liquid Love? Dating apps, sex, relationships and the digital transformation of intimacy”
http://fws.commacafe.org/resources/liquid_love.pdf

“Eat the rich! Why millennials and generation Z have turned their backs on capitalism”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/20/eat-the-rich-why-millennials-and-generation-z-have-turned-their-backs-on-capitalism

“Invitations to Love: Literacy, Love Letters and Social Change in Nepal” by Laura Ahearn
https://www.press.umich.edu/11260/invitations_to_love
https://3lib.net/book/16577518/f99eff

“With blackmail list, gay men in Ghana fight conmen posing as lovers” -
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ghana-lgbt-blackmail-idUSKBN23G1RO

“Online Surveillance, Censorship, and Discrimination for LGBTQIA+ Community Worldwide” - 
https://www.recordedfuture.com/lgbtqia-community-cyber-threats/

“Tinder just agreed to let Russia review its data on demand. That could be dangerous for Russians.” 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/11/tinder-just-agreed-let-russia-review-its-data-demand-that-could-be-dangerous-russians/

“Body, Society & Tech: Dating as a Trans Woman in Nepal”
https://bodyanddata.org/body-society-tech-dating-as-a-trans-woman-in-nepal/

#61 Love, Sex, but no Dhoka

हरेक वर्ष, without fail, male editors’ gaze will always find 'परम्परागत पोसाकमा XYZ जनजाति समुदायकी युवती' when it comes to festivals like उँधेौली, योमरी पुन्ही, ल्होसर and so on. However, issues and voices of the same indigenous community find little space in the Nepali newsroom and media at large, which are often led by Khas Arya men.

जनजाति महिला र पुरूषहरूलाई नेपाली मिडिया, फिल्म र गीतहरूमा कसरी चित्रण गरिन्छ? उनीहरूको शरीर माथि किन यति सजिलै stereotypical  टिकाटिप्पणीहरू हुन्छ? अनि यो ‘मङ्गोलियन  लुक्स’ भनेको के हो?  जनजाति समुदाय भित्रको विविधतालाई side लाएर कहिलेसम्म यसरी 'exotify' मात्र गर्ने हाम्रो मिडिया र साहित्यले? यसपालिको गफगाफ कस्तो लाग्छ भन्नु होला ।
Edited by Irina Giri.
Music credit:
Gajalu Ti Thula Thula Ankha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftEzdVJWdDA

​​Chuche chuche raichau hauli pakkai Bahuni, nakhai herda thaha huney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmab6XpHHtw 

Leka ki hey maya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CarUdnT30

Basa Sundari
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PkbAVjANL8

Keti timi kati ramro dekhko
​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O8BzZpXR6I

Readings:
‘जनजातिका लुगाको लैंगिकता’ by कैलाश राई -  https://nepalmag.com.np/opinion/2019/09/10/20190910152548 
‘Shanti Chaudhary: Poet-at-large’ by Muna Gurung -
https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/shanti-chaudhary-poet-at-large/
‘पात्रको दशा : टाइप र स्टेरियोटाइप’ by युग पाठक -
https://www.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/171/2018-12-15

If you like our laugh and guff gaff, please do consider supporting our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Don’t forget to subscribe to/follow Boju Bajai on your podcast platform. If you are listening to us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, don’t forget to rate and review us. 
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…​
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FjuUBD

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bojubajai/​​
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai​​
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#66 "Are you from Mongolia?"

In this episode, we hear from our listeners. And a note from Boju Bajai on male entitlement and consent. 

Readings:
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/08/male-entitlement-hurts-women-manne-writes-new-book

https://ekantipur.com/news/2022/02/21/16454456041257987.html

#67 "Are You from Mongolia?" Part 2

Abortion is legal in Nepal, but it is still criminalised. What does this mean for reproductive justice and what impact does it have on the reproductive health of women?  Why are women still being driven to seek unsafe abortions? Why does our society still view abortion as something shameful and how does that affect the health and mental wellbeing of women? 

Reporter Srijana Khadka speaks to healthcare workers from Ramechhap and Syangja about the degree of safety and level of access of abortion services available to women. She also interviews the Executive Director of FWLD and leading advocate Sabin Shrestha who has been working in the area of legalisation and decriminalisation of abortion.

This is the second part of our series on abortion rights in Nepal. We discuss about the cultural attitudes surrounding abortion in our homes, families and hospitals, and what that means for young Nepali women when they seek such services. And how does American politics around abortion rights actually could have an impact down the line in countries like Nepal.

Listen to part 1 here: https://bojubajai.org/episodes/74-abortion-rights-in-nepal-part-1/ 

Series credits:
Research by Shristi Shakya. You can follow her on Twitter at @shristishk https://twitter.com/shristishk

Reported by Srijana Khadka. She reports on social issues, especially concerning children and women, at ekagaj.com Follow her on Twitter at @seerukhadka
https://twitter.com/seerukhadka 

Sound and Audio editor: Flekke and Phatcowlee

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

We also have a newsletter! Subscribe to Cold Takes by Boju Bajai on Substack at https://bojubajai.substack.com/ We will bring to you a weekly roundup of news and feminist views. Subscribe to our newsletter and we will bring you some of the best writing by women; our feminist takes on uncles, gurus, neta jyus + much more :)

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/

Related readings
Factsheet by FWLD on laws related to abortion rights: https://fwld.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/abortion-law-Fact-sheet.pdf
A translated transcript of the landmark ruling in 2009 in the case of state v. Lakshmi Dhital: https://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/Lakshmi%20Dhikta%20-%20English%20translation.pdf
A special report by journalist Srijana Khadka on the gendered use of contraceptives in Nepal: https://ekagaj.com/article/special-report/25468/

#75 Abortion Rights in Nepal, Part 2

This time we talk about bros, who run everything from influential social media platforms to newsrooms and spiritual empires and their highly problematic views on gender among many things. We’ve been saying these things for the last SIX (!!!) years, but like always our daaju bhaais refuse to engage with any of the criticism cos that’s how they #thrive.

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai

We also have a newsletter! Subscribe to Cold Takes by Boju Bajai on Substack at https://bojubajai.substack.com/ We will bring to you a weekly roundup of news and feminist views.

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/

Music credit:  
Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke 
Chaand Sitaare Parody ft. Lala Ramdev & Coronil | Srushti Tawade + @Official PeeingHuman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDqBK9eTReU 
Why This Kolaveri Di,  Dhanush, Anirudh, Sony Music India, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR12Z8f1Dh8 

Related  readings:
The Meteoric Rise in Sympathy for Rape-Accused Lamichhane, Cold Takes by Boju Bajai, https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-8-the-meteoric-rise-in-sympathy 
Nepali Media's Problematic Male Gaze & Gender Blindspot, Cold Takes by Boju Bajai, https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-11-nepali-medias-problematic 
The Guru Effect, https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-10-the-guru-effect 
How Sadhguru built his Isha empire. Illegally, Newslaundy, https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/05/17/how-sadhguru-built-his-isha-empire-illegally 
‘सद्‍गुरु’का असत् विचार, Bibhu Luitel, https://nepalkhabar.com/opinion/104518-2021-8-28-7-35-38 
सद्‍गुरुलाई कोही किन प्रश्न गर्दैन ?, Kunsang, https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/11/05/166761320871649608.html
चुनावी मैदानमा महिला उम्मेदवारलाई कति सहज?  संगीता कुँवर, ekagaj.com, https://ekagaj.com/article/thought/119995
Women in Politics and the Media, IDEA, https://www.idea.int/news-media/events/e-discussion-women-politics-and-media 
Episode #17 Stop Calling us Cheli Beti, Boju Bajai, https://bojubajai.org/episodes/17-stop-calling-us-cheli-beti/
Episode #16 This is How Nepal’s news media covers rape https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai/this-is-how-nepals-news-media-covers-rape
This Climate Guru Is a Celebrity in the US. In India, He’s Accused of Destroying a Forest. - VICE, https://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/xgy8bw/climate-yoga-celebrity-sadhguru-india-will-smith-trevor-noah
Sadhguru, the spiritual leader with ties to Will Smith and Modi, explained - Vox, https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/23206916/sadhguru-explained-save-the-soil-modi

#76 Cold Takes by Boju Bajai: Why this Kolaveri Di, bro?

The newest episode of 2023 is here! Kicking off the new year with our conversation with Mahima Vashisht, the very talented and funny womaniya behind ‘Womaning in India’ newsletter. We talk about everything from subtle sexism, gender blindspots, raja betas, and everything in between. 

Mahima’s weekly newsletter weaves in deeply personal and shockingly candid stories from Indian households and is equal parts hilarious and insightful. She shares real stories of real women of India to highlight gender bias blind spots in everyday life - at home, at the workplace, in public spaces, and even in women's own self-image. 

Womaning in India won the 2022 Women's Web digital creators award for "Writing with Social Impact", and has been a featured publication on the global platform, Substack. Mahima is a former civil servant with the Government of India and currently works as a climate change expert with UNICEF. #TalentKiDukaan

Please check out Mahima Vashisht’s newsletter Womaning in India https://womaning.substack.com/

We highly recommend reading The Raja Beta Syndrome by Mahima Vashisht
https://womaning.substack.com/p/the-raja-beta-syndrome

Follow Mahima on Twitter @mahimavashisht https://twitter.com/mahimavashisht?lang=en

And listen to The Womaning in India podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/07ybD3OdCa1AGUO4Elh5H9



Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai
We also have a newsletter! Subscribe to Cold Takes by Boju Bajai on Substack at bojubajai.substack.com/ We will bring to you a weekly roundup of news and feminist views.
Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/
Music credit:
Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke
Dilli 6, Delhi-6, A.R. Rahman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPkthMfeWMY
Mumbhai, Bombay Boys, Javed Jaffrey,  Ashutosh Phatak; Dhruv Ghanekar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCmi6eofAE4

#77 Guff Gaff with Mahima Vashisht

Researcher Sangita Thebe Limbu joins Boju Bajai to talk about the importance of creating critical spaces in the public sphere that can challenge the dominant narratives and discourses shaping people’s minds and op-ed pages around issues of inclusion, reservation, and that Nepal is “४ जात ३६ वर्णको साझा happy फूलबारी।”

Sangita Thebe Limbu is a PhD candidate at University College London (UCL). She holds an MSc in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford, and another MSc in Gender, Development and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is currently researching on the interrelations of gender, climate change and indigenous knowledge in Nepal. You can follow her work on Twitter @Sangita_Thebe


Read Sangita’s articles

“National property” of just a The Record Nepal. 14 August few.https://www.recordnepal.com/perspective/national-property-of-just-a-few/ 
Surveillance state and minorities. The Kathmandu Post. 26 October http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-10-26/surveillance-state-and-minorities.html 
Reimagining inclusion. The Kathmandu Post http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-06-01/reimagining-inclusion.html 
Nepal’s house of cards: are women included or co-opted in politics?. http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2018/02/02/nepals-house-of-cards-are-women-included-or-co-opted-in-politics-gender-female-representation-caste/ SouthAsia@LSE
On Books and Arts. Think Pieces Series No. 2. Oxford: Education.SouthAsia. https://educationsouthasia.web.ox.ac.uk/article/thinkpiece2
On Manifestos and Promises. Think Pieces Series No. 4. Oxford: Education.SouthAsia https://educationsouthasia.web.ox.ac.uk/article/thinkpiece4
On Children’s literature. Think Pieces Series No. 4. Oxford: Education.SouthAsia
https://educationsouthasia.web.ox.ac.uk/article/thinkpiece6  
The making of the "English-speaking Nepali citizens": intersectionality of class, caste, ethnicity and gender in private schools
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353451673_The_making_of_the_Englishspeaking_Nepali_citizens_intersectionality_of_class_caste_ethnicity_and_gender_in_private_schools




We also have a newsletter! Subscribe to Cold Takes by Boju Bajai on Substack at bojubajai.substack.com. We will bring to you a weekly roundup of news and feminist views.
Read and subscribe here: bojubajai.substack.com

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai


Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#80 Guff Gaff with Sangita Thebe Limbu

Boju Bajai in conversation with the fantastically talented writer Kunsang. Her deeply personal essays and stories about her family, community and the way of life in the mountains of Humla are a window to a region of Nepal that doesn't get written about as much in Nepali literature or in our op-ed pages. Kunsang’s op-eds, memoirs and short stories have been published in several national dailies, including Kantipur, Naya Patrika. 

Listen to Boju Bajai Reads featuring Kunsang’s piece आगो केवल आगो होइन  published in Kantipur https://link.chtbl.com/bbreadsftkunsang

Here’s a list of Kunsang’s writings published in the last five years.

आगो केवल आगो होइन - https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2023/01/21/167426781073021303.html?author=1
सद्‍गुरुलाई कोही किन प्रश्न गर्दैन ? - https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/11/05/166761320871649608.html?author=1
तेह्र सौंराइ - https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/08/13/166035631515662586.html?author=1
बजाउने हात खोजिरहेछ ‘ङ’ - https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/04/16/165007488520992364.html?author=1
हिमाली कथा : हिउँमा हाइभिजन हल - https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2021/10/02/163314223402081319.html?author=1

#84 Guff Gaff with Kunsang

Welcome to Episode 3 of Care At the Centre: Voices from the Majority World. 

At the heart of this series is care - the life-affirming, life-sustaining practice honouring our interconnected relationships and our commitment to the wellbeing of ourselves, our environments, and each other.
As the world becomes increasingly hostile towards feminist activists and women's movements, Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights, Asia & Pacific, this series aims to bring to light the stories and experiences of women, trans, and gender-nonconforming human rights defenders who work tirelessly in the margins. 
In this episode, we bring you the voice of Nandar from Myanmar. 
Nandar is a feminist activist, a storyteller, and a podcaster. She is the founder of Purple Feminists Group. 
Nandar, a human rights defender from Myanmar, had to leave her home for an extended period of time after the military coup in 2020. Nandar talks about how she found herself having to reevaluate and revisit her work and her activism in the middle of political turmoil at home and a global pandemic and how these factors affected not just her work, but also her personal wellbeing. 
To know more about Nandar and the work her organization does, please visit: purplefeminist.org 
This series has been informed and guided by the Urgent Action Fund Report “How Can We Ground Ourselves in Care and Dance Our Revolution”. You can read the full report at rootingcare.org where you can also listen to podcast episodes from the Urgent Action Funds.
References: 
“The Guardian view on Myanmar’s military: in power but not control”
- 6 December, 2022
You can listen to all the episodes here:

Episode 1
https://on.soundcloud.com/4jgJb 
Episode 2 
https://on.soundcloud.com/7AWVp 
Episode 4
https://on.soundcloud.com/XPCYa
Episode 5
https://on.soundcloud.com/oL8kW 
Episode 6
https://on.soundcloud.com/rnazk 
Credits:

Production: Boju Bajai
Hosts: Bhrikuti Rai and Itisha Giri
Music and Sound Design: Rajan Shrestha and Irina Giri

UAF_EP3: Activism in Exile: Conversation with Nandar

Welcome to Episode 6 of Care at the Centre: Voices from the Majority World. 

At the heart of this series is care - the life-affirming, life-sustaining practice which honours our interconnected relationships and our commitment to the wellbeing of ourselves, our environments, and each other.

As the world becomes increasingly hostile towards feminist activists and women's movements, Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights, Asia & Pacific, aims to bring to light the stories and experiences of women, trans, and gender-nonconforming human rights defenders who work tirelessly in the margins through this six-part series.

In the final episode of the series, we reflect on the findings gathered from regional perspectives. We explore how activisms can respond to the concerns shared by activists featured in this series, and envision the future of activisms.
This series has been informed and guided by the Urgent Action Fund Report “How Can We Ground Ourselves in Care and Dance Our Revolution”. You can read the full report at rootingcare.org where you can also listen to podcasts from the Urgent Action Funds.
You can listen to all the episodes of Care at the Centre: Voices from the Majority World here:

Episode 1
https://on.soundcloud.com/4jgJb 
Episode 2 
https://on.soundcloud.com/7AWVp 
Episode 3
https://on.soundcloud.com/qBLEK
Episode 4
https://on.soundcloud.com/XPCYa
Episode 5
https://on.soundcloud.com/oL8kW 

Credits:

Production: Boju Bajai
Hosts: Bhrikuti Rai and Itisha Giri
Music and Sound Design: Rajan Shrestha and Irina Giri
A special thanks to the voice artists from Nepal featured in Episode 1 of this series.

UAF_EP6: Grounding Future Activisms

Boju Bajai in conversation with writer Shivani Singh Tharu. In this episode, we talk about Shivani’s journey from tv to writing and her relationship with Kathmandu and Kathmandu’s elite institutions as a Tharu woman from Nepalgunj. She also speaks candidly about the struggles of being a full-time writer in Nepal, her creative process, and dabbling across different genres of writing.
Shivani started her career in tv as the host, producer, and scriptwriter for  ‘Mero Geet Mero Sandesh’ and ‘Mulyankan’ on Nepal Television. She later went on to write the critically acclaimed play ‘Virtual Reality’ and also worked as a scriptwriter/director for the radio drama ‘Katha Mitho Sarangiko’ produced by BBC Media Action.  
She used to be a columnist for Wave Magazine and is a regular contributor to Kantipur Koseli and Naya Patrika. Her debut novel ‘Kathmandu ma Ek Din’ was published in 2018 and she was honored with the Sundar Prasad Shah 'Dukhi' literary prize the same year..
  
Listen to Boju Bajai Reads featuring Shivani Singh Tharu, reading an excerpt from her piece महुवा published in Naya Patrika: ⁠https://link.chtbl.com/bbreadsftshivanisinghtharu⁠ 


You can follow Shivani Singh Tharu on Facebook and Twitter: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/shivanisingh.tharu.3⁠ 
⁠https://twitter.com/shivanitharu⁠ 


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai for a roundup of news and feminist views from Nepal and the Nepali internet.


Read and subscribe here: ⁠https://bojubajai.substack.com/welcome⁠ 


Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: ⁠www.patreon.com/bojubajai⁠ 


Follow @⁠Bojubajai⁠ on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/bojubajai/⁠ 
Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/bojubajai/⁠ 
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/BojuBajai⁠ 
YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/⁠ 


Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke


Reading list
Shivani’s Kathmandu, Nepali Times ⁠https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/shivanis-kathmandu⁠
महुवा, Naya Patrika
 ⁠https://jhannaya.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/419/2019-08-10⁠ 
भुइँतला : डेरा–संसारको पाताललोक, Kantipur
⁠https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2020/11/27/16064814304432906.html⁠ 
नाकको भूगोल, Kantipur
⁠https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/01/29/164342883582051896.html?author=1⁠ 
कोरोनाकल्प, Kantipur
⁠https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2021/07/03/162527663132599220.html?author=1⁠ 
कविता : सहर गायब भएपछि, Kantipur
⁠https://ekantipur.com/literature/2020/05/03/158849493718083446.html?author=1⁠ 
मान्छेको रङ हजार, Setopati
⁠https://www.setopati.com/blog/4069⁠

#87 Guff Gaff with Shivani Singh Tharu

In this episode, we talk to wildlife researcher turned social entrepreneur Priya Joshi about her professional and personal journey, her complicated relationship with motherhood, and her attempt at creating a nurturing, kind online community for young Nepali mothers like her. 

Priya Joshi started her career as a wildlife researcher and later switched gears to start MakerKT, which organizes workshops to spark a DIY culture among Nepali women and kids. She also runs the Instagram page Ama Mama to share resources on parenting, as well as stories and struggles of parenting.  

You can follow Priya Joshi and her work  on Instagram: 
Maker Keti https://instagram.com/maker.keti?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 
Priya https://instagram.com/chyantulimyau?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 
Aama.Mama https://www.instagram.com/aama.mama/?hl=en



Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai for a roundup of news and feminist views from Nepal and the Nepali internet.
Read and subscribe here: https://bojubajai.substack.com/welcome 

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 


Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#88 Guff Gaff with Priya Joshi

Resharing this episode from 2020 where our guests Shailee and Pallavi challenge the boundaries and definitions of what it means to be a Nepali. Happy Constitution Day!

In this episode, @shaileeism and @PayalPallavi take over Boju Bajai and talk about what it means to be a Madhesi, a Nepali, and a Madhesi woman in Nepal.

Disclaimer - This episode contains two un-beeped expletives, ध्यान दिएर सुन्नुस् होला :)


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai for a roundup of news and feminist views from Nepal and the Nepali internet.
 Read and subscribe here: https://bojubajai.substack.com/welcome 

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke


Disclaimer: This episode contains foul language and is intended for 18+ listeners.

#89 को कति नेपाली! (Re-release)

Boju Bajai in conversation with Dr. Amina Singh. In this episode, we talk about various aspects of Nepal’s education system by exploring issues like how students in Nepali classrooms are taught history and civic studies, and why there is an urgent need for Nepali classrooms to equip students with the skills to think critically, question and reason.

Amina Singh worked as a management consultant in the development sector for almost a decade conducting assessment studies, reviews, and evaluations for NGOs, INGOs, and multi/bilateral agencies. She earned her PhD from the Centre for Research in Learning and Change at the University of Technology, Sydney in 2015. Amina currently works as an independent researcher and educator, with an interest in community development, civic engagement, educational governance, and teaching learning practices in higher education. She is an adjunct faculty at Kathmandu University.  She is currently engaged as a member of the University of Nepal Development Board and the Chair of the Academic Planning Committee. 

This episode was recorded in May 2023. 

Related readings

You can read some of Amina Singh’s published articles here https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amina-Singh
पुस्तक “पैदल अनुसन्धान : प्रयोग र सम्भावना” माथि अमिना सिंहको समीक्षा  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_4cTGPtwz0
Non-state Actors’ Collaboration in Education in Nepal: Possibilities and Challenges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HrgnP5Yy9s
Nepal Conversations: Dr Amina Singh, Member - University of Nepal Development Board, Nepal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pm7tSQ_20c
Take 31: The Kids Are Not OK, Cold Takes by Boju Bajai https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-31-the-kids-are-not-ok

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai for a roundup of news and feminist views from Nepal and the Nepali internet.
 Read and subscribe here: https://bojubajai.substack.com/welcome 

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 


Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#90 Guff Gaff with Amina Singh

In this episode, journalist Manju Telor explores the working conditions of overworked and underpaid nurses in Nepal. How does that affect the quality of care in Nepal’s hospitals, and what can the institutions within which these care professionals work do better?  


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai for a roundup of news and feminist views from Nepal and the Nepali internet.
 Read and subscribe here: https://bojubajai.substack.com/welcome 

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 


Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BojuBajai 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

Related readings:

Boju Bajai #70 Looking Back: Women at the Covid-19 frontline: https://bojubajai.org/episodes/women-at-the-covid-19-frontline/

३२ वर्षदेखि थपिएन डाक्टरको दरबन्दी, Manju Telor, Naya Patrika      https://www.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/118513/2023-07-04

#91 नर्सका कुरा by Manju Telor

This is the third installment of Boju Bajai Reads where we get our favorite writers to read their writings. And this time, we are thrilled to have writer Durga Karki reading her short story ‘साथे’ from her book “कुमारी प्रश्नहरू”.  

We are releasing our episode ‘Guff Gaff with Durga Karki’ on December 2. So please mark your calendar hai.

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

You can follow Durga Karki on 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/durgakrk 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durga.karki.96 

You can listen to our earlier episode of सोझो केटो, surveillance and social media featuring Durga Karki from Jan 2020 

Related readings

'यस्तो पनि देश?', Setopati
https://www.setopati.com/cover-story/setopati-debate/308373
हिमालमा के छ?, Setopati
https://www.setopati.com/opinion/254137 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com/  

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 


Music by Ashot Danielyan (pixabay)

Boju Bajai Reads ft. Durga Karki

Boju Bajai in conversation with writer and lawyer Durga Karki. In this episode, we talk about her writing journey as a young बुद्धिजीवि in Nepal, her grad school experience at Harvard, and her recent decision to stay off social media as much as possible.  

Durga Karki is a lawyer by training, a journalist by interest, and a writer by passion. She writes both fiction and non-fiction in various national dailies and online portals on issues ranging from feminism to federalism. Her first book - a collection of short stories - 'Kumari Prashnaharu' was published in 2020. She recently graduated with a master's degree from Harvard University.

Listen to Boju Bajai Reads featuring Durga Karki, reading her short story ‘साथे’ from her book “कुमारी प्रश्नहरू” https://link.chtbl.com/bbreadsftdurgakarki 

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

You can follow Durga Karki on 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/durgakrk 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durga.karki.96 

You can listen to our earlier episode of सोझो केटो, surveillance and social media featuring Durga Karki from Jan 2020 
https://youtu.be/YGS8GtqSiKE?si=ZauTuY6o4NYuDiz6 

Related readings

'यस्तो पनि देश?', Setopati
https://www.setopati.com/cover-story/setopati-debate/308373
हिमालमा के छ?, Setopati
https://www.setopati.com/opinion/254137 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com/  

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#93 Guff Gaff with Durga Karki

Boju Bajai in conversation with Dr. Dovan Rai, a researcher, writer, and educator. In this episode, we talk about Dovan's experiences as a woman working in STEM and education, her writings about Nepal's long history of failed political leadership, and the role and effectiveness of civil society in Nepal. 

Dovan Rai is passionate about making quality education accessible and has worked at OLE Nepal where she designed educational software for public schools in Nepal. She studied engineering at Pulchowk Campus and has a PhD in Computer science from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts. 

She is currently working as a visiting lecturer in the computer science department at Mount Holyoke College. She is also a development board member of the University of Nepal (UoN) and writes on socio-political issues of Nepal.

You can follow Dr. Dovan Rai on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dovan_rai 

Related readings

नेपाल– आशा र निराशाको ढिकीच्याउँ, Setopati
https://www.setopati.com/cover-story/setopati-debate/308113

तरे संसार घुमिआम्ला, झरे माछा भइजाम्ला, Naya Patrika https://jhannaya.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/1457/2021-08-07

बहुसांस्कृतिक राष्ट्रमा धार्मिक सहिष्णुता, Naya Patrika
https://jhannaya.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/1513/2021-10-02

The women who are changing the face of tech in Nepal, The Kathmandu Post https://tkpo.st/2LdKgef

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com 

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#94 Guff Gaff with Dr. Dovan Rai

Boju Bajai in conversation with journalist Bidhya Rai. We talk about her experience being a woman inside and outside the newsroom, her journey from Bhojpur to Kathmandu, and why her relationship with social media has deteriorated over the years. Bidhya is an award-winning journalist who has consistently reported on stories about the most marginalised communities in Nepal through an intersectional lens, from disability rights to cyber security, gender and climate change. In 2023, she won a South Asia Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitive reporting. This conversation was recorded in May 2023.  Bidhya is a reporter at Kantipur. 

You can follow Bidhya Rai on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bidhya.bantawa2053/ 

Here’s a list of Bidhya’s stories: 

‘लैगिंक हिंसा रोक्न गर्न लगानी बढाउनुपर्छ’, Kantipur
https://ekantipur.com/news/2023/11/27/investment-to-prevent-gender-violence-57-35.html?author=1

महिला तथा बालिकामाथि अनलाइन हिंसाको कहर, Kantipur, https://ekantipur.com/news/2023/11/26/the-ravages-of-online-violence-against-women-and-girls-47-32.html?author=1 

चौथो अंग : पत्रकारितामा भविष्य छैन भनेर सिनियर पत्रकारले निरुत्साहित गराउँदा नयाँ पुस्ता डराए, Ukeraa, https://ukeraa.com/news/detail/143407/

Bhojpur farmers vexed by falling productivity, The Kathmandu Post
https://kathmandupost.com/money/2018/01/08/bhojpur-farmers-vexed-by-falling-productivity

विमानस्थलको होडबाजीमा एक दशकमा डेढ अर्ब खर्च, Kantipur https://ekantipur.com/news/2024/01/15/one-and-a-half-billion-spent-in-a-decade-on-airport-gambling-03-16.html
:
:
Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com/  

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

#95 Guff Gaff with Bidhya Rai

A very special Valentine's Day episode dedicated to our lovely listeners who have been with us for the last eight years! Thank you so much for being part of our laugh and guff gaff. It feels like we’ve actually become boju and bajai in podcast years. So your grannies next door are a bit tired, and desperately in need of some aaram, and will be going on a season break after this episode. We will use this time to work on new projects, hopefully, different from what you have seen/heard in the last eight years. 
:
This is also a perfect opportunity for you to listen to our past episodes (bojubajai.org/episodes), read our newsletter, and check out our videos on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/bojubajai)
:
Please don’t miss us much hai, cos हम हैं राही प्यार के, फिर मिलेंगे चलते चलते ;p See you after the season break.
:
Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 
Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai bojubajai.substack.com/  

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke
:
Related readings:

- A new global gender divide is emerging, Financial Times
 
https://www.ft.com/content/29fd9b5c-2f35-41bf-9d4c-994db4e12998

- Why is South Korea so conservative, a thread on X
https://twitter.com/HeejungChung/status/1752279887547601036

- Shame on you CAN! https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-20-shame-on-you-can

- Guff Gaff with wildlife researcher turned social entrepreneur Priya Joshi about her professional and personal journey, her complicated relationship with motherhood, and her attempt at creating a nurturing, kind online community for young Nepali mothers like her. 

https://bojubajai.org/episodes/88-guff-gaff-with-priya-joshi/

- Nursing pillows are associated with more than 160 infant deaths, NBC investigation finds

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nursing-pillow-baby-deaths-breastfeeding-infant-investigation-rcna97725

#96 हम हैं राही प्यार के

Boju Bajai is back!. Season break मा माया नमारिदिनु भएकोमा बहुतै ज्यादा धन्यवाद है।

In this episode, we talk about घर व्यवहार, geriatric pregnancy (yes, one of us is a mother now 😬), and trying to figure out if life after ४० कटेसी is actually fun. We are super excited to share this episode and very many aru ramailo guff gaff in 2025. Thank you for sticking around 🫶

We have also recently launched our new video series “Rewind” on YouTube. The series focuses on all things nostalgia and the first video explores the origin story of Wave magazine. So please check it out hai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOg75WdVLqk

We are currently working on another special audio series called “Lies We Tell”.  Find more about how you can be part of the mini-series and share your stories: https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-22-the-lies-we-tell?utm_source=publication-search

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com/  

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke 

Mingle Game Song “Round and Round” | Squid Game: Season 2 | Netflix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbAKYgfYET8


40 katesi ramaula. Really?


It’s that time of the year again! And no, we aren’t out marching this year cos we are boju bajai yaaaaa. Leg and back is dukhing hau. Also, no girl boss energy or women breaking glass/wooden/cement ceiling stories this time. Cos this Women’s Day we are putting the spotlight on jhooti, makkar, thaggar ladies - from “माताको भेषमा मूर्ति र घण्टी चोरी गर्ने” ladies’ gang in Dang to laptop luteri in Delhi and Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, the woman who caused the infamous diamond necklace kanda in 18th century France. 

Female con artists’ को कारनामा/ कर्तुत is as old the as the history of scams and frauds. So in this episode we are going to talk about women - con women, confident women - and our fascination with them. 

अपनी कुर्सी की पेटी बाँध लीजिये, cos we are going on a world tour with our scammer ladiz! Just so you know, this is in no way us glorifying crimes. Just some harmless fun re kya. 

Also, Women’s Dayमा चक्लेट, चिम्टी, चुरा र बिदा दिन बन्द गर्दा हुन्छ होला।

Hope you enjoy this episode!

Credit

Research: Shristi Shakya

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

Bunty aur Babli soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuIplXLce0w

Bluffmaster Vishal and Shekhar (those hip hop fakers, rey kya ;p) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX409_Bq7m0

Don https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NkzxwE2Yzg

Dauda Dauda Bhaga Bhagasa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTDZPmO3luQ

Reading list

- माताको भेषमा मूर्ति र घण्टी चोरी गर्ने पक्राउ, Ratopati https://www.ratopati.com/story/422906

- राष्ट्रपतिले भने,'स्याबास् अनुजा', Kantipur 
https://ekantipur.com/feature/2011/04/21/328357.html

- के हो सत्य अनुजाको ? Salokya, MySansar   https://www.mysansar.com/archives/2011/04/18535/

- 'The big laptop heist': Delhi's ‘Bunty and Babli’ con duo arrested, Hindustan Times https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-big-laptop-heist-delhis-bunty-and-babli-con-duo-arrested-101732854825390.html

- Two women held for fraud https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/two-women-held-for-fraud
एमबीबीएस टपर डाक्टर भन्दै ठगी गर्ने दुई युवती प्रहरीको फन्दामा https://www.ratopati.com/story/347324

- Glitzy, Tragic and Selfish: Female Con Artists Waltz by Society’s Rules
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/us/female-con-artists-tori-telfer.html

- Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has a fandom of “Holmies” who hail her as “girl boss” despite fraud charges
https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-trial-court-fans-holmies-girl-boss-fraud-2021-9

- Affair of the Diamond Necklace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affair_of_the_Diamond_Necklace

CONfident Women (Not that kinda Women's Day episode)


Introducing our new series “Rewind with Boju Bajai” where we talk about all things nostalgia.  In this episode, writer Anbika Giri and computer scientist Dr. Dovan Rai talk about growing up in Nepal in the 90s, where access to media and information was limited to Saturday films on Nepal Television, music videos on Image Channel, renting VHS tapes and a handful of magazines. 

They also reflect on their formative experiences during the years of political upheaval in Nepal, from Panchayat rule to multi-party democracy, followed by the Maoist insurgency, King Gyanendra’s direct rule to Nepal’s historic transition to a federal republic. 

This episode was recorded in 2024 so it doesn’t contain any reference to the recent raja baddies protest in Nepal.

This episode is part of our new series “Rewind with Boju Bajai”. The first video in the series explores the origin story of Wave magazine. Please check it out hai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOg75WdVLqk

Listen to our older episodes featuring Dr. Dovan Rai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R0ljURyo-Q and Anbika Giri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiCcZ01NPoA&t=134s

Learn more about our upcoming special called “Lies We Tell” and find more about how you can be part of the mini-series by sharing your stories: https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-22-the-lies-we-tell?utm_source=publication-search

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: www.patreon.com/bojubajai 

Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 bojubajai.substack.com/  

Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bojubajai/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bojubajai/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/BojuBajai  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/ 

--------

Credit

Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke

Shreeman Gambir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tnPuQCU6e4

Hatne Haina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofdTTAgdEwk

New Year, Same Ol’ Nostalgia

What do you mean it’s been NINE (!!) years since we released our first episode “Bears and Whores.” In this rambling birthday celebratory conversation, we look back on our journey, vent frustration about how the Nepali state continues to treat Nepali women as second-class citizens, the recent corruption kandas, "Paras Sarkar" content farm, and why Nepali netizens still can’t pachao opinionated women like actor Suraksha Pant. 
Thank you everyone for sticking around and being part of our laugh and guff gaff since 2016. 
---------------------
Learn more about our upcoming special called “Lies We Tell” and find more about how you can be part of the mini-series by sharing your stories: 
https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take-22-the-lies-we-tell?utm_source=publication-search
----------------------
Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that centre and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: ⁠www.patreon.com/bojubajai⁠ 
---------------------
Please read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai here 👉🏼 ⁠bojubajai.substack.com/⁠  
-----------------------
Follow @Bojubajai on social media for more laughs and guff gaff:
Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/bojubajai/⁠ 
Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/bojubajai/⁠ 
Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/BojuBajai⁠  
YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/c/BojuBajai/⁠ 
---------------------------------------------
Related readings, podcasts and videos:
​
- Boju Bajai’s first episode, Bears and Whores ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nbPiO9HpBMzVI5WP8k9nC?si=igIq--j_T2e5RaNV7fWLJA⁠ 

- ​Guff gaff with Rukshana Kapali 
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlmYA6LzIg4&t=323s⁠
​
- Raja Aau, for real? 🙃 The not-so-Royal Nepal of the 90s 
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glhIs1vs5OI&t=2s⁠
 
This episode is part of our new series “Rewind with Boju Bajai”. The first video in the series explores the origin story of Wave magazine. Please check it out on Boju Bajai’s YouTube channel.  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOg75WdVLqk⁠
​
- Suraksha Pant’s interview: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAhoGZf3KNE&t=1272s⁠​Top 15 viral videos of Paras Sarkar
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXNMI3Rbalw⁠

- ​The UK supreme court and the definition of a woman https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TrVQG610L86QrLUeWbS7x?si=fg-cgbyWT0uhaE_apv6U0g​Gender War In South Korea: Why The Backlash Against Feminism? 
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KpIXxF0abA⁠
----------
Credit
Chaand Taare ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3QzaUwml5w⁠
Boju Bajai theme music by Flekke
 


#100 Cold Takes by Boju Bajai: Birthday edition

Boju Bajai in conversation with writer Indu Tharu. In this episode we talk about her writing, art, activism and the importance of revolution to combat oppression. 

Indu Tharu is an artist, poet, and activist. She has documented different social movements across Nepal and the often forgotten contribution of women from indigenous communities like Tharus in such movements. Her writings have appeared in several national media outlets and shine light on the oppression of indigenous communities, and the loss of their language and knowledge.
She has published three books - “Muktik Dagar”,  “Nilambit Nibandha”, and “Budhani”, her latest book about Tharu folktale, which was released in June 2025.  This conversation with Indu Tharu was recorded in 2024.

Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: ⁠www.patreon.com/bojubajai⁠ 
Related readings:

Listen to Boju Bajai Reads featuring Indu Tharu’s poem ‘केकर हो यि साम्राज्य’

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cs6Tl9wAmKARyp4aa5yHG?si=R4EfRMCzT7SM0Acr_bAwgQ

- Indu Tharu: Whatever I want to write about has to touch my soul, Record 
⁠https://www.recordnepal.com/indu-tharu-whatever-i-want-to-write-about-has-to-touch-my-soul⁠

- A stranger in my own land ⁠https://purakasia.org/inclusive-nepal/a-stranger-in-my-own-land/⁠

- Inking an identity https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/inking-an-idenity⁠



Guff Gaff with Indu Tharu

Boju and Bajai talk about bears, whores and trolls. 

#1 Bears And Whores

नेपाली संगीत जगतको चीरफार in Boju Bajai isshtyle! Do popular Nepali songs and music represent our lived experiences? What are the characters on screen singing about, and who determines what kind of music becomes "mainstream" in Nepal? All this and much much more in this episode!  

Thanks to all the artists who gave us permission to use their tracks. Links to all the songs we talked about is here. Please do check them out.

Fuzzscape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLH6vVpQBTE&t=1066s

Rai ko Ris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cz1zbDspIU

Raithane Music: https://www.facebook.com/raithanemusic/videos/275552059800535/

हट्ने हैन( हटी हैन) डटी लड्ने: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnqLuLxeS-g
Sajjan Raj Vaidya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogr6ygCwRwc

Pitch road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV8_VniF19o

Chyangba Hoi Chyangba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjmeuTnojzc

Dui rupaiya:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grixSgZmMPc

Kutu ma Kutu:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwIWfvW3SD8

Yo keti ko thik chaina chala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9BXMJkrfyw

#21 Boju Bajai's Musical Break

With everything happening right now, from mindless violence to a deadly virus spreading around the world, we attempt to bring some joy with our guff gaff and laugh with the one and only Bartika Rai :)

Thank you for your time and for letting us use your beautiful songs, dear Bartika.

Taral- Ghar (Yaadharu) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7C7oXShSqE
Bimbaakash-Khai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ZODxg0yyY
Si/Ma-[Na] - Deshnikala  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUuCwpEnS-o

#32 Guff gaff with Bartika

महामारीको बेला महिला र पुरुषलाई यसले कसरी बेग्ला बेग्लै तरिकाले असर गर्छ भन्नेबारे सोच्नुभाको छ?  बन्दाबन्दीको बेला अपिसको काममाथि घरायसी कामको भारले महिलाहरुमा पर्ने असरबारे यसपालिको एपीसोड । 

Listen to this episode to find out what it's like for women working from home, where many find themselves having to combine domestic work that they never get paid for with work that they have to do, in order to get paid. 

A huge huge thank you to all the women who shared their stories with us for this episode. 

If you like what we do, please consider supporting our work on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/bojubajai 
Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast on Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/bojubajai or wherever you get your podcast.

Follow Boju Bajai on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more laughs.

Theme music by Flekke https://flekke.bandcamp.com/

#36 Work From Home ain't all that fun!

Four years of laughing, guff gaffing, long-distance friendships and long-distance skype calls. We would like to thank all of our listeners for your love and support. A big hug to all of the new friends we have made because of our podcast.

Our podcast has always been about pushing for space and creating space for women in the Nepali public sphere, and if you like what we do, please subscribe to our podcast on http://Soundcloud.com/bojubajai
If you like what we do, please consider supporting our work on Patreon www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Subscribe to Boju Bajai podcast on Soundcloud @bojubajai or wherever you get your podcast.

Follow @Bojubajai on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more laughs.

#37 Happy fourth birthday to us!

In this episode, we look at how the state institutions of Nepal are mirror images of the caste system. 
We will also listen to the lived experiences of Dalit women as they challenge and speak against the very foundations of caste-based discrimination and caste-based oppression. 

Sources used:
"From Tika to Ashes" by Sarita Pariyar (https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2019/01/25/from-tika-to-ashes)

"Caste Apartheid in the Judiciary" by Raksha Ram Harijan (https://www.recordnepal.com/perspective/opinions/caste-apartheid-in-the-judiciary/)

"Dalits and women the most under-represented in Parliament" by Bhola Paswan (https://www.recordnepal.com/data/dalits-and-women-the-most-under-represented-in-parliament/)

"Bullied every time" by Aahuti (https://www.recordnepal.com/perspective/opinions/bullied-every-time/)

http://www.jagaranmedia.org.np/

Benchmark Study, Samata Foundation in 2014
(https://www.samatafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Benchmark-study_nepal-report.pdf)

Empowering women through education: Experiences from Dalit women in Nepal by Nerine Guinée (2014)

FEDO, e-Bulletin Issue 38, 2019
(https://fedonepal.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Issue-38.pdf)

'Dalits facing difficulties even to rent room in Kathmandu' by Arpana Adhikari
(https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/32721)

#39 अनि तपाईको थर नि?

Two Nepali women in two continents talk about people, politics, animals, things and laugh out loud. If you like what we do, you can support us by becoming our patron  - https://www.patreon.com/bojubajai

Contact us at info@bojubajai.org for inquiries.

Boju Bajai

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