Hello from Oxford

Hi

I am a new student at Oxford University. I am told that I am the first Nepalese Dalit to study at Oxford.

I am here for two years doing my MPhil in Social Anthropology, starting October 2008. I also hope to go for DPhil, depending on my qualification and the availability of funds.

Unlike most other Oxford students, I come from one of the poorest families in one of the poorest parts of the world - Nepal. According to the university figures, only 4 Nepalese students studied here last year. Something similar should be the number this year.

I recognise that there are a multitude of challenges in front of me. Not only am I new to the British education system, but also to the subject. That will require some real hard work to get cracking on - and I am poised for the mission.

One of the good things is that I have the experience of working with the Brits (as Press Officer at British Embassy, Kathmandu, 2001 - 2008) and I almost fully get their accents (including the Scots).

I have a clear goal - to contribute to the Dalit movements in India and Nepal. Even if I did not join politics, I hope to advocate for their rights through my academic and literary works. It is true that the voice of the millions of Dalits are still muted.

One of my obvious ammunitions will be, hopefully, my books and articles. I am passionate about reading and writing, specially prose work. I am a columnist with an English weekly in Kathmandu (concerned if I will be able to contribute in the heights of my coursework!).

I am very interested to meet up, build contacts or share ideas with those who know something about the plights of the low caste in the Hindu societies and share my passion. Besides, I would love to get connected to the established and new fiction writers, particularly those who base their stories on less privelaged peoples of Africa, Asia or other parts of the globe.

I have started reading my first book at Oxford, Anita Desai's Inheritance of Loss. The award winner has intrigued me from the beginning, also because it deals with Nepalese-Indians in Kalimpong and Darjeeling areas of India.

Please pass on your feedback and comments.