- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Here is a little news which may be of interest to you, especially those who sent some money to be distributed to the kamis.
When we talked to Gelbu a day or two back this news astounded me. I lived in Nepal for three different Daseins and I have a better udnerstanding of what all this means but I'll try to put it into terms which all might be able to understand.
Dasein, the Hindu religious festival which I can best explain in Western terms as a Hindu Christmas day that runs solid for two weeks, started just a couple of days ago. Gelbu gave each kami, sarki, and shop helper, about 20 people in all, 2000 rupia to help them get through Dasein. Two weeks of no work along with added expense for food and gifts for family and friends is never easy for them and this extra money can really be a blessing for them.
At first, the shop people thought this money was an advance against future efforts. They simply could not accept the fact that this was a gift -- bonus -- from HI management and a few customers. They had a meeting and tried to figure it out. A lot of discussion and talk. Gelbu explained it three or four times, the kamis and sarkis finally got it, and Gelbu like everybody else in Nepal including schools, government offices, banks, etc., was ready to lock up the shop for two weeks. Another meeting and more discussion by kamis and sarkis. Finally, they came to Gelbu and here is what they said -- roughly.
"Everybody will stop work in Nepal for Dasein. It is our tradition and how it has always been done. But, we do not want to stop work for all of Dasein, we want to work for six more days and complete these khukuris for Pala, Didi, our American Bena and our American customers. They do not observe Dasein in American and our customers there want their khukuris. It is because of them that we have this 2000 NC in our hands which is like a gift from Heaven itself. It is up to us to repay this kindness the best we can and we can do this by working six days of Dasein. We have all agreed to do this and we want to do it. Our Gods will understand what we are doing and will not condemn us but rather they will bless us for this effort and will also give a special blessing to these khukuris and to all the people who buy them. This is our request. It is what we want to do."
Gelbu agreed to keep the shop open six days into Dasein -- an unheard of action in Nepal. The kamis will complete 92 khukuris before quitting for Dasein, including our run of Banspatis. Even Ganga Ram who is not a regular employee but got his 2000 Nc bonus anyway, is staying on to work the extra six days. He will not complete his run but will have four more specials ready to ship before he goes to his village for Dasein.
They may belong to the lowest caste in Nepal but these are some of the finest men one can find. My hat is off to our shop people. They are the best in more ways than one.
------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
When we talked to Gelbu a day or two back this news astounded me. I lived in Nepal for three different Daseins and I have a better udnerstanding of what all this means but I'll try to put it into terms which all might be able to understand.
Dasein, the Hindu religious festival which I can best explain in Western terms as a Hindu Christmas day that runs solid for two weeks, started just a couple of days ago. Gelbu gave each kami, sarki, and shop helper, about 20 people in all, 2000 rupia to help them get through Dasein. Two weeks of no work along with added expense for food and gifts for family and friends is never easy for them and this extra money can really be a blessing for them.
At first, the shop people thought this money was an advance against future efforts. They simply could not accept the fact that this was a gift -- bonus -- from HI management and a few customers. They had a meeting and tried to figure it out. A lot of discussion and talk. Gelbu explained it three or four times, the kamis and sarkis finally got it, and Gelbu like everybody else in Nepal including schools, government offices, banks, etc., was ready to lock up the shop for two weeks. Another meeting and more discussion by kamis and sarkis. Finally, they came to Gelbu and here is what they said -- roughly.
"Everybody will stop work in Nepal for Dasein. It is our tradition and how it has always been done. But, we do not want to stop work for all of Dasein, we want to work for six more days and complete these khukuris for Pala, Didi, our American Bena and our American customers. They do not observe Dasein in American and our customers there want their khukuris. It is because of them that we have this 2000 NC in our hands which is like a gift from Heaven itself. It is up to us to repay this kindness the best we can and we can do this by working six days of Dasein. We have all agreed to do this and we want to do it. Our Gods will understand what we are doing and will not condemn us but rather they will bless us for this effort and will also give a special blessing to these khukuris and to all the people who buy them. This is our request. It is what we want to do."
Gelbu agreed to keep the shop open six days into Dasein -- an unheard of action in Nepal. The kamis will complete 92 khukuris before quitting for Dasein, including our run of Banspatis. Even Ganga Ram who is not a regular employee but got his 2000 Nc bonus anyway, is staying on to work the extra six days. He will not complete his run but will have four more specials ready to ship before he goes to his village for Dasein.
They may belong to the lowest caste in Nepal but these are some of the finest men one can find. My hat is off to our shop people. They are the best in more ways than one.
------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
hehehe.
