DADELDHURA, Nov 20: Jaya Ram Paneru of Ajayameru-6, who had once called for the continuation of the practice of keeping Haliyas, was astonished when a group of freed Haliyas felicitated him publicly.
The freed Haliyas, or bonded tillers, who have started honoring their former masters for social harmony, felicitated former landlords Paneru and Nanda Lal Ayer of Ajayameru-4. Stating that Haliya movement might have spoiled social harmony, they organized felicitating programs for former owners to improve the social integrity and harmony.
Bhim Parki, a freed Haliya, had to work as a bonded laborer after he was unable to pay back a loan of Rs 4,550 from his landlord 15 years ago. Likewise, Ram Bahadur Tiwari had to become a Haliya because his father had borrowed Rs 2,500 from Paneru 54 years ago.
Both of them were freed after the Haliya movement took hold in villages. The Haliya tradition was formally abolished from the country in 2008.
"We have started felicitating campaign even to reestablish and continue the old social fraternity," said he. He even added that social harmony is needed among people if they have to live in a single society.
"We have started felicitating campaign even to reestablish and continue the old social fraternity," said he. He even added that social harmony is needed among people if they have to live in a single society.
Another freed Haliya Raju Luhare opined that the society can't go forward if people harbor revolutionary feelings all the time.
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been helping freed Haliyas for their social transformation.
Two of the former landlords were honored by giving honorary certificate amid a program organized in the village. VDC Secretary Krishna Bahadur Ayer handed over the certificates to them.
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