KATHMANDU:

Here is a last chance to for you to watch the photo exhibition ‘A People War’. Starting in March last year, the exhibition was taken to various parts of Nepal in three main phases.

The photos are images from the decade-long insurgency, the excruciatingly painful and cruel thi-ngs that happened then. Now, the photo exhibition ends with a two-day exhibition at Nepal Art Council from February 29, which will also feature feedback of people from the places toured in a separate section called ‘Never Again’.

“When the people came out of the exhibition, almost all said never again may the terrible thing happen, after which we have named the feedback section,” explained Kunda Dixit, who is behind the whole concept of compiling images of the conflict. According to him, some of the visitors even cried, while most people were moist in their eyes after looking at the photos. “More interest and stronger response was shown in places where people had seen the war first-hand. In eastern Terai, people said the war is still on as there are communal violence which, if it continues, will produce worse consequences,” he added.

According to the organisers, nepa-laya, over 3,20,000 people visited the 30 places where they put up the exhibition. “Some members of the then warring forces also showed their utmost regret at what happened. The pain givers were pained,” Dixit added.

Responses of people and Maoists also totally were opposite regarding the use of gun and war. Many people even wanted the organisers to show the photos to political leaders to make them realise the consequences of their utterly irresponsible rule.

“People saw the negative effects of gun and war, as photos can speak very effectively. Hopefully, it will influence people never to raise a gun again,” said Bikas Rauniyar, President, National Forum of Photo Journalists, which also supported the exhibition as local partner.

A total of 30,000 people commented on the photos, which will be used to make another book. — HNS