Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 26:

Dwarves have long been looked upon in our society as those who entertain people. But here is high quality news. They are soon opening up an eatery here at Bhrikutimandap, and all this just to create employment opportunities for themselves. Called the Lilliput Khaja Ghar, the restaurant will come up on April 14 and will be run by an organisation of the little people, Upakar Nepal. In a programme organised with the theme ‘Empowerment and Economic Challenge of Dwarves’, Amar Man Nagarkoti, secretary of Upakar Nepal, said dwarves have long been deprived of their rights. “Though we are physically different from others, we are not disabled. People have been cracking jokes about us and as such what we need now is a forum to show to the people what we are capable of,” he said. “As our maiden venture will solely be run by dwarves, it will certainly be an opportunity for us to come up with our ideas and compete with the others in the society.”

President of Women Entrepreneurs Federation (WEF), Shanti Chadda Rijal, said she has witnessed the great success of the ‘Lilliput Restaurant’ in Kolkata where dwarves are making out a successful living. She said that the WEF will extend all its support to the proposed ‘Khaja Ghar.’ President of the Producers’ Association, Yuva Raj Lama, said dwarves in the country have long been contributing to the entertainment sector. He said he is on a lookout for a good staff for his carpet showroom at Durbar Marg and added that he would offer the job to any dwarf who is interested. According to an unofficial survey by Upakar Nepal, there are around 3,500 dwarves in the country with 1,400 of them being women. Speakers at the programme agreed upon the need for a target programme for themselves and thus open up employment opportunities.