Elderly people in the Bhutanese and Nepalese community will be able to hear the local news in their own language for the first time.
Nepalese brothers Durga and Meg Rimal have begun broadcasting a two-hour program from 5pm on Wednesday evenings on community radio 2REM 107.3 FM.
Durga said the motivation for the program, called Sahja Awaj, or “public voice”, was born from a lack of programs in Nepalese.
“There are up to 1000 Nepalese and Bhutanese speaking people living here and among them 50 per cent only speak English,” he said.
“With this, if they listen to us, it reminds them of Nepal or Bhutan – it can be hard for elderly people to adapt.
“What we are getting from them, is saying thank you for bringing a Nepalese program, at least for two hours we forget pressures.”
Mr Rimal said the program included the news and discussions of health and Nepalese and Australian customs, with an aim to also engage younger generations.
“After I came to Australia, I realised our young children started to forget our language when talking in English,” he said.
“The aim of this program is whether or not they speak our language, still they can know about our language and won’t forget it.
“I’m so excited to give something to society and protect our language and customs.”
Mr Rimal said he and Meg would consider a segment spoken in English to engage the wider community.
We have been discussing presenting one hour in Nepalese and one in English as well so people can learn,” he said.
“I have met a few Australian people who are trying to speak Nepalese language, so I think this program will help as well.”
Community Radio Albury-Wodonga chairman John Elias said the program had been well received.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a Nepalese program in this area and I’ve been here for 30-odd years,” he said.
“It’s great for the people who listen to it, to get news from home to listeners to the area who don’t have contacts or any means of getting the news.”
Source: The Border Mail
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