Skype conference
On Saturday, Kantipur daily published a news article of Bhanu Jayanti celebration in one of the European countries. I was more curious as it mentioned a new approach was adopted for the celebration. I assumed it was not just a literary piece recitation.
I was wrong. The function was as traditional as it has to be – poets gathering, saluting Bhanu Bhakta and reciting their poems. The writers and poets had come together from around the world to participate. It was not physical presence but virtual through skype. Technology has made it all easy – people from around the globe can sit together, yet far away, to celebrate.
The skype conference is new for Kantipur and probably the organisers. It is not for me. We have used this technology for several times and since a few years. As a disintegrated society – departing to seven countries across the border from closed-seven camps in Nepal – the only means of congregation for Bhutan is skype and similar other technology.
Bhutanese literature has been organising such skype conference bringing Bhutanese writers from across the globe together. The tradition began and continues since the establishment of the group. I participated the latest such conference to celebrate Bhanu Jayanti on Saturday few hours after reading Kantipur news.
Bhutanese media team in exile have used this technology for last several years. Let me quote my friend Vidhyapati Mishra who makes it interesting to listen at how we got addicted with the system. Interviewer stays in Europe, interviewee is in America, editing of this interview takes place in Australia and is played through radio in Nepal. Not even Radio Nepal or Radio Kantipur have ever been able to do this.
It is circumstance that compels us to see alternative avenues. Radio Nepal and Radio Kantipur have no meaning in making use of these technologies for all contents they require are based in Nepal and they have enough people to reach spots physically. We lack financial, human and other resources which encouraged us to go beyond conventional thinking and traditional media practices.
As political refugees, skype or similar other facilities are best means now on for us to debate on our issue and our movement. It takes another decade or more for us to be financially able for larger physical gathering. Not only for literary festivals, Bhutanese diaspora has to make use of this facility in every aspect of its activities here on.
Western TV channels make ample use of skype for live coverage of many events and taking instant interviews with people. The technique is adoptable and looks good even for TV channels in east. Hopefully, the eastern media will integrate this facility in their system at the earliest possible.