Itahari: 'China is just 318 kilometers away from this central city of Eastern Nepal', says Himal Dahal, a denizen of Itahari, a transit town of East Nepal from where east-west and south-north roadways intersect, 'however, when it comes to master in spoken Chinese language, it is still a distant country.' An informed individual on growing global influence of Mandarin, the largest spoken mother tongue in the world, Dahal, also the Sunsari district secretary of Federation of Nepalese Journalists adds, 'if 3-moth, 6-month and even a year-long spoken Chinese languages classes were run here, I would have already joined such crucial classes for sure.'
Sagar Subedi, an influential leader of CPN Maoist Center of Itahari also echoes similar sentiment shared by Dahal and says, 'the way China's global economic and political spheres is expanding as per new global order, it has been need of the hour to be fluent at least in spoken Chinese languages.' Subedi, who was the vice-mayoral candidate of Itahari during recently held local elections, opined that learning Chinese has been an important ability for a Nepalese politician to better people-to-people and cultural ties of Nepal's northern neighbor China. 'Nepal shares 1414.88-kilometer-long land border with world's apex economy China', Subedi, a former Central Committee Member of CPN Maoist Center argues, 'therefore, it is not good to have talks in English language instead of UN's one of official languages of Chinese.'
Not only Dahal and Subedi, people from all walks of life in Itahari, are eager to master Mandarin to have direct lingual connectivity with 1 billion plus Chinese populace. Specially, Itahari-based large-scale traders who make overseas and overland imports from China are also eager to learn Mandarin. Prem Bhattarai imports electronics iteams from China and sells throughout districts of province one. He is also eager to learn communicative Mandarin language. 'I purchase Chinese goods from Chinese markets but I have to bargain with an interpreter or in sign languages, says Bhattarai, 'had I taken Chinese class good enough to communicate with Chinese traders, it would have been easiest way for my trading tracks.'
Demand from all walks of life
Cautious citizens from all walks of life specially traders, tourism entrepreneurs, politicians and youths are in thirst of Mandarin. 'In previous years, English was necessary for global communication, better jobs and to have access to global knowledge', explains Yatri Shekhar, the owner of East Nepal Tour, the youtube channel to promote East Nepal's best touristic destinations, 'now days Chinese have created global presence from Africa to Latin America and from South Asia to eastern Europe in sectors like trade, tourism and investment. And, learning Chinese have no disadvantages even for basic jobbers like cook, tourist guide and laborer.' Prem Bastola, the owner of East Nepal's first economic daily named Purbi Bajar and also a Mandarin enthusiast, also opines learning Chinese has been an increasing demand in Itahari as works are in progress to connect East Nepal with China even from two northern border crossings namely kimathanka of Koshi Zone and Olanchungola of Mechi Zone. 'If Mandarin class was run in Itahari', describes Bastola, 'it would be an golden opportunities for all people who have craze for Chinese language as Itahari is at the center of East Nepal and is accessible from everywhere.'
Chinese language apps and CRN are early teachers
Learning Mandarin is not easy in East Nepal as Chinese language classes are only held specially in and around capital Kathmandu. All Mandarin-enthusiast either have to leave their daily doing to travel Kathmandu for Mandarin classes or have to switch to handy options. China Radio International's Nepali programs and Chinese Languages apps have been early option and opportunity for learning Mandarin. 'I have downloaded Chinese language app and have memorized few Chinese terms from there', says Himal Dahal,'but, it was not ultimate option as we can't cross questions like native and in-person learning.' Chinese languages classes broadcasted by China Radio International's Nepali shows have also been early options for all easterners. 'I did learn few sentences about greetings in CRI', says Yatri Shekhar, 'still, it is not enough to be fluent in spoken Chinese language.' 'A native Chinese language instructor would be a great for hundreds of Chinese language lovers in our region.'
