KATHMANDU / Photojournalist Bikram Rauniyar received a new DSLR camera amid a function organized in the capital on Monday. Rauniyar also received a voucher for a photography training and additional cash, according to the organizer Madhesi Youth.
Earlier, two months ago, some Armed Police Force (APF) personnel had attacked Rauniyar, thrashed him and smashed his camera while he was reporting the ongoing protests in Janakpur. According to him, the camera that he had bought from his five years’ saving was a source of livelihood for him and his family.
Following the incident, Madhesi Youth and another joint effort by Code for Nepal (CFN) and Story South Asia (SSA) had launched fundraising campaigns to purchase a new camera for Rauniyar.
From the online campaigns, Madhesi Youth raised a sum of $543 (NRs. 5, 4300) using Life Indiegogo while Code for Nepal and Story South Asia jointly raised $580 (Rs. 58,000) using Fund Dreamer.
Besides online campaigns, the campaigners had also raised some funds through cash donations & pledges.
Co-founder of Code for Nepal Ravi Kumar, who handed over the camera to Rauniyar informed that it cost about $600 and it consists of several additional interchangeable lenses, tripod, external flash, and memory card among others.
“We feel proud to announce the success of our campaign. We are overwhelmed by love and support that all the donors have shown for the photojournalist Rauniyar,” said Puru Shah, Founder of Madhesi Youth, who supported the campaign from Texas, US.
Ravi Kumar told Hulaki that some of the remaining funds covers the photography training for photojournalist Rauniyar as per his interest. The remaining cash was handed over to him.
Thanking all the campaigners and donors, Rauniyar said, “I couldn’t believe my eyes that I have received a new camera. Your support has not only given me a new camera, but it has instilled further enthusiasm and courage in me.”
While it is very challenging to stop the deplorable acts of human rights violations against journalists, purchasing a camera for him alone has brought back smiles to a hardworking journalist like Rauniar, according to Praveen Kumar Yadav, one of campaigners of Madhesi Youth.
