Ambicadevi Sangraula: New to Politics, Strong on Labor and Production

Born in Hedang of Tehrathum district, Ambicadevi Sangraula is new to politics, but her political stance is clear and strong. Sangraula, a proportional representative for the Labor Culture Party, believes that good governance does not come from speeches alone.

As a proportional representative from the Khas-Ariya women's cluster, she raises her voice on issues of labor and production. Distancing herself from the greed for position, power, and authority, she prefers to raise the voice of marginalized communities. A conversation with Sangraula, who is on the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament, for RatoPati's 'Sansad Sanga' column by Shram Narendra Raula:

You were previously in business, and suddenly entered politics. Why did the desire to become a Member of Parliament arise?

I prefer to call myself a labor provider. I was in business for a long time (17-18 years). In 2079 BS, after the people of Dharan elected our former mayor Hark Sampang, I joined the labor campaign he was running. After that, I became involved in the political field.

What has been your experience after reaching Parliament? What new experiences have you gained?

It's been fun, very fun. We did not come from any movement, murder, violence, rebellion, or armed struggle. We have reached this place by doing labor, building houses and shelters for the poor and helpless, building bridges, participating in road construction, connecting water pipes in the Kokaha river, and doing similar work. The party's name itself is Labor Culture, we have reached this place through labor. 

You also attended a two-day orientation training in Parliament; what new things did it teach you about the parliamentary system?

We got the opportunity to learn many things from the orientation training. While being MPs, we learned about the dignity and discipline that MPs should maintain, how we should dress, how to wear logos, and how to sit. Besides that, we learned about the facilities we receive, and how and on what basis we receive them. We got the opportunity to learn many things about parliamentary practice in a short period, and we were happy. The training was indeed fruitful.

Your party gives great importance to labor and volunteer labor. You also won people's hearts by building a bridge in Dadeldhura. Did you go to Dadeldhura yourself?

I really wanted to go to Dadeldhura, but since our session is ongoing, I couldn't go. Not all of us honorable members could go to Dadeldhura. Our chairman has gone, and honorable Purna Limbu dai has also gone. We four are here.

Labor is work and culture is tradition. The main value and belief of our Labor Culture Party is volunteer labor. We do volunteer labor. That too, a lot of work with little expense. We are poor, our economic condition is weak, and when the economic condition is weak, we spend many years looking to the state. Government processes are also long. Even for small tasks, there has been a lot of delay by looking to the government. As our chairman says, if we work for 6 days for our stomach and 1 day for the country, we can accomplish a lot in a single day. We have many such examples. For instance, you can look at Dharan. I have been doing volunteer labor with Hark Sampang for three and a half years. I have joined the party with active honesty. Volunteer labor is very essential in our country.

Did you ever think you would become a Member of Parliament?

No, I had a selfless intention. I did not go to that place with any self-interest. Everyone in our Labor Culture Party must be selfless. No one should come for personal gain. I never imagined becoming a Member of Parliament. I didn't even know my name was placed first in the Khas-Ariya cluster in the proportional list. It happened unexpectedly.

What commitments did you make to the public during the election? What plans and promises did you make to the people?

We had made some commitments to the public. For example, we said that nature, culture, and technology make life easier. While we emphasize theoretical aspects for four days a week, we have been emphasizing practical education, production, innovation, and construction for three days. We have already built two factories for the purpose of producing soap and turmeric. Now we envision 'One House, One Employment' and 'One Village, One Industry'. There are many other plans as well. We do what we say. We will initiate new work based on the vision of honorable Hark Sampang.

What work will you do during your tenure? What are your plans and dreams for the people?

We are currently in the opposition, not in power. What I have experienced and observed as an MP is that there is a government with a majority. We are few in the opposition. There are only six MPs from our party. We are given time based on numbers. We are not even getting the opportunity to raise the issues raised by the public in the parliament, but we are speaking and will continue to speak for every Nepali in trouble and suffering, the helpless, the landless, the unorganized residents, and the victims. We will not stop doing volunteer labor and will focus on production.