Suvarna Garge (Editor)

BBC Sajha Sawal

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Created by
  
BBC Media Action

Original language(s)
  
Nepali

Location(s)
  
Sanepa,Lalitpur, Nepal

Presented by
  
Bidhya Chapagain

Language
  
Nepali

Country of origin
  
Nepal

Producer(s)
  
BBC Media Action

First episode date
  
November 2007

Program creator
  
BBC Media Action

BBC Sajha Sawal sajhasawalcomwpcontentuploadsSajhaSawaljpg

Genre
  
Weekly Debate Programme

Similar
  
Meri Bassai, Jire Khursani, Bhadragol, Nepali Tara, Shankaboot

Profiles

Sajha sawal 21 aug lgbti


Sajha Sawal (Nepali: साझा सवाल ) is a weekly debate program broadcast across Nepal on radio and TV. The program is usually based on current affairs. In its eight years of broadcast, the program has been shot in 69 of the 75 districts of Nepal. Representatives of the different sections of society, related to the topic of debate are brought together during the program to discuss and find a solution to the issue. And as the name of the program speaks for itself, the program is an opportunity for people to raise questions and put them before the authorities.

Contents

Sajha Sawal is an immensely popular show among the Nepali community, reaching out to 6.6 million viewers, according to a research conducted by BBC Media Action. The show is appreciated for its impartial take on different social issues.

Narayan Shrestha used to anchor the show, and helped take the program to a height with his calm but grilling style of questioning. Currently, the show is being anchored by Bidhya Chapagain, who is also calm and asks difficult questions quietly.

Bidhya Chapagain sits in the centre, with the participants surrounding her in a half circle, on the sets of Sajha Sawal. She’s prepping a group of senior citizens for the recording of an episode of the BBC Media Action show. She does this every week—interact with a group of audience members, who participate in the program. The show, begins with a warm-up conversation with the participants, during which, they are given a briefing on safety issues, and on the topic of the discussion as their consent is sought for participation. As with any other TV production, a paraphernalia of technical preparations goes on ahead of the real conversation. Bidhya makes good use of this time, as she strikes a conversation with the audience and tries to make them feel at ease. The idea is focus on the information needs of the audience.

Sajha sawal 04 sep law and order public debate with igp


History

The program's first episode aired on November 2007. It began with the interview of former (late) Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The interview as shot in Koirala's hometown in Biratnagar. It was the first such program, where members of the public were allowed to ask questions to a sitting prime minister. Women, Dalits, and Muslims were able to directly ask questions on the peace process, constitution, election and other political issues.

References

BBC Sajha Sawal Wikipedia