Draft:Sarju Shrestha
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Sarju Shrestha
[edit]Sarju Shrestha (born 20 December 1991 in Diktel Bazar, Khotang, Nepal) is a Nepali civil engineer, slam poet known by his stage name Melody Dot, and political leader affiliated with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). He is vice coordinator of the National Democratic Youth Organization, the youth wing of RPP, and ran as a candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2022 federal election from Khotang. He is recognized for his work in post-earthquake reconstruction, political activism, and cultural expression through slam poetry.
Early life and education
[edit]Sarju Shrestha was born and raised in Diktel Bazar, Khotang District. During his early school years, he attended Mount Everest English Secondary High School. Due to school closures by Maoists in 2055 BS, he spent a year at Saraswati Secondary School before returning to his original school.
As a student, he was active in extracurricular activities such as quizzes, debates, speech competitions, and poetry. He also volunteered with organizations like Red Cross Nepal and Maiti Nepal, attended a week-long journalism training, and published a weekly wall newspaper to encourage student participation.
His father, Jeevan Kumar Shrestha, has been a member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party since 2048 BS, inspiring Sarju to join the party at a young age. Sarju earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Himalayan White House College of Science and Technology, Khumaltar, and a Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies from Tribhuvan University’s Central Department.
Engineering career and reconstruction work
[edit]Sarju began his engineering career shortly after the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake. He volunteered to build 106 temporary houses in Ojetar-10, Kavre, with financial aid from Canadian donors, advocating for sustainable and dignified housing solutions.[1] He further contributed to constructing 28 transitional shelters in earthquake-affected areas like Gorkha and Bhaguwa with support from social organizations.[2]
He worked as a drafter and junior engineer at Ecotech Building System Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu under senior engineers Badri Maharjan and Sampurna Maharjan. Later, he joined Habitat for Humanity’s reconstruction program in Pachkhal Tamaghat, Kavre, working as a junior engineer to rebuild homes for disaster-affected communities.[2]
Political career and advocacy
[edit]Sarju has been active in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party since his youth, following in his father’s footsteps. Since 2073 BS, he has served as a central committee member of the National Democratic Youth Organization, and currently holds the position of vice coordinator. He participated in the constitution movement after the dissolution of Nepal’s first Constituent Assembly.
In the 2022 federal election, Sarju was the RPP candidate for the House of Representatives from Khotang and received 1,761 votes.[3]
Migration advocacy
[edit]Sarju advocates for policies addressing the socio-cultural and economic effects of migration on rural communities, especially in his home district of Khotang. He highlights that migration causes long-term socio-cultural damage to society, disrupting traditional agricultural practices and local economies. Gradually, once vibrant villages are turning into silent, deserted places—“cemetery-like dead ends.” He emphasizes that people are the soul of villages and society, and without them, everything appears vacant and abandoned.
Development approaches
[edit]He promotes a holistic development model that connects infrastructure with human and cultural dimensions. According to Sarju, “Development without connection to people’s lived experiences is incomplete,” urging policymakers to prioritize community-driven growth rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure.
Slam poetry and cultural contributions
[edit]Under the stage name Melody Dot, Sarju is an active slam poet and a member of the Word Warriors collective since 2010. His poetry focuses on social issues and youth empowerment, encapsulated in his philosophy: “The point is not the point, but the point is poetry.”
One of his notable poems is Birkhe Sahar Ko Road Map. He has performed at several national events, including the 16th edition of Poemandu in Kathmandu,[4] the Jhapa haiku festival,[5] and the Kathmandu with Madhes cultural event.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Quake-hit get 106 temp houses". Kathmandu Post. 21 June 2015.
- ^ a b "On Their Own". My Republica. 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Khotang Constituency Election Results 2022". Election Commission Nepal. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Young poets recite in 16th edition of Poemandu". Spotlight Nepal. 30 June 2014.
- ^ "Writing Haikus in Jhapa". Lalit Magazine. 15 November 2019.
- ^ "Melody Dot performs at Kathmandu with Madhes". YouTube. 15 March 2023.