International Open Data Day 2019 Marked by Two Municipalities in Bajhang
Jayaprithvi Municipality and Masta Rural Municipality organized a celebration of the International Open Data Day 2019 facilitated by Sahara Nepal SUSASAN Project. The day was not only celebrated for name of celebration. It was rather a symbol that they are being open, providing space to engage citizen with them in decision making process and it was a great effort to make easy access of women and marginalized groups in data.
The importance of open data cannot be listed in words as it has a large scope in sustainable development, to maintain good governance through accountability. The practice of Open Data ensures the access, use and re-use of data of the public institutions which will promote citizen state engagement to maintain transparency and responsiveness.
The scenario of International Open Data Day Celebration in the world was started from 2009 AD from western country to be open, accountable and transparent towards citizen. Our country Nepal has also been practicing to celebrate this day for few years ago in few places. So, Jayaprithvi Municipality and Masta Rural Municipality of Bajhang became its part to celebrate for the first time.
Jayaprithvi Municipality, Chainpur, Bajhang
Jayaprithvi Municipality in Bajhang District celebrated International Open Data Day on 2nd March in the chairmanship of Municipality Mayor Mr. Birendra Bahadur Khadka along with the presence of Deputy-Mayor Mrs. Juna Jagri, other executive members and citizens especially from women and marginalized groups by organizing various activities. Mr. Rakesh Pradhan, IT engineer of Young Innovation was also participated to observe the event.
In Jayaprithvi Municipality, the rally was started from the premises of Municipality office displaying placard having different inspiring slogans and entered inside the building of District Coordination Committee circumambulating the market. The slogans had carried the theme of openness, accountable and transparency.
After rally circumambulating around the market the formal program in DCC meeting hall was started. Mr.Birendra Bahadur Khadka, JPM Mayor was seemed to be happy for celebrating this International Open Data Day 2019 for the first time. During the event, JPM Deputy mayor Mrs. Juna Jagri highlighted the objectives of celebrating International Open Data Day. The event was celebrated through interaction among the participants and speech program on the important of open data.
As Sahara Nepal had supported local government as a facilitator they gave space to us to present the content of ‘Open Data’. So, from the side of Sahara Nepal Mr. Dambar Sunar presented the power point presentation. The presentation gave a message to the audiences about certain questions like: What is Open Data? What kind of data should be proactively disclosed for the public consumption by the concerned local government? Who can access and what are the means to access these data? What is the importance of Open Data? What is its’ relevancy in Nepal? What is its legal provision in Nepal and benefits of keeping data open to both citizens and local government.
Likewise, to make this event success, few students including both girls and boys were invited to deliver speech on open data. During their speech they expressed their views on the importance of open data and its relevance in Bajhang district.
Similarly, the organizer gave space to Sahara Nepal chairperson, Mr. Gyan Bahadur Bohara to express his view on open data. Mr. Gyan Bahadur Bohara highlighted the importance of open data its use and reuse. He thanked JPM executives for taking initiation of being open, transparent and accountable to the citizen during his speech.
Likewise, Mr. Rakesh Pradhan, IT engineer of Young Innovation introduced the technological platforms and tools that are to be used for transparency and accountability and keep data open. He thanked JPM for taking ownership of tools which are already developed and introduce the tools that are going to be designed for JPM.
After speech program was over the event was preceded toward technological tools, platforms and mechanisms hand over to Japarithvi municipality officially. These tools, platforms and mechanism were handed over by signing on agreement paper. The agreement paper was signed by Gyan Bahadur Bohara on the behalf of Sahara Nepal in the witness of Sahara/SUSASAN DPC Mr. Dambar Sunar and Birendra Bahadur Khadka on the behalf of Jayaprithvi Municipality in the witness of Deputy Mayor Mrs. Juna Jagri.
Before closing the event JPM Mayor, Mr. Birendra Bahadur Khadka was called to keep few words on the occasion. During his speech, he said that Jayaprithvi Municipality commits to remain open to all, make easy access of information to all through both electronic and printed copies if the citizens required. Lastly, he requested all to visit the web portal and data portal of Jayaprithvi municipality to take information and data and provide suggestions, feedback to make better municipality from each and every angle and thanked Shara Nepal for support to mark this event successfully and closed the event.
Masta Rural Municipality, Bajhang
Masta Rural Municipality in Bajhang District celebrated International Open Data Day on 2nd March in the chairmanship of Rural Municipality chairperson Mr. Karna Bahadur Kathayat along with the presence of Vice-Chair Mrs. Bhagawati Bohara, other executive members and citizens especially from women and marginalized groups. Mr. Mahendra Shahi, Regional Coordinator for province 7 was also participated to observe the event.
Mr. Karna Bahadur kathayat, RM Chairperson was seemed to be happy for celebrating this International Open Data Day 2019 for the first time. The event was celebrated through interaction among the participants on the important of open data. He said that Masta Rural Municipality commits to remain open to all, make easy access of information to all through both electronic and printed copies if the citizens required. During his Speech he also requested to all to be join hands together to make prosperous Rural Municipality.
The most praiseworthy step of the Rural Municipality to be open and technology oriented was that they distributed 36 mobile phones to Women Health Volunteer. This proactive initiation of the local governments has given a strong message that they are stepping towards open and accountable government.
Similarly, CECI/ SUSASAN Regional Coordinator, Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Shahi threw some lights on the historical back ground of Open Data Day Celebration and its’ importance to both local government and citizen.
As Sahara Nepal had supported local government as a facilitator he gave space us to present the content of ‘Open Data’. So, from the side of Sahara Nepal Mr. Dev Raj Bohara presented the paper presentation. The presentation gave a message to the audience about certain questions like: What is Open Data? What kind of data should be proactively disclosed for the public consumption by the concerned local government? Who can access and what are the means to access these data? What is the importance of Open Data? and so on.
Finally, on this auspicious occasion Masta RM inaugurated the Municipal techno hub formally and technological tools, platforms and mechanisms were officially handed over to Masta Rural Municipality.
The Masta Rural Municipality successfully celebrated this International Open Data Day, 2019 and relayed the message that rural municipality is in the process of being open about its data, though they have internet problem.
Author: Dambar Sunar District Project Coordinator, Sahara Nepal.
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