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Mai Sari Sunakhari
PMC produced Mai Sari Sunakhari ("Orchid, Like Me") in Nepal. This 208-episode radio show aired from April 2016 to April 2018 in Nepali, the official language of Nepal.
PMC partnered with the Antenna Foundation (AFN) to broadcast Mai Sari Sunakhari and another PMC radio show, Hilkor ("Ripples in the Water"), airing in the Maithili language. The Antenna Foundation has established itself as one of Nepal's premier communication and production houses with a team of 50 professionals and a network that spreads across the most remote corners of Nepal. The broadcast network for Mai Sari Sunakhari and Hilkor included Radio Nepal, Kantipur FM, and 40 stations nationwide through Ujyaalo 90 Network.
As with all PMC radio shows, Mai Sari Sunakhari was created using PMC's radio show methodology.
What does Mai Sari Sunakhari mean to Samikshya Chaudhari?
Mai Sari Sunakhari - Episode 1
"The drama is very artistic. Some dialogues bring tears in my eyes and I start laughing listening some characters."
Ashok Dhakal, Kaski
"I haven't missed the single episode of the drama. It's very real and feel like the place is my village. 15 minute is too short. Can you make it 30 minute?"
Mukesh Rawal, Baitadi
"I am studying in college. The drama is very popular among our friends. The language, contexts and characters make me feel like I am listening conversations of my village from one corner. I hope that drama will bring more issues about caste discrimination and violence against women."
Surya Nepali, Chitwan
"It's completely different and the best drama. I am listening it from Kantipur FM. I love drama. In other dramas, I could easily guess how it will move. They were very predictable. But this drama is difficult to guess what happens next. I assume something and it happens different in the drama."
Asok Dhakal, Baneshor
Issues this Drama Addresses
Mixed-methods research completed during and following broadcast of Mai Sari Sunakhari have shown a number of positive results.
When compared to nonlisteners, Mai Sari Sunakhari listeners were:
• 3 times more likely to believe people in their community advocate to end child marriage
• 2.1 times more likely to have taken action to discourage child marriage
• 7 times more likely to believe they should be able to initiate a divorce if unhappy with their marriage
• 5.1 times more likely to believe they should be able to remarry
• 1.6 times more likely to believe one is unable to negotiate safe sex when married early
• 1.6 times more likely to believe early marriage deprives one of a childhood
Girls' Education
• 3 times more likely to believe that girls should be encouraged to continue their education to higher levels
• 2.8 times more likely to believe that allowing girls to continue their education empowers them
• 2 times more likely to believe continuing education makes girls less vulnerable toward abuse and exploitation
• 1.4 times more likely to believe continuing education makes a girl better equipped to contribute to the family income
• 2.7 times more likely to believe that women and men have equal leadership capabilities
Main Issues this Drama Addresses:
All issues addressed by this drama:
Title: Mai Sari Sunakhari ("Orchid, Like Me")
Format: Radio Show
Location: Nepal
Duration: April 2016 – April 2018
Download the Nepal broadcast map
PMC Country Administrative Team:
Country Representative: Rajan Parajuli
Technical Assistant: Binaya Adhikari
Finance Assistant: Ramesh Pokharel
Administrative Assistant: Dinesh Timilsena
PMC Country Creative Team:
Producer: JB Ruwali
Production Assistant: Basant Bhatta
Studio Technician: Binay Adhikari
Head Writer: Manisha Gauchan
Writers: Chandika Mainali, Jaya Ojha, Deepesh Paudel
News Related to this Project:
Stopping Child Marriage: Results of PMC Shows in Nepal
February 5, 2019 — Nepal has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with Girls Not Brides reporting... Keep reading.
On air to deter child marriage
February 19, 2018 — PMC has pasted the text of an article by published in February 2018 by the Nepali Times. See... Keep reading.
Superstar Rajesh Hamal Says "Cut" to Listen to His Favorite Radio Drama
June 2, 2016 — KATHMANDU, NEPAL – With the film crew in the midst of an action scene, the martial arts superstar... Keep reading.
Turn on, tune in
May 29, 2016 — PMC has pasted the text of an article by Deepesh Paudel in the Kathmandu Post. See the original here:... Keep reading.
Nepal's First President Celebrates Efforts to End Child Marriage this Nepali New Year
April 15, 2016 — KATHMANDU, NEPAL – As people gathered to celebrate the Nepali New Year, the former Nepali president was celebrating... Keep reading.
Junimava's Story
Junimaya, a schoolgirl, is able to resist the charms of Shukman until she finds herself lost after the death of her best friend. When she and Shukman are caught having sex, they decide to elope to escape the disapproval of the community. Pregnant and physically weak, Junimaya drops out of school and lives with Shukman's parents who don't support her or the marriage. Shukman continues to go out at night and have relationships with other girls. When she gives birth to a girl, Shukman's parents' are disappointed and she decides she must go home to live with her parents and try to resume her studies. Her father-in-law supports her decision to continue her education and he takes care of her blind son until she can finish school. Shukman is arrested by the police for cheating and attacking an exam superintendent when he was confronted about cheating. Junimaya successfully passes the exam securing good marks.
Issues this storyline addresses:
Rashmi's Story
Rashmi has been married to Ashok for five years and is constantly showing off the material goods she can buy with the money Ashok earns working in Qatar. When Ashok returns, there are many quarrels because she is only interested in his money and he suspects she's having an affair. On his final night in town, they make up and make love, but when Rashmi tells him over the phone that she's pregnant he once again doubts Rashmi's faithfulness. Rashmi eats junk food throughout her pregnancy and begins to wean her baby early to non-nutritious foods at the advice of her neighbor. Soon, her son's health begins to fail and she must look after her ailing mother-in-law and her ailing son. When Ashok returns, they must navigate their differences to rebuild trust, seek help to learn how to properly feed and care for their son, and start a local business together.
Hembe's Story
Hembe is a farmer who lives with his wife and two young daughters (two and five years old). His mother desperately wants a son and convinces Hembe to try again, but when his wife, Ram, gives birth to yet another girl, Hembe's mother rejects her, makes her life difficult, and urges Hembe to take another wife. Hembe does throw his wife out, but his life becomes very difficult with only himself to raise the two older girls and tend to the farm. When he sees his mother lock his oldest daughter in the cow shed, he decides he must bring his wife back. As they rekindle their romance, Hembe's mother convinces him that the only thing missing in their re-found relationship is another baby. Ram miscarries, is rushed to the hospital, and almost dies. The doctor tells Hembe that his wife was forced to have too many children too closely together and recommends family planning. Hembe and Ram decide not to have more children and adopt family planning.
Bhetwal's Story
Bhetwal is the general manager of a construction and supply company. With his wife mostly bedridden with illness for more than three years, Bhetwal hopes that his daughter will eventually follow in his footsteps, but she's pursuing education to become an actress. A new assistance manager in the sales and marketing department, Upsana, seems to be a remarkable new addition to the company, but her colleague Trilochan continually sabotages her work and lies about her out of jealousy and because she refuses his advances. With tensions at home and at work, Bhetwal has an affair with a woman who runs a local restaurant. Trilochan beats her and forces her to extort money from Bhetwal to keep his secret from his family. Eventually, Bhetwal tells his wife about the affair and cuts off his daughter's allowance and stops paying her school fees. When his wife dies, he is estranged from his family. Upsana helps Bhetwal repair the relationship with his daughter and Bhetwal realizes Upsana's incredible aptitude at work. Trilochan is punished for manipulating money away from the company, Bhetwal gets to attend the premiere of his daughter's third movie, and Upsana gets the credit she deserves for her business acumen.
Financial Literacy & Independence
This project funded by