Mr Bhishu Bhakta Bhuju of Bhaktapur introduced me to Dharma Ratna Yami in order to secretly arrange hide out inside my house.. Heera devi yami used to bring party secrete information and materials in this hide out. The Rana regime discovered the secret activities of Heera Devi and they started massive hunt to arrest her. She too was kept in a secret hideout inside my house. I was instrumental in arranging the hide outs for her in more secure places. Those days untouchable communities used to be treated below dignity and no one would give access to any services including access to school education. .
However, Yamijee and his wife never discriminated in their behaviors towards untouchables and they both used to enjoy eating meals together. inside hide outs. Heera while staying under ground she used to keep secret contacts with Uma Devi, Jagdeswari, Keshari Pradhanangh, Byash Pradhanangh, Prem Ratna Bajracharya, Indu Dhoju , Sahana Pradhan etc.
Those days untouchables were not allowed to use the public taps also. They were not permitted to be admitted in school.people People used to worry about being touched by these untouchables. While these untouchables were undergoing through such painful days this Yami couple challenged in front of the society and advocated for fighting for policy to discourage general public and the ruling government to stop ill treating them.They brought awareness program to recognize them as resources and to engage them to build better lively hood.
They were barred from gong to go near schools, Dharma Ratna gave his heart to save the lives of untouchable before they vanished, He advocated that they should be given access to education and started mobilizing concerned stakeholders to collect fund for opening school for them. He even approached Mr. Tanka Prassad Acharya for arranging for fund for the school. Yami eventually succeed in opening a school and named that school as " Adarsha Awaj Rastriya Prathamic School". He had a big hand in opening this school.
He always had great compassion towards Dalits and used to criticize people of upper class who ill treat Dalits .
Those days political leaders used to speak for the rights of untouchables, however, they used to back out when it comes to implementing policies for poor untouchables. However, Yami and his wife Heera Devi used to happily call untouchables in their houses and they also used to enjoy entering into residences of untouchables to eat meals together. We all untouchables remember both late Dharma Ratna Yami and late Heera Dev from the depth of our heart who gave us true love from the depth of of heart. We remember both of them forever.
Nani Bahadur Khadgi,
Political Leader representing untouchable communities
Bhaktapur
Published in Dharma Ratna Yami Smriti Granth(Nepali).
B. S 2046
Translated by Timila Yami Thapa