Facilitated by Sanjeev Dahal, a freelance researcher and general secretary of Y-eelum, the workshop was based on the theme of ‘madness’ as depicted in the poem ‘Pagal’ (The Lunatic) by Laxmi Prasad Devkota and ‘Madness and Civilization’ by Michel Foucault. [break]
“Madness has been a less talked about subject in our society,” said Dahal, who is also a program coordinator, Social Work Program, at Thames College, adding, “Through this workshop, we just wanted to bring a lively discourse on madness among the youth.”
The workshop was attended by people from diverse backgrounds that included students and other professionals.
The organizers said a wide variety of participants had been invited to give dynamic input to the discussions and therefore they did not specify any criteria for participation.
The participants, meanwhile, expressed many different views on their idea about ‘madness’.
“Madness may be taken as a clinical subject at present, but its root is social and philosophical.
These kinds of workshop will help clarify the misconceptions about mental health,” said Dr Ajay Risal, a participant, who is also a psychiatrist at Dhulikhel hospital.
Another active participant and lawyer by profession, Chandra Luitel, said, “The workshop did discuss the issue from the viewpoint of Devkota and Foucault but the concept of madness has changed over time.
” He elaborated that ‘madness’ is a personalized experience and everyone is mad, varying only in the magnitude.
Related story
Madness of some people has messed up Nepal’s policies: Yogesh B...
