THE MRR GROUP: WORKING FOR A CAUSE

Popular Nepali TV actor and actress Dipak Raj Giri and Dipashree Niraula donated Rs.2 Lakh for the MRR Group. All photos by the MRR

 

THE MRR GROUP: WORKING FOR A CAUSE

By LB Thapa

Call them CRAZY boys, AMAZING boys or STUPID boys, no matter how you call them. They won’t mind, for sure. But one thing is pretty certain: you cannot ignore them. These boys, who crave no name, but believe in service and only service. Selfless and unassuming, their group works without hierarchy. In their group, everyone is equal, as there are no seniors or juniors. Guided by the spirit of benevolence, these boys, who call themselves Men’s Room Reloaded, want to keep their profile low-key. However, the body of work these boys have done can surprise any sane person of wit. 

MRR activists with Nepali flags.

Do you want to know more about the Men's Room Reloaded group and their unbelievable works? Here they are. Men’s Room Reloaded was the brainchild of four young boys in 2011. Gyan Malla Thakuri, now studying at Wichita State University, USA; Sanam Rai, now studying at Islington College, London; Avinash Ghimire, now studying at Nepal College of Technology, Lalitpur, Nepal; and Samal Budathoki, a student in Nepal. 

“In the beginning, we started by sharing important messages among our MRR members through Facebook. We would let our group know about our activities through Facebook. We would always appreciate our members’ activities. Then we decided to work collectively as a team. This way, we got down to do some charitable activities,” said Prem Prasad Dawadi, one of the active members of MRR. 

This scribe was impressed with their working style. It is unique in the sense that, unlike other organizations, this group does not believe in hierarchy. There is no president, no vice president, and no other posts. Every single person in this group is a member, and all have equal power. Another interesting fact about this group is that the active members of MRR have decided not to register MRR, but to continue its social and charitable activities unabatedly. 

“We believe in service. Our purpose is not to get any benefits from MRR. If we had that intention, we would have registered MRR long ago. If we really want to do good for others, then we don’t need such things. This is the reason we don’t have any hierarchy... Everyone is equal in our organization, and frankly speaking, this is our strength also,” said Sagar Subedi, yet another active member of MRR. 

MRR regularly donates clothes to elderly people.

The rules they have made to run this group might sound a little bizarre, but this is how this group operates. Females have no permission to join this group. When asked why women get no permission to join MRR! Shishir Devkota said, “This is a man’s group. We are ready to go to any extent for the sake of service. We visit far-flung areas; sometimes we have to walk on foot for several hours or even days. We are ready to face any eventuality as well. Sometimes, there may be no shelter or food to eat. We don’t want to put women through such hardships. As we know, in our society, the majority of women cannot make their own decisions about what they like or dislike. Hence, circumstances as such will definitely make it difficult for women to work for our group. Thus, we decided to take the cudgel in our hands and face the tough time whatever.” 

The MRR is for Nepali citizens only. The people of other nationalities cannot be members of MRR, but they can help the group by providing funds, goods, and moral support. It is a pleasant surprise to know that the members of MRR have spread to many countries. They have a group of active members of MRR in over two dozen countries. Similarly, in Nepal too, they have active representatives in 67 districts. There are over 90,000 followers of MRR today. 

“We are very glad to see that our work has pleased many people and organizations. Every day, a new number of members is added to MRR, and many registered organizations show their willingness to work with us. Though they know MRR is not a registered organization, they don’t mind working with us. This is truly an achievement for every single member of MRR,” said Surya Timilsina, Pokhara representative of Kaski district. 

It is true that many reputed organizations are working with MRR today. It is because MRR does have enough youth who are always ready to make their contributions. During crises, the MRR Group has always done outstanding work in the country. During the earthquake, the MRR group reached out to several quake victims in Gorkha, Dhading, and even Sindhupalchowk. They provided them with food, clothes, medicines, and some tents. 

“We are still active in Dhading. The earthquake had played havoc in Dhading district. Several people had lost their lives, and the loss of property was beyond imagination. We helped Khaireni Lower Secondary School stand from the rubble. We chose a kid, whose name is Kumar Acharya, 5-year-old, to take responsibility for his education up to graduation in Nepal. Kumar Acharya studies in standard one at Khaireni Lower Secondary School, Dhading,” said Sagar Subedi. 

Students taking their class built by MRR.

MRR group constructed a school in Dhading.

The MRR group’s happiness knew no bounds when popular Nepali TV actors and actresses Dipak Raj Giri and Dipashree Niraula came forward and donated Rs.2 Lakh for the group. “We know MRR is not a registered group, but the kind of work these young boys are doing is far better than many registered organizations. Like these boys, I also believe in work and selfless service. We will always stand for the MRR group,” appreciated Dipak Raj Giri and Dipashree Niraula. 

A group of MRR members is still stationed in Laprak, Chepang settlement, and working with the local people there. Their group is regularly providing clothes, first aid, and fruits for the earthquake victims in Laprak, Chepang settlement area. 

The other day, the MRR group came out with a helping hand and raised a fund of Rs.10 Lakh for Sujan Nepali and Kamal BK. They needed financial help to get kidney-related treatment. Had they not received timely financial help from MRR, their lives would have ended by now. 

From time to time, the MRR group organizes food-giving programs on the roadside so that beggars and street children can eat food. “We regularly distribute clothes to beggars and elderly people on the street. Sometimes, we also go to nearby Old Age Homes and distribute clothes and foods,” said Prem Prasad Dawadi. 

The MRR has selected 13 different programs to execute in 2016. Some programs are on the priority list as well. The MRR group seems exuberant, as in recent times, some organizations from Japan, Australia, and Austria have shown keen interest in working with the MRR group in Nepal. 

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