Shakti (शक्ति)

Reporting live from the Prime Minister's residence,

where human rights attorney Karuna Thapa and activists call for change.

Ending violence against women and girls is a human rights issue.

Violence towards women is rampant in our society and the world.

- You don't have to do it here. - She's on a low caste quota, let her!

How can we live in a world where one in three women are violated?

- Change! - We need it, we need it.

We cannot accept these patriarchal norms anymore.

We cannot! We cannot!

- This is a time for change! - It must be! It must be!

We must amend the laws now.

We must! We must!

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Is that an owl?

No, it's probably a crow.

Plane!

What are you doing? Are you stealing fruit?

- It's not us, sir. - Please sir, don't tell anyone.

Tell whoever you want, why can't we pick a couple of fruits?

Let's go.

She's my top student.

No matter how good she is, she can't go around stealing.

I'll have a talk with her.

If we let her go, others will copy those habits.

I would suggest calling in her parents.

Actually her parents are separated.

Call who you need to call.

Li...

Get inside, it's late.

I want to play longer.

Is mom home yet?

Mom always gets home late.

My god, when will there be light in this country?

Li

go call Mali Dai, the gas is out.

Mali Dai!

- Yes. - Come inside, please.

- Li! - Huh?

Get to sleep, it's late.

Can you tell me Kukkuripa's story?

- I just told it the other day. - But I didn't hear the end.

Ok c'mon, you're going to get in trouble tomorrow.

Get inside!

Close your eyes.

Once upon a time there was a yogi,

who went from cave to cave towards Lumbini.

One day, he heard a cry from the cave,

and he found a starving puppy crying.

- What kind of puppy? - A stray, now get back in.

After many years of penance, he gained special powers.

What kind of powers?

Are you going to let me finish?

In return, the gods invited him to their paradise.

And his friend waited for him at the cave.

Don't you want to eat?

Let's have a cigarette first.

- Did Lila eat? - Yes, like a bird...

What did she do after school?

Nothing, ran around as usual.

That reminds me, Lila's teacher wants to talk to you tomorrow.

- At school? - Yes.

Why?

I don't know, she did something.

What are we going to do with this girl?

There's a painting school near Prem's tea shop.

She's always drawing in her notebook.

Don't we need money for that?

The gas is out too.

How much gold do we have from what father left us?

That's all we have...

Come on, I'm late.

I don't want to go...

Are we going because of me?

You're the one up to no good.

Aren't you embarrassed?

- Hello, Miss. - Hello, have a seat.

Thank you for taking the time to come.

Good morning!

- Good morning, ma'am! - What happened?

I'll start with the good news.

We would like to give Lila an opportunity to advance to grade 4.

But

we had a little incident yesterday.

A guard brought Lila to the office because

Lila was picking guavas during class.

What did I say about staying in your own place?

Why are you sitting like that?

- I'm sitting nicely. - Your feet!

Ms. Durga, there's nothing to worry about.

We feel that Lila's energy can be channeled creatively.

Where did you learn how to steal?

From now on, you're not hanging around those boys.

I was just playing with Kiran and Tej.

You're not going anywhere!

Yum, my favorite. I'm tired of eating rice.

That's what we eat.

Don't try to be too American

you should know who you are.

At your age...

So many children go without food, while ours has too much.

- What time are you going shopping? - I want to go too!

You're staying home with me.

I'll go put on a sari.

Your mom is going to kill you, didn't you hear her?

I want to buy some candy.

Ok, hurry up.

- Do you have spicy candy? - Yes.

- I have this kind. - I'll take two!

Your mom is going to kill you.

What's the matter? One for today, one for tomorrow.

Hide it inside.

How much is it?

- Including the bag. - Thank you.

Wow, pretty birds!

- Do you want to learn painting? - Really?

Let's go.

You're fortunate, you get to do what you want.

We never had that.

Did you know that your grandma was married at your age?

Ew, I'm not getting married!

- Hello. - Oh, hello Prem.

- Are you coming from far? - No, just from the store.

Hello.

I'm going, ok?

C'mon Durga...

Can we make this work?

Look, I'm doing the best I can.

I'm trying, ok... don't you see that?

Your daughter is here... Lila?

- I don't want to talk. - It's your father.

Hello?

Hi, Lila. Your mom said you're skipping a grade.

I am so proud of you.

Yeah, I'll be in grade 4.

Are you excited?

Of course, will you come see my new class?

You know your mom and I...

I sent you a gift, I hope you like it.

When are you coming home?

- Is Chris coming? - Who knows... we are all stressed here

he's probably too busy screwing another woman.

I knew he was like that.

You insisted that white men were different back then.

- What did he say? - Dad is sending me a gift.

He thinks he can buy love with money.

This pup showed up.

- Can we raise it? - No!

This is not the time to feed extra mouths.

They will keep coming back if you feed them.

Let's go to the fountain.

Empty bottles, old paper!

Empty bottles, old paper!

What is that?

- Where? - What is it?

What's that?

Hey!

Do you know

where they take children?

- Where? - Where?

Bombay!

Run, let's go!

Bet you can't catch me!

Quick!

- Isn't that the low caste girl? - Who else would it be?

What kind of mother would let their daughter run around like that?

That's what happens when there's no man in the house.

- Where did you go? - I dropped Kiran and Tej off at home.

I can smell your lies. I told you not to go anywhere.

- That's it, let's go. - I want to stay home.

I'm not asking you, let's go!

- Hello. - Hello.

- Is this a painting school? - Yes, come inside.

I don't teach anymore

my son teaches.

Rabi, say hello.

Go get us tea!

You have to learn to make it pretty like this, ok?

Do you like painting, little one?

Don't worry, Rabi will teach you.

He's done this since your age.

Are you here during the lessons?

Yes, I look after the gallery.

If she's talented, do her a favor and encourage a disciplined lifestyle.

Do you know little one

we have some of the richest bird life in Nepal?

And people come from far off places to see these birds.

Oh, please.

She doesn't drink tea.

Go, get some juice for the little one!

Where do you teach the classes?

Rabi teaches some neighborhood kids right here in the gallery.

She likes drawing a lot.

And, what does your husband do?

I work in the hospital.

Oh, so you work?

You have come to the right place, think of this as your own home.

Here, give this...

When are we going home?

Do you know

this is where life and death meet?