Ilam, Jan 7: The South Asian Dalit Meet coupled with the State (1) level gathering of dalit people's representatives will be taking place here next month.

Some 350 dalit people's representatives in the federal parliament, state assembly and in the local governments from the State will attend the gathering scheduled for February 7 and 8.

Additional 100 guests from other six states and from India and Bhutan will be invited to the event, according to programme main celebration committee coordinator Nawaraj Shankar.

A cultural procession, a discourse on 'dalit women: opportunities, potentialities and challenges' among dalit lawmakers and dalit leaders Laxmi Pariyar, Anita Pariyar and Durga Sob, and a debate entitled 'Dalit youth: entrepreneurship and employment' with Nepal Jaycees central chair Ashok Shankar have been scheduled in the opening day.

Similarly, a solo literary recitation programme by radio programme presenter Mahabir Bishwakarma will be held in the evening same day.

During the second or concluding day of the meet, team leaders from groups of people's representatives from 14 districts in the state will share their critical experiences about local levels.

Bishwabhakta Dulal (Ahuti) will deliver views on the topic of 'Caste-system in Nepal and untouchability' while Ganesh BK will give presentation on the subject of "Nepal's dalit movement: past, present and future".

A group comprising peasants will be there to deliver their opinions on the topic of ' Dalit community: economic, social and cultural transformation'.

Lawmakers Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Min Bishwakarma and Binod Pahadi will sit for a debate entitled "Dalit community's problems and the State".

Similarly, three successful businesspeople will discuss about the issue of 'protection of occupation of Dalit community and modernisation'. The meet will conclude by issuing the Ilam Declaration.