NFDIN - National Foundation For Development of Indigenous Nationalities

Following the restoration of democracy in 1990, the government, under great pressure from different groups and sections of Janjaties (indigenous nationalities), was obliged to form an ad hoc committee to create a permanent body to cater to the concerns of Janjaties. Subsequently, the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN), affiliated to the Ministry of Local Development, Government of Nepal, was established, under the Chairmanship of the incumbent Prime Minister, in 2002 through an Act.

The main objective of the NFDIN is to ensure the overall welfare of the different indigenous nationalities who lives across the country. The foundation is an autonomous body, fully authorized to operate independently where the indigenous nationalities' interests are concerned.

The Constitution of Nepal 1990 failed to address some major concerns of the Janjaties. However, the Interim Constitution of 2007, has been able to address some of these issues by defining the country as independent, secular, inclusive, democratic and federal. This has raised considerable hope of the indigenous nationalities for a better future. The new constitution is expected to eliminate some of the discriminatory practices clandestinely practiced by the State and remove all the economic and social inequalities the Janjaties were subjected to.

The democratic atmosphere created following the end of dictatorial rule of the Ranas in 1951 greatly encouraged the Janjaties to assert them for a dignified and respectful place in society. This did not happen as easily as was anticipated due to various reasons. It was only after the Panchayat System was dismantled in 1990 that the Janjaties were able to become more assertive in demanding justice hitherto denied to them by the State.