SURKHET, Sept. 1 -- "When a girl becomes part of your family through marriage, you must love her and respect her wishes, just as you would do for your sister or daughter," said Bir Bahadur Shahi, a leader of the Raute community, in response to a question about whether disputes arise between husbands and wives in their community. "In our community, we never raise our voices at women."

During a recent visit to a Raute settlement, Dil Bahadur Shahi was busy building a house, cutting and erecting wooden pillars, while his youngest son helped by chopping one of the posts.

When asked about his son seemingly dismantling the work, he replied with calm patience: "He's just a boy; he doesn't understand yet. He will learn when he grows up. One pos...