Nepall’s first reality TV game show, Pahunch, which launched amid a function on September 21 in Capital, is set to go on air today. The show, produced by Search for Common Ground Nepal with funding support from UKAID, features eight contestants from different backgrounds who are trained by the Nepal Police officers on various subjects, such as: Homicide, human trafficking, road traffic and sexual harassment and undergo strategic police training to hone their understanding about the Nepal Police.

Speaking at the launch, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Upendra Kanta Aryal said, “We are hopeful that the reality TV game show will help foster a sense of belonging among the public towards the police. Pahunch is designed to increase public access about justice and security, and it also echoes a powerful message that the Nepal Police cannot function effectively without public support.” He further added, “We hope that it will help change the negative perception of police that some people have.”

The reality TV show is directed by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa and features actor Reecha Sharma as the host. The first season of the reality TV game show features: make-up artist Sophie Sunuwar, national level basketball player Maya Syangtan , youth activist Akwar Ansari, dairy owner Ajit Kumar Karna, former Maoist combatant/entrepreneur Gyan Bahadur Lama, national level taekwondo player and burn survivor Sita Bhandari, model/aspiring actor Parbina Dahit and former travel show host/media person Shanta Nepali.

The pre-recorded series had the contestants’ face tasks based on the real-life scenarios security personnel to go through on a day-to-day basis. “Being on the show has completely changed my outlook towards the police force. Being a transgender, I always had a very negative view on the police and was really scared to approach them even when in trouble. But after the show, I have come to realise that not all police are like that and how tough their work really is,” said one of the contestants Sophie Sunuwar. The other contestant Gyan Bahadur Lama mentioned how being in the show has made him feel more responsible towards the society and encouraged him to raise his voice against injustice in the community.

Along with the launch of the event, the winners of the Peace on Earth-a video and photography contest— marking International Peace Day were awarded with gift hampers and certificates.

The 13-episode series game show will premiere at September 23 on Nepal Television at 7:25 pm.