When we were kids we used to count the fingers and sing “Dashain aayo khaula piuola …the days were really memorable and we used to be happy with dakshina of five rupees and new clothes. Then Dashain was just five rupees and new clothes for us but now everything has changed . Dashain now means sharing love and blessings.

So to share this feelings we decided to celebrate Dashain in a new way: Dashain with the  grannies in Bridaashram. How was this concept phrased? As per the one day Civic Concern workshop of the Youth Initiative for the girls of Kanya Multiple Campus they generated the idea of celeberating Dashain with the grannies of Pokhara Brisdasharm in Dhunghesahu. It was further assisted by Alternatives, Youth Forum, Pokhara University Management Campus, Pokhara College of Management, Suryodya Club. The day was than fixed for the 8th of Kartik, 2064.We were about 40 to go for that program

There was a kind of   enthusiasm among the youths who were there to have attended the program. They all got a bus reserved and headed towards the south of the valley .The day was really beautiful and it looked more magnificent with the paddy plants swaying .The bus moved in its own speed and stopped at its ultimate destination Pokhara Bridashram: the old age shelter at Dhungesanghu.

All the youths got down and entered the old age shelter. For a moment they were really moved by the sight over there. It had quite sympathetic environment over there………….. The grannies who were away from their families by different circumstances were really happy to have us over there. We were warmly welcomed by the chairperson of the old age center Mr Basanta Kesav Parajuli where he defined humans as the social, intelligent and conscientious beings. Many other different youths also addressed the program.

The day was really going to be great where the experience was to merge with the young enthusiasm. It was perhaps a kind of new moment to every body present over there .We were to celebrate day with all the grannies over there. After a kind of formality, then started the actually awaited moment “the Tika of Dashain from the grannies “.

All the youths received the Tika and Jamaras with showers of blessing wishing health, wealth and prosperity. It was first started by Jiban dai over there with his wife Anju. After that all the girls of Kanya campus received Tikas and Jamaras. Kabita, Shana, Nanu, Jyoti and other gals were overwhelmed to have Tika received. The Jamaras were falling from their ears. After a while we had our lunch together with the grannies, a packet of sweets and fruits .It was perhaps one of the tastiest things that we ever had.

Than the program was more entertained by the Bhajans that were sang by Sachin, Manoj and Shiva. Later the girls assisted where Rajani, Kabita and Nitu sang well enough. The old grannies were really dancing great that might have aroused their memories when they were young. Samundra dai and Nitu were really making a great entertainment. After the bhajan of about an hour or so we had to bid a goodbye to the Bridaashram. Before that the most inspiring thing of that day where Bandana Shakya, the girl from Kathmandu and the member of the Ashoka Youth Foundation for Social Enterprenurship donated 30 blankets to the grannies that could keep them warm in the winter. That must be really inspiring to all the youths who spent money gambling and merry –making.

Another most interesting thing of that day was the heritage visit where we went to have a look of the famous Dhungesanghu: the natural stone bridge, Sita paila and Akaladevi temple. It was really informative and interesting to have a look of the famous heritage and the beautiful Seti River. After that taking some snaps we had our program concluded.

But the fun had not ended still, we than played the “ping” and it was really pleasant to swing. Santosh, Sonu ,Rit and girls really got a great sway over there. At last every thing was to be concluded and we had to depart hoping the same Dashain again.

However the program was really a great one and perhaps we had got the actual essence of Dashain:Get together for the blessings of  the elders and share the love. Eventually, we knew why families are to be together in Dashain. We were proud that we could be the family of the old grannies for that day.

Please Click on the image to view the photo gallery

Ashis Himali
himash10@hotmail.com
15th October, 2007