By Manjima Dhakal

Chitwan, Jan. 26: When anyone reaches Shanti Chowk of Bharatpur, 16 these days, they feel some festival is going on there as they see crowds of people.
In reality, the crowd is created by people visiting the under construction Guttam Buddha International Cricket Stadium to support and encourage the campaigners of Dhurmus Suntali Foundation.
The Dhurmus Suntali Foundation, a social organization established by comedians Sitaram Kattel aka ‘Dhurmus’ and Kunjana Ghimire aka ‘Suntali’, is working in full swing to build the international stadium with a target to complete it from people’s support.
So, to support in the goal of the foundation, about 500 people visit the spot daily these days. The number of visitors goes up to 2500 on Saturdays and other holidays.
According to Kattel, some visitors reach there for donation, some for voluntary labour and some only for having a look of the ambitious project.
The foundation is now able to collect daily running cost of the project after the number of visitors has significantly increased lately, Kattel said. However, it has not been able to manage the cost of construction materials from such support. Due to that, the foundation has been procuring construction materials like cement and rod on credit, he added.
Mainly women’s clubs, youth clubs, sports clubs and other volunteering organizations are visiting the site for donation and labour support.
Around 350 workers are mobilised in the field daily. About Rs. 400,000 rupees is required for operating cost every day.
Besides collecting donation from supporters, the foundation has been doing many creative works to raise funds for the project. It has built a view tower in the front side of the spot and it has been charging Rs. 20 from each visitor.
Likewise, the foundation has kept a cart vendor at the premises from where it has been selling nuts, fruits and water. Similarly, a canteen inside the premise sells lunch and snacks for visitors.
Responding to social media criticism that such mega project could not be accomplished from such small businesses, Kattel said, “The running cost of about 10 labours could be covered from these businesses even if the support for the foundation stops. I respect the people who worry about the project. But, with the establishment of the canteen at the stadium visitors need not worry about food during their visit. And what they eat goes to the stadium.” A notice is pasted in newly opened stadium canteen: ‘Whatever you eat goes to stadium construction.
A movie named Senti Virus acted by Dhurmus and Suntali was also released from last Thursday. All income from the movie will also go to stadium construction.
For fund collection, the foundation has announced to organise Dhanyanchal Mahayagya from February 2 to 9 at the premises of under construction stadium.
From the government side, Bharatpur Metropolitan City has allotted 22 bighas of land for the stadium. And it has also announced to provide Rs. 6.5 million to the stadium but the metropolis is yet to disburse the budget, Kattel said.
Kattel is confident that he will get

funds and the project will complete within the stipulated time. He said, “According to my experience, people extend support only after they feel assured that the project will complete in time. It is possible when the stadium takes shape.”

Ground to be ready in four months
The work of the stadium had been started about two months ago, after Tihar festival. Till now work relating to site clearance, slope making and canal construction to dispose ground water has been finished. Now, workers are busy digging pits for pillars required for the parapet.
Rajesh Thapa Magar, engineer deployed at the stadium, said that out of 352 pillars to be erected for the parapet, so far 52 pits have been dug for footing.” The parapet will have a capacity of 30,000 audiences at one time.
Though it will take time for parapet to be ready, the ground will be ready for games in next four months, Kattel said.
Daily routine
All workers enter inside stadium premises by 6:30 every morning. Kattel conducts an assembly where he and the team leaders of all groups brief about the day’s work. After some exercises and singing the national anthem, the work starts from 7:00 am.
Lunch break is between 11 am to 12 pm. And for snacks, mesh staff serve snacks to all workers at workplace by 3.30 to 4.00 pm. The day shift work completes by 5:30 pm. And some technical workers are deployed for next shift, Kattel said. Kattel mobilises himself in work according to requirement. The foundation has been managing cash prize for best workers on timely basis to encourage them in work.
Stadium structure
The structure of the stadium will be lotus shaped. And the stadium will have 77 sections representing all districts of the country. The stadium will be multipurpose, where the foundation announced to construct football ground, covered hall and swimming pool on different sides of the stadium. According to the foundation, altogether 22 games can be played there, Kattel shared his plan.
Plan ahead
The foundation was motivated to construct the stadium after Nepal got victory in one-day cricket and other achievements in the game. Due to public pressure to make the stadium, Kattel announced the Model Nepal Project.
Asked about his future plan, Kattel said he had no plan as such until successful completion of this one.
But Kattel said, “I am asking for support from the well wishers for the last time. It is possible if all 30 million citizens offer only Rs. 100 each.” The estimated cost of the project is three billion rupees.