Bardibas Festival begins

By Our Correspondent,Bardibas, Mar. 18: The fourth edition of the Bardibas Festival has begun. Organised by the Bardibas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the festival began in the Mahottari city on Friday and was inaugurated by Chandra Prasad Dhakal, senior vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The fair will last till March 27. 

On the occasion, Dhakal believed that the festival would revive the business and tourism sectors knocked down by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that increasing remittance, growing tourism numbers and the improving situation of banks and financial institutions were positive signs for the national economy. 

Before the inauguration, nine different ethnic and religious groups residing in Mahottari, including Tharu, Danuwar, Magar, Tamang, Majhi, Newar, Bhujel and Muslims, took out a traditional rally in the city. 

The festival has 170 commercial stalls to sell locally grown agricultural products and manufactured goods. People wishing to enter the festival venue will have to purchase a ticket of Rs. 60. Students, however, will get a discount of 40 per cent. 

The organisers estimate that over 100,000 people will visit the fourth edition of the festival.

Bishnu Bahadur Khadka, president of Bardibas Chamber, said that despite possessing immense potential, businesses in the city had not been able to develop due to the state’s neglect and lack of an investment-friendly environment.