Inflation Hits Celebration Of Festivals

The festival season has already started in the country. The biggest festival of the majority of the Nepali population, whether within the country or outside, is just a few weeks away. This is Dashain, and it is looming ahead to the delight of many people. Nepal is such a country, where no matter what belief they have, they celebrate this occasion with their family and close relatives, even if they have to travel to remote villages. This is one of the unique characteristics of Nepalis who have lived in harmony for centuries.

Some elements at the instigation of outsiders, have tried to disturb this religious harmony, but the Nepali people have remained united and they try to show this unity by meeting relatives and others in their original homes and forget other problems for at least a few days while they celebrate Dashain. This festival is a part of joy and also an occasion when we all can meet relatives in some sort of a reunion, at least once in a year. Of course, it also has religious meanings, but this is just an excuse to escape from the difficult times we are facing and to be with people who are close to us.

It is totally fine with at least me, if we put on red 'tika' on the occasion of Dashain. It is also OK if some people want to wear white 'tika'. Exactly in the same manner it is also acceptable if some people don't want to put any 'tika' at all. This is the strong bond which has kept most of us united and be tolerant of our fellow citizens, whatever religion or belief they may follow. But sadly such a situation has turned upside down now and this is not in the interest of the nation as a whole. However to come back to our main theme, it is very disturbing to hear from the media, the ordinary people and also traders have been hit hard by both inflation and recession. This has been recounted by traders who saw little business transactions even in the festival period.

Both inflation and recession seem to have affected not only the people, but the economy of the nation as well. This is what some people say as a 'double whammy' for all citizens. Like mentioned before, Dashain is a festival when even poor people try to do their best to buy new clothes and eat items which they normally cannot afford during other times. At the same time, receiving guests and also treating them well is always there. By Nepali traditions, the elders have to welcome the younger by age or by relation relatives and not only give them some money but also feed them during these festive occasions. This author knows the responsibility of being a senior person, whether in any profession or among relatives. But inflation has made a dent even in this traditional and cultural practice.

Most elderly persons do not have the strength or financial capacity to fulfil these duties, which are taken for granted by the younger generations. It is not only financially, but also physically, they cannot do these things at present. As an elderly person, I can say this out of experience. In my much younger days, I also used to go to my elders to put 'tika' and always expected to be treated well, but I now understand what difficulties these people probably had while trying to please us. Now with inflation creating problems for most citizens, it is easy to understand their inability to fulfil the needs of their own family, forget other relatives. For those in the business sector, who we mostly think are more well off, recession has hit them like a hammer, as, if the people cannot purchase things, their trade will surely suffer.

So, it is in difficult times we will be celebrating this biggest festival, which will be followed in about a fortnight by another big festival Tihar, or what we all like to call as a 'festival of lights'. For those people who have earned money illegally or others who are well paid in whatever work they are doing, such worries of the majority of ordinary citizens may not mean anything. But for hard working and honest persons, both inflation and also their incapability to spend money on festivals, good food, new clothes and such things, are a depressing thought.

Original homes

Many people, whom the society thought were pretty wealthy, now are also constantly complaining about inflation, so as a media person who regularly interacts with all citizens, it can easily be imagined what problems the lesser privileged persons are facing, especially during the festival season. The enthusiasm that people have about these two festivals can be seen even in the way many persons come back from even far away countries and many more others go back to their original homes to celebrate these occasions. They try to forget their difficulties in the few days which they share with their family members and friends, and also try their best to make others happy in whatever way they can.

For the majority of the populace, visiting power deities in different temples and following religious rituals also is quite important, besides making the event merrier with new clothes and good food. But like said before, inflation, recession and a dearth of better earning opportunities within the country, are making such celebrations a challenge for many people.  Therefore, it has become a major task for the political leaders and also other top level civil servants to address the issue of inflation and recession, besides opening up more avenues for employment. If these problems are tackled, the people would not protest about each and everything and the nation would step ahead smoothly. That is exactly what the people expect from the present government.

 (The author is former chief editor of this daily.)