Dashain becomes tasteless for earthquake victims

By Raju Lamichhane,Musikot, Oct. 18: Most of the earthquake victims of Rukum West and Jajarkot districts were not excited about this year’s Dashain. The earthquake that jolted Jajarkot last year, caused a huge loss of lives and property. As many as 154 people lost their lives in both the districts, nearly 75,000 families were affected, and many houses were damaged by the earthquake. 

People who lost their family members did not celebrate this year's Dashain due to grief. People who are living in temporary shelters could not even keep Jamara for Dashain.   

Nar Bahadur Khadka, a resident of Farulagaun of Aathabiskot Municipality-11, said that his joint family is living in a small tin-roofed hut, which is so cramped that there was no space to grow Jamara for Dashain.

"This year's Dashain did not bring happiness for us. We are still languishing in temporary shelters. Our Dashain became empty and tasteless," he said. 

After the landslide destroyed their temporary shelter, their family spent the entire rainy season under the tarpaulin. They somehow managed to build a temporary shelter, but they were unable to make a permanent shelter for themselves. 

Amrita Pun, who came to her father’s house at Sanibheri Rural Municipality-2, said that the earthquake took away all the joy of the festival. 

Recalling the death of an elder brother, sister-in-law and nephew in the earthquake, Pun, said that this year’s festival was limited only to meeting the family members. 

The earthquake victims said they had been living a very difficult life without basic amenities after the earthquake. According to the victims, festivals like Dashain and Tihar failed to bring happiness among them. 

Rabi KC, Mayor of Aathbiskot Municipality, said that the earthquake-affected people who were further troubled by landslides during this monsoon were unable to celebrate this year’s festival heartily. 

Pushpa Badi, Mayor of Chaurjahari Municipality, said that his family had to celebrate Dashain in a temporary shelter. 

After the earthquake, our family spent three months under the tarpaulin and after that we started living in a temporary shelter, he said. 

Last year's disaster has taken away the joy of every festival. Most of the residents said they did not feel the vibes of Dashain. 

Ramesh Malla of Aathabiskot Municipality-13 said that his entire family stays in a single room, and keeps other supplies in the same room. 

We would be able to celebrate the festivals once we build a house for ourselves. However, the government has not yet finalised the procedure for the reconstruction.