Madhuwasa village loses its original charm

By Bijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkeber, Jan. 25: Madhuwasa village in Mithila Municipality-4 (formerly Pushpalpur VDC) in Dhanusha, once a symbol of an ideal village, is now losing its former charm. 

In the past, this village was known as ‘Asia Top Village.’ While many people across Nepal relied on kerosene-fed lamps to light their houses, Madhuwasa village was brightly illuminated with electricity.

Dashrath Bahadur Kyapchhaki, a local, recalls that the village was once a model village of Nepal. 

“Tourists, both domestic and foreign, used to visit the village. The locals took the initiative in maintaining cleanliness and discipline and would clean the roads and public places together. Poultry farming was prohibited out of fear of poultry litter,” he reminisced.

Similarly, the consumption of alcohol and pig farming was completely banned in the village. 

Public toilets, separate bathing facilities for men and women, drinking water taps at every household and clean roads added to the village’s appeal. 

The area was surrounded by lush forests, earning it the name ‘Asia Top Village’ from foreigners.

According to Kyaphchaki, the credit for making the village prosperous goes to Indra Bahadur Kyapchhaki Magar, under whose leadership the village thrived with unity and discipline. 

However, after he died in 1987, the village lost its guiding figure. Even though Indra Bahadur’s eldest son Lokendra Bahadur Kyapchhaki tried to maintain the village’s unity for a few years, he could not withstand the winds of change, and the village lost its former glory.

The village, which was established 87 years ago, is primarily inhabited by the people of the Magar community. In 1978, impressed by the popularity of the village, the late King Birendra Shah visited the village by helicopter.

Another local, Prabhu Kyapchhaki, recalls that around 1971, a person named Shyam Prasad Adhikari came to the village and wrote about it to promote it. 

After learning about the village, an American citizen, Amju Gulmor, visited it in 1972 and installed a 500-cubic-metre biogas plant. This biogas powered seven light bulbs, making the village shine. His efforts enhanced the fame of the village.

Prabhu added, “Everyone followed the rules and helped one another and the villagers were united. Foreigners came to observe the village’s management and cleanliness. It was known as an inspirational place.”

“All of this was possible under the leadership of Indra Bahadur and his son Lokendra Bahadur. At that time, Madhuwasa was one of Nepal’s model villages,” he recalled. 

Madhuwasa village was known for its social discipline, environmental balance and community spirit. The villagers regularly cleaned public spaces and diseases were minimal. Using toilets was mandatory, which was unheard of in many villages around 1983. 

According to Pushpalpur Ward Chairman Chandra Bahadur Blon, the public toilets, bathing facilities and cleanliness campaigns that once existed have now disappeared. 

As the greenery has vanished, the village’s air, water and soil have all become polluted. The unity and cooperation among the villagers are no longer present. Festivals and celebrations are no longer as joyous as they used to be. Madhuwasa village now faces environmental, social and economic issues.