Students perform street drama against superstitions in Humla

By Our Correspondent,Humla, July 17: Students have performed a street drama against superstitions prevalent in villages. The drama was staged to generate awareness against such superstitions that lead to social evils.

Even today, in villages, it is still common practice to take a sick person to shamans before consulting a medical doctor. To challenge this mind-set, and to raise awareness against harmful beliefs like prohibiting postpartum mothers from eating fruits, milk, or leafy vegetables, the students came together to present the drama, said Romila Hamal, a student of Himjyoti Secondary School in Sarkegad Rural Municipality.

She added that the drama also addressed issues like the discrimination faced by women during menstruation and postpartum periods, the belief that they should not stay at home during such times, and the discrimination prevalent  between sons and daughters.

The street drama, which lasted for about half an hour, was titled ‘Kuriti’ (Social Evil). It also highlighted the caste-based discrimination and untouchability between Dalits and non-Dalits.

Six actors performed in the drama. This was the first time such a street performance against social evils was staged at the rural municipality centre in Sarkegad. 

She said that plans are now in place to organise similar performances at all ward levels during public holidays.

This group of students has been presenting these performances on a voluntary basis. 

The school headmaster, Jay Bahadur Dhami, expressed that such street dramas being staged by students against social evils have had a positive impact. He also added that the school would continue to support the students in their efforts.