Abandoned for 14 years, Swastika finally reunites with parents, gets citizenship

By Chitra Mijar,Sindhupalchowk, July 31: After 14 years, 20-year-old Swastika KC, who had been living without any official identity at the Siddhartha Children's Home in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk Municipality-7, has finally received her citizenship card and reunited with her parents.

Swastika was abandoned at the age of six by her father, Bishnu Raj KC, who left her on a street in Dhulikhel, Kavre, and disappeared. Her mother, Manju KC, had earlier left her in the care of her father and also went missing. Found alone and helpless, Swastika was taken in by Dhulikhel resident Radha Makaju, who looked after her for a year and enrolled her at Dhulikhel English Boarding School.

When Makaju had to move to the United States for permanent residency, she arranged for Swastika to stay at the Siddhartha Children’s Home, ensuring her education and care. Under the care of Home’s director Sharmila Shrestha, Swastika completed her SEE from Sanjeevani Model Secondary School and later finished her Grade 12 from Adarsha Higher Secondary School in Banepa.

Seeking to trace her parents, Sharmila reached out to social activist Arjun Bhusal. After a video about Swastika was circulated on social media, her mother Manju KC made contact, followed by her father Bishnur Raj a few days later. With both parents identified, Swastika was finally able to acquire citizenship based on descent. 

Accompanied by her father, Sharmila Shrestha, activist Arjun Bhusal, and Subash Makaju (son of Radha Makaju), Swastika travelled to her home village in Sindhupalchok’s Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality-10, Khatrithok. There, they met with ward chair Nil Bahadur Tamang and ward secretary Poonam Bhandari, who issued an official recommendation letter for her citizenship.

Swastika was then granted Nepali citizenship by the District Administration Office in Chautara on Tuesday, July 29, on the basis of descent. Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa and Assistant CDO Ganesh Nepali were present during the issuance. The District Coordination Committee’s Deputy Chief Padam Nepal and others also supported the process.

“Though I was abandoned by my parents, I’m happy to finally receive citizenship with their help,” said emotional Swastika.