People all over the nation are excited to celebrate Dashain, the biggest festival of Nepal, despite the continuous strikes in the tarai region and the unofficial blockade by India.

“Bandas and blockades cannot hold back Nepalis who are celebrating Dashain after going through the Great Quake,” said Manju Bhattarai, a housewife and shop owner at Traffic Chok in Biratnagar.

The excitement to celebrate Dashain could be seen in her face despite uneasy circumstances. “We will buy one if not two clothes, we will buy five kgs of meat if not the goat,” said Bhattarai, “What if there is no cooking gas? We will cook something in the mud oven.”

The security agencies have been escorting cargo vehicles coming from India during the night time. However vehicular movement during the day is still risky and a long line of passenger vehicles can be seen at Biratnagar-Dharan road section waiting for escorting.

Mina Gupta, another housewife from Mills area in Biratnagar, has already brought new clothes for this Dashain. She seemed worried though that there was no cooking gas at her house. “My husband is waiting in line to buy cooking gas,” she said, “We have to wear new clothes and it is essential to cook a good meal during Dashain.”

Despite all the hardships and problems, people are ready to celebrate the year’s biggest festival with a fanfare alongside their family and loved ones. The market place is buzzing with noises and youth and people of all ages alike are around samosa, chat, pakauda, pani-puri and chola stalls. Parents are busy selecting toys, clothes and sweets for their children.