People, especially earthquake-affected ones, observed Dashain festival among shortages of daily necessities this year.

Radha Sharma of Nala in Kavre had grown Jamara (sacred plant used along with tika during Dashain) in their huts and marked the festival among acute shortages of required goods. “We could not celebrate the festival as before due to the earthquake,” she said.

Dipak Neupane of Dapcha Kashikhanda-7 also shared a similar ordeal. “We have faced acute shortage of goods due to Indian blockade,” he said.

“There was no joy in celebrations,” said another local Maheshor Adhikari, adding that his relatives could come to the village due to shortage of vehicles.

Locals at Majhigaun in Chandenimandan-2, Kavre, did not receive Tika during Dashain festival. Eleven people were killed by the earthquake in the Majhi village. “We are unable to mark festival due during Pitara [Majhi funeral procession],” said local Raj Kumar Majhi.

They said they also faced hardships as floods buried around 100 ropanies of land. “Our land has gone barren deserted and we have

nothing to eat,” said local Bir Bahadur Majhi. Around 100 households of the Majhi community were destroyed by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, people at many northern and western villages in Makawanpur said they had no any joy during Dashain celebrations this year. They said they could not observe the festival due to the ongoing Madhes protest and Indian blockade.

Sanobhai Karki of Palung Higher Secondary School said many people did not return to their villages for Dashain. “No one was excited during the festival due to acute shortages of daily essentials,” he said.  

Shiva Bahadur Karki of Agara VDC said few people can be seen in the village. “There are not even swings in the villages this year,” he said. Likewise, Raj Kumar Bista of Thaha Municipality-7 also said there was no excitement in celebrating Dashain this year.