Many forced to leave country on the eve of festivals

Dodhara Chandani (Kanchanpur), Sept 18: Bada Dashain, the greatest festival of the majority Hindus in the country is only a week away. As a result, many are returning home from abroad to be with their loved ones during this occasion of grand celebration. However, things are different for many in the far west, where there is a rush of people going to neighbouring India in search of work on the eve of Dashain. In the past, the number of Nepalis returning home from employment in India would have increased by this time. However, the border crossing point is showing a different picture this time around. Currently, the number of people going to India in search of work is more than those coming home through the Gaddachowki checkpoint. Karan Thapa of Jorayal Rural Municipality-2 of Doti, heading to Himachal Pradesh, India, in search of work with his family, was seen at the Gaddachauki checkpoint on Tuesday. “It is hard for us to make our ends meet, so how can we celebrate Dashain without any money,” he said, “If I am able to earn some then I will return to celebrate Tihar. Thapa said that since the children are out of school during Dashain holidays, the entire family is going to Himachal Pradesh in search of work. Likewise, a family of 25 people from Bajilek, Doti, has also left for Himachal Pradesh, India, in search of work. Minadevi Thapa of Bajilek said that she is going to Shimla, India, with her husband, after not getting employment in her home country. “We are going there because there is work to pick apples in Shimla,” she said. Bal Bahadur Thapa of Bajilek, who is going to India with his children in search of work, said that they are going abroad out of compulsion on the eve of Dashain. They are also planning return to celebrate Tihar after working for a month in India. Like Bal Bahadur hundreds of Nepalis are leaving for India every day through the Sudurpaschim checkpoints at the beginning of the festival season due to poverty, as they find it difficult to support their families back home. School student Krishna Serla from Baunia, Kailali, said that he is going to India to make the most of his school holidays. "My parents work in India, and I am also going there after school," he said. India is a major employment destination for the unemployed people from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces.