Chepang women delighted to acquire citizenship at 70

DHADING, Feb 21: Seventy-one-year-old Thulimaya Praja (Chepang) was in cloud nine after acquiring her citizenship certificate in her twilight years. She was all smiles, exposing her wrinkles around her face. 
She expressed her happiness by showing her citizenship to everyone around her.

"As I live in remote area, I could never go to the district headquarters for obtaining the citizenship," said Thulimaya, adding," Now, I can seek social security allowance." 

After acquiring her citizenship from an integrated mobile camp, she also registered her name in the voters' list. Many people of the Chepang community lack citizenship, as they are unaware about its importance and benefits.

Most of the Chepang children have been deprived of citizenship as their parents had never obtained the vital document due to various reasons. 

Similarly, Phulmaya Chepang, 70, of Gajuri Rural Municipality-3 also got her citizenship from the camp. She is happy that she can now claim that the allowance assured by the government.

"I had never known the importance of citizenship all my life but now I do," said Phulmaya. As many as 207 people received their citizenships during the two-day mobile camp organized in Gajuri Rural Municipality-5, Chyangli. Chief District Officer (CDO) Dholakraj Dhakal informed Republica that most of the service seekers were from the Chepang community.

The District Administration Office (DAO) organized the camp in coordination with Samagra Bikash Kendra(SBK). 

Apart from granting citizenship, registering of voters, receiving application for disability identity cards, the camp also provided information related to nutrition and the role of police to the service seekers.

Reportedly, more than 600 people participated in the camp.

"Our objective was to provide service to the people in rural areas," said Sita Dhungana, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality. Locals expressed their gratefulness toward the DAO and SBK for making government service accessible at their doorsteps.