The aircraft, made by a team of eight including students of Pulchowk Engineering Campus Bikash Parajuli and Ganesh Ram Sinkeman using an Austrian engine, lies is in the compound of Parajuli´s house [break], its wings removed. The plane that had a successful trial flight last December is now in poor condition with its engine starting to rust and its tires decaying.
“We had corresponded with the Tourism Ministry immediately after the trial flight to make arrangements for it to be kept at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara but have yet to receive permission,” complains Parajuli.The then Tourism Minister Hisila Yami had also urged the team to apply for permission to keep Danfe at the museum, but the team is yet to receive a response from the Ministry. “I think the government only understands the language of bandas and strikes which we don´t indulge in,” Parajuli explains of the government´s apathy.
The team, tourism entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in Pokhara had immediately initiated the process to acquire permission to preserve the plane. “We are trying to preserve it as it is a part of history, but the concerned authority doesn´t seem to be interested. Nepal Tourism Board tells us to go to the Tourism Ministry while the Ministry claims that it has not received the letter,” says Jivan Baral, founder of youth group Alternatives. “Alternatives will take care of Danfe if the government doesn´t wish to,” Baral adds.
The museum says it is ready to take Danfe under its wing and is waiting for the government´s permission. “The governmental process is underway and we will take it immediately after we get permission,” assures chief of the museum Bal Prasad Rai, adding that the process was initiated late.
Rai says the museum plans to keep Danfe by constructing a separate house within the museum premises. “We have to preserve it to show future generations that a plane was made in Nepal,” Rai believes.
Faculty members of Pulchowk Engineering Campus, Kathmandu, are also worried about Danfe´s fate. “It is worrisome to know that Danfe, which is a subject of future study, is left neglected,” Professor Ramchandra Sapkota who played the role of a guardian during the construction of Danfe rues.
Government apathy has also left Parajuli´s mother, who has seen his son toil on the project, heartbroken. “It has been months since it was brought home but no one seems to care,” Goma Parajuli says.
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