Dashain Aayo!

Dashain holidays begin early next week, and now is the time when people are supposed to shop, fly kites and prepare for the grand festival. But looking around, no one really seems to feel the festive energy. The earthquake followed by unrest in Madhes and now the blockade have made life difficult for all of us, and our celebs aren’t left unaffected, either. Republica caught up with few celebs to know about their plans for the upcoming holidays, and know if this Dashain feels any different from the yester years’.

Sugam Pokharel, Singer

I don’t normally buy new clothes for Dashain and I won’t be doing so this time either. But I have certainly planned on getting something nice for my daughter. I don’t have big plans for this Dashain because I won’t be staying over at home for long. I’ll be in Kathmandu only on the day of Tika and the next, and the remaining days will be spent touring outside the valley for work.

This year Nepalis had to go through a lot. There was a devastating earthquake followed by the blockade. So I guess this shall be a ‘veg Dashain.’ With fuel crisis, we won’t be able to indulge on scrumptious food like we otherwise would have. Nonetheless, let us all use this opportunity to enjoy however we can and receive blessings from our elders.

Nisha Adhikari, Actor

My brother is coming from the US for this Dashain, so it’s going to be a big family reunion and I’m super excited about it. I just came back from Kilimanjaro on Wednesday, so I have neither shopped for Dashain nor felt the blow of the blockade. For me Dashain has always been about celebrating with loved ones and being a good ‘family girl.’ This Dashain won’t be any different; I shall be a ‘good shopping driver’ for my mom and I plan on spending quality time with family.

It certainly looks like the blockade will affect our Dashain celebration, but I’m determined to have fun no matter what. I feel there’s no point complaining. In a way, this is a golden opportunity for us to cycle, be more eco-friendly and seriously think of keeping the city clean. I’m not going to be sad this Dashain.

Ram Krishna Dhakal, Singer

I’ll be in the US this Dashain. During the festivals, I’ll be busy singing along with fellow Nepalis at North Carolina. I’m quite sad that I won’t be here with my family during one of our most vibrant festivals, but celebrating with Nepalis abroad will be a beautiful experience.

This is a difficult time for Nepalis, because the fuel crisis has affected everything. However, let’s not see this as a door closed because this is also an opportunity to make things right. This could be a blessing in disguise if we utilize it to contemplate on pulling ourselves out of this dependency.

Kunjana Ghimire, Actor

As we all have felt it, this Dashain lacks the charm and cheeriness like it used to carry. The entire country doesn’t seem to be very joyful about the festival. Many of us had been severely affected by the recent earthquake and the much awaited Dashain was to bring forth the much needed retreat, but the blockade has only added on to the trouble. Fuel crisis has not only made our daily life hard, but has become an alarming concern for the upcoming festivity, too. Having said all that, let us not allow this to completely affect our happiness. Dashain, as we know it, comes only once a year, so let us all find a way to celebrate the holidays.

Rekha Thapa, Actor

My plan for Dashain was to travel with friends outside the valley, but the circumstance does not seem to support us. Looking at the status quo, I don’t think any of us foresee this festival to be a grand one. The weather too does not seem to be helping. Everyone is worried of the possibility of not having adequate fuel for travelling or for cooking. No one really seems to be in the celebration mood. But then it’s our culture and we’ll have to dig out the suppressed enthusiasm. Let us all find a way to forget our worries for some time and celebrate. Happy Dashain to all!

Adrian Pradhan, Singer

I’ll probably end up lingering in the petrol line for this Dashain! Jokes apart, I and my family have planned on camping with our friends and that’s what we’ll be doing starting the day of Tika.

The fuel crisis has curtailed us all from celebrating this festive season with all our heart. I too might be a little afraid of the fuel soon running out, but I like to be positive. Something inside me says that we’ll find a way to manage things and be happy. A message I would like to give is that, ‘we shall overcome no matter what.’ Let us all be positive and we’ll see what happens.