Pokhara, Oct 23: Dashain brought little joy to Majhthana in Pokhara Metropolitan City 28 this year, as a school bus accident plunged the village into mourning.
Dashain is usually marked by tika and jamara, family reunions, visits to relatives and swings set up across villages. But this year, homes in Majhthana remained without tika celebrations, and the usual swings were nowhere to be seen.
The accident occurred on October 9, killing six people and injuring 13 students. Asmi Kandel, 16, who was critically injured in the crash, died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu on the eve of Dashain tika. Her body was brought home on the festival day, deepening the grief in the village.
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The accident took place two days before Ghatasthapana when a bus belonging to Kalika Boarding School, travelling from Saurya Majhthana towards Kalikasthan, crashed at Okhlebhir.
The loss of children and relatives, along with concern for the injured students, left residents in no mood to celebrate Dashain.
According to Shrikrishna Lamichhane, ward chair of Pokhara Metropolitan City 28, residents of all neighbourhoods in the village jointly decided not to observe tika this year. The arrival of the body of the injured student on Dashain day added to the silence and sorrow, he said.
“Nothing this tragic had happened here before. The accident occurred just before the festival, and nobody felt like celebrating. Some families lost their children, while children from several neighbourhoods were injured. Given the grief, residents decided not only to forgo tika but also not to set up traditional swings or hold programmes to exchange greetings,” Lamichhane said.
The Rakhi Mijure road, usually busy during Dashain, was also deserted this year. In previous years, Majhthana would see a steady flow of people visiting relatives and gathering for tika. This time, neither the festive spirit nor the usual crowds were visible. Roads and settlements across the village remained quiet.