Kathmandu:

Nepali youth don’t shy away when it comes to chipping in for social causes. This was evident at St Xavier’s School ground, which hosted the SAATH Event 2007.

Organised by Social Service, Awareness Raising, and Advocacy for Tranquillity and Humanity (SAATH), the programme was intended to raise awareness about various social issues plaguing society and encourage youth to counter them. Putting up various educational and game stalls, it was also successful in raising funds for conducting SAATH’s various social works. Games stalls like bingo and hit the can drew a large number of people.

Performances by young artistes didn’t fail to entertain all. Kutumba had the audience enraptured with four of their hit instrumental numbers. A dance performance by differently-abled Rita Dhuwal also earned a lot of appreciation from the audience. A documentary and various seminars on HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, life skills, role of youth in promoting tourism followed the performances.

Many visitors were also seen generously donating their blood at the blood donation camp.

“Youth are not only the future, but also the present,” said one of the enthusiastic organisers. The organisers were students pursuing their bachelors in Social Work at four different colleges in the Capital, namely St Xaviers College, K and K College, Classic College International, and Kadambari Memorial College.

Angur Baba Joshi, chairperson at the occasion, highlighted the importance of social work saying, “Everyone strives for peace, satisfaction and happiness. And social service gives us that.”

Also voicing their opinion were Anuradha Koirala of Maiti Nepal, Ananda Pun of Recovery Nepal, and Bharat Basnet of Explore Nepal. Famous biker Puskar Shah and kick master Deepak Bista also lent much vitality to the event with their presence.