Bhaktapur, October 7:

The Child Support Programme will organise a three-day Dashain Festival-2007 at the Bhaktapur Durbar Square from October 12 to raise funds for the orphans. Speaking at a press meet today, Nita Makaju, coordinator, CSP, said, “We are organising the festival to raise funds to support the orphans.”

Taking note of the tendency of the people to head for Kathmandu for Dashain-shopping, she said, “Now, the people living in Bhaktapur can easily get their favourite items from one place and enjoy Dashain with food items and entertainment programmes.”

There will be around 30 stalls in the festival where the CSP and the Family Planning Association will provide free counselling on health issues, especially on sexual and reproductive health. Cancer Hospital, Maternity Hospital and some other hospitals will also provide medical counselling. Visitors can buy readymade products and feast on a variety of food items amid musical shows.

The CSP has been organising the Bhakatapur Junior Talent Contest, Healthy Baby Contest, Health Mela and food festival since 2004. These days, the CSP is conducting programmes for the personality development of children. Bikash Duwal, director of the CSP, said, “We are providing education to 10 orphans and planning to support others too once we have enough funds. Our entry fee is only Rs 5 and it is for a noble cause. We are expecting 30,000 visitors,” said Duwal.