LAMJUNG: Children in Besisahar Municipality-2 of Lamjung district provided the fund they collected during Tihar festival by playing deusi-bhailo to conflict-affected children in the area.

A group of 12 children from Bhakunde-Jyamire in the municipality donated a sum of Rs 12,120 to the conflict-affected children at Besisahar-based Adarsha Women and Children Development Centre.

Yujan Dhital from the group shared that they provided the money to the conflict-affected children as it was better to utilise the sum they collected by playing deusi-bhailo towards a social cause rather than spend it in other futile activities. Dhital added that it felt good to see the brothers and sisters at the Centre rejoice while receiving the money which the group collected by having a merry time during the festival.

The same group of children had contributed a sum of Rs 19,180 to conflict-affected children after Tihar festival last year.

"We have been providing the money we collect through deusi-bhailo to the Centre for the past five years and will continue to do so in the future as well," said Karuna Dhital of the group.

Ward chair of Besisahar-2, Ganesh Kandel, expressed his appreciation of the selfless act carried out by the children which he believes has given a very positive message in the community.

Deusi-bhailo is a traditional ritual carried out during two days of Tihar festival where people of all ages, especially children, visit other houses singing and dancing, in exchange of which they are offered food items and money, as part of merriment during the festival of lights.