Tanahun, October 21

A big gathering used to take place at the house of Rajamama Kusunda, the only speaker of Kusunda language, during Dashain in the past at Dihigaun, Byas Municipality.

Kusunda’s house, however, wore deserted look this Dashain as people stopped visiting the house after Rajamama’s demise. Rajamama died six months ago. Rajamama’s house wears a deserted look. Rajamama’s wife Indramaya said that she felt empty. “When Rajamama was alive, journalists used to visit him,” Indramaya shared.

With death of Rajamama, Indramaya got a job at local school. She earns Rs 8,000 per month. Indramaya complained that she was having a hard time educating her daughter Simant. “My daughter falls sick frequently. I have to spend a lot of money for her treatment,” Indramaya said.

Kusunda family has been living in a three-room house constructed provided by Indigenous Nationalities Promotion Foundation. The municipality has been providing livelihood allowance of Rs 200 each to members of the Kusunda family per month.