Phidim: Local youth of Phidim, the district headquarters of Panchthar, have united to promote Naumati baja, traditional musical instruments closely associated with the Dalits. The youth have formed a Lokbaja Conservation Committee and imparted Nauamti baja lessons to locals of the area. The campaign that had actually begun about one-and-a-half years ago has so far trained 12 non-Dalits, who can play the musical instruments. According to chairperson of the committee, Ram Prakash Samthing, Naumati baja is now popular among the locals. “It was for the love of our tradition that we united to conserve and protect the musical instruments. Now people from neighbouring villages have started inviting us to play the Naumute baja during auspicious occasions, like marriage ceremonies” said Samthing. “I’m happy to have been a part if this campaign, as helps to preserve our culture” said the committee secretary Kamal Baskota, adding, “I play Nursinga and I can play it beautifully.” “As we needed the instruments, we collected money and bought nursingas, jyamtas, sanais each and damahas,” said Samthing.