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Covid-19 has made the cinema industry fragile. All of us are trying to cope with the situation and at this juncture, even small progress gives us hope and confidence. If we look at the pre-Dashain periods of the past three years, we can see a huge difference between them, and that captures our situation.

Normally, Dashain would bring in a handful of cinemas to the theaters. As completing a movie takes a few months, or even years, preparation for its Dashain release had to start at least in February or March.

If we look back at the Dashain of 2019, the year before the pandemic, everything was going according to plan. Dashain gave us several blockbusters. When we started preparing for the next Dashain, unfortunately, the pandemic hit us badly.

We didn’t see any Nepali movies released anywhere during the pandemic. We didn’t have the market. There were a lot of movies in the pipeline just looking for a releasing platform. They will get their turn as the lockdown is now eased. Most importantly, cinema halls are reopening.

I hope people will come to the halls to watch movies. We have all come this far in the pandemic, so entertainment is what everyone wants. Nepali movies will hopefully deliver what the audiences want. So, Dashain particularly has boosted the energy on both sides of the screen; it’s like a lucky charm. 

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I think the pandemic has also brought home some important lessons. It affected the entire world, but the Nepali film industry suffered disproportionately as we do not have the concept of OTT platforms. Movies continued to be released all over the world, but we did not know what’s next. So, let’s say Covid-19 came with some positivity in terms of the lessons that we learned. At least, we now realize the importance of online platforms. We are now more into low-budget quality movies—also a great initiative. This Dashain has come with great hopes, let’s wait to see how it delivers.

There are still a lot of things that can be improved. We have to maintain our quality, otherwise people won’t come to the halls just to sympathize with us. All the related sectors and authorities should collaborate to improve our situation.

We have enough movies and yet the halls are back with foreign films. This has to change, which is only possible if we deliver the goods. Also, during this pandemic, audiences have followed foreign movies of exceptional quality and they will have high expectations from us too. Now, there are no other shortcuts or options except to constantly improve ourselves. Catchy movie songs and a high glamor quotient alone won’t be able to lure audiences any more.

Since the second wave of Covid-19, we have worked on new movies too. I have already completed two movies and am going for another two. Fingers crossed.

Dashain is often regarded as a time for reunion between family members, neighbors, and friends as they finally find some time to come together and celebrate.

Last year, a lot of people couldn’t celebrate the festival because of the lockdown. As the covid situation improves this time, most people are eagerly awaiting the grand festival. Psychologically too, people need refreshment.

But for Nepal Police personnel, reunions and celebrations are rare. We can’t take a leave or get a vacation during Dashain. We rather have extra stress and long hours (sometimes 18 hours a day) due to the social problems that come with Dashain. We need to be extra vigilant as crime rates are high in this period. Also, the number of road accidents goes up.

Police personnel are trained to deal with any kind of situation that may take a toll on their physical, emotional, or mental wellbeing. Those who want to join the force know they won’t get the entertainment that a normal person does as police personnel are the ones who need to deal with all sorts of situations. We are born to serve the country, and we prioritize public security over personal enjoyment. But I have never seen any personnel get pissed off for not getting a leave during Dashain.

Also read: Dashain ignites a spark on dreary jail life

This doesn’t mean we are not humans or we don’t have feelings and emotions. We do. But we know our priorities.

During off-duty hours, our personnel enjoy the festival in the office with fellow officers, as we are all part of a large family. We sing, dance, play, and eat delicious food together when we have time. Senior officers offer tika to juniors.

My hometown is in Rolpa. This is my 22nd year in service and in all these years, I have never been there during Dashain. Rather, I invite my family members over to my duty station and we celebrate together. Anyone can invite their family to the barracks and celebrate Dashain.

I think our family members are proud of our job and dedication to the country. They understand our situation. But again, seeing other families get together and celebrate sometimes hurts them. I know many of our family members complain, but eventually, they understand.

I believe that during Dashain and any other high-alert periods, the command head should never go on leave. Nepal Police is a trained and disciplined organization yet doing so could psychologically affect junior officers. So I don’t think any of the immediate bosses have ever gone on leave during this time.

But we do make a few exceptions. Nepal Police encourages new couples to take leave during Dashain.

A prison is a place where people are legally held as a punishment for their crimes and deprived of certain liberties. So, life in jail is nowhere near normal. The inmates have to do the same thing every day.

Yet, we see a glow on their faces during the festivals, especially Dashain.

As of today, there are 3,073 prisoners in the central jail, and around 2,500 are Nepalis. Foreign prisoners also look relaxed when they see Nepali inmates enjoy themselves. Although life is monotonous here, Dashain brings a semblance of calm as the inmates get to meet their family members for tika and blessings.

At other times, inmates aren’t allowed to meet their family at their preferred time. There is a long process of applying for a meeting. But during Dashain, there are no such restrictions.

Last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, inmates couldn’t meet their friends and family. They were inside the jail following proper health protocols. Prisoners looked disappointed as their most awaited time of the year passed by like any other day.

But things have changed this time. With the relaxing of Covid-19-related restrictions, the inmates will get to meet their families.

Also read: Dashain: Then and now

Every year, we used to sacrifice goats during Dashain, but we canceled the plan last year. The inmates are again clamoring for the sacrifice this year but the Department of Prison Management is yet to decide on it. The inmates also get an extra Rs 400 in Dashain allowance. With the money, they eat and enjoy themselves.

Moreover, inmates play different indoor games in Dashain. They organize a mini-tournament with the police and there are prizes for the winners. They enjoy the time to the fullest as they get to do it only once a year. Besides the games, they organize debates, oratory, and quizzes. 

I have seen them enjoy the festival as I used to do in my childhood. Even if they are here to serve time for their crimes, their enjoyment is pure. As we want to establish our jails as rehabilitation centers, we try to create a healthy environment.

Even in jail, we don’t want the prisoners to feel alone. We try our best to provide all the luxuries that our constitution and law gives them. 

Dashain has officially begun and preparations in most households are in full swing. The atmosphere is one of chaos and merriment. The same is true at various alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers in Kathmandu that are busy trying to ensure that those admitted in their facilities don’t feel like they are missing out on the festive time. The atmosphere of Dashain breaks the monotony of hectic sessions at treatment centers and, while they are grateful for it, it’s a lot of additional work.

Sanjeev Shahi, program coordinator at Alcoholic Recovering Voice Nepal, says they have always made it a point to mark all kinds of festivals throughout the year, be it the New Year, Eid, Losar, or other cultural and religious events. They have to keep in mind the different backgrounds of people at the facility. However, Dashain is celebrated with much aplomb because it’s a long holiday and the vibe is just different.

“Dashain gives us a chance to normalize things around here a bit,” says Shahi. Rehabilitation is a lengthy and tedious process. Most people at the center are there upon their family’s insistence, and so they aren’t happy or willing participants in their treatment. A festival, when regular sessions are suspended, is thus a breath of fresh air. And with Dashain, they get several days off, which makes it a much-cherished time.

Shahi says Dashain is a good time for the residents at the center to get to know one another and bond over their shared circumstances. This will later help them rely on and help one another during treatment. The people at the center including the staff play games together, cook meals other than what’s regularly prepared in the kitchen, and have dance parties for almost a week. There is a session or two that can’t be missed but these are usually held early in the morning or late in the evening, thus freeing up entire afternoons to revel in the festive spirit.

The scenario is replicated at most rehabilitation centers in Kathmandu. Every center has elaborate plans for Dashain. The intent is to make people forget, at least for a while, where they are and why they are there. Some centers hold various sports tournaments and competitions. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, program coordinator at Sober Recovery and Rehabilitation Center (SRRC), says it takes them a month to prepare for Dashain. The challenge is to keep the residents occupied and entertained. “Generally, people are busy with sessions and they can’t dwell on their situation. But with regular sessions on hold during Dashain, we have to make sure they don’t get bored and listless,” says Singh.

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Which is why over at Hamro Sankalpa Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, the focus is on interactive games, those that keep the residents mentally and physically active. From flying kites to breaking pinatas, the activities they plan for residents during Dashain must be entertaining and engaging. Sajan Shrestha, director at the facility, says they organize dance programs and let the residents watch a movie or two on TV so that they regain some semblance of normalcy at a time when everybody in the country is celebrating.

“Some residents are even allowed to go home for tika while others are accompanied by a staff. But the decision, as in who gets to go, is made by the counsellor depending on individual progress,” says Shrestha.

Authorities at rehabilitation centers have a lot of things to take care of during Dashain. Celebrations aside, Dashain also requires them to up their vigilance and be better attuned to the changing moods of the residents. Tsering Wangdu, founder of SRRC, says Dashain is a challenging time because, as it is, those admitted at rehabilitation centers don’t want to stay there. Dashain, he says, exacerbates that feeling and thus the risk of runaways is more. Sometimes, the residents’ family members want to take them home for Dashain and it’s quite a task to convince them that isn’t a good idea. “Chances of relapse are high during Dashain,” says Wangdu. Many people have a ‘just-this-once’ mindset that spirals out of control, negating all the progress made thus far.

Another challenge that Dashain brings for those who work at rehabilitation centers is finding a way to balance work and family obligations. Theirs isn’t a job that allows them much freedom, says Wangdu, and Dashain brings on added responsibilities. The staff have to arrange the duty roster according to their individual tika schedules and sometimes some have to forgo plans they have made with family altogether. Wangdu says it has been 15 years that he has not said ‘yes’ to any Dashain gathering invitation. The priority is always the center and he has made peace with it, he says.

Buddha Dhoj Adhikari, program officer at Cripa Nepal, says preparations are underway at the center to make Dashain an enjoyable affair. The focus is to make the residents happy, adds founder Shisir Thapa, because festivals can be tricky especially for those who are undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction. They are often there against their will—brought in by wives, siblings or children—and want to go home during Dashain. But their family members, having faced one too many incident of relapse, don’t want them to leave rehab.

“It’s not unusual for people, especially older men, to be upset and angry during Dashain. So, we have to do our best to cheer them up and try and make them understand that what’s happening is for their own good. That if all goes well, they will be home next Dashain,” concludes Thapa.