Bandrebidi Chowr, where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made a speech in the run-up to the 2074 general elections, said that it would become a railway station, is now in a dilapidated condition.
Every now and then a video goes viral on social media. The scene of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli climbing the stage and giving a speech can be seen in the video. In which Oli keeps saying, 'North-South Rail. Kerung-Kathmandu, Kathmandu-Pokhara train. I think I don't have to say anything about the train to Beni after the Pokhara train. Beni will not go after Pokhara train! Where Beni should go, Kushma should not come. Kushma is a station itself. It's been a few years.'
Oli, who came to Kushma Municipality-6, Bandrebidi to ask for votes for his candidate in the 074 general election, addressed the crowd and shared his train dreams. Leaders-activists who were excited after hearing Oli's speech clapped for a long time.
Nowadays, many local people remember the scene of that time . Some people smile after watching the clip of that speech circulating on their mobile phones. Because the same Bandrebidi open square where Oli had stood and shared his rail-dreams now seems to be waiting for his own protection.
This open square witnessing cultural, social and political activities is now surrounded by concrete and iron fence. Once upon a time, the joy of taking a long breath while listening to the sallaghari around Bandrebidi, the sigh of the cold wind and the chirping hum of the birds was unique . People used to stand in awe of the children sitting under the old Swami's tree on the side of the square. After passing Haritalika Teej, women and sisters used to gather in this square and exchange their sorrows and joys.
Chaur President of Janakalyan Social Women's Group Manakumari Giri, who lived near the house, told the memories associated with this Chaur, "Haritalika used to be very fun during Teej". Ladies and sisters from villages like Durlung, Peepaltari, Pang, Khurkot, Falewas, Bajung etc. near Kushma used to come and dance and sing.''
Padampani Sharma, the former head of Falewas Municipality, said that Bandrebidi Chaur is a witness of political movement and change. "Bandrebidi is the square where I brought Vamdev Gautam to organize the Aneraswaviyu program in 2062," he said. This is a historical place, it should be protected.'
Sharma, who was also the vice-president of UML Parbat, said that since the division forest office on the side of Chaur had to be removed, it was necessary to make Chaur a wide area by giving compensation to the houses built on private land. An open square is necessary in Sadarmukam. If a major natural disaster occurs tomorrow, where will the people of Kushma go to stay safe? To start preparing for it, it is necessary to raise the narrow square.'
Bandrebidi square is named after Shivalaya Guthi. Kushma Bus Park and Bandrebidi Chaur spread over an area of 17 ropani, said Mankumari Giri, President of Janakalyan Social Women's Group. Earlier, the monastery was built on the land of Guthi. We also built the Krishna temple in the year 2057,' she said, 'Guthi Sansthan entrusted us with the permission to build the temple and take care of the entire land . I provided the land to build the bus park as a social work, but the barely built bus park is also in shambles.'
Mankumari looks angry saying that now stones and mud have been piled up in this square to make a bijog. She also said that this square has reached the contractor's site from the public site . She said, 'Two years ago, the ward has also forcibly built a public toilet on the land of Chowr.'
Ishwar Giri, the ward president of Kushma municipality-6, said that on the advice of the head of the municipality, Ramchandra Joshi, they have allowed the stone-soil to be kept for the time being. "Last year, after the contractor said that he did not get a place to dump the stones with Gegran picked up from different places, we have allowed him to keep them for some time," he said, "I have asked to clear the square as soon as possible." It has been gradually picked up. It's not that the contractor was crushed by my agreement as it was rumored outside.'
They say that within the next few months, the ward office will be moved to the public toilet building built at Bandrebidi Chaur. He said that the office will be on the top floor. "The financial burden is reduced as the wards where public toilets are also protected do not have to pay monthly house rent," he said. On the other hand, the contractor is contactless. He does not pick up the phone even when his mobile rings.
