Even though major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath are over, the excitement of various fairs, celebrations, and sports competitions continues in the villages of Rukum West.

Youth who have gone abroad for work have taken the initiative to make various gatherings festive at the local level when they return to their villages for the holidays.

A public appeal is being made to donors to make local fairs and festivals festive and various sports activities are being organized. With the help of donors, the 'Chautara Mela' is being held in Radi Bazaar, Aathbiskot Municipality-9. For this fair, which was organized with the active participation of local youth, donations have been collected from those living abroad.

According to Thomas Bikram Shah, chairman of the fair organizing committee, about 4 lakh rupees have been collected so far and donations are continuing. 'This fair, which started on Thursday, will be held for a week,' he said. 'We have been organizing this fair for many years and have been organizing it for the past three years with the active participation of local youth.'

This time, an open women's and men's volleyball and men's badminton competition has been organized in the fair. The organizers have stated that the amount raised as support will be spent on prizes for the winners of the competition and fair management, and the remaining amount will be kept for next year's fair.

Musikot Boys held a football competition from Asoj 7 to 13 at Barahatakura in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Musikot Municipality-1, with a cash prize of Rs 111,111 to the winner and Rs 55,555 to the runner-up.

According to Raju Thapa, chairman of the competition organizing committee, the competition was held for the first time by raising about Rs 500,000 in cash from donors in the country and abroad. 'We organized the competition with the aim of meeting friends who were busy with their work and increasing friendship, as well as providing encouragement to sports and players,' he says, 'We completed the program with great pomp with the money collected.' After doing all the accounting of income and expenses, I have become more organized in the coming year.'

A cricket tournament was organized in Sanibheri Rural Municipality under the 'Sanibheri Premier League' in the third week of Asoj. This program was organized with a total of 647,188 rupees collected from a total of 68 donors, including those from the country and abroad and locals.

According to organizing committee member Narayan Oli, out of the 20 teams participating in the competition, the winner was given 101,111 rupees, the runner-up was given 60,000 rupees, and the two consolation teams were given 10,000 each. 'The expenses were completely managed with the help of the donors. We managed to save 256,727 rupees by spending 390,461 rupees,' says Oli. There is a plan to organize a league with the saved money next year.'

A ward-level open men's volleyball competition as well as a chess and folk singing competition were organized at the Kagatihar special fair organized at Chaufa Bazaar, Chaurjahari Municipality-11, during Tihar with the support of donors. Lokesh Malla, chairman of the fair organizing committee, informed that about 4 lakh rupees were collected from donors.

About 50 thousand rupees have been saved from this fair, which was organized along with the presentation of local original dances and songs. 'We requested donors to add more excitement to the gatherings held in the village during the festival and highlight local talent. The program was completed with everyone's support,' he said.

In addition, small and big competitions are being organized at the district, municipality and ward levels in different places in the district. Gopal Lamichhane, vice-chairman of the District Cricket Association, said that such activities have helped increase tolerance and keep sports activities active. He said that it is pleasant to have such sports activities even without the support and direct participation of the government.

‘The sports activities that should have been organized by the government have been done through the activism of the youth. This should be taken positively,’ he said. ‘Along with sports, such programs also play a big role in promoting local art and culture. It will be even more effective if the government provides all possible support in this.’