Submit your Article

A song sung during the Holi festival in Tarai region is fading gradually with the declined interest of the new generation. There are few old people left here to sing the Jogira song, which is a worrying trend for the conservation of cultural song. Vibe of this special song has diminished sharply especially for a decade here. The song sung in tune with various musical instruments such as harmonium, damphoo and majira, used to give a message to the community that Holi was approaching. The song is also special because people exchange feelings of harmony, merriment, and fraternity by singing it. Love and satire are also shared via the Jogira song. Holi is the festival celebrated as a special occasion for the people to forget enmity, envy and discrimination, and to foster fraternity and harmony. The Jogira was such a mighty connection for this in the past. Unfortunately, Jogira is getting replaced by 'disco' music, thereby effacing the cultural originality, the locals worried. A resident of Lumbini, Birendra Mishra, viewed Jogira as an effective medium for the people to exchange happiness and sadness and to protect culture. "Willy-nilly, we are preserving the culture. But the new generation is indulging in new things and forgetting Jogira," he said, warning that once they pass away, the Jogira will also vanish. Moreover, Mishra vented ire that the present day youths are following indecent songs. He also regrets being unable to inspire modern youths to preserve the culture, the Jogira song. In the past, people used to throng public places and sing Jogira song till late at night. The Jogira had distinct melody. It helped people communicate and spread love in Tarai belt. Holiya, the singer of Holi songs, also said the aura of Holi festival declined with the decreasing Jogira song. The Jogira song also motivates young boys and girls to be open and show their talents. Radheshyam Pal observed that the atmosphere of Holi festival is different- even the soil emanates fragrance; it is the onset of the Spring Season as well. Pal, who is also the member of Lumbini Cultural Biraha Group, decries the invasive songs getting immersed among youths.  

Fagu Poornima or Holi, the festival of colors, is being observed with much fanfare in the districts of the Tarai region today. The festival, also called the spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, the symbol of the triumph of good over evil, is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. People in the Tarai districts are enjoying the festival of colors in groups by smearing one another with different colours including Abir or red vermilion powder. This festival is also regarded as a bridge to promote social harmony. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People from old to young age enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the sale and prices of fruits and other daily essentials have increased in the Tarai districts during this festival. Likewise, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Morang said police personnel have been deployed to avert any unwanted activities in the Holi festival.

As many as 70 persons underwent cataract surgery in a free eye checkup camp run in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality in Taplejung district. The free eye checkup camp was organized jointly by Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu and Phaktanglung Rural Municipality, Taplejung. The surgeries were conducted on Saturday and Sunday with a team of surgeons Prof Dr Sanduk Ruit and other doctors. The cataract surgeries were carried out among the 2,430 locals who visited the eye checkup camp to examine their eyes in Phaktanglung, where Dr Ruit was born. Chairman of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality Mukti Labung said that the patients having difficulties to visit other places were treated in the eye checkup camp and were provided with free meal and transportation service for visiting the camp from their remote village. Likewise, four patients with serious issues have been referred to Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu for further treatment.

Holi or the festival of colours, is being celebrated with much fanfare in hilly areas, including the Capital city, on Monday, while it will be celebrated in the Terai region tomorrow. The Phagu Poornima celebration begins with a Holika Dahan or making a bonfire commemorating the death of Holika on the eve of Holi, the symbol of triumph of good over evil. The next day, people enjoy smearing one another with different colors including Abir or red vermilion powder. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Phagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People of all age enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. One of the widely observed festivals of the country, Phagu Poornima begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with burning of the 'Chir' on the full moon day later today. According to a Hindu myth, demon king Hiranyakashyapu who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction Holika who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her sat on a fire by taking Prahlad on her lap, but was burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Bishnu. From then onwards, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colour with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Bishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused. Senior people believe that any premonitions can be avoided if "Tika" made from the ashes of the 'Chir' is put on one's forehead or kept in the house. The government has declared a public holiday today to celebrate the festival.