By Rick M 
With the onset of the autumn season, preparations for the Dashain festival, the biggest festival of Nepal begin in the country. This year’s celebrations therefore come with traditional fanaticism and modern day complications as the society and economy changes.
Dashain, a festival that goes on for 15 days in celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga, is also one of the important occasions to gather together and enjoy delicious meals and rejoice by performing some of the cultural activities. But unlike the past years, this celebration brings apprehensions on structures and the economy. Out of all the manifestations of Dashain’s early arrival, the growing sales of sacrificial goats perhaps, are the most noticeable.
Currently the goat prices across the markets of Nepal are high with people trying their best to avail the goats from the suppliers. This season of livestock trade contributes immensely in boosting the economy of the rural producers in particular because many of them depend on this season for most of their yearly earnings.
Nevertheless, this factor of demand has led to high costs of goats that poses some questions concerning the cost of the produce and viability and sustainability of the farming systems. The government is also in the process of making adequate supplies of goats to the festival markets as well as combating with actions that hike up the prices of goats.
As people start planning to go back to their home town in preparation for the kumar dwara of Dashain celebrations the condition of road status in Nepal has raised eyebrows. Some of the complaints received involve bad roads especially in the rural and mountainous regions with some people citing that they feel unsafe to travel on the roads most times.
The Department of Roads said there will be emergency maintenance work on most of the country’s highways and will be sending maintenance crews out for priority problems before the festival season kicks in. Nonetheless, the following defiances which are still prevalent after several years of observation imply the exigent need for long-term strategies in the development of roads infrastructure in the country. There is good news waiting for the Nepali consumers regarding load-shedding problem during the festival period this time and that was declared by the Nepal Electricity Authority.
This is considered as a welcoming change to the energy sector in Nepal which made several households feel a little more comfortable in celebrating the festival. Nonetheless, there are regions that still suffer from power outages showing that there is still a demand for power plants. The festival also has its gains and losses in the aspect of economy.
The various sectors of the economy especially the retail and service industries expect high sales revenues, a key point of worry is inflation which has been predicted to rise. The Nepal Rastra Bank has put some measures to maintain good liquidity position in the banking system necessary to meet the people’s demand during the festival of Dashain.
The government has also made a decision of special privileges for civil servants such as early release of the salary for the convenience of the festivals shopping and traveling. With preparations for Dashain festival going in full swing, fortunes appear to be turning for the tourism industry with domestic trips likely to peak during the festival time. This pattern of high occupancy especially for hotels and resorts in holiday destinations is the good news for an industry that has struggled in the last couple of years.
Now the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is adding up more flights, especially on the routes between Kathmandu and other major cities/tourist destinations. However, the health authorities are still calling for Covid precautions during Dashain celebrations as gatherings in such a festival increases the rates of the virus.
Vaccination procection is on going although the government is planning to immunise as many people in the country before the onset of eve t festival seasons. Thus, while Nepali devastated population start their festive mood of Dashain to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, they have to turn their eyes towards the path of development where they actually stand.
It is a yearly herald of Nepali history still under construction of infrastructure, economy and social fabric. During festivals families are gathered together and the entire country considers its achievements and future to prepare a more successful and stronger Nepal.