By Rick M 
In order to promote unity and create a feeling of pride in the people of the Dharan sub-metropolitan city, a new Flag Park has been opened on the boundary of Wards 14 and 15. The park located beside the Pindeshwar Temple was inaugurated on Tuesday in presence of the Mayor Harka Sampang and the deputy mayor Aindrabikram Begha where citizens of the city also participated.
The Flag Park project, which was proposed several months ago, is an initiative by the local government and different local non-governmental organizations. The land for the park was donated by Vidyapith, a local educational establishment The gesture is in step with the city officials bearing in mind recent rifts, they hope to foster teamwork.
Mayor Sampang said this during his speech during the inauguration, stating the significance of Flag Park. “This park is not only a welcoming addition to the face of our city but serves a great purpose …” he said. ‘This means a lot to all of us, and I hope that as one united people, we will continue to forge on to a better future.’
The time the park was opened is appropriate following the recent events that precipitated tensions that almost split the city. A recent welter of protests involving the brutal killing of a bull by some members of a native community had precipitated widespread public outcry near threats of premeditated ethnic crises.
This was supported by Deputy Mayor Begha, who, addressing the gathering, said that the park would go a long way in fostering togetherness among the people. She said, ‘It is the same as raising the flags for a better future and a better Dharan with the help of raising these flags together.’ ‘’This park will remain a positive testament to what a society can create when people collaborate, embrace their diversity, yet accept core unity as members of this city.’’
The Flag Park includes a range of national and local flags; each is chosen individually to reflect Dharan’s multicultural setting and the overall multicultural setting of Nepal. Each flag is complemented with an informational plaque that gives the visitor actual information about the history and meaning of the exhibited symbols.
Those who attended the inauguration sighted around the park were positive about the new park. Ramesh Shrestha, a shopkeeper of Ward no: 15 said, “It feels good to have something positive going on in our city after recent incidents.” This park allows people to remind themselves where they can gather and share feelings of togetherness.
Elements of sustainable landscaping this park has adopted include the plants and trees that do not need water to be supplied or any maintenance to be done to them. Proper lighting from solar energy ensures the flags are seen during the evenings and at night and has gained popularity as a spot to parade during the evenings.
Local education officials have also endorsed the ability of the park to be used as an educative facility whereby students can learn outside the classroom. Sunita Rai, a local school principal, said, “This park has the potential to become a teaching aid for civil bombings, history, and diversification so that the students would have the opportunity to experience it for themselves. Educationally, it would be great to extend that, so we are designing field trips to include Flag Park.
Keeping with the spirit of municipal reconciliation the city leadership said that flag park will be organizing cultural shows and discussion forums in the coming months. These events will be aimed at bringing out cultural bearers of different cultures, develop forums that people from these cultures can use to interchange ideas and cultures as well as address their problems.
Flag Park is part of a project that includes plenty of appealing buildings in the Dharan sub-metropolitan city, which changes public areas to make people engage with city officials and events. Further developments of parks and community services within the city are planned to be constructed, including special attention to the multicultural and age-diverse population.
Local artist have also been called upon to contribute to aesthetics of the park. In two weeks, a mural portraying historical and cultural aspects of Dharan will painted on a wall, making it more emblematic in its current connotation.
As the day for inauguration came to an end, the new flags were slowly waving a bit in the evening wind and in front of the background of the hills. For many in the audience it seemed to signify bringing new hope and unity for Dharan among the spectators.
The Flag Park signifies a move on from the recent problems that the city has experienced but also represents the intention of a better future. With Dharan trying to unravel the social matrix of its multi-ethnic populace, such a new public domain conveys a practical CSM reflection of the city’s aspiration to embrace the plural setup for a collective, cohesive endeavor.