New Clothes, Old Notes

Dashain is most arguably the prominent festival of Nepal celebrated with unparalleled pomp and joy. Even though different people in Nepal celebrate Dashain differently, it brings happiness and sense of unity among family members. Generally speaking, people in Terai perceive Dashain as more of a religious celebration, engaging in an intensive 10 day long worshipping and at often fasting for entire 10 days, surviving entirely on fruits and milk; while, people in Hills and elsewhere focus more on the cultural aspect of Dashain and celebrate it as a festival that unites family members and brings joy.

Dashain is marked with children playing around in open fields in bright and colorful new clothes. 'Pings' are a common sight. People tend to develop a strange affinity not only for new clothes, but new stuffs in general. Sale of new shoes goes up while the old sandals and flippers fill up the trash cans (which of course do not exist).

Nepalese have developed an affinity for new and crisp bills too during Dashain. The Nepal Rastra Bank caters to this aesthetic and rather luxurious demand by dispensing lots of new stacks of crisp bills (Nepalese currency notes). However, it seems Nepalese will get to wear new clothes, (in fact lots of them since China, beloved neighbor manufactures them so cheaply) but will have to do without new currency notes (bills) this year. Nepal Rastra Bank has admitted of a currency shortage during Dashain, the major festival of Nepal. Surely, this will be a big disappoinment to the Nepalese. Old habits die hard.

I fear Nepalese people might launch a revolution or call up a general strike demanding new and crisp Nepalese bills.