‘Everything is Possible’ was the official theme of the 15th Street Festival held at Durbar Marg on 17th April, Saturday. After two years of economic downfall and quarantine, we need a new light, a new path, and that path is one filled with possibilities!
Two years of lockdown made it possible to believe the impossibilities we had never shun our head upon. We as individuals lost the touch of life and celebration. We as a nation lost grip of the business and tourism pace and prosperity we had built up.
Marking the New Year 2079 of the Nepali calendar, FNCII in support with Ncell organized the 15th Durbarmarg Street Festival. The Durbar Street was full of life, support, and amusement. Balloons floating over your head, amusement activities for children, stalls and businesses of all kinds, and a lively podium with performances that had everyone singing along and waving their hands.
The chief guest of the street festival, Shekar Golchha, the President of FNCCI remarked,
“We will produce goods, don’t obstruct us
We will create employment opportunities, don’t strike against us
We will export our craft, support us
We will invite tourists, welcome them with us
We will pay taxes, let’s be dutiful towards that
We are ready to work together!”
We are ready to work together!”
The business stalls were diversely occupied. Some businesses were those that suffered most during the lockdown, others due to the economic desperation and the rest to be a part of the celebration.
Some remarks from the Business stalls:
” We sell handicrafts and 99% of our revenue comes from export. So, in the year 2020 our workshop closed and we suffered. In the loss of hope, there was one thing that made us joyful and that was how our craft started selling locally. The youths of today are empowered and make the right decisions. The lockdown has taught us that choosing local is a prosperous choice” – Aarti Chyashi
“We started this business after the first lockdown in support of the farmers in Karnali who were in desperate need of economic support. The materials and oil in Karnali were going to waste. We are an initiative to bring high quality local organic produce directly to consumers.” -Tseten Dolma Lama
“We craft luxurious and delicate pieces of handicraft and decoration which became unfruitful during the lockdown. In a time when even the rich had to manage their resources to fulfill their basic needs, luxury craft carried no value. We couldn’t attract or sell to foreign customers either. This new year has evoked a new possibility in us. We hope that our business prospers, we hope that all other brothers and sisters here today feel enthusiastic about the new year!” -Chakra Joti Shakya
READ ALSO: