Selling "PANI-PURI", linking Water and Jobs: Context World Water Day-2016

Written By: Bijay Bashyal

It was a meeting of Working Circle Of Paschim Paaila. World Water Day celebration was also a topic of discussion. It was hard to incorporate ideas with the theme "Water and Jobs". Eventully, the idea got strike on my mind that encompasses with the theme too and I put forward for discussion. "Great Idea!!" was the response from the team. The theme of idea was to sell “Pani-Puri” and the benefits was to be allocated for installing Water Purification System in Government School. Back then, we had almost 45 days to go.

Me selling "Pani-Puri"

Since then, I had many discussions with seniors around me. I had discussion with Pradeep dai (Pradeep Bhattarai) if we could bring both Youth Networks (Paschim Paaila and NYCA) together for this. We brought up some new developments into the idea. Never to mention the encouragement and way forward ideas from Dibit dai (Dibit Aryal).

But the most what matters (time) played an awful role. I had my final year exam routine published to be scheduled from March 27 (Chaitra 14). From that point,I had never thought I could give time into this idea.

        And again time said "Wait Boy!” the exam was postponed till new notice.

       We still have bad habit of rushing in last hour. This do plays some part here too. The idea became sidelined in the group due to certain circumstances , I also couldn't attend the recent meeting in PP. And recently I was back in my home town village Barangdi-9, Palpa for some urgency.

        Toli (Team) had planned other set of events for the day.

        I was back here. It was already late but not bad enough. "Let’s give a go and see what happens" I thought. Dibit dai has been influential in motivating me every time.

         I met Suman (Suman Prajapati) and discussed about it, "let’s do it, man!!" was the way forward.

 

Paschim Paaila team posing for photo

Dibit Dai, Suman and me worked on what more can we do tomorrow on 21st march at 4:30 PM at Baneshwor. We need to prepare Flex Banner but we had no logos, no charge in laptop but despite these did it. We asked Priya Art(P.) Ltd. to prepare the banner; the computer was too slow and hanged time to time, has increased our tension (tanab).

         Even then to deal/consult with the "PaniPuri-Bhaiyas" for providing the materials were needed, but the thing is, it was already 8 PM. "Thank God!" they were still in the street. However they said they are moving for home town next day for Holi. And, finally we convinced one to help us for the event.

Face Painting: one of the attraction of the event

And now, of course you know, we rocked the show and made the event a grand success. We all enjoyed the day. The highlights of the event were obviously “Pani-Puri” selling aided by Face Painting and games. We were able to collect some handsome amount of fund. But, still the major objective of the idea is left and the team is up for this. This event not only advocated for the theme of World Water Day-2016, but also energized the positive vibes in our minds. "If we think, then, yes it's really possible”.

At last, I thank all those who were available at the events and for their valuable contributions.

Games; "children enjoy them"

Nepal Water Week 2015

Kathmandu, Nepal

        Global Peace Foundation, Nepal in collaboration with 11 different organisations from diverse background are set to celebrate World Water Day 2015 in a week long schedule as NEPAL WATER WEEK 2015. March 22 has been observed as Wold Water Day since 1993 when UN Assembly declared it. "WATER AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" is the slogan for this years celebration. As its enthusiasm in environmental works GPF have now come up with this grand event. Er. Ram Rohan Panta, president of GPF said "Its nice to gather all organisation working in different sectors of water(policy, legislation, management, preservation) and hoped for the successful completion of the event."

      Former Minister Ganesh Shah added valuable remarks on the week long celebration of the Nepal Water Week 2015 and addressed his views on importance of water. Law advocate Dr. Tara Prasad Sapkota also added his valuable remarks in the press release of the NWW2015. 

                     All the representatives of organizers gave a short detail of their respective programs. The NWW 2015 will kick-off on March 14 with FEALPEC(Forum for Environmental Awareness and Legal Public Concern), Butwal  conducting  Discussion on Tinahu River Protection and the events get end with Resources Himalaya Foundation conducting GRADUATE CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT at National Trust Nature Conservation (NTNC) on 29-30 March. The celebration also have a hiking in Sundarijal route on March 25 for adventure which consists of picking of wastes in the route.

                      Nepal Bar Association - Environment Law Committee, NRCT, Micro Biology &     Molecular Biology (MiRON), MIMRA, United Youth,

Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), ISET – N, High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Basin (HPCIDBC), National Youth Federation Nepal, Youth Advocacy Nepal,  Paschim Paaila / ENPHO, Global Peace Foundation, UNESCAP, Ministry of Youth and Sports, NETIF are all set to have their own respective program as part of the NWW2015. The organizers expected good number of spectators for their events.