Kathmandu, Sept 14: President Bidya Devi Bhandari intermingled with a select group of children who had reached Shital Niwas on the eve of National Children’s Day-2076 and inspired them with her tales.
The rendezvous of children with the Head of the State was organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen.
The rendezvous that began with the national anthem entered introduction of the children namely Penusha Pandey, Prakash Nepali, Samir Basyal, Shival Rawal among others who were seemingly both nervous and excited to ask the President first-hand questions about her childhood during the story-sharing session.
They were seemingly left astounded and inspired when the President shared how she had surmounted the hardships to obtain education for herself some sixty years ago when facilities for children were a far cry.
President Bhandari narrated,” In my childhood days, the time, country’s situation and level of awareness of people was not advanced as in these days. A lot of positive changes could be felt over the course in comparison to the times I was a child.”
Bhandari explained that there were difficulties such as lack of good road and bridge to travel to distant school. In many cases, they had to cross jungles to reach school.
She further said, “We did not have electricity back then. I used to study at night burning the traditional oil lamp. All of you might have learned the letters and alphabets using pencil and note books, but for me, I learned to write using a stick and scribbling in the red mud.”
“We come from a very remote place. I thus understand the difficulties and problems facing the people of remote places,” she said.
According to her, she had never imagined that she would be elected the first female President of our country but she always wanted to contribute from her part to the welfare of people and service of the nation.
The President spoke of the need for the nation to pay attention towards ensuring bright future for the children. She argued that State, non-governmental sector and parents had equal responsibility to ensure welfare of the children.
On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen Tham Maya Thapa pledged for the effective implementation of the Children Act-2075.
