Nepali workers begin returning home from India to celebrate Dashain

Nepalis working in various Indian cities have begun returning home to celebrate Dashain and Tihar. Crowds arriving from New Delhi, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, Kullu and other places have increased congestion at the Jamunaha border crossing in Nepalgunj.

Police say the number of people entering Nepal through this crossing has recently exceeded the number heading toward India. Workers who stay away from home throughout the year tend to return to celebrate the major festivals with their families.

Hemanta Thapa, 57, from Dungeshwar in Dailekh, has also arrived home after nearly five years. He had been working picking apples in Shimla, India. He went to India with a neighbor five years ago after finding it difficult to cover household expenses.

After spending a long time abroad, he returned to fulfil his wish to be with his family during the festival.