Bhalmansa and Chiraki in Kailali receive mobile phones and bicycles to ease work

Ghodaghodi: The traditional roles of Bhalmansa and Chiraki in the Tharu community, essential for resolving local issues and managing collective tasks, have become easier and more effective following support from local governments.

Lamkichuha Municipality recently provided 50 bicycles for Chiraki and 48 smartphones for Bhalmansa, facilitating communication and work management. The Bhalmansa expressed satisfaction with the smartphones, noting that group calls and information exchange on village development will now be easier, despite already having basic mobile phones without internet access.

The Bhalmansa play a key role in preserving customs and supporting social and development activities in their villages. While previously they had to travel on foot to deliver messages, the distribution of mobile phones and bicycles has significantly improved their efficiency. Mayor Sushila Shahi stated that 48 mobile phones worth Rs 725,000 and 50 bicycles worth Rs 360,000 were distributed as per executive decision.

Similarly, Ghodaghodi Municipality has provided bicycles to Bhalmansa and Chiraki and offered reconciliation training. Gangaram Chaudhary, a Chiraki from Belar village, Ghodaghodi-1, said, “Delivering information has become easier after receiving a bicycle. I now visit households by bicycle to share important news, such as administering cholera injections to cows across 150 homes.”

Budhram Chaudhary, Chairman of the Ghodaghodi Nagar Bhalmansa Committee, highlighted that reconciliation training has enhanced their ability to resolve community issues. In 76 Tharu villages of Ghodaghodi Municipality, 76 Bhalmansa and Chirakis continue the traditional Badghar practice.

The municipality’s Accounts Department reported that various wards provided bicycles worth Rs 450,000 to facilitate their roles. Other local governments, including Bardagoriya, Gauriganga, and Joshipur, have also offered training and support to strengthen the work of Bhalmansa and Chiraki.