By Rup Narayana Dhakal : Syangja—The Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (FoNIJ) Gandaki has successfully concluded an interaction on rural tourism promotion and the capacity building of journalists, at Sirubari in Syangja district of Nepal.
Sirubari, which is situated in Aandhikhola Rural Municipality- 1 is said to be the first tourism homestay of Nepal and South Asia. FoNIJ Gandaki executives including other journalists who reached Sirubari were welcomed by local entrepreneurs and villagers in Sirubari before the interaction held on October 30. Tourism Development Committee Treasurer Purna Bahadur Gurung informed about Sirubari village during the interaction.
The interaction was inaugurated by Minister for Law, Communication and Province Affairs (LCPA) Gandaki Bindu Kumar Thapa amid a formal ceremony. Addressing the interaction, minister Thapa expressed his commitment to press freedom and the right to expression. At the same time, FoNIJ Gandaki Chairman MB Astha Magar said that his organization has worked for the promotion of village center tourism in recent years. He also made clear that FoNIJ Gandaki wished to enhance the skills of journalists, especially from Gandaki Province.
At the same time, LCPA Deputy Secretary Himal Chandra Aryal, Tamu Dhin Nepal Chairman and FoNIJ Gandaki in-charge Hum Gurung, FoNIJ Gandaki vice president Dil Siris Magar, FNJ Syangja Chairman Shree Krishna Sigdel and ward chairman Lok Prasad Dhakal put their views during the interaction.
LCPA secretary and spokesperson Kashiram Gaire, tourism expert Hari Singh Gurung and FoNIJ Gandaki in-charge Hum Gurung put their presentations in the 2nd session after the interaction program. FoNIJ Gandaki General Secretary Rudra Shrees Magar was the master of ceremony.
Talking about Sirubari village, late lawmaker Rudraman Gurung initially established that village as a tourism village in 2054 BS. Buddha Mothers’ Group, Dharmodaya Sabha and Navayug Club have been working for the promotion of Sirubari for years. Sirubari has also claimed an informal school of homestay tourism. One should pay Rs 1200 to book a homestay package in Sirubari. The package includes snacks (khaja), dinner, bed, and breakfast. Welcome, and farewell programs including a cultural show also are included if the visitor group includes at least 15 members. A total of 17 households offer homestay services in Sirubari which is situated 1610 meters high from sea level.
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