Chili Kohibo with multiple facilities to open on Jan 12

By Rup Narayan Dhakal : Sikles(Kaski)—Sikles is all set to open Chili Kohibo including the multipurpose buildings on January 12. Chili is another name for Sikles in Gurung language and Kohibo relates their culture and religion. According to the Tamu Phe Lhu Sangh Chili Kohibo Unit Committee, the complex covers 0.86 hectares (17 ropanis) of land and saw an investment of Rs 28.5 million. The committee had organized a press meet to inform about the opening ceremony at Madi Rural Municipality ward 1, Risphunlun of Dhaprangtharon Tuesday.

According to construction committee coordinator Bal Bahadur Gurung, the multipurpose complex has a Kohibo, a conference hall with a capacity of 1,000 persons, and accommodation facilities with 41 beds. Likewise, office building, statue room, Ghumaune Ghar (roundhouse), lamp house, library, helipad, and cultural tharpa also have been built in the complex premises. A separate room has been allocated for the statues of geographer late Dr. Harka Gurung, conservationist late Chandra Prasad Gurung, teacher duo late Shiva Lal Gurung, and late Chandra Bahadur Gurung.

Addressing the press meet, Pom Bahadur Gurung made clear that the key intention behind establishing that Kohibo was to protect the rituals, customs, and traditional culture of Gurung people. The protections of festival, language, and costumes also have been included in that list. Spreading religious harmony, offering the facilities for social and religious activities including research works also are some of the important purposes of that complex. At the same time, committee chairman Ichha Bahadur Gurung and secretary Gehendra Gurung also put their remarks in the program.

 Lawmakers, local people, mother groups, NGOs, and hydropower companies supported funds and services for the multipurpose buildings. Taling about the village, Sikles is one of the biggest settlements of Gurung Community in the northeast part of Kaski District. The village is some 36.7 km far in road distance from Pokhara. It is also a popular tourist destination in Nepal.