The Integrated Model Musahar Settlement constructed by Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation at Bardibas-2 in Mahottari district was handed over to the Musahar community on the occasion of Nepali New Year's Day on Friday. There are fifty-three houses in the newly built settlement.

Comedian duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya handed over the keys to Biltu Sada, chairperson of Integrated Musahar Settlement Protection Committee, amid a function at Bardibas today.

At the programme, Chief Secretary Somlal Subedi, comedian duo Madan Krishna and Hari Bansha, actors Dhurmus (Sitaram Kattel) and Suntali (Kunjana Ghimire), among others were present. 

The foundation built a total of 50 houses with three-rooms and an attic for Musahar families, one community building, two public toilets, a view tower and a temple of Dinabhadri in the settlement. Three of the houses have been provided to non-Musahar people.

According to the foundation, one house was built at the cost of Rs 800,000. Around Rs 50 million, collected through financial support from Nepal and abroad, have been invested to construct the Integrated Musahar Settlement.

Each house has been equipped with a toilet, tap fitted water-tank, bed, and cylinder-fitted gas-stove and a garden.

Nepali comedian artistes Kunjana Ghimire (Suntali) and Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus), who shot to fame after successful construction of integrated settlement in Sindhupalchok following the earthquake of 2015, decided to build the Musahar settlement to strengthen national unity and harmony.

Photos: Shekhar Adhikari