DOLAKHA, May 3: A non-governmental organization (NGO) has distributed Christianity promotion material to school children at a school inauguration function attended by Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun.
The NGO, Dayaka Haatharu, invited Vice President Pun to the inauguration of the new school building at Sharada Madhyamik Vidyalaya at Shaileshwar of Sailung Rural Municipality-8, Dolakha. He arrived for the function on Tuesday afternoon by army helicopter along with his wife, security personnel, a member of the Maoist Centre Central Committee and a mediaperson.
During the inauguration, the vice president promised to request the government to speed up construction of quake-ravaged houses and schools. Immediately after his speech, the function organizers announced a distribution of gifts. The school children were called forward and given a wrapped packet each.
In Pictures: Republic Day celebrations at Army Pavilion
Vice President Pun had the honor of distributing the gift packets. Upon opening the packets, the children found some stationary items and books on Christianity .
When local adults realized that religion promotion material was being distributed to the children, they requested Bharat Dulal, the rural municipality chief, to halt the distribution.
The school building was constructed with a budget of Rs 25 million. Singapore Red Cross provided financial aid for the building. Usually, school buildings constructed with foreign aid are handed over with the participation of the local community. However, the inauguration program at Sailung was totally controlled by the NGO, it is stated.
“It seems the NGO constructed the school building only for religious promotion,” said a local.
The school's principal, Netra Bahadur Tahapliya, also expressed disappointment. “The organizers completely disregarded the school management committee and the school family. Everyone from parents to school employees felt disappointment at the way they organized the function.”
Rural municipality chief Dulal said the distribution was stopped immediately after the NGO's intention became clear. “If they carry out such activities at other schools also, we will take action,” he said.
