Marking the 29th Anniversary of Lumanti Support Group for Shelter and Ramesh Manandhar Memorial Day, two student architect Ms. Isha Deshar and Ms. Sunita Kutu from Department of Architect, IOE were awarded with Dr. Ramesh Manandhar Memorial Fellowship 2021-22 on 31st July 2022, Sunday for their thesis. The fellowship was worth NRs. 25000.00 with a certificate. Ms. Ishar Deshar has been pursuing M.Sc. in Energy for Sustainable Social Development (MSESSD) with her thesis on ‘Assessing the sustainability in Pyangaun, Lalitpur’ and Ms. Sunita Kutu has also been pursuing M.sc. in Energy for Sustainable Social Development (MSESSD) with her thesis on ‘Sustainability assessment of traditional building practices and alternative building technology (CSEB): Case of Bhauraha and Materiaya communities in Kalaiya’. 

 

On the same occasion, Mr. Madan Maan Maharjan was honored with Prafulla Maan Singh Pradhan Memorial Award for his remarkable contribution towards the communities in Siddhipur. This award worth NRs. 10000.00 with a certificate. On the same event, the contribution worth NRs 50000.00 for Anita’s Reading Corner to be established in Lumbini Buddhist University was also handed over to the family member of Late Dr. Anita Manandhar. 

 

The Anniversary event was started with welcome remarks by the Immediate Past Chair Ms. Sushma Bajracharya. On her welcome remarks, Ms. Bajracharya paid tribute to late Dr. Ramesh Manandhar, a personality behind the establishment of Lumanti and talked about his contribution as a medium for the transformation of lives of the thousands of low-income families. She also recalled her memory with then Chairperson of Lumanti, Late Dr. Anita Manandhar whom Lumanti family has lost a couple of months back. 

 

On the occasion, one minute silence was observed in memory of Late Dr. Ramesh Manandhar and Late Dr. Anita Manandhar. The invitees, board and general members and staff members of Lumanti also offered flowers and paid tribute to the departed soul. Besides, the Buddhist priest from Padma Kriti Bihar performed Paritraan Paath paying tribute to the departed soul. 

 

The Executive Director of Lumanti Ms. Lajana Manandhar, speaking on the occasion, recalling the story behind the initiation of Lumanti talked about the first conference on the issues of slums in 1990 which was organized in Kathmandu and coordinated by Dr. Ramesh Manandhar. On her remarks, she also highlighted the key achievement so far done by Lumanti and talked about the establishment and strengthening of community federations of slums namely Nepal Basobas Basti Samrakshan Samaaj (NBBSS), Nepal Mahila Ekata Samaaj (NMES), the youth groups and women saving and credit cooperatives. She also talked about Lumanti’s work as the secretariat of two Regional Network – Asian Coalition of Housing Rights (ACHR) which is yet to be formally announced and Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA). Lastly, she informed about Lumanti’s own office building which is being constructed in Hattiban, Lalitpur and said that hopefully the next Anniversary event will be organized in the own premises. 

 

Every year Lumanti has been recognizing its staff members who have completed 10 years of their services. This year, Lumanti has recognized the Admin and Finance Manager Mr. Gyanil Shakya, Community Mobilizer for Kalaiya Mr. Surya Paswan and Logistic Assistance Ms. Asmita Tamang. 

 

After receiving the award, recognition and honor, Ms. Sunita Kutu expressed the words of gratitude and Mr. Madam Maan Maharjan shared his experience working with Lumanti during reconstruction and establishment of community hospital in Siddhipur. He also appreciated the support that Lumanti has been providing in Siddhipur for women empowerment and community upgrading support. Likewise, on behalf of staff members who were recognized for their 10 years’ service, Mr. Surya Raj Paswan shared his experience working as community mobilizer.

 

During the open floor session, Ms. Shakya Suren recalled his memory with Late Dr. Anita Manandhar and Late Prafulla Maan Singh Pradhan. Likewise, the general members of Lumanti Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe talked about Lumanti’s advocacy initiation and stressed the need of more advocacy works for local level policy reformation. The Vice President of Community Women Forum (CWF) Ms. Binita Maharjan expressed gratitude Lumanti for its support in strengthening CWF and expressed the similar support. Finally, the past president of NBBSS Mr. Laddu Khadka appreciated the support made by Lumanti to establish and strengthen NBBSS.

 

The event was concluded with the closing remarks from the General Secretary of Lumanti Mr. Anil Sthapit. The even was facilitated by the treasurer of Lumanti Ms. Bijaya Raj Baidhya.