Dawa Sherpa, Sherpa´s namesake and Dambar Pradhan continue to enjoy celebrity status as villagers continue to come in droves to congratulate them. [break]
The three students passed SLC in second division. But they are the first ever SLC graduates from the village. The entire village is basking in the success of these students from Ugrachandi Secondary School, particularly from the local Ugrachandi Secondary School. The school was established 52 years ago.
“The boys have passed SLC. Noting could have made us more proud,” said a local Arjun Sapkota. Excited Sapkota not only awarded Rs 5,000 each to the students but also announced an award of Rs 50,000 to village topper from next year.
Students felicitated for achievements. (Photo: Dhruba Dangal)
Similarly, Shambhu Pradhan, former president of Listi VDC rushed to the village all the way from the capital to congratulate the boys. Pradhan had been closely associated with the school for many years, but the school had never produced any SLC graduate. “The boys have indeed made us proud. It is great achievement,” he said. Pradhan also awarded the students with Rs 5,000 each.
Former president of the school Muke Sherpa was also was in cloud nine. “For us it is like 30 students passing SLC from our village,” he said. He also gave away Rs 2,500 to each of the three students.
Not only have the locals shown generosity to the first ever SLC graduates from the village, the VDC office has also decided to provide financial assistance to students for higher studies.
Villagers enjoy feast.(Photo: Dhruba Dangal)
So far, each of the students has collected over Rs 12,000 in awards. “We had never expected this level of recognition. We are very happy,” said Dambar Pradhan.
Though currently the atmosphere is one of celebration in the village, a closer look at the school fills one with sadness. The school building is in the verge of collapse. Worse still, there are very few teachers in the school.
According to students only the poor send their children to this school. “The rich ones send their wards to the capital,” said Sherpa.
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