Bishranti Mandir A safe haven

By AA Ghimire & Shiromani Dawadi

Nuclear famies have come into being   probably because of material aspects and growing tendency of individualism among people rather than spiritualism. Consumerism has given rise to heedless imitation of Western countries and the Nepalese people seem to have lost the traditional value. The concept of elderly people living peacefully with the family has become a thing of the past. People are not fully aware of its consequencess. Family cohesion is coming under the pressure of generation gap between parents and children, especially in urban areas.

In view of such developments, it had become necessary to start a crusade against these evils that is slowly creeping into the society. Keeping these facts in mind, an organisation called Bishranti Mandir for the elderly and needy people has been started.

Bishranti Mandir, the first NGO for the elderly and other needy people, is situated at the confluence of ‘Dovan’ of Tamor river, a holy and religious site of the Nepalis. It covers an area of 3.4 hectares of land, beautified by thick sub-tropical vegetation. The forest has been developed and protected through grants from Nodrik of Lions and DANIDA through Lions Club, Bishal Bazar of Kathmandu. The greenery definitely gives a pleasant feel to the surroundings. The place is warm during winter and hot in summer. The forests cover and the cool breeze coming from the river makes the place pleasant. The cool and relaxing shade of the trees indeed make this place an ideal place for the elderly people to live in.

Bishranti Mandir (literally meaning a peaceful retreat for the elderlies) is an integrated multipurpose NGO which gives priority and emphasis to religious as well as spiritual programmes. In order to encourage the involvement of the elderly in religion and spirituality, a temple of  Shiva - Panchayan with facilities for Yoga practice, meditation, residential library has been established. The organisation also provides health services and vocational trainings on farming, cattle rearing and beekeeping.

Fuel wood  needed for the funeral pyre to perform the last rites of the deceased is also brought to the ghat which is provided by the institution. Apart from rendering service to the aged, the Bishranti Mandir also has provisions for developing appropriate facilities as a short term rural retreat for people with hectic and tiring schedule. Overworked people, scholars in interlude, pilgrims, government officials, research students can take short or long vacations and relax in this pleasant Shangria-La. These visitors can have close interaction with the aged and also people coming from different walks of life.

Bishranti Mandir, being a local level NGO, has put forward national level activities and objectives, thereby providing assistance and training to the concerned people. It has planned to extend its activities to different parts of the kingdom. Keeping International Year for the Elderlies 1999’s concept in mind, the main activities of the Bishranti Mandir include institutional building, awareness building, development of physical facilities, income generating activities moral re-awakening and even performing the last rites of the aged.

One of the major functions of the Bishranti Mandir is to raise awareness about its obligation towards the old people and associated socio-economic problems. As an ambitious project is underway, a large amount of financial as well as human resources will be needed. Nevertheless, it has rolled up its sleeves to meet these challenges.

At present, the institution has the capacity to accommodate 70 people but it aims at providing shelter to about 200 in the near future and is also opening various branches in other parts of the country. A recently launched training provides training to the members of Bishranti Mandir, entrepreneurs in the neighbouring region and selected women groups. In addition to raising social awareness, serious efforts have been made to analyse the various factors responsible for the gradual degeneration of moral values in our society and to find ways of arresting such social evils.

Bishranti Mandir has been successful in mobilizing the support of the people for the creation of physical facilities. It has started to made the people aware of this problem of attending to the needs of the elderly citizens as the percentage of the old people is rising at an alarming rate. There are about 1000 members and the resources of the Bishranti Mandir primarily consist of membership fees.

Bishranti Mandir is definitely doing its bit to create an appropriate emotional atmosphere to creatively rehabilitate the old-age people under service strain of economic deprivation, emotional tension and attitudinal desperation. But the government has to keep the need of the helpless elderly citizens in its agenda and open homes for the aged in all areas of the country.

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