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Kathmandu, 23 October: Israel embassies in Nepal and Japan are jointly providing emergency food assistance to the underprivileged Gandharva Community around Kathmandu and Pokhara through collaboration with a Japanese International NGO, Japan International Support Program (JISP).

With the financial contribution from the Government of Israel, JISP is providing a vital good assistance to approximately 1,000 most vulnerable Gandharva people during the most auspicious festivals of Dashain and Tihar.

The goods include basic food items such as rice, lentils, oil and vegetables. Also, soap bars and masks are provided at this challenging time of Covid-19. The Gandharva communities located in Kathmandu were donated goods today and the goods will be sent for the community in Pokhara soon, according to Israeli embassy.

Expressing happiness to be able to contribute to the Gandharva Musician’s Community of Nepal, Benny Omer, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal said, “In these difficult times of Covid-19 pandemic, we are happy to be able to assist vital humanitarian needs to the wonderful community in Nepal. Wishing you all Happy and Peaceful Dashain and Tihar.”

The Gandharvas of Nepal are keepers of one of the world’s great musical traditions, a tradition recognized by UNESCO as Intangible World Heritage. For centuries, they have been the musicians of Nepal. Gandharvas depend on tourism for much of their livelihood and income. Their primary source of income is often building Sarangis which they sell to tourists in Kathmandu.  However, due to the on-going Covid-19 crisis, tourists are no longer freely coming in and out of Nepal, and many of the Gandharvas, especially of the villages, have lost their ways of making a living.

People’s News Monitoring Service