Dadra – Char Bhanjyang Village
Resource collector: Dev Gurung
Brief Introduction of Wondrous Dadra
The fascinating Dadra VDC, rich in natural resources is one of the villages of Char Bhanjyang Tamu Samaj, which is elevated approximately 6,500 ft from the sea level. During the summer, the temperature reaches up to 32C and in winter drops down to single digit.
Geographically, to the east of Dadra lies Aaru Chaur VDC, Thanamaula VDC to the west, Bhangara VDC to the north, Khurgha and Pakhapani VDCs to the south and approximately 50 Kms far away from the district headquarter, Khusma . It is inhabited by many castes; Gurung, Khash, Black Smith, and few Brahmins, but the majority is Gurung. The great ethnic diversity throughout the area manifesting itself in a wide range of religious practices, cultures, life styles, food habits and clothing.
As stated earlier, that Dadra is blessed with natural resources and one of them is Pachabhiya khola, from where the hydro electricity power is generated and supplied to the Bhangra VDC. Phalam khani hill, which is situated to the south west of Dadra has its own history. During the regime of Jayasthiti Malla, the division of work was implemented and blacksmiths were given a task to work with an iron. These people used to extract an iron from this mine, and suffice the need of the villagers and local people. With the development of technology, the manufacturing of iron got deteriorated, and they ended up failing to pay royalty to the government. On 2014 BS, mine workers, local residents and intellectuals submitted a joint request letter to the palace to forgive the due amount of the royalty. Finally, the proposal got approved and the royalty payers were free from the obligation but since then, the iron mine is not into operation. Past and present reviews from the geological department have shown that the capacity of extracting iron and ore from Phalam Khani is very large, hence the government is promoting to bring the issue to National plan and operate it again, as told by local people.
Rice, Maize, millet, Soybeans are the main crops of Dadra. Seasonal fruits are available throughout the year. As the environment over here is very suitable for sugarcane, some’ Khas’ people cultivate it as a main cash crop. Many people grow green spinach in summer and make Gundruk (Dry Spinach) to use it as a curry during winter season. Since Dadra is surrounded 3/4 by high hills, and has moist soil, the climate is very suitable for hard walnuts.
During autumn, Dadra looks very beautiful and magnificent, it may be due to blossomy of rhododendron (Lali Guras) forest, or the green lake, which is nearby to Daha Jhakri- Thaan, or due to small wide open green hills, only the beholder knows. The scene of flocks of sheep grazing all around the wide-open hills and the clear panoramic sight of some parts of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Gauri Shankar and Aanapurna, which can be observed precisely, really do entice one to compose a poem, seriously awe-inspiring.
The ancient occupations of Gurung of Dadra were agriculture and farming, and used to trade in a barter transactions network but with the age of modernisation, this occupation slumped down. Most of them got more interested in recruiting in British, Singapore and Indian army, where one could earn name, fame and money. Few of them realised promoting trade and commerce for the betterment of the community. Some of the examples are Mr. Ram Kaji Gurung and Late Karna Bdr. Gurung, who ran a grocesory and garment shop in a main junction of Dadra, Ghante Deurali, and served the villagers and local people. During the panchyat regime, Mr. Ram Kaji Gurung served as a VDC chairman (Pradhan Pancha) for six years, followed by Late Karna bahadur gurung and Late Subedar Dhan Lal Ghale for three years each.
Even though there are three primary schools in PhalamKhani VDC, the Gurungs of Dadra consider the main school as the high school of Ghante Deurali.The initiators of this school from the Gurung community of Dadra are Mr. Ram Kaji Gurung, Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung, Mr Tek Bahadur Gurung, Late Karna Bahadur Gurung, and Late Subedar Dhan Lal Ghale who did put an earnest endeavour and huge contribution to establish this school.
On 2009 AD, social worker Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung, Capt. Chadra Prasad Gurung, Ins. Gopal Singh Ghale and Mr. Harka Bahadur Ghale collectively spent for the construction of two rooms in the Ghante Deurali High School in the name of their fathers Late Maj. Jit Bahadur Gurung and Late Subedar Dhan Lal Gurung. After completion of construction of these two rooms, they handed over them to the administration of the school.
From the perceptive of politics, social worker Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung, after completion of Intermediate in Arts (IA) from Dehradun, got associated with politics. On 2015 B.S, he was a representative member of Gorkha Parisad for a general election. During the panchyat regime, he was a chairperson of central committee of ex army association and secretary member of Return back to the village campaign. Currently he is a member of central committee of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party).
If the people and government are bit aware and think seriously about the resources of Dadra, it can be a good source of economy to the people and the country, where an employment opportunity and new market can be established. If the iron mine re- operates, many people will be benefited and even the business opportunity will be opened. As Dadra is situated in a high altitude and the soil is fertile and moist, the weather for cultivation of coffee, walnuts and sugarcane is brilliant. In conclusion, we may consider Dadra in itself is a package of beauty, culture, tradition and full of natural resources.
(When we talk about Dadra VDC we have to consider more or less and rely on the above matters .While preparing this article, resource collector has discussed, and taken help from reliable sources, however if any statement has to be amended due to presence of more reliable and strong evidence, will do so.)
