Amar Raj Naharki, Tanahun, Jan. 18: Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Campus of Damauli in Tanahu has been offering meals to its students staying at the hostel at Rs. 24 which is four times less than the average market price.

The offer of the meal at a very cheap price has not only helped the students with the financially poor background but also motivated them to focus on studies.

Sirjana Ghimire, a student of the campus staying in the campus dormitory, said she was able to cut her cost by Rs. 7,000 because of the meal provided by the campus.

A permanent resident of Madhya Nepal Municipality, Lamjung, Srijana is now living in an economical girl’s hostel which is located at Damauli, headquarters of Tanahun district, because of which the financial burden to her family has been significantly reduced.

Srijana along with 23 girls are delighted for getting good quality stay and food at a low price.

The BBS first-year student says that the dormitory provides a serene environment and good quality food at a low price so the financial burden has been lifted from our shoulders.

"Had I rented a room outside, my monthly expenses would be over Rs. 10,000 a month, but here my monthly expenses are no more than Rs. 3,500," she shared.

Similarly, the dormitory has fulfilled the dream of Susmita Timilsina, a resident of Chudiramgha, Bhanu Munuciplaity-4, Tanahun, to study science in a cost-effective manner.

Sushmita is studying in grade 11. "It is difficult to study science, but the facilities of the hostel have made it easier for me to concentrate on my subject."

Sushmita's classmate Sumina was all praise of the hostel as it gave her the opportunity to study her favorite subject science.

Another 11 grader, Pratikshya Gurung, a resident of Bahunpokhara, Byas Municipality-8, Tanahun, said it was not possible to commute from home to study outside of the village and added that because of the dormitory she can study science in the city without having to commute from home.

Both students and parents are elated for having the chance to study in the Adikavi Bhanubhakta Campus while living in the Martyr Chand Nepali Hostel, which has cut their costs.

All the girls living in the dormitory are happy for they are provided a set of the meal (rice, pulses, vegetables) at a minimal cost of Rs. 24, said Kalpana Lamsal,
hostel head and assistant campus Chief.

"Students have been able to study at a cost of Rs. 84 per day, including morning and evening meals and tea, which in turn has reduced the financial burden on parents," said Lamsal.

She informed that an arrangement has been made for the students to cook one day a week and wash the utensils themselves so as to cut the costs of services and impart some kind of self-dependent culture and habits to them.

According to assistant campus Chief Lamsal, the living costs in the hostel were cut as the food preparation and other services were done by the students themselves, and also that some vegetables were also grown in the dormitory premises.

The Gandaki Provincial government has recently allocated half a million rupees for the environment protection and sanitation programme in the dormitory, according to the campus. And Devghat Rural Municipality had a well dug for the hostel by providing Rs. 200,000.

The dormitory, which is built in the school area came into operation two years ago, and the Nirmal Secondary School gave the necessary land to the dormitory.

The hostel has a capacity of 30 people.

Maha Prasad Hadkha, the campus chief, informed that priority was given to the students from families of martyrs and enforced disappearance persons, the destitute, the marginalized, the earthquake victims, the disabled, the dalits, the janajatis and the economically disadvantaged students with regard to the eligibility for staying in the hostel.

Hostel dwellers have to pay only one thousand rupees monthly as rent that includes water, electricity, and sanitation.