by Christopher Sharma

Economists and experts point out the eight days off for Hindu festivals are too many. The country is still developing and cannot afford to have shops and businesses close down. A Protestant clergyman proposes a single day of celebration for each religion, including Christianity and Buddhism.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - The Hindu festivals of Dashain and Deepawali - the most important in the country - are great for the soul of the people but a real drain on the economy of Nepal, costing 150 million rupees (US$ 1.5 million) a day.

Multiplied by eight, which is the number of days of the business holiday, and the economy is forced to put a break. For economists, a poor nation developing country like Nepal cannot afford such a cost.

If all business activities remained closed for the entire the 15-day period of the Dashain festival that just ended, and the upcoming five-day Deepawali, "the country's economy would go bankrupt," Prof Bishwambhar Pyakurel told AsiaNews.

However, even the eight days of holiday break (five for Dashain and three for Deepawali) weighs heavily on Nepal, which still has problems of political instability, unemployment, backwardness and a low GDP.

According to the economist, "businesses should never close, but find replacements for their employees."

What is more, he adds, "since Nepal is a multicultural and multi-religious country, all communities should be able to celebrate in the same way, with no obstacles to economic activities."

Rev Isu Karki agrees. For the Protestant clergyman, "On these issues, the government is still partial. Until seven years ago, minorities' festivities were not recognised."

Since the country became secular, Christians have been able to celebrate Christmas and Easter, but the great place reserved for the Dashain and Deepawali shows that Hinduism is still dominant.

"It would be fairer, he adds, "for the country's religions and economy, if the longer holidays were reduced to just one day of vacation, whether it is Christmas, Easter, Dashain, Deepawali, Buddha's birthday or any other".

• nepal
• dashain
• deepawali
• celebration
• economic
• waste