Kathmandu(Pahichan) August 31 – Like in previous years, gender and sexual minority homosexuals and transgender have celebrated Gaitjatra . The festival is mainly celebrated in memory of the people who died this year. The members of this community celebrated festival in memory of their dead relatives wish the longevity of departed soul.

A rally that began from Thamel and ended at Basantapur Durbar Square with a candle light vigil in memory of the relatives of this community who died this year. After the candle light vigil, a rally was organized from Newroad to Lailchour.  “Approximately one thousand members of gender and sexual minority attended the program, according to Manish Dhakal, Executive Director of Blue Diamond Society.

Society is the organizer of the program. The rally was organized with a purpose of pressing state to ensure the right of this community in the new constitution. “We celebrated this festival with a view that new constitution should ensure this right, we have submitted memorandum to parties. This rally aims to push the society to change its mindset towards us,” said Dhakal.

Chairman of Society Pinki Gurung said Gaijatra festival has been celebrated linking it with country’s tourism industry. “We have demanded to ensure our rights; at the same time we have provided a message that Nepal is safe for the international tourists,” said Gurung. After the earthquake, a message has been circulated in international arena that Nepal is not safe but we tried to give the message that Nepal remains secure, Gurung said.

Despite the bandh, there was the huge presence of this community for the celebration of Gaijatra. Society is celebrating Gaijatra since 2008 linking to his community. A large mass were on the side of road to observe the Gaijatra which was decorated with dress, culture and identity.

The slogan of Gaijatra was the crumble hope by earthquake, focus on constitution, infrastructure reconstruction, discard the gender discrimination, we all human being are equal, lets seek equality, gender and sexual minority please seek your identity. Rights campaigner Sunil Babu Pant has thanked all members for the successful competition of Gaijatra.