FREEWRITING
Writing I (p. 23)
Write an essay describing a festival which is celebrated in your community. Include its brief history, people involved, major activities, religious or social importance, duration, and drawbacks, if any.
Dashain: The Greatest Festival
In Butwal, a vibrant city in the Lumbini Zone of Nepal, Dashain stands out as the most significant and widely celebrated festival. Known locally as Bada Dashain or Bijaya Dashami, it brings families together, fills markets with life, and marks a cultural heartbeat that almost everyone here participates in, regardless of caste or background.
Brief History
Dashain traces its origins to Hindu mythology. It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan, as told in the Ramayana. The festival was historically patronised by the kings of Nepal, who received tika and blessings from the royal priest as a sign of divine sanction to rule. Over centuries, it evolved from a royal ritual into a national and community festival celebrated by Hindus across Nepal and the Nepali diaspora.
People Involved
Dashain is truly a community festival. It involves every generation of a household. Elders play the central role by giving tika, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion, and jamara, barley grass grown in dark rooms for 10 days, as blessings to younger family members. Children and youth travel long distances to return to their ancestral homes, often called mamaghar or ghar. Neighbours, extended relatives, and even distant friends visit each other’s homes to exchange tika and blessings. In Butwal, local clubs and tol sudhar samiti organise community swings called ping, and cultural programs, so the whole neighbourhood gets involved.
Major Activities
The festival spans 15 days, but the most important are Ghatasthapana, Phulpati, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami.
- Ghatasthapana (Day 1): Jamara is planted in a holy water pot in the prayer room.
- Phulpati (Day 7): Sacred flowers, banana stalks, and sugarcane are brought from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu, and locally, people bring phulpati into their homes.
- Maha Ashtami & Navami (Day 8 & 9): Animals like goats, buffaloes, and ducks are sacrificed in temples dedicated to Durga, especially at local shrines like the Manakamana Mandir and Narainthan. Families who don’t sacrifice animals offer coconuts, pumpkins, or eggs instead.
- Vijaya Dashami (Day 10): The main day. Younger family members receive tika and jamara from elders along with dakshina money blessings. People dress in new clothes, fly kites from rooftops, play on tall bamboo swings, and feast on mutton, sel roti, and other sweets.
- Kojagrat Purnima (Day 15): The festival ends with worship of Goddess Laxmi for prosperity.
In Butwal’s bazaars, the weeks before Dashain are the busiest of the year. Streets are packed with people shopping for clothes, food, and gifts. The sound of malshree dhun playing in shops signals that Dashain has arrived.
Religious and Social Importance
Religiously, Dashain reinforces faith in divine power and the moral order that good ultimately defeats evil. The tika ritual renews family hierarchies and respect for elders. Socially, it’s the biggest annual family reunion. For many migrant workers in India, the Gulf, or Kathmandu, Dashain is the one time of year they return home. It strengthens community bonds as people visit neighbours, forgive past grievances, and share food. The festival also drives the local economy; farmers sell goats, tailors work overtime, and transport businesses see peak demand.
Duration
Formally, Dashain lasts 15 days from Ghatasthapana to Kojagrat Purnima. However, in practice, the celebration starts a month early with shopping and house cleaning, and tika exchanges continue for five days after Vijaya Dashami so all relatives can be visited. Schools and government offices in Butwal close for about 10-12 days.
Drawbacks
Despite its joy, Dashain has several drawbacks. The mass animal sacrifice is criticised by animal rights groups and younger people who see it as cruel. The pressure to buy new clothes, give dakshina, and host feasts creates financial strain for low-income families, sometimes pushing them into debt. Gambling with cards (taas) becomes common in many tols, occasionally leading to disputes. Road accidents spike due to increased travel and drinking. Environmental issues also arise from waste left by fairs and the haphazard disposal of sacrifice remains.
Still, for most people in Butwal, Dashain is more than a festival. It’s a reminder of home, heritage, and hope. The swings may be taken down and the jamara may wither, but the blessings and reunions carry people through the year until Dashain returns.
Writing II (p. 32)
Write a news story using the following clues.
Vitamin A Capsules Given to Children
health assistants give Vitamin A Capsules, October 19-20
children from six months to five years
deworming tablets to children between 1-5 years
announced by the Department of Health Services
Vitamin A programme continues since 2050 BS and deworming capsules since 2056 BS
Vitamin A Capsules for Children This October 19–20
Tilottama, May 21. Health assistants will give free Vitamin A capsules to small children across the country on October 19 and 20.
The Department of Health Services said the capsules are for all children from six months to five years old. Children between one and five years will also get deworming tablets at the same time.
Nepal’s National Vitamin A Program runs twice every year, usually in April and November. It gives free vitamin A capsules and deworming tablets to children under five. This time, the campaign will be held on October 19 and 20.
A health worker said, “Vitamin A keeps children’s eyes healthy and helps them fight sickness. The deworming tablet removes worms from their stomach so they can grow better.”
The Vitamin A program has been running since 2050 BS. The deworming program started later, in 2056 BS.
Parents are requested to take their children to the nearest health post, school, or community center on October 19 or 20. The capsules and tablets are completely free.
Health assistants will be ready to give the medicine to every child.
Writing I (p. 41)
The letter in Reading I talks about different weaknesses of the health care workers in a hospital. Imagine you are one of the staff of the hospital. Now, write an email to the patient's mother apologising for your behaviour. Assure her that there will be improvement in the services your hospital provides.
Answer:
Subject: Apologies for Your Hospital Experience
From: sitadevi@nationalhospital.com
Cc/Bcc:
Dear Ms. Sharma,
I am truly sorry for the poor experience you and your daughter had at our hospital.
I’m glad to hear your baby got the medical care she needed and is doing well now. But I am very sorry that our staff’s behavior and communication let you down. You came here to focus on your child’s recovery, and you should not have had to hear staff complaints or feel unheard.
I also apologise for the repeated questions and for the mistakes about your daughter’s gender. I know this added stress when you were already going through a hard time. That is not acceptable.
Your letter matters to us, and we are taking it seriously. We are working with our team to make sure:
- All patients and families are treated with respect and kindness
- Staff speak to each other in a positive way, not in front of patients
- We double-check all records so details like name and gender are correct
- Families get clear, caring updates about their loved ones
Thank you for trusting us with your daughter’s care and for telling us about your experience. Your feedback helps us get better. We promise to do better so that every family feels safe, respected, and supported here.
Please accept my sincere apologies.
With respect,
Sita Devi Sharma
Medical Officer
National Hospital Pvt. Ltd.
Tilottama, Rupandehi
Writing II (p.49)
Obesity has become a matter of concern in recent years. Draft a speech on obesity based on the guiding questions given below.
What are the primary causes of obesity?
What are its consequences?
What should an individual do to avoid it?
Speech on Obesity
Namaste everyone,
Today, I would like to speak a few words about obesity, which has become a serious health concern in recent years.
Obesity means having excessive body fat due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. The main causes of obesity are eating too much junk food, drinking sugary beverages, spending long hours on mobile phones and computers, and doing very little exercise. Lack of sleep and stress can also contribute to weight gain.
Obesity can have many harmful effects on our health. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing problems. Obese people may also feel tired easily and may lose confidence in their daily lives. In severe cases, obesity can shorten a person’s lifespan.
Fortunately, obesity can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices. We should eat balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods. We should avoid excessive fast food, soft drinks, and sugary snacks. Regular physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, or playing sports help keep our bodies fit and healthy. Getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water are also important.
In conclusion, obesity is a growing problem, but it can be prevented through healthy habits and regular exercise. A healthy body leads to a happy and successful life. Therefore, let us all make wise choices and take care of our health.
Thank you and Namaste.
OR
Speech on Obesity
Namaste everyone,
Today, I would like to speak a few words about obesity, which has become a serious health concern in recent years; not just in our country, but across the entire world.
Obesity means having excessive body fat due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. The main causes of obesity are eating too much junk food, drinking sugary beverages, spending long hours on mobile phones and computers, and doing very little exercise. Lack of sleep and stress can also contribute to weight gain.
To understand how serious this problem has become, let us look at some facts. Globally, around 2.11 billion adults aged 25 and older are overweight or obese, accounting for nearly 45% of the world’s adult population. In 2021 alone, 3.71 million deaths and 129 million disability-adjusted life-years were attributed to overweight and obesity. Worldwide, obesity rates among children and adolescents increased four times from 1990 to 2022, while obesity rates among adult women more than doubled, and the rates in men tripled.
Nepal too is facing a growing obesity crisis. The percentage of obese males in Nepal, which was 11.7% in 1990, rose to 29.5% in 2021, while the obesity rate among females jumped from 13.9% to 28.1% in the same period. According to Nepal’s Demographic and Health Survey, 35% of women in the country are obese. Even our youngest citizens are not spared — 3% of children under five are already obese. If we do not act now, by 2050, Nepal’s obesity rates are projected to shoot up to 52.2% for males and 47.8% for females.
Obesity can have many harmful effects on our health. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing problems. The WHO lists cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers including endometrial, breast, and colon cancer as serious health issues linked to obesity. Obese people may also feel tired easily and may lose confidence in their daily lives. In severe cases, obesity can shorten a person’s lifespan.
The WHO has warned that many low- and middle-income countries like Nepal are now facing a “double burden”: undernutrition as well as a rapid upsurge in obesity-related cases, particularly in urban areas. The lifestyles of many Nepalis, particularly in urban areas, have drastically changed, with many consuming excessive amounts of highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats, while lack of physical activity and longer screen times add to the problem.
Fortunately, obesity can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices. We should eat balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods. We should avoid excessive fast food, soft drinks, and sugary snacks. Regular physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, or playing sports help keep our bodies fit and healthy. Getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water are also important.
In conclusion, obesity is a growing problem both in Nepal and around the world, but it can be prevented through healthy habits and regular exercise. A healthy body leads to a happy and successful life. Therefore, let us all make wise choices and take care of our health.
Thank you and Namaste.
Writing II (p.82)
B. Write a letter of complaint to the concerned authority about the unmanaged garbage in your locality. Mention the hazards of unmanaged garbage to public health and suggest some measures to solve the problem.
Answer:
Tilottama 10, Semera Bazar
29 June 2026
The Mayor
Tilottama Municipality Office
Tilottama 6, Shankarpur, Manigram
Subject: Complaint Regarding Unmanaged Garbage in Semera Bazar
Dear Sir,
My name is Shiva Pandey, and I am writing to bring to your attention the serious problem of unmanaged garbage in our locality, Tilottama 10, Semera Bazar.
The Problem:
Garbage is piling up on the streets and in open areas near our homes. The waste is not being collected regularly, and it has become a major concern for all residents.
Health Hazards:
This unmanaged garbage is creating serious health problems. Flies and mosquitoes breed in the waste, spreading diseases like dengue, malaria, and typhoid. Bad smell from rotting garbage causes respiratory problems. Dirty water mixed with garbage pollutes our surroundings and can cause stomach infections and skin diseases. Children and elderly people are especially at risk.
Suggested Solutions:
I request the concerned authority to take the following steps:
- Arrange regular garbage collection at least three times per week
- Place dustbins at regular intervals in our locality
- Educate people about proper waste disposal
- Impose fines on those who litter
- Organize community cleaning drives
I request you to take immediate action to solve this problem. Clean surroundings are essential for a healthy community and better future for students like us.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Yours faithfully,
Shiva Pandey
Tilottama 10, Semera Bazar
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