Aagya Khabar,
Bardibas, Mahottari
“One lakh rupees felt like a dream,” said Shrikumar Sada, a member of the marginalized Mushar community. For Sada and others like him, these words weren’t just emotional—they were reality. And now, that dream has become tangible in the form of a cheque.
Shrikumar, a resident of the Integrated Model Mushar Settlement in Bardibas–14, lost his wife Sabina Kumari Sada on Asar 7 (late June). A stomach-related illness claimed the life of 36-year-old Sabina. For the economically disadvantaged Mushar family, the loss was not only emotional—it was a severe financial blow. But then came a cheque of one lakh rupees from the municipality’s insurance scheme, bringing tears to Shrikumar’s eyes—tears not just of sorrow, but also of relief and hope.
Few imagined that Nepal’s first group life insurance scheme targeted exclusively at the Mushar community, initiated by Bardibas Municipality, would create such a deep impact in such a short time. Operated in collaboration with Liberty Life Insurance, the claim process was completed within a month, and Shrikumar received his payment.
When Mayor Prahlad Kumar Kshetri and municipal spokesperson Vijay Kumar Mahato handed over the cheque, Shrikumar was speechless. But an elderly woman in the community, Manki Sada, expressed it best: “We had never seen anything like this before. The younger generation will start to understand now.”
First Practical Insurance Scheme for the Mushar Community
This insurance initiative, launched in Chaitra 2080 (March–April 2024), is considered historic for the highly disadvantaged Mushar community, which ranks low on social indicators. The municipality has fully paid the three-year premium for all Mushar citizens aged between 18 and 59.
Ravindra Kumar Mishra, the regional manager of Liberty Life Insurance for Madhesh Province, stated, “Our goal was to process insurance claims as quickly as possible. We wanted the Mushar community to experience insurance not as a piece of paper, but as meaningful and practical support.”
Not Just Insurance—Steps Toward Social Reform
Along with the insurance initiative, Mayor Kshetri also announced another program aimed at social transformation. Mushar couples who marry after the age of 20 will be rewarded with a financial incentive of NPR 50,000. According to Ward Chairperson Vijay Kumar Mahato, this scheme has been in effect since Chaitra 5, 2080 (March 18, 2024).
“This program is meant to raise awareness about the responsibilities that come with marriage and the appropriate age for it,” said Mahato.
Spreading the Light of Awareness
Simlal Sada from Bhangaha–3 remarked, “The main reason we’ve been left behind is lack of education. These kinds of initiatives will help raise awareness.” He added, “We must now focus on education. The support and active role of local governments are essential.”
According to the 2021 National Census, Mahottari District is home to 27,352 members of the Mushar community. Spread across all 15 local units in the district, this community has only a handful of individuals who have completed secondary education.
A Small Cheque, A Big Impact
Shrikumar Sada is still in deep mourning, but he is no longer alone in his grief. He has now become a symbol of hope for the entire Mushar community. As the first person to benefit from the insurance scheme, he is living proof of both the possibilities and the usefulness of such programs.
Bardibas Municipality’s initiative has forced policymakers to reconsider what truly inclusive and effective programs look like. For the most marginalized segments of society, this small step may lead to a future of dignity, empowerment, and opportunity.
