BIRGUNJ: Puniya Kumari, a 53-year-old resident of Shikaribas in Thori Rural Municipality-3, had been unable to obtain Nepali citizenship for decades.
As a result, she was also unable to secure citizenship for her children. However, her long wait ended on Saturday when she received her naturalized citizenship certificate—granted through marriage—under the Integrated Service Operation Program conducted by the District Administration Office (DAO). Overwhelmed with emotion, Kumari expressed her happiness:
“I couldn’t reach the District Administration Office in Supauli to obtain citizenship,” she said. “Receiving it through a program held right at my doorstep has brought me immense joy.”
Kumari is one of nine residents from the remote settlement of Shikaribas who received citizenship certificates on Saturday. Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal said the distribution was part of a targeted initiative to bring government services directly to people in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
“We’ve provided citizenship certificates to individuals who are unable to travel to Supauli or Birgunj,” Aryal said, adding that the administration has now adopted a door-to-door approach to ensure services reach marginalized populations.
Alongside citizenship distribution, several other services were provided under the integrated camp. Under the Janata Awas Program, five agreements were signed with locals for the construction of houses.
The Infrastructure Development Office in Birgunj has allocated Rs. 372,000 per unit for the construction of homes for five homeless families. Lalbabu Raya, Chief of the office, confirmed that this initiative aims to provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable households in the area.
A large-scale health camp was also held in Shikaribas, organized in collaboration with Narayani Hospital, Birgunj; the District Health Office; Rugatan Welfare Society; Birgunj Community Eye Hospital; Surya Hospital; and Impact Nepal Rugatan Nose and Ear Treatment Center. Over 150 individuals received free health services during the camp.
In another initiative, Rakesh Sah, Planning Chief and Engineer of the Water Resources and Irrigation Development Division, announced the construction of a river embankment with wire mesh worth around Rs. 1 million to prevent erosion in the area.
Sushil Kumar Sah, Director General of the Department of Industries, Madhes Province, stated that the department will offer entrepreneurship training programs in the upcoming fiscal year to help promote local enterprise development.
Assistant Chief District Officer Babulal Regmi reaffirmed the DAO’s commitment to delivering accessible and efficient public services.
Likewise, Thori Rural Municipality Chairman Lal Bahadur Shrestha praised the initiative, calling it a commendable step in bringing essential services directly to people’s doorsteps through an integrated camp.
Niranjan Sah Sonar, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, also lauded the DAO’s efforts, stating that the program has set a powerful example of inclusive governance.
On the same occasion, the Rugatan Welfare Society distributed educational materials and school bags to students of Nepal National Primary School, Shikaribas.
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