School or no school?

Thara, a grade 1 student and daughter of the owner of our guesthouse in Simikot, is getting ready for school putting her school uniform on. She leaves for school as usually with a large backpack. Shortly after she left she is back proclaiming that there is a public holiday and school is closed today.

As it turns out, an additional public holiday had been announced during the weekend by the Nepalese government. The holiday had been requested by the Muslim community, a minority of about 4% in Nepal.

Two days later we hear rumours that another such request, this time by the Sickh community (<1% of population), has been made. The decision, if tomorrow will be a bank holiday or not, will be confirmed during the evening news on the radio. (Electricity is generated from a micro hydro and available daily from 18:00 till 06:00 in some villages in Humla.) - This time it was not granted.