Kathmandu: A House of Representatives (HoR) member, Gita Chaudhari, arrived in the federal parliament hall in cultural attire. She also took an oath of office and secrecy in her mother language, Tharu, on Thursday. The federal parliament secretariat had issued a notice to all newly elected HoR members to appear before the parliament hall for the oath-taking ceremony either in national attire or cultural dress. Chaudhari selected her own cultural dress for the occasion.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Chaudhari expressed pride after taking the oath, stating, “It is a glorious day for my community.” She wore a lahanga and choliya, which her mother had prepared. Her choice to don cultural attire was to support indigenous identity in the spirit of federalism. Chaudhari emphasized her respect and love for both her mother and motherland.
Another lawmaker, Sudhan Gurung, was seen in Gurung dress. He briefly spoke to the media, emphasizing the commitment to the people’s aspirations. Bhim Kumari Budhamagar, also dressed in cultural attire, highlighted the importance of remembering cultural heritage.
Pramod Kumar Mahato, a lawmaker from Mahottarai district, wore a kurta suruwal. He noted that the costume provides a sense of ownership and enhances national feeling, although he mentioned wearing other normal dresses on usual occasions. Bhumika Shrestha, a transgender HoR member representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, attended in haku patasi, a Newari costume, complete with Newari jewelry. Shrestha emphasized the need for serving people and respecting communities.
While most lawmakers opted for the national dress, with men in daura suruwal and women in sari cholo, the diverse cultural attires at the swearing-in ceremony highlighted the rich cultural mosaic of Nepal.