Migrant workers share joy of coming home for Dashain after years away
Summary
Migrant workers are returning to Nepal for Dashain after years away, cherishing long-awaited reunions with family and the chance to receive tika and jamara at home. Many others remain abroad, where security worries and limited leave continue to keep them from joining the festival.
Key Points
- Thousands of Nepali migrant workers are returning home for Dashain, treating the festival as a rare chance to reunite with family after years abroad.
- Workers describe the emotional weight of missing tika, jamara and household celebrations, with some returning from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UAE and elsewhere.
- Security concerns in the Gulf, including tensions involving Israel, Iran and Houthi attacks, have made some travelers uneasy on the journey home.
- Others will still spend Dashain abroad at work compounds in Qatar, where Nepali workers mark the festival together with their colleagues.
