Nepal, Oct. 23 -- Dashain brought little joy to Majhthana in Pokhara Metropolitan City 28 this year, as a school bus accident plunged the village into mourning.

Dashain is usually marked by tika and jamara, family reunions, visits to relatives and swings set up across villages. But this year, homes in Majhthana remained without tika celebrations, and the usual swings were nowhere to be seen.

The accident occurred on October 9, killing six people and injuring 13 students. Asmi Kandel, 16, who was critically injured in the crash, died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu on the eve of Dashain tika. Her body was brought home on the festival day, deepening the grief in the village.

The accident took place two days before Ghatasthapana ...