29th October 2025, Kathmandu
Kumari Bank Limited has once again underscored its unique and profound commitment to Nepalese culture and social empowerment by formally transferring a dedicated educational scholarship fund to the former living goddess, Trishna Shakya.
Scholarship Fund Handover to Trishna Shakya
This initiative, which saw the handover of an accumulated NPR 738,811.95, is a powerful testament to the financial institution’s blend of cultural reverence and modern corporate social responsibility (CSR). It directly addresses the critical need to support former Kumaris as they transition from their divine tenure back into ordinary life, ensuring their future success is grounded in education and personal development.
Bridging Tradition and Modernity: The Living Goddess and Education
The tradition of the Kumari, a prepubescent girl worshipped as a living manifestation of the goddess Taleju (a form of Durga), is one of Nepal’s most cherished and globally recognized cultural practices. While the girl’s tenure as the divine protector of the nation is marked by spiritual reverence and ceremony, her eventual return to secular society—which typically occurs upon her first menstruation or a significant loss of blood—presents unique challenges. Having spent a significant portion of their childhood in the secluded Kumari Ghar, often with limited exposure to the outside world, former Kumaris require specialized support to pursue their academic and career aspirations.
Kumari Bank’s scholarship program is a long-standing, structured solution to this challenge. Beginning from the moment the living goddess is appointed, the bank sets aside a substantial amount, NPR 100,000 annually, into a dedicated fund. This commitment ensures that upon the conclusion of her sacred service, the former goddess has a solid financial foundation—in this case, totaling over NPR 738,811.95—to access higher education, technical training, or any other academic endeavor she chooses. This blending of a centuries-old tradition with a contemporary educational safety net is a significant model for cultural preservation that prioritizes the welfare of the individual.
Kumari Bank’s Dual CSR Focus: Cultural and Social Impact
This ceremonial handover reinforces Kumari Bank’s reputation as a financial institution with a deep sense of social accountability that extends far beyond mere banking services. The bank’s commitment to Trishna Shakya is a shining example of its broader vision for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The Wider Scope of CSR
Serving the people of Nepal for over 24 years, Kumari Bank operates an extensive network spanning 302 branches, 50 extension counters, and 317 ATMs. This nationwide presence is leveraged not only for financial services but also for impactful social programs. The bank’s CSR strategy focuses on key areas vital for national development:
Education: Ensuring that talent and ambition are not hampered by financial constraints, particularly for those with unique social circumstances, such as the former Kumari.
Healthcare: Supporting public health initiatives across the country.
Entrepreneurship: Fostering business growth and job creation, especially at the grassroots level.
Environmental Conservation: Undertaking activities that contribute to a sustainable environment.
The bank views the scholarship as more than a financial transaction; it is an active investment in youth development and a meaningful contribution to the social fabric of the country. By helping former Kumaris like Trishna Shakya realize their personal goals, the bank contributes to the emergence of highly skilled individuals who can, in turn, contribute to society.
A Model for Financial Institutions and Future Empowerment
The mechanism of annually accumulating funds in a dedicated account provides an exemplary model of a sustained, long-term commitment. It removes the uncertainty of ad-hoc donations and provides a reliable, growing corpus of funds for the beneficiary. The cumulative amount transferred to Trishna Shakya is a reflection of the dedicated compounding of principal over the years of her service, setting a precedent for responsible stewardship of such cultural funds.
The bank’s spokesperson highlighted that this program is a deliberate strategy to unite cultural devotion with contemporary support, ensuring former Kumaris are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in modern society. Furthermore, the bank has committed to strengthening and expanding such initiatives, indicating a long-term strategy to maximize the positive outreach of its CSR efforts across all corners of Nepal, utilizing its growing branch network and digital platforms.
The successful handover to Trishna Shakya is a symbol of how Nepal’s financial sector can actively participate in safeguarding cultural heritage while simultaneously investing in the human capital of its most revered, yet vulnerable, citizens. It is a harmonious commitment to both the past and the future.