Why I wear full Kira?

Because I am an ordinarily born girl to a humble farmer family, I've always liked to wear half like every other girl. 

During those days in 2009, when I was studying in Mendrelgang Middle Secondary School, Tsirang, it was compulsory that all girls should wear full Kira. (Of course, it is obvious that the uniform Kira should be worn full, it sounds like it should be ok to wear half Kira on weekends.) But that wasn't the case. There would be a frequent and an ad hoc checking by the teachers and captains. So, none of us used to wear half Kira even during the hot Tsirang's weather. However, all of us (girls) used to secretly dream of wearing half Kira. 

The next year, when I was in Damphu Higher Secondary School, wearing half Kira on weekends wasn't an issue. With utmost joy, I found half Kira is quite comfortable and also easy to put on. 

The years later, when I was to go to College, which on other side is usually seen as an institute where girls will need lots of Kira because College doesn't have the uniform, my mom has woven me dozens of Kira, but all half. (Of course, it is comfortable and also bit cheap to weave the plain half Kira because of the fewer materials and the fewer days required to finish weaving one.) I had only a limited numbers of full Kira. 

All the girls I saw, both in and outside the college campus, all the lady staff, almost all the lady officials were on half Kira. All of them looked elegant and comfortable. So, I continued wearing half Kira because it was accepted everywhere. Nobody bothered about it. Even after I joined the current work I am doing, I was comfortable in half Kira and wearing full Kira was completely out of my mind. 

However, one day, I was reading some papers about the country's cultural identities. (Of course, I grew up knowing that dress code is one of the country's unique identity, the paper I read said something about blending the traditional habits with modernization and luxurious.) I though don't remember the lines exactly, it said something about burning down the huts to live in a castle, and preferring the imported wines over the locally brewed ara. 

The examples from the above were quite relatable to the shift of wearing half Kira from the full. I felt quite embarrassed and remorse.  I thought, why can't I wear full Kira and keep its essence alive? Why can't I be comfortable in full Kira when my mom and grandmom were comfortable in it? 

So, yea, that's the story why I chose to wear full Kira.  It's almost a year now that I've been in full Kira and I am perfectly comfortable in it. 

These days, when all other girls are wearing half Kira, I may look odd before them. I may look typical and still untouched by the sense of fashion and modernization. But that's okay. I won't any way become like what others are thinking about me. What matters is to be 'myself' and make a small contribution to the bigger cause. 

*I am happy I am always wearing full Kira and it is very comfortable.