”I bought an e-rickshaw for 4 lakh just because I had to do Ilam and eat”

As soon as I passed the 8th grade in 2057, I joined the Nepal Police after seeing the sadness at home

वैशाख १८, २०८२

चामु थारु

”I bought an e-rickshaw for 4 lakh just because I had to do Ilam and eat”

My father passed away when I was young. My mother was responsible for taking care of two older sisters and one younger sister, including me. Mother was covered with sadness in the whole house. As soon as I passed the 8th grade in 2057, I joined the Nepal Police after seeing the sadness at home. I served for 17 years. The police job made it easier for me to support my family. When I got a job in the police, my starting salary was 2,937 rupees. I still can't forget the moment when I sent 2000 rupees home for the first time after knowing the salary.

Retired shortly after being promoted from constable to constable . When I was in the police, I used to spend my days doing duty. After coming home, the mind will not be tired . I could not live without working. As the day started to get cloudy in Suddhodhan Rural Municipality-4, Kewalpur of Rupandehi, I thought of doing something.

I am now 44 years old. Now 77 years old mother, wife and 2 sons . After coming out of the police barracks, I was shocked . At that time, I bought an e-rickshaw for 4 lakhs on the advice of my friends. I take a rickshaw at 6/7 in the morning. I come home at 10 in the morning and have dinner. Then I return from work only in the evening . After starting to drive a rickshaw, I hardly drink a cup of tea outside the house .

Driving a rickshaw will earn as much as 2 thousand rupees a day. Every day I save a little money . I have taught engineering to my eldest son with this income and pension. I have been able to teach my youngest son in the local school at 9.

I give 10,000 per month to my wife for household expenses . Out of the remaining accumulated money, expenses should be sent to the son. My son, who is studying in Dharan, pays the room rent at the rate of Rs. 4,000 and a meal at the rate of Rs. 60. His fee alone is 25,000 per month. There are still 2 and a half years left to finish the studies. The wife also says that you should not do furmas. His habit has become comfortable . My reading is incomplete . I want to teach my sons up to the degree anyway .

E-rickshaw is also expensive . 100 rupees bill is raised while charging the battery daily. 200 a day to repair the battery. If all the earned savings could be saved, it would have reached 10 lakhs by now. Apart from that, I get a pension of Rs 15,000 a month. 

Bicycle was the main vehicle in our time . When I saw my friend's motorcycle, I thought I would be able to ride it. The desire for a motorcycle has not yet been fulfilled . I didn't get it before, now I don't want to climb . I wanted to travel and enjoy with my family, but everything was limited in my mind. When I was in the police force, I went on a mission to South Africa once. That's why it happened that he took to a foreign land .

The friend left his job and went abroad. But the love of country and home kept me here . Even though I don't have a lot of income now, I am satisfied . It is said that the more desire, the more suffering. I can't earn money and save my sons.

Presentation: Sanju Paidel

चामु थारु

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