I had to face many obstacles from a young age. I had to struggle hard just to survive. When the responsibility of running the household fell on my shoulders, I was not without sorrow. When I did not know what to do in the country, I wandered around many parts of India in search of work. During this period, I also got the opportunity to learn skills. However, I never got the opportunity to read and write.

I have learned a lot in the course of my life. I have done many different jobs and left. Finally, I am working as a house builder. I am now 36 years old. I have a house in Pathar Danda, Barbardiya Municipality-6. I currently work as a house builder in Gulariya Municipality. I have to travel 16 kilometers from Gulariya to reach my house. I come to Gulariya by bicycle in the morning to work and when I return in the evening, I travel the same number of kilometers to reach home.

In 2071 BS, the flood in the Babai River destroyed the bridge at Jabdighat. The construction was completed and the inauguration was just around the corner. Even after a long time, the bridge has not been rebuilt, and now the relationship between Gulariya and Barbardiya Municipality is like a break. We, the common people of Barbardiya, have to travel by risky boat when we come to work in Gulariya, the district headquarters.

Gulariya To get to work, one has to wait for a boat at Jabdighat for about an hour. Similarly, one has to pay Rs 20 for a one-way boat. Sometimes, I am late waiting for the boat, and sometimes my bicycle breaks down on the way, so I miss work.

I did not even get to see the school because my family situation was weak. My father passed away when I was 10 years old. I am the oldest of 5 brothers and 3 sisters. My mother passed away 5 years ago. After my father passed away, I went to India at a young age to earn money. I worked in various places in India for 15 years. I worked as a cook, painter and electrician in a company.

I returned to Nepal after losing two lakh rupees while working in India. After the relationship broke down within three years of marriage, I now live alone. All my brothers are separated. It has been 9 years since I started living a hermit life. I cook my own food and go to work. For that, I have to wake up early in the morning. It is late when I return from work in the evening. Sometimes I cook and eat, and sometimes I go to bed hungry because I am tired.

It has been three years since I started working as a house builder. Earlier, I have worked as a house builder in remote places in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other districts. Lately, I have been working as a house builder in Nepalgunj. When I came home to Barbardiya to celebrate Dashain and Tihar, I started working in Gulariya. I get a daily wage of 1,000 for working as a house builder here.

I have only a small piece of land without a title deed. Since it is not cultivated, it is not enough to eat throughout the year. I live in Nepalgunj. Now I will go there after Tihar. I get a wage of 1,200 for working as a house builder in Nepalgunj. I don't get continuous work in a month. When I get work, I earn 20/25 thousand per month. When I don't get work, I have to live empty.

I have to pay 2,700 per month for room rent and electricity. Even if I am alone, I spend about 8 thousand on rice, pulses, salt, oil, vegetables, sugar, soap, and clothes. Without both debt and property, the stress is not that much.

Without Lakshmi (wife) at home, the house feels deserted. I visit my house in Barbardia once a month. After cleaning the garbage, I return to work in Nepalgunj. Without Lakshmi who takes care of the house, no matter how much I earn, it is not visible.