The market has changed and become a city. In a blink of an eye, the hut has become a palace. The roads and gorges have become wider. Many friends have been lost, new friends have been made. My life has endured winter, rain, and sunshine. But, life is not about to change.

Mechinagar-7, Itabhatta Bazaar, 30 years have passed since I started repairing bicycles. I feel like I will spend the rest of my life repairing bicycles. But, I am happy with my work. I am not disappointed. I have not had to endure the opinions of others while doing this work. I am earning two or four paisa and am managing my household expenses. In the meantime, I sent one son abroad, and the other son is studying in class 12. Struggle has become my life partner. I will suffer, but I have learned not to give up.

I returned home from Malaysia saying that I would rather make bicycles in my own country than work in another country. I was born in 2029 in an ordinary farmer's family. After taking the SLC exam in 2046, I was confused about what to do. The family's main occupation was farming. To get salt and oil, we had to find firewood from the forest and sell it. Otherwise, we had to buy rice, grind it and sell it. After completing my SLC, I also started farming. At that time, my younger brother Kul Bahadur returned from Naxalbari, India, in 2052 BS after learning how to repair bicycles. Then, my brothers and I started making bicycles together. Till now, my brothers' family expenses have been met through this business.

In 2067 BS, I put this business on hold for a while and flew to Malaysia. I worked for a plastic goods manufacturing company in Malaysia for three years. However, things were not the same in another country as here. I started having stomach problems while I was there. Finally, I returned from Malaysia saying that I would rather make bicycles in my own country than work in another country.

After coming here, I continued my old job of repairing bicycles. Although I did not earn much in this job, I am happy. The more work I can do, the more I earn. After that, I don't have to complain to anyone. Apart from that, I have also been farming on my own 8 acres of land. Since I grow my own rice, I don't have to buy rice. But, I spend two to four hundred rupees a day on pulses, vegetables, fish, spices, etc.

The stomach ache problem has not completely healed yet. However, I have not had to stay in the hospital yet. Now old age has come. How can I say what the future will hold? When I sent my eldest son to Japan, I took a loan of three lakh rupees from the cooperative. I have not been able to repay it yet. My son went to Japan on a study visa rather than earning. That is why I have not been able to send much money right now. I am sending a little bit of money. That is covering the household expenses.

With the savings earned from this profession, I have a great desire to open a 'show-room' in the city to sell new bicycles. Then I will become a businessman from a bicycle mechanic. I have spent my life making bicycles. I want my son to sell bicycles from a shop. When will this dream come true!