During the darkest time of my life, a glimmer of hope had been extinguished. On top of that, as I lay writhing in unbearable pain in the bed of the trauma center (hospital), the doctor said, "Both of your legs are no longer working. There is no choice but to amputate them."

The state had showered bullets on the streets of Naya Baneshwor on 23 Bhada (Gen-G Movement) as a reward for taking to the streets of New Baneshwor with the dream of change. Rakesh Kumar Mahato, 27, from Sarlahi, was among those who were crushed by the same bullets. Two weeks after the incident, when we reached the trauma center, we met Rakesh, who was shedding tears of pain and despair. He had been shot in the back. A steel plate was placed in the spinal cord that was broken due to the bullet. Due to the injury to the spinal cord, both his legs did not work. When he could not get out of bed, he had narrated his unfulfilled dreams, ‘I was preparing for public service. I was injured in the movement. Now the doctor says that both my legs will not work. My life will be dark, sir.’

Five months have passed. Some of the injured in the Gen-G movement have fully recovered and returned home. Some returned with injuries that will never heal. Some returned with body parts that will never move. Some returned with Baisakhi as a lifelong friend. But Rakesh? He is still in the hospital. He is undergoing treatment at the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center in Sanga, Kavrepalanchok.

Initially, the doctors said that the leg would not move and might have to be amputated. But now, the leg did not have to be amputated, but instead, he has started to feel better. What is the condition of Rakesh, who reached Sanga with a heart full of despair? Is he still lying in bed? Or is his determination to walk winning him over? 'We had no hope when he was brought here from the trauma center. At that time, there was no movement in his leg. But, after coming here, he has improved a lot,' added Dai Rajesh Mahato, beaming with joy to our inquiries. Brother Rajesh has not left his injured brother for a single night. Rajesh had courage and trust for brother. Their camp was in Balkumari, Lalitpur. Rajesh himself had taken charge of his brother's education after 10th grade. Rakesh was studying law and preparing for the civil service. Rajesh, who has become his brother's Baisakhi since the incident, also told another story, 'Initially, the doctors said that the leg would not work and that it might have to be amputated.' However, now the leg did not have to be amputated, but instead, the sensation in the leg has started coming back.' This improvement was unimaginable for Rajesh. Rakesh has started walking with the help of Baisakhi by wearing a special 'support' (braces) above and below the knee. 'Without that support, there is a fear that the leg will shrink, but after applying the support, he can take steps,' says Rajesh.

Rajesh's happiest day so far was when Rakesh started going to the toilet on his own with the help of a wheelchair. 'He can now use a wheelchair to go to the toilet himself, he no longer needs much help,' Rajesh said.

Rakesh used to berate his brother - how will life go on now?

Rakesh, who had not seen any light in the rest of his life, has now started to change his thinking. He has only one determination - now I will walk anyway. 'He says - I will be able to walk within a few months and start my life again.' According to the doctors, it may take another year to walk without Baisakhi. But, it may not happen,' Rajesh says.

Today, when I reach this stage, the country's parties and leaders have completely forgotten me. A new government will be formed and elections will be held, but who will come to meet the injured like us? After Rajesh, we talked to Rakesh. Rakesh remembered the time when he played footsie with death for a month in the trauma ICU. ‘When I look at it, I feel dizzy remembering how this chapter of my life came to this point,’ Rakesh says with a sigh. The harsh words of the trauma center doctor scared Rakesh the most. Even during his days of survival, Rakesh wondered, ‘How will I survive now?’ However, small changes began to fill him with hope. Coming here from a state of having to defecate and urinate in bed and not being able to move a finger without the help of others has given Rakesh a new dream. ‘The continuous therapy here has started working like a miracle. Now I can move from bed to wheelchair by myself and use the wheelchair by myself. I can move my legs a little,’ says Rakesh. Rakesh is now able to walk 10-20 meters with the help of the device. Even being able to walk 10 meters has become as happy as conquering the world for him.

Rakesh had joined the movement not for himself, but for the sake of the country's change. However, he alone had to bear his problems and pain. Neither the state nor the Gen-G leaders are present in his grief. 'Today, when I reach this stage, the country's parties and leaders have completely forgotten me,' he opens the bag of grievances buried in his mind, 'A new government will be formed and elections will be held, but who will come to meet the injured like us?' Rakesh feels that even if someone calls and asks how he is, he gets more energy. He feels that the Gen-G activists are also in their own interest now. 'Who has the time to listen to the pain of the injured?' Rakesh thinks while lying on the bed. Rakesh cries from time to time when he remembers. ‘But who will hear him cry?’ He tries to explain to himself.

The government has not borne anything except the hospital treatment expenses. He has to pay for his daily meals and diet himself. On top of that, the hospital is now talking about discharging him. For the past few days, his brother has been worried about this. ‘Therapy is very expensive after being discharged and going home. Where will I get all that money from? Without therapy, I am afraid that my body will become as weak as before,’ Rakesh sounds sad.

Rajesh has only one prayer – at least I can walk, even if it is with the help of Baisakhi.