While most people are getting ready to start their day, Krishna Thapa has already started roaming the streets of Pokhara carrying a stack of newspapers. His daily route goes through Nayabazar, New Road, Chipledhunga, Prithvi Chowk, Sirjana Chowk, Lakeside, Ratna Chowk, Rastra Bank Chowk, Birauta and Old Airport. He has been selling newspapers in the squares and alleys of where he has been for 13 years.

He is a physically disabled person who cannot speak or hear from birth. His hard work and strong willpower are becoming an exemplary deed for many. His story full of struggle, confidence and self-reliance has become special for many.

Born into an ordinary family in Pokhara's Bagale Tol, Krishna was born unable to speak or hear from birth. Physically disabled, he could not communicate with anyone from a young age. He told us in his own way that he could not even eat properly until the age of 7.

He was 20 years old. He decided to sell newspapers with the belief that he would do something instead of staying at home. Then he started taking newspapers to various places in Pokhara. In the beginning, not all the newspapers were sold. Even when he ran around all day, he would lose money. But his family members encouraged him by adding money.

Gradually, people's sympathy and support for Krishna's struggle started to grow. People from grocery stores and restaurants to various businesses started buying his newspapers regularly. 'They encouraged everyone to do the same.' He started buying newspapers by waving his hand. After that, I started feeling happier in my work,' said 33-year-old Krishna. In the beginning, it was very difficult for him to sell even 25. Now, he says, he sells more than 200 newspapers.

He studied basic literacy at the Deaf School in Bagale Tol, Pokhara and is able to use social media and do calculations. He communicates with customers by gesturing, writing on a copybook and typing on his mobile. ‘Although many people found it difficult to speak to me in the beginning, now they speak through signs and gestures,’ he said.

He lives with his family in Lekhnath-26 Jaldhara and wakes up at 4 am every morning. He leaves home for work before 6 am. Sometimes he comes to Pokhara with his brother or sometimes by public transport. He reaches ‘Samadhan Rastriya Dainik’ in Nayabazar and from there, carrying the newspaper in his hand and some in his bag, he heads towards his destination. He eats breakfast and lunch at the hotel. Samadhan Patrika also gives Krishna some discount compared to others.

He said that he earns between 10,000 and 12,000 a month. He saves some of his income.

‘Some of the people who bought the newspaper when he was in Pokhara have already gone abroad, and when they come to Nepal, they remember me and take pictures with me,’ he said happily. ‘When everyone remembers me like this, I feel that what I have done has been good.’

After selling the newspaper, he takes the microbus back home. It is already 6 pm when he reaches home. He tells his family everything about his afternoon through sign language.

Until a few years ago, after selling the newspaper, he would go to the ‘Parents of Intellectual Disabilities Association’ from 10 am to study. The money he earned from selling the newspaper covered the necessary reading materials and even the cost of his studies. Now, he devotes his time only to selling the newspaper.

A few days ago, he was mistreated while riding public transport. He posted a video on Facebook in sign language and shared what he had experienced. Then the police took the driver into custody and took action. ‘Mostly, all microbuses would stop and let me go to my destination. A few days ago, a microbus did not stop because it saw a disabled person,’ he said. ‘After I posted it on social media, everyone raised their voices for me. They supported me.’

He wants not only himself but also any disabled person to not face any kind of mistreatment in public transport or public places.

He is proud that he is able to work and eat with the help of his mother and other family members. He said that his brother’s children love him very much.

Sanjeev Baral, 30, the owner of ‘Trishakti Party Palace’, whose house is in Sirjana Chowk, Pokhara, has been a customer of Krishna since 9/10. ‘A capable person can eat by doing any work,’ he said. ‘It makes me happy to see Krishna working hard.’ He has been helping Krishna in every way he has come across. ‘We have been together for a long time, so Krishna tells us everything. Now we are close friends,’ he said, ‘I have made videos of him on Facebook.’

Although it was difficult to talk to Krishna in the early days, Sanjeev said that now he speaks to him through sign language. ‘We usually talk through signs. But sometimes we type on our mobile phones and write on paper,’ he said.

Krishna’s sister-in-law Lakshmi Thapa says that even the neighbors praise her hard work. ‘Babu was hardworking from the beginning. He does his own work at home,’ she said. ‘Neighbors and relatives used to say that Krishna is different from others, he is hardworking. If there is a birthday at home, he brings cakes and clothes himself when he comes in the evening.’