Tara Prasad Bhandari (95 years old), Shuddhodhan-4, Rupandehi

I currently live in Shuddhodhan-4, Rupandehi. I was born in Darlamdanda VDC of Palpa. At that time, reading and writing were not a common practice. I grew up playing in the dirt. There was a school in the district headquarters, Tansen. There were some scholars and pundits in the village. I also learned letters from them. I learned Kakhara from Krishnaraj, the grandfather of the now famous doctor Bhagwan Koirala. I was able to read and write. At that time, there were no copybooks. They taught and taught letters. I studied privately. At that time, the government used to conduct examinations. I came to Tansen and passed the civil service examination at the age of 25. After studying that much, I got a job at the 'Hakim Post'. During the Rana period, orders were enforced more than laws. I also initially got a temporary job in the Land Revenue Department. I left after working for two years. After leaving the

job, I started farming. I raised a goat in the village. In 2023, when I went to Kathmandu, I was appointed as a judge in the Land Reform Special Court. Initially, I was assigned to Bhairahawa. After working there for 6/7 years, I was transferred to Gulmi. After working in Gulmi for two years, I came back to Bhairahawa. Then I worked in Kapilvastu. After traveling around this area, I retired in 2049. My wife Lalita passed away a year and a half ago. I have 5 sons and a daughter. She has 7 grandchildren and 2 granddaughters. There are also three great-grandchildren. I still walk.

Elections were not held during the Rana period. It seems like elections were held in 2015 after democracy came. I must have voted then. But, I don't remember. Was there a voter list then or not? I was an employee during the Panchayat period. Back then, there was a voter list like today. You had to take the same paper and go to vote. Nepali paper was used, you had to be careful not to tear it. There was no election wave like there is now. I started voting from the Panchayat period. I think I voted in 2036 and 2043. But, after 2048, I remember voting regularly. I get excited when I say I'm going to vote. After becoming a citizen, I have to vote. After 2048, I even went on campaigning. At that time, Ramkrishna Tamrakar and Deepak Bohara were leaders in Bhairahawa. Later, Balkrishna Khand and Ghanshyam Bhusal also contested the elections.

Parliamentary elections after the restoration of democracy

I never heard any candidate raise slogans of development in the panchayat. They used to say that they would bring facilities to children and the elderly. They used to ask about the current situation. They used to say, "Please vote." But after democracy came, they are asking for votes saying, "I will develop this and that." In every election, leaders of all parties come to your house and ask for votes. I also wanted to go to the general assembly and corner assembly held in the village. Now I cannot walk far. Still, I have the courage to vote. In the 2079 elections, I had come to Shuddhodhan-4, Kewalpur from Bhairahawa and cast my vote. Now I am in the village. I feel happy on the day I vote. I feel like I have exercised my right.

There have been many elections in the country. There have been many changes. Let's say the biggest change or the sad thing is that most of the people from the hills have left the villages and moved to the Terai. The houses in the hills are locked, the fields are barren. Now they have stopped working. They use tools. Earlier they used to carry heavy things themselves, now they carry them in vehicles. There is a big difference between the previous and current era. I vote in every election to see if they will work for the benefit of the country, but they make speeches here and there and do work there and there. The leaders have become 'lafanga'. Sometimes it feels boring. But, I go to vote in the hope that something good will happen again. At this age, there is not much hope. I wish there had been no corruption. I think I wish there had been no destruction of public property. I wish they had spent only on necessary work. They have sunk the country by spending wherever they can.

I have seen physical development with my own eyes. Earlier there were narrow paths, now there are wide paved roads. That is all they have done. Back then, you had to light a lamp to study. Now electricity is shining like the stars in the sky. That is why my vote seems important. It remains to be seen whether they will further beautify the country. Will they show a new path? Will they end corruption and implement good governance in the country? The question is whether they will continue to play. If there was an employment system in the country. It is not that corruption did not exist during the Panchayat period, but it became extreme in the multi-party system. Yet, there have been improvements in roads, education, health, drinking water, and electricity. Where were there so many schools before? There used to be one or two schools in the city market. There were none in the villages. There were no hospitals back then. The doctor would rub the patient's wrists and grind some herbs and give them to eat. Now there are health posts and hospitals in every village.

Now the election has changed. It has also become easier for the employees. But, voting is the same. Earlier, there was a voter ID card. They used to mark their fingers. It is the same now. Now they line up. The ballot papers are also big. There are many parties. They have to stamp them twice. Earlier, the ballot papers were small. Even if I go to the polling station with an assistant, I stamp the election symbol of the party I support myself. I am waiting to vote this time too. I have no interest in the election. That is why I want to go campaigning. But, I cannot walk. Earlier, the village used to be roamed around a lot. Slogans were raised. Discussions were held from far and wide. An atmosphere was created in favor of one's party. This time, the villagers were encouraged to vote on this symbol.