Our Dads Story

Writing by admin on Saturday, 4 of March , 2006 at 10:46 pm

There is a small village in Syangja a hilly district of Nepal situated about 50 km south of Putalikhet, properly known as a popular Syangja district’s attraction, located at the lap of Harinas hill of GandakI zone of Nepal.

A boy was born at this village about 62 years back. It is interesting that his mother used to tell him that he came to this beautiful earth while she was carrying a load of cattle feed on the way to her house. When she saw him as a son, she was happy with full of joys and she did not feel any pain when she gave birth to him. It was evening, a month of June, the cloudy sky of monsoon was looming heavily in the sky. In those early days, there were only three houses in the village, but highly scattered. It was very difficult to have light for the night, she used fire woods for lighting and cooking purpose. Her friend helped her prepare sickle to cut cord of the young baby, then she prepared warm water to clean the baby. After 11 day of his birth priest named him Visnu. My Dad..

This village was surrounded by thick jungle, now they call it “Sahirnash Jungle“. His mum used to tell him the story of jungle witches and she use to tell some other holly tells also and told him not to afraid of any things. But having not many people and houses near by their home, the place was always fearful due to thick jungle close to the house, as some time Jackal, monkeys, and porcupines used to come very close to the home, Visnu tells me. Visnu does not remember much till he was five years old. After than he remembers most of the events of his life, as being living in a very lonely and isolated place. Mom ties him with a small bell so she can know where-abouts of him. One day he lost the bell, and there was no sound of him, his mum was very worried, she became mad and cried whole day saying Vishnu, O Vishnu, and this was his pet name. But this little boy was hidden himself inside the cave of porcupine. It was about 200 meters from the little house. When she was quite near to this cave he was playing with mud and rain water painting his face. Mum badly slapped him. This cave once was a home of the king of forest (Banaka Raja), his Father had explained him about the cave, and some very old objects were found near by the cattle shed when foundation of wall was excavated. At present this place is a quarry of red earth for house painting in hill.

Vishnu’s boyhood was sometime fine and often fearful at Kukumpa, a hilly region in Syangja district of Nepal, where he was born.

Because political environment was not stable and landlord used to come and ask his father to provide physical labor to his field free of cost. And if his father said no, there could be some kind of bad disturbances. Vishnu already had two brothers and one sister when he was seven years old. At seven he passed through Bartabandha (like Baptism) according to Hindu, he received Mantra from a Guru to be Brahmin, and he received a holy string which is called Janai. A kind of a holy string tied around the waist. This day he was not happy because, from this day he was not allowed to have food without bath, and neither could he take food without worshiping God. A Brahmin boy should worship God with chanting Mantra providing some offerings to Gods and Goddess such as fruits. Also he had to wakeup early in the morning before 5 A.M. to take bath which is often located at a very far place from home.

When he was almost nine years old, Mum was anxious about his education, although Mum wasn’t literate, she asked her husband to teach some Devnagari script to Vishnu. And Vishnu’s father managed to teach him some preliminary letters and Numbers. In those days at his village, there were neither ink nor papers easily available. So for primary learning, his father had given him wooden plank to write over charcoaled surface with home made Chalk and some time his father used to provide him bamboo shoot’s bark to write with the ink made from boiled juice extracted from a kind of leaf of MUSUREKATUS (a kind of tree grown in hill) Learning time was in morning time. After meal, Visnu used to go to jungle, cattle grassing area with some goats and some cows. Some time goats could be in danger from leopard and jackal. So there were always two dogs with goats. His mum used to be with his father at field helping him in his works. And his brother and sister were with parents at field most of the time.

One day, his Mom went to visit her sister about 50 km away from home to Andhikhola by foot, to discuss about his education, because at that time there were not any schools near to his localities. She came with smiling face after a few days. She said to Vishnu that he is going to her sister’s home for schooling. It is, when he was 9 years old. The day came to leave the home, This day was the most important day and also and difficult time for him, because he was starting a new way of life for education from this day and also he was leaving his parent and brothers and sister and his birth place where he was playing with his kith and kin and he was to go to a unknown place for the firs time in his life.

Next day early in the morning a woman named Thuli was ready to take him to Andhikhola with some kilograms of Ghee (Boiled butter) and local breads and some bananas to his mom’s sister. At the time of departure his father and his mom gave him red Tika and wished for better days. He had full of tears in eyes and he could not say a single word while he leaved home to Andhikhola

Crossing stream named Jyagdikhola at several places and passing few hilly villages climbing steep hills and after descending along the big gorge of between two hills, he arrived to his Aunty’s home at evening time. At that time there were no Electricity so it was almost dark, a burning firewood was helping him to see and recognize the face of his Aunty.

This evening was not easy to him, as being in new place with new people. She (aunt) was warm. He was very tired so he went to bed early after the food. He was dreaming about his home and playing with his brothers and sister at Kurumpha. Next morning when he got off from his bed, the woman (Thuli) was ready to go back to home, and at that time it was difficult for him to stay there alone in lonely place where nobody knew him. He almost cried as she left him.

The whole day was not good for him, due to home sick. In the day time he knew few members of the aunt family. He was informed that from next day , in the morning he should go to Padhera (water source for fetching water) to take bath and be ready to worship the God And Goddess in the temple. Before his meal and school. These were some activities for him to be getting done. Every day. Take bath early in the morning at water source which was 500 meter from the aunt house Make ready materials for temple to worship and complete the worshiping. Prepared home works of school. Take food and go to school After school make ready for evening Chanting in temple It was inconvenient to him at school for few days as he knew nobody. Neither the class mate found friendly, because most of the student were from rich family and they knew more than him and they were proud of themselves. but after few days he made some friends to help him for reading and writing. The school was special kind ,having no building and sheds to protect from rain and sun., when ever there was likely to rain school could be off. A teacher Mr. Gagan Singh Gaha was a retired officer from British army who was introducing English language in Syanja district first in this school, he said.. At first there were 35 Student in the school. There were no any books published from Nepal, books of Mathematic, English, and history and geography used to get from India to that part.. Students were increasing day by day. After few months they formed management committee of the school. Mean while A young teacher came from Bombay India. He was quite helpful to him.. He taught Geography, English. Now there was a circular to collect Boulders and

Timbers for school building, and every student were suppose to bring it before their attendance, The student s, formed several groups to collect material. Within a certain period of time material were ready across the stream of named Andhikhola where a Suspended bridge was built to cross the stream People raised money and free labors to build the school building with thatched roof. Building was there. He spends four years in this school. During this period Mom use to come to see him with few coins for his pocket expenses which was managed by selling some food grains and red peppers. But he used to save some coins. Paper money were not seen in those days and oneRupee (about1.5cents) could buy two kgs of rice in those days, he says. Days were passing with some improvement in learning and writing and getting some physical training which was compulsory for the fitness. Till his grade sixth there were no desks and benches for the students., everybody had to carry their mattress made from straw to sit on It was interesting that he was jumped from 2nd grade to 4th and 4th grade to 6th grade within two years in school. During this period he used wake up at 2/3 in night time and read with the help of kerosene lamp(Not lantern) or with the help of fired dried con’s sticks.

When he was passing just 11 years old , one day in the month of June a man came to him and said that his father is very sick, he must visit him. After this massage, immediately he departed to home. It was rainy day he was alone without umbrella, ultimately he reached home .on the nest day. People helped him while crossing the stream at several location because it was flooded .It was not possible him to cross without their help. When he was at home he knew that father had died with throat pain. Mother was crying .and she had already thrown her usual dresses and glass bangles .Brothers were looking at himwith curious eyes and hungry faces. He also cried embracing the brothers and sister. He was at home for15 days, during this period he had not taken salt for 9 days he set with only one diet during this period. It is a compulsory custom of Hindu , the relatives can not take salt for the period of 12 days after death of some relatives Again after two weeks he went back to school, with white clothes and turf on head .(he had to put on such dress for 45 days minimum and max for 12 month.) These days it was miserable period for him and he could not take food. Prepared by some body. After 45 days he took off all the white clothes and put-on with new clothes .He had missed few lessons of his classes, during this period and had worked hard to achieve the progress. Again he became sick with typhoid. At that time there were neither modern dispensary nor hospital, so he went to a Ayurvedic clinic and received some herbs for 15 days which was prescribed to take 4 times a day.., But during this time he could not take solid food, slowly he was cured but became very thin no strength to go to school for few weeks., Again he missed many lesions of his class.” He things, Sorrows comes at a time during bad days. His school was just across the Andhikhola, there was a suspended bridge hanging over the stream with about 300ft span and 2 ft wide. Most of the time specially during flooded period this bridge only was the media for villagers within ten kilometer rage to cross the stream O ..God one night he dreamed that the bridge was washed away by the flood. Next morning it was heard that the bridge was collapsed due to heavy food Now he could not cross the Stream for school Some of the Students from affordable family planned to go Varanashi iIndia for further study,, but for him it was not possible. And he dropped the school for few months., till coming Dec. Mean while mother came to see her sister and arranged his marriage with a girl which he never knew. He got married without his interest and his wife left in home to help to his mother . He was sad about his study. Some of the class mates were already went to India for continuation of study, but he was sitting without …..and thinking to escape from such environment. One day he got other two friends from other class having the same view to go away from the present place. They had a meeting in a jungle behind his aunt’s house. And decided to run away by next morning to Tansen with some books, clothes and money. He had saved 32 rupees(less than a Dollar of present value) other two friends had 125 and 75 respectively. At night time they had collected few books and clothes and these were hidden at the back of bamboo bushes. Next Morning early in the morning the all three ran away to Tansen leaving the place saying goodbye. At that time most of the people had no footwear’, so they were running away barefooted At night they were at Bhumre(A small town of that time West of Syangja). An old man gave them shelter and provided with fried corns on bronze plates and three bowls of slurry made from Yogurt after extracting the butter( Local name is Mahi). They were quite tiered and slept smoothly dreaming for new life style. Next day while they were crossing the police barrier, some body loudly said “Halt”. These three were ready for to accept the order of police because this was the firs time for them with police. A police asked several questions and they answered sincerely that they were gong to Tansen for schooling. They reached Tansen after 3 days. On their way he was shocked at Malunga village when he saw some sick people begging some food or coins who were suffering with loosen fingers of hand and feet and had many wounds on their faces (a kind of disease, Leprosy) One night he spent in a temple of Ramdighat (A place far west of Syanja) with a relative, she gave him shelter and good food at night. He never forget this ,because he had no idea that she the widow the wife of his uncle was here in temple after the death of her husband since many years. She recognized him while he was presenting a dozen of banana and asking her for shelter. The bed was so clean , food was so wonderful she was so warm never forgettable, but he did get any time to see her since than Firs night in Tansen they slept in a hotel where they had some food which was different then they had before. On the next day they managed a simple room in rent @ Rs.20/month . They were new for this little city and also curious for many things They had not seen any modern city like this before being a country boys, their dressing material were different and were bare footed. Which caused to be shy? Really they were innocent in such localities. But they were already out from their home for study ,it was important for them to adapt the situation of the present place. On the third day, they went to school named Janata Vidyalaya for admit ion and principle was very simple who listened their problems thoroughly, he was kind to them and got admission in class of 5th and 6. Two were in fifth and he was in 6th. Also tuition fee made 50 percent discount as they were from faraway from the villages.

They had a tiny room to live in, where they had beds of thin sheet of clothes fixed on paddy mattress. Kitchen was out side shaded with tin without wall. This time they purchased note books and some papers instead of books, What ever were taught in class, they copied in their note books and some time they used to borrow the books from their class mates for few hours to read in off time On every Saturday they used to wash clothes and arranged some rice and vegetables etc for the coming week. Money was going to be finished all. They were asking to get some jobs for few hours with some people. One evening he met a gentle man who was from Syangja and working their in Govt. office of Justice. After asking him about his day to day life and his birth place he got some idea from him to get some support. IDEAS were…

Every day attend for few hours at post office and help people to write their letters to post it to India, Hon Kong etc. ,and from which he could get some vegetables eggs, or some time some coins from the people

Some time visit this gentleman to copy the documents made by the court which was necessary to give to other party, by this also he cloud collect some money.. Those were helpful for him to raise some fund ., By this he used earn 30 to 40 rupees /month, but not enough his requirement. Some how time was passing . Some time during the vacation he used to go Ranighat where Pratapsamser had built Palace as remembrance of his queen. It was interesting that Pratapsamsher had brought big pipes and some machines in such isolated palace, which is situated near the Bank of kaligandaki river. It was heard to build the palace British Engineer came from India during the period of East India co. and it was heard, those pipes were for water to generate Electricity . , Income sources were not enough to continued the study without doing some thing. Other two friends went back to home stopping the study after an year., Some how he passed 9th grade with good result from the school., During this period he had activities with a group of student to raise money for the Library whish was arranged near the Temple of Goddess Bhagawati.He was nominated as a secretary of the Library One day during the time of winter vacation he went Butawal a important business centre of that time in plain area which situated quite close to the bank of Tinau River. I went here and there searching some job but it was not fruitful. That day it was already dark .He did not have enough money to spend in Hotel. So took a shelter with Sadhu (Saint) near YOGIKUTI( A simple hut of saints). As it was winter he fixed his bed near the fire place which was burning since many days for Sadhu. Bed was of paddy straw. Next morning he planned to go back to Tansen. Early in the morning he got some puffed rice paying half rupee, for break fast and for Tiffin and some sugar was added . On the way to his trail he followed the porter with salt load, one of them was from his native land. He wrote a letter to his mother describing about his progress of study asking some money if she had. After about 10 days, mother had sent rupees 150 and some breads with a man from home. It was big support for next three./four months. But he was searching some jobs One day he came to know that a group of student of five Number required a Cook, in Kathmandu These student were from Tansen were learning in Kathmandu since two years He met them in Tansen and agreed to go with them being a cook. Against of such service they were suppose to support his educational , shelter and other expenses. Before opening of school after vacation, they were planning to go to kathamandu.. At that time to go to Katmandu( the Capital of Nepal .),the easiest route was via India he went to principal ‘s home to ask the Certificate and next day Certificate was ready. After few days they departed for Katmandu Via Sunauli,to Nautanawa to Raxul to Birganja to Amlekhgunja to Kathmandu. . Till Amlekhganja they took train .and than byJeep.About 47 years back there were no excess road from Kathmandu to India.

The first Highway was just going to complete from Bhaise to kathmandu. First time when he saw the motor able road aligning on hills he was very curious .It was when he was 16 years old on the way to kathmandu. At that time steam Engine roller were rolling the road materials, and he remembers, firewood was used instead of Coal for heating boiler. When they arrived Kathmandu it was already evening. But there was electricity, this time he was happy having the light to read in night time also. Next day morning he went to see market of vegetables and other food stuff with a guide and introduce him with Shopkeeper for day today purchase . From next day he was suppose start cooking and attend the school. He was admitted in Judhodaya High school in 10th grade The bed which he got, was made of straw. The routine tasks was set like this. Make ready tea and some other food as for breakfast Go to market for fire wood, vegetables , for preparing food.

Cook food for the college students. Most of them used to go before 7 o clock in morning. Take some food and prepare fore school. After school clean and wash utensils, and again cook food for evening course and serve food for all students before him. He had time to study and for home work only after 8 PM. One day they brought a kerosene stove ,It was a new thing for him with great excitement. Even in city to have foot wears was rear for him. During chilling cold ,it was difficult time to go to market in morning .One day when he was passing a big play ground in front of Bir Hospital. a dog bite him on leg. and took a piece of flesh .He went to hospital for the treatment. But there was no medicine of rabbis and a dresser washed wound and applied red liquid .. To recover the wound it took him about a month. Thank God, it was not a mad dog. In those days there were no such busy and dense traffics few trucks ,few vans and tricycles Jeeps were seen. So he use to read books on the way to school while walking along the foot path. This method was quite useful for the S.L.C examination (Slc, school leaving certificate) During this period 0f one year they shifted thee places.. When last rented room was at Mauritius , a. gentle man named Dipak was very helpful for his study, without his support he could not have passed SLC . Also he remained friend till his life.

Last year he missed him! He left this world!.

Category: Stories

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