Kanchhi Tamang who spent 92 Years in Kaalbhairav

Kathmandu/ How long has it been since Kanchhi Tamang from Dolakha started begging in front of the Kalbhairav ​​temple located in the courtyard of Basantapur Durbar Square? Neither others nor herself know. Tamang came to Kathmandu from Dolakha via Biratnagar after her family did not allow her to stay. When she came to Kathmandu, she had a 7-year-old son.

She kept her son with her for two years. She washed dishes in hotels and houses in Kathmandu. When her son turned 9, she got him to work in a hotel.

However, unfortunately, one day, her son, who had gone to work in a hotel, did not return to his room. Kanchhi, who was staying in Swayambhu, wandered around as much as she could in search of her son. She could not find her son, but later she learned that her son had left the hotel job and started working at a radio repair shop on New Road. She was living there.

Her son got married there, she heard the news. After some time, she also went to live with her son-in-law. The day she reached her son-in-law's room, she developed diarrhea. The daughter-in-law kicked her out, saying that she could not keep the old woman in the house.

"The son just watched. He didn't tell his mother not to go, he didn't stop his wife either," the younger one's voice was soft as she said. Even though it was dark, there was still some movement of people in Basantapur.

After leaving her son-in-law's house, she started working as a sand-puller at the place where the house was being built. She would work as a sand-puller all day long, and after evening, she would sleep in the courtyard of Basantapur. Many of her days passed like this. Even today, she lives in the same courtyard. The difference is that she can no longer work as a sand-puller.

One evening in early 2073 BS. I had spoken to her for the first time. I was walking around Basantapur in the evening. When I reached the front of the Kalbhairav ​​temple, there were piles of old and dirty clothes around. Dogs were sitting on the pile of clothes. In the middle of the dog and the pile of clothes was Kanchhi Tamang.

Seeing her condition, I went to the nearby grocery store and bought biscuits and juice. She said she didn't drink juice. When I asked her, "Why don't you drink it?" she replied, "Even after eating, I still have to urinate. There is no place to urinate. And I can't even walk."

When the evening slowly turns into night, Basantapur's hustle and bustle also decreases. As the population of Basantapur decreases, she goes to the shop near Kasthamandap with the money she has earned for the day and a small bag and buys some food. She sleeps huddled in the same dirty and old clothes.

According to a study by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, the number of elderly people begging in monasteries and temples has increased. The Senior Citizens Act 2063 and the Regulations 2065 have ensured the right of senior citizens to live their lives with dignity. However, the report has pointed out that this has not yet been implemented.

Kanchhi does not remember the date she came to Kathmandu, nor her age. But she remembered something and said, ‘At that time, the king had died, his son became the new king.’ From her words, it is understood that when she came to Kathmandu, Birendra was becoming king after the death of King Mahendra.

Her life is passing like this, regardless of day, night, sun, rain, or frost. ‘When it rains, I go to that other side and sleep,’ she said, pointing to the temple in front. Someone has given her an umbrella. She keeps swinging under that umbrella all day. She cannot even beg, so if someone gives her one, she eats. Otherwise, she goes hungry.

According to a study conducted by the ministry, the majority of those who beg in monasteries and temples are Madhesis and Janajatis. According to the ministry's data, 26.15 percent are Madhesi, the same number are Janajati. And the smallest number are Dalits, 10.78 percent.

The report shows that the main reason for begging is poverty. The number of those who beg due to poverty is 33.84 percent.

Kanchhi got married at a young age. Within two years of marriage, her husband had gone to India to work. He died there. Her brother-in-law in the village took away part of the land. She went to fight the case, but lost. 'They used to give alcohol to the boss, they would call me at home, I couldn't do anything,' she said.

She has forgotten many things. Some things she cannot remember even if she wants to. She also has poor hearing. When I spoke to her, people passing by would look at me after hearing my loud voice.

The ministry's report shows that the number of those who have been begging for less than 5 years is the highest, at 46.15 percent. Similarly, the number who have been begging continuously for 10 years is 26.15 percent.

‘Despite the right and entitlement of people who have contributed to society to live with dignity even in the latter half of their lives, they are forced to earn a living by begging in monasteries and temples. There is a situation among us where people who are living a normal life are forced to beg for various reasons.

They are mainly forced to beg because their husbands have thrown them out, they cannot work, they are not looked after by their children, they are disabled and they are forced to beg due to poverty,’ the report concluded.

Most of these beggars earn up to Rs 150 per day. The number of people earning Rs 150 per day is 56.3 percent.

The report mentions that those who beg on the streets and in temples are not only Nepalese citizens but also Indian and Bhutanese citizens. The report shows that the number of Bhutanese and Indian citizens among the beggars is 15 percent. The highest number of beggars is 46.15 percent from the hilly districts.

There is no hope that the youngest child, who has reached the latter half of her life, will be taken care of by her son. 'Live this life asking for it'

Sagar Chand/ Farak Dhar Online Magazine