I had read somewhere that, "It is the adventure and uncertainties of the journey that makes life so beautiful and interesting."
May be, but is that all the time?
What if the uncertainties begot something more unfortunate ?
Or,
what if we don't have the required amount of energy to go through that adventure ?
Answer, may be simple, we would feel depressed about our lives and may leave it somewhere in between before we reach our destination. Though no any survey is done to find out how many of us are so powerful to face the odds and misfortunes of our life with vitality, we have the answer that most of us don't have that zeal to pass out all the odds and struggle tirelessly.
But recently I happened to meet a man who doesn't fall in most of us. Yeah! he is ordinary, but at the same time he is unique. I met him on our trek to Kalinchowk". He was driving the jeep that we had hired to Kuri from Charikot, but more than a motorist, he was our guide. Talking with him, really motivated me. I hope it will motivate you too.
Devi Prasad Sapkota aka Mukunada Sapkota, 31, is the resident of Charikot. Professionally a driver, he becomes busy with so many other part time jobs. He knows the art of making dokos (handmade basket) to Flex prints and even furniture. Blessed with a seven year old daughter and a four year old son, Mukunda has a small and happy family now. But when asked about his childhood, his smiling face suddenly turns firms.
"I remember walking bare foot most of times when I was a child as I was from a poor family," responded Mukunda. His poverty stricken family had to go through even worst situations after the death of his father when he was only four. Sapkota had to struggle a lot to make his dream of going to school a reality. "We had a buffalo, I along with my elder brother used to wake up at 3 in the morning and do our household chores and then used to go to sell milk and straw from place to place. I used to take my uniform with me and change it on the places where its feasible and then go to school", recalled Mukunda.
He completed his secondary and higher secondary level from Charikot with the same daily schedule then headed on to Kathmandu with a new aspiration of continuing his Bachelors level since 2059 BS and joined Ratna Rajya Campus. Then he started working as a taxi driver. He used to work whole night and then go to college in the morning. Satisfied in his profession, Mukunda continued, "Though I couldn't continue my study due to problems, I have never regretted any decision that I have taken in my life. I was ready to do whatever it took during that time."
As a driver, he has so many experiences and incidents. Being demanded by his profession, he has to meet different kinds of people and has to deal with them and in these years he too has some sad journey and some happy ones. He recollected, "Once a European traveled a whole night with me. We shared a lot of things. Being impressed with my hard work and dedication, he gave me an extra hundred euro for my study." Similarly there was another incident in his life that made him leave his four years of taxi driving at Kathmandu and return to his village. Some boys asked helped with him on a drizzling night and looted him in a busy street of Baneshwor. Though so many people noticed it, no one dared to help him or either call a police. He thought as if they weren't interested in his affairs. After that he sold his taxi and returned his home in despair.
Once again, he started his life and struggle in his own village. He shared that though village life lacks some facilities, here no one has to return empty hands when asked for help. Now, he is living a fulfilling life and is now giving a good education to his children. He dreams of educating his children and also his wife, who is just a high school graduate. I couldn't complete my study, now I will make sure, my family complete it.
Finally Mukunda shared, "Though life is difficult without money, we should never make money our priority rather we should concentrate on living a happy life and always remember our struggle so that we would never boast when we overcome it. Strive but never pride."
His words touched me, hope you are also moved. :)
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