Living legend of successful life after abundant struggles

The golden sunshine has honestly been spilled over the inner yard of a single storey house. Paralyzed, an octogenarian man has been lying on the mat for basking in the sun. A woman wearing red Fariya and Cholo (typical Nepali dress) has been supporting him to change the side. The bangles, vermilion over the parting line of hair, red Tika (a small mark put on forehead) on forehead has been giving the real aromas of Nepali cultured woman. In a flash, as her eyes catch me give the warm smile to welcome.

Bimala Ghimire was born as first child of teenaged parents (mother 14, father 15) 56 years ago. Belonging to the middle class of Brahmin (higher caste as per the Hindu’s caste system) family, her childhood was enclosed within cultural rules and discipline of family as well as existing society. Her grand-father’s selfish desire made her for going school so that she could cite religious books to him. She remembers those golden days filled with ample desires, jubilant playtime with friends and also the bitter moments which blew her wishes from the middle of the path. She had just passed grade 8, the Cultural practices and the belief delivered the shock to her dream when her parents decided her marriage

Before entering the teen age, at 12, she got married with 14 years old boy to whom she first time saw at the marriage ceremony. Then her new life began with lots of responsibilities and regulations. Her willingness of having higher education came to full stop. She became a woman from a girl. She drew back the days of her new life and shared the funny moments with husband. Having talks between husband and wife was disgraceful. As Bimala could read and write they used to write the things and share each other but did not have talk for long time. Her husband was allowed for going school but she was bounded within household sphere. Girl’s education was social taboo; she further elucidated the bias practice between girl and boy.

Her thrust to get higher education was still alive. She planned to carry husband’s old books inside the
DOKO(Bamboo basket made for carrying grass/fuel wood) hiding from others. She used to read in farm,
in forest, in water tap and used to note down all the things at mid night after all other members fell
asleep. She did not forget to thank her husband as he provided her old books and copies to read.

Due to her tireless struggle and her deep keenness she passed high school education through the private examination. She was 17 when she became a mother but she no longer could enjoy her motherhood as she loses her child after 9 months. After going through the traumatic time she again gave birth of a girl and that made her in-law’s family unhappy as they were expecting a boy but she feel lucky as her husband supported her always.

“Self determination, the solid enthusiasm, seeing other women suffering from the stereotype rules were the real motivators”, Bimala makes me clear when I asked her to tell the source of inspiration. Bimala never overlooks an incident that pinched her heart in deep and was turning point in her life. She retrieves the moment; a sentence that is still very close to her heart was “SHE DOES NOTHING” when her graduated and government officer husband answered his friend’s question “WHAT DOES YOUR WIFE DO?” After hearing the answer Bimala’s heart was broken down as she was not expecting such answer from educated husband. She then recalled one by one her duties she had from 4.am to 9 Pm. She then understood that woman’s restless labor is not treasured. Her eyes got moist but having talent to express own feeling of both sorrow and happiness in a poetic way was great weapon to become calmed. She then further made herself purposive and strong minded to uplift the woman’s status.

She started to form small group by convincing community’s women. Group of 25 women started to collect the small amount monthly as saving. They started to have discussion on many social issues like girl’s education, domestic violence and reproductive health on so on. After they became an active women’s group, District Women Development Office provided them leadership training and that further helped them to be more active.

One of great change she did was making aware about UTERUS PROLAPSED. Bimala herself had the problem of uterus prolapsed but talking of genital organ was shameful so she obligedly endured the pain. Reproductive health training she got was fruitful to cure her and her mother-in law. When mother in law gave her a hug and praise her involvement to community work was one of the happiest moment she has. She mesmerized, when she was sharing her experience of being only an elected woman in her village. She knew the power in politics as she was succeed to make drinking water supply project in her community.

Since, Bimala knew the fact that economical empowerment is essential; she focused her work to make her group member economically independent. As a result her 25 member’s group now has been a established women’s co-operative having 13, 00000 NR( 18000 USD) saving with 216 women member.

She looks pleased and excited to tell her achievements. She has more than two dozen of organizations she involved in as chairperson, as an advisor, as active member, as a resource person. She has made her life praiseworthy and rejoicing the life after fighting with plentiful struggles.

Finally, she enveloped our conversation with this message to all the women” life without struggle is incomplete and we cannot have the real taste of life. We never give up our goal and our enthusiasm”.

Golden sunshine had already been turned in to swelter; she was supporting her father in law to take him inside the house when I was saying her good bye.

DEAR ALL PLEASE PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON MY DRAFT FOR MODULE 1ST. YOU ALL ARE WELCOME.
YOU CAN POINT OUT EVEN ON MY GRAMMER.
THANK YOU