For Nepal, from Thailand

Jeewan Sangharsa (Autobiography) by Kumar Karki, Published by Media Service Nepal, ISBN: 978-9937-0-3618-4, Price: NPR: 300, Thai Bhat 200

Nepal was not his country, nor his father's and grandfather's. His forefathers were migrated to Myanmar/Burma from Nepal more than a century ago. They put their utmost efforts to convert dense forest into fertile fields, grew foods and vegetables, did animal husbandry and sold dairy products in the local markets. They continuously struggled to make their life comfortable and to ensure better future for coming generations but the time never improved, nor the story of struggle and hardship.

But, they kept alive Nepali culture including language, festivals and music in such life-threatening hardship in the alien land. He never visited Nepal but, spoke Nepali language, sang Bhajans and folk songs, wore Nepali attire and enjoyed Nepali delicacies during festivals such as Dashain and Tihar. And, it applied to all Nepalis in Myanmar.

He was born in Pamakhendu of Burma. He couldn't complete his high school education, did agriculture with his family and took cattle to graze. But, somewhere in his mind he was thinking that such lifestyle couldn't generate enough resource to lead a comfortable life and he needed to do something different to earn more money, which was not possible in Burma. He went to Mogok, a city in Burma, and worked as a gemstone collector. This job couldn't attract him. One day he left for Thailand in search of better work.

Quite contrary to his dream, he along with two friends left stranded in the mayhem of Bangkok. They had no money, no place to live and no one to support. He slept with beggers under a bridge. Cleaned dishes in a restaurant but more than half his earning was taken by the guy who took him to Thailand. 

In the meantime, he joined a cloth outlet. As he did exceptionally well, the owner opened a new outlet and made him the manager. His dedication to the work impressed another businessman and poached him with almost double salary.

The young man saved money, learned Thai language, made local friends, and one day in 2002, opened his own tailoring shop with 1.5 million Thai Bhat investment. His business is growing ever since. He runs multiple shirting suiting outlets in Thailand, employs more than 200 tailors and 20 other staffs. His brand 'Stylo' has a good market in Europe, America, Asia and elsewhere.

In 2009, he became the President of Thai Nepali Youth Awareness Organisation, and founding vice-president of Thai-Nepali Association (TNA). TNA has 10 branches and about 80,000 people of Nepali origin are affiliated to the organisation which is tirelessly working to preserve Nepali culture, music, religion and other values.

The devastating Gorkha Earthquake 2015 brought him to the country of his ancestors. He came with relief materials and later TNA reconstructed an entire settlement, Majhibasti in Sindhupalchowk district.

This is the story of Kumar Karki, President of TNA. He has come up with his autobiography 'Jeewan Sangharsa' that tells a heart touching story of his ambition, struggle, success and love for his ancestral country Nepal.  

The book offers an education to all Nepalis around the globe in terms of preserving Nepali culture. 'I am surprised now that how could the affection, and care developed for the country where I was not born in nor I visited. Burma is a case study to know how the Nepali culture is preserved,' says Karki. 

Karki's dedication to his work and respect to his workers and customers were the key to success.

'Jeewan Sangharsa' is written in everyday language and can be a good read to all age groups. It will certainly inspire Nepali youth both in and out of the country.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily.