Promises Unfulfilled Even After Election Victory
April 18, Dhangadhi. Carrying a basket on his back and a scarf on his head, drenched in sweat. Another body weakened by disease lies heavily on his soaked back. He is forced to endure a difficult and treacherous journey lasting approximately two and a half hours. This is not a scene from a film or play but rather the harsh reality faced by a couple. Kammané Damai (50) of Mohanyal Rural Municipality-3, Mulekana, Kailali, is living this painful story.
Since his wife Jamuna Damai (45) developed diabetic complications leading to numbness in her feet, Kammané’s daily life revolves around carrying her on his back with the help of the basket and scarf to reach the road and then to hospital for treatment.
Jamuna’s diabetes was first diagnosed two years ago, but her health has significantly deteriorated recently. Due to the numbness, infection, and wounds that prevent her from walking, Kammané is compelled to carry his wife on his back, supported by the basket and scarf, through steep uphill and downhill terrain for two and a half hours. Starting from Mulekana, Mohanyal-3, he alone carries his bedridden wife all the way to Phalebisouna, from where they can take a vehicle. He explains that because his wife is unable to walk due to the numbness, he must single-handedly bear her weight with the basket and scarf as support.
“It is hard to leave the old woman untreated in such a condition. So, I carry her in the basket myself up to Phalebisouna for her treatment,” said Kammané. “All the youth from the village have gone abroad. Not wishing to trouble the elderly, I am the only one carrying her.” There is no one in the village to offer help. Only 15-16 families live in Mulekana. Most of the youth have left for employment in India. The village remains populated by elderly people, women, and children who are unable to carry the sick to medical facilities. The health post is far away, and even though a stretcher is available, there is no one willing to carry it.
Because of diabetes, infection has spread across Jamuna’s left foot. She had previously undergone treatment in Nepalgunj, where her son, a wage laborer in India, had brought her for surgery on her wounds. However, after returning home, the numbness in her foot worsened. Kammané used to work as a wage laborer nearby and managed meals for the family morning and evening, but financial constraints hindered prolonged medical care for his wife.
Local resident Sunita Shah and executive member Nani Damai raised approximately 40,000 rupees to support Jamuna’s treatment. With funds collected through the assistance of Dhanraj Giri, chairman of the Hariyali Community Forest, Kammané was able to carry his wife in a basket to the hospital for the first time. At Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj, doctors diagnosed complications caused by diabetes in her foot and prescribed medication. Jamuna continues to take the medicines, although financial difficulties make ongoing treatment challenging. “I have been unable to walk properly for two years,” she said, “We can’t afford the treatment we need due to lack of money.”
They have two sons and two daughters. The eldest son is married and lives in India with his family. The younger son also works in India. Pressured by financial hardship, their daughter went to India two months ago in search of work. “Even though voting has changed, my situation remains the same,” said Kammané, who himself is in poor health. He works daily as a laborer, carrying stones and digging with a hoe, but finds it difficult to meet expenses for his wife’s treatment. “What can I do? I can neither die nor take care [of her],” he expressed in anguish.
During the arduous two and a half hour journey from Mulekana to Phalebisouna with his wife on his back, Kammané recalls two things: first, the politicians who came to the village during the election; and second, the vote he cast. On February 21, the day of the House of Representatives election, leaders and candidates from almost all political parties visited the village. They promised to treat Jamuna if they received his vote. However, even after the election ended, Kammané’s circumstances remain unchanged. “Forget losing candidates; even those who won have not returned to the village,” he complains. Despite changing his vote, the new MP has not taken any initiative to address his problems.
“During the election, leaders of every party came to ask for my vote. I showed them my wife’s condition and told them to vote for whomever would help, and all promised solutions, but no one came afterward,” said Kammané. “Since the old leaders did nothing, I gave my vote to the new ones, but they turned out the same.” Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson KP Khanal won the constituency in the election. Despite financial hardship and geographical isolation, Kammané has a single wish—to get proper treatment for his wife and help her recover. If necessary, he is prepared to take her to better hospitals either in India or Nepal and is consulting with his children living in India for this purpose. (Photo: Journalist Tikaram Saud, Bauniya)