“I wanted to prove handicapped people are capable of undertaking agricultural professions and think I have made my point loud and clear,” said Lama. Today he owns crop plantations and poultry farm built out of his own hardship.[break]
Left on a wheelchair from the age of 13, struggle for life came early for him. “It started with a high fever and I stared having hard time urinating. Local shaman couldn´t find my problem until Scheer Memorial Hospital in Banepa diagnosed me of having typhoid. Their treatment lowered the fever but the urine infection left both of my feet immovable,” said Lama.
“After 45 days of treatment at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, the doctor sent me home saying that the problem on my feet would improve gradually, but it never did. From that moment, I realized that hard days had begun for me,” said Lama. Until the age of 20, Lama led a listless life sitting on wheel chair all day as going to school became impossible. However, he used his time to study and memorize religious books like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Bhagwat and Swastani by heart. “Many made fun of me when I could fluently read and recite all the Hindu religious books when I was a Buddhist,” said Lama. It did teach me be a realist and practical at the same time,” added Lama.
Radio talk program about agriculture aired from Radio Nepal became a life saver for him. After listening to the program and taking tips regularly, he decided to sow corns. “After being inspired in plantation, I bought hybrid corn seeds from Sarlahi. Even though my father scolded me for buying those expensive seeds, it didn´t stop me from planting them. I used to reach my plantation everyday on my wheelchair and never missed to nurture it. Nature paid me back that year, my corn grew up healthy,” said Lama.
For the last two years, he has been involved in poultry business as well. “Bank rejected my appeal for a loan in poultry business but I was later able to take loan of Rs 500,000 for pig farming. With that amount I have been doing poultry business as well,” said Lama.
He informed that had been a regular viewer of agricultural programs after his brother bought him a television. “Now I have come to know that chicken can be vulnerable to many diseases. Whenever my chickens indicate signs to illness I usually contact a veterinary doctor in Banepa,” said Lama.
In addition to his excelling farming career, he wants to invest his social security allowance money in fish farming. “I have already gained permission from my father and brother to initiate fish farming on our land near Sagol river,” said Lama.