Tarkari kinera Khandai Khandina
The literal translation of this poem is: I never eat without vegetable, I never eat purchased vegetable.[break]
I was puzzled when I first heard this statement. I repeated it to friends who immediately responded by saying the meaning behind the poem was “he eats for free”.
Sixty-two-year-old Bishwonath Parajuli of Pokhara holds an amazing philosophy about life. Not only has he changed his own life through the humble vegetable, he has also changed the lives of many others.
I met this gentleman while visiting Pokhara to participate in the Samata Siksha Niketan inauguration program. Parajuli had kindly provided the school with valuable land for a period of 15 years. In addition, he also exempted his lease amount for two years, all in aid of the education of local children.
His military doctor son and another son now based in the UK had planned to set up a nursing home on that land. Even local private schools had asked Parajuli to lease the land for lucrative amounts. But inspired by Bijaya Kumar’s TV interview of the school’s founding principal Uttam Sanjel in his famous TV show, Mero Jeevan Mero Biswas (My Life My Conviction), Parajuli decided to give his land to this particular school.
Sanjel’s school was established just nine years ago with the aim to educate less fortunate children. He charges just Rs 100 per month for those who can afford it, otherwise tuition is free. Sanjel’s altruistic beliefs when it comes to schooling have since spread their wings, and his schools have expanded to 11 locations in various districts. It was the school’s motto which attracted Parajuli.
Parajuli understands the importance of education, sending his sons to reputable schools while he worked as a junior government agro-technician. He earned just Rs 2000 per month, but paid Rs 4000 in school fees as he believed good education was vital to the lives of humans.
But how could he afford the expensive fees to ensure his sons’ education?
Parajuli began a vegetable revolution.
Visiting various places to sell vegetable seeds, he inspired others in poor economic positions to farm vegetables also, spending the money he made on day-to-day living and to educate his sons.
Carrying packets of seeds wherever he went combined with his ragtag appearance, Parajuli soon earned himself the nickname “Poke” (a man with the bundles). But he cared little of what others said or thought and devoted his life to vegetables.
Vegetables not only provide nutrients for the poor but also promote upward economic growth. We tend to think of this as being on a district, state, or global level, but this economic growth can also be seen in Parajuli’s life. Through vegetables he has earned valuable land, his sons’ graduate certificates, and a happy family.
“People used to visit my place with the plight of not being able to educate their children,” says this happy man. “I offered them seeds and techniques to start their own business, and they’ve achieved what they wanted in their life.”
His now popular slogan is “Grow vegetables, educate children”.
People need not leave Nepal to earn money if they follow Parajuli’s ways. Working in foreign countries, especially Arabian, one faces a difficult environment and work fraught with hardship. But vegetable farming keeps family members at home, learning self-sufficiency and often earning more than they would in another country. “Do not go to Gulf countries to die,” he says. “Do vegetable farming at home.”
Parajuli is an ideal father. Nepalese parents generally save money for their children, but his beliefs are different. “Parents who give land ownership certificates to their son or daughter are an enemy, but those who give graduate certificates are real fathers and mothers,” he says.
He is ideal in his personal behavior too, never smoking or drinking alcohol. “If your father is a drunkard you do not need to respect him as a father,” he offers by way of explanation. Furthermore, he does not believe in many soft drinks, such as Coca Cola, Pepsi and Fanta. During his government office days, Parajuli always requested they serve lassis rather than Coke or Pepsi. “If we give lassis in the office, this gives the farmers some relief,” he says.
While talking with us, Parajuli’s wife offered fresh lime water. It was very refreshing. Parajuli praised his wife. “The person who gets a good wife will move upward.” His wife simply smiled shyly.
Parajuli’s favorite gift to people is a small packet of vegetable seeds, along with the recommendation to start their own gardens. His packets are imprinted with his slogan “Eat fresh vegetables, lead healthy life”.
Parajuli provides a solution for those who live in remote areas of the country; to make money through producing quality vegetable seeds which can then be grown and sold by others with access to transport.
Happily displaying his own vegetable garden, Parajuli stressed his eagerness to be involved in Uttam Sanjel’s education project, repeatedly stating the relationship between education and vegetables. Time and again he exclaimed, “I speak too much, hajur!”
No gentleman, you’ve not spoken too much. You have demonstrated the wonderful life philosophies of an ideal farmer!
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