It is said that every city has a life and personality of its own. If that is so, then Birgunj is like a vibrant and a little eccentric nomad who doesn’t live life by any set rules. Apart from its proximity to Raxaul, a major border transit point with India, and being a bustling metropolis for trade and business, the city is undoubtedly culturally rich and aesthetically pleasing as well. After the economic blockade last year, Nepalis probably have come to understand how important towns like Birgunj are to the country’s overall supply system.

Shariff Abdullah, 48, is a marathon running enthusiast, but there’s a slight twist. Born without the left foot, he earned the title of Singapore’s first ‘Blade Runner’. He runs with a prosthetic blade, similar to that used by South African double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius. He has participated in over 25 marathons and had a dream to run the ‘Everest Marathon’, from the Everest Base Camp to Namche to inspire others to exceed their own limitations.