KATHMANDU, April 25: Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) had landed in his dream city Kathmandu in 2002 with nothing more than Rs 1,700 in his pocket, a thin bedsheet and a sack of rice. When he got off the bus and saw the incredible crowd at the bus park, he was awestruck.

No sooner  could he understand what was happening around him than the marketplaces shut down. That was the day the royal massacre had taken place. Without wishing to know much about it, the innocent lad followed some village folks, his only option at the time in an unknown place. “That day we went to Koteshwar,” reminisces Kattel. He takes a long  breath before narrating the saga of his and his beloved wife Kunjana Ghimire’s lives. 

He had few plans  when he came to Kathmandu. However, the question of survival in the city was the most critical. “I used to draw and paint a lot back in my village. I wanted to give continuity to that,” said Kattel. “Similarly, I was good at caricaturing. I thought I could hone my skills in that also,” he explained. 

However, nobody would take him seriously. Attracting people’s interest and making them hear him out was not easy. He took a job as a marketing boy at a private company. That fetched him some money to survive on. “I had to sell goods as well. Once at Maitidevi, I was even beaten up by someone for selling ‘duplicate goods’,” he said.

He wanted to land in the world of acting and cinema. Meanwhile, he got admitted to Ratna Rajya College with journalism and English as major subjects. The college was also a good platform for  his acting skills. Friends suggested to him to meet Santosh Panta, which he did. However, opportunities for newcomers would not come easy. Frustrated, Kattel returned home. “I was overstressed and felt hopeless. I returned to my home in Jhapa,” he said. 

Back home, while watching television, he saw some of his friends who were struggling like himself in the  city. After that he could not  sit quietly at home. He left home once again to chase his dream. This time, after six months of steady effort, he was given a chance to read out lines of dialogue  in hijo aja ka kura - a popular TV serial. That was the breakthrough. Hopes deepened. Kattel felt that better days were ahead. He then met Jitu Nepal, and things did indeed change for the better.

“I was much  inspired by Jitu as well as by Kedar Ghimire. I was told I could write good scripts  and act well,” he narrated. “Things then became smoother.” 

Kattel has not had to look back since. His acting career  thrived. In the course of acting, he meet his soon-to-be-life partner, Kunjana Ghimire. Kunjana was so impressive, bold and compassionate  that Kattel could not help falling in love. The difference between them was apparent. Kunjana seemed to be from a better-off family and Kattel felt hesitant to dream of a conjugal life. However, one day, he gathered enough courage to propose.

Unlike ladies in general, she neither  blushed nor  frowned. She handled the proposal rather caringly. 

“She said lovingly to me that we needed to focus on our work, our careers, rather than love. She was a great guide and a very compassionate figure. We stared working together very dedicatedly,” Kattel said.

It’s thanks to Kunjana’s support and vision  that they have been able to come so far, Kattel believes. He credits her boldness and extraordinary strength for leading him and herself in the right direction. “If we have been initiating  good work,  her strength is the biggest factor behind it. It happens when you meet someone who understands you and loves you as you are,” Kattel said sounding grateful. The duo got married a decade ago. 
Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation has so far established three model villages, including the latest- a Musahar community settlement in Mahottari. Earlier two were in Sindhupalchowk and Nuwakot. The duo is getting full support from several organizations and individuals.

The passion and commitment shown by the couple and the results they achieved have carved for them a historic identity. ‘Dhurmus - Suntali’ is loved by one and all for their noble deeds. 

After finely completing the three major projects and handing over the houses to the homeless, the foundation is thinking of the way ahead. According to the duo, there is a lot of work to be done for the betterment of people. “We are thinking of helping people  find ways of income generation. Economic independence is most important after shelter. We will probably work along that line,” Kattel said.

 
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