::Puskar's past::

Puskar Shah was born and raised amidst the cornfields of Makaibari village in Dolakha, Nepal. Puskar's father was in the Indian army, so he went to school in Assam till the fifth grade. He then studied in Kutidanda Nimna Madhyamik Vidhyala in Makaibari till seven. His father died in 2043 during a war with Bodos in Assam. Puskar passed his SLC from Kalinchok Madhyamik Vidhyala in Charikot, and came to the valley for his further studies. That was when the popular moment started. "Everybody wanted democracy," Puskar recalls, "So did I." Puskar wanted it more than most of us, who got it cheap. He took part in demonstrations, meetings, hunger strikes and other activities planned out by the political parties that were fighting jointly for the purpose of throwing the Panchayat party from power and bringing in a multiparty democracy.

"He would sit for hunger strikes in Bhadrakali with his college friends. I wondered what he was fighting for? I used to be worried sick for him all the time. I now know that even if he had died fighting, it would have been for a good cause. It would have paid very well for the sake of the country and its people, though he didn't get anything personally," his mother Naram Kumari, at 48, is a warrior's widow and a warrior's mother.

::Puskar's Fight::

Puskar was arrested and tortured numerous times by the authorities. They arrested the demonstrators, but released most of them soon due to lack of space. And the demonstrators were back in action from the very next day, campaigning, holding processions and demonstrating as per the appeal from political parties. Then Puskar got shot in his hand. He got some treatment with whatever support his family could give, none from any sector of the government. "I haven't received any relief from any sector as a political victim. It could be because I'm an independent person, not a party worker." People under the umbrella of political parties enjoy favoritism here. "People went to Australia for treatment without even getting a scratch or putting up a fight." Political leaders' children enjoyed the educational quotas meant for the movement victims. I didn't get any relief for the blood I shed."

However, Puskar did enjoy the popularity of being a living martyr for a while. Then gradually pictures began to fade away from the minds of the people. Things began to settle down and Puskar hunted for jobs to live hand to mouth. At such a time, the status of being a living martyr didn't help. With no contacts he finally landed a job in a commercial arts field in Color Action, Lazimpat, where he worked for almost four years.

::Around the World::

Now he feels incomplete. "I have not done anything for my country, family, no one. I'm jobless. I'm wasting away. So I thought why not utilize my time and see the world.

The plan is to see the world-150 countries-in 11 years on a bicycle. He wants to earn some name for his country, his village, his mother and himself. " He has a strong will to go, says he wants to see the world. I told him not to go leaving us behind. He said I shouldn't be discouraging him. 'I'll earn some name for myself,' he says, 'People will first remember you, then only me. 'So I gave up," Naram Kumari now prepares for yet another unpleasant change in her life.

Puskar knows it takes a lot of money to travel around the world, he knows he ahs none. Even if he sells off their family home, land and all the property, it won't suffice for South Asia alone. What he has in plenty is a very strong will and good intentions. Here again being a living martyr is not much help. "I went to VNY '98 office for financial support, I thought they would be interested as I will be spreading my country's name worldwide. They said they will give me a flag and a T-shirt.

The tourism ministry has provided him with a request letter. Puskar will be visiting capital cities of all the planned countries applying for visa for the country he would visit next. " I'll go to India first. Then Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and so on," Puskar's plan, " I'll be carrying travel cheques and credit cards."

Actress Sharmila Malla has helped him the most, collecting financial aid from business communities. " The first world cyclist from Nepal, Laxman Sapkota has also helped. He's given me valuable information about the countries he has visited." In coordination of Daman Nath Dhungana, parliamentarian Wanche Sherpa and Bhim Bahadur Tamang, and intellectual figures from other fields as well (nationally well known businessmen, exambassadors), Puskar Shah Rastriya Sahayog Samiti has been formed. At the moment, Puskar is in Kathmandu doing the last minute preparations. With hope, anticipation, fear and expectations, he will soon be leaving on his bicycle, which has been generously sponsored by businessman Arun Agrawal. For next eleven years, Puskar will be an ambassador of goodwill and friendship for Nepal.

This Article was featured in Wave Magazine on August 1998, Wave Magazine, Kathmandu Nepal


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