From rags to riches: Story of a freed Kamaiya

KAILALI, JUN 26 -

Chhedu Lal Chaudhary, then a bonded labourer called Kamaiya, was 16 when he was liberated more than a decade ago.

When others began taking to the streets demanding rehabilitation, Chhedu Lal ventured into Dhangadi, the district headquarters, in search of a job to start life anew.

He found a calling in construction and worked as a labourer for a few years before picking up the required skills and technique. After working long and hard, Chhedu Lal became a skilled mason and began constructing buildings on his own as a contractor.

Twelve years after his liberation, Chhedu Lal is now a big success. Known as an entrepreneur in his hometown of Dhangadi, he owns his own construction material industry at Dhangadi-4. He has a house and a plot of land worth around Rs 10 million in a residential area of the town.

Chhedu Lal employs around 500 people, 80 percent of them freed Kamaiyas, in his construction company. He has enrolled his children in a local private school and his daily household expenditures cross Rs 1,000. Chhedu Lal says that anyone can be successful if they have integrity and work hard. “I would have to live a life like my colleagues were I dependent on the government and non-governmental organisations for rehabilitation,” he said.

Similar is the story of Suresh Chaudhary of Manira. After being trained in electronics for seven days, he opened up his own electronics shop in the village. With a steady income from his shop, he has built his own house and sends his children to school.

However, unlike Chhedu Lal and Suresh, other freed Kamaiyas have yet to be rehabilitated successfully.

Lal Bahadur Chaudhary, district coordinator of the Backward Society Education that works for freed Kamaiyas, said that those who managed to translate their skills and training into a profession have made a big leap forward.

Lal Bahadur claimed that modern farming has lifted the living standard of many Kamaiyas. Those in Chaumala and Balchaur engaged in agriculture are earning a good living. Each household earns Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 a month from agriculture, said Lal Bahadur.

Although the government announced the liberation of Kamaiyas long ago, an estimated 1,300 of the 10,000 freed indentured labourers have yet to be rehabilitated and are facing difficulties eking out a living.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/06/26/development/from-rags-to-riches-story-of-a-freed-kamaiya/356167/