Mr. Keshar Devkota: His is the story of "POSITIVITY"

On a Saturday morning, December the 3^rd, a throng of hundreds of people, including physically as well as mentally challenged people, gathered together at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu to participate in a rally advocating for one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals; i.e. Reduce Inequality by building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities. The day was none other than "International Day of People with Disability".

I too participated in the rally in response to the information disseminated to me by Autism Care Nepal; an organization that advocates for the inclusive and equitable society for person with Autism. I arrived there early morning, as the information I received contained the time of commencing the rally was 7 AM. But when I was there, I failed to notice a single person who came there to participate in the rally. Meanwhile I was wandering around the Bhrikutimandap area, observing people from different walks of life gathered together, dancing (exercising) over some old 1980's hindi music, I noticed an old man with 'dhaka topi' carrying his guitar bag walking alone in the middle of the street. This sight was bemusingly pleasant to me and was tempted to go talk to him. The person was none other than Mr. Keshar Devkota.

Mr. Keshar Devkota

 

I went by him to clarify my confusion as to why was he there early morning with his guitar. After a brief conversation, I came to know that he too was there to attend the rally and sing a song for people with disability. I was happy to meet the first person with the same intent. A bit psyco-socially different behavior  was the first impression I got of him. I desired to know more about him, hence I offered him for a glass of tea so I could have some conversation until the other people arrived for the rally.

Mr. Keshar Devkota sipping tea in a local tea shop at Bhrikutimandap

He was 53 years of age. He lost his parents when he was a child. He was then adopted by a doctor who admitted him in a school for his education. The doctor then moved to United States for some reason but continued to fund him for his studies. After finishing his school, he worked for several organizations. Few years later, he was back on the street again. He spent 17 years of his life on the streets of Jawalakhel. My apologies that I couldn't hear the reasons properly as it was difficult for me to comprehend his voice to information. While he was on the road, Mr. Matrika Devkota Ji, the chairperson of KOSHIS; a NGO which advocates for the inclusion of mental health into the primary health care system of the country and for the mainstreaming of psychosocial disability in the disability momentum;  saw him and adopted him as his son. He could not reveal the year of adoption. Mr. Keshar ji is currently enrolled at KOSHIS.

He has been playing guitar ever since he was five years of age.

According to him, he has been playing guitar ever since he was five years of age, and wishes to use his talent to spread awareness about inclusiveness and equality for people with disability. You can listen to his song on Youtube.Through out the conversation we had, I could only perceive "Positivity" being emitted by him. Meanwhile, other people were slowly arriving at the venue to participate in the rally. About an hour later, people started flooding in on buses, cars, bikes, and on foot, and turned the venue into a carnival.

Children with visual disability playing "Dhime" at the event

His was the story of positivity which could influence us all living the life full of complaints and resentments, and motivate us to perceive life as a gift accompanied by success, failures, complaints, complements, ups & downs, thick & thins, but never less of hope & happiness. All other people with disability I met & interacted with, shared the same perspective towards life.

I would like to end this blog with an urge to every neurotypical and normal human being to change the perspective towards differently able people for their betterment. After all, the only privilege they have asked for is to treat them as equals, and accept them for who they are.

Note: The emotions portrayed here in this blog are completely personal.