12th March, 2015

It was sunny afternoon, with ongoing exams I was busy preparing for next exam on 13th March. Suddenly a man called from outside," Is there any one at home? Please have a look outside." I saw a middle aged man outside, sweating and looked as if was in a great hurry. He asked if we could allow him to keep his packed sack in our ground for some time. He added he would come as soon as possible to take it back. I replied there's no problem. Before I could ask him more questions the man left riding his worn out bicycle loaded with another similar huge sack. I then sat on a balcony with my books so that I can take care of his stuff too. Suddenly I saw that sac was filled with bottles (as I saw the lids erupting from the sack), I then went nearer and palpated the sack. It was only then when I realized that he was recyclable waste collector.

Wow, a genuine eco- hero at my door. I was eager to see him back and get some information about him. After waiting for hours, finally he came back to take back his sack. I greeted him and welcomed him to my house. He looked puzzled and I clarified that I am a volunteer passionate to serve my environment. I asked if he can lend some time to have conversation with me along with some Hi- Tea. His smile in the wrinkled face clearly reflected his happiness in silence. His name was Budha Chandra Nepal, a 56 ears old man, living in Gobreni Village, Chitwan Distict Nepal (few hours from my area).  Through conversation I came to know that he has been world as a recyclable waste collector since last four months. Previously he worked as a Rickshaw driver but as people prefer public buses and tempos these days, he shifted to this profession recently. He was literally illiterate with a family of 7 members i.e. 2 sons, 3 daughters, his spouse and him. Out of 3 sons one was dead while working overseas and out of 2 alive one is working in Golf country overseas and the next is a tractor driver in village. 2 daughters are already married and one is missing since 6 years. His spouse is a housewife. Life sounded miserable for him.

I got to know that he collects recyclable stuffs like plastic bags, papers, medicine bottle,  metallic equipments, tyres etc. from local unmanaged landfills or buys from shops. He pays NRs. 6 (U.S $ 0.06) per kg while as he sells it in the recycling centre at the rate of NRs. 10 (US $ 0.10) per kg. Similarly he pays NRs 1 per glass bottle and sells at NRs 2 per bottle. Every day he collects these waste stuffs and carries it in his bicycle to the recyclable centre in the nearby city (about 7 hours ride everyday). According to him he earns an average of NRs. 400 (US $ 4.08) everyday from this job. I asked him the name of recyclable centre he works for but he was unknown about the name and unaware about the number of employees working there. He was satisfied with this job but was insecure because he can earn only when he can collect waste. His earning is hardly enough for basic needs. He knew that illiteracy was a main cause for his miserable lifestyle.

After our conversation I thanked him for sharing information and I promised to provide him recyclable stuffs generated from my home for free next time he passes by my house.  He expressed his gratitude for my greeting and respect (He said he had never been respected like this before). I helped him to load his big sack in his bicycle and he left with smile. I realized that people like him are the real eco- heroes.