Subtle rays of the early morning lit up everyone´s heart and the warmth was heartening, too. It was the morning of Dashami, the most important day of Dashain, when people receive blessings along with Tika (rice grains mixed with plain yoghurt and vermillion powder) and Jamara (greenish yellow barley sprouts) from their elders. 

But the splendid morning Sun and even the festive environment could not lift Anu Shrestha´s mood. The red Tika she had on her forehead was a symbol of victory, independence, and commitment toward her family. She tried to put on a brave face, but her tearful eyes revealed the pain of separation she was enduring on that special day. 



Nepali migrant workers waiting on the premises of Tribhuwan International Airport on the day of Dashami last Saturday to fly back to countries where they work. (Republica)

She shared that she was feeling immensely heartbroken for leaving her family on the day of Tika. “I am not feeling good at all to leave my family on this special day but when you work for someone in a foreign land, you don´t really have a choice, do you?” she lamented.

On the other hand, her husband who came to see her off at the airport reckons that destiny is most powerful and people have to move accordingly. “Most of the times, things are not under our control. I want my wife to stay with us, but she needs to go to Bahrain in a bid to support our family,” moaned the husband. “This moment of separation is painful but we are hopeful of our better future.”

Shrestha, who has been working in Bahrain as a housemaid since 2011, came to see her family after three years. She was granted leave for a month and her ticket was booked on the day of Tika. However, she is very happy with the employers and the way they treat her. “My employers are really good and this is the only reason I opted to go back.”

She earns a monthly salary of Rs. 25,000 and manages to send her earnings to her family to support her son´s education. A few meters away from her sat her 16 years old son Sujan. Sad over her mother´s departures he was willing to talk only after a few minutes of persuasion. His sadness was natural, evident reaction when a mother leaves to a foreign country on the very day of Tika. However, they had managed to complete all the rituals as patches of red Tika was still stuck on their foreheads and a bunch of jamaras were dangling from their ears. “Other might have a strong heart to bid farewell to their near and dear ones on this festive day but not me. Even I had tried to console myself but it did not help,” said Sujan in a low voice. His eyes reddened with tears as he gathers his guts to raise his voice. “I have been telling her to stay back but she never listens. To persuade her is not in my hand -- not even my father can do that,” added Sujan. 

The hope of better future has lured thousands of Nepalis migrant workers to leave their family for years. They can´t make choices to celebrate festivals like Dashain and Tihar because of the commitment they have overseas. 

Bijay Gurung was another migrant worker who had to leave the family on the day of Tika. The company he is working for granted him a leave of 21 days but the return ticket was fixed on the day of Dashami. “The company arranged me holiday but the return ticket was booked for today. Everyone has to abide by the rules of company,” he added dejectedly. 

Gurung had forgotten his struggle in Qatar while being with his family, but he also has no choice. He wished to come home next year and celebrate Dashain with family members. “Foreign employment is not my choice but a compulsion but I will come next year if my company grants me holiday,” he added. He, who originally hails from Pokhara, arrived in Kathmandu on a night on Astami and stayed in a hotel in Gongabu to catch his flight scheduled for the day of Tika at 6 pm. He went to work in Qatar as a housekeeper in some hospitality business in 2010 and was subsequently promoted to the post of room attendant. 

Looking for more Nepali migrant workers waiting on the premise of Tribhuwan International Airport, these reporters came across Dula Ram Chaudhary, 30, of Nawalparasi district. Although his flight to Qatar was at 9 pm, he had already entered the airport at 10 in the morning.

This was his first vacation after working for three years in Qatar. Married and a father of two, Chaudhary works at a furniture manufacturing company in Qatar and earns more than Rs 50,000 a month. “I had no idea that my return ticket was fixed on the day of Tika. Having spent more than a month with my family I am here to return again,” said Chaudhary. “Have to get on that plane despite everything.” 

Hundreds of other migrant workers like Chaudhary, on that day, boarded international flights to different Gulf countries. When asked about their experience in celebrating Dashain in foreign countries, most of the migrant workers said it to be tasteless. For Chaudhary, the experience is so lifeless because his mind and heart is always back here thinking about his family. “There are hundreds of other Nepali workers in the factory where I work. We come together, cook food and drink during major Nepali festivals but it is not as exciting as celebrating the festivals here at home. I had a great time this years with my family though it was a short trip,” added Chaudhary.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), there are around 1.2 million Nepali migrant workers in various Gulf countries, around 500,000 each in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, 400,000 in Qatar and 100,000 in Kuwait. Remittance contributed around 25.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, or US$ 4.9 billion, in the fiscal year 2012/2013.

Published on: 7 October 2014 | Republica