Migrant workers in India missing home during Dashain
He has almost forgotten how the festive mood feels like. For him, memories of sweet home is the only way of consoling his heart and keep going in the foreign land.
Ameet Kumar, originally from Lalbandi of Sarlahi district, has been staying away from his family during the Dashain festival for the last six years. He shared that he has to sacrifice the happiness of being together with his family as he can't afford to quit his job.
"I don't get holidays during the Dashain festival as the tourist season starts at the same time here," said Kumar. "I can visit my family only after March, when fewer tourists come to Rajasthan."
His everyday routine starts at seven in the morning. He has to take care of the guests at the hotel if there are any. 'There is no fix time of work for me as such. I have to clean the rooms and corridors whenever required but I am free when there are no guests," he added.
Kumar, 25, came to work at Hotel Shahi Palace in Jaisalmer, India, at the age of 19. He earns a monthly salary of NRs 16,000, including tips from the guests.
Likewise, Bibek Chaudhari, from Baridbas, has been working at Jaisal Italy as a waiter when his family is busy celebrating Dashain in Nepal.
Chaudhari, 19, said that he hasn't called anyone back home as he is very busy with his job as a waiter. He came to Rajasthan two years ago and had returned back to Nepal. But, he was forced to come to India again after the earthquake.
"I was already earning Rs 13,000 in Nepal but was forced to come here again as the hotel, I was working for, got closed down after the earthquake," he said. "Coming to India for work was not a choice this time but was my compulsion."
Chaudhari, who has passed the intermediate level, is getting Rs 15,000 salary at his workplace now while he used to earn Rs 13,000 in Nepal itself. His working hours are from seven in the morning to 10 pm.
He shared that though he missed Dashain this time, he wants to go back to Nepal after saving some money for his studies. "Waiters don't get days off during this time as the tourist season has already started here," he said.
As the tourist season in many parts of India including Rajasthan starts from October, most of the Nepali migrant workers in the hospitality sector don't get leave to come home and celebrate the festivals. Most of the hotels in Rajasthan have at least one Nepali staff.
Published on: 29 October 2015 | Republica
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