Manoj, a man of unique writing ability

BY GOKARNA DAYAL,Baitadi, Feb. 10: Human body is one of the most complicated and fascinating living forms on Earth. Generally, a person can write once at a time, but Manoj Chand of Baitadi can hold six pens with two hands at a time and write front back at once. Besides, he can write front back with his mouth, both foot and both elbows. 

Manoj has surprised the world with his amazing ability and had exhibited his talents in 3,000 schools of 71 districts in Nepal, and 25 countries in Asia and the Middle East. He said that his talent could be inspiration for disabled people. “Most of the people think that life is impossible without hands. Those who don’t have hands could not write. But, I have proved that one could write with other body parts like feet, elbow and mouth," he added. 

According to Manoj, he had given free motivational classes to students of 3,000 different schools in 71 districts of Nepal. He said that the country had not been able to properly mobilise his talent. But, he had been encouraged and travelled to 25 countries after the then President Ram Baran Yadav invited him to the presidential office due to his talent.

He said that he had no intention of getting a job after completing his Bachelor's degree in computer science and Master's degree in sociology and political science. If the state would provide necessary aid, he was willing to teach and encourage disabled people to write using the seven parts of the body. "Some people are born disabled and some get disabled in accidents. I want to teach them to read and write despite their disabilities," he added.

How did Manoj learn this talent?

Manoj Chand, born in 1987 in Baitadi's remote Sigas Rural Municipality-9, Chowkham, received his early education from Nilpal Primary School and Uday Secondary School of the village till grade 10. 

At that time, there was no electricity, lights, internet and road transportation in the village. Even, today the village lacks basic necessities. 

Manoj had to walk for hours to reach his school. At early age till class 5, he used to write only with his left hand. Back then, his family and people used to call him misfortune person because he used his left hand for writing. Later, he went to Uday Secondary School for further studies. There also he was humiliated by others. After that, he started learning to use right hand for writing. 

"I became rebellious and learnt using my right hand when my friends and society had looked down upon me," he said. "After I learnt writing from my right hand, I started using both hands at once and today I am able to write front and back."

Manoj said that now he could write using seven different parts of the body while reading. He informed that he did not stop writing with both hands along with his studies when he went to 

Dhangadhi for the first time from the village on a motorcycle for his higher studies. He said, "When I learned that writing with both hands activates the right and left brains, I got more encouraged. 

This effort continued until I studied in Kathmandu. Now I can write easily not only with my right/left hand, but also with my mouth, elbow and foot."