Disabled Rai's stunning ability to draw pictures

By Kabiraj Ghimire,Dhankuta, Jan.1: Ashish Rai, a resident of Lukha in Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality-8, Dhankuta, is physically disabled.

 The 22-year-old Rai cannot speak, and his hands and feet do not function. 

He spends his daily life lying in bed. Rai has never received formal education. However, he possesses an extraordinary art ability. 

 Drawing is not a simple task, it requires special skills, and for those who cannot move their hands and feet, it is often limited to imagination. But for Ashish Rai drawing has become as simple as any other task.

He uses his mouth to hold a pencil, and with it, he draws the pictures that come to his mind on paper.

 His paintings are beautiful and captivating. He has drawn pictures of various mountains, hills, plains, animals, and flowers on different pages of his sketchbook. He has been painting for just one year. 

Ashish’s mother, Laxmi Rai, said that he started drawing after seeing his sister’s work.

 “At first, he saw his sister drawing, and then he drew a picture of a dog. At first, we did  not believe it, but later we saw that he had been watching tutorials on YouTube,” said Rai. 

Despite not having functioning hands and feet, Ashish is happy that his mind is working well for him.

Ashish’s condition started appearing around the age of three. He was able to crawl and move up to the age of five, but after that, he became fully immobile. 

Despite various treatments and visits to different places, his condition remained unchanged. Ashish lives on the upper floor of a two-story house, and he cannot leave his room on his own. 

He needs help to eat, and for other daily needs such as using the bathroom, he requires assistance. He spends his days drawing and sharing his artwork on social media.

Ashish has become a source of inspiration for physically disabled individuals who might think that nothing is possible for them, according to Jitendra Rumdali Rai, the chairman of Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality. 

The municipality has provided Ashish with essential materials like a mat and an iPad. Ashish’s family is also receiving support for goat farming through a collaboration with the Karuna Foundation. 

The municipality has mentioned that Ashish will be given priority for programmes related to his artistic interests.

Ashish has never received a formal education. Another remarkable thing is that he operates mobile phones and tablets with the support of his lips and chin.

 He listens to his favourite songs, and he has accounts on Facebook and YouTube.

 He communicates with friends through Facebook chat. By posting his paintings on social media, he shared his creations with others.

 He can hear and understand what others say. People who meet him are amazed by his abilities. 

When visitors admire his paintings and take photographs, Ashish’s face lights up with joy.

 He shared on Messenger that if one tries hard enough, they can achieve their goals, even if they cannot use their hands and feet.

Ashish’s family is financially struggling, but they receive monthly support from the government for sustenance. 

Ashish’s family consists of five members, and he is the eldest son.

 The primary source of income for the family is agriculture. 

Ashish’s father, Dal Bahadur Rai, said that the income from agriculture is not sufficient, but the government’s monthly assistance helps with basic needs. 

“Agriculture doesn’t provide much income, but the little we get from the government helps with sustenance,” said Rai. People who come to visit often bring gifts like notebooks or pens, and Ashish uses them to draw.