Returnee migrant Sikaji earns Rs. 150,000 a month in his village

BY THAKUR PRASAD ACHARYA,Myagdi, Jan. 11: Bhakta Bahadur Sikija Pun, a resident of Lamsung in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-2, has been earning a substantial income by transporting passengers and goods from the village to Beni in his Bolero vehicle. After spending one and a half decades as a migrant worker, Pun returned to his village to start a new chapter of his life.  

Currently, Pun's monthly income exceeds Rs. 150,000. Upon his return, he invested the skills he acquired and the money he saved during his stay in Bahrain in his new occupation. 

Three years ago, he ended his foreign employment and returned to the village, where he invested over Rs. 5 million in a Bolero vehicle and a shop. In addition to transportation services, Pun also runs a grocery store and a small hotel in the village.  

Pun's days are packed with work, from morning to evening. Apart from transporting passengers, he offers home delivery service of essential goods to the villagers. Those traveling to and from Beni rely on him exclusively for transportation and his services have been well-received by the community.  

"I now find life in the village more enjoyable than abroad," Pun shared. "I feel happy to serve my friends, relatives and community. If one works hard in the village, there’s great potential to earn a good living. While working under the scorching sun abroad, I could barely earn Rs. 50,000 to 80,000 a month. Here, I earn Rs. 100,000 to 150,000 monthly."  

Pun encourages other youths to invest the skills and money they have acquired abroad into their homeland. When he went to Bahrain for foreign employment in 2006, he had no skills. However, he learned driving and with the driving skills and savings he made, he decided to return to his village and pursue meaningful work. Recognising the improved road infrastructure in the area, he purchased a vehicle, thinking that it would be a worthwhile investment.  

He operates his vehicle daily on the route between Lamsung and Beni, also extending his services to residents of Takam, Muna, Lulang and Gurja in the Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality.