Jhamak’s health, financial condition deteriorating

By Kabi Raj Ghimire

Hile, Mar. 13: Jhamak Ghimire, one of the prominent figures of Nepali literature, is a living example of an unyielding determination who turns the impossible into reality. 

Despite being physically disabled by birth, she has continued her literary journey using the two toes of her left foot.  An inspiring figure in Nepali literature, Ghimire is also a symbol of extraordinary persistence.

 She has the extraordinary ability to write using only two toes. 

Due to the disability, she overcame immense challenges through self-study and sheer determination, and it is truly remarkable.

However, in recent times, her pains and struggles have increased. 

She has been suffering from a long-term neurological disorder, which has worsened over time.

 Since she can no longer move the two toes she uses for writing, she has been unable to continue her literary work. 

According to her family, although she takes regular medication, she frequently faces emergency health issues. 

Recently, she has developed new nerve-related problems and has to visit the hospital frequently.   

Her mother, Aasa Devi Ghimire, said “The old health problems persist, but now she suffers from back, stomach, and leg pain, as well as difficulty in eating. As soon as the pain deteriorates, we have to rush her to the hospital.”

The family’s situation is equally challenging. Her mother, Aasa Devi Ghimire, has been unable to walk properly since a road accident. Her 80-year-old father, Krishna Bahadur Ghimire, has been bedridden due to paralysis.

 Meanwhile, her brother is working abroad due to financial difficulties.

 As a result, both her health and financial conditions are deteriorating. 

Given these adverse circumstances, Gopal Guragain, chairman of the Jhamak Ghimire Literature and Art Foundation, emphasises the need for government support for her medical treatment.

Although the government built her a house in Gothatar, Kathmandu, she continues to reside in Kachide, Dhankuta, due to health and family reasons.

 The government provides her with a monthly allowance, but it is insufficient to cover her medical expenses, treatment and care.

 Additionally, income from book sales has also significantly declined, making it even harder to manage her expenses, says Janardan Ghimire, secretary of the foundation.

 “With most family members unwell, one brother working abroad, and the high costs of emergency treatment, travel, and other expenses, it has become an overwhelming burden for the family,” he added.

Ghimire has published 14 literary works so far, all written using just two toes of her left foot. 

Her autobiography, Jeevan Kada Ki Phool, won the prestigious Madan Puraskar in 2011.

 Many of her unpublished manuscripts are still awaiting publication. 

A film based on her book Jiwan Kada Ki Phool has also been made.

 Not only are her 14 published works valuable to Nepali literature, her unpublished manuscripts are also literary treasures. 

She still has the desire to write, but her health, financial constraints, and family situation have created significant obstacles in fulfilling this passion.