Ex-combatants taking up business for livelihood

SURKHET, Feb 13: Man Bahadur Sijapati carried guns for five years in the name of armed revolution serving as a Maoist combatant. He spent five more years in the Dashrathpur cantonment after his party entered peaceful politics following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006.



Having chosen voluntary retirement after his life in the cantonment, he has now set up a meat shop of his own like many of the other former combatants. [break]“I joined the war hoping that we would be able to build a better future for us all. Now we have set up this business to earn a living,” said Sijapati.



Sijapati, along with five other combatants, have invested around Rs 2.5 million in the meat shop that was opened in Birendranagar. General Secretary of Surkhet chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), Madan Bahadur Khadka has also chipped in a certain amount to encourage the former combatants.



“We have invested the money we received from government as part of our retirement package in the meat business,” said Naresh Shahi, another former combatant from Kalikot. He said they started the business as they had to do something to earn livelihood.



It is estimated that around 500 former combatants have set up one or the other form of business to earn their livelihoods.



Om Prasad Niraula, a former brigade commander from Satakhani of Surkhet has opened a shop that deals in automobile parts and accessories by investing Rs 800,000.



Niraula, now the proprietor of Suyog Auto Parts and Suppliers, said that economic concerns should precede political issues.



“Politics is not possible without improving one´s own financial status. So, I started this business with the money I received as part of retirement package,” said Niraula.



Janendra Chand, who has opened a hotel and a liquor shop in Birendranagar after the voluntary retirement, said that that his ventures have also helped his political life. “We cannot engage in politics with an empty stomach,” said Chand. He also advised other unemployed youths to start a business instead of staying idly.



The former combatants, who have set up businesses of their own, expressed satisfaction at their new ventures. They also hope that that business would yield more profits in future. “If we work hard, I know we will do better in future,” said Naresh.



Khadka also believed that the former combatants´ business ventures would not only improve their economic condition but would also have a positive impact on the society.

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