At 96, She still works the fields – Tulsi Devi Joshi receives citizenship

Bajhang: At 96 years old, Tulsi Devi Joshi remains deeply connected to the land, spending her days tending the fields of Pithatola, Khaptadchanna Rural Municipality-5. Despite her age, farming is not a compulsion for Joshi but a lifelong habit that she cannot abandon.

"I don’t feel like staying indoors," she shared. "I keep wondering what has grown in the fields, whether there is enough water, and whether there is enough manure. Then I go with my shovel." Known as a leading farmer in the village, Joshi continues to supply villagers with pulses, rice, vegetables, and seeds when they cannot find them elsewhere.

For nearly a century, Joshi remained stateless, unaware of the necessity of government documents, including citizenship. However, on Saturday, the District Administration Office granted her citizenship at home. Assistant Chief District Officer Satyakumari Joshi personally prepared the necessary documents and traveled to her residence to issue the citizenship certificate.

Born on Shrawan 11, 1986 B.S, in Thalara Rural Municipality-7, Ghodauna, Joshi was the daughter of Jayalal Upadhyay and Harinadevi Upadhyay. She was married to Padmaraj Joshi at the age of eight in 1994 B.S.. After 57 years of marriage, she lost her husband in 2051 B.S, leaving her to live alone in the familiar landscapes of Pithatola.

A four-hour drive from Chainpur, the district headquarters, Pithatola has been Joshi’s entire world. "For me, this is the world," she said. "I haven’t seen beyond the Bipra Danda mountain range leading to Maitigaun or the Thamalek trail that connects to Bajura. I keep looking at this world through my window, and I haven’t even explored it all."