Freed Kamaiya becomes self-reliant through wooden utensil craft, earns Rs 50,000 monthly

Kanchanpur: Ram Bahadur Chaudhary, 42, of Shuklaphanta Municipality-8, Naukhari, Kanchanpur, has become self-reliant by producing and selling wooden utensils. Once a member of a freed Kamaiya family, Chaudhary has transformed his life through hard work and craftsmanship.

Struggling with unemployment in the past, Chaudhary is now recognized as a successful entrepreneur in his community. From morning to evening, he dedicates his time to crafting bowls, rollers, glasses, and home decorations.

“After learning the skill of making wooden utensils, I no longer have to depend on others for money,” said Chaudhary. “I earn up to Rs 50,000 a month and have gained recognition as a skilled woodworker in the municipality. I am proud of this achievement.”

Chaudhary said the demand for utensils made from Vijayasal wood has been increasing due to their health benefits. “Drinking water from Vijayasal wooden amkhora or glasses helps cure body disorders, so demand has grown,” he said. His products, priced between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, are in such high demand that he struggles to meet local market needs.

Reflecting on his journey, Chaudhary shared that learning woodworking was not easy. “My father was a laborer in a landlord’s house, and my childhood was spent there. I developed an interest in woodworking after observing local masons,” he said. Later, he joined the Skill Development Training Center, where he received training in making wooden utensils in 2056 BS after the labor liberation campaign. “That training made me self-reliant,” he recalled.

Before starting his own business, Chaudhary worked as an instructor at the Skill Development Training Center for eight years. He still conducts training sessions for local governments and NGOs. “Teaching others also inspires me,” he said.

Currently, Chaudhary operates his business with two assistant workers. He has invested about Rs 1.4 million in the enterprise, including a Rs 500,000 loan from a microfinance institution. The rest came from his income and savings.

Chaudhary sources Vijayasal wood from sawmills and community forests but said supply shortages sometimes disrupt production. He also faces challenges in expanding his business, as the five-katta land he received under the freed Kamaiya rehabilitation program cannot be used as collateral for bank loans. “Since the Lalpurja cannot be deposited at the bank, I cannot get loans,” he said. “My plan to expand the business has been delayed due to the lack of investment opportunities.”

With his current income, Chaudhary supports all family expenses, sends his children to private schools, and has built a house. He now aims to expand his business to larger markets and participate in local handicraft exhibitions next year.

“My dream is for our skills to represent the identity of our village,” he said. “Nepali wooden handicrafts can become a brand, and I am ready to work hard to achieve that.”