Home-based citizenship and national identity services reach disabled and vulnerable citizens in Bajhang

Chainpur (Bajhang): The condition of Bishu Jaisi of Chhabisapathivera Rural Municipality-1 reflects deep financial hardship, as seen in the old steel utensils on his wall and the damp, cracked roof of his house with a leaking tin covering.

Bishu has not been physically normal since childhood. After losing his parents at a young age and lacking family support, he migrated to India at the urging of neighbors. He spent 50 years working in various roles, including as a domestic worker, porter and car cleaner.

After spending most of his productive years abroad, he returned to his birthplace at the age of 51 with the help of relatives. On their advice, he married and became a father at around 55.

His life faced further hardship when his son, Devichandra Joshi, suffered paralysis at the age of 18. While studying in secondary school, Devichandra suddenly collapsed, leaving both his legs non-functional. Today, he remains completely bedridden.

Now 73 years old, Bishu supports his family through the social security allowance he receives from the state. His younger son, still of school age, bears significant household responsibilities, managing daily chores alongside his studies.

Despite having a small piece of land, there is no one able to cultivate it. “Even though there is a little land, there is no one to work in the house. We have become helpless ourselves. The elder son is confined to bed. The younger son is fine with carrying firewood and water in the morning and evening. He goes to school in the afternoon. His daily life is stuck in this,” said Bishu.

Upon learning about the family’s condition, a team led by Assistant Chief District Officer Satyakumari Joshi visited their home last month with relief materials and biometric equipment. After navigating a difficult and steep route, the team completed the necessary procedures and issued citizenship and a national identity card to Devichandra at his home.

“We have reached there to provide some relief and disability allowance to Devichandra, and to provide all possible support to the destitute family from the state,” said Joshi. Bishu expressed his relief, saying, “We had tried to get citizenship when I was 16. There was no one to take me there or bring me here. Now the government has come to the door.”

A similar case is that of 18-year-old Darshan Bohara from Chhabisapathivera-7. Born with severe physical disabilities, Darshan is unable to speak, walk or sit independently. Despite belonging to a relatively educated and middle-class family, all efforts and resources spent on his treatment were unsuccessful, leaving him bedridden.

For his family, traveling to the district headquarters in Chainpur to obtain citizenship and access disability allowances was nearly impossible. After receiving information about his situation, a team led by Assistant Chief District Officer Joshi visited his home in Khori village.

The team completed the required procedures at his bedside and issued both citizenship and a national identity card. Darshan’s father, Krishna Bahadur Bohara, said, “There was a big worry that my son would always remain without an identity like this. It was almost impossible to take him to the district headquarters on his head or carry him and get citizenship. Today, the administration itself came to his house and granted him citizenship. Darshan is now an official citizen of this country. Now the way is open for him to go through the social security allowance process.”

The initiative by the District Administration Office, Bajhang, has also extended to elderly citizens. On Saturday, the administration team reached the home of 73-year-old Pamma Devi Bhandari of Durgathali Rural Municipality-2, who has been bedridden due to paralysis for the past four years, and provided her with citizenship and a national identity card.

Local residents welcomed the initiative. “This is a relief for citizens who have experienced incidents of this nature,” said local Shiva Bhandari.

Geographical challenges remain a major issue in Bajhang, where some residents must walk up to four days to reach the district headquarters. Former chairman of Saipal Rural Municipality, Rajendra Bahadur Dhami, said that obtaining government documents can cost up to Rs 25,000 due to travel expenses and logistical difficulties.

Assistant Chief District Officer Joshi stated that the administration is committed to ensuring that no citizen is deprived of basic services, social security or state-provided rights. “We believe the administration should reach citizens facing real difficulties, instead of expecting them to come to government offices. By visiting the homes of disabled, immobile and economically disadvantaged citizens, we are fulfilling our civic responsibility and strengthening trust and connection with the community,” she said.