Gambhir Gaurah (41 years)

Maybe if I were there with my father, he would be alive with us

I was born in Nepal and grew up in a lower-middle-class family along with my 6 brothers and a sister. I was the eldest child in my family and very mischievous in school. I completed my schooling till 8th grade in my hometown but could not continue my studies due to the financial condition of my family. So I set out to leave my home and my family behind, at the age of 13 to earn a living and with a dream to work for the Indian navy.

I started working as a peon in Delhi and resumed my studies as well. I got homesick during the early days of being away from my family but gradually started growing apart and eventually I was completely detached from them. I graduated high school under the purview of my employer.

Four years later, I came to know about my father’s demise from my uncle (chacha) who came looking for me to Delhi and to take me back home. I was unwilling to return home with my uncle but when I reached home, my mother embraced me and wept her eyes out. That was a turning point in my life, and I began wondering that maybe if I were there with my father, he would be alive with us.

Since then, I have never looked back in life. I realised that I should be there for my family. I came to Shimla and started working in a hotel as a junior cook, I also learnt waitering and other trades. I eventually secured a job to work in a cottage which paid well. This time I worked to repay my father’s loan, repair our house, educate my siblings, and got them married. I am also married now and have 4 beautiful children. I have tried to provide them with a good education and one of my sons is studying in an army school pursuing my long-lost dream.

I have a loan of 12 lacs now, but I am content with the fact that I have chosen the right path and that my children are doing good. There is so much peace in giving. My only wish is that I don’t burden my children and pay off the loan by myself.