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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

24 years after leaving Nepal, he came home blind and broken

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Hom Bahadur Gharti returned to Nepal after 24 years in Malaysia, where he worked illegally, lost contact with his family, and suffered severe health deterioration.
  • Gharti, who left Nepal expecting work, became stranded, unable to afford treatment for a worsening eye condition and eventually becoming too weak to care for himself.
  • His family, who had assumed he was dead after years of silence, were alerted by a social media photo and worked with authorities to facilitate his return, though he remains in poor health and has lost his sight.

Hom Bahadur Gharti's return to Nepal after 24 years marks a tragic end to a journey that began with hopes of a better life in Malaysia. Gharti, now 57, left his village in Galkot Municipality in 2002, lured by the promise of work arranged by a labor broker. Instead, he found himself trapped in a cycle of illegal work, isolation, and declining health.

Without legal status or financial means, Gharti drifted through rural Malaysia, taking on whatever laboring jobs he could find. Over the years, he lost all contact with his family back home. His health deteriorated significantly; he developed a serious eye condition but lacked the resources for treatment. Eventually, his physical state became so severe that he could no longer care for himself, living in a debilitated condition.

Back in Nepal, Gharti's disappearance left a profound burden on his family. His wife, Kalpana, shouldered the responsibility of raising their children and repaying the debt incurred for his migration, working as a farm laborer. While villagers eventually presumed him dead, Kalpana held onto a sliver of hope, enduring gossip and accusations.

That hope was rekindled when a photograph of Gharti, living in dire circumstances in rural Malaysia, surfaced on social media. His family recognized him and alerted local authorities. Through a coordinated effort involving municipal officials, the Migrant Resource Centre, the Department of Consular Services, and the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia, Gharti was eventually rescued and repatriated on February 27.

Upon his return, Gharti's family sought medical treatment, but his recovery remains uncertain. He has lost his eyesight and has not fully regained strength after years of hardship. His story highlights the perilous realities faced by many migrant workers, particularly those who become undocumented and lose their support networks, leaving them vulnerable and isolated.

I kept hoping that I would find him. But I never really thought he would come back.

— KalpanaGharti's wife expressed her long-held hope and eventual disbelief at his return.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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