Overcoming Landslides and Leeches: The Journey to Rifleman Ram Bahadur

Nestled in the remote village of Sikha, Myagdi, Ram Bahadur’s home is surrounded by some of the most unforgiving terrain in Nepal. For our field team operating in the Baglung area, a routine visit quickly turned into a two-day expedition battling the elements.

Battling the Elements

The journey began with a gruelling four-hour drive in a GWT Toyota Hilux, navigating narrow, rough tracks that clung precariously to the hillside. The vehicle’s four-wheel-drive capability was tested to its absolute limit over the loose stones and jagged rocks.

But the terrain wasn’t the only challenge. Heavy rainfall and sudden hailstones triggered multiple landslides along the route. At one point, the team waited anxiously as an excavator desperately tried to clear fallen boulders from the path. Further ahead, the road simply vanished, completely swept away by the deluge. Realising it was too dangerous to proceed, the team was forced to reverse out and seek shelter for the night.

The Final Stretch on Foot

Undeterred, the team set out again the following morning. With the road blocked to vehicles, they continued the journey on foot.

For over an hour, they trekked through dense forests, tackled steep uphill climbs, crossed a swaying suspension bridge, and braved leech-filled trails.

Finally arriving at their destination, the hardships faded away as they stood in front of Ram Bahadur’s brand-new, Eqrthquake-Resilient Home. Seeing the veteran safely settled into his sturdy new house alongside his son and daughter-in-law made every muddy mile, landslide, and steep climb completely worth it.

From Paklihawa to the Jungles of Malaya

Long before he was a grandfather living quietly in the hills of Myagdi, Ram Bahadur was a young man answering the call to serve. He enlisted in the British Army in 1958.

“I only served in the Army for about three years,” Ram Bahadur recalls. “I was recruited from Paklihawa, Bhairahawa. From there, we went to Calcutta, and then we travelled by ship for nine days and nine nights. We saw huge fish and the vast ocean before finally reaching Malaya.”

His leadership qualities were noticed early on. “They put a black strap on my right wrist and made me a platoon commander. Later, they also made me a battalion commander,” he says proudly. “We had to go deep into the jungle and set ambushes for the enemy for nine days. We dug holes and stayed there the whole time.”

One of his standout memories is the moment the conflict ended. “We were ordered to inform people collecting rubber sap from the trees that the war had ended. When I informed the officers that I had seen them, they praised me and said, ‘Shabash, you did well.’ They gave me fish to eat because we were very hungry at that time.”

Despite the severe hardships of military life, Ram Bahadur looks back on those years with fondness. “I didn’t feel like my Army days were hard,” he smiles. “It felt like the games we used to play as children. I wanted to continue doing my duty, but they made me redundant. Before returning to Nepal, British officers gave us three months of training on how to build houses.

Hardships at Home and a Lifeline of Support

Returning to civilian life in Nepal brought a different kind of struggle. Without a regular income, survival in the hills was a daily battle.

“After coming back to Nepal, life became difficult,” Ram Bahadur explains. “I had to raise cattle and work in the fields. Raising the children was also very hard. Sometimes we did not even have enough food to eat. It was really difficult.”

When he began receiving his pension through The Gurkha Welfare Trust, it transformed family life. “It was a great relief,” he says. “Before that, I used to have to borrow money from different places. I think I received around 80 Rupees at that time. I didn’t spend a single rupee of it on my journey home—I brought it all back and gave it to my children. They kept it safely under their pillow. With that money, we were able to eat and somehow face our hardships.”

A Safe Haven for the Future

As the years passed, Ram Bahadur’s old home became increasingly hazardous. “Before this, the old house used to leak,” he explains. “Even going to the toilet was difficult. The house was located near the edge of a cliff, so it was risky and unsafe.”

To ensure his safety and dignity, The Gurkha Welfare Trust built him a brand new Earthquake-Resillient home. Today, sitting inside his secure new house, Ram Bahadur is full of gratitude for the supporters who made it possible.

“I love this new house. I am very happy. My blessings are with everyone, especially the people who helped build this house for me,” he says. “Most of my life has already passed, but I still have to live on. My father and grandfather used to bless me with a long life, and in the same way, I would like to give my blessings to all of you.

Ram Bahadur’s daughter-in-law now helps care for him in his old age and spoke about how much the new house has changed their daily life. 

“We are very happy that the welfare built this house for us. We are much happier now.”

She also shared that, despite his poor eyesight and hearing, Ram Bahadur remains physically strong for his age.  

“He is healthy and strong. The doctors have referred him for an eye check-up, but he does not take any regular medication. The medical team visits him and provides vitamins. The attached toilet inside the house has made life much more convenient for him. There are only three of us living here, and I collect his pension on his behalf. We use it to buy food and other household necessities.”

“I truly love this house. Thank you very much for all your help.”