Transforming Restrictions into Firepower- Jhamak Kumari Ghimire
‘Is Life a thorn or a flower’ or ‘Jiwan Kaada ki Phool’ in Nepali, an autobiography of a woman jam-packed with the indefinite struggles that she had to face for self-expression being born in an ordinary family as a female and handicapped person. Born on 05 July 1980 in the village of Kachide in Dhankuta Municipality of Dhankuta District, Jhamak Kumari Ghimire is the eldest daughter among four daughters and a son of Krishna Prasad Ghimire and Asa Devi Ghimire. Born with cerebral palsy, spastic paralysis, and other disabilities, robbing her of motor control of her arms, slurring her speech, and limiting her movements, she was denied for schooling and other activities that a normal person carries on.
How can a person who is a female and a handicapped at the same time become one of the nine women in Nepal to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005? Jhamak Kumari Ghimire had shared about the heart-shattering struggles in her interview at Liverpool John Moores University how she was treated as trash and a burden in the family and the society. When she was seven years old, she used to play with rock and mud particles using her toes to write on the mud while her sisters used to go for schooling. She had desperate wants to read and write but she was bound to stay at home only. When her parents realized it, they offered her shoes but they took away her independence and her will to write. These negative behaviors of the people were the sources of inspiration for Jhamak Kumari Ghimire that led her to journey toward her literary peregrination.
When she reached 19, she began writing poems, literary songs, journal entries, stories, and essays depicting the social realities, discriminatory approaches, and strong messages to transform the harsh society into a better society free of discrimination and orthodoxes. When she was going through such a harsh time, a staff working at Kantipur Daily got her attention, and local politician, Govinda Raj Bhattarai also inspired her to write literature for publication. She is now the columnist at the Kantipur newspaper. She writes with her left foot and all her creations are the results of her strong determination and stalwart courage. Till now, her ten books have been published. Her every writing delves into hard political, intellectual, feminist, and social issues with the riveting expression of love, regret, joy, and sadness.
Her autobiography ‘Jiwan Kaada ki Phool’ is her remarkable creation which led her into receiving the most reputable Madan Puraskar of 2010. Paying tribute to one of Nepal’s finest litterateurs Jhamak Kumari Ghimire, Nepali Director Binod Bista released the trailer of his film Jeevan Kada Ki Phool on August 28, 2019. The movie is based on Ghimire’s life and shares the name of the book written by the talented writer. She is the recipient of various accolades including Kabita Ram Bal Sahitya Prativa Puraskar 2055, Aswikrit Bichar Sahitya Puraskar 2056, Aswikrit Bichar Sahitya Andolan 2067. Her literary collection includes Sankalpa, Aafnai Chita Agni Shikhatira, Manchhe Bhitraka Yoddhaharu, Naulo Pratibimba, Samjhanaka Bachhitah, and Awasan Pachhiko Aagaman.
She believes that her sources of inspiration are open earth, sky, and also her thin and lean toes. When she was marching towards her successful literary journey, those who claimed she was a burden to society now looked upon herself as an extraordinary personality. Dedicating tribute to her, ‘Jhamak Ghimire Literature and Academy, Nepal’ is in the establishment phase working to enhance the status of young emerging writers who are yet to be discovered. With a strong intention to eliminate deep-rooted discrimination from society, she has a strong will to transform the world into a better place.