Life on Rent

Every year thousands of students come to Kathmandu from all over Nepal to pursue their dream of getting an education. Many of them face problems as they try to survive in the new city. Every one of them has a story to tell.

This is Rajendra’s story.

Rajendra Gautam originally came from Dang. He says that the minute he arrived in Kathmandu, he missed all the things from back home. “I missed everything—the green pastures, wide open spaces, the twittering of the birds and the smell of home- cooked meals,” he says.

He rented out a small room, where he pretty much had to do everything on his own. “I sometimes feel caved in my room,” he says, “I feel like a rat that has gathered all the necessary amenities to survive but somehow is trapped.”

It’s easy to see why he longs for wide, open spaces. His one-roomed temporary address is taken up by a bed that refuses to leave the kitchen sink alone. Caught in between their eternal hug is Rajendra, who has hardly any space to move around.

In his small world, Rajendra is the master and the slave. He cooks, cleans and sees himself through every day chores—alone. Sometimes he longs for company; sometimes enjoys the solitude. “I don’t complain about it much,” he says, “It’s part and parcel of struggling alone in the valley.”      

“I’m sure countless others are doing the same thing,” he says, as he gets ready for another day in this big, glaring city.

~ Photostory by Shekhar KC

This photostory is part of a documentary photography workshop organized by V.E.N.T ! Magazine on June 6th and 13th, 2009 with photojournalist Liz Lance.