‘Sir Of The Himalayas’: An Inspirational Story Of Binod Shahi, The Man Who Transformed Education

Binod Shahi, a humble youth from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has been relentlessly working towards educating the most benighted communities in Upper Dolpa region of the Himalayas since 2005.

Born in a Newar family in Kathmandu, he started his journey of teaching after he was asked to volunteer 32 students brought by a German NGO from Sherly Drukdra Lower Secondary School of Upper Dolpa to Kathmandu.

Shahi then dropped out of college and headed to the rugged terrains of Dolpa in April 2006.

Dolpa is one of the least-developed districts in Nepal. One has to take two flights and walk eight days to reach the village. The city of Dolpa lacks even the basic infrastructures with no facilities of road transportation and electricity.

He begins his journey every year in the month of April. During the rest of the month, he collects funds for the following years.

One must have a deep connection to go to such a place and teach among the strangers with an unfamiliar language. In comparison to the rest of the country, life in Dolpa is poor and tough even by Nepalese standards.

Binod recalls the time when he first arrived in Upper Dolpa. In an interview, he said that the people were ignorant of daily sanitation and the importance of health and education. As the region has fewer hospitals and health centers, people are more prone to health-related issues and frequently die without getting minimal care.

Binod Shahi,Sir of the Himalayas pic.twitter.com/xrsx121KEk

— Amod Amatya (@amod_amatya) July 15, 2016

At first, he urged parents going from door to door to send their children to school instead of daily chores like animal grazing and collecting firewood.

Binod said, “I saw a stack contrast between negligible infrastructure and resources and children’s intent to learn.”

In 2009, Binod established Himalayan Dharalarong Primary School in Saldang’s Komang village with some foreign aid. For two years, he taught over 40 students. After handing over the school to the local Lamas and teachers, he endeavored to set up another school in another remote part of Dolpa.

With that, he set up Yeatser Primary School in Nyisal village, where he now teaches 32 students accompanied by another four young teachers.

Apart from teaching school children, Binod also conducts awareness classes for youths and adults in that region. When a 5-year-old boy died of diarrhea two years ago, he emphasized the need for educating woman and children to improve Dolpa’s dismal health situation. He has also helped to take medicine and vaccines to Upper Dolpa.

“The gloom that grips you when a child, who has played on your lap dies of an easily preventable disease, is indescribable,” he said.

He believes that his biggest challenge in managing schools is finance. Initially, he relied on foreign donations and set up his first school with the help provided by the French.

Over the years, he has come to believe that the Nepalese people have to stand up and help their fellow countrymen themselves, as he told local newspaper the Kathmandu Post.

Interview with Binod Shahi a Newar teacher in Dolpo, Kathmandu Post 20 Jan http://t.co/Nrc9TnkUkA pic.twitter.com/vYk4Rpkz01

— tibetborder (@a_a_m_1986) January 20, 2015

“Everyone is a human being, but not everyone is like him,” say the people of Dolpa, who call him the “Sir of the Himalayas.”

The donation doesn’t have to be financial, as the donation of bags, books, and stationery items are also accepted. After 10 years of teaching in a remote part of Dolpa, Binod believes nothing has offered him more relief and contentment as much as being a teacher.

Because of the geographical difficulty, they have been deprived of facilities for a long period of time. Local inhabitants are struggling to raise their standards and are struggling a lot for their livelihood.

Due to the government’s negligence, the lifestyle of these people has remained backward, and they are still far from meeting the current living standard.

[Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images]