Pokhara :

Enthusiastic and hard working, the visually-impaired persons of Pokhara have established an incense sticks factory here. Altogether 16 visually-impaired persons are employed in the Jay Bageshwori Incense Stick Factory situated at Pokhara Sub Metropolis-1. Out of the 16, eight are responsible for manufacturing the incense sticks, while the rest are responsible for sale.

The factory was started on the initiative of the students of visually-impaired branch of Prithvi Narayan (PN) Campus who teamed up to establish the Visually-impaired Self Employment Centre and started the incense stick factory.

The Visually Impaired Association (VIA) of Kaski provided financial help of Rs 15,000 to the enthusiastic youth, who then arranged for rest of the investment. They had participated in the incense stick manufacturing training organised six months ago by VIA, Kaski.

Visually-impaired Laxman Subedi, who has completed his diploma from PN Campus, has taken over the responsibility of the factory management. Subedi said the necessary raw materials for the factory like such as sticks, masala and scent are brought from Birgunj, while the boxes for packing are got from Kathmandu.

Those working in the factory making the incense sticks make upto Rs 100 daily, while those marketing the product earn upto Rs 250. These young are involved in all works of the factory including making of the incense sticks from scratch, packing and marketing. They go door-to-door to sell their product.

Chin Bahadur Kumal, who was selling the incense sticks in a newspaper stall at Bhimsen Chowk, said he did not face any difficulty selling the joss sticks.

“We don’t force anyone to buy the product. We merely request them,”

he said, adding, “however, most people don’t turn us away.”