BIRATNAGAR: Nine-year-old Chandan Sahani goes around Biratnagar selling pencils. The stationery item seller boy, however, is deprived of education since his mother is too poor to send him to a school.

"I am immensely interested to study," the boy told this correspondent. His mother, a younger brother and an elder one live in a rented room in Sorchiya.

Asked why he chose to sell pencils, Chandan said children like him would possible buy them with him. He is most often seen around Shantichowk in Biratnagar-4. His married elder sister helped him start his business.

Chandan's father died four years ago and he has been helping his mother in looking after the children. His elder brother, Dharmendra, however, goes to school by managing expenses on his own. His younger brother works at a hotel.