Himalayan News Service

Jhapa, February 27:

Amar Rai, a physically challenged person, started his tour of the SAARC nations on a wheelchair from Kakarbhitta yesterday. At a programme organised by the Handicapped Reformation Committee today, different distinguished persons saw him off.

Rai, a resident of Amardangi in Bahundangi VDC-1, said the main purpose of his trip is to spread message of peace among the people of the SAARC countries.

Last year, he completed Mechi-Mahakali trip on a wheelchair in 32 days. Besides Nepali and his mother tongue Rai, he can speak English, Hindi and Bangali languages. Asked whether he has received any financial support for the trip he said the Education Ministry has provided him Rs 100,000, and different organisations have also helped him.

Rai, the only son of the family, was injured after he fell off a tree while chopping down its branch.