Conquering the darkness

What are you addicted  to? Are you on a crushing addiction  to food, or to  the newest technology, television series, some brands of chocolates, Facebook or any other?  Our addiction is so bizarre and we, with our grinned face accept it with the common refrain that "Everyone is addicted to something." Certainly, we wouldn't have any remorse on it as neither society nor we, ourselves would haunt with the social stigma of being called 'The Addict'.

But what would be the situation if we have to be the victim of the same taunt every time you pass through some one?

The condition is unimaginable and the most important part is we will not only be outcast from the social circle but we also will be descended from our own personal dynamism.  

I am sure with these few words you have already understood what kind of addiction I am talking about. If you are thinking that I am pointing out the addiction of drug use, then yes you are absolutely right.

Russell Brand says "Addiction is as serious disease; will end with jail, mental institutions, or DEATH." Russell's statement holds the authenticity as we have seen the condition of youth in our society who have been addicted to drugs. They have to go through several socio-economic predicaments with very less support from family and friends and to eventually losing their self esteem.  The condition of Basanta Adhikari was not any different when he was habituated to drugs who is now a well-known social activist; the founding president of Bikalpa, an Alternative.

I met him, three years back for an interview of my weekly talk show, when he was working for his campaign 'GariKhana Deu' (Livable Nepal). That short talk influenced me The way he shared his story of transformation and his journey (which I couldn't broadcast all due to time issues) really inspired me. No one can imagine how he has stood up once falling into the mud and started his journey for social change. We can guess how hard it would have been for him.

He became misguided when he was 16 years old. After his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam he had some leisure time; which he couldn't manage properly. He still remembers how he wasted his time being engaged in unnecessary fights and other unproductive works. Slowly, he fell in the grip of some bad company who were drug users. Once, he tasted the drug and found it good, he eventually started to use it regularly and became addicted.

This was not the end. Behind the drug addict, there was another Basanta who always raised his voice and urged him to get out of all this disgrace and move forward on a new journey; a journey of transformation;  journey, to walk for his own self and for the whole society. He failed many times during these phases, but never lost his hope. Each failure gave him a new strength to move forward on his journey of positive change. Then, Baburaja Shrestha from BMC Siltes turned out to be his God Father by giving him a chance to change. This chance suddenly aroused a new addiction in  him. He started to fully engage in work and study. He still has the memory of those days when he used to work 12-14 hours with a very less  pay. He resumed his study as well.  And slowly things started to open up for him.

It took him approximately a decade to work for something good, leaving all the humiliation of being an addict behind him. For 3 years he led and empowered young people in eastern region. In 2010, he got a scholarship opportunity for doing Masters on ‘Inter Asia NGOs’ studies. After completing his study, he returned and again started to empower young people voluntarily in his locality. Then, he promoted the Livable campaign. At present, he has started his new organization, Bikalpa, an Alternative. Through this he envisions a Nepal where rule of law is supreme and citizens can exercise their natural rights to life, liberty and property in a vibrant and free society. The organization seeks to develop a culture that favors individual and economic freedom, in spheres of personal lives and policy issues through research, education and civic engagement.

He still feels the pain of his journey of transformation.  He remembers those days when police men used to treat him badly and when the society used to ignore him as a person even when he had tried to change himself.

 Now the time has rolled. The perspective of people towards him has changed. Now, when he compares his past with the present, he finds difference in him and this gives him  immense happiness in his life. Thus, he wants other youth, who too are in the same darkness to move on and transform, but shares sadly that still the attitude of people towards the addicts haven't changed . First, he wants none to be addicted on it. In case if anyone has been on  it, the family and society should help him to move on, he opines.

Not all stories have fairy-tale endings. It was Adhikari's self awareness that helped him to move on and choose a new path for himself, but there are also some examples who gave up their lives because of drugs. So, it's our responsibility to help them get out of it. People often won't try quitting until they're forced because it seems too hard. But we as their friend, relative and a social member can help them understand that healing from addiction takes time. We also shouldn't lose hope as there are people like Basanta Adhikari who have conquered the darkness.

Written by : Bhawana Shrestha

From : Nepal