Balli

The protagonist of this book is extensively introduced within its pages. Balli is the nickname for Baliram Chaudhary. After the 1990 People's Movement, he is also known as Bahudali (multinational). Balli is a member of the Tharu community, living in extreme poverty. His house barely resembles a home. Everything he does inside is exposed to the outside world, and he can observe external happenings without ever stepping out. A constant smile graces his face, never allowing himself to appear downcast. He knows nothing of deceit or trickery, and his heart won't allow him to beg from anyone. His sole possessions, his livelihood, are a pair of oxen. He toils all day, eats in the morning and evening, never goes hungry, nor does he save for the future. He never refuses anyone who asks for help, and he doesn't decline if someone offers him something out of kindness or pity. He suffers from hydroceles but pays no attention to its treatment. His children play day and night in the village's muddy, dusty roads, yet he shows no concern for sending them to school. His wife's bare upper body is often visible, but he doesn't fret about it. Instead, he says, "I've had my one meal; my livelihood is sustained."

For many, parliamentary and local elections are opportunities to earn money, but he considers them a service. The cunning one's drink alcohol, revel in feasts, and are swayed by money. But Balli deems such actions forbidden. Those who made him a member of the Congress party have changed allegiances many times over, yet he remains as firm and unwavering as a rock. He sends away those who try to solicit votes with financial allurements, giving them a response so direct, they won't dare return. His own party doesn't recognize him, but he recognizes his party. It's because of workers like him that his party remains vibrant. He says, my existence is irrelevant; what matters is that my party always remains supreme and that 'Jai Nepal!' can always be proclaimed.