Nepal workers head home with hope in their heart

A group of Nepalese who make their living in India were on Friday headed home in the hope of meeting their loved ones with whom they have not been able to establish contact since the devastating eartquake rattled Nepal on April 25.

"We have not been able to speak to our families back home," Thaelin Tamang, 39, told this IANS correspondent at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Tamang, taking the flight to Kathmandu, said they are a group of 10 who are from Sindhupalchowk, which is the worst affected district in Nepal. Over 1,500 people from the area have been reported to have perished. Overall, the deaths have crossed 6,000 since the massive 7.9-magnitude temblor wreaked havoc in Nepal on Saturday.

The group of Nepalese workers returning home is carrying tents and food material for their families as they do not know whether any relief has reached their village.

"We want to see with our own eyes, the wellbeing of our families. It is quite agonising," said Tamang.

Nurbu Sherpa, 45, said he is headed home even though there is no one there. "There is some stuff. There are a lot of memories. I just want to collect whatever I can," he said wistfully.

The 36-year-old Sete Tamang has learnt that his brother and his family are safe but he has not been able to speak to them. "I just want to meet them."

Phurpa Sangbu, 33, told IANS his home is gone.

"There is no water, no food and no information."

The group is hopeful that it will be of help when it reaches the devastated district.

(Shweta Sharma can be contacted at Shweta.Sharma@ians.in)