Thapa, a garbage collector in Damauli bazaar, said he is the sole breadwinner of his family and that his family members may stavte if the does not work.

He said he has a responsibility of providing treatment for his son Man Bahadur, who is suffering from a mental illness, and looking after his daughter-in-law Nirmaya, who is pregnant and expecting a baby in the Nepali month of Kartik.

"It is my fate to work at this age. I am working hard to support my family and treat my son," he said, adding that he feels alone ever since his wife Neptimaya died last year.

He got the job at the initiation of local businessmen and local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and earns Rs 8,000 per month.

He said his daughter-in-law, who would support him till one year ago, stopped going to work after she gave birth to a girl.

Thapa, who retired as a peon at Jaldevi Higher Secondary School in Byas-1 one year ago, also receive a monthly pension of Rs 2500.

He said he already spent Rs 15000 in Man Bahadur's treatment and that he does not have money to take him to hospital for further treatment.

Baikuntha Mishra, CCI chairman of Damauli Bazaar Unit, said they offered Thapa the job after he showed willingness to work as garbage collector.