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जीवन काँडा कि फूल [Jiwan Kada ki Phool]
Ghimire, Jhamak
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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4125 people want to read
About the author
Jhamak Ghimire
4 books68 followersJhamak Ghimire is a Nepali writer. She had been awarded with the Madan Puraskar for her auto-biography Jiwan Kada Ki Phool.
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July 19, 2020What shall i say, her life is full of inspiration, courage and hope. Just imagine how many times she may have failed before being able to actually write with her feet. But she did it, i don’t know how can someone have such a strong will and power to push themselves forward EVERYTIME. The most used phrase in this book was “ma nirantar aagadi badhirahe”, it just shows how many times she was being criticized, dehumanized for her choices which was just to read and write.
As someone being born and raised in Nepali society, we find normalcy in showing mercy to differently abled person but what we lack is genuine love. I appreciate her effort to educate Nepali society about treatment we’ve been giving to differently abled person and i can also see something being positively changed on my mentality. I’m glad i choosed to read this book and could see Jhamak’s life through her own eyes.
She has mentioned in some part “malai kunai kurako prashamsa garna malai tyo kura man parnu paryo, thik lagnu paryo ani matrai kasailai ma prashamsa ka dui-char sabda dina sakthiye” and i think she implemented this in her whole life even to the people who genuinely cared about her. This is the only ‘notsogood’ feeling that i felt after finishing this book. But have to say her self obsessing nature has made her who she is now today.
And also i didn’t want to rate this book because it will be like rating her life 🙃
As someone being born and raised in Nepali society, we find normalcy in showing mercy to differently abled person but what we lack is genuine love. I appreciate her effort to educate Nepali society about treatment we’ve been giving to differently abled person and i can also see something being positively changed on my mentality. I’m glad i choosed to read this book and could see Jhamak’s life through her own eyes.
She has mentioned in some part “malai kunai kurako prashamsa garna malai tyo kura man parnu paryo, thik lagnu paryo ani matrai kasailai ma prashamsa ka dui-char sabda dina sakthiye” and i think she implemented this in her whole life even to the people who genuinely cared about her. This is the only ‘notsogood’ feeling that i felt after finishing this book. But have to say her self obsessing nature has made her who she is now today.
And also i didn’t want to rate this book because it will be like rating her life 🙃
January 11, 2015
शिक्षित समाजको अज्ञानता र स्वोआध्यन गरेकी झमक घिमिरेको ज्ञानको कथा, हाम्रो समाज कति अपाङ्ग छ भन्ने जान्नको लागि सबैले पढ्नै पर्ने पुस्तक हो जीवन काडा कि फूल...
यो पुस्तक पढेर सबैले झमक घिमिरेलाई मात्र होइन अरु उनि जस्तै सरिरिक अवस्था भएका व्यक्तिहरुलाई समेत सम्मान र समताको दृस्टीले हेर्न सके मात्र पुस्तकले सार्थकता पाउनेछ....एउटा झमकको जीवनको कथाले हामीलाई सिकाउने कुरा धेरै छ, अफ्नो भुझई भन्दा माथि उठेर समाज र जीवन र जगतलाई हेर्न हामी तयार छौ भने ....
यो पुस्तक पढेर सबैले झमक घिमिरेलाई मात्र होइन अरु उनि जस्तै सरिरिक अवस्था भएका व्यक्तिहरुलाई समेत सम्मान र समताको दृस्टीले हेर्न सके मात्र पुस्तकले सार्थकता पाउनेछ....एउटा झमकको जीवनको कथाले हामीलाई सिकाउने कुरा धेरै छ, अफ्नो भुझई भन्दा माथि उठेर समाज र जीवन र जगतलाई हेर्न हामी तयार छौ भने ....
April 30, 2016
A woman’s eye on beauty, body, sex and disability -sudha Neupane
Jhamak Ghimire is a renowned Literary figure in Global south. She is one of the Nepalese famous people with cerebral palsy, a non curable disability though non contagious either from the mother’s womb or during early birth. She has won many awards for her essays and poetry and above all is her series of autobiographical essays, winner of the nation’s most prestigious award ‘Madan puraskar’. Jhamak Ghimire was born in the hills of Nepal, a remote village of Dhankuta, east Nepal.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an unchartered land or opened a new doorway for the human spirit”-Hellen Killer.
I wonder what amount of optimism you needed to grasp a pen with the toes of your left foot dear Jhamak ji. Sorry I dared to call you by your first name. It is because we share same age(1980 born). I read your Autobiography “A flower in the midst of thorns”(Jiwan Kada Ki Phool)nepali version and remained stunned, spellbound and speechless. What a great challenge to the so called ‘ideology of being able’. Before I went through this book I considered cerebral palsy is just a medical problem and biologically, it is a state of human disability with the weak joint muscles and blur vision. But the realization of how a female victim of disability goes through the series of torturous challenges in our patriarchal society is totally heart rendering. An ideal definition of beauty, feminine body and secret parts of a woman by our social and cultural norms is put upside down by this courageous autobiography. At the same time the writer pity upon the so called normal people of the society who themselves are disabled, blind and rude and shows inhuman behavior to the one who already is in pain.
Ghimire’s narrative is a real story she lived. It’s not only the story of a disabled woman but the book also portrays a very cruel facet of our society where a female disabled person is attacked continuously by the missiles of discrimination on the basis of religion, culture, gender, patriarchy and the concept of karma. Nepalese society has a specified roles for a female. Marriages are arranged by their parents on the basis of their bodily beauty and sexually healthy or ability of giving birth. Ghimire do not meet all these roles of a female to be selected as a bride and that’s why she was neglected. Even her parents and neighbors would pray for her early death so that she would not have to live a cursed life (disabled life). Her life seems like a punishment. In Nepalese culture, it is believed if a person’s deeds are bad or evil in their past life, they are born disabled in present life. It is believed that all the sufferings is the fruit of karma what he/she did in the past life.
The book also depicts about the superstitious beliefs of Nepalese Society on Shamans. Shamans chant the mantras loudly and tries to cure her disability which was incurable. On the other side, a daughter’s birth is a matter of sadness because she is not supposed to continue her father’s hierarchy. And when a child is born disabled, female, poor, lower caste, her life is already compounded with grief, she grows up to live a life of hatred, tease and pain bestowed by the society. Ghimire is also one of the victim. The social cultural condition of the global south is full of illiteracy, superstition, poverty and it is deeply rooted on the name of rituals, traditions and values. It is more than a curse to be born as a female disabled child in such place of the globe. Comparatively , disabled male have more opportunities in the society than disabled female. For example a disabled man can marry a able woman but disabled woman are forced to remain unmarried through out their lives. The discrimination is doubled by their disability and being female.
However, Ghimire surpassed her bodily pain by expressing herself through her writings. Despite the patriarchal barriers and prejudice, this phenomenal woman very genuinely uses her powerful weapon of expressive writing to blow away the hypocrite virtues, religious beliefs, morals and principles.
The book is one of the good reads and going through it is actually like a big hug on a bad day . As a mother of a girl child I choose this book to gift my daughter and recommend all the mothers to do so.
To sum up, Ghimire’s “Jeevan kada ki phool” is an absolute slap to the so called ‘abled society’ who preaches the glory of goddesses ( says one thing) but in reality subordinate women (does another thing). Thus, the book is an eye opener and a must read for all women and humankind.
Jhamak Ghimire is a renowned Literary figure in Global south. She is one of the Nepalese famous people with cerebral palsy, a non curable disability though non contagious either from the mother’s womb or during early birth. She has won many awards for her essays and poetry and above all is her series of autobiographical essays, winner of the nation’s most prestigious award ‘Madan puraskar’. Jhamak Ghimire was born in the hills of Nepal, a remote village of Dhankuta, east Nepal.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an unchartered land or opened a new doorway for the human spirit”-Hellen Killer.
I wonder what amount of optimism you needed to grasp a pen with the toes of your left foot dear Jhamak ji. Sorry I dared to call you by your first name. It is because we share same age(1980 born). I read your Autobiography “A flower in the midst of thorns”(Jiwan Kada Ki Phool)nepali version and remained stunned, spellbound and speechless. What a great challenge to the so called ‘ideology of being able’. Before I went through this book I considered cerebral palsy is just a medical problem and biologically, it is a state of human disability with the weak joint muscles and blur vision. But the realization of how a female victim of disability goes through the series of torturous challenges in our patriarchal society is totally heart rendering. An ideal definition of beauty, feminine body and secret parts of a woman by our social and cultural norms is put upside down by this courageous autobiography. At the same time the writer pity upon the so called normal people of the society who themselves are disabled, blind and rude and shows inhuman behavior to the one who already is in pain.
Ghimire’s narrative is a real story she lived. It’s not only the story of a disabled woman but the book also portrays a very cruel facet of our society where a female disabled person is attacked continuously by the missiles of discrimination on the basis of religion, culture, gender, patriarchy and the concept of karma. Nepalese society has a specified roles for a female. Marriages are arranged by their parents on the basis of their bodily beauty and sexually healthy or ability of giving birth. Ghimire do not meet all these roles of a female to be selected as a bride and that’s why she was neglected. Even her parents and neighbors would pray for her early death so that she would not have to live a cursed life (disabled life). Her life seems like a punishment. In Nepalese culture, it is believed if a person’s deeds are bad or evil in their past life, they are born disabled in present life. It is believed that all the sufferings is the fruit of karma what he/she did in the past life.
The book also depicts about the superstitious beliefs of Nepalese Society on Shamans. Shamans chant the mantras loudly and tries to cure her disability which was incurable. On the other side, a daughter’s birth is a matter of sadness because she is not supposed to continue her father’s hierarchy. And when a child is born disabled, female, poor, lower caste, her life is already compounded with grief, she grows up to live a life of hatred, tease and pain bestowed by the society. Ghimire is also one of the victim. The social cultural condition of the global south is full of illiteracy, superstition, poverty and it is deeply rooted on the name of rituals, traditions and values. It is more than a curse to be born as a female disabled child in such place of the globe. Comparatively , disabled male have more opportunities in the society than disabled female. For example a disabled man can marry a able woman but disabled woman are forced to remain unmarried through out their lives. The discrimination is doubled by their disability and being female.
However, Ghimire surpassed her bodily pain by expressing herself through her writings. Despite the patriarchal barriers and prejudice, this phenomenal woman very genuinely uses her powerful weapon of expressive writing to blow away the hypocrite virtues, religious beliefs, morals and principles.
The book is one of the good reads and going through it is actually like a big hug on a bad day . As a mother of a girl child I choose this book to gift my daughter and recommend all the mothers to do so.
To sum up, Ghimire’s “Jeevan kada ki phool” is an absolute slap to the so called ‘abled society’ who preaches the glory of goddesses ( says one thing) but in reality subordinate women (does another thing). Thus, the book is an eye opener and a must read for all women and humankind.
October 13, 2014
The first read was not that pleasant. I got bored easily with the repetitive pattern, ‘i had to endure lots of pain’ and ‘love me’ theme. Also, same thing are being said like hundred times over and over. I didn’t finish the book as it was too boring and felt like I was not learning anything.
Picked up a second time, I should say, it was better than I initially thought of. Well, this book tells a story of how handicapped people are treated and handled in our, nepali, society. How a parents and relatives do not support them. Society wish them a sudden death as it means to end the pain for both family and the handicapped person. Being grown on Nepali society, one may find it normal. One has to acknowledge this is how we treat handicapped peoples. I expect little change on that after reading this book.
I should appreciate for her effort to educate herself despite her physical constraints and virtually no support from her family. Anyone who believes in karma would say she did something terrible on her previous life. So, she is being punished by being born handicapped. At one point I was thinking, What if she was getting punishment for misbehaving with handicapped person on her previous life? Would that new info, would people change their behavior. I wonder!
This book is the evidence of bad parenting in nepali society. Almost every kind of punishment is accepted in Nepalese society. She silently points she being physically abused and psychologically not cared by her parents. Let us blame our society on this one and promise to be better parent for our children.
She is a epitome of trying harder and making her own luck. I wonder how many times she failed to hold pen with her legs. Worth reading once! 3.5/5
Picked up a second time, I should say, it was better than I initially thought of. Well, this book tells a story of how handicapped people are treated and handled in our, nepali, society. How a parents and relatives do not support them. Society wish them a sudden death as it means to end the pain for both family and the handicapped person. Being grown on Nepali society, one may find it normal. One has to acknowledge this is how we treat handicapped peoples. I expect little change on that after reading this book.
I should appreciate for her effort to educate herself despite her physical constraints and virtually no support from her family. Anyone who believes in karma would say she did something terrible on her previous life. So, she is being punished by being born handicapped. At one point I was thinking, What if she was getting punishment for misbehaving with handicapped person on her previous life? Would that new info, would people change their behavior. I wonder!
This book is the evidence of bad parenting in nepali society. Almost every kind of punishment is accepted in Nepalese society. She silently points she being physically abused and psychologically not cared by her parents. Let us blame our society on this one and promise to be better parent for our children.
She is a epitome of trying harder and making her own luck. I wonder how many times she failed to hold pen with her legs. Worth reading once! 3.5/5
November 19, 2012
This book is really an inspiring book for a person. This books describes about the different twists and turns that a person has to face in his/her life. It says that life is not easy and smooth that a person thinks whether a person is rich or poor he/she has to face many twists and turns in their life and all people have accept it and bravely fight with it as Jhamak Ghimire has fought. So according to my thinking this book tells every person to fight with different twists and turns without loosing hope in his/her life
August 19, 2012
The book was an attempt on collecting sympathy. It was completely personal anecdote with some exaggerated description like writer remembering the first letter she wrote when we don't even remember about the first essay we wrote. Though it was inspiring to some extent. As even after being so much physically challenged, she never gave up. :p
March 20, 2016
Although the content was slightly repetitive, I found the memoir full of inspirations. Jhamak is a living example of courage, perseverance and hope.
November 5, 2014
IT is very inspirable
July 25, 2021
I do take many things for granted. :"))
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March 28, 2022Jiwan kada ki ful
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 31, 2025You have to believe in yourself and you can achieve whatever you want.
July 23, 2015
Only one word to Mrs Jhamak Ghimire "SALUTE from my heart"
August 3, 2015
ffffffffffr
January 7, 2016
Inspirational, Heart breaking !
January 13, 2019
Very inspiring and touching. Written in simple, artless prose. Could do much better with an excellent copy-editor.
January 11, 2021
A true art never goes untouched i say!!!
January 16, 2023
This is the most unrecommendable book IMO. I have nothing against the book itself. It was well written. But for the author, everything about the society and everyone else were mediocre. I hated the part where she said she would like to rape this society and give birth to new one or sth like that. Great sentiments but poor choice of words.
Initially, I was expecting to read about struggle of being the way she is. Form the first chapter, I knew book was not gonna do that. I was okay with it. I enjoyed the book until halfway when she started to see everyone else as a problem and not look at herself. Her rants against her parents did not stop even in her adulthood. She has way of seeing world where she is this epitome of perfection and everyone else is not.
Honestly, she sounds like pick me girls when she writes about her not being able to connect with fellow gender. But male counterparts easily gain her sympathy. Tell me that doesnt sound like "I'm not like most girls"
I would give it 0 starts but NGL the writing is immaculate. So 2 Starts for the writing.
Initially, I was expecting to read about struggle of being the way she is. Form the first chapter, I knew book was not gonna do that. I was okay with it. I enjoyed the book until halfway when she started to see everyone else as a problem and not look at herself. Her rants against her parents did not stop even in her adulthood. She has way of seeing world where she is this epitome of perfection and everyone else is not.
Honestly, she sounds like pick me girls when she writes about her not being able to connect with fellow gender. But male counterparts easily gain her sympathy. Tell me that doesnt sound like "I'm not like most girls"
I would give it 0 starts but NGL the writing is immaculate. So 2 Starts for the writing.
July 15, 2020
Inspiring. You might find a lot of repetitive texts though, and might find it boring few times..
The autobiography illustrates the lack of disability inclusion in Nepal. Our older folks still treat disabled people as sinners and view disability as a "karma" for sins they committed in the past life. Imagine being called a 'snake' because you can only crawl due to the limited mobility. In addition, she is a female born in a patriarchal society to an illiterate poor family.
She also talks about her struggle growing up as a kid who is "different" than others because she is physically disabled (has a cerebral palsy)and yet have to quietly tolerate discrimination. It covers different subjects on her journey education, adolescence, politics , struggles and hardships she suffered.
Despite her physical inability, she prove that she is an intellectual woman and we should not underestimate anyone. She is a prime example of 'Disability is an inability to see an ability'.
The autobiography illustrates the lack of disability inclusion in Nepal. Our older folks still treat disabled people as sinners and view disability as a "karma" for sins they committed in the past life. Imagine being called a 'snake' because you can only crawl due to the limited mobility. In addition, she is a female born in a patriarchal society to an illiterate poor family.
She also talks about her struggle growing up as a kid who is "different" than others because she is physically disabled (has a cerebral palsy)and yet have to quietly tolerate discrimination. It covers different subjects on her journey education, adolescence, politics , struggles and hardships she suffered.
Despite her physical inability, she prove that she is an intellectual woman and we should not underestimate anyone. She is a prime example of 'Disability is an inability to see an ability'.
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October 4, 2024Jhamak Kumari Ghimire is the Helen Keller of the Nepali literary diaspora. This book offers energy, power, and optimism for anyone who thinks their life is over and that nothing remains for them. It never leaves you in a state of boredom while reading because Jhamak has expressed her frustration, love, interest, and fantasies in a highly energetic and empowered way. The words she uses are filled with anger and love. This book is quite evocative and can energize anyone.
Her struggle and devotion are truly inspirational. Her fight for even small things embodies the essence of dedication. What affected and influenced me deeply is Jhamak's tireless effort to practice writing with her legs.
This book should be regarded as one of the most influential and inspirational works in Nepali literature.
Her struggle and devotion are truly inspirational. Her fight for even small things embodies the essence of dedication. What affected and influenced me deeply is Jhamak's tireless effort to practice writing with her legs.
This book should be regarded as one of the most influential and inspirational works in Nepali literature.
January 9, 2017
आफ्नै अनुहार ढाकिने जगल्टा र झुसे दारी जिङृङग पालेर डर लाग्दो आकृती बनाएर आफ्नै स्वोरूप बिर्सदै सबैलाई झस्काउदै तर्साउदै एक पागल हाँसो हाँस्दै उभिएको समाजको गालामा आफ्नो कोमल हातले कडा चड्कन हान्न साच्चै नै सफल भइछन झमक । उनले हानेको चड्कन घृडाको भावले नभएर पक्कै पनि झुसे दारी भित्र सलबलाई रहेको कुनै जिबलाई मार्नका निमित्त हुनु पर्छ । यस्तो लाग्छ उ तेस जगल्टाले ढाकेको समाजको अनुहार उदाङगो बनाउन चाहान्छिन। तेस कारण समाजले उसको यो चड्कनलाई आमाको स्नेहपूर्ण ममता भरिएको चुम्बन्को दृष्टिले हेर्न जरुरी छ ।
November 29, 2017
Frankly speaking, This has all the truth! All that a differently abled people have to go through. The mentality of society,the struggle of differently abled!! I am all convinced with whatever depiction the author has shown and she owns a very special place in my heart. I haven’t seen Helen Keller or Homer or Whatsoever!! They were in ages!! I know There is Jhamak Ghimire who questions this society about differently abled and depicts truth in the best possible way. You are an inspiration maam!! A must read!
December 10, 2020
[December 10, 2020] Brought this book 📚 probably four years ago; completed reading till page 60 and stopped because I found it really difficult to cope with the writer's childhood story.
After a pretty long gap, I collect some guts to restart reading and finally completed it today. Definitely an inspiring journey; the book makes me emotional, angry, determined & hopefully - all at the same time.
Although some parts of the books feel a little exaggerated & some parts demand more disclosure. Written in simple language, overall the books is ️❤️👌
After a pretty long gap, I collect some guts to restart reading and finally completed it today. Definitely an inspiring journey; the book makes me emotional, angry, determined & hopefully - all at the same time.
Although some parts of the books feel a little exaggerated & some parts demand more disclosure. Written in simple language, overall the books is ️❤️👌
February 18, 2018
Inspiring..
July 9, 2019
inspiring everyone
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 21, 2019Yes I I want to read
April 7, 2020
सुन्दर छ वाहा को संधरषको गाथा
Currently reading
May 14, 2020very nice
May 18, 2020
The real struggle of life.
May 25, 2020
Starting is good. Can feel the pain and her poignant life.However, i felt the chapters at the last quarter a bit tedious and can sense quite self-obsessive.
June 2, 2020
It is good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews