Jumla students work as porters in Kedarnath to fund higher studies

Bhim Bahadur Rawat from ward 6 of Sinja Rural Municipality, Jumla, is currently in the mountainous region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, working as a porter during the Kedarnath pilgrimage season. He left home in mid-April to earn money to support his undergraduate studies after completing Grade 12. He carries pilgrims on the steep 22-kilometre uphill route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, where thousands of devotees travel daily during the annual pilgrimage season. With demand for porters surging, he said he starts work early each morning, waiting for pilgrims and taking on loads based on his capacity. He earns between 5,000 and 15,000 Indian rupees a day, depending on the number and weight of passengers. In peak cases, he said, carrying heavier pilgrims brings significantly higher pay. “At this age, I should be going to college carrying books,” he said. “But because of financial hardship, I am here carrying people in a foreign land.” Bhim Bahadur is one of several students from his village working in Kedarnath. According to him, wages are determined by body weight. Carrying an 80 kg pilgrim earns about 22,000 rupees, a 70 kg person around 15,000 rupees, and lighter loads between 10,000 and 12,000 rupees. “I can carry only those between 45 and 70 kg,” he said. “This is not an easy job. It takes strength, balance, and endurance.” He added that after expenses and seasonal fluctuations, he is often left with savings of just 2,000 to 3,000 rupees when returning. He previo