Abroad (परदेश)

In Nepal, Paradesh (परदेश) is more than the idea of a foreign country. It represents leaving home in search of work, hope, and a better future. For many families, it is a word that carries both pride and pain, opportunity and separation. It is a journey that changes not only where people live, but also how they see themselves and the lives they leave behind.

Every year, thousands of Nepalis leave their homes to work across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and many other parts of the world. Although their destinations are different, their dreams, sacrifices, responsibilities, and uncertainties are often the same. They leave with the hope of supporting their families, building a home, educating their children, and creating opportunities that may not be possible at home.

For many, the journey begins long before departure. Families mortgage their land or home, or borrow money to pay recruitment fees and travel costs. Some lose everything when they cannot repay their loans, while others become victims of dishonest recruitment agents who take their money but never fulfill their promises. Before crossing a border, many have already risked their home, their future, and their peace of mind.

This work is not a portrait of one individual. It reflects the shared experiences of countless Nepalis whose lives are shaped by migration. The handwritten letters, fingerprints, and QR code symbolize memory, identity, bureaucracy, and the systems that often reduce people to documents, records, and transactions. Behind every passport, visa, or contract is a human story that cannot be measured by paperwork alone.

Abroad (परदेश) is not only about crossing borders. It is about the emotional, social, and personal cost of searching for a better life. It is a reflection on what people leave behind, what they carry with them, and how migration continues to shape identity, family, and belonging in contemporary Nepal.