Street kids used to be quite a frequent and familiar sight in Kathmandu till recently. Mostly seen around Thamel, moving around like zombies in groups, always high on glue, which they sniffed off of plastic bags, they reminded one of the lack of proper rehabilitation of children post the 11 year of conflict. They are still around, but their number definitely seems to have decreased drastically. I am not sure if this is as a result of the efforts of social care workers or because of something else. However, reports in the media and the subsequent weight of guilt in our conscience seems to have evaporated.

Back in late 2006, I met a young kid who moved around with a group of such street kids at Thamel. Here is an edited video of my bried encounter with Rajendra.