For Dipak Khatri, fatherhood is a commitment not just to his own children, but to every child who might otherwise be left behind. Speaking from his home in the surunga town of Nepal’s Jhapa district—just 14 hours by road from Kathmandu and near the Indian border—Dipak shared his deeply personal story with Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow, and Helene Dameris, KTG’s Director of Global Outreach. His words reflected both pain and purpose.
Dipak and his wife have faced a journey that few could imagine. Their first child was born with microphthalmia and a small, underdeveloped retina. Despite their efforts to seek care, including treatment at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu, there were no viable solutions available in Nepal at the time. The child was eventually taken to India for surgery, but tragically passed away due to complications following the operation—developing a high fever and seizures while still in the hospital.
Their second child, Tapas, was also born with microphthalmia in both eyes and a congenital cataract. This time, with the painful experience of their first child etched in their memory, Dipak and his wife were determined to act swiftly. They brought Tapas to Kerala, but when doctors there could not help, they traveled further to Chennai, where he received cataract surgery. The surgery helped one eye slightly, but his vision remained extremely limited—Tapas can only detect bright light and, when holding objects very close, can sometimes identify colors.
Shortly after Tapas’ operation, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt. For over two years, travel restrictions and health concerns made it impossible for Dipak to return to India for follow-up visits. Given the trauma of losing their first child after surgery, the family made the cautious decision to allow Tapas time to grow stronger before pursuing further interventions—afraid that any additional treatment might come with serious risks.
Now seven years old, Tapas is active and energetic, despite his worsening vision. He has never been prescribed glasses and has not had another eye exam since the initial surgery. He stays home, where he spends most of his time with his family, as there are few children in their area. While there is a school for children with low vision—Shree Purwanchal Gyanchakshu School—it is 70 kilometers away, and Tapas would need to board on campus. Dipak feels he is still too young to be on his own.
For now, Tapas isn’t enrolled in formal schooling, but he is drawn to Gurukul education—a traditional style of learning rooted in spiritual and philosophical teachings. Dipak is working hard to explore the best educational opportunities for his son and is currently pursuing options for an international scholarship to ensure Tapas receives the support he needs.
Dipak left his job in Dubai to return home and focus fully on his family. His commitment goes far beyond his own son. “It isn’t just about my child,” he told us. “I worry about all the other children who have the same problem but don’t have the knowledge or the chance to help their child. I had experience from my first child, but many others do not.”
Despite the hardships and heartbreak, Dipak remains a beacon of resilience and hope. His story is a powerful reminder of the strength of parental love and the importance of awareness, education, and access to care. At KnowTheGlow, we are honored to share his journey and to stand beside him as he continues to seek light for Tapas—and for so many others like him.
