Kathmandu, Nov. 27 -- In the hills of Doti stands an ordinary house. Every morning, sunlight touches its doorway and fades by evening. Yet inside that house, a quiet hope still survives. Forty-year-old Ojha Naru often stands at the doorstep, gazing at the road, wondering if the person she has waited for all these years might suddenly appear.It was the month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), 21 years ago. Holding her hand, her husband had said, "I will return during Dashain, Sanu. Don't worry. We have a daughter now, and our expenses will increase. I will earn some money in India and come back soon."

Their daughter was just a month old then. Leaving behind his newborn child, Ojha's husband left for India. Before stepping out of the cou...