JUMLA, June 6 -- Five-year-old Bishal Bogati, the only son of Bhakta Bahadur Bogati, 62, of Tila Gufa Municipality in Kalikot district, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in neighboring Jumla for food poisoning.

Bishal fell ill after eating wild berries. After his health condition worsened, he was taken to Karnali Academy of Health Sciences in Jumla.

"He is my only son so you must save him anyhow. If he doesn't survive, there is no point for me to live," Bogati told doctors at the hospital.

Bogati is among the many people with misconception that one must have a son for social prestige. He says that he had seven daughters in the hope of getting a son.

Bishal is out of danger now but still in the Intensive Care Unit. "I wouldn't have...