Breaking Barriers

“It is not at all a compulsion to stick to a particular career or job. You always have a choice to go for what your heart truly desires.”

Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Larry Page of Google are some of the famous examples of engineers who turned into influential entrepreneurs of our time. There are numerous other examples of engineers leading great organisations. Innovation and high intellectual capacities are pre-requisites in both the sectors, which is why engineers turn out to be entrepreneurs. The society conforms that if an individual has studied a particular subject then they must work in the same field. However, today there are individuals who are breaking the patterns and taking their passion and profession hand in hand and excelling at both.

Avash KC, a biomedical engineer at Kantipur Hospital also proved himself as a successful and passionate entrepreneur over the years. He had a great interest in the technical field and deep within he always knew that he was a people’s person. KC who is the Co-Founder of Sasto deal also has experience of working with media, social work and public outreach programmes. He enrolled in MBA program after the completion of his degree in Bio-medical engineering. In KC’s own words, “The study and practice of engineering and business management has been quite fruitful. This amalgamation has provided me with technical knowledge and interpersonal and networking skills”.  He further adds, “Entrepreneurship and engineering has provided me a platform where I can implement my ideas into concrete realities.”

In 2003, at the young age of 15 he represented Nepal as the youngest participant in the conference for “Young People advocating for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS” held at United Nations Headquarter in New York.   In the following year, he was awarded the Sagarmatha Badge in SCOUT, which is a top-level badge for any school student in Nepal. KC led a 9-member delegation team at Youth Camp for Asia’s Future held in Seoul, S.K organized by the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea (NCYOK), Ministry for Health Welfare & Family Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affair & Trade in 2009. Further, he received Young Achievers Award by Today’s Youth Asia. Talking about his remarkable achievements, he says, “I am grateful for all the awards I have received and the recognitions I have acquired. Recognitions signify that you have done something extra- ordinarily.” “However success should not make a person arrogant and proud,” he adds.

According to him as a young person, one must experiment and learn new things everyday. “Everyday is an opportunity to learn and grow. If you do not know what you exactly want in life then it is always a great idea to explore different fields.” KC has conducted several trainings, presentations, lectures and workshops on leadership, communication, development and empowerment of women and youth. Some of the major trainings that he conducted are on the Modules and Operations of Ventilator provided to the Doctors and Nurses, and Leadership Program “Communicating with Authority”, Women Lead Nepal. Moreover, he has presented on “Gender Equality and Empowerment” in the occasion of the World Population Day at sharing Program by Youth, organized by United Nations Population Fund  (UNFPA) and Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia( RHIYA) partners in the years 2005 and 2010. Additionally, he has been a guest speaker, judge, guest of honour at various school and college programmes, extempore, debate competitions, and television shows.

He has been a source of inspiration to many people in the society because of his contributions and extra-ordinary accomplishments. When asked about his source of inspiration, he says, “My family, teachers and mentors have always supported me and guided me in the right path. My mother always believed in me and never gave up on me.” “I am lucky to have a family that gives me the freedom chase my dreams and at the same time supports me in my journey,” he says.

Through his ideas, skills and with the help of technology he has been able to reach out to many people and change their lives. According to him, “It is not at all a compulsion to stick to a particular career or job. You always have a choice to go for what your heart truly desires.” Lastly, he says, “Life comes only once so live it to the fullest. Do not follow the crowd, be different, be yourself. Do whatever makes you happy and content.”

(This article was published on July, 2015 on The Himalayan Times- Perspectives) 

Focus on Relationships 

Relationship goals are more important than materialistic possessions

Neha Shrestha Amatya in her twenties has achieved more than most average individual can dream of. A marketing professional, an entrepreneur and an educator, she is full of life and enthusiasm.  She completed her Masters level from London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom in International Business and Marketing. After her studies she returned to Nepal and established her own company Lakus Trading Pvt Ltd. Presently she works as the Marketing Director at Multi Trading Pvt Ltd in the capacity of Marketing Director.

She is also engaged as a Module Leader at The British College and a lecturer at South Asian Institute of Management (SAIM) and Ace Institute of Management. In the capacity of module leader and lecturer she attends to the students’ practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of business, management and marketing for their professional as well as personal upliftment. Moreover, she is also an active member of Youth Entrepreneur Forum (YEF) which comes under Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

Individualistic, outgoing and progressive Amatya shared that it was a challenge for her to go to abroad alone for her higher education in her teens. However, it provided her an opportunity to explore different cultures and embrace diversity, according to her. She says, “Exposure to new places, people and ideas made me more confident. However, I always knew I wanted to come back.” Despite political instablity, economic challenge, social problems and technical difficulties in Nepal she has no regret for the decision she made. She explained that if she had stayed abroad she would always remain a second class citizen.The works is performs is much more recognised and appreciated in her homeland.

She says that doing business in Nepal has been a challenge. Even though she has numerous business and marketing ideas the political, economic, technical and social environment are not quite favourable. She shares, “Being an entrepreneur in Nepal is not at all easy. We have continuous struggle to survive especially at this time of crisis.” Time is a crucial aspect in any business and due to late supply the goods cannot be delivered instantly as per the demand.

Amatya always enjoys being a part of a productive and enthusiastic team. As a part of Youth Entrepreneur Forum she has networked with young and aspiring entrepreneurs of Nepal. Further she is working towards development of entrepreneurship in the country. She says, “Entrepreneurhsip is the backbone of any country as it solves problems creatively and innovatively.” She explained that government, media, educational institutions, investors, financial institutions and society as a whole build the entire ecosystem of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship can flourish when all these factors are supportive.

She adds, “Networks like YEF provides young people a platform to share their ideas. The more we share ideas and interact, the more creative we become.” Moreover, aspiring entrepreneurs can also connect to a pool of investors, lawyers and potential partners through such platforms she said. She visions the younger generation taking the initiation and leadership roles in business as well as other sectors.

Her interests lie in sketching, paininting and she is also an aspiring fashion designer. She has completed one year diploma course in fashion designing and believes learning new things. She says, “Learning is a life-long process. One must find a purpose and joy in learning different things.” She adds, “I want to learn the basics skills of things that are important to me.” She said it is beneficial to have basic skills like cooking and stitching irrespective of the gender. These skills help us in survival.

She has always encouraged her students to think out of the box and come up with creative solutions according to her. Teaching helps her to learn and re-learn the things she practices in her business. Additionally, it provides her the opportunity to interact and share with other younger people she said. She shared that it has helped her know her strengths and weaknesses and be a better person.

Her family especially her father have been a greatest asset to her. Without the support of her family she would not have reached the heights of success. She says, “My father is my idol and a mentor. He has always pushed me to take up bigger challenges and accept what life offers positively.” According to her, her husband and in laws have also encouraged and appreciated her achievements and efforts. For her relationships are the first priority both in family and work. She says, “Relationship goals are more important than materialistic possessions for me.”

Lastly, she concludes, “Life comes only once, so we must dream the best for ourselves. The outer world should not be allowed to change our inner reality.”  

Published in The Himalayan Times- Pesrspectives, page 5 on October 11, 2015.

Effective presentations

Structure a simple story and make your point

Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu
David Ogilvy, Founder of Ogilvy & Mather rightly said, “ Most people use PowerPoint like a drunk uses a lamp post — for support rather than for illumination.” PowerPoint Presentation commonly known as PPT is a powerful tool to communicate ideas with the integrated use of pictures, graphics and animations. With advanced technology the features in PowerPoint software has enhanced considerably. However, even today approximately 90 per cent of presentations are made the way they used to be in the 1990s.
Too much text in the slides, boring fonts, overused templates and confusing graphics. PPT has now become an essential part of every business pitch, classroom exercise, trainings, seminars and so on. However, they are not delivered in the right manner.
Umes Shrestha and Abhishek Maskey are on a mission to help people improve the way they prepare their presentations. The duo conduct workshops that focus on structure of the content, design and the delivery of presentations.
On June 11 they jointly organised a workshop, ‘ Why PPT sucks?’ at The Platform. The six hours long extensive workshop brought together participants from various walks of life.
Entrepreneurs, educationists, journalists, students and professionals from different sectors were in attendance.
Participants were divided into groups and asked to discuss and present factors that make presentations boring. Shrestha then talked about ‘ Death by Power- Point’. He explained that ‘ Death by PowerPoint’ is a legit term which evolved as majority of the presenters used too many bullet points in their PPT which lulled the audience to sleep, constantly check their phones or take several trips to the restroom! Shrestha stressed, “ The content of the presentation must be for the audience. You should first understand who your audience is and then design the content accordingly.” Content must be relevant, personal and useful according to him. He further said, “ Your content should tell a story and give one clear message with the help of examples, videos, activities, questions and such.” Maskey emphasised on how the use of fonts and overall design can make or break your presentations.
He suggested the use of specific fonts and not to stick to default fonts. He demonstrated how an outstanding presentation can be designed without using too much of text in the slide.
The workshop also elucidated on how a powerful vocal delivery can be prepared. Participants were then assigned to prepare a final presentation. Each group prepared and delivered a short presentation on ‘ how to prepare an effective presentation’. Bhuwan Sharma, a participant at the workshop shared, “ I have learnt skills to engage with the audience. The star of the show is the presentation and the stories that we deliver and not us.”

(This article was published on The Himalayan Times-Perspectives on June 19,2016.)

 

Have Indian tourists lost interest in Nepal?

Even the peak Indian season is witnessing a dip in arrivals

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu

A few years back, during this season (Indian tourist season), hotels, pilgrimages and tourists spots could be seen flooded with Indian tourists. A total of 41,286 and 45,685 Indian tourists visited Nepal in May to June 2014 and 2013 respectively according to report published by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal. The inflow of Indian tourists dropped to around 5,000 in the peak Indian season in 2015 due to the earthquakes.
However, the trickle had started even before that.In 2015, Nepal received a 13 year low in the number of Indian tourists.The numbers dipped by 55 per cent as compared to the previous year and even today the industry is struggling for revival. In 2014, the total number of Indian tourists to Nepal was 135,343. This is a drop in the ocean when you consider the growing number of Indians travelling abroad every year.

Indian outbound growing 

The Indian outbound is the fastest growing outbound market in the world after China. It is predicted that the number of outbound Indian tourists will reach 30 million by 2018 according to iGATE research report. In 1991 the number of Indian outbound tourists was 1.94 million which increased to 18.33 million in 2014 and the growth is steady. Annually, Indian tourists spend over USD 17 billion and the trend is on the rise.
Due to increase in disposable income, decline in airfare and availability of affordable travel packages Indian travellers are splurging around the world. What is disturbing is that the number of Indian tourists to Nepal has either been static or on the decline. This despite the fact that India and Nepal share common cultural and religious ties. Obtaining a visa and passport is not a prerequisite for visits for Indians to Nepal and while Indian tourists are big spenders wherever they travel, Nepal has not been able to tap this huge market.

Lacking promotions

 “ The hotel occupancy rate by Indian tourists declined by almost 30 to 35 per cent last year,” says Upaul Majumdar, General Manager at Soaltee Crowne Plaza.
According to him, group bookings from India were affected mainly due to the earthquake in April/ May, 2015. However, individual travellers are visiting Nepal for holidays, seminars, conferences, business and other purposes this year. Even the 75,124 Indian tourists who visited last year include people who came to volunteer for relief and reconstruction after the earthquake.
“ Tourists from around the world including Indians are affected by the images of Nepal post- disaster,” says Majumdar. He adds, “ The government has not done sufficient campaigns to promote Nepal as a safe destination for travel.” He explains that concentrated promotional campaigns at the international level are a must for the industry to get back on its feet again.
“ We are engaged in promotional campaigns in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore in coordination with Nepal Airlines,” says Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board. However, the number of Indian tourists has dipped also because of stiff destination competition.
“ Malaysia, Thailand and Dubai seem to be more attractive destinations for Indian tourists than Nepal due to competitive packages and prices,” he mentions. Indian tourists are now flying to other destinations in Asia and around the world as they offer more activities and adventure to indulge in at much more affordable prices.

The real problems 

The cost of flights to Nepal from Indian cities is comparatively more expensive. For instance, the cost of a flight from Mumbai to Kathmandu is IRs 21,765 whereas it costs around IRs 19,000 for the same tourists to travel to Thailand.
Madhu Sudhan Acharya, President, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, says, “ The focus of travel agents in India has also shifted from Nepal to popular destinations in Asia and Europe.” There has been a series of natural disasters and political problems in Nepal which have had a serious impact on the market. Further, Indian tourists usually travel with family and are more concerned about safety and security. “ Indian travel agents are reluctant to offer packages on Nepal and the Indian tourists also hesitate to visit Nepal. Indian tourists are not here for adventure tourism like mountaineering, rafting or bungee.
Hence, our packages only include visits to pilgrimages, Pokhara and Chitwan,” he mentions. He also adds, “ Due to unfavourable political environment we are not being able to promote new destinations in Nepal for Indian tourists.” While Nepal is currently unable to offer anything new to Indian tourists it has also failed on the marketing and promotion side.
“ The majority of young middle class Indians are not aware of tourist attractions in Nepal. All the concerned authorities need to focus on more publicity and marketing in India,” says Saugat Ratna Kansakar, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation.
According to Kansakar, “ India has high economic growth and there is vast potential for Nepal’s tourism growth in the middle class population of India.” “ Mainly two types of Indian tourists visit Nepal. The high end tourists who are here mainly for leisure and tourists who are here only on pilgrimages,” says CN Pandey, CEO of Samrat Tours and Travels. The spending pattern of these two types of Indian tourists is also completely different.
Leisure tourists stay mostly in five star hotels and spend more. He says, “ On average, Indian tourists contribute considerably to the tourism sector of Nepal.” “ We are trying our best to attract maximum number of tourists from around the world. However, the government has not taken an encouraging role for revival of this sector,” he laments. Further, he mentions, “ Air connectivity is poor and it is expensive and inconvenient for Indian travellers to visit Nepal.” According to him, it is high time the government took responsibility and aggressively focused on of tourism they claim to be working on making tourism better.
He says that despite the challenges in the system, the government along with Nepal Tourism Board has initiated various interactions and talk programmes with Indian media and journalists. “ Despite the challenges we are optimistic about the future of tourism and our focus is on tourists from neighbouring countries,” he concludes. increasing the number of airlines and developed proper road network and infrastructure.

Delayed development 

When questioned about the delay in development of infrastructure, Prem Kumar Rai, secretariat, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, says, “ Lack of skilled human resource and budget has mainly delayed development work.” He claims, “ Many government officials are political appointees and they are not qualified for the job.
This has caused significant delays, chaos and confusion not only in this industry but in the entire nation.” He says that even though increasing the number of Indian tourists offers huge economic prospects, it is yet to be taken seriously. “ Systematic investment is yet to be made in this sector.
However, in this year’s budget we have prioritised development of infrastructure to attract Indian tourists,” he adds.

What has been done? 

The government has provisions for investment in construction of regional airports in Birgunj, Pokhara, Dhangadi and Biratnagar, according to Rai. “ Especially for Indian tourists we have plans to create a Buddha Circuit from Kanchanpur to Jhapa and also make Pashupatinath a central point to connect with other Hindu pilgrimage sites.” The main objective behind the creation of these circuits is to increase their duration of stay in Nepal.
Now that the government has passed the budget for the revival of tourism they claim to be working on making tourism better. He says that despite the challenges in the in the system, the government along with NTB has initiated various interaction programmes with Indian media and journalists. "Despite the challenges we are optimistic about the future of tourism and our focus is on tourists from neighbouring countries," he concludes.

(The printed version of this article was publishe on The Himalayan Times- Perspectives on June 19, 2016)

Experimental essence

Pioneering special effects makeup in Nepal

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
 Kathmandu
The special effects makeup industry is a million dollar industry worldwide. With its use in movies such as X- Men, Avatar, Maleficent, Harry Potter and many other sci- fi and horror movies, special effects makeup has created a buzz globally. In 2015, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the median yearly wage for theatrical and performance make- up artists was USD 53,230. The larger field of cosmetology was expected to see average job growth of 10 per cent from 2014 to 2024.
Even though not many people are aware about this craft in Nepal, Shreejana Shakya has already experimented with prosthetic make- up in music videos, fashion and the film industry in Nepal. She is the first participant from Nepal to have secured the second position in Cinema Makeup School Next level of Cosplay contest. Cinema Makeup School is Hollywood’s professional makeup school based in Los Angeles, USA. Shakya says, “ Fashion, music and film industry in Nepal is rising slowly but steadily.” High quality movies and music videos are now produced here. She adds, “ The current generation of innovative producers are looking to invest in new ideas in makeup and appearance.
Hence, I feel there is a need for makeup specialists in the country and abroad as well.” Since her childhood she was fascinated by the world of art. Her father, a jewellery designer inspired her towards this artistic journey.
She completed her plus two level from Srijana College of Fine Arts. She earned her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree with a specialisation in Studio Art from Kathmandu University Centre for Art and Design.
“ I was always interested in experimenting as an artist so I began to use human faces and bodies as canvas rather than sticking to conventional platforms,” she shares. She received her new ideas Photo: THT first break as a special effects makeup artist from Fuzz factory Productions as the make- up artist and Art Director. She worked in a music video produced by the company in which her work was widely appreciated.
She works as an independent makeup artist in collaboration with models and photographers. Her work can also be seen a soon to be released movie — ‘ Bijuli machine ’. Talking about the challenges of special effect makeup in Nepal, she says, “ Prosthetics is unavailable in the local market and dealers are not ready to import because it’s not profitable if not imported in bulk.” Despite such hurdles she uses household materials such as glue, tissue paper, neon colours and so on to create her magic.
In a short period of time she has been successful in introducing herself as the pioneer makeup specialist in Nepal. And through the international contests she has made a mark in the international arena as well.
“ One of my major motivations is to set up special effects makeup studio in Nepal. Additionally, I aspire to branch out the knowledge of makeup through academic practices,” she mentions.
She adds, “ My aim is to create an academic hub that can have all different sorts of makeup practices.” She elaborates, “ If there are dedicated people in the makeup industry then there will of course be numerous opportunities for aspiring makeup artists.” She is a firm believer in originality and concludes, “ Rather than going after conventional practices, one can follow their intuition and create something original.”

(This article was published in The Himalayan Times- Perspectives on June 12, 2016)

“Nepal is still beautiful and alive”

“I feel like I have a deep connection with this beautiful country,” says, Susan Sarandon, who was in Nepal to promote tourism which will help rebuild the country. She spoke with Abhilasha Rayamajhi on how she is encouraging people across the globe to visit Nepal. Excerpts:

What is the impression that you have of Nepal and Nepali people?

It is an unusual experience. Nepal is still beautiful and alive. I find Nepali people brave and resilient; they are coping with everything with a smile on their face. It is heartbreaking to see the destruction around. Nepal has suffered a lot but it is not as bad as the media has portrayed. Many businesses are still running, shops and restaurants are still open. I am positive that Nepal will bounce back again.

How are you connected to Nepal and its people?

His Holiness is a friend and that is how I am supporting Live to Love International. I had nominated Pushpa Basnet for CNN Heroes. I will also meet Pushpa and the children and I am quite excited about it! I had heard a lot about the rich cultural heritage of Nepal and I have always wanted to visit. Nepal has suffered a lot in terms of lives lost, structural damage to cultural heritages, economic regression and I thought that this would be the right time to come to Nepal to lend a helping hand. I know that Nepal is a great place for trekking and other adventures. The traditional wood work, handicrafts and art are spectacular; visiting once is just not enough.

How do you plan to encourage travel to Nepal?

I plan to use social media as a platform to showcase the beauty that Nepal holds. The resilience with which Nepalis are moving on from this disaster is commendable. I will be posting pictures in the social media of me shopping in Kathmandu hoping to spread the message that life has come back to normal. People are going about their daily chores and business is gradually picking up. I shopped for my granddaughter, sister and friends at Babar Mahal Revisited.The handicrafts, sculptures and the art work on display are praiseworthy and unique. The best way the international community can help is by visiting Nepal as tourism generates significantrevenue for the country. I, therefore, request everyone to continue to travel and visit Nepal at least once.

How has your experience of working with Live to Love, Panchakanya Group and the Kung

Fu nuns been?

I am impressed by the way people are working here to help each other. The good thing about this disaster is that people are coming together. You can witness a sense of solidarity among the victims and the ones helping them overcome this catastrophe.The Kung Fu nuns are doing a great job, they are organised and active. They are reaching out to the affected areas in Nepal and contributing in great measures in relief and rehabilitation.They truly practice what they preach.

In your opinion, what recovery path should tourism in Nepal take?

People should help each other at this time of need but they should also try to go back to normal life and get back to their jobs. Specifically, the tourism industry must work intensively in reconstruction and promotion. It is now time for the country to promote tourism aggressively andsend out a positive message to the world. There must be promotional campaigns highlighting what Nepal has to offer to visitors.

What message would you like to give to the people of Nepal?

Nepalis are known for their courage and bravery; they are also known for their resilience. I know that Nepalis have the ability to take this disaster in their stride. I want to tell each and every Nepali to take this as an opportunity to build a better and prosperous Nepal.I feel like I have a deep connection with this beautiful country and I hope to come back again. My best wishes arealways with Nepal.

An Academy Award winning actor, Susan Sarandon, has starred in films like

‘Stepmom’, ‘Atlantic City’, ‘The Calling’ among many other noted works. She

has also worked as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF in 1999 and Food and

Agriculture Organisation (UN) in 2010.

Photos Courtesy: Skanda Gautam/ THT

(The printed version of this article was published on The Himalayan Times-TGIF on JUNE 5, 2015.)

Selfie with Susan Sarandon! The time of my life. Thank you Susan!

Pedal Power 

INTERNATIONAL CYCLE BRANDS DRIVING MARKET DEMAND FOR A HEALTHIER LIFE

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES/ ABHILASHA RAYAMAJHI

Kathmandu: Cycling is the new sensation in town with the emergence of leading international cycle brands and the new wave of health consciousness among the middle and upper middle class people in Nepal. It is an environmental friendly, economic and efficient means of transportation. Further it offers the rider an opportunity to explore the world with a different perspective as it burns some calories and freshens the mind. Above all cyclists play a part in conserving the environment and contributing to a cleaner and greener Nepal. Frequent cycle rallies, cyclists groups and organisations supporting cycling and an increase in the number of cycling enthusiasts has redefined the image. With the rise in the number of branded cycles available in the market, cycling is no longer a poor man’s ride.

Road bicycles, touring bicycles, comfort bikes, sports bikes, and moutain bikes are some of the categories of cycles available in Nepal. Mountain bikes or all terrain bicycles are best suited for the bumpy trails of Nepal. These bikes are designed for off-road cycling, feature sturdy highly durable frames and wheels. There are some international cycle brands now available in Nepal that ensure comfort, quality and performance.

Marin Bikes California is a bicycle manufacturer, which was established in 1986 by Bob Buckley.The brand was introduced in Nepal by Multi trading Pvt Ltd in 2014. In the span of one year the brand has been successful in making its mark in the Nepali market. Skand Amatya, Managing Director of Multi-trading claims that Marin bikes are different from the rest for a reason. He says, “Marin Bikes uses the latest, highest-tech 3-D computer design software called Autodesk Inventor, and the first bicycle they designed with it was the Mount Vision. It won the Mountain Biking Magazine’s Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2007 and a UK magazine award in 2008.”

He adds, “Marin uses software to simulate conditions rougher than anyone would find on the road, analysing each frame for stress, performance, and aerodynamics. Then they make a prototype. That physical bike is tested in the lab and, finally, out in real conditions. Marin feels frame design is, ‘the heart of the machine’and what sets them apart.”

“Although Marin is best known for mountain bikes and especially their innovative suspensions, they sell a full range of bicycles. Their road models include the lightweight ALP (Aerodynamic Lightweight Performance) series with the upright comfort of a mountain bike,” he says. Further he says, “Some have geometries made specifically for women. In addition to cyclocross bikes good-to-go for racing, Marin has urban bikes intended for city streets. For a mellower time on a bike, their Path models include fun-to-ride cruisers.” The price range of Marin bikes start from Rs 27,500 and the average monthly sales till date is around 25 units according to Amatya.

Scott is another popular international brand available in the Nepali market. The brand has gained popularity for its quality, performance and innovation. “No shortcuts” is the tagline of the brand and it lives up to the spirit by doing the right things for the right reasons since 1989. MTB cycling Pvt Limited is the authorised distributor of Scott bikes in Nepal.Scott Nepal has its dealers in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara and Dharan. The price range of Scott bikes ranges from Rs 65,000 and above in Nepal.

BSP Traders Pvt Ltd is the authorised distributor of Trek bicycle since 2009. The company was formed by professional cyclists who have almost two decades of experience in mountain biking. They have been conducting various rallies to promote the brand in Nepal and to raise awareness about the health benefits of cycling. The price range of a Trek bicycle is Rs 50,000 and above. “Trek is an American brand that is manufactured in China and Taiwan. It is one of the most technologically advanced and innovative cycle brands in the world,” says Prayash Tamang, Managing Director of BSP Traders.  In the past years Trek has been able to make its mark in the Nepali market as an innovative brand.  The dealers of Trek  are present in Patan, Thamel, Dharan and Pokhara till date according to Tamang. The average monthly sales of Trek bicycles in Nepal is 15-20 on average.

With growing international cycling brands being introduced in Nepal the appeal to the public is on the rise. Mountain biking is not just an adventure sport it can also be a means of commuting to your workplace. So if you are thinking of investing in pedal power, this is the right time!

(The printed version of this article was Published: July 12, 2015 on The Himalayan Times- Perspectives.)

Journey of Continuous Creativity

“I am an entrepreneur by spirit and lyricist at heart. Business is always on my mind and I have a knack for writing.”

Abhilasha Rayamajhi

Kathmandu

Abeeral Thapa, Managing Director of Nepal Sanjiwani Herbal Industry is well known for his creativity and the ability to innovate exceptional products and ideas. The young entrepreneur has introduced branded products in the herbal industry of Nepal and he is promoting them through social media. He is the man behind innovative and ground-breaking product Shoe saver, an invention that protects a biker’s shoes from the splashes of dirty water from potholes and other vehicles in Monsoon. Additionally, he also imports Touch Screen Gloves that turns out to be handy in winter seasons. In 2010, he along with his friends founded Polygon College which offers Masters Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. He works in the capacity of Principal of the institution.

“There is a huge scope of herbal industry not only in Nepal but internationally as well. Nepal is the home to infinite medicinal herbs that have excellent health benefits,” says Thapa. He adds, “Most people around the globe are gradually shifting towards a simpler and natural lifestyle. The market for organic and herbal product is growing; this is one of the reasons why I entered the industry.”

He has been promoting the company through social media and print media. According to him, there were many business people in Nepal who were trading raw herbs in the national and international market. However according to his analysis there was lack of finished local products that were well packaged, branded and marketed. He shares, “I believe in creating my own path rather than competing in the rat race.”

Nepal Sanjiwani Herbal Industry has survived in the Nepali market for 13 years now and it has plans to expand in the Chinese market in near future. Bubble herbal soap is one of its popular products that is available at major retail and wholesale outlets of Nepal.

He explains that it is difficult for young entrepreneurs to be established in Nepali market. He says, “The financial and legal sectors are not yet quite supportive for young entrepreneurs in Nepal. The legal policies regarding business are ambiguous and implementation of rules and regulation is weak.” Further, he includes, “Banks demand high rates of interest and collateral on loan, they are not yet ready to invest in innovative and risky businesses.” Lack of advanced technology has also been hindrance in the growth of this industry.

Five years ago, Thapa along with his friends from media sector founded Polygon College with a vision to change the current scenario of education in mass communication and journalism. While he was in college there were many irregularities due to poor management so in order to overcome these he initiated his own institution.

He advocates that there must be a proper systematic approach and control mechanism in the media sector.  Talking about his experience as a young principal, he shares, “It is a great responsibility to look after the overall management.” He further says, “Initially some of my students were more intellectual and older than me so, I had to be more informed and updated about the latest events at all times.”

This experience has made him a thoughtful and serious individual. Despite the challenges in the business and education he has been continuously working hard and has come a long way. Over the years he has been successful in creating an environment of trust with his students and customers as he had a clear vision.

Thapa’s journey is not just limited to business, entrepreneurship and education. He is a renowned lyricist, explorer and an avid reader. Every day he seeks for novelty and original ideas. His source of inspiration is nature and the environment that surrounds him. A sense of hope, patriotism, and energy is reflected in the songs he has penned till date. He says, “I am an entrepreneur by spirit and lyricist at heart. Business is always on my mind and I have a knack for writing.” In the coming years he foresees his brand established in national and international market. In his opinion success is a balance between material and spiritual world.

He believes that there are many opportunities in Nepal itself and young people must grab them. Anyone can be successful but the challenge is to maintain it and sustain and survive in the market. Lastly he says, “Rather than complaining about the political system and bureaucratic hurdles, we must collectively work towards exploring ideas to solve problems. Entrepreneurship is about creating opportunities, innovation and sustainability.”

 (The printed version of this article was published in August 16, 2015 on The Himalayan Times- Perspectives)

Photo credit: Bishwo Sherpa

 Never Give Up

"Leadership is something that comes naturally to me"

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu
In a world where most people are concerned just about themselves and their families, there are a few individuals who view the bigger picture. These individuals are constantly exploring ways to contribute to the welfare of the entire society. They believe in hard work, determination and possess a never give up spirit. They go the extra mile to help those in need.

Mandira Raut Thapa is one such individual. She is the Founder, President of Utsah Nepal, a
social venture that works actively for women and youth empowerment, community development and agricultural reform. Utsah Learning Centre, a sister company of Utsah Nepal, provides a platform for the youth to learn the nuances of public speaking, debating and other various life enhanching skills.

She was also the Director of Leadership Academy for two years and the Producer of Today’s Youth Asia television shows that promote youth activism, ethics, empowerment and positive change. Her work experience and training has given her knowledge, skills and exposure to start her own organisation. Thapahas been recently appointed as the Secretary of the International Women’s Association of Radio and Television (IWART) Nepal chapter, that works as a platform for women journalists. Utsah Nepal has collaborated with a radio station and at the moment, she is involved in production and presentation of the motivational show, ‘Utsah’. Her programmes concentrate on uplifting the status of youth and women in the Nepali society and shedding light on social issues such plaguing our society today. She works toward guiding youth to convert their dreams into concrete realities for their better future and the overall prosperity of the nation.

Thapa says, “Leadership is something that comes naturally to me. Early in life I started to write articles, organise events, attend and conduct leadership trainings. I liked that my voice was being heard and my opinions were respected and well received by the public.” She adds, “I was the school Head girl and always believed that I had good leadership qualities. However, success does not come easily; everyone has to work hard for it. And, so did I.”

She had participated in the Indigo Humanities Week 2007 in South Korea and in ‘Conflict Resolution’, a workshop with women leaders organised by JBK Institute for Peace and Justice (University of San Diego) in 2007. She was also the youth speaker at ‘Women Building Peace’ organised by International Women’s Association of Radio and Television (IWART) in 2007. Moreover, she has also been a part of the ‘International Visitor Leadership Programme’ of US Department of State Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs in 2009 and was a speaker at the ‘Indigo Youth Book Fair 2010’ in South Korea. She believes that anyone can reach great heights of success if they are trained well and if the aspire to do so.

Thapa shares, “It is extremely important for every individual especially women to stand on their own feet. Education and training enhances creativity and intellectual capacity of a person.” She further adds, “The work and social activities I am involved in liberates me. I am passionate about empowering employees and teams I work with. We can move ahead only if the people we work with are happy and content. Many people do not  understand this and work solely to out do others, this should change. Although being competitive has its own benefits collaboration and cooperation is what the world today requires the most,” she says.

In a society where women are mostly expected to take care of the household Thapa has reached the pinnacle of success professionally. She says, “Life is all about turning your vision into action. Always
love what you do and continue doing it until you get your desired results.”

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A version of this article appears in print on July 19, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.

Hassles in handicraft

Problems and prospects of handicraft industry

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu

The handicraft industry creates jobs for 1.1 million people in Nepal and contributes 6 per cent to national GDP. Annually, the industry generates Rs 12- 13 billion through exports as well as sales in the local market.
However, exports dropped by 11 per cent as compared to the last six months figures. In the last six months of this fiscal year the industry generated Rs 2.29 billion through exports whereas last year in the same period the business was worth Rs 2.58 billion.
The vibrant Mithila craftwork, detailed carvings in sculptures and the designs of bright textiles, the handicraft industry in Nepal has it all. The diverse culture of Nepal is reflected in the art and crafts of the handicraft industry of Nepal. This industry consists of a huge range of products from textiles like pashmina, silk, Dhaka to non textile products such as sculptures, jewellery, and even handmade pickles, paper crafts and so on. FHAN currently exports more than 40 products to about 80 countries worldwide.
Hurdles in export 
Surendra Bhai Shakya, Vice President of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal ( FHAN) pointed out that there are many challenges in this industry.
He shared, “ Handicraft business is an export- oriented but there are many hassles in the airport that exporters have to go through.” He explained that exporters must produce nine different documents and it takes 41 days to process them before they are cleared for export.
“ The government should have simplify the process of lengthy documentation and every process should be done under one window in order to revive the sector,” according to him.
Lack of resources 
According to Laxman Mandal, Proprietor of Mithila Women Handicraft Centre, said “ Handicraft industry is a labour intensive industry and skilled human resource is a pre- requite in this business.” However, the younger generation is not interested in this craft as per him. He adds, “ Most young people are leaving the country in search of better opportunities aboard.” Secondly, raw materials used in making handicrafts were not available due to the economic blockade, he shared. He explained that despite the challenges the industry grew by 10 to 15 per cent annually.
However, due to the obstructions in 2015 the industry witnessed 20 per cent decline. Lastly, lack of capital is another challenge for this industry according to him as financial institutions are not yet ready to finance or offer loans to small scale and cottage industries.
Tourism and handicrafts 
According to industrialists, tourism and the handicraft industry goes hand in hand. FHAN is working towards achieving national policies and structural implementations for the development of this industry. FHAN is also working to establish and manage the SAARC Handicraft Design and Development Centre with the government which would serve as an institute and focus exclusively on handicrafts.
The Federation has proposed an innovative idea of a handicraft village to attract tourists.
“ If the proposed plan works out as intended it could be a major tourist attraction that conserves, promotes our heritage and also creates employment and collects revenue,” according to Shakya. Lastly, he concludes, “ The handicraft sector in Nepal is a growing business and has huge prospects both at the national and international level.” Despite the huge prospects the budget remained silent about the issues related to handicraft industry.
It has not expressed cash incentives to the handicraft businesses or addressed the proposal related to SAARC- level handicraft centre. The ministry of industry has provided land and the SAARC Development Fund has made commitment to provide necessary machinery and equipment.
Events for exposure Shakya said, “ In order to showcase the variety of items from the industry and revitalise the economy, we organised the 13th Handicraft Trade Fair and 11th Craft competition from May 5 to 9 in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.” With a total of six pavillions and 177 stalls the exhibition showcased 12 stalls from Bangladesh and 10 from India and stalls from Bhutan and Pakistan.
“ It is a platform where we connect to a large number of customers in a short period of time. Further, we also build long- term partnerships with other businesses and gain an exposure rather than immediate sales,” said Gita Maharjan, Proprietor at Traditional Paper Craft. Handicraft businesses believe that exhibitions like these are crucial to create visibility in the local market and also gain exposure in the international market in the long run.

(The printed version of this article was published on June 5, 2016 on The Himalayan Times- Perspectives.)

An Empowering Friday with Kumar Thapa

An Empowering Friday with Kumar Thapa

I have great admiration for teaching profession and passionate teachers. Behind most successful students there is a teacher who believed in them. I would not be the person I am today without the support, encouragement and guidance from my teachers. I am always grateful to all the teachers in my life. Right from the teacher who had held my hand and taught me how to write my first letter to the mentor who trusted on my abilities, I am deeply thankful to all of them. Besides, every passionate teacher is my inspiration.

I was quite excited to know about Empowering Friday sessions at King’s College. A platform where passionate teachers gather to share their best classroom practices. Last Friday morning, May 27, we were all set to listen to Mr Kumar Thapa, Principal at John Dewey Higher Secondary School. In 2011, Kumar Sir also taught us Principles of Management (POM) in BBA first semester and he was also our coordinator back then. He was so friendly, full of energy and a great teacher. I was looking forward to this session.

At the beginning of the session he introduced himself. In no time he became the in-charge of the class. All the teachers in his class volunteered to role-play as his students and greeted him as he walked in the class once more. It was great fun to witness teachers as mischievous and cool students! The class was oozing out with positive vibes and energy.

Firstly, he briefed the class about the activities we would carry out. He divided the class into three segments. At the opening he would presented his teaching assumptions, then discuss his model and lastly he would open the floor for feedback.

His Teaching Assumptions

We were divided into pairs and each pair was given a handout where they had to complete the sentences. The activity required a lot of concentration. Later, he explained about the technique which is called cloze. Cloze is a procedure where every ninth or eleventh word is omitted and the student has to fill in the blanks.

According to Thapa, “Brain activities such as cloze is non-dominating, engaging and help students grow independently.”

He believes that teachers and students can together co-create knowledge by having curiosity and openness.

Model Teaching

In the next phase, he presented us with a handout that consisted of three cycles that represented the process of different service organizations. After observing the cycles, we had to label the three cycles as the best, average and worst cycles. Then in groups we had to analyze and present why it was a success model or a failure model.

Feedback

Lastly, in the final segment the students offered feedback about the class. In this session the teachers raised questions and discussed on how to overcome the teaching challenges.

After the session was over most of the teachers were discussing on how different classroom methods and techniques could help students learn better. Narottam Aryal, Executive Director at King’s College said, “I believe that it is the core responsibility of college administrators to know what is happening inside our classrooms.” According to him it is a huge challenge to make sure that every teacher treats all the students equally without any bias in the class and the students are engaged in the learning process.

Overall, last Friday morning for me was truly empowering. To be in a room full of intellectuals who had the zeal to bring a positive change in their field was a fantastic experience. I am grateful to King’s College for conducting Empowering Fridays and Umes Sir for inviting me. Educationists and stakeholders should give priority to platform such as Empowering Fridays.

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
The author is a journalist and the Concept Director of ‘Youth in Entrepreneurship’, a radio talk show.

(The write-up was published in King's College's blog on June 3, 2016.)

http://www.kingscollege.edu.np/an-empowering-friday-with-kumar-thapa/