Considering the fact that business and enterprises play a dominant role in the economic development of any country and economic freedom is a factor that serves to lay the groundwork for the economic prosperity of the country and its citizens by ensuring the freedom to pursue one’s profession and enterprise, Bikalpa an Alternative organized inter school speech competition titled “Importance of Economic Freedom in Entrepreneurship Development’ on the 3rd of September, 2023 in collaboration with Biratnagar Metropolitan Office. 19 private and public schools of Biratnagar participated in the competition where Mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City Nagesh Koirala was the Chief Guest, Deputy Mayor Shilpa Nirala Karki was the special guest and the program was presided over by Dr. Bhesh Prasad Dhamala, Chairman of Bikalpa an Alternative. The judges of the competition were Shruti Sharma, Director of Kinderpillar Academy, Abhinayak Malla, Director of Wakecup Coffee, and Yunesh Raj Shrestha, Director of Baari Roastery. The event was organized in the auditorium of Biratnagar Metropolitan City.
Bikalpa fellow Samir Chhetri played the role of master of ceremony and moderated the entire event. The program began with a welcome speech by the event coordinator Ranu Sah, which was followed by the short objective sharing by Basanta Adhikari, the Director of Bikalpa an Alternative. Mayor of Biratnagar, Nagesh Koirala and Deputy Mayor, Shilpa Nirala Karki also delivered their short speech in the program which was attended by more than 200 people.
Addressing the program, Mayor Koirala apprised that children are pillars of the nation and it’s going to be in their hands to make nation prosperous. He also highlighted the decline of economic situation of Nepal and emphasized the need for action for economic growth. He added that the objective of the event should be to bring a positive change in society.Similarly, Deputy Mayor Karki expressed her delight to see students discussing economic freedom, entrepreneurship and the importance of economic freedom in entrepreneurship development at such a young age. She highlighted that if the students start discussing these topics from a young age, it would be easy for students to tackle the challenges of economic problems while engaging themselves in entrepreneurship practically.
In the competition, every contestant had 5 minutes to present their speech. Shreeja Basnet, a Class 11 student of St. Mary’s Sec. School, secured the first position in the competition beating 18 competitors. Abhinab Basnet, a class 12 student of Everest Secondary School, Siwani Raut, a class 11 student of Shree Satyanarayan Ma.Bi and Karina Mahato, a class 12 student of Shree Mills Ma.Bi received first runner up, second runner up and consolation prizes respectively. Following is an excerpt of the opinions expressed in their speech by the title holders:
Sreeja Basnet – Winner
Economic freedom has helped to shape a country’s socio-economic landscape and includes limited government interference in economic activities so that individuals as well as businesses can conduct their programs without any restrictions. On the other hand, entrepreneurship means starting a business by taking financial risk in a hope of profit. Entrepreneurship is a key for job creation and technological advancement. The relationship of economic freedom and entrepreneurship development is complex and dynamic because the degree of economic freedom can significantly impact the environment in which entrepreneurs operate.
Abhinab Basnet – First Runner Up
Entrepreneurship is a factor that takes a nation towards development. With the help of economic freedom, entrepreneurs can work on their idea and gain profit resulting job creation and uplifting livelihood of individuals. Nepal holds 142nd position in the world according to Index of economic freedom whereas Singapore, Switzerland and Ireland fall in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively. For entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial environment to flourish, economic freedom plays a vital role. Tourism entrepreneurship is one of the opportunities of Nepal as it is filled with natural resources and a nation can develop economically only by creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs.
Siwani Raut – Second Runner Up
Entrepreneurship development is our goal to achieve through economic freedom. Entrepreneurship refers to the purposeful activity of an individual or a group of individuals undertaken to initiate, manage or organize profit by the production and distribution of goods and services. If Nepal wants to develop economically it is necessary to add economic policy that will help people to do their business and enterprise more effectively. We cannot develop a country without taking a step to promote economic freedom and entrepreneurship development.
Karina Mahato – Third Runner Up
Entrepreneurship is the activity of setting up a business taking financial risks in the hope of profit and economic freedom is an element in which business decisions are made with minimal government interference. No country can develop economically if the citizens of a nation are economically weak, and the citizens of a country can grow economically only when they are able to operate businesses and enterprises with economic freedom.
The winner, first runner up, second runner up were awarded trophy, medals and certificates along with Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Mayor Nagesh Koirala of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Deputy Mayor Shilpa Nirala Karki and Dr. Bhesha Prasad Dhamala, the Chairman of Bikalpa presented the award and certificates. The program concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Bhesha Prasad Dhamala. The event was sponsored by Biratnagar Metropolitan, Reliable Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd, WakeCup Coffee, Mayur Digital Pre Press, Grace International Education, MK Tech and Global Horizon Education Pvt Ltd.