On July 25, 2024, Bikalpa- an Alternative, in collaboration with CIPE, hosted an inspiring entrepreneurship talk show titled “Udhyami ka Kura” at Hotel Shree Krishna, Biratnagar. The event aimed to inspire and motivate the young generation of aspiring entrepreneurs through the real-life stories of established business figures and to foster a space for networking and idea exchange.
This event session featured Mr.Suraj Bhagat, (CEO of Bhagat Suppliers) and Mrs Bina Kumari Subba owner, Matribhumi Tea State & Krishi Farm as the distinguished guest speaker. The program was moderated by Mr Basanta Adhikari, Executuve Director at Bikalpa – An Alternative, with a warm welcome to the participants and an introduction of Mrs.Bina Kumari Subba and Mr Suraj Raj Bhagat The program commenced at 3:00 pm onwards.
Bina Kumari Subba
Mrs. Bina Kumari Subba the proprietor of Matribhumi Tea Estate and Agricultural Farm located in Singhdevi, Morang District, shared her inspiring journey during the Entrepreneurship Talk Program, detailing her transition from being illiterate to learning basic literacy through adult education to becoming a pioneering tea farmer in Nepal. She highlighted her initial educational background, which concluded with her SLC from Sharda Balika School, and the subsequent halt in her studies due to marriage. With her husband working abroad, She narrated how she utilized the money her husband earned from foreign employment to engage in commercial tea farming and even started producing Rhododendron wine.
Mrs. Subba took the bold step of leasing 4 ropani of land in the Morang district for tea cultivation, despite the lack of supportive agricultural policies. She faced numerous challenges, including the absence of essential infrastructure like roads and electricity, and skepticism from locals. Initially, people were astonished by her passion for tea farming, but now they admire her, which she finds satisfying. Her resilience and innovation shone through as she introduced the first Chinese green tea machine in Nepal and continued to expand her operations. Today, there are 150 sets of machines, and they also have an Association named Nepal Tea Association.
Mrs. Subba touched upon the prospects of agro-tourism, she shared her insights on agro-tourism, emphasizing that while it is a promising avenue, it is not feasible for everyone. She spoke about her sustainable practices, including the production of organic fertilizers, and her efforts to provide an authentic rural experience through her homestay. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in overcoming challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success. Bina Kumari Subba advised the youth not to lose hope despite facing various challenges and difficulties in their entrepreneurial journey.
Mr Suraj Raj Bhagat
Mr. Suraj Bhagat shared his inspiring journey during an entrepreneurship talk program. He started by saying due to financial difficulties at home, He had to leave his house at the age of 15 and began collecting scrap in various cities across Nepal, including Birtamod, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Butwal, and Kathmandu. He collected and sold items such as empty bottles, tin, iron, and plastic to sustain himself and sometimes support his family. Before this, he had worked as a dishwasher in a hotel in Gaushala, Kathmandu, but found scrap collection more profitable.
He said despite lacking formal education, Suraj felt his life resembled the scrap he collected, facing numerous hardships and humiliations. One day, he received news from home that his father was ill and had suffered a heart attack. At that same time, the country was beginning to be ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Upon hearing this news Suraj hurried back to his home in Biratnagar. He made every effort to get his father treated at the hospital. Ultimately, Suraj was able to bring his father home after his recovery, but the treatment left him with a debt of around 200,000 rupees. With the pandemic shutting down the hotel and scrap collection businesses, He had to find a way to earn money. While searching for work, Suraj found a job as a laborer at a construction site. He started earning money by carrying bricks, shoveling, and making mortar, but it was not enough.
Suraj’s parents suggested he continue their candle-making business, which they had started by collecting materials from neighbors. Initially doubtful, he eventually agreed. He traveled from village to village, encouraging housewives to make candles in their free time. He distributed wax and paid the women for their work, eventually employing hundreds of women. He began exporting candles to various parts of Nepal and India, significantly expanding the business. Suraj also offered prisoners the opportunity to make candles, providing them a means to earn an income. His business, Bhagat Suppliers, grew, allowing him to pay off his father’s medical debt within months. Expanding further, Suraj launched Kabadi.com, a scrap collection business in Biratnagar. From a scrap collector to a successful entrepreneur, Suraj is now creating significant employment opportunities in Nepal through his various ventures.
In this way, Suraj continued to expand his candle business while employing hundreds of people. During this process, Suraj also offered prisoners the opportunity to make candles, opening a path for them to earn an income. Hundreds of people were finding jobs through this business, and Suraj’s income was also increasing. He was able to pay off the debt incurred for his father’s treatment within a few months.
Currently operating well under the name Bhagat Suppliers, Suraj decided to venture into other businesses. Recently, Suraj Bhagat has also been running Kabadi.com, where he employs workers to collect scrap in Biratnagar and sell it in large quantities. From becoming a scrap collector to the owner of a scrap business, Suraj is moving forward to create significant employment in Nepal by engaging in various other businesses.
The event concluded with enthusiastic participants engaging in networking sessions, exchanging ideas, and building connections within the entrepreneurial community. Evidently, the program had successfully created an environment of inspiration and collaboration, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among the attendees.
