Bikalpa- an Alternative in support of Sahaj, organized an entrepreneurship talk show program called “Udhyamika Kura” on 25 August 2022 at Hotel Shreekrishna Biratnagar. The program’s objective was to share positive and real stories of entrepreneurs to inspire a young generation with an entrepreneurship vision. The program also provides a platform to do networking and idea sharing. For this Last Thursday’s session, Mr. Rajendra Raut was invited as the guest speaker. Mr. Raut is a central committee member of FNCCI Nepal, vice president of FNCCI Province no.1, Economic Advisor of Chief Minister of Province no.1, and Chairman of Shivam Organization. The program was moderated by Basanta Adhikari, director of Bikalpa an Alternative. He also delivered a welcoming speech to the participants and guest speaker.
Mr. Raut began his session by presenting his entrepreneurial journey. He recalled that his father was a government officer who traveled from Bhojpur to Kathmandu in the course doing his job. His father resigned from his job before retirement age. Mr. Raut was born in Kathmandu and was the only son of his parents. He completed his schooling at Padmodaya High School, Kathmandu. He migrated to Biratnagar in 2040 B.S. He couldn’t get a higher-level education at that time and stopped his education as an undergraduate. In 2040 B.S he started working as a transporter who ships oil tankers to Nepal Oil Nigam. He recalled that his father always encouraged him to be a businessman. As per his father’s desire, he commenced his entrepreneurial journey with the establishment garment export factory in Kathmandu. It was the first industry in Nepal that exported readymade garments to America.
He reminisced that businesses during that period used to run in terms of credence due to which he had to bear a huge loss. Though he belonged to an affluent family, he believed that hard work leads to success. During the mass movement of the 2045 B.S. in Nepal, he become compelled to close his industry. The turning point of his journey was when his partnership business in India offered him to reopen his closed export industry after 6 years due to his punctuality, hard work, and quality goods. “It closed again in 2061 B.S. because the quota system of the Multifiber agreement went to WTO (World Trade Organization) and we have to import all the raw materials from India to prepare the manufacturing goods which was expensive in terms of cost factors”, added Mr. Raut.
In 2062 B.S. he shifted his business to the cement industry called Maruti Cement. It was the first industry in Nepal that make cement from limestone through mining. He shared that at that time he did not know how to break and what is necessary to break the limestone to prepare the cement. He stated that it was very challenging for him as he opened his industry during the civil war in Nepal. His parents suggested he should stop his venture work. However, he strongly believed that if a person can face and struggle with harsh and hard times, he/she can overcome whatever struggle that comes on his/her way. In the current day, his mining industries have the highest number of infrastructures among all the mining industries in Nepal. Similarly, he also made an integrated plan and owns multiple businesses like steel, footwear, etc. At the end of his life story deliberation, he affirmed that honesty and hard work are the keys to success.
Mr. Raut had a very engaging and thought-provoking deliberation speech about his life, after which the floor was open to the audience, where he shed light upon the participant’s queries. When asked about how he managed time being involved in so many business sectors and chambers, he shared that when he sleeps at night, he set the to-do list for the coming day. He said that though he is involved in several chambers and federations, for him his work and business come first. On the question of the loss and challenges he endured during his entrepreneurial journey, he answered that his success isn’t confined to whatever he has achieved to date. It is not difficult to open a business rather it is hard to turn over that business to a survival position. He said that there are two types of loss in the business. One is when you can’t match up with the competition and market demand, the other is when you are unable to make good and quality products which is the entrepreneur’s own mistake. He mentioned the enormous loss he had to bear from the garment industry made it difficult for him to get established again in the business sector. He had to struggle a lot during that phase. Talking about the things one should consider before starting any business, he suggested introspecting the market rigorously and setting goals by keeping the long-term vision in mind.
The program ended with the vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Basanta Adhikari. The media partner, Our Biratnagar, and Makalu Television covered the whole session.
