Women need to prove their value with work, says veteran tourism entrepreneur Ambica Shrestha

Kathmandu: The Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN) organized the Alternate Friday Motivational Series on October 9. The guest of honour was Ambica Shrestha, chairperson of the Dwarika’s Hotel and the honorary consul of Spain.

During the session, 88-year-old Shrestha shared her journey to entrepreneurship and other roles in the society. She has seen the societal and economic transformation in these several decades.

Her journey

Shrestha, who was born in a well-off family in Sikkim in 1933, came to Nepal after her marriage. “My family and especially my grandmother encouraged me to pursue good education,” she shared. Shrestha completed her Bachelor of Arts from Patna, India but was not able to continue her studies due to her mother’s illness.

She came to Nepal after her marriage with Dwarikadas Shrestha. As she did not have a working environment in her joint family, she was limited to being a homemaker.

After some years of marriage, they left their home. Ambica Shrestha started working as a teacher at Kanti Ishwori Children’s School.

“My husband was passionate about collecting old carved wooden artifacts. So, we designed rooms and made guest house with the artifacts he collected from different old building,” she said, adding, “At that time, people did not valued these artifact. So, we preserved them and turned them to treasures.”

Now, an internationally recognized entrepreneur and an influential figure in the tourism sector, Shrestha shared that she had struggled in getting loan and also getting business and recognition back then.

She also shared her journey of traveling solo in Europe, Japan and other countries to promote her tourism business in Nepal. “My husband had a government job. So, I had to travel, when needed,” she said.

Shrestha believes that women are capable of doing multitasks. “A women needs to be strong and she has to prove her worth with her work,” she opines.

Suggestions to young women entrepreneurs

The tourism sector will not revive until 2021, she says. “So, we have to opt for skills, products and services which can work in the contemporary context.” She suggested women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector to start agri-business and sell products including dried tomatoes, pickles and other vegetables. She also urged the women to get into the current trend of making masks and sanitary pads. “We need to grab every opportunities without complaining. This is the process of discovering our true self,” Shrestha opines.

Members of FWEAN and other women entrepreneurs from various districts of Nepal were present during the session. The moderator for the talk session was Basanti Pradhan, secretary of FWEAN.