Kathmandu, 12 February: Sangharsha Bista went to America to study to become a pilot thirty years ago. His dream was to serve the country by becoming a pilot. However, circumstances led him to serve the country in other fields rather than becoming a pilot.
Bista returned to Nepal with the dream of becoming a pilot. As per the wishes of his parents, Bista gave up his dream of becoming a pilot and took up his ancestral profession (tourism business) in Nepal. Today, he is established in the tourism business in Nepal. He is known as a successful tourism entrepreneur.
His eldest daughter, Arnagya Bista, is now fulfilling his dream of becoming a pilot. A few days ago, Bista, who had sent his daughter to America to study piloting, became very emotional as he recalled his past. He said, “30 years ago, I was training as a pilot in America. During the leave, I remembered my parents very much. I immediately returned to Nepal. In the meantime, my parents said, ‘You, after studying piloting, go somewhere! We need you. We have to take care of this business.’ As per the wishes of my parents, Bista returned to Nepal and enjoyed the tourism business.”
Parents’ first wish is for their children to become doctors, pilots, and engineers. This is not only a profession but also a prestige in society. However, the Bista family decided to give priority to their ancestral profession over prestige and guide their son into business in Nepal. Sangharsha could not deny his parents’ wishes. He continued his career. Sangharsha’s dream was to become a pilot. But he returned home due to his love for his family and country.
As the name suggests, he has achieved professional success through struggle. Bista, who is also the central president of the Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN), has an enviable leadership in the hotel and restaurant business. “Success after struggle makes life happy,” he says, “Today I am very happy. Because I have been able to do anything while staying in Nepal, I do not have a big dream. I am eager to do something in this country.”
There is a strange coincidence in Sangharsha returning home. His family lives in Koteshwor. Sangharsha was the youngest of five children (four sons and one daughter) in the family. “After I flew to America, my parents would always ask the plane flying over Koteshwor, ‘When will you take my son to America and bring him back?’” he said. “Not only that, pray to Dakshinkali Mata and bring my son back soon. I had vowed to offer a black goat after returning.” Bista recalled that he later fulfilled his vow in Dakshinkali by returning to Nepal.
“As per my parents’ wishes, I gave up my dream of becoming a pilot and settled here. My life’s desire and dream was to become a pilot,” Bista said. “My dream was to have breakfast in Nepal, lunch in Europe, and dinner in America. However, my parents’ dream was the first priority and my wish was put on hold.”
Bista was in a state of shock for some time after his dream was put on hold. A month after his marriage in 2003, he went to America to tell his parents that he was going to Europe. He only informed his wife about this. Bista took paragliding training in America. After completing about nine months of training, he became the first paragliding license holder. Before him, Narayan Parajuli and Rajesh Bomjan had taken paragliding training but had not taken the license.
Bista says, “To some extent, my dream of becoming a pilot was limited by my enjoyment of paragliding. However, I am proud because Nepal is the most beautiful country in the world. I am very happy to be able to make the tourism industry run by being self-reliant, even if only a little, living in the land of different castes, languages, Everest and Buddha, and I am also proud to be able to live in Nepal.”
To keep himself happy, Bista has continued his hard work and social service. He works 12 to 14 hours a day. Bista’s experience is not only about achieving in life but also about the joy of sacrifice and dedication. “By staying in my own country and teaching some youth a job for a short time, I have contributed to some extent to creating a competent professional environment and supporting the economy of Nepal. This is what makes me happy,” he said.
Bista’s success is due to the strong support of his life partner, world record holder Nepali Pratishtha Amatya (Bista). Pratishtha Amatya is the first Nepali to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for memory in 2004. He is also proficient in singing and composing songs and has released various albums. He is currently helping in the tourism sector. A successful businessman, Bista is equally active in sports and social service in addition to his business. Bista, who has been a runner since school, is a black belt in martial arts. A former president of the Cycling Association, he has also set various records in paragliding and swimming.
‘Nepali Chulho’ promotes culture
Nepali Chulho in Lazimpat is a popular restaurant. Nepali Chulho, which serves quality food in a family atmosphere, is promoting culture and tourism. Bista, the managing director of Nepali Chulho, says that they are bringing the taste of various dishes to the customers.
“We are promoting Nepali tourism with food through various cultural presentations,” he said. At Nepali Chulho, one can enjoy food dishes with cultural presentations reflecting different ethnicities and costumes. Similarly, at ‘Northfield Cafe’ in Thamel, which has been established for 30 years and is led by Bista, you can enjoy Indian, American, and Mexican continental food. At ‘Labella Cafe’ in Thamel, you can enjoy Italian continental food. Northfield is a favorite among tourists.
Tourism entrepreneur Bista has also become a center of trust and hope for many through social work. Those who have received opportunities through him are working at the higher levels in various professions in the country. He says that he feels very happy and joyful when the people he has helped reach higher positions. Bista, who has served as a paragliding instructor in the 9th National Games, is the former vice president of the Nepal Cycling Association. Bista, the coordinator of the famous Buddha Was Born in Nepal campaign, is the vice president of Tour the Lumbini and the former vice president of the Thamel Tourism Development Council.
It has not been long since the culture of eating at restaurants and bars has developed. The restaurant and bar business is growing, especially in urban areas. There is a large number of young people who go to restaurants and bars. Restaurants and bars are operated based on external and internal tourists. Bista said that the option for expanding the restaurant and bar business is to attract foreign tourists to Nepal and run programs to promote internal tourists.
