--By Sujan Tiwari

 

“Just like every lock has its key, all the problems come with a solution,” says Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, MD, Panchakanya Group, one of the leading manufacturers of construction materials in Nepal. Shrestha has managed the Group for almost three decades, and is still directing it towards new avenues. Shrestha says that his new ventures will be in areas of hydropower and agriculture. “As our base is manufacturing, we will continue focusing on industries and manufacturing. Besides, hydropower and agriculture will be our next area,” he says. According to him, Panchakanya Group is a household name in Nepal, and enjoys a good reputation. “We have nationwide dealership network and we are known as quality manufacturers. We never compromise in the quality of our products. What we are is all because of the trust of our customers,” says Shrestha. 

 

Origin of Group

The group started as Panchakanya Rice Mill in 2028 BS, named after five Hindu goddesses Durga, Saraswati, Laxmi, Radha and Annapurna. The next major venture was Panchakanya Iron Industries in Kotihawa (Bhairahawa) of Rupandehi district. There wasn’t much industrial development in western Nepal back then. So the company also opened two industries that manufactured pipe and steel in Bhairahawa in around 2040 BS. Today, Panchakanya Group is renowned as one of the pioneers in manufacturing sector and there are around a dozen industries under the group, and has generated thousands of employment opportunities. 

 

Shrestha joined the Group in the year 1985 after completing his studies.  When he first joined, he used to handle all the aspects of business, from managing the finances to correspondence. This was also because he was a student of commerce, and also because the Group was not what it is today. “I started in a small way, and I am happy that I have played my part in changing the business to what it is today,” says Shrestha.   

 

The Turning Point

Before going to college, Shrestha says he didn’t always think of being a business man or joining his family business. “I wanted to study science and become an engineer. So I applied to Amrit Science Campus. But it was very hard to get admission in those days, so I wasn’t selected.” One day, a friend of his father told him that if he becomes a successful businessman, he will get many engineers to work for him. His words changed his mind, and then went to Darjeeling to study B Com. 

 

After his graduation, he didn’t want to go abroad for his further studies. Also, his father wanted him to study here as it would also help him in building relations. So he joined TU and did MBA. Shrestha was the student of first MBA batch of TU. “I proudly say that I completed my Masters from Nepal. Whenever I am abroad and people ask me where I studied, I proudly tell them the fact,” says Shrestha. By doing so, he believes he has also conveyed a message that the educational system of Nepal is at par.  After finishing his studies, he joined the family business and has been handling it since then. 

 

Early Life

Shrestha was born in Illam in 2016 to Prem Bahadur Shrestha and Neel Kumari Shrestha. He says he was very active and restless since his childhood. He used to take part in every sport possible, and was very athletic.”I wasn’t an excellent student, but rather an above average one,” recalls Shrestha. He studied in a local school in Fikkal till grade four, and did the rest of his schooling from Victoria Boys School in Kharsang of  Arunachal Pradesh in India. He completed his graduation in Commerce from North Point College in Darjeeling. 

 

Shrestha gives all the credit for the current status of the Group and his success to his father Prem Bahadur Shrestha. His father was the one to initate the business as the founder. “My father taught me everything about business. He passed his business ethics on to me and taught me how to be successful in business. Ours is a family business, and it will continue for generations to come,” says Shrestha. 

 

Shrestha says his father laid a very strong foundation, and his generation has added bricks to that foundation. Shrestha, under his management, has made the Group evolve and brought it where it is today. “We are happy about what we have done. But if the country was in a better condition, we could have done much more. Even in this adverse time, we are trying to grow,” says he. 

 

 

Personal Side

Shrestha loves sports, and is very keen golfer and plays every other day. He says he is a very competitive person in every aspect and strives for victory. The same reflects in his business and also in golf. “I cannot be second, I am a fighter and I have to win,” says he. According to him, sport is not only good for health, but also makes you better in every aspect. “Sports teach you to accept defeat. It has taught me that if you lose, it doesn’t mean you are a loser, it just means you have to try harder,” says Shrestha. He says that people usually don’t realize how close they are to success.  According to him, defeats should be analyzed, and worked upon again. 

 

Despite his very busy schedule, Shrestha almost always manages to go wherever he is invited. “Wherever people invite me, I go there and show my presence. That is in my nature. I have dinner in my family only once a week, so I have breakfast in my home every day,” says he. Sports and social engagements are what keep Shrestha busy. Shrestha travels extensively, and goes for vacation once a year with his family. Shrestha loves to travel with his wife Usha and sons Udeep and Ashik.  He also likes to travel to remote areas Nepal and go trekking with his family.   

 

Philosophies

Shrestha strongly believes that every person can contribute in his own way to develop the nation. “I am a responsible citizen, and I feel I have to pay back for what the country has given me.  If every Nepali thinks this way, Nepal will be changed in no time. We all can make a difference,” says Shrestha.  “Nepal is not as poor as people generally conceive it to be. I don’t think ours is a poor country, only the mindset of the people is poor,” says he.

 

According to Shrestha, it is unfortunate that Nepal has many problems, but still Nepalis have achieved a lot. He believes that Nepal can be developed and prosperous only if every Nepali acts for it. “Every Nepali should think that he should contribute his part, and start thinking collectively.  There is no other way, and no one other than Nepalis will develop Nepal,” says Shrestha.