Being successful is the desire we all possess at each and every stage of our wide life span. It is our inbuilt desire to create something to be known for.  And it is necessary to proceed forward so that our dreams and goals don’t get lost in the way while we are pacing toward our future.  Nabin Singh remembers it like it was yesterday, when a deep passion struck him to be successful in life and business. 

WHAT ALMOST DYING TAUGHT HIM

Nabin reflects on past memories about a tragic moment for him, his family, and many others  in 2014.  It was around 11 in the night, when screams woke him up. With a jolt, he sat up in bed, heart pounding in his chest. The room was dark, but through the window he could see people running frantically, their silhouettes darting across the road like specters in the darkness. In the daze of his sleepless night, he found himself afraid for his life for the very first time. 

A flood came crashing into his community during a heavy rainfall and took away his family home with everything in it: clothes, jewelry, culinary utensils, beds, food – and with everything, it took away their community’s hope. Many people lost their lives that night. Some barely survived, some people went missing, and some were injured for life. 

He could have died. “But why did I stand there unscathed while we lost their house and belongings to the merciless flood?” Nabin thought to himself. Maybe there was a purpose, maybe a quest to fulfill, maybe a dream to achieve? He knew he wanted to do something big so that his survival was rewarded. 

As Nabin stood there with his family and neighbors, drenched in the cruel rain, he desperately wished that his family were one of those with a house built with bricks on an expensive plot of land. But that was just a wishful thought; he knew then that he had to change his future. He anticipated the rising of the morning sun when the help would come. 

The help came rather late. And it seemed like the rain wanted to stay some more. It rained the whole night and even during the first crack of dawn. After much waiting, people came to help. 

The first group to arrive was the BlinkNow team, equipped with food, clothing, and tents? for shelter. Nabin’s family was in the group taken to Kopila Valley School (which was not in session at the time, thankfully).

“My little sister got severely ill that day,” Nabin remembers. “Why wouldn’t she after getting soaked the whole night? While we camped at the Kopila Valley School, my sister was taken to the Children’s Home for better care and safety. She looked like she was drained of life force because the fever caught onto her for the whole next two weeks!” 

After a few weeks, everyone was moved to the Flood Relief Camp. Living without a house and an insecure future was one of the biggest challenges for them.  Nabin’s mom picked up all the possible jobs she could, like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, looking after the house, construction sites, and more. His dad, however, was in the Army Police Force Military, so he seldom was there to support them. Nabin’s older sister cooked meals and did all the chores. Because his mom and older sister worked so hard, Nabin could play football with his friends after school, and he could take extra classes and fulfill his dreams. But his biggest dream was to be financially successful one day so that his family wouldn’t struggle. 

Nabin’s story with Kopila Valley School has been one of  fond memories. He joined the school in its opening year and graduated his +2 Management course in the year 2019. His many memories — most notably, with his friends — have so much meaning and learning. He vividly remembers the exhilarating sports day when his team staged a thrilling comeback to win the championship trophy,  in a muddy field in the scorching heat, sparking wild celebrations that echoed everywhere. There was the time when a sudden earthquake trapped the entire school, forcing them to band together and rely on each other in the middle of the football field.  Then there was the time when he made plans with his friends to go swimming in a river that took three to four hours to reach by walking. He cherishes these memories as his happiest era. “I arrived at Kopila Valley School as a young boy who didn’t speak a word of English. Kopila Valley School gave me so much,” he says with pride and fulfillment. “It gave me education, hope, dreams, friends, families, and a strength to face my uncertain and daunting tomorrow.” 

THE NEXT STEP

As he always knew he wanted to be successful in life, Nabin knew just the kind of further studies he wanted to pursue—BBA (Bachelor Of Business Administration). Without a minute of hesitation, he enrolled himself into MUSOM (Mid-West University School Of Management), where he started to dream of becoming an entrepreneur. His desire to pursue BBA stemmed from his profound curiosity about the field. People always told him BBA makes you a successful businessman, and the knowledge in the degree is very important. 

After he started classes, Nabin immediately saw the growth in himself, as his business knowledge enhanced through practical experiences and expanded his network. He wanted to build his leadership skills, so he became a University Student Body President for one whole year, gaining knowledge in leading and the power of leadership. 

THE NEXT BIG STEP

In 2023, Nabin discussed the idea of opening a business with two of his friends.

“Nepal is known to not produce most of the food we eat,” expresses Nabin. “And I was fully aware that all of our spices come packaged from abroad. Nepal is a country that consumes a large amount of spices. So we thought, “what if we could produce our own spices, organically?” 

That idea planted the seeds for a new venture. 

Nabin and his partners came up with a business plan they believed could improve the taste of food and enhance the organic production in Karnali Pradesh, our province. Just like that, a thought turned into a plan, then into a progress, and then into a production factory. They realized that they had accidentally created something for which there was a large need but a challenging market. 

“At first, it was difficult to convince our family members,” Nabin reveals. “Then the relatives and neighbors started to pry. They told us our plan was impossible; maybe it was, but because we were young and rebellious, we wanted to prove them wrong.” After months of research, strategizing, and financial struggle, they pulled it off.   

Nabin is a co-founder of Surkhet’s very first food factory called NEW JIPSA FOOD PRODUCTION. They produce organic food spices, and the whole Karnali Province is consuming their products. Their business is growing at an exponential rate, and a plan to distribute their products to the entire country is underway. They have their own factory truck that makes deliveries and have hired two more employees. 

“I’m not sure what other people feel when they achieve their lifelong goal, but I definitely feel like I’ve won in life. I remember when I couldn’t help my family financially, but now I can.” 

When asked what he would like to say to his juniors in Kopila Valley School or any one who is in need of inspiration, Nabin said, “Whether you’re striving towards personal, professional, or academic goals, every step you take brings you closer to where you want to be. The journey might be tough at times, but if you have the willpower, it will see you through. Remember, and it is important, that progress isn’t always linear. There might be setbacks along the way, but each setback is just another opportunity to learn and grow stronger. Keep hustling, keep grinding, and keep chasing those dreams because the world is yours for the taking.”