KATHMANDU: Time constraint is not an excuse for those who face the challenges in life head on, opines Renu Bajracharya, director of Suruchi Travel and Tours Pvt Ltd, a travel agency she founded in 1990. A glowing testimony to the adage ‘Where there is will, there is a way’ she solely handles four ventures besides fulfiling the role of a devoted wife and mother.

Born in Patan, Bajracharya was fascinated by foreigners and foreign countries since childhood. Even as she played with her friends, she enjoyed the sight of a bunch of curious foreigners led by a tourist guide. “I’d often respond emphatically to greetings from tourists

visiting Patan repeating ‘Hi’ and ‘Hello!’ after them,” fondly recalls Bajracharya.

After acquiring a diploma degree in Secretarial Science from Sanothimi Campus, she joined Annapurna Travel Agency in 1980 as an

assistant ticketing manager. After few years with the agency, she got married and later founded her own travel agency, Suruchi. Bajracharya feels lucky to have been born in an educated family, where her elder brothers, who are involved in business ventures, encouraged her

to join tourism. Even after her marriage, her husband and his family supported her in her endeavour.

Tourism back then was not an industry fully open to women. “In those days, parents didn’t encourage girls and women to work in tourism industry fearing that their frequent encounters with foreigners would ruin their reputation. So there were only about five women, including me, engaged in the industry,” says Bajracharya, who is happy to see the number of women and girls entering the industry

grow with modernisation of Nepali society.

Bajracharya says that she does not remember any tough moments in bringing up the business. “It certainly took time to grow, but I’d faith in my skills and knowledge to excel in the business,” she shares, revealing her strict adherence to quality service and clients’ credibility as key factors behind success. She claims that Suruchi is one of the leading travel agencies in Kathmandu.

Along with successfully operating Suruchi Travels, Bajracharya runs a poultry farm (Home Agro and Food Processing Pvt Ltd),

a trekking agency (Himalaya Aventura) and a currency exchange agency (Himali Money Exchange). “And I still have time to spare!

All you need to run a venture is sound planning and have organised system and rules in place. Then you handover the responsibilities to a good manager and just oversee it. The business grows itself,” she says, sharing her secret.

Also a life member of Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (WEAN), she helps manage bank loans for WEAN which it floats to needy and aspiring women entrepreneurs. “I’m always ready to help an aspiring entrepreneur either by providing appropriate suggestions or arranging loans,” she says. She is also a member of WEAN committee for micro finance and training.

An ambitious Bajracharya plans to run an airline and a resort once the political situation in the country assumes stability.