RAGS TO RICHES

BY SANJEEV SINGH BHANDARI
At times people wouldlaugh at me saying "Look... a RJ is selling MOMO on the street" but I did not mind: Ayush Shrestha
　　Ayush did it while many just dream of…He sold Momo on the street for two years and finally bought a house in Pokhara…Can you believe it?

Life is hard and it is even harder for the people who live in scarcity. Poor are neglected, rejected and exploited to the hilt. There is no one to commiserate with poor over misery and poverty. To make their lives easy go, they are compelled to do many odd things. And a life in city further adds their woes. In nutshell, a life in city is replete with difficulties. In a situation like this, if someone sells MOMO on the street for a living does not sound incredible. But by selling Momo on the street for two years enabled one to buy a house in Pokhara, does really sound incredible…Isn’t it? This can really startle every sane person on land. Believe me, my intention is not to freak out you! This is what a truth all about a man, who is wielded with rock solid determination.

       I’m talking about Ayush Shrestha. By the dint of sheer hard work and perseverance, he achieved a wonderful feat that sounds next to impossible. Yes, he is the man who turned virtually impossible dream into reality.

        Born into a poor family he went through many vicissitudes in his life, when he was still a teenage. He lost his parents when he was at his 10. He left his hometown Kalesti, Tanahun and went to Bardia, where he worked and continued his education.

        When arrived in Pokhara, he had bundle of hope, but no money in his pocket. Once again, he took up job that lay on his hand. But his desire for higher education was still burning in his heart. He joined Jana Priya campus and passed +2 level. In fact, he wanted to study more, but financial crunch made this impossible.

        Then he diverted his attention from education to money making. He wanted to rake in by doing some business. "Until then I had realized that a salary based job can’t make you rich. I decided to start a business of my own. Meanwhile, I got an employment in Saudi Arab. I spent nearly two years there but that couldn’t give me any satisfaction," said Ayush.

       Ayush returned to the homeland and got into media. He started a new inning as a local TV host in Pokahra. He later joined local FM and ran some popular programmes.

"The job I had in the FM was just enough to keep me afloat, but I was virtually penniless", revealed Ayush.

      He firmly decided to begin a business of his own. He started selling MOMO and Sauces on the street.

     "I still remember many boys and girls past by my street Momo stall would point fingers at me and tell their friends, "Look the RJ is selling MOMO and souses. I did not mind because I had already seen and experienced the hardship of life in the Gulf countries" vouched Ayush.

       His hard work finally paid him. His street business flourished leap and bound. Then he opened a restaurant, and then followed more restaurants. He chose a name for his restaurants…THE STATION. Today his restaurants are well known in Pokhara. His ultimate goal translated into reality, when he bought a house of his own in Pokhara. He took no loan but all was his money, the money he had earned by sweating days and nights.

       Ayush is a living example for many youths, who think toiling abroad is the only way to earn money. It is possible even at home; if you don’t believe then you must meet Ayush, a benign and down to earth man.