Pulchowk, January 24: A hall at Embark College was filled with inquisitive students gathered for
the third session of the Entrepreneurship Talk Series organized by Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk
Campus. This session's title was intriguing: a Workshop on Design Thinking. The purpose of the
session was to empower participants with the ability to think creatively and design their ideas
effectively, helping them create a lasting impression during their upcoming pitching sessions.
The program started promptly at 1:00 P.M. with Simran Shrestha, a third-year BCT student at
Pulchowk Campus, serving as the host. Participants had pre-registered for the event and were eager to
learn from our distinguished speaker, Mrs. Hima Bista.
The program officially began with a traditional Khada presentation by Miss Riyaj Nepal, the Campus
Director of Hult at IOE, Pulchowk Campus. The host then provided a brief overview of our key
speaker's background.
Mrs. Hima Bista is the Executive Director of Women LEAD Nepal, an organization dedicated to
empowering young Nepali women to realize their full potential as future leaders. A passionate
feminist and advocate for social justice, Mrs. Hima focuses on critical issues such as gender-based
violence and has been a strong voice in campaigns for Dignified Menstruation and Rage Against
Rape. With 24 years of leadership experience at Possible | Nyaya Health Nepal and DFID Nepal
(UKAID), she has improved healthcare access for marginalized communities and promoted gender
equity. Additionally, Hima is a director of Hajuri Khadya Udyog (Kitchen Recipe) and co-founder of
Achaar Ghar: House of Pickles, and she has shared her insights as a guest speaker on various
platforms in Nepal, inspiring many young individuals to drive positive societal change.
The session commenced with Mrs. Bista discussing the importance of background. She encouraged all
participants to introduce themselves and share their personal stories, emphasizing how an individual’s
background influences their ideas. She also highlighted the significance of empathy, stating that it
should be humanized and applied appropriately, connecting with someone's ideas often requires
empathy.
Mrs. Bista then shared her life story and illustrated how she utilized a practical approach to design
thinking to navigate life’s challenges. She explained her journey to becoming the director of Hajuri
Khadya Udyog and co-founder of Achaar Ghar. The initiative for Achaar Ghar began in her home and
was started by her mother, who was passionate about creating something meaningful in her life by
using her exceptional pickling skills. While Mrs. Bista did not participate directly in the production
process, she played a central role in marketing and brand endorsement. She also led the establishment
of Achaar Ghar, a restaurant that initially opened in Patan and has since expanded to multiple
branches, where customers can enjoy free pickle tastings.
Participants were given legos and challenged to create interesting designs within 5 minutes during her
talk, showcasing their creativity. She also encouraged everyone to write down their thoughts to reflect
their mental processes and approaches.

The event featured an engaging Q&A session, where participants had the chance to win discount
coupons from Botanical Bites and Ralycos Nepal for their enthusiastic involvement and correct
answers.
To honor the contributions, Mrs. Bista received a handcrafted wooden token of appreciation from our
gifting partner, CNC Kasthakala Nepal, as well as a plant from our in-kind sponsor, The Plant Room
Nepal, and a perfume from our gifting partner, Call Me Aroma.
The session concluded with a comprehensive discussion on the importance of shaping and designing
one’s thought process. Participants were introduced to various strategies and tools to develop a
mindset capable of addressing challenges and finding solutions in diverse situations. By emphasizing
self-awareness, creative problem-solving, and adaptability, the session aimed to enable individuals to
approach life's obstacles with confidence and resilience, ultimately fostering both personal and
professional growth.