Career and Entrepreneurship (Mahabir Pun)

Ways with words

Find the words from the text which mean the following. The first letter has been given.

making you feel physically relaxed; pleasant to wear, sit on, etc. → comfortable
having a degree from the university. → graduated
without being connected with or influenced by something or by each other → independently
the introduction of new things, ideas or ways of doing something → innovation
familiar with something, having read, seen or experienced it → acquainted
a person who makes money by starting or running businesses, especially when this involves taking financial risks → entrepreneur
an opportunity or a place for somebody to express their opinions publicly or make progress in a particular area → platform
to use something, especially for a practical purpose → utilize

The plural form of bacterium is bacteria. Irregular plural nouns are nouns that do not become plural by adding -s or -es, as most nouns in the English language do. Now, write the plural forms of the following nouns.

calf = calves
basis = bases
sheaf = sheaves
cactus = cacti
louse = lice
crisis = crises
person = people
formula = formulas
ox = oxen
fungus = fungi
goose = geese
oasis = oases
analysis = analyses
curriculum = curricula
appendix = appendices
fungus = fungi

Comprehension

Answer these questions.

a. How did Mahabir Pun begin his lifelong journey in Nepal after coming back to Nepal from the US?

Mahabir Pun returned to Nepal after completing his education in the US in order to visit his family and friends. He initially planned to stay in his home village, Nangi, and volunteer as a teacher at a high school.

b. Why didn't he want to work for other companies in the US or in Nepal?

Mahabir Pun did not want to work for other companies in the US or Nepal because he wanted to work independently and do something on his own for the benefit of others. He also preferred living in the mountain villages because he was free to do anything he wanted to try.

c. Why did he involve in innovation?

Mahabir Pun became involved in innovation because he wanted to find solutions to the problems he saw in the mountain communities where he lived. He began by doing brainstorming by himself and then started involving others in the process.

d. What are the income-generating programmes that he helped to start?

Some of the income-generating programs that Mahabir Pun helped to start include self-sustainable, community-run schools and initiatives that deliver new economic possibilities to villagers, allowing them to be sustainable.

e. Whose support is Pun getting to proceed with his campaign?

Mahabir Pun is getting support from organizations such as the Ashoka Foundation, the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, and the University of Nebraska, as well as the Nepal Government, for his campaign.

f. How have the developed countries become prosperous?

Developed countries have become prosperous through a combination of factors, including technological innovation, a strong economy, and good governance.

g. How can we keep the most talented and innovative people in Nepal?

Some ways to keep the most talented and innovative people in Nepal include providing opportunities for them to use their skills and creativity, improving the overall quality of life in the country, and promoting a culture that values and supports innovation.

Critical thinking

Pun says, “We do not have culture of innovation that encourages young people to be innovative and creative”. Do you agree with him? Explain.

I agree with the Pun's statement that Nepal does not have a culture of innovation that encourages young people to be innovative and creative. There are several factors that contribute to a culture of innovation in a society, and Nepal is lacking in some of these areas. For example, the educational system in Nepal does not provide sufficient opportunities for young people to develop their creative and innovative skills. This is due to a lack of resources or support for innovative projects or ideas, or a lack of emphasis on creativity and innovation in the curriculum.

Additionally, there are limited resources and support available for those who wish to pursue innovative projects or ideas in Nepal. This includes financial support, mentorship or guidance, or access to resources and tools that are necessary for innovation. Without these resources, young people feel discouraged or unsupported in their efforts to be innovative and creative.

Overall, it is important for societies to create an environment that encourages and supports innovation and creativity in order to foster the development of new ideas and approaches, and to allow individuals to reach their full potential. In order to improve its culture of innovation, Nepal could benefit from taking steps to provide more resources and support for innovative projects and ideas, as well as increasing the emphasis on creativity and innovation in the educational system. By doing so, Nepal could better support and encourage its young people to be innovative and creative.

What qualities does an individual need to become an entrepreneur?

There are several qualities that are often associated with successful entrepreneurs. Some of these include:

Passion: Successful entrepreneurs are often driven by a strong passion for their ideas and a desire to see them come to fruition.
Initiative: Entrepreneurs need to be proactive and take the initiative to turn their ideas into reality. This often requires them to be willing to take risks and make difficult decisions.
Persistence: Entrepreneurship can be a challenging and unpredictable journey, and it is important for entrepreneurs to have the perseverance and determination to see their ideas through to the end.
Adaptability: Successful entrepreneurs need to be able to adapt and pivot as needed in order to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come their way.
Leadership: Entrepreneurs often need to be able to lead and motivate others in order to build and manage a successful business.
Creativity: Entrepreneurs often need to be able to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems in order to stand out in their industry.
Communication: Entrepreneurs need to be able to effectively communicate their ideas and vision to others, including customers, investors, and team members.
Resourcefulness: Entrepreneurs often need to be able to identify and utilize available resources in order to achieve their goals.
Overall, the specific qualities that are most important for an individual to have in order to become an entrepreneur will depend on the specific business and industry in which they are operating. However, the qualities listed above are commonly associated with successful entrepreneurship.

Writing

Read the following email and write a reply to it.

Hi Samia,

Just a quick email to say that sounds like a great idea. Saturday is better for me because I'm meeting my parents on Sunday. So if that's still good for you, why don't you come here? Then you can see the new flat and all the work we've done on the kitchen since we moved in. We can eat at home and then go for a walk in the afternoon. It's going to be so good to catch up finally. I want to hear all about your new job!

Our address is 52 Charles Road, but it's a bit difficult to find because the house numbers are really strange here. If you turn left at the post office and keep going past the big white house on Charles Road, there's a small side street behind it with the houses 50–56 in. Don't ask me why the side street doesn't have a different name! But call me if you get lost and I'll come and get you.

Let me know if there's anything you do/don't like to eat. Really looking forward to seeing you!

See you soon!
Gregor

(Source: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org)

Reply to Gregor's email.

Hi Gregor,

Thanks for the email! Saturday works for me as well. I'll come over to your place at around noon if that's okay with you. I'm really excited to see your new flat and the kitchen renovations! I'm also looking forward to catching up and hearing all about your new job.

I'm not picky when it comes to food, so anything you have in mind is fine with me. Just let me know if there's anything I can bring or if there's anything you need me to do to help prepare for our lunch.

Thanks for the directions to your place. I'll make sure to follow them closely and call you if I get lost.

See you on Saturday!
Samia

Communique (press release)

Suppose you are the secretary of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), Nepal and an innovator from a foreign country had a talk with its chairperson, Mahabir Pun about bilateral cooperation. Write a press release statement.

National Innovation Centre (NIC)
Kathmandu, Nepal

Press Release

We are pleased to announce that the National Innovation Centre (NIC) of Nepal recently had a productive and engaging discussion with an innovator from a foreign country. The innovator, who wishes to remain anonymous at this time, met with our chairperson, Mahabir Pun, to discuss potential areas of bilateral cooperation between our two countries.

While we are unable to disclose the specifics of the discussion at this time, we can confirm that both parties are committed to exploring opportunities for collaboration that will benefit both our countries and contribute to the overall development of the global innovation ecosystem.

We will provide more information on the outcome of this meeting and any resulting collaborations as they become available.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

National Innovation Centre (NIC)

Kathmandu, Nepal
23 December 2022

Grammar

Use the correct tense of the verbs in brackets.

I don't know where Muna is. Have you seen (you/see) her?
Janak wasn't (not/be) very well last week.
Last night I lost (lose) my keys. So I stayed in my friend’s home.
I have lost (lose) my keys. Can you help me look for them?
I have known (know) Jamuna for three years. We still meet once a month.
She lived (live) in Sikkim when she was a child.
A: What’s wrong?
B: I broke (break) a glass.
A: When did you arrive (you/arrive)?
B: At 10 pm last night.
How long have you known (you/know) Sarmila for?
This is the first time I have driven (drive) a car.

Use been or gone.

I’ve never been to Japan.
Kalpana has gone to Korea. She may come back next year.
A: Where’s Rachana?
B: She has gone to the shops.
Harina was here earlier but I think she has gone now.
Have you ever been to London?