Kathmandu – Many families in Nepali society follow the tradition of continuing the work of their ancestors. There is a common belief that “the doctor’s son must become a doctor, the farmer’s child should continue farming, the jeweler’s son must work with gold, and the priest’s son should follow in his father’s religious footsteps.” These societal norms are deeply ingrained in Nepal.

In an environment where men often leave for employment at a young age due to economic hardships, and girls are married off early to ease the family’s burden, the dreams of young daughters are often left unfulfilled. Despite this, there are many examples of individuals who have defied these societal norms, becoming strong pillars in society. One such example is banker Arunima Basnet.

Arunima, who has worked in various banks for the past 16 years, is currently the branch manager of Jyoti Development Bank’s Ghorahi branch. Her journey to success has been shaped by various experiences, overcoming both moments of joy and hardship. One of the most significant challenges she faced was losing her mother at a young age, a loss that taught her to persevere through difficult times.

Born in Dang’s Manpur, Arunima was deeply loved and cared for as the youngest in her family. However, her dreams of gaining her mother’s affection and conquering the world were shattered when she lost her mother during her high school years. As a child, Arunima was very close to her mother, and she says, “In a family of six, my father was deeply involved in politics, so he was often away from home. My mother took care of everything. After she was gone, it felt like everything collapsed.”

Despite the emotional turmoil caused by the loss, Arunima did not give up. Instead, it pushed her to go to Kathmandu to continue her studies after finishing high school. Her education helped heal her pain and opened doors to a brighter future.

Though her family had a political background, Arunima had no interest in politics. She was more drawn to the banking sector, which she found more appealing and prestigious. “Sometimes, when I visited banks for work, I was inspired by the personalities of the female employees, and I began thinking I would become a banker too,” she recalls. Her growing interest in the banking industry was further fueled by a close relative working in the sector, who would often share insights with her.

In 2007, while still in her second year of undergraduate studies, she got an opportunity to work as an intern at NIC Bank. Although her time there was brief, it provided her with a solid foundation in the basics of banking. Following that, she worked at Bhargav Bank as the Operations Incharge for two years.

Although she initially intended to finish her education before getting married, the pressure from her family to marry, especially after her sisters had already married, led her to marry earlier than planned. “Had my mother been there, perhaps I would not have gotten married so early,” Arunima reflects. “But in a patriarchal society, who listens to what a woman says? I had to do what others expected of me.”

Despite the pressures of marriage, she continued her studies and career. Her dedication and commitment opened new opportunities, and in 2010, she became the branch manager of Jyoti Development Bank’s Tulsi Pur branch. Since then, she has successfully managed branches in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and other parts of the country, further expanding her professional experience.

Arunima attributes much of her strength and independence to the support she received from her parents, who never imposed restrictions on her. This support has enabled her to face challenges and become a role model for others. She now focuses on preparing her daughter to be self-reliant and believes that everyone should have the opportunity to work in a field they are passionate about, regardless of gender.

Arunima’s success story is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s interests, overcoming adversity, and balancing professional and personal responsibilities. She hopes to pass on the values of perseverance and integrity to her daughter, ensuring the creation of capable future leaders.