Banking News – Everyone dreams of achieving something special in life, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. “Not everything you want to achieve comes to fruition,” says Binita Dhakal, Area Manager at Sanima Reliance Life Insurance. She is one of the top performers in her company.

Born in Rajbiraj, Binita spent her childhood in Chandragadhi, Jhapa. Due to her father’s career as a banker, she had the opportunity to move to different districts, giving her a chance to experience various parts of the country. She completed her education up to the 9th grade in Biratnagar before continuing her studies.

Though she wasn’t outstanding in academics, Binita was an active student who loved participating in programs, catching the attention of her teachers. From a young age, she was determined to do something significant. After gaining experience in different fields, she found her calling in the insurance sector, where she discovered a profession that matched her personality.

Insurance Became the Source of Her Confidence

Before joining the insurance industry, Binita worked in various fields. After marriage, she lived abroad for a while with her husband, but upon returning to Nepal in 2014, she felt a strong urge to make a mark in her career. Initially, she had aspirations to work in the government sector and even prepared for the Public Service Commission exams. However, after repeated attempts without success, she left that path behind.

She started losing interest in government jobs once she understood the salary structures. During this time, Binita sought advice from a psychologist, who encouraged her to try working in a different field. She then gained experience at a hospitality training center, which helped her discover her ability to communicate effectively and teach people in a friendly manner.

After working in hospitality, she developed an interest in the corporate sector and tried her luck in the banking industry. Eventually, she joined Sanima Hydro Power, where she worked for two years before moving to Sanima Life Insurance, where she has been since the company’s inception. This is where she finally found a profession that resonated with her, and she has been fully committed to it ever since.

The First Step to Career Growth: Family Support

While many people dream of achieving everything in life, Binita acknowledges that not everything is possible. She believes that feeling disheartened because things don’t go as planned only holds one back. Success in work requires careful management, and she emphasizes balancing work and family.

Though it’s often said that the responsibilities of raising children fall more on the mother than the father, Binita believes women are capable of handling both work and family effectively. She credits the full support of her husband for her success. “Without the support of my husband, nothing would have been possible. He has helped me find time for both family and work,” she says.

Her passion for her job and her self-confidence have created an energy that fuels her career. Binita believes that joining the insurance sector helped her develop speaking skills and boosted her confidence in her abilities.

The Thought “I Can’t” Is the Barrier to Growth

According to Binita, many women are interested in working but tend to look for instant rewards at the beginning of their careers, which can discourage them. “Everyone wants to do something, but thinking ‘I can’t’ or ‘it’s too difficult’ at the start only blocks growth and progress,” she says. “This is a wrong mindset.” She adds that compared to office work, household chores are often far more challenging. Therefore, all women should embrace work, as it provides them with a chance to grow.

She concludes by saying, “Life is a struggle. From the moment we are in our mother’s womb, we have to fight. Life should either be embraced as difficult or managed well, and my view is to manage it.”

(This article is part of Banking News’ weeklong special series for International Women’s Day (March 8 / Falgun 24), highlighting women in leadership roles in the banking and insurance sectors.)