Purnima : the brightest glow of positivity
"Purnima Kharel, founder and managing director of Granvill Resort, is a rare personality who has placed the social good at the heart of the business she runs. This is her brief life story filled with nuggets of life lessons. It will certainly inspire you, our readers to be sincere and embrace the challenges of life.rnrn rnrnChildhoodrnrnPurnima was born in 2043 BS in a small town in Dhading district, Gajuri. She is the youngest of 11 siblings. She spent most of her childhood in and around her home town, strolling with friends, climbing trees, swimming in the Trishuli river and more. She was an energetic and curious child – she explored dance, sports, martial arts and more. She also won an inter-district table tennis competition in 5th grade.rnrnIn her adolescence restrictions were imposed on her and her sisters. They were forbidden from socializing outside the family, making friends, visiting others or inviting them home and participating in extracurricular activities. Everything had to be approved by the eldest brother who was pretty strict and feared by the sisters. Eventually, the prohibitions led her to suppress and kill her interests and desires.rnrnHowever, the environment within the family was quite liberal. The members communicated extensively, had fun and were encouraged to pursue their hobbies within the premises. She lived in a joint family with her parents and siblings, uncle and aunts, and cousins. Due to the closeness, harmony and affection for each other, every minor achievement was a big celebration. The festivals were especially enjoyable when everyone came together.rnrnIn 2060, at the age of 16, she was married to her husband from Dolakha.rnrn![]()
rnrnStrugglesrnrnDadhing and Dolakha were distant, not only geographically but also in their culture and values; the dialect spoken was alien to her ears. Adapting to her new role, in a new family was not easy for her . She was loved and supported by her new family. However, for the youngest child among the siblings and bhaujus (sister-in-laws) who was always exempt from kitchen and other household duties at her parents’ home, being a homemaker was one of the most difficult jobs.rnrnHer mother, who was a meticulous and optimistic person, used to tell her that there was no end to the household chores and that one should not squander one’s entire life on them. Her mother always encouraged her, from an early age, to pursue a career outside the household.rnrnIn no time, she understood the truth and the wisdom of her mother’s words. So, Purnima along with her husband and family, decided to set up a school in their own locality. They started the school in 2063 with 11 employees and 80 students. They had to work hard with a lot of patience because people do not have faith in new ventures easily. To ensure the success of the school, she went to Kathmandu and trained herself in the Montessori method of education. It was a tough decision because she had to be separated from her two-and-a-half-year-old son for a long period of time. Their determination and effort was rewarded; the school has become a successful venture today with around 1000 students and 80 employees.rnrn![]()
rnrnInnovation rnrnPurnima believes in innovation and constructive adaptation to the changes. If one fails, there is high likelihood for their endeavours to become derelict. Her ventures are always evolving because she has continuously strived to set both her ventures apart from the rest of the competition. It gives her businesses a unique competitive edge..rnrnAt Alpine Public School, she introduced the Montessori method of education. She was among the first schools in Dolakha to introduce this relatively new approach to teaching. Most of the schools in the district were then operating on traditional ways of teaching. The training produced quick and visible results in the quality of education which was appreciated by the parents. It also produced significant growth in the number of students. Now, all the teachers receive training before getting initiated into the school.rnrnPurnima has applied the same principle of setting oneself apart in her new venture, Granvill. The resort is located at such a height that it provides a bird's eye view of the Kuri Bazar, the cable car station, the temple and the sunset. It is unlike any other hotel found in and around Kalinchowk. They prepare food from local, organic produce and on festival days, offer delicacies relevant to the festival. The layout of the resort is such that people can have fun, be loud and enjoy throughout the night without being a nuisance to others. The resort aims to provide the best care to the guests and the devotees. rnrn![]()
rnrnDiligence and positive attitudernrnFrom her own experience, Purnima shares that a positive attitude and diligence are integral to any work. It will produce favourable result sooner or later. She recalls the initial stage of establishing the school being immensely difficult. But with continuous effort, they were able to firmly establish a flourishing institution. Besides the result, she claims, sincere and patient effort will transform a person mentally for the best, and the skills learned will surely be helpful directly or indirectly in the future. So, no matter the nature of the job, or the money it generates, Purnima advises every employee to put in full effort into their work and strive for perfection. And she applies it in her own life as well. No wonder she is so accomplished!rnrnShe recalls a valuable insight her husband shared with her – paying attention to and critiquing others’ negative traits and conduct will only make oneself lazier, and torment them. But looking at the positive aspects will fill the person with energy and motivation. So people should only learn the positive aspects of others and not the negative.rnrn rnrnWork culturernrnAlthough known for his strictness, Purnima now sees the merit and rationale behind her brother’s strictness. He did the best to his capacity to instill good ethics in her, took complete responsibility and protected her from the critical society. She herself replicated some of the virtuous qualities of her brother in the school – she trained them, provided feedback and was stern with them so that they could become the best versions of themselves. No one outside of the family could fault them.rnrnWomen empowerment and social supportrnrnIn Purnima's view, women are very good multi-taskers. They do their job perfectly with full effort. But the majority of them are still limited to their households. If women’s potential is allowed to find expression outside the family boundaries, they can produce a significant transformation in society. So, she advocates for equal opportunity among all people. Because every work demands competence, both men and women should get equally good resources and opportunities to develop their competence. There should be no disparity in the quality of education, freedom, care and encouragement they receive. Given an even playing field, she says, women can be equally as competent, if not more, as men. Purnima is grieved when men do not tolerate women as their business leaders. Based on her observation and experience, businesses that have women leaders, especially husband and wife duos, perform significantly better compared to those solely headed by men.rnrnShe is now being a trailblazer so that others will be encouraged by her. This role is not easy, but if she does it, she will have created the path, bore the heaviest burden, and made it easier for other women to follow and move forward in their own lights.rnrnFor this, the role of the family's support is paramount. Purnima herself accredits the vital role of her supportive mother-in-law and husband behind the success of the school. Particularly, her husband’s trust, faith and confidence in her have been indispensable in her success.rnrn![]()
rnrnSocial undertonernrnThe regard for social domain precedes Purnima’s venture into the hospitality business. When she perceived that the school had attained a level of sustainability and could perform without her, she thought her skills and experience can be put to better use elsewhere. She recognized that a new project could at least create a few more employment opportunities, and could contribute to the economy and development of a small area in the least. Being interested in the tourism sector, she ventured into the hospitality business.rnrnSince her childhood, she was highly inspired by the deeds of Mr. Ashadeep Shakya, a social personality and a social worker in Dadhing. He was also the one who named her Purnima. Now, all her actions have a social undertone, a trait inspired by one of her role models, Shakya.rnrnEven during her school venture, she was eager to share her knowledge about the Montessori method with other teachers and schools. She'd also started a training centre. When operating the centre was not possible after the devastating earthquake of 2072 BS, she started visiting schools and villages to train others. She believed her knowledge would not only improve the existing educational system, it could empower many women with skills and boosting their confidence without the hardships she had to face.rnrnShe sees herself as a trailblazer for many women. By utilizing her knowledge, skills and experience, and bearing the burden and risk of establishing a new business, Purnima feels she can set an example for other women and encourage them to step outside their households and actualize their latent potential."
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