Aakriti Mahat: From a Shy Girl to a Successful Businesswoman

Usha Adhikari, Executive Director, Rukmini Foundation Nepal

The Girl I First Met

I want to share a story that makes me very proud. It is the story of Aakriti Mahat, one of our Rukmini Foundation sisters.

When I think about Aakriti, I remember the shy girl who first came to us in Grade 7. She would not talk much. When she had to speak in front of others, she would become very nervous. She kept her thoughts to herself.

But today, I see a different Aakriti. She is 23 years old now. She runs her own business called Aakriti Collection. She sells women's clothing, jewelry, and bangles. She earns a good income and is now in a position to hire others. She has already given jobs to two people and wants to give jobs to many more.

Finding Her Voice Through the Foundation

How did this change happen?

I believe the Rukmini Foundation helped her find her voice. Through our Didi Program, she learned to share her thoughts. She listened to our Didis and gained confidence. She says, "Everything I have learned started at the Rukmini Foundation. I learned to speak up, express myself, and build confidence. That confidence has helped me reach where I am today."

Aakriti comes from Chhaimale in Dakshinkali Municipality. She has three older sisters and one younger brother. Her family had a difficult financial situation. Her father was a driver and her mother was a homemaker and farmer. The scholarship from Rukmini Foundation was a big relief for her family.

Her three older sisters completed their bachelor's degrees and are married now. Her second oldest sister moved to Australia and completed a nursing degree there.

The Setback That Did Not Stop Her

Aakriti also wanted to study in Australia. She applied for a student visa but it was not approved. She lost one year of her studies because of this. She says this is one of her biggest regrets.

This is a story we see too often in Nepal. So many talented young people want to go abroad. They feel there is no future for them here. And when the visa does not come, they lose hope and waste precious time.

But Aakriti did something different. She did not let the visa rejection stop her. She decided to build her life right here in Nepal.

She enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Studies program. She studied at Shikharapur Campus and later transferred to Public Youth College in Thamel. While studying, she worked in a cooperative and at a consultancy. She is now in her third year of BBS and preparing for her fourth year.

Building a Business at Home

Aakriti also has a creative side. She started making and selling pani puri and chhatpate from home after her SEE exam. Then she expanded to selling tea and snacks. She also worked at a creative media company where she taught children dance and anchoring skills. She used TikTok to sell clothes online and grew her business step by step.

What I love most about Aakriti is her courage. When her visa was rejected, she did not stop. She kept moving forward. She helped her family financially from a young age. She says supporting her family has been one of her greatest achievements.

Her dream is to expand Aakriti Collection and sell her products internationally. Her younger brother is in Grade 10 now. She hopes he will join her business after his SEE examination.

A Message to Our Sisters

When I asked what message she has for other Rukmini Foundation sisters, she said:

"Continue your education no matter what. Never miss the programs organized by the Rukmini Foundation because they teach you so much. Don't get married at an early age. Keep learning, believe in yourself, and work toward your dreams."

This is the spirit we want to grow in all our girls. Every shy girl can become a confident leader. Every difficult moment can become a stepping stone. With education, mentorship, and belief in yourself, you can achieve great things.

Why Her Story Matters for Nepal

Aakriti's story also reminds me of something important. So many young people in Nepal feel they must go abroad to find success. We see this every day. Talented young men and women leave their families and their country. They go to Australia, America, and other places. And while we wish them well, we also feel the loss. Nepal loses so much of its talent.

But Aakriti chose to stay and build something here. She created a business, gave jobs to others, and is supporting her family right here in Nepal. She is proof that you do not have to leave your country to make a good life for yourself.

At the Rukmini Foundation, we want to see more stories like this. We want to show young people that there is opportunity here. That you can be successful without going abroad. That your country needs you and you can build a future right here at home.

A Request to Our Supporters

Aakriti's journey would not have been possible without the support of people like you. The scholarship she received, the mentorship through our Didi Program, the confidence she built through our workshops—all of this was made possible because of our donors and supporters.

We want to create more stories like Aakriti's. We want to reach more girls, give them scholarships, bring more Didis to inspire them, and help them discover their own strength. Every girl who finds her confidence is one more person building a future in Nepal. Every girl who succeeds here is one more person who does not have to leave her family and her country.

If you believe in this mission, please continue to support us. Your donations go directly to scholarships, mentorship programs, health workshops, and educational support for girls like Aakriti. Together, we can keep more talented young people in Nepal and help them build successful lives here.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

With gratitude,

Usha Adhikari
Executive Director
Rukmini Foundation Nepal