By Dipa Kuikel
On Monday, September 21, I went to Champadevi Secondary School for a Special Didi Program. Seventy four students from Grades 6 to 10 gathered in the hall with their teachers. Dr. Rudra Adhikari, the principal, welcomed us. Our guest was Salinaa Didi, Co-Founder of Logictive Solutions. She came to share her story with our students.
Two days later, I am still thinking about what she said.
Growing Up in Sarlahi
Salinaa Didi was born and raised in Sarlahi, and she is the only child of her parents. She grew up in a large household with her grandfather, grandmother, father, uncle, aunt, brothers, and sisters. Her uncle and aunt raised her like their own daughter.
Her father was a teacher, and education was valued in her family. Because of this, Salinaa Didi was sent to school at a time when many girls in her village were not. She was fortunate in that way. But school was not always easy. She was strong in mathematics and struggled with science. She also noticed how students were treated differently. Those with fair skin or higher ranks received more attention from teachers. Even as a young girl, she found this hard to accept. In Grade 9, she told her teacher she wanted to become an engineer. Even though she felt she was not strong in science, her dream stayed with her, so she focused her energy around technology.
The Move to Kathmandu and Her Aama’s Advice
After finishing Grade 12 in her village, Salinaa Didi came to Kathmandu for higher education. Her aunt, whom she calls Aama (mother in Nepali), gave her advice that shaped the rest of her life. Aama told her that a daughter should study, become independent, and stand on her own feet. She should not depend on money given by others. She should learn to earn for herself. Salinaa Didi took those words seriously, and not only did she complete her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kathmandu, but she also did internships and ended up working with corporate companies and banks in Nepal.
A Dream That Took a Different Path
At one point, Salinaa Didi planned to move to Germany, where she had family. She learned German to prepare. But she ran into visa problems and lost the opportunity. Instead of giving up, she decided to build her career in Nepal. Her interest in technology had never faded. She took a job with a Japanese IT company, where she learned about software and gained hands-on experience. After working in the field for many years, she and her partners started their own company, Logictive Solutions. The company now employs more than 15 people. She did not become an engineer the way she imagined in Grade 9, but she found her way into technology, and she built something of her own.
What She Shared With Our Students
Salinaa Didi shared several messages with our girls. She told them to dream without fear and to work hard for those dreams. She told them to build their own identity instead of depending only on their family’s name. She said they should never feel ashamed to learn, even if the person teaching them is younger. She urged them not to let fear or the urge to give up come between them and their dreams. And she reminded them that everyone is special and capable of achieving what they set out to do.
The Students Asked Questions
Even though the girls and boys were shy at first, the students were very curious, and they asked Salina Didi questions.
One student asked if she was afraid before starting her company. Salinaa Didi said yes, she was. But she did not let fear stop her. Her family supported and encouraged her, which helped her build confidence. Another student asked what it takes to start a successful IT company. Salinaa Didi said knowledge, skills, continuous learning, and patience. Having only one skill is not enough, she explained. People should keep learning and developing themselves.
How This Resonated With Me
I have been mentoring our Bahinis for some time now, and I have seen how fear holds them back. Many are afraid to ask questions in class. They worry about being scolded. They worry about looking foolish in front of their friends. Salinaa Didi’s story shows what happens when a girl refuses to let fear win. She faced visa rejection. She faced challenges in her studies. Through all of it, she kept going.
I want our girls to see that. A bad result is not the end. A failed dream does not mean all dreams are lost. A different path can still lead somewhere good. One of our core values says we are not afraid of failing, because that is how we learn and grow. Salinaa Didi is proof of that.
The Future We Are Building
Salinaa Didi now helps run a company that employs more than 15 people. She is creating jobs and building Nepal’s technology sector. This is what we want for our Bahinis. Not just to pass exams or finish school, but to build lives where they can stand on their own feet and create opportunities for others. We are working on a “Techknowledgy” Center. It will be a place where students can learn computer skills, coding, and other technical skills. It will also host programs in pickling, organic farming, self defense, mental health, and more. Hence the name “Techknowledgy” as it covers things outside of just high-tech. These are all the things our community needs. When I think about that center, I think about the girls who listened to Salinaa Didi. I want them to have a place where they can learn, try new things, and not be afraid to fail. That is how resilience is built. One skill at a time. One conversation at a time. One girl who believes in herself.
Her Final Message
Salinaa Didi ended with a simple message for our students. “We all are special, and we all have dreams. Let’s achieve our dreams by working hard.” I hope our girls carry those words with them. I hope they remember that they are special, that their dreams are worth chasing, and that the Didis at Rukmini Foundation will be here to support them along the way.
- Dream Without Fear: A Special Didi Visits Champadevi - September 23, 2026
- Community Ownership Brings Nutritious Meals to Every Partner School - September 22, 2026
- When a Didi’s Story Becomes Our Lesson - June 29, 2026
- What 33 Boys Taught Me About Breaking the Silence - June 29, 2026
- Protecting Our Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters - June 29, 2026
