--By Sujan Tiwari

 

Padma Shree Group’s current focus is on development works, and since 2010, has started importing heavy equipments from Liebherr, a Swiss company. The company recently has started importing road construction and finishing heavy equipments from Auman, a Swiss company. “As Nepal has enormous potential in hydropower, and most of the projects are facing problem with tunnelling, we are now looking forward also to import tunnelling equipments from Sandvik, a Swedish company,” says Thapaliya. 

Thapaliya is also shifting his focus to power sector, renewable energy and waste management. His company is doing the study and research on the subject, and hopefully will have some new projects very soon. “I want to support the development works in the country by offering best possible equipments, services and projects,” says Thapaliya. 

Evolution of Group

 

What is now known as Padma Shree Group started as Shree Padma Saw Mill in the year 1963, initiated by Thapaliya’s father Late Badri Prasad Thapaliya in Simra. The company then used to supply timber to Nepal and India, and also supplied railway sleepers to India. Thapaliya joined the company, worked in the saw mill at the beginning, helped his father and a few years later started the furniture company. The company’s name changed to Shree Padma Saw Mill and Furniture Factory Pvt Ltd, and it expanded to Kathmandu as well. What followed is a huge business, as the group now has a lot of big brands under it. 

Gradually, the company started manufacturing high quality furniture. The company did the furnishing of Singha Durbar, many 5-Star hotels and also the royal palace. The furniture company was honoured in the year 2000 by the then King Birendra for the services offered. “That was the first instance of a company receiving this sort of honour,” recalls Thapaliya. 

In the year 1988, Thapaliya opened Altech Pvt Ltd that dealt with aluminium doors and windows and building materials. Shortly after, he established Padma Shree Pvt Ltd, a trading company for the purpose of representing of various international brands. “During the nationwide movement of 1990, many companies suffered owing to political unrest, labour problems and strikes. Then we thought that we should not focus only on one business, and should diversify,” says Thapaliya. The Group is the outcome of that diversification. 

In the year 1991, Mazda Motor Corporation of Japan was looking for a representative in Nepal, and Thapaliya’s company was among four other contenders. “Our proposal was the most practical, so they selected our company as their partner,” says Thapaliya. From the year 1993, the company started importing Mazda vehicles from Japan. Mazda is one of the flagship imports of the Group today, known for its power, style and performance. In the year 2000, the company started importing power tools from Bosch Germany, one of the biggest tools manufacturers in the world. In 2005, the Group also imported generators from Deutz, Aggretech and MTU, all Germany-based companies to help the nation deal with the power outage. 

According to Thapaliya, Padma Shree Group is renowned in the market for the products it represents. “Whatever products we represent, they are the best in the world. I always go after quality products which are well known and well tested. Though it may be slightly expensive, ultimately, it provides long term benefit,” says he.

 

 

 

Early Life 

 

Thapaliya was born in Lazimpat of Kathmandu in 1952 to Late Badri Prasad Thapaliya and Padma Thapaliya. He studied in Saint Xavier’s School till grade four, and then joined Demonstration School, which later changed to Laboratory School. After his SLC, he joined ISc course and had dreams of becoming an engineer. He wanted to go to Russia to study engineering, but had to give up his dream to help his father in the company. “Yet I don’t have any regrets now, because I am doing well in my business,” says Thapaliya.

 

Personal Side

 

Thapaliya says he is normally much occupied with his business, and takes leave only on Saturdays.” As generators are one of our major products, it has to be running 24/7. So there could be complaints coming in any time, so I am busy almost all the time,” says Thapaliya. Still, if possible, he wants to be free on Saturdays. “I spend time with my family and I try to avoid any business activities on Saturdays. I dedicate my time to my family, and also after office, I spend time with my family,” shares Thapaliya. 

On a more personal side, Thapaliya is quite a reserved person, and takes time to open up and build new relations. “Once I build a relation, I continue it for long. I believe all the relations should be long lasting,” says Thapaliya. According to him, it takes very long to build a relation, but it can be spoilt in no time. “I want to maintain relations for ever, all the relation, both personal and professional ones. I seek perfection in everything I do,” shares Thapaliya. 

Thapaliya enjoys playing tennis and squash, and goes to health club at least five days a week. Quite a religious man, Thapaliya has been visiting Pashupatinath everyday for the last 40 years. Thapaliya travels frequently for business and for vacations. He has been to Japan, China, Singapore, Germany, UK, Switzerland and other countries. He drives Mazda 3, and will soon be driving Mazda CX-5, a new crossover. Thapaliya says he uses gadgets and technology as required, and owns iPhone, MacBook Pro and an iPad. On grooming, he says he wants to look decent and presentable at all times.

Family

 

Married to Deepa Thapaliya in 2037 BS, Thapaliya says it was a love affair turned into arranged marriage. He clearly remembers meeting her for the first time. “We met for the first time in a wedding. We knew each other, got close and later arranged the marriage,” recalls Thapaliya. Deepa holds a degree in Law, and is also the Director of the Group. “She is very supportive and encouraging, and helps me in all my endeavours,” he adds. 

The couple is blessed with a son and a daughter, Shubhashish Thapaliya and Shreeyukta Thapaliya Pandey. Thapaliya has two granddaughters from his daughter. His son holds an Engineering Degree in Energy and Power, and is working in a company in Singapore. He wants his son to return and continue the family legacy. 

 

Philosophies 

 

According to Thapaliya, failures are inevitable, but what matters is how you deal with failures. “When you fail, realize that it was not your piece of cake and move on. When one door closes, another one is always open, do not look at the closed door, and move towards the one that has been open for you,” says he. Thapaliya believes life is very precious, and says that tomorrow is indefinite. “One should not spend time in regrets, and move on towards better things,” advises he. 

Thapaliya says he firmly believes in team work, sincerest of efforts and accountability. “To be successful, dedication and sincerity are the ones needed the most. It will do you good in the long run,” says he. Thapaliya says that there is no shortcut to experience; still it doesn’t mean one has to go through all the hassle. “We have a lot of exposure now, and we can cut short the time needed to be experienced. We all should try to see things from a wide perspective, and do something for the society and the country,” says he. 

 

Concluding Remarks 

 

Thapaliya believes that god has given Nepal all that is needed, and it’s our turn now to make it a real heaven. “I wish to see a peaceful, prosperous and developed Nepal, and I am doing my part for it,” he says. Though he admits that the business environment is not very good now, he says everyone should try to make the best out of this situation.” If you want rainbow trout, then you need fresh and running water. Looking at the situation of the country, unfortunately, all we have is muddy waters now. But I expect to have fresh and running water very soon,” says Thapaliya