--By Upashana Neupane
Umesh Lal Shrestha, president of Association of Pharmaceuticals Producers of Nepal (APPON) regards himself as a very simple person. Very humble person by nature, Shrestha is hardly found annoyed or angry. Highly inspired by his own father, he walks on his path. ‘Treating Everybody Equally’ is the principle around which Shrestha’s life revolves. “Hierarchy in our society and discriminations in any form frustrates me a lot”, he shares adding, “I don’t believe in the caste system.”
This scenario of the society makes Shrestha write too. He shares that he has wrote number of poems based on the contemporary social issues. However, only one of his poems is published so far. He has limitedhis writings within his own diary.
Besides writing hobby, Shrestha loves reading too in his spare time. He particularly loves reading biographies. Akio Morita’s biography remains his all time favourite. Apart from that Shrestha loves listening to music too. Old Hindi songs, and songs of Narayan Gopal are his preferred taste in music.He shares that he also likes to sing, but that is also his personal pleasure.
Shrestha has been sporty person in his times. He shares that was an active cricket and hockey player in the past but stopped playing them as his age grew gradually. However, hestill updates himself with the events. This interest in sports has made him the Vice-President of Nepal Olympic Committee and president of Nepal Hockey Association.
In spite of being loaded with a host of responsibilities, Shrestha doesn’t find it difficult to manage his personal and professional life. He hates having to attend unnecessary calls when he is on holidays and believes in keeping office and home separate. “I keep it very simple”, he shares, “Don’t take your work home;don’t bring your home to office.” This way he manages well to carry his family and office together.
Along with his office responsibilities, he says that he has been successful in managing time for his family. He shares that he often goes on vacation with his family, which consists of his mother, wife and two daughters. Pokhara has always been his favourite within the country, when it comes for vacation or refreshment and spending time with family. Likewise, Europe is his favourite destination overseas. “The scenery and the natural beauty is amazing in Europe”, he shares, “America is good too, but we don’t get to see history and human cultures there as in Europe,” he shares.
