Kathmandu: Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Larry Page of Google are some of the famous examples of engineers who turned into influential entrepreneurs of our times. Society conforms that if an individual has studied a particular subject then they must work in the same field. However, today there are individuals who are breaking the patterns and taking their passion and profession hand in hand and excelling at both.

Avash KC, a biomedical engineer at Kantipur Hospital also proved himself a successful and passionate entrepreneur over the years. He had great interest in the technical field and he always knew that he was a people’s person. KC who is the Co-Founder of Sasto deal has also worked closely with media, social work and public outreach programmes. He enrolled in an MBA programme after the completion of his degree in Bio-medical engineering. In KC’s own words, “The study and practice of engineering and business management has been quite fruitful. This amalgamation has provided me with

technical knowledge and networking skills.”

In 2003, at the age of 15 he represented Nepal as the youngest participant in the conference for “Young People advocating for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS” held at United Nations Headquarter in New York. In the following year, he was awarded the Sagarmatha Badge in SCOUT, which is a top-level badge for any school student in Nepal. KC led a nine-member delegation team at Youth Camp for Asia’s Future held in Seoul, S.K organised by the National Council of Youth Organisations in Korea (NCYOK), Ministry for Health Welfare and Family Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affair & Trade in 2009.

Further, he received the Young Achievers Award by Today’s Youth Asia. Talking about his remarkable achievements, he says, “I am grateful for all the awards I have received and the recognitions I have acquired. Recognitions signify that you have done something extra ordinary.”

According to him as a young person, one must experiment and learn new things everyday. “Everyday is an opportunity to learn and grow. If you do not know what you exactly want in life then it is always a great idea to explore different fields.”

KC conducted several trainings, presentations, lectures and workshops on leadership, communication, development and empowerment of women and youth.

Moreover, he has presented on ‘Gender Equality and Empowerment’ in the occasion of the World Population Day at sharing Programme by Youth, organised by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia( RHIYA) partners in the years 2005 and 2010.

He has been a source of inspiration to many people in the society because of his contributions and extra-ordinary accomplishments. When asked about his source of inspiration, he says, “My family, teachers

and mentors have always supported me. My mother always believed in me and never gave up on me.” He shares, “I am lucky to have a family that gives me the freedom to chase my dreams.”

Through his ideas, skills and with the help of technology he has been able to reach out to many people and change their lives. He allows, “It is not at all a compulsion to stick to a particular career or job. You always have a choice to go for what your heart truly desires. Do not follow the crowd. Do whatever makes you happy and content.”