Shanghai. Ananta Sapkota, an engineer teaching at Pulchowk Engineering Campus, arrived in Shanghai, China in 1999 after getting the opportunity to learn Chinese. The first time he came, Sapkota completed his language studies in some time and returned home. The second time he came to Shanghai in 2001 to pursue his master’s degree, he brought his wife Samjhana Sapkota with him.
After that, the Sapkota family did not return to Nepal and insisted that they should do something in China. As a result, Ananta Sapkota is currently working as an independent consultant in various organizations in Shanghai, China, while his wife Samjhana is also working in an American school in Shanghai.
Ananta started a cosmetic manufacturing business with his own investment while working for various Chinese and foreign companies in Shanghai. After leaving the cosmetic manufacturing business, he worked as a manufacturing engineer for a company called ‘Melaleuca’. Even after retiring from there, he is currently active as an independent consultant in Shanghai.
While working in Shanghai, Sapkota also went to Cambodia. Although he had hoped to expand his business there, when things did not work out as expected, he returned to Shanghai. And, he continued his work in Shanghai.
‘I am currently working as an independent consultant in Shanghai,’ he said.
Not only Anant, his wife Samjhana Sapkota has also been in Shanghai since 2001. She currently works at the Shanghai Livingstone American School. She is a manager there. One of their sons is in the US for studies. Her family visits Nepal from time to time.
Samjhanna initially studied Chinese in Shanghai. Since her son was born, she did not have time to work at first. After her son grew up, she started working from 2009-10. Initially, she worked for a Korean company.
Sadness during COVID-19
The Sapkota family, who had settled in Shanghai, missed Nepal a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID infection had started in China. A strict nationwide lockdown was imposed in China to control Corona. The Sapkota family was among the victims. She recalls that she missed Nepal a lot at that time.
‘We used to visit Nepal regularly. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we missed Nepal a lot. There was a strict lockdown here during COVID-19. We were not allowed to go out. However, the government would deliver all the necessary food and other items to our homes. There was no shortage of necessary assistance. However, we were not allowed to go out,’ says Samjhana, ‘We were very scared at that time. At that time, I missed Nepal a lot. I still miss Nepal now. At that time, I wanted to return to Nepal.’
A direct witness to Shanghai’s development
Shanghai is the number one developed city in China. It is considered the most developed city in the world. Shanghai also has the largest metro rail network in the world. Until 1990, Shanghai was an ordinary city. Now Shanghai has established itself as a developed city. The Sapkota family is also a direct witness to this development of Shanghai.
‘When I came to Shanghai in 1999, it was an ordinary city. There were old buildings built by foreigners. Most of the places were farmlands and fields. At that time, Shanghai was less developed than Kathmandu in Nepal. However, now Shanghai has established itself as a developed city,’ says Anant Sapkota, ‘The metro was launched in 1992. Since then, Shanghai has been developing continuously. Now Shanghai has developed as one of the most developed cities in the world.
It seems that China, including Shanghai, has succeeded in developing to this level due to policy reform, political stability, and China’s working style. There is a practice of working in a planned manner here. That is why China has been able to develop to this level. Now China considers America as the only competitor.’
How is Shanghai for Nepalese? ?
The Sopkota family says that Shanghai has a good environment for Nepalese to study and do various jobs. They say that Shanghai is good for studying mathematics and science.
‘The system here is also good now. It is very good for studying here,’ says Samjhana, ‘it is also very good for those who come to work. There are different arrangements according to the company. If it is done in a multinational company, there are good facilities. If the process is completed, there are good facilities. Knowledge of the Chinese language is necessary to work here.’
She says that due to the open policy adopted by China in 1996, it has become easier for foreigners to build a future in China.
‘Since 1996, China has adopted an open policy. It has a policy that allows citizens of other countries to open companies and work in China,’ she said. ‘That policy has made it easier for us to live and work here.’
Although they live in Shanghai, China, the Sapkoto family’s heart is in Nepal. The Sapkota family says they want to see Nepal develop like China.
‘China’s policies and regulations are good. Shanghai is also a good city. It is also very good for business,’ says Anant Sapkota, ‘We want the same environment and development as here to happen in our country (Nepal) too.’
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