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Suryansh Vaidya is a business leader serving as the director at Vaidya’s Organization of Industries and Trading Houses (VOITH), the CEO at Vaidya Energy, and the founder of Pitstop Incorporated. A graduate of Bentley University, he holds a degree in Business Management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Vaidya Energy is a sole distributor of Ather Energy, an electric scooter manufacturer. ApEx interviewed Vaidya regarding Ather, business and Nepali market.

How is the automobile market now in Nepal? Has it come to the point before covid?

The automotive market in Nepal has been in an exciting and unpredictable state from the time of covid. That is when I started working in the business and it has been a great learning experience, giving me an opportunity to build myself up stronger. 

The automotive market actually performed well immediately after the pandemic restrictions were lifted. The pent up demand actually boosted sales to pre-covid levels right within a matter of months. We look at the performance now, it’s a different game altogether, this is a market where survival has been a question and can be traced back to some questionable decisions our country made. 

The rapid adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), constituting over 60 percent of new vehicle sales in the past two years, is a pivotal trend with profound implications. This surge necessitates a keen examination of its impact on the market, environment, societal dynamics, and individual behaviors.

This adoption rate signifies a transformative shift in the automotive industry, demanding a strategic response from stakeholders. Beyond market changes, the shift to BEVs aligns with global sustainability goals, emphasizing the urgent need for environmentally responsible transportation choices.

Examining mobility preparedness is crucial; it extends beyond charging infrastructure to include servicing, spare parts availability, and workforce readiness. Gaps in second and third channel service centers underscore the need for strategic training programs to ensure a seamless transition.

The significant workforce employed in the automotive sector, exceeding 100,000 people, underscores the imperative for their smooth transition. Adequate training and opportunities are crucial to adapt to the evolving landscape, ensuring business sustainability.

While acknowledging global investments in charging infrastructure during electric mobility transitions, our government faces fiscal challenges. The current deficit emphasizes the urgency of aggressive government investment, recognizing the private sector's limitations in meeting national needs alone.

In essence, this condensed evaluation underscores the paramount importance of addressing these facets for a sustainable and thriving future of mobility in Nepal.

How did the idea come to tie up with Ather?

Inherited from my grandfather and nurtured by my family, our legacy has granted me the opportunity to explore and expand upon my interests. I find myself incredibly fortunate to be drawn to the dynamic world of mobility, recognizing it as a catalyst for economic development and societal progress. My journey with Toyota, a renowned company, exposed the challenge of reaching a broader audience due to our country’s current policies.

Seeking ways to bridge this gap, Ather, a beacon in the mobility industry, emerged as a potential partner. The initiation was a cold email, a leap of faith that yielded a surprising response from the Ather team. Notably, they remarked on my unique approach—a solitary call in a cafe, contrasting with the typical boardroom settings. Responding to their inquiries, I grounded my answers in comprehensive research, firmly believing in its role as the cornerstone of effective decision-making.

Our exchanges led to an invitation to Bangalore, where I had the opportunity to tour the Ather office, absorb the essence of their company culture, and, to my elation, learn that they had chosen us. The moment was a whirlwind of excitement and ecstasy, tempered by the realization of the substantial challenges that lay ahead.

Every day as I step into the Ather experience center, the memories of that transformative journey resurface. It serves as a constant reminder of the evolution from a speculative cold email to a collaborative partnership with a pioneering mobility company, fueling my determination to navigate the peaks and valleys of this ambitious endeavor.

How is Ather doing in the Nepali market?

Ather has exceeded our expectations, and our dynamic team in Nepal, brimming with energy, persistence, and motivation, has propelled us to success in the two-wheeler segment despite lacking prior experience. Witnessing these vibrant individuals do justice to the brand is truly gratifying. Despite Ather being a young company with just five years of experience in selling scooters, it has evolved into a powerhouse in India. Our gratitude goes to the Indian team for their invaluable support, guidance, and mentorship, ensuring nothing but success for us. We also commend Ather for its adaptability, learning, and success in both our country and the export market—marking their first venture outside of India. With over 100 units sold and a surge in bookings, we are currently out of stock. Our plans include delivering 40+ units for the launch of our second experience center in Lalitpur in January.

We are looking to expand our reach over the country and have been looking for dealers throughout the country. We are planning to expand to Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal and the East within the next four months and six more markets around the nation by Nov 2024.

We are dedicated to fostering trust within our customer community through our relentless efforts. Expanding our service network is a top priority, aiming to establish numerous touch points for enhanced accessibility. Our focus is on creating a comprehensive charging infrastructure across the country, with a particular emphasis on urban areas while not overlooking highway routes. By the end of March we should have a total 18 chargers across the country with 10 being installed inside the valley by the end of February. Ather has recently achieved approval as the Indian standard, ensuring that all future two-wheeler EVs will feature Ather's plug point. This positions us to effectively serve the growing community of electric vehicle enthusiasts across the nation.

As the director of VOITH, what are the key areas you look into the company?

As a director, I perceive the role merely as a position, drawing from my early involvement in a business-centric family. Embarking on my official career in Toyota’s marketing department, I spearheaded an in-house team that clinched a prestigious marketing award across the entire subcontinent of South West Asia. This success fueled our expansion efforts, leading to the creation of Pitstop—a boutique workshop aimed at providing a personalized mobility experience for the people of Nepal, in collaboration with the skilled team at United Traders Syndicate.

Our journey extended with the establishment of Vaidya Energy, stemming from our association with Ather. Beyond business endeavors, our commitment lies in improving the lives of the people of Nepal by addressing critical needs. This includes delving into renewable energy projects, cultivating corporate agriculture to mitigate food imports and enhance food security, and contributing to education to unlock the full potential of our population. It’s a holistic approach aimed at fostering sustainable development and progress for the nation. Our projects span across developing and researching wind energy projects across Nepal to reduce our reliance on only one source that we have in Nepal. Initiating a citrus farm that would potentially offset imports from India, and establishing high level educational institutions that offer programs to place students in the best tech businesses on the planet. 

What are your suggestions for aspiring young entrepreneurs?

Given my youth, I may not possess the qualifications to dispense advice, but I can certainly share my perspectives and experiences with those who will shape our nation in the coming decades. The current scenario appears disheartening as evidenced by the increasing number of Nepali citizens leaving the country on a daily basis. I hold profound respect for these individuals, recognizing their crucial role in sustaining our economy. My personal journey differs from that of many fellow citizens, and I am acutely aware of the privilege that comes with my circumstances. Grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, I am committed to utilizing my resources to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of our nation. 

I encourage the youth to look beyond the current state of our nation, maintaining a steadfast hope for our collective future. As the youth, we hold the power to effect positive change and make a lasting impact.

While some may perceive our country as lacking hope and opportunities, I choose to view it as a blank canvas where we can create a meaningful imprint. Opting to work in a developed foreign land might position us as mere components in a larger system, but here, we have the chance to conceptualize and construct that system according to our vision. Recognizing the exceptional potential within our people is inspiring. Traveling globally and hearing outsiders praise Nepali migrants for their unparalleled work ethic, discipline, and creativity brings me joy. We are acknowledged as some of the hardest working, most disciplined, and creative individuals on the planet.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City is to ban parking of vehicles on the roadside of the New Road area from today.

City Police Chief Rajunath Pandey said that the vehicles will be banned from parking on the roadside from Dharmapath, Juddhasalik to Indrachowk, Kichhapokhari, Mahaboudha and Bir Hospital areas.

According to him, arrangements have been made for free parking at the Kathmandu View Tower (then Old Bus Park) in Bagbazaar..

He said that 300 four-wheelers and 700 two-wheelers can be parked in the Kathmandu View Tower.

“We are planning to carry out a special cleaning campaign in those places by prohibiting vehicles from Parking from Tuesday,” he said, adding, “We are expecting that this will ease the movement of vehicles.”

Earlier, vehicles were prohibited from parking in Jhoche area.

One more Nepali youth serving in the Russian army has died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The deceased has been identified as Sundar Moktan (32) of Naukunda Rural Municipality-5, Russia.

He had left for Croatia in August. According to Buddhi Moktan, a relative of the deceased, Sundar in October had said that he was in Croatia.

With this, the number of Nepalis who have died in the Russia-Ukraine war has reached 12.

Sundar, a former Nepali Army, had quit his job following the pressure of Maoist during the armed conflict.

He had also worked in the construction company to support his family.

After hearing the news, his wife Patali Moktan has also returned to Nepal from Oman.

Moktan spoke with her wife Patali for the last time on September 23.

Though the government claims to have intensified diplomatic efforts with Russia to address some of the key concerns surrounding the Nepali youths involved in the war, nothing has been done as yet to repatriate the youths. The government maintains that the Kremlin should have stopped the Nepalis from joining the Russian army in the first place. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said recently that approximately 200 Nepalis have been serving in the Russian army, but independent observers have said upon their return from Russia that the number could be much higher. Till date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of more than 10 Nepalis in the war.

In the wake of mounting deaths in the war, the Department of Foreign Employment has stopped issuing work permits to those seeking jobs in Russia and Ukraine.  The government seems to have no idea about the exact number of Nepalis fighting the war, the number of prisoners of war and the number of those injured in action.

A book titled ‘Harigaon Revisited: Chronicle and outcomes of an Excavation in Kathmandu Valley’ has been launched in Kathmandu. The book has been written by Giovanni Veradi, an Italian Professor and archaeologist specializing in the civilizations of Central, South and India. Other co-authors of the book are Daniel Balogh, Daniela De Dimone and Elio Paparattti.

According to him, the idea of writing this book stemmed from the need to rethink an excavation carried out in Kathmandu in years now distant from the people who took part in it and even more distant from the recent history of Nepal. Today the Valley of Kathmandu is a profoundly different place from what it was in the 1980s, and in many ways unrecognizable, he says,  the idea of the book, however, is also due to the long-term consequences of the situation created in Italy between 2008 and 2011, the year in which the Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (IsIAO), sonship of the Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente (IsMEO), closed down.

The latter had been established in 1933 by Giovanni Gentile and then directed for a long time by Giuseppe Tucci. Both Institutes, as far as field activities in Asia were concerned, were in close relationship with the Museo Nazionale di Arte Orientale, where the documentation of the excavations was deposited, in particular the graphic and photographic material (drawings of all kinds, negatives and prints). In 2016 the Museum left its headquarters in the very central Via Merulana in Rome and was joined to the Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini, merging into the new Museo delle Civiltà, where today the largest part of the documentation of the archaeological undertakings of the past is kept, waiting to be rearranged and made usable.

The Election Commission has prohibited election publicity activities from 12 midnight today.

Voting is taking place on January 25 for 19 seats in the National Assembly, the upper chamber of the Federal Parliament.

The Commission stated that the political party office-bearers, candidates, the sister organizations of the parties and other persons, institutions or agencies that have to abide by the election code of conduct should not hold any form of discussions, interactions, assemblies, workshop seminars etc during the time election publicity has been prohibited.

Election Commission spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel urged all concerned to follow and have followed the code which bars soliciting votes and carrying out election publicity by any means, process or method and posting or sharing on social networking sites, online, print or any other media of any message, information or publicity materials in support of or against a political party or candidate during this period. 

The tenure of 19 members of the National assembly is ending on March 4. The law requires that elections should be held to the seats falling vacant before one month of the termination of the term.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has  pointed out the need of making legal and institutional arrangements to curb financial crime.

Addressing the Crime Investigation Review Seminar organized at National Police Academy, Maharajgunj, today, DPM Shrestha mentioned that necessary legal and institutional arrangements would be made as well as technical and capable human resources developed for the investigation of financial crimes. 

"Information has been received that the dealing of billions of rupees is being done through crypto. The government has considered it illegal. Transaction of foreign currencies is being done in a new way. A new trend to open letter of credit (LC) has been seen," he shared, adding it has created problems in the economy and use of crypto was also seen in the recent gold scam.

Underscoring the need to prepare capable human resources to investigate the crypto currency, the Home Minister said the government has realized the lack of legal provisions for the same. 

Cases of financial crime and cheating are increasing in the society after the cooperative turned into financial institutions being deviated from its main purpose, explained Home Minister Shrestha. He further said the government has made preparations to formulate laws to control cooperative fraud.

The Deputy Prime Minister informed that a process to take action against cooperative owners involved in financial crime and cheating and to give justice to cooperative victims, adding "The government to give justice to cooperative victims and cooperative will be forwarded as backbone of economy." 

Similarly, Attorney General Dr Dinmani Pokharel said a specialized structure should be made to investigate the financial crime at a time when cases of financial crime are increasing in recent periods. 

He laid emphasis on the need of strengthening investigation, prosecution and justice based on scientific, objective and reliable evidence.

Likewise, Inspector general Basant Bahadur Kunwar shared that police have started homework to establish a specialized bureau to investigate financial crime, adding Nepal Police was serious towards crime investigation.

Deputy-Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, stressed the need of capacity building of Nepal Police to face challenges created by digital crime.

She shared that the KMC is going to impart training on scholarship thinking that capable human resources related to cyber security should be developed.

The Patan High Court has issued an interim order asking the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), Governing Council to refrain from implementing its decision to appoint Laxmi Pun as the executive director of the PADT.

A division bench comprising judges Rhishiram Dawadi and Shyam Kumar Bhattarai on Sunday issued the verdict in this regard, disallowing the newly appointed PADT executive director from carrying out official duties.

Upon initial scrutiny, it was found that the academic qualifications and job experiences mentioned in Pun's bio-data do not match with the criteria specified in the rules. Hence, the court has withheld the appointment until the matter is finally sorted out by the court.

Pun was appointed to the post by the December 20 decision of the PADT Governing Council.

It may be noted that one Bharat Marasini on January 11 moved the court against the appointment of Pun as the PADT executive director. In the writ, it has been claimed that Pun failed to meet academic qualifications and criteria for the appointment to the post.

The criteria for the appointment require a Master's degree in any subject from a certified academic institution and a minimum of 15 years of experience as a second-class officer in the government service or an organized institution registered as per the existing law or an international organization. In case of a Bachelor's degree, the minimum required job experience is at least 20 years.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire and Chair of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina have again requested President Ram Chandra Paudel to appoint general secretary of the Federal Parliament, stating that the absence of the office-holder for more than a month has been affecting the functioning of the parliament. 

The constitutional position has been lying vacant since Bharatraj Gautam tendered his resignation on Nov 10 last year.

Speaker Ghimire and NA Chair have tried to draw the president’s attention toward the matter through discussions with the latter’s legal advisor Baburam Kunwar.

Ghimire and Timilsina have recommended the appointment of Padma Prasad Pandey, secretary at the parliament, as the new general secretary.

Speaker Ghimire, after consultations with thematic committee chairs of the Parliament, told mediapersons: “I have already recommended the appointment of the general secretary and hope it will happen soon.” 

However, the Office of the President has not started the appointment process. The office has been arguing that it cannot initiate the appointment process as it is yet to accept Gautam’s resignation as HoR general secretary. 

President Paudel has also been facing charges of showing undue interest in the appointment.

Paudel, after consultations with Ghimire and NA chair Timilsina, had appointed Pandey as acting general secretary of the parliament on Nov 13 pending further arrangements.

But this appointment has not been without its share of controversies as Pandey faces charges of obtaining multiple citizenships. After receiving a complaint regarding the same, the parliamentary Public Affairs and Good Governance Committee has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to probe the matter and get it the facts.