Kanchanpur. Bhimdutta Municipality-2 Ganesh Dutt Pant, 32, is using his free time with government service to spread themessage of self-employment by selling dragon fruit on a bicycle.

Pant has spent 11 years in the government service as an office assistant in the Office of the Comptroller of Treasury and Accounts. For the last four years, he has been selling dragon fruit on a bicycle in Mahendranagar market.

‘In the morning one and a half hours and after 5 in the evening, I go to the streets of the market on a bicycle to sell the dragon fruit. “On the day I go to do business, I make a profit of one thousand to one thousand two hundred every day,” Pant said. ‘

He has been bringing dragonfruit from Dang, Surkhet, Nepalgunj and Dadeldhura and has been selling wholesale and retail products.

‘The demand for it is also high in the market. I am involved in this business to make good use of my free time outside office hours. “After starting this business, I have also saved my salary. This is how I manage my household expenses. ‘

Pant said that the youths going to India and other countries for employment should also be inspired by mobile business. He stressed that the tendency to be ready to work abroad but find it difficult to work in the country should end.

‘The tendency of not hesitating to do low-level work abroad but finding it difficult to work in the country should end. “I have also engaged my brother and daughter-in-law, who are working in India, in this business. My daughter-in-law has also saved Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 monthly by selling dragon fruit. Stating that there is no problem in the market, he said that he has been selling dragon fruit for Rs 450 to Rs 500 per kg.

Stressing that youths should be involved in income-generating activities like agriculture, business, he said that youth self-employment should be given priority from the government level as well.