Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, a small business operator residing in the beautiful city of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, shares his life with his beloved wife, Sharada Adhikari, and their two sons, Utsav Adhikari and Utsuk Adhikari. Born in 1966 in the remote rural village of Madi Chitwan, Bishnu was the fourth child among seven siblings. His parents, Hari Datta and Madhu Maya Adhikari, had migrated from Kaski to Chitwan in search of better livelihood and education for their children.
His early education took place at the local elementary school in Bhairabpur, Chitwan, where he completed his primary education. He then pursued his intermediate education at the regional intermediate school in Chirauli, Madi, followed by high school at Madi High School in Basantapur, Chitwan.
Bishnu’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue further education. He completed his Intermediate in Commerce (ICom) from Prithvi Narayan (PN) Campus Pokhara in 1987, a Bachelor in Commerce (BCom) from Balkumari Campus in Chitwan in 1991, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Management in 1993.
Throughout his career, Bishnu has worked in various institutions, each contributing to his professional growth. From 1996 to 2002, he served as a lecturer at Nepal Commerce Campus Minbhawan, Kathmandu, in the morning shift. He then held the position of Accounting Officer/CFFI Officer in NEFSCUN (National Federation of Savings and Credit Unions of Nepal) from 1997 to 2000, working toward strengthening the socio-economic power of the poor and rural population through cooperatives. Following this, he served as an Accounting/Administration Officer in the Micro Credit Project for Women (MCPW), a government project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), from 2000 to 2003, focusing on enhancing the socio-economic conditions of poor and rural women in Nepal.
These experiences exposed Bishnu to the actual socio-economic conditions of the underprivileged, particularly women in Nepal, igniting his passion for social activities. As a Nepalese American, he offers valuable advice to those interested in mainstream politics in the United States, emphasizing the importance of dedication, honesty, hard work, and respect for opponents.
In 2003, Bishnu and his family moved to Florida, having secured a Diversity Visa (DV) to start a new chapter in their lives. Despite working multiple jobs, financial difficulties persisted, prompting Bishnu to explore additional income sources. It was during this time that he met an Indian entrepreneur who owned several convenience stores in the city. Bishnu began working with him and quickly rose to the position of store manager. This experience provided valuable insights into running a small business, and although he lacked sufficient capital to start his own venture, he persisted with hard work and determination, gradually saving money.
Bishnu faced challenges due to a lack of credit history and knowledge of obtaining loans from banks. However, guided by the suggestions of friends and experienced individuals, he searched for business opportunities, ultimately deciding to move to Appleton, Wisconsin, with his family in 2007. The lower establishment costs and potential prospects influenced his decision. Since then, Bishnu has successfully operated several businesses, finding fulfillment and contentment in his endeavors.
In addition to his business ventures, Bishnu actively engages in community work. Together with fellow Nepalese residents in Wisconsin, he established the NRNA Wisconsin Chapter in 2017, fostering unity among Nepalese individuals residing in different parts of the state. Bishnu served as the founding Vice President of the Wisconsin Chapter from 2017 to 2019. He further contributed to the community as a board member of the Association of Nepalese in the Midwest of America (ANMA) from 2020 to 2022. He currently holds the position of Vice President for the term 2022-2024.