Five years ago, after taking the entrance exam for Agriculture and Forestry University in 2076 BS, I enrolled in Rolpa with a very heavy heart. In Poush (mid-December to mid-January), we completed the enrollment process, and in Magh (mid-January to mid-February), we received news that classes would soon begin. With our belongings packed, we headed to Rolpa.
My friends Sabita, Subekshya, and I, who already knew each other from Chitwan, had planned to stay together. Boarding a night bus, we reached Madichaur around 11am Upon arrival, we discovered that at the time, the road from Liwang to Madichaur wasn’t fully blacktopped. The route was so treacherous and daunting that I wanted to turn around and return home immediately, telling my father that I couldn’t stay there.
However, I accepted it as my fate, realizing I had no other choice. I didn’t want to waste a year retaking the entrance exam, so I convinced myself to think positively. I imagined that people could adjust and find happiness anywhere, win hearts through their behavior, and adapt to their surroundings. With dreams and hopes bundled up in my heart, I reached Madichaur.
Our friend Sunil had already arranged a room for us. When I first stepped into Madichaur, all I could see were barren hills, the chilly winter atmosphere of Magh, leafless trees that looked desolate, and only a few scattered houses. There was no access to the internet or Nepal Telecom’s network. I felt like I couldn’t stay there even for a moment.
Later, we learned that the college infrastructure wasn’t ready yet and that it would take time to begin regular studies. So, we left our belongings in the rented room and returned home. I was overjoyed to return home, as I had no desire to stay there even for a single day.
A month later, when I returned to Madichaur for the second time, the tears I had held back the first time came flooding out. We boarded the morning bus and reached Madichaur around 4 PM. Along the way, I saw rhododendrons for the first time in my life, and the hills were painted red with their blossoms. I was overjoyed. When the bus stopped briefly, I ran to the edge of a cliff, picked some rhododendrons, and tucked them into my hair.
The next day, there was a welcome program for us. The students from the entire village had woven garlands to greet us. Even the then-Energy Minister, Barshaman Pun, attended the ceremony. The atmosphere felt so different and grand, and listening to everyone’s speeches made me realize that we had to shoulder more responsibilities now.
That was also the first time I met our principal, Mr. Suman Dhakal. He had a radiant face, a sharp and clear voice, and a charisma that could win over everyone. He was energetic and inspiring. During the ceremony, we also got to know our classmates. Some were from Sindhupalchok, others from Jumla or Mugu, and hearing their stories made me feel like I was relatively close by.
Initially, the college infrastructure was minimal. There was a small library with limited books, dusty roads outside, and some students had to climb steep hills to reach the college. We quickly realized that life here would be full of challenges.
Mr. Suman Dhakal taught us crop science. During the first introduction session, I found him to be very strict. His classes were always so disciplined that everyone would sit in silence and listen attentively. He set a rule that there would be no class representatives (CR). If anyone had a problem, they had to email the college directly.
Since there was no internet in the beginning, it was challenging to know when classes would be held. To address this, he arranged for messages to be sent to everyone’s phone numbers. Mr. Dhakal always found a way to resolve our issues, no matter how small. He frequently asked for our feedback and suggestions, ensuring we felt heard and supported.
He addressed many of our problems, such as arranging for hot water, setting up sanitary pad vending machines for menstrual needs, improving roads, and providing convenient on-campus printing services. Additionally, he coordinated with the local community to ensure students had access to essential items and affordable accommodations. To us, Mr. Suman Dhakal felt like our very own “Balen Shah” (a reference to a popular and impactful leader).
During the 9-10 months of the COVID period, various online training programs were organized. He never let us sit idle- sometimes asking us to prepare presentations, other times assigning different tasks. By the time we reached the third semester, we had developed the confidence to speak fluently in front of others. When we returned to college after COVID, the entire structure had transformed. The front area had been paved with paver blocks, and under the guidance of the horticulture teacher, we were given the opportunity to decorate our college with flowers. Separate administrative offices had been built, and the library had gone fully digital, with 4–5 computers installed to facilitate students’ needs.
In addition to these developments, various training programs were organized under the leadership of Suman Sir. The first was a soil testing camp in collaboration with the Agriculture Knowledge Center in Rolpa Municipality and the Soil Testing Laboratory in Khajura, Banke. During this event, we traveled to 5–6 areas to collect soil samples, taught farmers how to collect samples, and tested the soil to recommend appropriate amounts of organic and chemical fertilizers. We conducted soil testing ourselves on other occasions as well. Following this, a crop disease camp was held, from which we gained valuable knowledge.
We also learned oyster mushroom cultivation techniques and later organized a skills transfer program for our juniors, teaching them what we had learned. A small group of us grew mushrooms and earned a profit of 10,000 NPR. Some students cultivated cucumbers, others onions, and some potatoes. During our time there, we enjoyed working on our own, earning, and gaining practical experience. Suman Sir greatly encouraged these activities.
During college breaks, some female students started a chaat and pani puri stall at Rolpa’s biggest fair, the Maghi Mela, under the theme of “learning entrepreneurship.” The local community praised our efforts, and in just three days, we earned approximately 16,000 NPR in profit. Suman Sir was thrilled with our initiative and even came to our stall as a happy customer.
During his tenure, a mushroom house and two poly tunnels were constructed. We received three days of tomato cultivation training and successfully grew tomatoes in the poly tunnels. The Agriculture Knowledge Center in Rolpa appreciated our efforts and awarded us 5,000 NPR as a prize.
Suman Sir also arranged GPS training for us, emphasizing its future importance. During his time, four separate laboratories were established at the college. He often organized poster presentation competitions to enhance students’ skills. With a cheerful and simple approach, he would teach us how to complete tasks, saying, “This is how you do it.”
As part of his maize research, we worked with Sir during our second and third semesters. Through this, we learned about field layout and plant spacing. It was a joyful experience working in the field, planting maize while Sir lightheartedly said, “Where there is a clump, it will flourish!”
Even though we were the first batch, we were very close to Suman Sir. His words were like nectar to us. During our studies, there was a time when some organizational interference caused minor disputes. Sir firmly addressed the issue by stating that no political interference would be allowed to disrupt the learning environment. He even had all the students sign a protocol to ensure this. After that, no matter how many conflicts occurred in Rampur, the academic activities in Rolpa never stopped.
Rolpa was known for completing courses the fastest, and practical sessions were also finished more efficiently than anywhere else. As long as Sir was there, the college land was never left idle—there was always something growing in the fields. During our practical exams, Sir would take us to the fields and ask us questions there.
He would scold us for our foolishness but cared for us like his own children. His guidance and love created an environment that was both disciplined and nurturing, making our time in college truly unforgettable.
We, as students, were greatly loved and respected by society. By the time we reached the fifth semester, we had experienced a lot of hardships. Being the first batch, it felt like we were the guiding lights for the juniors who came after us. In the fifth semester, we had the opportunity to participate in a 3-day poultry farming training, which later led to a 45-day internship at the college itself.
I vividly remember waking up at 6 in the morning, trekking about half an hour on a steep path, to feed the chickens, watching them grow right before my eyes. These moments are still fresh in my mind. Suman Sir would always ask us for suggestions on what other training we would like to learn. He constantly encouraged us to absorb positive lessons and stay motivated.
The staff members, Sir and Ma’am, were incredibly affectionate and had a very simple and kind nature, always treating us with care and respect.
After the sixth semester exams, we went for internships in various places. During this time, Suman Sir’s tenure came to an end, and we had to bid him farewell. Through sorrow, deprivation, and a busy schedule, we, the first batch, completed our graduation. However, the knowledge and skills we gained in Rolpa likely wouldn’t have been honed as much elsewhere. We saw, experienced, and learned so much there. From Suman Sir, we learned that a great leader can leave such a profound impact on student life. After the internship, when we went back to Rolpa for exams, we realized how much we missed Suman Sir, as if we were searching for a mother figure. Even when we were with friends, we often talked about Suman Sir. During the farewell, we felt, “If only Suman Sir had been here.”
When we worked as a team, the bond with friends grew stronger. Moving to a place with a different society, culture, and traditions, yet receiving so much love and care, was incredibly uplifting. My time in Rolpa will remain one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. If someone were to ask what I gained from Rolpa, I would proudly respond: friendship, affection, and experiences. The love and learning I received here will guide me on the right path in life. I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone.
