Rajendra Bohora (32 years old) has a homestay at Thalara-4, Mahendradhar Bajhang. His shop is also connected with the homestay. He named it “Bohora Hotel and Grocery Store,” covering both homestays and shops. He, who was running a grocery store, has brought the homestay into operation since last July.
This place has a lot of tourist potential. Khaptad Park, including the famous Daha, Malika, located in Thalara, is reached through this route. After the road from Chainpur Taklakot to Dipayal, the headquarters of Doti, is connected, the price of this place will increase. He says, “When Thalara is promoted, the future of this place will be great with the development of infrastructure.”
This place did not even have a place to eat for the people walking the road. This need was identified by the Sirjana project. With the advice and support of the project, he expanded the shop and proceeded to operate the homestay. The project received support for the construction of a zinc 3-room (1 for women, 2 for men) terraced building of the homestay and the necessary beds, tables, racks, bed sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, and kitchen utensils. He says, “The initiative of the project is now able to provide comfortable accommodation for up to 10–15 people.”
Homestay food consists of locally produced lentils, rice, millet/fappar roti, milk, curd, grains, and vegetable dishes. Meats like chicken, mutton, kalij, and ratuwa are also commonly available. Surprisingly, no intoxicants like alcohol are sold in this place. After some bad incidents happened over many years, the buying and selling of intoxicants was stopped at the local initiative. No one is seen being sold or drunk. This place is also safer in other ways.
He says, “Many projects such as the Sirjana came to this place, but no one brought the concept of homestay or gave advice. The Sirjana project really made a big difference by identifying model work and encouraging and supporting business. After the project, if the local government supports it, then it can become more sustainable.” The homestay project has become a new destination for Rajendra to enhance his business in addition to the old grocery store.
Although the homestay is new, it has been a good start. He receives guests at his homestay quite regularly. The grocery store located at the roadside has further helped in the promotion of the homestay. People walking the road have the facility to eat and stay. His wife also helps him with his work. She helps him with growing vegetables and looking after the grocery store so that he can fully focus on his homestay business.
With the income from his business, he has been supporting his wife, two daughters, and a son’s education and household expenses. He is thinking of expanding the homestay with additional rooms and better facilities. Seeing the good potential of this place, he is confident that he will gradually increase the investment and earn good revenues in the future.
