"We are almost like Europeans when you talk about IT"

Call him a master Jack-of-all-trades, since it holds true to Shishir Upadhyaya—the president of ICT Association of Nepal. What has he not done? From being the senior engineer in TIA bringing the hardware himself, to designing the architecture of South Western College and Hotel Kantipur at Pokhara—and designing the logo of ICT itself, he seems to have knack of everything, and yet says, he is still to learn. His take on Kathmandu:

Kathmandu is
My birthplace, my hometown.

Your fondest memory of Kathmandu?
When I was studying in Shanti Vidya Griha, we used to go to Balaju for swimming. I was probably one of the best swimmers then. It was in 1977 that I was selected as a junior swimmer and got a chance to spend a whole month in Russia. That privilege is the one I recall the most.

What advice would you give a tourist visiting the city?
Expect the best out of the city. Forget about the adversities that the city may pose, and enjoy the beauty of Kathmandu. The city is rich in heritage, you can even take short trips out of Kathmandu—there are resorts at hilltops that give you the scene of the entire city. Enjoy!

What is the most surprising aspect of the city?
Kathmandu has so many things to offer. Recently, I took a short trip to a hill leading its way from Naikap. There, people told me that the historic figure Balavadra’s head has been entombed! That place, that location offers a majestic view of the valley; even Manakamana temple can be seen. The city never ceases to surprise.

If you could change one thing about Kathmandu, what would it be?
I assert, and have always been emphasizing that the traffic has to be managed. I presented a book in 1995 projecting the traffic management of the city till 2020. And everything that I have mentioned in that book is happening exactly that way I foretold. But no one seems to have noticed or even gone through it. Had they done that, things wouldn’t have looked  so grim.

Then how can we manage the traffic of the city?
People think that fines and charges help. No, not even traffic rules can help. People need to be educated; they need to know that it is because of every individual that the traffic suffers. We need to tell ourselves that problem could be within ourselves—not with others.

How is Kathmandu in terms of IT and its advents?
Nepalese people are versatile, I know no other people in the world who are this knowledge hungry. Every well to do Kathmanduite has a recently launched product in their hands. The middle class gets the product in a month’s time, but already keeps track of the product—studies it and surveys it even before it hits the market. An internationally tutored engineer might know a specific topic, could be a specialist in one sector—but a Nepali mechanical engineer can dissect a bicycle and laterally, open up an airplane as well. We are almost like Europeans when you talk about IT.

Where would one generally find you in Kathmandu?
If you want to find me, just call! Actually, I move a lot. I give myself breaks, I move away every month. I like driving. Even as we talk now, I have a fresh memory of Muktinath in mind.

So what do you miss the most when traveling?
The pollution and population of the city. But it’s actually this same viscosity makes me move. I want to be refreshed every so often.

How do you escape Kathmandu’s regular grind?
I go to a bar, take a drink and take my mind off things. It’s this same kind of habit that makes me want to travel as well.

If not in Kathmandu, where would you be?
I would go close to nature. I would probably be traveling in Jiri, or even so, towards more remote areas of the country. Things are always nostalgic, a sense of originality to a Nepali man comes easily from these places.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
There was this US guy, Paul, who was my immediate supervisor; he told me not to ever say, ‘I don’t know’. One person should never say that he doesn’t know things. You need to research, try and achieve that answer and find things on your own. If situation like that comes, then excuse yourself, say that you will answer tomorrow. But never say, ‘I don’t know’. Falling back makes you lose an opportunity but striving to get the answer opens doors of possibilities.

How would you like to be remembered?
My friends call me ABC: Architect, Businessman and a good Company. I would like to be remembered as such.