Love, Marriage, Shared Struggles, And Success As Govt Officers

By Man Bdr Bishwakarma, Kalikot, Dec 30: Dhruva Baral (30) and Suyinka Neupane (Baral) (26) of Raskot Municipality–8 have been recommended for the position of Agricultural Officers in Karnali Province under the seventh-level public service commission. The couple, who had been in a relationship since their college days, got married on Baisakh 20, 2080 BS (May 3, 2023), with their families' consent.

Both Dhruva and Suyinka come from families where their fathers are teachers and their mothers are homemakers. Despite having fewer financial struggles compared to other local youth, thanks to their fathers' stable incomes, they grew up experiencing social challenges such as caste and gender discrimination, deep-rooted cultural stigmas, and inequality in Karnali.

At one point, like many other young people, Dhruva and Suyinka also considered going abroad for better opportunities, especially after completing their higher education. However, their success in the public service examination brought a turning point in their lives, leading them to cancel their plans to move overseas.

“We’ve completely abandoned the dream of going abroad and decided to focus on our careers in government service,” Dhruva shared. On Kartik 14, 2081 BS (October 31, 2024), they were both recommended for positions in their home district. “Our new goal is to secure higher posts in the federal government,” he added, hinting that the couple is already preparing for federal-level public service exams, as they find provincial service limiting.

The couple had applied for the public service exam two years ago but faced delays due to legal issues. They even considered going abroad during the hiatus. However, the court resolved the case in Jestha (May/June), and the recruitment process resumed. After passing the exams conducted in Bhadra (August/September), Dhruva was appointed as the Head of the Agriculture Department in Khadachakra Municipality, while Suyinka assumed the same role in their hometown, Raskot Municipality.

The local community has expressed happiness with their appointments, hoping for progress in agriculture. “With educated youth heading the agricultural departments, we can expect improvements in irrigation, seeds, and tools,” said Parwanand Pandey, a leading farmer from Khadachakra–3. Known for producing vegetables and fruits, Pandey believes the new officers will implement programs beneficial to even small-scale farmers.

Shared Journey of Hard Work and Sacrifice
Both Dhruva and Suyinka worked tirelessly, supporting each other in their studies while sharing household chores. “We divided tasks like cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning dishes to focus on our preparation,” Suyinka said. “Achieving success together makes the journey even more fulfilling.”

Their teamwork extended to studying, with Dhruva often sharing insights from his research during office hours with Suyinka in the evenings. “Discussing and sharing knowledge made our preparation more effective and clarified concepts,” Dhruva shared. The couple credits their families and friends for their support throughout this journey.

Future Plans 
Dhruva, who holds a master’s degree in agriculture, aims to promote agriculture as a respected profession. He envisions introducing advanced technologies and skills to improve the cultivation of crops like maize, wheat, and rice, as well as vegetables and fruits like apples and mangoes.

Similarly, Suyinka, who previously served as the Agricultural Head in Chingad Rural Municipality, plans to continue her mission of empowering local farmers and creating a supportive work environment for women in government service. Her experiences of gender discrimination in her earlier role fueled her determination to succeed as an officer.

The couple’s story exemplifies how shared dedication and resilience can lead to both personal and professional success, inspiring youth in Karnali and beyond.