# Chapter Notes: Career and Entrepreneurship

This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the key concepts, vocabulary, and grammatical principles presented in the chapter "Career and Entrepreneurship," focusing on the story of Mahabir Pun.

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## Ways with Words

### A. Vocabulary Definitions

* **comfortable**: Making you feel physically relaxed; pleasant to wear, sit on, etc.
* **graduated**: Having a degree from a university.
* **independently**: Without being connected with or influenced by something or by each other.
* **innovation**: The introduction of new things, ideas, or ways of doing something.
* **acquainted**: Familiar with something, having read, seen, or experienced it.
* **entrepreneur**: A person who makes money by starting or running businesses, especially when this involves taking financial risks.
* **platform**: An opportunity or a place for somebody to express their opinions publicly or make progress in a particular area.
* **utilize**: To use something, especially for a practical purpose.

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### B. Plural Forms of Nouns

| Singular | Plural |
| :--- | :--- |
| calf | **calves** |
| basis | **bases** |
| sheaf | **sheaves** |
| cactus | **cacti / cactuses** |
| louse | **lice** |
| crisis | **crises** |
| person | **people / persons** |
| formula | **formulas / formulae** |
| ox | **oxen** |
| fungus | **fungi** |
| goose | **geese** |
| oasis | **oases** |
| analysis | **analyses** |
| curriculum | **curricula / curriculums** |
| appendix | **appendixes / appendices** |

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## Comprehension

### Answer the Following Questions

**a. How did Mahabir Pun begin his lifelong journey in Nepal after coming back from the US?**
Upon returning to Nepal after his studies in the US, Mahabir Pun began his journey by committing himself to his home village of Nangi in the Myagdi district. He started by working as a volunteer teacher to help establish a high school, laying the foundation for his future community-led development projects.

**b. Why didn't he want to work for other companies in the US or in Nepal?**
He chose not to work for other companies because he was driven by a desire to work independently and to create a tangible, direct impact for the benefit of his community. He was not motivated by the "so-called" better living offered by a conventional career but by the freedom to pursue his own vision for social change.

**c. Why did he get involved in innovation?**
He got involved in innovation out of necessity. He saw it as the most practical and effective means of finding sustainable solutions to the real-world problems faced by his community, such as lack of internet access, limited economic opportunities, and poor infrastructure.

**d. What are the income-generating programmes that he helped to start?**
The income-generating programmes he helped establish are diverse and tailored to the local environment, including yak farming, cheese and jam making, handmade paper production, beekeeping, vegetable and fish farming, handicraft creation, and building camping grounds for trekkers.

**e. Whose support is Pun getting to proceed with his campaign?**
Pun's campaign is primarily supported by the local communities themselves. His grassroots approach ensures that the people who benefit from the projects are also the ones driving them forward, creating a sustainable and collaborative model.

**f. How have developed countries become prosperous?**
Developed countries have become prosperous by prioritizing research and innovation. They have consistently invested significant financial and human resources into these sectors, understanding that technological and scientific advancement is the primary engine of economic growth and societal progress.

**g. How can we keep the most talented and innovative people in Nepal?**
To retain the most talented and innovative individuals, Nepal must create a supportive ecosystem. This involves establishing a solid infrastructure for research, providing financial and institutional support, and fostering a cultural atmosphere that encourages creativity and risk-taking, allowing them to work productively within the country.

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## Critical Thinking

### a. "We do not have a culture of innovation that encourages young people to be innovative and creative." Do you agree with this statement?

I strongly agree with Mahabir Pun's assertion. Nepal's prevailing culture, particularly within its educational and professional systems, often stifles rather than encourages the innovation and creativity essential for national development.

Our educational system is a primary contributor to this problem. It heavily emphasizes rote memorization and theoretical knowledge over practical application, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students are trained to pass exams, not to question, experiment, or invent. This creates a workforce that is skilled at following instructions but ill-equipped to innovate. Consequently, thousands of ambitious young people leave the country each year in search of an education that values research and creativity.

Furthermore, our society often has a low tolerance for risk and failure, both of which are integral to the innovation process. Young people are typically encouraged to pursue secure, conventional career paths rather than venture into entrepreneurship or research, where the outcomes are uncertain. Without a cultural mindset that celebrates experimentation and views failure as a learning opportunity, the creative potential of our youth will continue to be suppressed, hindering Nepal's overall progress.

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### b. What qualities does an individual need to become an entrepreneur?

Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires a unique combination of personal qualities and professional skills that go far beyond simply having a good idea. These attributes enable an individual to navigate the high-risk, high-reward world of building a business from the ground up.

* **Vision**: An entrepreneur must be able to see opportunities that others miss. This involves not only identifying a gap in the market but also having a clear and compelling vision for how to fill it and what the future of the enterprise will look like.
* **Perseverance**: The path of entrepreneurship is fraught with setbacks and failures. A crucial quality is the resilience to persist in the face of obstacles, learn from mistakes, and maintain motivation when challenges arise.
* **Discipline**: As their own boss, an entrepreneur must possess immense self-discipline. This includes managing time effectively, staying focused on long-term goals, and maintaining a rigorous work ethic without external oversight.
* **Risk Tolerance**: Entrepreneurship is inherently risky. A successful entrepreneur must be comfortable with uncertainty and be able to make calculated risks, weighing potential rewards against potential losses.
* **Adaptability**: Markets and technologies change rapidly. An entrepreneur needs to be flexible and adaptable, willing to pivot their strategy, embrace new ideas, and respond effectively to unforeseen challenges and opportunities.
* **Passion**: A deep and genuine passion for their work is the fuel that sustains an entrepreneur through the long hours and difficult periods. This passion is also contagious, helping to inspire employees, investors, and customers.

While a creative idea is the starting point, it is this combination of vision, resilience, discipline, and passion that ultimately distinguishes a successful entrepreneur.

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## Grammar: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple; *been* vs. *gone*

### E. Use the Correct Tense of the Verbs

a. I don’t know where Muna is. **Have you seen** her?
b. Janak **wasn’t** very well last week.
c. Last night I **lost** my keys. So I stayed at my friend’s home.
d. I **have lost** my keys. Can you help me look for them?
e. I **have known** Jamuna for three years. We still meet once a month.
f. She **lived** in Sikkim when she was a child.
g. A: What’s wrong?
   B: I **have broken** a glass.
h. A: When **did you arrive**?
   B: At 10 pm last night.
i. How long **have you known** Sarmila?
j. This is the first time I **have driven** a car.

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### F. Use *been* or *gone*

a. I’ve never **been** to Japan.
b. Kalpana has **gone** to Korea. She may come back next year.
c. A: Where’s Rachana?
   B: She has **gone** to the shops.
d. Harina was here earlier but I think she has **gone** now.
e. Have you ever **been** to London?