From the rural village of Karjanha in Siraha district to the boardrooms of Moscow, Dr. Upendra Mahato represents one of Nepal’s most extraordinary entrepreneurial success stories. His transformation from a farmer’s son to an international business tycoon worth hundreds of millions demonstrates how vision, determination, and unwavering love for Nepal can create lasting change.
Dr. Upendra Mahato is a prominent Nepali businessman, investor, and philanthropist, best known as the founding president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and for his transformative investments in Nepal’s healthcare and banking sectors. As one of Nepal’s wealthiest individuals and a leading figure among Nepal business tycoons, his story exemplifies successful diaspora-driven development.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Upendra Mahato |
| Born | September 1960, Karjanha, Siraha District, Nepal |
| Age | 64 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Nepali |
| Birthplace | Karjanha, Siraha District, Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal |
| Occupation | Businessman, Investor, Philanthropist |
| Active Years | 1980s – Present |
| Notable For | NRNA Founding President, Nepal Mediciti Hospital Chairman |
| Spouse | Dr. Samata Prasad |
| Father | Ram Ashish Mahato |
| Education | PhD in Soil Mechanics, Belarusian State Polytechnic Academy |
| Key Organizations | Non-Resident Nepali Association, Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Russia-Nepal Chamber of Commerce |
| Awards | Order of Francysk Skaryna (Belarus), Manager of the Year-2007 (Russia) |
From Karjanha to Belarus: Early Life and Education
Rural Roots in Siraha District
Born in September 1960 in the small village of Karjanha, Siraha district, Upendra Mahato’s early life was deeply rooted in Nepal’s Terai agricultural traditions. His father, Ram Ashish Mahato, was a farmer who instilled values of hard work, humility, and service that would later define his son’s approach to business and philanthropy.
Growing up in Karjanha gave Mahato an intimate understanding of rural Nepal’s challenges. He attended Shree Jansewa Secondary School in Siraha, where his academic excellence distinguished him among his peers and opened pathways to higher education opportunities.
Educational Excellence in Belarus
In 1982, at age 22, Mahato secured a scholarship to study in the Soviet Union. Dr. Upendra Mahato’s education includes advanced degrees from the Belarusian State Polytechnic Academy, where he completed his graduate, postgraduate and PhD programs without a single gap year.
His academic focus on hydropower engineering proved strategically valuable for Nepal’s development needs. After earning his PhD in soil mechanics, he was awarded a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), a higher doctorate, from the International Academy of Information Technology in Minsk, Belarus. He is recognized as one of the first Nepalis to achieve this higher-level doctorate in a technical field. This educational foundation in the Soviet system exposed him to concepts of social responsibility and collective development that would influence his later work with the Nepali diaspora.
Building an International Business Empire in Russia
Early Entrepreneurship and Market Opportunities
During his studies, foreign students were initially banned from business activities in the USSR. When these restrictions lifted in the late 1980s, Mahato spotted significant opportunities. Before Western brands became widely available, he began trading electronics and consumer goods, sustaining himself while building business networks.
Upendra Mahato built his wealth through strategic business ventures in Russia and Belarus, focusing on electronics, oil refining, and manufacturing. After earning his PhD in 1996, he established Syntez Pvt Ltd, a crude oil refinery in Belarus. His business acumen led him to acquire a television manufacturing company in Moscow, followed by electronics superstores and fashion malls.
Expanding the Mahato Group
His business interests, consolidated under the Mahato Group of Industries, expanded into real estate and construction in Russia and included the major acquisition of Amkador, a prominent Belarus-based manufacturer of heavy machinery. These ventures established the foundation of what would become the Mahato Group of Industries, demonstrating his capability as an international entrepreneur philanthropist.
The Russian government recognized his contributions, awarding him “Manager of the Year-2007” – making him the first foreign national to receive this prestigious Russian award.
Founding the Non-Resident Nepali Association: A Global Vision
The Catalyst for Change
Mahato’s frequent international travel revealed a painful reality about Nepal’s global standing. “We were looked down upon by all developed countries. We had to face a lot of hassle in immigration and the treatment towards a Nepali Passport holder was generally bad,” he recalls.
This discrimination sparked his determination to change global perceptions of Nepal and unite scattered Nepali communities worldwide. Who is the NRNA founder? Dr. Upendra Mahato is the founding president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, established in 2003 to mobilize the global Nepali diaspora for national development.
Building the World’s Largest Diaspora Network
After extensive consultations with diaspora leaders and Nepal’s political establishment, including then Crown Prince Dipendra Shah, Mahato organized the first NRNA global conference in Kathmandu from October 11-14, 2003.
The NRNA founder president achievements include creating a network spanning 85 countries, representing over 5 million people of Nepali origin. The organization advocates for dual citizenship rights, facilitates investment in Nepal, and maintains strong ties between overseas Nepalis and their homeland through the official NRNA website.
Transforming Nepal’s Healthcare: Nepal Mediciti Hospital
Personal Tragedy Driving National Impact
A deeply personal loss motivated Mahato’s most significant investment in Nepal. His mother, Phul Kumari Mahato, died from a heart attack because proper medical treatment wasn’t available in their village. This tragedy became the catalyst for revolutionary change in Nepal’s healthcare sector.
“I feel for my mother, and I equally feel for all those Nepalis who are not able to receive the simplest of health services and treatment. I want to make affordable treatment accessible to every single Nepali,” Mahato explains.
World-Class Healthcare Infrastructure
Upendra Mahato is the founder chairman of Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Nepal’s first NABH-accredited medical facility. Opened in 2017, Nepal Mediciti operates as a 750-bed multi-disciplinary super specialty hospital in Lalitpur, providing international-standard healthcare domestically.
The hospital achieved a historic milestone by becoming Nepal’s first facility to receive National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) certification. Dr. Samata Prasad, Mahato’s wife, serves as Managing Director, ensuring the family’s continued commitment to accessible healthcare.
Business Ventures and Financial Holdings
Banking and Telecommunications
Upendra Mahato’s business interests extend across multiple sectors, including his role as former chairman of Machhapuchchhre Bank, where he served from late 2022 to late 2023 (B.S. 2079/08/12 to 2080/08/07). His first major investment in Nepal was the 2004 establishment of Mero Mobile, now known as Ncell, which became Nepal’s largest private telecommunications company.
However, his past involvement with Ncell’s ownership structure has been a subject of significant public and media scrutiny in Nepal. Investigative reports from bodies like the Centre for Investigative Journalism-Nepal have detailed complex offshore transactions related to the sale of Ncell’s shares, raising questions about potential capital gains tax liabilities. While Mahato has publicly maintained that all his business activities were conducted legally, the matter has been part of a wider national debate on corporate tax practices in Nepal.
Diverse Investment Portfolio
His investments span telecommunications, media, banking, healthcare, education, and hydropower. Notable holdings include stakes in Kantipur Television Networks, Sanima Hydro and Engineering, and multiple educational institutions. These ventures demonstrate his commitment to Nepal’s economic diversification and development.
Philanthropy: The Phul Kumari Mahato Memorial Trust
Community Development Through Giving
Established in 2004, the Phul Kumari Mahato Memorial Trust operates under the motto “Community Development through Philanthropy.” Upendra Mahato philanthropy focuses on healthcare, education, and social infrastructure in underserved communities.
The trust’s flagship project, Phul Kumari Mahato Memorial Hospital in Siraha, provides essential healthcare services to rural populations. Additional initiatives include schools in rural areas, a kriyaputri bhawan (a facility for families performing last rites) in the sacred Pashupatinath temple area of Kathmandu, and the establishment of a Foreign Employment Relief Fund to support Nepali migrant workers in distress.
Sustainable Social Impact
Mahato’s partnership with Patanjali Ayurved includes a manufacturing facility in Bara district producing herbal consumer goods. All profits from this venture support charitable activities across Nepal, demonstrating sustainable approaches to social impact.
Personal Life and Family
Partnership in Purpose
Upendra Mahato is married to Dr. Samata Prasad, a accomplished professional who shares his commitment to Nepal’s development. Dr. Samata Prasad serves as Managing Director of Nepal Mediciti Hospital and board member of various ventures, making her an integral partner in both business and philanthropic activities.
Dr. Mahato and Dr. Prasad have three children: two daughters, Kritee and Yukti Mahato, and a son, Yagyadeep Mahato. His daughter, Kritee Mahato, has publicly spoken about his influence, emphasizing his humility and dedication to Nepal as core values he passed on to his children.
Their collaboration extends beyond marriage to shared leadership in transforming Nepal’s healthcare landscape and supporting diaspora engagement initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upendra Mahato
Q: Who is Upendra Mahato? A: Dr. Upendra Mahato is a globally recognized Nepali businessman, philanthropist, and founding president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).
Q: What is the net worth of Upendra Mahato? A: While precise figures remain unconfirmed, financial publications estimate Upendra Mahato’s net worth in the hundreds of millions USD, establishing him among Nepal’s wealthiest individuals.
Q: Who is the NRNA founder? A: Dr. Upendra Mahato founded the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in 2003, serving as its first president and architect of the global diaspora network.
Q: What major hospital did Upendra Mahato establish? A: Nepal Mediciti Hospital founder chairman Dr. Upendra Mahato established Nepal’s first NABH-accredited hospital in Lalitpur, providing world-class healthcare services.
Q: Where is Upendra Mahato from in Nepal? A: Upendra Mahato was born in Karjanha village, Siraha district, in Nepal’s Terai region.
Q: Who is Upendra Mahato’s wife? A: Dr. Samata Prasad is Upendra Mahato’s wife and professional partner, serving as Managing Director of Nepal Mediciti Hospital.
Q: What is Dr. Upendra Mahato’s educational background? A: He earned his PhD in Soil Mechanics from Belarusian State Polytechnic Academy and holds the distinction of being the first Nepali to receive a Doctor of Science degree.
Legacy and Enduring Impact on Nepal
Dr. Upendra Mahato’s legacy centers on demonstrating how international success can drive meaningful national development. His influence spans three transformative areas: institutionalizing diaspora engagement through NRNA, pioneering private healthcare investment, and serving as an entrepreneurial role model for aspiring Siraha district businessmen and global Nepalis.
His philosophy reflects deep patriotism: “Nation’s prosperity is far more important than any individual’s. No matter how rich I am, I get only that much respect as my country receives.” This worldview has guided his transition from personal wealth accumulation to national service.
A Model for Diaspora Development
Through NRNA and his investments, Mahato proved that diaspora communities can become powerful engines for homeland development. His work continues through entities like the N.R.N. Nepal Development Fund, where he serves as Chairman, to facilitate and institutionalize diaspora investment into critical sectors of Nepal’s economy.
Dr. Upendra Mahato’s extraordinary career represents a synthesis of global ambition and national responsibility, establishing him as one of modern Nepal’s most influential figures and a testament to the transformative potential of purposeful diaspora engagement.
Sources: Based on interviews and reports from The Annapurna Express, Business 360, The Kathmandu Post, NRNA publications, Nepal Mediciti Hospital records, and other credible Nepali and international media outlets.
