Laxmi Bank that began operations a year ago recently awarded Hajuri Bista as the ?woman entrepreneur of the year?. Bista is the head of HK Food Product Industry whose Navaras brand of pickles and candies are popular among consumers in the kingdom. This housewife-turned-businesswoman is considered a pioneer in the bottling and commercial marketing of homemade products in Nepal. The award was part of the Celebrating Womanhood 2003 event. Laxmi Bank thought it necessary to recognise and applaud the contribution made by Nepali women in the economic landscape.