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Kabiraj Negi Lama is the team coach for the National Para Taekwondo Team for Nepal. Holding a 6th Dan black belt, he began coaching para taekwondo in 2015, later receiving training in South Korea. Additionally, he is a certified international-level coach in Para taekwondo. Over the years, he has coached for nine international competitions, leading Nepal to claim 10 medals from both World Taekwondo and International Paralympic games.

Lama coached teams in major events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, the 4th Asian Para Games in China, and the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain in 2021. He also worked for seven years as an Executive Assistant at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), apart from his volunteer work in Para Taekwondo coaching.

Lama lost his mother at an early age. He was raised by his aunt and grandfather, who were his guardians and strong support systems. While attending school near Pashupati Bankali, he was introduced to taekwondo, which sparked his interest in the game. Soon, he began training  children at schools and fitness clubs as well. His dedication caught the attention of the Taekwondo Association Nepal which appointed him to train for Para Taekwondo competitions, eventually earning him international coaching recognition.

At 34, Lama inspires people with disabilities to pursue sports. He believes nothing should hold them back. However, he acknowledges the difficulty of training athletes with upper limb deficiencies but he remains dedicated to training them. For these athletes, he takes on roles beyond that of a coach, acting as a parent, caretaker, and constant source of motivation. Lama prioritizes their emotional well-being and physical safety, maintaining a delicate balance throughout the training process.

Although his grandfather had hoped for him to join the British army, Lama couldn’t meet the height and weight criteria. Taekwondo, however, became his true calling and brought deeper purpose to his life. He has gained recognition as a coach within the National Sports Council and Taekwondo committee and Lama is grateful for all that he has and the path he has chosen.

Para Taekwondo began in Nepal in 2013 with the aim of promoting sports and inclusivity. As a coach, Lama first learns about the body structure of disabled athletes with upper limb deficiencies or amputations and helps them prepare mentally and physically before teaching them tactics and techniques for balance and winning kicks.

He finds joy in their success. He says he was proud when Shrijana Ghising won the Gold Medal in the Riyadh 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Final against top-ranked opponents. Additionally, Lama reflects on Palesha Goverdhan’s historic achievement in becoming the first Nepali Paralympian to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “My students never fail to impress me with their stamina and courage. I’m proud to be their couch,” he says.

Lama ensures his students are well-prepared for victory and inspires them to give nothing less than their best. He instills in them the ethos of representing their country without compromise or excuse. Win or lose, Lama encourages his students to embrace the outcome and learn lessons from every game. 

His devotion and coaching abilities have earned him fame and prestige, including the Best Coach Award from the Nepal Olympic Committee in 2022. But for Lama, true success lies in the achievements of his students. The ten medals they’ve won with his guidance show just how impactful his coaching has been.

His dedication stretches further than just coaching. He’s determined to raise the profile of taekwondo in Nepal, always busy with tasks like learning new international game rules, researching, attending seminars, and improving his coaching skills to nurture top-level athletes. Balancing training, volunteering, and other responsibilities leaves him feeling guilty for not spending more time with his family. But his family admires his sacrifices and efforts, and says he is a key player in Nepal’s victory in the international arena.

Lama believes every individual has a part to play in contributing to the country. “Our government should focus on hiring more coaches to improve professional sports,” he says. He emphasizes that coaches should be given good incentives so that they give it their all while training athletes. He also says he wishes for greater recognition of Nepalis athletes. At the moment, he’s working on getting Nepal to participate in more international games. He hopes to train more players who can bring back medals for the country.

Monu Shah is a successful model and event organizer, known for his work in the glamor and pageant industry in Nepal. He hosts events as well and is great at it. He’s also the face behind nearly 50 Nepali music videos, featuring in hit tracks like ‘Chakhewa Jodi’, ‘Fasayo’, ‘Timro Yaad Bhulauna’, ‘Prem Na Hundo Ho’, ‘Saash’, and many more. He’s also the proud owner of  ‘Shah Studio and Company Pvt Ltd’ which not only hosts modeling events but is also involved in music, advertisement, and movie production.

After completing school in his hometown Dhanusha, Shah moved to Kathmandu for further studies. While in Kathmandu, he got interested in acting and decided to pursue it, and he has been doing so for the past seven years. Shah says that the more he explored, the more he got enraptured with acting and modeling. Watching Nepali actor Najir Husen’s performances on theater and screen was a turning point for him. “It ignited something deep within me and I knew there was no going back,” he says. 

Husen’s acting career became Shah’s guiding light. He aspired to follow in his footsteps. Shah enrolled himself in a theater group. Following that, he also participated in the Mr Teen competitions. This, he believes, was what later paved the way for him to become the showstopper at various fashion shows in Nepal. 

As his popularity grew, he landed roles in various music videos and advertisements for brands like Budweiser and some dairy products. He also got the chance to collaborate with different industries. With time and experience, he is now able to organize fashion runways and pageant events with ease. He is happy with the place he has managed to carve for himself in theater and the music industry. Now, his heart is set on doing cinemas where he can showcase his talents as a performer.

As someone in the public eye, he’s no stranger to challenges. He says he approaches them with optimism. For him, authenticity is the key to success. He stays true to himself without getting caught up in comparisons or competition with anyone. “I deal with every challenge with a positive mindset and I use them as valuable lessons to improve myself,” he says.

He works hard to stay updated, comes up with new ideas, and is always open to learning. Shah says, “Each experience teaches me something valuable, making me better at what I do.” Two years ago, he organized an event called ‘Face of Rajdhani’ which became a big success and helped him learn and grow. He considers it to be a turning point that boosted his event management career. 

He comes from the Tarai and feels stories need to emphasize inclusiveness so that our society can embrace uniqueness rather than fear it. He confesses he has struggled with stereotyping and that if he had let it stop him, he would have gotten nowhere. But it can dampen your spirits, he says. 

He says that he wants his achievements to go beyond personal success. He wants to be a role model to those who want to build a career in the entertainment industry. As for his work in the fashion scene, he is intent on supporting local and sustainable brands and showcasing the talents of Nepali artisans. 

“I’m selective about the work I do. I want it to inspire and uplift people and communities, especially the younger generation,” he says. Shah has plans to organize events that match international standards so that new faces and talents get the opportunities they need to grow. 

As of now, he’s working on plans to host an award event called ‘Kollywood Night’ to celebrate the hard work of Nepali artists and producers. He’s also gearing up to step into the global spotlight as an organizer for some big international events.

Dr Pooneh Bagheri Zadeh is the Course Director for Computer Science at Leeds Beckett University (LBU). She is dedicated to advancing research in new technologies and methodologies to improve the research environment at the university. Dr Zadeh spent nearly three years as a senior research fellow specializing in 3D technology like vision, construction and TV. She recently led a group of students to Nepal for a student exchange program in computer science held at the British College (TBC). Babita Shrestha from ApEx interviewed her about the exchange program and  students’ projects which they were working on.

Why is a student exchange program in computer science and engineering important?

Nepal and the UK are on opposite sides of the globe, each with its own unique culture and educational system. Yet, despite these differences, TBC and LBU offer the same courses, materials and assessment strategies across all three years of study. It’s like creating a bridge between two distant worlds through education. Ultimately, it’s not just about swapping cultures and knowledge; it’s about fostering a sense of belongingness and enriching the educational landscape for everyone involved.

What’s the future like for student exchange programs in computer science considering their impact and accessibility?

After our first visit last year, we’re back for our second round. We faced some challenges before, but this time, things have been much smoother. My team and I have made some adjustments to the program. We started building teams and fostering connections among students earlier, encouraging discussions about potential projects. This year, our focus has been on addressing real issues in Nepal through technological innovation, benefiting both countries. It’s not just about collaboration but making a positive impact as well. And to ensure everything aligns well, we strategically chose March to coincide with our Easter break and Nepal’s favorable weather conditions.

During the exchange program, what specific areas of projects students engaged themselves in to address real-world challenges?

At first, we divided our students into four groups, each comprising two students from TBC and two from LBU. Before our trip to Nepal, each group decided on a topic aimed at addressing issues in Nepal. Last time, I brought Raspberry Pi from the UK, but this time, we use in-house technology—Arduino, which has various sensors . While the UK students were familiar with Raspberry Pi, they learned about Arduino alongside the Nepalese students. And it was surprising to me how the students quickly grasped Arduino concepts during workshops on the first day.

In terms of projects, Group A focused on developing a ‘Flood and Landslide Detection System’ using ultrasonic sensors connected to Arduino. This system can measure water levels and soil moisture, providing crucial information to authorities to prevent floods, which happens to be one of the major issues in Nepal. Group B developed a ‘Real-Time Traffic Management System’ using infrared sensors to count vehicles in lanes. Based on traffic flow, the system adjusts traffic lights to regulate traffic, making use of smart technology to enhance traffic control.

Group C made a ‘Smart Gardening System’ with sensors that check soil temperature, light, moisture and pH. If anything’s off, it waters the soil, great for indoor gardening. Group D created a ‘Quality Water Control System’ that checks if water is safe to drink using pH sensors. The results show on a portable device, handy for checking water safety anywhere.

What is the significance of computer science education in today’s digital age?

I believe computer science education is like learning how to use a powerful tool that helps us in our daily lives. It’s not just a luxury anymore; it’s become a necessity in society. With everything becoming digital, knowing about computers is essential. And because technology is always changing, learning computer science keeps us up-to-date and ready for whatever comes our way. It prepares us for the future.

How does it empower individuals and societies in terms of innovation and progress?

It really boosts people and communities by giving them the ability to keep up with constant changing technology. This means always being ready to learn and adapt to new things. With these skills, individuals can stay at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Ultimately, this also prepares them to be more competitive in the job market and contributes to overall progress and innovation in society.

Given your extensive experience as an External Examiner Researcher and computer science, can you share how new tech advancement helps protect digital stuff and catch cybercriminals?

Because of my teaching experiences at various universities, I’ve explored different research areas, particularly in computer science, computer vision, digital forensics and cybersecurity. Currently, I have a PhD student who’s researching drone detection and classification using deep learning and machine learning methods. In the UK, criminals sometimes use drones to smuggle drugs into prisons and other restricted areas. To address this, the project utilizes visual systems and cameras, along with deep learning techniques, to detect these drones. Additionally, I’m working on a project in digital cybersecurity. We’re developing technology like body cameras, smart glasses and smart doorbells, which help prevent crime by capturing evidence at crime scenes.

What are your big plans for doing more projects and working with others in computer science and engineering?

We have a great team of people who have done lots of research in areas like IoT (internet of things) and cloud computing. While I’m here in Nepal, I’ve asked the head of the school and the computer science course leader to help us find more ways to work together. We want to make sure we’ve got solid plans in place for when I get back to the UK. I’m hoping we’ll see more people getting involved in research, both here and back home. And with our exchange program, we’re aiming to tackle projects that really make a difference in our communities.

Top of the World Coffee, one of the first coffee shops in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, was started by an American in 2007. It’s now managed by Sumili Subba Juharchan, who used to be the chief of cabin crew at Nepal Airlines. She has been running the cafe for eight months and is now adding new services as well.

When we strolled into the cafe, we were hit by an amazing aroma of coffee. The space looked really cool with hanging lights and comfy chairs. They had a nice display of coffee too. You can even work there as they’ve set up special tables with plugs for your laptop. 

The coffee shop is known for its coffee beans, which come in a variety of flavors. Unlike using syrup to flavor the coffee, they actually add the flavors during the roasting process, giving it a more natural taste. They offer takeaway options in various sizes. What’s even cooler is that you can buy their flavored coffee beans at Pathao Bazar.

We decided to taste flavored cappuccino and americano in hazelnut and caramel flavors. The aroma was really nice, with hints of freshly brewed caramel and hazelnut. The sweetness of the flavors was enough for us and we didn’t need to add extra sugar. 

In addition to serving coffee and breakfast, the cafe now offers a variety of baked goods, refreshing mocktails, craft beer, and main course meals. They are open from seven in the morning until 10 at night. They even have breakfast options at affordable prices. We tried their popular Avocado Toast and were impressed by the generous layer of creamy avocado filling. It had a perfect balance of seasoning with salt and pepper and the toast was wonderfully crunchy. The poached eggs on top were cooked to perfection and dressed with vibrant grated carrot, red onions, and greens.

For the main course, we ordered Kothey Pork Momo, a dish that is not commonly found at cafes. If you’ve not tried momo there, you’re missing out. The dish came on a rectangular ceramic plate with different dipping sauces, a chili based one and another tomato based. The dumplings were generously sized and filled with well-seasoned and juicy pork. 

The menu is limited but there are some appealing salad options for lighter appetizers. We opted for the Avocado and Grilled Chicken Salad, a great choice if you’re looking for something healthy. The bowl was brimming with tender grilled chicken, diced avocado, tomatoes, and fresh veggies like lettuce and olives. It was drizzled with a light and tangy vinaigrette dressing, making it incredibly fresh and flavorful.

We couldn’ resist treating ourselves to some desserts. We decided to try the Lemon Tart and the Spiced Almond Cake with chocolate topping. The Lemon Tart had a tangy lemon flavor with a creamy filling and a crispy crust. It wasn’t too citrusy and overwhelmingly sweet. 

As for the Spiced Almond Cake with Chocolate Topping, it became our instant favorite. The subtle flavor of cinnamon and almond were incredibly satisfying, especially with the glossy layer of chocolate drizzled on top. It’s a comforting dessert and definitely worth trying. 

The staff were welcoming and there was soft music. The prices were reasonable. There’s a small parking corner across the cafe. You have the option to sit indoors or outdoors or even grab your order to go. 

Their specials: 

Flavored coffee

Avocado Toast

Pork Momo

Avocado and Grilled Chicken Salad

Lemon Tart

Location: Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur

Meal for two: Rs 1500 

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm 

Contact: 9704510426

Online Payment: Accepted

Parking: Available but limited​​​​​​​

Deepa Gurung, popularly known as ‘GDiipa_inspo’ on Instagram, is more than just a renowned makeup artist. She is a dynamic beauty entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Pari Cosmetics, a Nepali cosmetic brand. She’s also the co-founder of TTDeye colored contact lenses. She runs makeup classes in Nepal, Hong Kong, and many cities across the UK.

Gurung, originally from Pokhara, Nepal, moved to Hong Kong at a young age and spent around two decades there. After living in the UK for five years, she has now returned to Nepal to launch her brand in her homeland. Her business operates primarily online and she’s currently busy establishing its headquarters in Nepal, managing the customer service team, and ensuring overall smooth operations.

She always dreamt of having her own business. When she was young, she did different odd jobs to save up for it. She started working as a freelance makeup artist and even got to work with wealthy clients in Hong Kong. Being around luxury got her interested in the business side of things. She realized that if you showcase your products well and focus on quality, your business can do well. So, armed with skills and knowledge, she started Pari Cosmetics in 2017, manufacturing makeup brushes as her first product. And in 2019, she officially launched her beauty products.

A few months ago, she officially kicked off Pari Cosmetics and TTDeye in Nepal, throwing a big party where she invited many influencers and Nepali celebrities. Despite being a new face in the Nepali media scene, she says, she was overwhelmed by the incredible love and support she received from everyone who attended. Bringing her beauty brand to Nepal is a major achievement for her, she says. 

She fully commits to overcoming challenges, not letting moments of doubt or obstacles hold her back. In both business and personal life, she fearlessly takes strategic risks and thinks ahead. Although she had a settled life in Hong Kong with a successful brand and product, she felt something was amiss. She says she was struggling with past relationships and her people-pleasing tendency was putting her at a disadvantage. In the summer of 2019, to start afresh, she left her investments and everything behind and boarded a flight to the UK to be with her mother and sisters, which certainly made a big difference in her life.

“In business, I love the idea of us working together like a family. Our focus is on progress, not getting entangled in unhealthy competition. I consistently urge everyone, regardless of their position, to be kind and respectful,” says Gurung. 

She believes a happy workplace brings positive outcomes. Instead of restricting employees to monotonous tasks, she mentors and provides space for talent development, avoiding monotony in tasks while also valuing creative input from each team member.

Gurung, 32, is adamant about not compromising on the quality of production or visual presentation. She ensures top-notch quality by using excellent studio lighting, professional cameras, and a well-set-up environment to showcase their products in the best way possible.

Pari Cosmetics aims to become a household brand. “We aim to cater to the Nepali diaspora worldwide,” says Gurung. Emphasizing a clean and vegan approach, the founder ensures their products are cruelty-free and sustainable. “It’s more on the natural side and our packaging doesn’t use hard plastic,” she says. 

Not only is she nurturing her own brand, but she’s also raising her toddler while juggling attending events, conducting makeup classes, and traveling across the country. She discusses how parenting responsibilities are shared with her partner, Sagar Gurung, the founder of Gunda London. She acknowledges him as a support system for personal growth and values their friendship and partnership. 

She was a judge in the Miss World America beauty pageant. Despite being well-known in the beauty industry, she is humble and readily compliments others. She’s friendly and doesn’t hesitate to reach out to people. “Your network is your net worth,” she says. She believes in the continuous journey of learning, emphasizing that nobody’s perfect. By experimenting, improving skills, and keeping an open mind, she believes, you can achieve success.

She aims to launch a full makeup line and skincare products under Pari Cosmetics within two years. Her vision is to expand her franchise across cities in Nepal to make quality products accessible to everyone. The prices are slightly on the higher side and Gurung hopes to make them affordable in the future. The main obstacle, she says, is the high import taxes. It has affected her business plan. But she remains determined to provide quality products that everyone can afford.

“Many of the products Nepalis purchase are from India and other countries. We shouldn’t rely so heavily on imports,” she says, adding Nepal should focus on growing its economy by manufacturing most of the things it imports. For this, Nepal must invest in its youth and give them the incentive to explore and learn innovative, international practices and bring those skills back home.

Luma Restaurant, in Boudha, Kathmandu, is one of the first Asian fusion restaurants in Nepal. Run by Pranaya Limbu, the restaurant is located at the Boudha complex and offers a breathtaking view of the surroundings as well as delicious food to enjoy with it. The setup is cozy and comfortable, and you can choose to sit indoors as well if you are so inclined. 

The B.O.B Bao is the restaurant’s most popular food item. It’s a basket filled with six baos in pork, oyster mushroom, katsu, oyster buff, shiitake, and black bean tofu. The presentation is spot-on. The colorful arrangement is a visual treat. The fluffy steamed white buns look lovely.  The buns taste a little bit like biting into a cloud. We must say each bao was a surprise package of deliciousness. But our personal favorites were pork, shiitake, and oyster buff. 

The buns come in a variety of textures—from perfectly cooked pork with a crispy exterior to tender chicken with a crunchy coating. Vegetarians have the option to savor the earthy goodness of shiitake mushrooms with its umami-rich flavor. The subtle seasoning and rich savory base make it clear that the ingredients used are of good quality, justifying the price. 

We tried their famous Hot and Sour Noodle dish, in the buff option. It was served in a huge sleek black bowl. The broth had an amazingly tangy flavor, and a bit of chili pepper kick with just a hint of citrus. We enjoyed the Pressed Chicken Fried Rice as well. It came with a garnish of spring onions and the crispy texture perfectly complemented the fluffy rice. Adding a dash of chili sauce brought out even more flavor. It was well cooked and not overly greasy as fried rice often tends to be. 

The Chilli Garlic Prawns arrived in a stunning blue porcelain plate, adorned with generous portions of prawns, fresh lemon slices, and garnished with coriander. The presentation was enough to whet our appetites. The prawns were incredibly fresh and juicy and the chili coating was even. It didn’t overwhelm us with its spiciness. 

The restaurant has a rooftop bar and coffee counter as well. They’ve got a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including some Asian beverage options like Tepache and Kombucha. Their mocktails are really good too. We tried the Pineapple Ginger Beer which is made with fresh pineapple and non-alcoholic beer.

Luma restaurant is a good place to hang out with friends and family. The food is delicious and you’ll want to keep coming back for more. And it’s affordable. Parking is a no-fuss. You can park at the Kimchi Korean restaurant’s parking lot a stone’s throw away from the restaurant.

Their specials: 

B.O.B Bao

Pressed Chicken Fried Rice

Chilli Garlic Prawns

Hot and Sour Noodle

Location: Boudhanath Road, Boudha Complex Rooftop, Kathmandu

Meal for two: Rs 2,000 

Opening hours: 11:00 am – 10:30 pm 

Contact: 9813059827

Online Payment: Accepted

Parking: Available​​​​​​​

Allie Pepper, an Australian mountaineer with 23 years of climbing experience, is on a mission called ‘The Respect Above the Clouds 14 Peaks No O2.’ In the next two years, she aims to climb 14 of the world’s 8000m mountains without additional oxygen. She embarked on the challenge in July 2023 by climbing Broad Peak without supplemental oxygen and followed it with Manaslu in September of that year. Now, she has 12 more peaks to conquer. She has until the end of July 2025 to complete her goal.

Pepper, originally from the Blue Mountains in Sydney, Australia, got into rock climbing after taking an outdoor leadership course in 1999. She was a dedicated student and ended up becoming an instructor at the Australian School of Mountaineering (ASM). It was during her time at ASM that an instructor recognized her outdoor skills and suggested she go to New Zealand for a technical mountaineering course. This decision, made at the beginning of 2000, turned out to be a life-changing one. 

After completing the technical mountaineering course, she returned to Australia and spent a year doing outdoor leadership training. During that time, ASM offered her the opportunity to organize and sell an expedition to Aconcagua in South America, which is the tallest mountain in America. Despite not knowing much about it, she managed to sell 11 spots for her first high-altitude expedition. Argentina then became her home for three years. In the summers, she was in Aconcagua and during the winters, she went to Peru to guide and climb. After climbing one of the highest mountains in Peru, she felt ready to take on the Himalayas.

In 2007, Cho Oyu was Pepper’s first 8000m mountain ascent. What’s interesting is that she decided not to use additional oxygen. During the climb, her partner had frostbite on eight of his toes so he stayed at the base camp while she continued up the mountain alone. She made the journey to the top and back alone, without a GPS or access to a weather report.

Pepper, 48, says, “When I returned to base camp, no one believed I had reached the top. A Sherpa rushed over, took my camera, and checked my photos.” It was only when they saw the picture of Everest, which is only visible from the summit, that they started celebrating her success. She mentions climbing is about putting faith in her skills and team support.

When she reached the summit of an 8000m peak without using additional oxygen, she got a lot of sponsors pushing her to be the first Australian woman to scale 14 peaks. But she says that’s not her goal. “I want to explore my capabilities, undergo training, and understand who I am when I push myself to the limits.” Her decision to climb 8000m peaks without additional oxygen is driven by her desire to know her capabilities. She isn’t in it for the fame that seems to accompany it.

“I start and end my day with meditation. Every day, I set the intention for my body to recover during sleep so that I wake up feeling refreshed and my muscles aren’t sore. It’s pretty amazing how it works,” she says. She says that in her expeditions she focuses on locking in memories because climbing without oxygen can mess with short-term memory. 

Mountains are rife with risks and challenges at every turn. Pepper talks about the importance of technology, even though it’s not always 100 percent reliable. Drawing from her experience in various mountaineering activities and training, including navigation, ice climbing, rock climbing, skiing, and attending safety courses, she says, “Knowing how to navigate, grasp weather patterns, understand terrain risks, find safe routes and master survival skills are very important for any climber.”

 When she was climbing Manaslu for the first time, bad weather prevented the team from reaching the high camp and she had to use their only emergency oxygen supply to reach the summit. However, she realized later that she hadn’t reached the true summit, just 30 meters further along a precarious ridge. This feeling of incompleteness stayed with her for many years.

 In 2022, she returned to Manaslu but there was an avalanche so the team aborted its attempt. It wasn’t until September 2023 that she ended up at the village at the mountain’s base once again. She remembers pleading with the mountain to let her through since she had prepared for it so hard. In just 17 days, she had reached the summit from Samagaun village. 

Pepper believes in preparing her body before any expedition. She doesn’t just focus on physical training. She also works on her mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. To keep herself physically fit, she follows a nutritious diet and takes supplements and hormones. She trains for at least two to three hours six days a week. She says she has a ‘now or never’ mentality when it comes to turning her dreams into reality. Pepper also gives a lot of credit to her supportive team for lifting her spirits in every tough situation during her journeys. 

“Up in the mountains, your body is kind of running on empty. It’s slow and your heart’s racing so I make sure I eat properly and sleep whenever I can,” she says, emphasizing the importance of rest and taking care of yourself. Stress, she adds, comparing it to a draining workday, is something that can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. “I try my best to avoid it.”

When it comes to acclimatization in high altitudes, she emphasizes the importance of not hurrying. On rest days, she usually hikes to higher elevations and then returns to sleep. She finds that this approach helps speed up the acclimatization process.

Pepper talks about how climate change affects mountains, specifically causing glaciers to melt. Reflecting on her time climbing and guiding in Peru, she mentions, “Three seasons in a row, I visited the same mountain and every time, the glaciers were an hour’s walk farther away. The mountain route had completely changed and we all noticed it.”

She also shares her concerns about the changing weather in the Himalayas. She feels saddened by the extreme and unpredictable weather in the mountains. According to her, some seasons bring either more snow or no snow at all. “Locals have noted entire winter seasons with no snow, leading to more crevasses on the mountains that now require ladders for crossing,” she says.

Pepper aims to be a role model for people of all ages and backgrounds, showing them they are capable of achieving anything they want. She expresses that it’s never too late to dream big and encourages us to start working towards becoming the best version of ourselves. “We only discover our true potential when we step out of our comfort zone,” she says.

Nirmal Kumar Upreti, an advocate and social worker with almost 20 years of experience, believes what Nepal needs right now is more awareness. Through his organization, Forum for Nation Building (FNB), he educates people in remote areas about legal awareness, and legal literacy, and provides free legal counseling to marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Upreti, 40, is doing some impressive work at FNB. He’s taking a synergic approach to addressing issues like human rights, access to justice, foreign employment, sustainable development, migration, and youth concerns. Apart from all that, FNB does a lot of different things too, from quick disaster rescue to legal awareness programs and leading advocacies for good causes. 

Since 2014, his organization has been at the forefront of advocating a ban on nuclear weapons in Nepal, which is indeed a groundbreaking initiative for the country. They’re also associated with Nobel Peace Prize-winning International organizations like ‘International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ (ICAN). Under Upreti’s leadership, FNB has been acknowledged with two significant nominations. They were finalists in the 2017 Justice Prize Competition and also won the 2018 Public Interest Litigation Network (PILnet) Pro Bono Local Impact Award for their voluntary legal awareness work.

Over the past ten years, they’ve personally helped over 48,000 people and reached nearly 26 remote areas in Nepal. Despite Nepal making progress, Upreti still believes not everyone is getting the information they need. That is why he has been to those places, to lend a hand and directly share necessary information. “I like to help people in any way I can. It makes me happy and brightens my day,” he says.

Upreti is also a founder president and currently the patron of the Nepalese Law Students Association (NeLSA), where law students and professionals have come together to start the Community Mobile Legal Clinic Aid project in Nepal. The project aims to assist people in understanding the law better and getting the justice they deserve.

Upreti believes lawyers are ‘social engineers’ and can bring about change and tweak society. 

He hopes students will step up to fulfill their roles in their communities too. The project helps students become socially responsible legal professionals and encourages them to help those in need of legal aid. The project received the UNDP Success Story Award in 2010. But that’s not all. The advocate has been teaming up with the Nepal Bar Association, Bar Council, and various law colleges to get more students involved in the project.

“Through the project, I want to focus on offering free legal services to people in remote places of Nepal,” says Upreti, talking about their work during the earthquake and COVID. “We were quick to respond to disasters and provide supplies, give counseling, and legal aid.” What’s more, international organizations like Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and the Ontario Legal Clinic, in Canada, are now adopting their pioneering project approach. “This has helped us connect with larger donor agencies,” he says.

Upreti talks about the challenges faced by Nepali migrant workers, emphasizing the missed opportunities and their lack of access to essential services. Concerns over this have prompted him to speak out on the matter, focusing on how fundamental rights are being violated. He also collaborates with other networks to try to provide legal support to migrant workers.

He is also on the board of the National Network for Safe Migration (NNSM), which is the umbrella body for all the organizations responsible for migration-related issues. He says his three-year experience working in the Foreign Employment Board under the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has provided him insight into the matter. During his time there, he helped rescue injured and scammed workers from various countries.

His efforts in advocating for youth policy in 2010 are noteworthy. Before then, youth matters were only dealt with by a small section under the Ministry of Education. Upreti wasn’t happy with how things were so he, along with some youth groups, took out protests and presented a memorandum, asking for a separate policy and ministry for youth. Their actions led to the formulation of youth policy laws and even a new ministry, which also contributed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals at that time.

He’s been speaking up against age discrimination as he believes it’s wrong for people to be judged by their age. “It goes against fundamental rights because capabilities and needs can’t be determined solely by age,” he says. He finds it unfair that members of the national assembly and other higher government posts must be at least 35 years old. This, he says, is a huge disadvantage for Nepal’s youth population. 

Apart from that, he’s also actively involved in sustainable development initiatives including gender-responsive programs, promoting women’s participation, engaging in policy discussions, creating laws, and gathering community feedback.

Upreti believes Nepal is committed to universal human rights standards but struggles to implement them fully. He says just having laws in place isn’t enough. We need clear procedures and policies while monitoring inclusivity. He pledges to do his part in enhancing social welfare through mobile clinics, policy dialogues, and legal initiatives.