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At just 21, Ganesh Devkota, popularly known as GanEsH GD on YouTube, has made a name for himself in the digital world. Hailing from the picturesque but remote village of Mugu, near the pristine Rara Lake, Ganesh’s journey to fame is a story of resilience, passion, and innovation.

Despite Mugu’s unreliable internet and lack of technological advancements, technology found a foothold in his home, thanks to his father’s fascination with electronic gadgets like mobile phones and laptops. “My family, especially my father, had a keen interest in electronic technologies,” says Ganesh. “Even as a child, I used to make videos of my friends on my Nokia phone.” This early exposure to technology sparked a curiosity and creativity that would later define his career.

Ganesh’s foray into the digital world started in grade eight when he discovered YouTube. He was captivated by the platform’s potential, drawing inspiration from Indian YouTubers and their diverse content. One particular video, titled ‘Top Five Ways to Earn Money’ caught his interest. He became intrigued by the idea of earning through YouTube. Fueled by this, he launched his own technical channel, emulating the style and success of Indian tech creators.

However, even after uploading over a 100 videos, he found himself struggling to gain traction on YouTube. “I hardly got any response,” he says. Determined not to give up, he turned to Indian YouTubers for inspiration once again. Their success in comedy sparked a new idea, leading him to experiment with humor. This shift in focus gave birth to his channel, GD Vines, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his YouTube journey.

One of his early videos garnered over 20,000 views in a single day—a milestone that marked his arrival as a content creator. However, his journey was far from smooth. The excitement was short-lived when his channel was hacked. “It felt like my world had ended,” he says. Then he started another channel, GanEsh GD.

With the new channel, Ganesh shifted his focus entirely to comedy and entertainment, tapping into his natural talents and interests. Drawing inspiration from Indian YouTube creators, he found his space in this genre. His big break came with the success of his video ‘15-Year-Old Boy in Britain Got Talent’ which amassed over 50,000 views within the first 24 hours.

“For me, that was when my YouTube journey officially started,” he says. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, he began uploading comedy videos consistently, day after day, cementing his reputation as a rising star in the digital entertainment space.

But his road to success has been anything but smooth. His YouTube channel was hacked four times, with some incidents leaving him locked out for an entire week. “Those were the hardest times,” he says. “I had no clue whether I would get access to my channel again.” The recovery process with YouTube was slow and frustrating, often taking up to 20 days.

To make matters worse, even after regaining access, the channel would sometimes reset as if it were brand new, erasing its progress. Yet, Ganesh refused to be defeated. “I didn’t let that pull me down,” he says. “I kept uploading content.”

At just 15 years old, Ganesh became Nepal’s youngest YouTuber to receive YouTube’s prestigious silver play button, an award for creators who surpass 100,000 subscribers. For him, it was a career-defining moment and a source of immense pride. His next goal is to achieve the golden play button from YouTube.

While most of his fans recognize him for his humorous and relatable comedy sketches, Ganesh’s passion for filmmaking has led him to experiment with short films as well. Observing his audience’s growing interest in these cinematic ventures, he saw an opportunity to delve deeper into storytelling.

Through his platform, he uses short films to shed light on the hidden stories of Nepal’s villages—tales that often remain untold. By exploring the vibrant yet challenging realities of rural life, he brings authentic narratives to his audience, blending entertainment with cultural insight.

Audience feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping Ganesh’s content. “I look at the comment section the most,” he says. “My supporters will always say nice things, but it’s the critics, sometimes even the haters, who are the most honest.”

Rather than being disheartened by negative comments, Ganesh embraces them as opportunities for growth. “I try to take them positively and work on the points they raise. These comments and reviews are what teach me to improve myself and my work.” 

While his comedy videos have a loyal audience, his experiments in other genres have not always had the same following. His short horror film DOLL-E fell short of his expectations and the lukewarm response left him disheartened. 

“I was sad that all my efforts had gone to waste,” he says. But then he reminded himself that not every project will succeed and that sometimes things won’t go as planned. With this mindset, he turned the setback into a learning experience, motivating himself to improve, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of his creativity.

It has been nearly eight years since Ganesh embarked on his YouTube journey, a path marked by both triumphs and challenges. Reflecting on his journey he says, “I might just be one of the last YouTubers standing.” This observation stems from the increasing shift towards shorter content like reels, which has led to a decline in the number of active YouTubers in Nepal. Ganesh believes that achieving success on YouTube has become difficult over time, contributing to the growing popularity of shorter formats.

Ganesh plans to focus more on filmmaking in the next five years, with the goal of transitioning into Nepali cinema. With a deep passion for filmmaking, he hopes to experiment with new genres, such as sci-fi, and aims to inspire Nepali audiences to embrace a wider variety of storytelling. But he will never give up on YouTube, he says. He is determined to use the platform to make an impact in the society by producing relevant content that addresses various social issues in Nepal. 

Twenty-eight-year-old Ang Chhiring Sherpa, born in the rugged terrain of Okhaldunga, Nepal, has forged his life amidst the peaks of the Himalayas, where every step is a test of endurance, courage, and survival. A seasoned mountaineer, Chhiring’s journey from a humble porter to an expert guide summiting Mount Everest represents the resilience of the Sherpa community and their vital role in the global mountaineering community.

Chhiring’s fascination with the mountains began in his early years. He started his career as many Sherpas do, working as a porter for trekkers navigating the lower regions of the Everest trail. “I used to carry the luggage of those who came for trekking,” says Chhiring, explaining his modest beginnings. This work, though arduous, gave him his first real exposure to the world of high-altitude trekking and the intricate demands placed on those who accompany climbers to the Everest Base Camp and beyond.

Over time, his role evolved from a simple porter to a transporter manager, organizing the logistics of trekking journeys up to Everest Base Camp. He joined 8K Expeditions in 2022 and became a guide, leading groups not just to Everest Base Camp but to the very summit of the world’s highest mountain. The move from base camp logistics to high-altitude guiding required extensive training and mental preparation. He shares that for both guides and foreign trekkers, the training process is rigorous, sometimes taking up to five years.

“Climbing Mount Everest is not something you can do on a whim,” he says. Most climbers, particularly foreigners, arrive in Nepal having already undergone two to three years of preparatory training in their home countries. Once they connect with a company like 8K Expeditions, they undergo further preparation, starting from Kathmandu, where the physical and mental demands of high-altitude climbing are addressed. “We prepare them for the 8,000-meter climb and the training starts in Kathmandu,” says Chhiring.

This preparation involves not only fitness and endurance but also familiarization with the equipment needed for the climb, including oxygen supplies, safety gear, and the intricacies of navigating the dangerous and often unpredictable terrain of Everest. Sherpas, like Chhiring, play a crucial role in ensuring that climbers are adequately prepared and safe throughout the expedition.

Climbing Everest is dangerous, and guides like Chhiring bear the responsibility for the lives of their team members. One of the defining moments in his career was his first successful summit of Everest as a guide. “All throughout the climb I kept thinking about all the risks that came with it,” he reflects. The enormity of the risks involved weighs heavily on all climbers, but for the Sherpa guides, who often bear the brunt of the dangers, the risks are especially pronounced.

Reaching the summit, however, brought an overwhelming sense of achievement. “I can’t describe how happy I was when I reached the top,” says Chhiring. But even in moments of triumph, the dangers are ever-present. On his descent from the summit, late at night, he saw the body of a climber being dragged down the mountain. “I thought that could have been me if luck hadn’t been on my side,” he says.

As time went by, Chhiring learnt to confront the harsh realities of mountaineering. He began to understand the many reasons why climbers perish on the mountain, from lack of oxygen to sheer exhaustion. “At first, I didn’t know the mountains well. I used to see so many dead bodies being rescued off the mountain, and sometimes I would think that could be me,” he admits. “But now, I’ve become stronger and less fearful.”

The challenges of guiding climbers up Everest go beyond physical danger. The logistical and emotional strains of ensuring the safety of every team member are enormous. Chhiring recalls one expedition where his assistant guide suddenly experienced severe altitude sickness and dizziness at 6,000 meters.

“I saw him throw away his glasses, gloves, and even his safety harness,” says Chhiring. Acting quickly, he stopped his colleague from making irrational decisions and descended with him to a lower altitude, saving his life. “The mountain is a very dangerous place,” he adds, “But I’ve been lucky.”.

Despite the grandeur of Everest, its slopes are marred by the debris left behind by decades of climbers. Waste management on Everest has become a significant concern, with climbers and expedition teams often leaving tents, oxygen canisters, and other materials behind as they ascend. “There is a lot of trash at the 7,000-meter camp. Just the thought of it makes me sad,” says Chhiring.

In recent years, the Government of Nepal has allocated budgets for cleaning up the mountain, but progress has been slow. As a dutiful guide, Chhiring and his fellow Sherpas have made it a personal rule to bring back their own waste.  

Adding to the environmental concerns is the impact of climate change. Over the years, Chhiring has observed less snowfall and melting glaciers at the higher altitudes. The shifts in weather patterns and the receding glaciers are clear signs of the environmental changes affecting Everest and the surrounding region.

Chhiring has now summited Everest twice but his journey as a mountaineer is far from over. When he isn’t on an expedition, he spends his days in Kathmandu, training for the next season. His current focus is on summiting Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, and he has several other expeditions planned for the future.

Despite the dangers and the toll that mountaineering takes on the body and mind, Chhiring feels deeply connected to the mountains. “The mountains are home,” he says. He has learned to embrace the risks, and rely on his experience and growing confidence.

Misa-Pasa, a women-led business whose name means ‘Girl Friends’ in Newari, is dedicated to promoting self-care, growth, and personal development. The business is founded on the belief that carefully curated products and services can positively impact people’s lives. Misa-Pasa operates through two brands that share a mission to help people lead more fulfilling lives.

The first brand, Pal, focuses on mindfulness and holistic wellness, offering a variety of products and services designed to help people integrate mindful living into their daily routines. The second brand, Laharaa, specializes in women’s formal wear, aiming to boost confidence through thoughtfully designed, high-quality clothing.

Shreya Malla and Shalu Thapa, co-founders of Misa-Pasa, first crossed paths in high school, quickly forming a lasting friendship that carried them through their BBA studies. When Thapa moved to Delhi for further education, she gained valuable experience in product development at a garment manufacturing company.

After the Covid-19 lockdown, when Malla was contemplating ‘what next,’ the idea for Pal began to take shape. In 2022, the two friends shared long and meaningful conversations over coffee, discussing the significance of wellness in life. Laharaa started with its involvement in the Business Accelerator program, WeScale, an initiative under the USAID South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI) in collaboration with local network partner Safal Partners.

During the program, Laharaa’s products were in the research and development phase, with a strong focus on brand building, developing prototypes, and gathering feedback to refine their designs. By March 2024, Laharaa was revamped and officially launched at a fashion show organized by Hatti Hatti Nepal on the occasion of Women’s Day. Both of them. left their jobs to fully dedicate themselves to Pal and Laharaa.

For Thapa, the inspiration stemmed largely from personal experiences during the lockdown, which led to a focus on wellness, lifestyle changes, and a more structured approach to daily life through planning, diary-keeping, and journaling. At the same time, during the lockdown, Malla was also focusing on developing her skills and mindfulness, recognizing the importance of reflection, meditation, and allowing the mind to explore freely. Through frequent conversations with Thapa about their shared interests and life approaches, everything naturally came together.

Both of them recognized a gap in the market, they couldn’t find a planner that met their specific needs. This realization fueled the creation of Pal Journal. Malla first pitched the idea of Pal.

“We were discussing how much we enjoyed tracking our wellness, activities, and journaling. The conversation between the two of us was so positive and aligned that it just felt right. That’s when we thought, why not create a product? And that’s how Pal, the planner, was born,” said Thapa. “I wanted to do something beyond my regular routine. When I shared this with Thapa, she was immediately on board,” added Malla. The name ‘Pal’ for the planner was inspired by the meaning of the word. A pal is someone who stands by you through life’s ups and downs.

On the other hand, Laharaa was also in its early stages. It was originally called ‘All About Formals.’ After market research and product development, the concept of Laharaa became clearer—it would be a brand that would empower women with functional workwear that met the unique needs of structure, size, and style.

The decision for Malla and Thapa to leave their full-time jobs and venture into starting their own business was far from easy. There were numerous obstacles. People around them often expressed their concerns, questioning their decision on starting a business during the uncertain times of the pandemic when so many others were closing down. Despite all that, they remained determined to pursue their vision.

“People would often ask me when I’d get a ‘real’ job. There was a lot of doubt and skepticism. But here we are now. And we feel like we are on the right track after our recent victory in the Coca-Cola Saksham Accelerator and Mentorship Program 2024. It was a much-needed turning point,” said Malla.

Pal offers two types of journals—a personal journal designed for private writings and time management, and a professional journal, designed specifically to help with work organization and planning. It’s a valuable tool for managing daily, weekly, and monthly tasks as well as structuring work agendas. Inspired by wellness, Pal also provides workshops, focusing on creating a non-judgmental, safe space that fosters a supportive community.

Laharaa, on the other hand, aims to offer comfortable, versatile apparel suitable for professional settings, catering to a wide range of sizes to accommodate diverse body shapes. By embracing the sizes of Nepali women, Laharaa strives to ensure inclusivity for all women. Both brands are committed to growth, self-development, and supporting people on their journey toward personal and professional progress.

There are exciting plans on the horizon, with several upcoming projects in the works. Pal has new workshops coming up and Laharaa is gearing up for the launch of a fresh collection. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy for both brands, as they continue to innovate and expand their reach in the near future.

Positive feedback is a driving force behind the duo’s determination to overcome daily challenges. “It brings us immense joy when customers tell us how Pal has positively influenced their daily lives. At Laharaa, we deeply value our customers’ input, whether it’s about design or fabric choices, and we are constantly working to improve our products based on their feedback,” said Thapa.

The two friends reflect on the most rewarding aspects of their journey. “For a long time, I kept telling myself that I wanted to start something, to be an entrepreneur, to build my own business. It took a lot of time, but finally taking that step and entering this space has been incredibly rewarding,” Thapa shared. Malla added, “Practicing entrepreneurship daily is fulfilling in itself, but I love the feedback we receive from our customers. The thought that Pal might be making a significant difference in someone’s life feels so good.”

The vision for Misa-Pasa is to significantly broaden their reach in the coming years. This means taking their products and workshops to cities across Nepal, ensuring that more people have access to them. They also have ambitious plans to take their products global within the next five years, aiming to make a positive impact on a much larger scale.

Misa-Pasa is open to collaborating with various brands and companies besides encouraging young people to join as interns or team members, offering them the opportunity to grow.

Darshan Parajuli, from Hetuada, started his education at Nepal Police School. He pursued management for his higher education. His interest then shifted to development studies, which he pursued at the Asian College of Journalism. This marked a significant turning point in his career.

His exposure to development, business, and economics during his studies, coupled with his involvement in organizing events and motivational seminars, cemented his interest in entrepreneurship. It ultimately led to the founding of Offering Happiness in 2017.

In 2020, Parajuli traveled to the US to attend the UN Youth Assembly. He got a chance to explore various parts of the country and observe the advancements in development and technology. As a student with a background in social studies, he pondered how these innovations could impact society, especially considering the digital divide between Nepal and the US. During his visit, he toured renowned tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Facebook, gaining firsthand experience in cutting-edge AI technology. It sparked his curiosity in the field.

“It was an incredible opportunity to experience something that felt so realistic, as if it were right in front of you,” says Parajuli.

After spending a year in the US, he returned to Nepal. He wanted to do something to close the digital gap in Nepal. During that time, Parajuli received a scholarship from the South Asian Foundation and attended the Asian College of Journalism. There he says he was surrounded by brilliant minds and had the chance to meet Devdas Rajaram, the co-founder of Now Age Storytelling, who remains his mentor to this day.

“He taught me about future technological advancements and everything related to AI,” says Parajuli.

At the Asian College of Journalism, he studied cutting-edge technology and global journalism trends, which significantly broadened his perspective. It was here that he first encountered ChatGPT prior to its official release. “It was an experience that influenced my understanding of AI,” he says.

While continuing to explore new opportunities, Parajuli conceived the idea for TeachMe AI. The organization’s mission is to build an AI community in Nepal, aiming to make AI technology easy and accessible. He believed that this was an especially thrilling and transformative era for technology, particularly in the context of Nepal’s advancements.

As a developing nation, Nepal had been lagging behind, but with the advent of the internet, new information became instantly accessible to the public. Recognizing the digital gap between Nepal and the West, Parajuli saw AI as a powerful tool to bridge this divide.

With this vision, TeachMe AI was officially launched in February 2023.

Since its inception, the organization has been working to raise awareness about AI in Nepal, where discussions on the subject have been sparse. TeachMe AI aims to educate people on how AI can simplify lives by conducting workshops and seminars and advocating for a Nepali version of ChatGPT.

However, the organization faces challenges due to stereotypes surrounding AI usage. Parajuli says, “When people use or get help from something like ChatGPT, many consider it a form of cheating and tend to hide it. They don’t recognize that, when used correctly, AI can make tasks much easier.”

Promoting AI in Nepal comes with significant challenges, he adds. Little has been done in this area. Many people in Nepal aren’t ready to accept AI, and there is a notable absence of a strategic plan for AI development. Despite numerous attempts to prompt government action, there has been little progress in establishing a robust AI policy. Nonetheless, Parajuli believes Nepal should strive for greater advancements in AI.

“One of the major challenges we face is keeping up with the exponential growth in this sector,” he says. “Even as someone working in AI, staying updated on the latest developments is difficult.”

Parajuli says he believes that AI will revolutionize education. Over time, AI will transform the teaching and learning processes. With AI, acquiring knowledge becomes more accessible and faster through advanced language models. Additionally, AI can assist teachers in focusing on individual students, tailoring their support to each student’s unique needs and difficulty levels.

One of the primary goals of TeachMe AI is to support the implementation of AI policies. By doing so, the organization aims to educate students on the ethical use of AI. TeachMe AI seeks to empower students through a variety of courses, literacy workshops, and educational programs that emphasize ethical considerations in AI. This approach ensures that students learn how to use AI responsibly and effectively, enhancing their educational experience.

As the founder, Parajuli is working towards building a dedicated team to implement his knowledge and experiences in Nepal. He is optimistic about the future, believing that AI can become a reality in Nepal just as it did in the Silicon Valley. Although it will take some time due to the current knowledge gap among people, he remains hopeful that AI will eventually be embraced and developed in Nepal. His vision includes not only the technical implementation of AI but also fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of AI technologies.

Many people today are concerned that AI, as a rapidly advancing technology, might soon take over numerous jobs. This worry looms at the back of everyone’s mind. However, Parajuli offers a different perspective. “People are discussing how AI might replace their jobs, but no one is talking about how many new jobs AI is creating. The number is five hundred million.”

“When something new is introduced, it's natural for people to question it. Think of AI as your friend and use it as your co-pilot. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that AI actually makes everything easier,” he says. The key, he adds, is to view AI as a tool that can augment human capabilities, making tasks more efficient and creating new kinds of work that didn’t exist before.

Creasion Nepal, a prominent environmental organization in Nepal, was founded in 2005 by Anand Mishra with the vision of providing opportunities to the youth. He wanted to deter them from seeking opportunities abroad. The organization revamped in 2015 shifting its focus toward environmental issues. Today, Creasion Nepal works on climate change, disaster relief, and plastic recycling among others. It’s also planning to work on air pollution. 

Sujata Koirala joined Creasion in 2019 as a junior associate. True to its mission of empowering youth, the organization entrusted Koirala with a significant project just seven months into her contract.

“I lead the entire environmental portfolio at Creasion Nepal. I’m young but the organization trusted me and I’m grateful for that,” says Koirala. She holds the position of general secretary on Creasion’s board, making her the youngest board member.

Koirala, who hails from Chitwan, pursued a degree in Environmental Science partly to avoid studying medicine. Like other youths, Koirala also wanted to go abroad. However, after completing her bachelor’s degree, she noticed a significant gap in addressing environmental issues. She realized that problems like road pollution and solid waste management have persisted since the 1980s and 90s, despite Nepal receiving considerable development aid. This led her to question whether the root cause was the people or the nature of the development aid itself.

“I started to wonder if we were doing enough to protect our environment,” she says. “Despite all our efforts and development aid, why weren’t we seeing the necessary impact? This curiosity marked the beginning of my journey into understanding and tackling these persistent environmental challenges.”

Following this realization, she moved to Kathmandu to pursue her master’s degree, which completely transformed her perspective. Like many others her age, she initially sought a well-paying job. However, she soon delved into researching environmental science issues, exploring available technologies, and considering practical solutions. Her journey took her to Dailekh where she studied water poverty. Despite significant development aid allocated to address water poverty, she found that the funds were not being utilized effectively.

“If we want to make a difference for the environment, we need to identify the root cause of the issue and figure out how to address it,” she says.

Through various environmental research projects and studies on how to make them successful, Koirala eventually found her way to Creasion Nepal. At just 24 years old, she took on a significant project aimed at combating plastic pollution. This marked the beginning of Koirala’s dedicated journey toward environmental conservation.

She realized that impactful work at the grassroots level could make a significant difference even with a limited budget. “We don’t need millions of dollars to see a positive impact on the environment,” she says, adding what is needed is the right approach.

As the general secretary of Creasion and with a background in environment, Koirala strives to develop a strategic vision to guide the organization. She evaluates which projects to undertake, the strategies to implement, and the areas of impact to focus on, creating a comprehensive roadmap.

Koirala also takes on significant responsibility of overseeing all projects. She has developed logical frameworks to assess the impact at various levels and ensure that research strategies are effectively executed. Overall, she is responsible for the operations of Creasion’s projects, as well as the organization’s strategy and vision.

Promoting environmental sustainability in Nepal presents unique challenges. While the country has recently increased its focus on environmental preservation, many obstacles remain. “The main problem is people’s mindsets,” says Koirala. “People often resist advice, such as using sustainable containers instead of plastic bottles, questioning why they should give up the convenience of plastic now that it’s widely available.”

“In Nepal, policies need strengthening. Despite extensive discussions about sustainability in areas like climate change, disaster relief, and waste management, the responsibility mainly falls on local governments, which lack the necessary infrastructure and resources. Without proper capacity building by those in charge, the challenges of promoting environmental sustainability will persist.”

Koirala herself incorporates sustainability into her daily life, illustrating how small actions can lead to significant changes. She highlights practices like carrying reusable bags for groceries, avoiding the purchase of plastic bottles, and segregating waste at home. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon emissions by avoiding the use of personal vehicles. These individual efforts can collectively lead to larger changes, encouraging people to be mindful and conscious of their actions.

Koirala manages numerous projects at Creasion, yet many people fail to grasp the significance of her work, often dismissing it as a mere project and asking if she plans to go abroad after its completion. Women’s leadership is a crucial issue that needs to be highlighted. Koirala points out that, in Nepal, women’s leadership is often given little importance, often being showcased merely for tokenism, especially in the development sectors and during panel sessions where female representation is needed.

Despite her remarkable credentials, Koirala herself is sometimes invited to fill a seat on panels solely because of the need for a female participant. She declines these offers, insisting on participating only when she can contribute meaningfully, speaking about her profession and her visions.

In an era where young people are more inclined to work for multinational companies than to engage in environmental protection campaigns, it’s crucial for the youth in Nepal to take action for the environment. “While environmental issues may seem uninteresting to many, it’s vital for them to grasp the significance of these matters,” says Koirala.

Amidst the trend of many young people seeking better opportunities abroad, Koirala emphasizes that organizations in Nepal, such as Creasion, offer significant opportunities for those who seek them. She cites her own experience of finding opportunities at a young age and achieving her dreams in Nepal. It’s crucial for young people to recognize the opportunities available within the country. They need to present their ideas and not leave everything to the older generation, who often rehash the same ideas.

When we think of art, many of us will most likely always imagine exquisite paintings displayed at exhibitions, made by famous painters around the world. We don’t think of the art around us. Have we ever looked at our homes and considered it to be a work of art?

For Jeewan Magar, the walls of houses are blank canvases. His brushes add color and life to them. “People don’t think what I do is art,” he says. “For them, it’s just something that must be done to make their homes more habitable. For me, filling blank walls motivates me to move forward in life. It’s my art.”

Despite his wealth of experience and exceptional talent in the field of painting and masonry, Magar remains a remarkably down-to-earth mason-painter. With a career spanning over 15 years, the 38-year-old has honed his skills and expertise in the bustling city of Kathmandu.

Throughout his career, Magar has lent his hands and expertise to the transformation of thousands of homes, leaving behind not just the marks of his craftsmanship but also stories of dedication and hard work. His commitment to his craft and his humble demeanor makes him not only a skilled professional but also a beloved figure in his community and among colleagues.

Magar, who hails from the picturesque district of Kavre, has come far from his humble beginnings to establish himself as a mason-painter. His career has taken from him working from the traditional homes and structures in his village to committing his skills on the grandeur of architectural marvels in international locations.

With his expertise and dedication, Magar has contributed his craftsmanship in the making of stunning buildings and houses in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. Each project he undertakes not only showcases his technical prowess but also reflects his passion for his work and his commitment to excellence.

“Despite getting more experience and the opportunity to go abroad to work, I never forget where I come from,” he says. “Even after all these years I still feel like a child from Kavre trying to make it in life. I’m aware of my origins and my sense of self. It’s not merely a feature of who I am.”

In Kavre, as a child, he’d watch the people around him in his neighborhood hustling away with their tools and craft. Magar recalls being fascinated by the people around him, observing with keen interest as they meticulously crafted and constructed with purposeful precision. These early experiences planted the seeds of curiosity and passion in him, setting the stage for a remarkable trajectory that would unfold as the years went by.

Magar says he was born with the ability to paint. His skills were not acquired through any sort of conventional training or mentorship from any professional but it emerged as a natural talent. For him, the disciplines of masonry and painting transcend mere profession. They are an integral aspect of his identity, intricately woven into the fabric of his existence.

“No one taught me how to paint, or sculpt or anything related to what I am doing professionally today. Everything I know how to do today is something I have observed from people around me,” he says.

“I didn’t have big dreams for myself,” he adds. “Growing up, my family faced financial hardships that made it impossible for us to afford higher education. While other children dreamed of prestigious careers and university degrees, I found myself grappling with the reality of limited opportunities and societal expectations.”

Despite the many challenges he faced, Magar refused to be held back by his circumstances. Determined to make something of himself, he turned to his skills and abilities, seeking out opportunities wherever he could find them. He took on odd jobs and worked tirelessly to sharpen his skills.

He encountered skepticism and doubt from those around him, who questioned his choice of profession and urged him to pursue something ‘practical’, something that would bring in financial stability. There were times when Magar wondered if he was on the right track or if he should heed the advice of others and settle for a more conventional life. But, he says, he knew this profession was for him. So, he decided to work even harder and overcome the hardship by persevering, adapting, and growing.

Magar’s hands, as a mason-painter, have sculpted and painted the walls of many houses and structures around Kathmandu. His skill goes beyond simply building things; it also involves converting areas into livable, character-filled works of art. Magar’s artwork displays his love of his trade and dedication to perfection.

Magar emphasizes the importance of honesty and diligence in your work, stressing that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from giving your best in every task you undertake.

Magar believes that a job well done is not merely about meeting deadlines or fulfilling obligations. It’s about taking pride in the quality and craftsmanship of the work produced.

“I firmly believe that if you aren’t satisfied with what you’ve accomplished, you haven’t done justice to your craft. Satisfaction is a measure of the quality and integrity of your work.”

Described by coworkers as a ‘happy soul’, Magar is known for his infectious positivity and unwavering work ethic. Despite facing inevitable challenges in his line of work, he approaches each day with a smile and a can-do attitude, inspiring those around him to persevere and maintain high standards of professionalism.

As he contemplates the road ahead, Magar remains committed to what he is doing and the opportunities it presents. He acknowledges the possibility of returning to work abroad for extended periods of time, driven by the demands of the season and the allure of new horizons. While he harbors a deep love for his homeland and the communities he serves in Kathmandu, he recognizes the practical necessity of seeking employment opportunities abroad to support his family.