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Jyotsna Yogi is a model and actor who has worked in several  music videos and films. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Yogi about her career, life, challenges and achievements.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I have a diverse family background. My father is a skilled artist and handwriting teacher from Dang while my mother, who is from Sankhu, is also the backbone of our family. She is the sweetest and strongest woman I know. I also have a younger brother who lives in the US with his wife, who is a dedicated and intelligent nurse. My family has always been close-knit and supportive, encouraging me to pursue my dreams. As for myself, I was born and raised in Kathmandu. I finished my MBA in Human Resource Management and completed my undergrad in London. I also took a crash course in the Film and Television Institute of India Acting in FTII, Pune.

How did modeling and acting enter your life?

I had been studying all my life and wanted to do something completely opposite, something colorful and fun. As a child, I always wanted to be on television. That dream never left me, even though I majored in Business Management. It was during this transformative journey that I stumbled upon a modeling competition but never won any titles. In the end, the experience after that, I enjoyed every second of it that I never wanted to let go of this industry. Then I started my modeling career in 2013 with House of Fashion and by 2015, I debuted in the movie “Ma Ta Timrai Hoon,” which showcased my versatility and talent. I am engaged in acting and now I am pursuing Direction as well.

What is a challenging moment in your life and what lessons did you learn from it?

One of my most memorable struggles was when I moved to the UK for studies, because I am an introvert and socially awkward person. I had never left my family. So, when I had to relocate to the UK, my mind went blank. I used to panic a lot. In university, on buses, in front of literally everyone, I was a mother’s child. So that situation taught me a lot about being independent, making decisions, and breaking out of my childhood bubble. 

What is a proud moment in your life?

One of my proudest achievements that I admire is from the work on the music video “Upahaar” by Swoopna Suman, my husband. Even though this would’ve been my second directorial project, entrusting with the project, I took on responsibilities ranging from casting and styling to conceptualizing and directing. When viewers praised my work and Suman told me he made the right choice, it was a defining moment for me. The project not only validated my skills but also earned the respect and admiration of my family.

What inspired you to create the story of Book of Paws, and how did the idea come to life?

Beyond my work in the entertainment industry, I am passionate for animal welfare. I used to get a lot of messages on dogs and cats regarding adoptions, lost and found cases, emergencies and so on. They would request me to post it on my profile to spread the word, which I always did. Later, my page started to look a little less about me. Here, I thought about creating the Instagram page @bookofpaws, where I share posts about animals in need of homes and care. With nearly 2,000 followers, the page has successfully helped countless dogs and cats find their forever homes. It’s my way of trying to help them and it makes me happy more than other things.

Miss Universe Nepal 2024 Sampada Ghimire is set to represent Nepal at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City. Ghimire, who is also a digital marketer, believes that everyone must dream and work for it. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Ghimire about her journey and plans after winning the Miss Universe Nepal title.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I come from a family of five—my mom, dad, brother, sister, and me. My brother just finished his SEE and is now in college, and my sister lives in Australia. My family has always been supportive and never hesitated to meet my needs. Before starting my professional career, I studied management. Later, I shifted my focus to internships and jobs that sparked my interest in practical, hands-on work. Now, I work in digital marketing.

How much did your family encourage you to compete in Miss Universe Nepal 2024?

In my case, I was the one who really wanted to compete. Unlike some parents who push their children into pageants, I was self-motivated. It’s been a dream of mine to compete in Miss Universe, and my family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders. They’ve always supported my choices and encouraged me throughout the process.

Your career in digital marketing is quite different from pageantry. How did you get interested in modeling and pageants?

Interestingly, when I was 15, I had a strong desire to start modeling. I practiced a lot and was really inspired by the idea of walking the runway. But over time, that dream faded, and I shifted my focus to a career in digital marketing. However, I believe fate brought me back to pageantry. The passion I had for modeling reemerged, this time through pageantry, and I feel like there's a bigger purpose for me to fulfill through this platform.

What was your reaction when you were announced as the winner?

I had been preparing for two years, participating in other events but never winning. I didn’t have high expectations for the finale, but a part of me thought there was a chance. When my name was announced, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It felt like I had finally achieved a goal I’d been working so hard for, even though I couldn’t fully express how thankful and happy I felt at that moment.

How is your preparation going for representing Nepal in Mexico?

The preparation has been going smoothly since I was crowned. We’ve been focusing on branding, photo shoots, interviews, and designing outfits. My team has been incredibly supportive, and we’re working hard to represent Nepal in the best possible way. I’m also receiving training for public speaking and runway walking.

What are your future plans? Will you continue modeling, or return to digital marketing?

I'm still figuring that out. I trust the process and the outcome, whether I continue in modeling or go back to digital marketing. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, even before I started modeling, and I hope to be an active, visible representative of Miss Universe Nepal. I’m also passionate about child literacy and plan to work in that area, using my experience to make a positive impact.

What advice would you give to young girls?

I encourage everyone to dare to dream big and keep believing in their dreams. Many people are afraid to dream or doubt themselves, as I once did. But don’t be afraid to dream, and when you do, work tirelessly toward your goals. Even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll learn valuable lessons that will help you succeed in the future.

Jinoos Shariati is the First Secretary for Trade and Investment at the British High Commission in Delhi, India. She previously served as Director of Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Doha, Qatar, and led the Technology and Smart City Investment division at the UK Department for International Trade, where she collaborated with global tech giants and investors to attract their investments to the UK.

Shariati was in Nepal recently to participate in the Nepal Infrastructure Summit. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked to her about infrastructure, investment in Nepal, and UK-Nepal collaboration. Excerpts:

How has your experience been at the Infrastructure Summit and what are your thoughts on the current state of UK-Nepal bilateral trade?

Though this is my second time in Nepal, it is my first time attending a summit here. I have been very impressed with the quality of the speakers and the depth of the discussions during the summit, particularly following the success of the Investment Summit. By the first quarter of 2024, bilateral trade between the UK and Nepal reached 287m pounds. The UK’s total exports to Nepal amounted to around 95m pounds, marking an increase of 5.6 percent, or 5m pounds, compared to the same period last year. UK imports from Nepal were even higher, at 192m pounds in the fourth quarter of 2023 and through the end of Q1 2024. However, we aim to increase this bilateral trade between the UK and Nepal, which is why we are here.

It was great to see a blend of both international and local speakers. I was particularly impressed by the participation of notable experts, such as the former Foreign Minister of the Philippines and a renowned expert from South Korea. They brought a wealth of experience in infrastructure development in their respective countries and shared valuable insights on how to apply best practices as Nepal continues to develop its infrastructure.

How does your team support UK companies in navigating the business landscape in Nepal?

We have a department for business and trade, with a team based in the embassy whose primary role is to promote Nepal and its business opportunities to UK companies. Part of their job is to highlight the positive messages coming out of Nepal, particularly from events like the Investment Summit and this infrastructure summit. They also promote projects in the pipeline to UK companies across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. So, while we focus on infrastructure and energy, we are also covering other sectors. If Nepal is opening up new markets, we are eager to promote those opportunities to British companies.

Essentially, our department’s mission is to promote business opportunities to British companies interested in Nepal. We also promote investment opportunities in the UK and globally. Just as Nepal is working to attract foreign direct investment, we are doing the same for the UK. Additionally, we work on trade policy and address market access issues and trade barriers that affect UK companies doing business in Nepal. My team collaborates with colleagues across the embassies and Nepali authorities to resolve any market access challenges UK companies may face.

What factors do UK companies consider when looking for investment opportunities in Nepal?

UK companies are seeking investment opportunities where their investments are secure and offer a good return on investment. If they see that the business environment is friendly, the projects follow international best practices, and there is transparency, then naturally, we can attract UK companies. If Nepal can develop a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects that are bankable, well-funded, and aligned with international standards, I am confident that this will appeal to UK companies.

How can Nepal improve its competitive edge to attract foreign direct investment (FDI)?

There is a global competition for FDI, with countries around the world vying for it. It’s encouraging to see that Nepal is hosting business and infrastructure summits and addressing the challenges businesses face when entering the country. If the government works with the private sector to resolve these issues and encourages international companies to come to Nepal, it could attract more businesses to set up operations here. I believe there are significant opportunities for many companies to do business in Nepal, but it’s essential to create the right conditions for them to operate, such as improving the ease of doing business and facilitating the movement of resources into the country. The UK has extensive experience in attracting foreign direct investment, and we have examples that we can share with our colleagues in Nepal.

What are the challenges when trying to invest in Nepal?

Some challenges I hear from UK companies, particularly regarding infrastructure projects, involve a lack of accessible data. They are seeking information about the availability of data, whether it exists, and whether the project is well-funded. This information gap poses a challenge. Establishing a one-stop shop to provide this data and reduce costs would be very helpful for companies. Another issue is with pre-procurement processes, where procurement is not always entirely merit-based. If we can create a level playing field, I’m confident that UK companies would be more interested in investing in Nepal.

How do you plan to involve UK companies in the dialogue with Nepal?

There are already ongoing discussions with our colleagues from different teams within the embassy. We have existing programs in place for dialogue with Nepal, and through these dialogues, we also bring UK companies to Nepal. If there is interest from Nepal, I’m confident that we can bring in some of our experts. Additionally, I believe that my team and the wider embassy may organize a business summit in the first quarter of 2025. This summit would provide a platform for experts to come together and discuss both the challenges and opportunities.

The Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival was recently held in Kathmandu, celebrating the shared literary and cultural traditions of Nepal, India, and South Asia over two days. An extension of the Kalinga Literary Festival, originally founded in Bhubaneswar, India, the event aimed to foster cross-cultural dialogue and promote the exploration of art, literature, and heritage across borders. In this context, ApEx spoke with Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO of the Kalinga Literary Festival. Excerpts:

As the CEO of the Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), what are your key responsibilities?

As Patron and CEO of KLF, I oversee the planning and execution of the various festivals we organize throughout the year. My responsibilities include resource mobilization, session planning, logistics, and coordination with speakers, organizations, and the press. While it’s primarily a team effort, my role focuses on oversight, advice, and overall coordination. This year, our team in Nepal did an excellent job in organizing the Kathmandu KLF.

From your perspective, how successful was the latest Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival?

The 3rd Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival was a tremendous success. The two-day event featured over 60 sessions, with a strong emphasis on Nepali literature, art, and culture. The enthusiastic response from the audience and their active engagement were particularly encouraging. We were especially pleased to see the large turnout of young students from colleges and universities in Kathmandu. Their participation means a lot to us, and we are committed to doing even better in the next edition of the festival.

In what ways does the Kalinga Literary Festival promote literature, arts, and culture in the South Asian region?

The Kalinga Literary Festival stands out from similar events by fostering cross-border and cross-civilizational partnerships. These collaborations are vital for nurturing a global culture of peace, understanding, and sustainable development. Our mission began three years ago, with Kathmandu as the stepping stone. Nepal’s long-standing traditions of wisdom, enlightenment, and resilience align with KLF's vision to unite people through the power of literature and the arts. This year’s theme, ‘Nepal—The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature,’ reflected this goal. The KLF in Kathmandu is more than just an event—it continues a centuries-old dialogue reaffirming shared values and aspirations between India and Nepal.

Do you have plans to organize the Kalinga Literary Festival in other parts of South Asia?

Yes, as part of our South Asian initiative, we’re encouraged by the success of our Kathmandu festival over the past three years. We plan to expand to other locations, such as Bali and Colombo, with which we share ancient cultural bonds.

How can Nepal’s literature and arts community benefit from the Kalinga Literary Festival?

KLF serves as an excellent platform for dialogue and exchange between writers, poets, authors, and artists from India, Nepal, and gradually, the broader South Asian region. Nepalese students, in particular, stand to gain from these cultural and literary interactions. We’ve been inviting Nepali writers, poets, and artists to participate in KLF events in Bhubaneswar, and over time, this exchange will be mutually beneficial, fostering greater connection, communication, and collaboration.