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Bhinda Swari Shah, a pioneering diplomat, education advocate, and champion of gender equality, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 91. A trailblazer in every sense, Shah was the first Nepali woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States, Nepal’s first female ambassador, and a relentless advocate for women’s empowerment and social reform.  

Shah’s diplomatic career was marked by historic firsts and an unwavering commitment to advancing Nepal’s global standing. At the behest of BP Koirala, Nepal’s first democratically elected prime minister, Shah joined the Foreign Ministry and quickly established herself as a trailblazer in the male-dominated field of diplomacy.  

She played a pivotal role in establishing Nepal’s first embassy in Bangladesh, demonstrating exemplary leadership during the political turbulence that followed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination in 1975.  

In 1988, she made history as Nepal’s first female ambassador to India, skillfully navigating strained relations during the economic blockade imposed by India.

Her dedication and expertise earned her widespread respect. Reflecting on her impact for the ‘ApEx Pioneers’ column in The Annapurna Express, her colleague and former foreign secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai remarked, “She was not only a person but an institution. Her ability to prepare diplomatic agendas, negotiate agreements, and master protocols set the bar for Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.”  

Shah’s legacy extended beyond diplomacy. She was a tireless advocate for gender equality and education, using her groundbreaking achievements to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Nepali women.  

“It is my duty to be the voice of tens of thousands of Nepali women who didn’t have the opportunity to get the kind of education I received,” she said in a May 2022 interview with ApEx.

Her resilience extended into her personal life, where she faced societal challenges, including prejudice for being a working woman and marrying outside her caste. These struggles only strengthened her resolve to break barriers and inspire others.  

Born on 13 Feb 1933, in Kurseong, India, where her father lived in exile due to the Rana regime, Shah’s early years were shaped by resilience and determination. After attending St Helen’s Secondary School in Kurseong, she became the first Nepali woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States, graduating from Barnard College, Columbia University, in 1956.  

Later, she pursued a master’s degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins University, funding her education by working as a caretaker. Her academic accomplishments were groundbreaking for Nepal, inspiring countless young women to dream of global opportunities.  

Shah’s professional life demanded immense personal sacrifices, including extended periods of separation from her family. Yet her commitment to her work and the greater cause of national and social progress never wavered.  

In the ‘ApEx Pioneers’ column, her granddaughter Aarya Shah said, “She would always tell me, ‘Don’t follow in my footsteps; start your journey where my footsteps end.’ Her life was a testament to courage and resilience, inspiring me and many others to overcome challenges with confidence.”  

From establishing the American Library in Nepal to mentoring countless diplomats and women leaders, Shah’s contributions were monumental. Her lifelong friend, Helga Bendix, shared for ‘ApEx Pioneers’: “She lived a life that could be an epic movie in which she is the hero. For 70 years, we shared our joys and sorrows, bound by an unbreakable friendship.”  

Shah’s story is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her courage, determination, and groundbreaking achievements have left an indelible mark on Nepal’s history and society. She is survived by her son, Anil Keshary Shah, a prominent former banker, and other family members who carry forward her legacy.

“People see my life and say, wow, it’s a fairy tale. But there was a series of struggles and pain in this fairy tale. I fought against these challenges because I wanted to be a catalyst for change,” she had said in an interview with ApEx.

Her life remains an inspiration for generations to come.

Tenzing Gurung was born in 1945 in Ngawal, Manang. A few months after his birth, his mother took him to Shillong, India, where his dark, sunburned complexion earned him the affectionate nickname “Kalu” among the Nepali diaspora—a name that stayed with him throughout his life.

At the age of 11, in 1956, Tenzing lost his father, who passed away in Brunei. This marked the beginning of his journey into the business world. From Manang, he traded herbs, Tibetan Mastiffs, and yak tails in Kathmandu. The proceeds were used to purchase Nepalese handicrafts, which he sold in Calcutta at a handsome profit. With these earnings, he bought Burmese precious stones, which he sold in markets across Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong. By the late 1960s, Gurung and his friends from Manang even ventured to Vietnam, selling goods to American GIs during the Vietnam War.

In 1965, King Mahendra’s decree allowed Nepali citizens to obtain passports, with the people of Manang being among the first to receive them. Along with the passports came trading privileges, including tax benefits. By the late 1970s, many popular products in today’s Nepali market—such as jeans, Wai Wai, chocolates, and pharmaceuticals—were initially introduced by the enterprising Manange traders. Their knack for identifying arbitrage opportunities set them apart from other businessmen in Nepal. However, due to their limited education and understanding of global business operations, larger, more educated business houses took over the agencies for these products, turning them into major revenue-generating ventures.

Recognizing education as a key to remaining competitive, Gurung founded Kathmandu Valley School in Maharajgunj in 1986. It was the first private school in Kathmandu owned by a member of the Himalayan Buddhist community and among the first to recruit teachers from Darjeeling. The school continues to award scholarships to around 300 students annually, primarily from Manang and the upper Himalayan regions. To date, the school has provided over 10,000 scholarships to deserving students, many of whom would not have been able to afford an education without Tenzing’s support.

Gurung’s contributions extended beyond education. He funded the construction of numerous monasteries across Nepal, which currently house thousands of monks. In 1978, he built his first home in Thamel, which was later converted into Ngawal View Guest House in 1984, one of the oldest hotels in the area. He also co-founded ventures like Nepal Colour Lab in Thamel, the Janakpur and Lalitpur Brick Factories, and Experience Travel and Tours, which was one of Kathmandu’s largest travel companies until the early 2000s.

Gurung was also among the pioneers of today’s land development and plotting industry where he developed and sold hundreds of ropanis of land in Kathmandu since the 1980s.

His philanthropic efforts were vast and impactful. He helped hundreds of prisoners by posting bail for those unable to afford it, allowing them to regain their freedom. He also provided financial assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals from Manang and Mustang, covering their visa and travel expenses and securing employment opportunities abroad. Many who benefited from his generosity are now well-settled in foreign countries.

By 2005, Tenzing had retired from business and dedicated his time to his family and the Manang community in Kathmandu. His health began to decline in 2015, requiring frequent medical trips to hospitals in Kathmandu and Delhi. Gurung, 80, passed away at 5 am on Saturday, Dec 28, at HAMS Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Yanki Dolma (Sunar), his children; Tashi, Sonam Wangma, Karma Tenzing and Mukhiya; and his grandchildren; Samdup, Sangay, Tenzing Dolma, Rewa Tsomo, Jordan, Nurpa, Yonten and Kunsang.

Tenzing Gurung

Birth: 1945, Manang

Death: 28 Dec 2024, Kathmandu

Basant Raj Mishra, a pioneering figure in Nepal’s tourism industry and the founder and executive chairperson of Temple Tiger Group of Companies, passed away on Sunday morning while receiving treatment for dengue at Norvic Hospital, Kathmandu. He was 71.

Born on 20 Feb 1953, in Kathmandu, Mishra attended Padmodaya School before graduating from Patan Campus in Lalitpur. With a passion for entrepreneurship, he traveled to Europe after his studies to take courses in business management and marketing. 

Reflecting on his journey in The Annapurna Express’s ‘ApEx Pioneer’ column, he once said, “I was born into a family with a bureaucratic background, but a government job never appealed to me. My interest was rather in business, to start something of my own.”

Mishra’s insights into life and work were profound. “Europe taught me that work is vital, not just for income but also to establish your identity. Ultimately, what matters is not how much you earn but who you are.” This perspective guided his career, as he began working in tourism in 1977, eventually founding the Temple Tiger Group of Companies 11 years later, one of the first businesses to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in Nepal.

This visionary’s contributions went beyond entrepreneurship. He was a former chairperson of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter and a PATA Life Member, and played a pivotal role in linking Nepal with international tourism circles. His goal was always to establish Nepal as a stand-alone tourism destination. “When I was starting, many tourists visited Nepal through Indian travel agencies, which considered Nepal an extension of their own country. My goal was to make Nepal a stand-alone destination,” Mishra said in the interview.

Mishra’s nephew, Pius Raj Mishra, described his uncle in the ‘ApEx Pioneer’ column as a man who lived by the mantra ‘work is worship’. He noted, “Hard work has given him global recognition as a successful tourism entrepreneur and conservationist. Even in our own family, everyone rushes to him for help and advice.”

A colleague, Sanjay Nepal also reflected on Mishra’s character in the same interview, saying, “In tourism, many people are double-tongued, but he is what he is. If he is angry, he will show it to you. He is also open-minded, a quality that many lack. Most importantly, he is a determined learner. To this day, he calls me for suggestions.”

Mishra’s impact on conservation tourism in Nepal was groundbreaking. As he said, “Shifting to conservation tourism was my best career decision. In light of the prevalent climate change, Nepal has always been at the forefront of travel practices that minimize environmental waste, encourage conservation and educate travelers on the environment.” He often remarked that ‘Nepal is the Africa of South Asia’ when it came to wildlife tourism, emphasizing the country’s role in promoting sustainable travel.

Mishra was also the founding director of the Nepal Tourism Board, an entity established  in 1998 to foster private-public partnerships in tourism promotion. His leadership helped transform Nepal into a global example of successful conservation, adventure and wildlife tourism.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including the closure of hotels inside national parks, Mishra’s adaptability and resilience were key to his enduring success. “I have overcome many odds to succeed in this sector,” he said. “There are new setbacks and challenges every other day, but I can deal with them as I am a very adaptable creature.”

Mishra’s legacy as a global ambassador for Nepali tourism will continue to inspire future generations.

He is survived by his wife, Jyanu Mishra, his son, Brajesh Raj Mishra—and his contributions to the tourism and hospitality industries. 

His last rites were performed on Sunday noon at Pashupati Aryaghat. His visionary leadership, commitment to sustainable tourism and passion for promoting Nepal’s identity on the world stage will be remembered for years to come.

Birth: March 14, 1942

Death: November 19, 2023

Krishna Bikram Nembang, who spearheaded an armed revolution against the 1960 royal coup, has died. He was 82. 

At the heart of the tumultuous events of December 1960, Nembang, then studying in Darjeeling, stood against King Mahendra's coup and protested the incarceration of Nepali Congress leader BP Koirala. After returning to Nepal, he became an unwavering force, writing leaflets to enlighten the public about the injustices and advocating passionately for democracy.

Born in Panchthar district, Nembang was involved in politics from his school days. During his teens, he had stood up against the Rana regime.

Though a committed member of the Nepali Congress, Nembang chose a life of service over power. He made his name as a historian and researcher. He used to say that he had lived three lives: of a student, a revolutionary and a historian.

He penned his experience and the situation of the 1960 revolution in his book ‘Satra Saalko Krantiko Samjhana,’ vividly detailing how the revolutionary fighters under his leadership confiscated the weapons from the police who were traveling via the Sukiya jungle. He also wrote about the culture and history of the Kirat people.

Nembang also possessed an extensive knowledge on human development, social development and geography. His writings delved into the depths of history, exploring Indus and Ganges civilizations, and offering detailed insights into Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Samaveda.

His notable literary works include ‘Diaryma Belayat,’ ‘Aakshep ra Pathak Pratikriya,’ ‘Smiritima BP Andolan,’ and ‘Limbu Itihas: Tibatti, Lepcha, Koch, Sen ra Roy Sambandha.’

Writer Hari Gautam aptly remembers Nembang as a man of morals, a practitioner of non-violence, and a devoted soul who found his life and happiness in the Nepali Congress. For the past decade, he embraced a hermit's life, devoid of anger or hatred.

Nembang breathed his last at the Nepal Cancer Hospital on November 19.

Survived by three sons and four daughters, Nembang's legacy extends beyond the pages of history.