![#28 - Sharada Rajbhandari Onta, 75 years old - Author and Eldercare Entrepreneur [Nepali]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts125/v4/21/12/46/21124614-1c2a-a27e-23e8-936d2bc14a58/mza_4237026275361513888.jpg/250x250bb.jpg)
Episodes
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75 years old Sushila Sthapit is an avid learner. She was born in Kalimpong and brought up in Calcutta, India and moved to Kathmandu after marriage. At the time when women were confined to household, Sushila learned new skills in hospitality management and worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Her learning journey continues even after retirement. She joined computer language course after 70 and has started learning Ranjana Lipi since the COVID-19 lockdown.
This episode with Sushila Sthapit was recorded on 10 April 2021 at her residence in Baluwatar by Aji’s Podcast host Sunita Dangol, who is currently serving as the deputy mayor of Kathmandu metropolitan city, the capital city of Nepal.
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85 years old Mithai Devi Biswokarma is a courageous Dalit rights activist. Together with her husband Late T.R. Biswokarma who was a pioneering Dalit activist, Mithai Devi has made invaluable contribution to the Dalit rights movement. She was one of the leaders of the historic Pashupatinath Temple Entry movement of 1954, a series of events that forced the government and “upper” caste locals to remove the signboard that read ‘Untouchables are Prohibited' and allowed Dalits to enter the temple. Mithai Devi also led a women’s association named Pariganith Nari Sangh (Association for Scheduled Caste Women) who participated into everyday organising as part of the movement. For her activism and leadership Mithai Devi has received several prestigious awards including the Dr. Ambedkar International Award from All-India Dalit Sahitya Sammelan and Bhagat Sarbajit Manab Maryada Rastriya Award.
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Anjana Tamrakar is the founder and executive director of Creative Women’s Craft based in Kathmandu. She is also a consultant and freelance trainer in the fields of micro, small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurship development. She focuses mostly on training and supporting women across Nepal. Her organisation trains women and produces a wide range of paper products for sale in Nepal and abroad. She is also a poet and has published several poetry collection books in Nepali and Nepal Lhasa languages. At 68, Anjana continues to write poetry, run her business and she is also involved in various social organizations geared towards empowerment of women in Nepal. This episode with Anjana Tamrakar was recorded on 13 May 2022 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
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85 years old Chandra Devi Adhikari recently published her autobiography titled 'Mero Jeevan Yatra'. Chandra Devi was born in Ilham, Nepal in a big joint family. She enjoyed her childhood playing in gardens with her siblings and cousins. She later joined her brothers to study in Darjeeling, India where she was introduced to political consciousness and communism ideology. Later when her sister died of small pox, she married her brother-in-law D.P Adhikari. D.P Adhikari who was the leader of a banned communist party. During the movement against the Panchayat system he had to leave the country and seek refuge in India and even jailed when he was back in Nepal. Meanwhile, Chandra Devi supported her husband through this struggle and raised their two kids on her own, traveling between India and Nepal. She has detailed all the experiences in her book which is available in Ratna Pustak Bhandar and Pragati Pustak Sadan in Bagbazar, Kathmandu.
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69 years old Saroj Shrestha is the Founder & Executive Director of Navjeevan High School in Lalitpur. She is a mathematics enthusiast who enjoys making the subject fun and easy for her students. As a girl child she had to make extra efforts to prove her love for education and to seek permission from her family to continue her studies. Saroj also faced many hardships in her adult life including the death of her first and second husbands and disapproval and scrutiny from society for remarrying. Despite these challenges she dedicated over 4 decades in Nepal’s education sector for which she has received many awards and recognitions.
This episode with Saroj Shrestha was recorded on 22 March 2022 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit.
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71 years old Bhimi Gurung was born in Dhanda Khadga village in the Parbat region where she had a fun childhood. Her mother gave birth to her at age 50 which made her popular in her village since birth. Later she married an army officer and moved to Singapore. She lived in the army camp in Singapore for 25 years and had four children there. Today she lives in Kathmandu and runs a well-known pickle company with her daughter called ĀMĀKO achar. Her achars are prepared in the traditional style of Gurungs from the Parbat region.
This episode with Bhimi Gurung was recorded on 2 September 2021 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit.
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72 year old Renuka Upadhyay is an avid knitter and crafter. She learned the craft first from her mother and then advanced her skills by reading many books on the subject. Later she used these skills to earn a living and raised three daughters as a single mother. She also taught courses in dress design in various colleges in Kathmandu and Pokhara for four decades. She continues to create unique products, everyday. "If I don't work and make new things, I get sick," she says. You can see and buy her creations on Instagram, Facebook and Etsy through her page Nens Workshop.
This episode with Renuka Upadhyay was recorded on 16 August 2021 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit.
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90 year old Nalini Gyawali fell in love with reading as a child. Even though she couldn’t continue her education due to social obligations, she continues to pursue her love for reading. Her favorite author is Agatha Christie. In this episode of Aji’s Podcast Nalini shares her colorful memories of traveling to Banaras, India with her mom when she was 3 years old, getting married at a young age of 13 during the end of WWII, struggling to adjust her life in village without toilets, fighting a major health issue just before her pregnancy, her life today with many grandkids and great grandkids and much more.
This episode with Nalini Gyawali was recorded on 22 December 2021 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit.
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Durga Lal Shrestha, born in 1935 in Kathmandu, is Nepal’s leading poet and lyricist. He has been honored with national titles of “Janakavi” (meaning People’s Poet) and “Janagitkar” (meaning People’s Lyricist). He writes poems, songs, plays, essays and children’s verses mostly in his mother tongue, Nepal Bhasa. He is an outspoken advocate for minority language rights and mother tongue education in multilingual, multiethnic Nepal. He also writes in Nepali language and his Nepali songs 'Phoolko aankhaa maa, phoolai sansara' and 'Saya thari baja yeutai taal' holds the distinction of being the most popular hit song ever in Nepal. Collections of his poems have been translated into English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages.
This episode with Durga Lal Shrestha was recorded on 24 August 2021 at his home in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Sunita Dangol. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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87 years old Badri Prasad Khatiwada, also knows as Bhanu among his family and friends was born in Makwanpur, Nepal. He is a devout teacher and was a passionate activist during the panchayat regime. He founded the National Teachers’ Association and fought for the rights of teachers in Nepal. Bhanu is the grandfather of Miss Nepal World 2018 Shrinkhala Khatiwada and Birodh Khatiwada, Minister for Health and Population in Nepal.
This episode with Badri Prasad Khatiwada was recorded on 6 April 2021 at his home in Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Sunita Dangol. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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75 year old Sharada Rajbhandari Onta is an author and eldercare entrepreneur. Born in a conservative family, she was discouraged to continue her education and to work. But Sharada pursued her love for education, completed her diploma and worked as a teacher for many years. She is also an author and has published several children's story books in Nepali language. Later together with her friends, she founded Tapasthali Elderly Home in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu where they have been housing and supporting many elderly women for past 25 years. Currently she is the President there and spends most of her time managing and growing the old age home.
This episode with Sharada Rajbhandari Onta was recorded on 5 April 2021 at her home in Baluwatar, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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66 year old Rukmani Devi Shrestha was born in Sindhupalchowk where she had a challenging childhood. She worked hard to fulfill her dream of attaining education and later became a teacher for 3 decades in remote villages of Sindhupalchok and later on in Kathmandu. She put her knitting skills to use and established a successful enterprise- Rochak Hand Knit Craft and now sells her products globally. Together with her son and husband, she has managed to grow the business from a small room to a company that employs hundreds. For her exceptional work, she has also received 'Safal Mahila Udhyami' (Successful Woman Entrepreneur) award.
This episode with Rukmani Devi Shrestha was recorded on 27 March 2021 at her home in Nayabazar, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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Rajani Shrestha remembers most of her childhood as an athlete, playing various sports- running, high hump, low jump. She won several regional and national tournaments as well. Later she dedicated almost 40 years of her career in education as a Reader in Ratna Rajya Campus. She also served as the senator of the prestigious Nepal National Teachers' Association. Now at 62, Rajani is a cancer survivor. She overcame stage 4 lymphoma cancer because of her strong will power, positive attitude and support from her family.
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Yagya Man Pati Bajracharya, 80 years, is an intangible heritage conservationist who is currently working on Kasthamandap reconstruction project. He is also a a Buddhist priest and Charya expert who is well known for his unique philosophy. Yagya Man Pati has served as a dedicated government employee for 3 decades and led important policy reforms in the Ministry of Finance and Land Reform Ministry. He is a recepient of the prestigious Gorkha Dakshina Bahu and Tri Shakti Patta awards.
This episode with Yagya Man Pati Bajracharya was recorded on 7 April 2021 at his home in Kuleshwor, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Sunita Dangol. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. A big thank you to the Panchakanya Foundation for supporting this video edition of Aji's Podcast.
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Prem Lal Shrestha, 84 years, started his professional career in cap and badge making trade with his father. With hard work and support from his wife, he was able to expand the business to fulfill orders from the army and the then royal family. During the era of King Mahendra he got the crest “by appointment of the king of Nepal” as a recognition of this outstanding work in business. He was the second person to ever receive the award. He was also commissioned to design crown for the coronation of king Birendra for which he was given the ‘Gorkha-Dakshina Bahu’, one of the highest honors given traditionally by the king at the time. Prem Lal was also a member of the team that redesigned the flag to the current size and form. Today he lives in Baneshwor with his family and is actively involved in Buddhist meditation.
This episode with Prem Lal Shrestha was recorded on 5 April at his home in Baneshwor, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. A big thank you to the Panchakanya Foundation for supporting this video edition of Aji's Podcast.
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Ambica Shrestha is a renowned entrepreneur, heritage conservationist, social worker, and the President of Dwarika´s Hotels and Resorts. In this episode of Aji's Podcast, she shares about her life story--memories of childhood with her grandparents in Darjeeling, her experience of defying gender stereotypes, her strong will power that helped her beat cancer and her journey with her husband in establishing the Dawarika's Hotel. This episode also includes conversation with her grandson Rene Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, Executive Director, Dwarika's Group of Hotels & Resorts.
This episode with Ambica Shrestha was recorded on 5 April at The Dwarika's Hotel in Battisputali, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. A big thank you to the Panchakanya Foundation for supporting this video edition of Aji's Podcast.
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You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
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Madan Krishna Shrestha is one of the most well known personalities in Nepal. He is a comedian, actor, singer and author. His autobiography Mahako Ma is a national best seller. In this episode of Aji's Podcast, Madan Krishna shares about the wisdom he acquired from his grandparents, his journey into discovering the art of making people laugh, his love for singing, the tragedy of losing his beloved wife to cancer and the joy of singing with his daughter Sarana. We also have exclusive conversation with the father daughter duo and them singing their favorite tune, Pani Chaya. Madan Krishna is fighting Parkinson's disease but that has not stopped him from performing and bringing laughter and cheer in people's lives.
This episode with Madan Krishna Shrestha was recorded on 31 March at his home in Sunakothi, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. A big thank you to the Panchakanya Foundation for supporting this video edition of Aji's Podcast.
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You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
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Anuradha Koirala, lovingly called Dijju, is the the founder and director of Maiti Nepal a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of sex trafficking. For her dedication to humanity, she won the CNN Hero of the year award in 2010. She has also won several national and international awards including the prestigious Gorkha Dakshina Bahu. In this episode of Aji's Podcast, she speaks about her family, her journey as a social activist and the joy of being a grandmother.
This episode with Anuradha Dijju was recorded on 30 March at Maiti Nepal office in Gaushala, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.
The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. A big thank you to the Panchakanya Foundation for supporting this first video edition of Aji's Podcast.
Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.
You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
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Rewati Rajbhandari is a prolific 78 years old author and poet. She has written 20 books with stories for children and adults, and poems in Nepal Bhasa and Nepali languages. She started writing poetry as a young child and would share them with her sisters and mother. Later in her life when she lost her son to a fire accident, she started writing poetry again to cope with her grief. She has won many national awards for literature. She currently resides in Chaunni in Kathmandu and is working on her autobiography.
This episode with Rewati Rajbhandari was recorded on 2nd January 2021 at her home in Chaunni, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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As a child, Sanu Kaji Shrestha was a curious tinkerer, today at 77 he has harnessed that curiosity to invent several cost-effective and eco-friendly technologies like briquettes from biodegradable wastes and solar cookers for which he has received several national and international recognitions. He is deeply inspired by his grandmother, who despite her blindness could navigate the entire neighborhood and lived a brave life. Sanu Kaji still continues to innovate through his organization, Foundation for Sustainable Technologies (FoST).
This episode with Sanu Kaji Shrestha was recorded on 15th December 2020 at Maya Manor Hotel in Hattisar, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. This episode also includes public service messages from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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![Sushila Sthapit, For whom learning never stops! 75 years [Nepal Bhasa]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts125/v4/21/12/46/21124614-1c2a-a27e-23e8-936d2bc14a58/mza_4237026275361513888.jpg/80x80bb.jpg)