Aji's Podcast

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. Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes. You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.

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.

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. Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

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.Please become a patron of Aji's Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.You can also listen to Aji's podcast on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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.

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.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.

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.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.

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.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.

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.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.

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.

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.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.

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).Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

82 years old Dabal Kaji Tuladhar of Sitapaila was raised by a strong single mother. He was born and brought up in a family of 50 in Ason! In this episode he shares about his passion for automobiles, his life as a successful businessman and a caring head of a growing family. He is the founding member of the Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA).This episode with Dabal Kaji Tuladhar was recorded on 10th October 2020 at his home in Sitapaila, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. This episode includes public service messages from the World Health Organisation (WHO).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.

In our 17th episode we speak with 65 year old Dr. Geeta Shrestha Vaidya. A retired Chief Senior Scientific Officer at the reputed Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Geeta Vaidya’s passion has always been in the field of science. Despite the inconvenience of traveling in crowded public transport experiencing perpetual harassments and juggling field research with parenting, she continued her education to get a masters degree in plant pathology and later a PhD in botany. Currently she is teaching in various colleges and has joined Aji’s community as a maker.This episode with 65 years old Geeta Shrestha Vaidya was recorded on 3rd October 2020 at her home in Jayabageshwori, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. This episode includes public service messages from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In our 16th episode we speak with 76 years old Nil Shova Tuladhar. Eldest among 8 siblings, she helped her parents raise her six sisters and a brother. She accompanied her father to Kalimpong where she spent four years studying and enjoying her childhood days. Later at the age of 15, she married human rights activist late Padma Ratna Tuladhar. She shares about her experience in supporting her husband through his struggles, enabling him to focus on his work by taking care of the house and raising four kids.This episode with 76 years old Nil Shova was recorded on 1st August 2020 at her home in Lazimpat accompanied by her daughter Sunima Tuladhar, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

In our 15th episode we speak with 72 years old Padma Mathema. She has dedicated her career in the development sector of Nepal, first as the social sector head in the National Planning Commission and later as the National Rapporteur on Trafficking at the National Human Rights Commission. When she took the Public Service Commission (LokSewa) exam, she was the only woman to get through along with 100 other men. Padma is also a published author of many articles and a book Primary health care in Nepal. Mother of three successful daughters, she is currently waiting to publish her second book.This episode with 72 years old Padma Mathema was recorded on 30 July 2020 at her home in Tahachal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

In our 14th episode we speak with 80 years old Nalini Devi Sthapit. At a time when girls were not encouraged to study, Nalini Devi went to nursing school and later on completed her Bachelor's degree in Education. She taught at schools in Butwal and Trishuli where she lived with her husband, who defying the social norms she choose herself, and raised three children on her earnings. Today lives with her daughter-in law in Kalimati.This episode with 80 years old Nalini Devi Sthapit was recorded on 18 June 2020 at her home in Kalimati, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

For our 13th episode and our second Lockdown Special, we have compiled a Newa episode with audio clips from various guests interviewed by their grandchildren. They have shared their daily routine, hopes and perspectives during this lockdown. This was also an opportunity for the elders and the grandchildren to have fun and bond in this uncertain time, and in the process create uplifting content for us to enjoy.Thank you everyone who took the time and effort to record these interviews and send it to us. This episode features the following guests:Nanda Man Sthapit interviewed by Livana TuladharRenuka Bajracharya interviewed by Manju von RospattRatna Devi Shakya interviewed by Aayushma ShakyaJagat Ratna and Champa Devi Tuladhar interviewed by Srajesh TuladharGulab Shova Tamrakar interviewed by Reeya TamrakarDil Hera Tuladhar interviewed by Samina Tuladhar [BBC Video]Ram Kumari Shrestha interviewed by Saina Shrestha [BBC Video]Triratna Kansakar, coordinated by Luna KansakarPlease become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

For our 12th episode we have collected audio clips from various guests interviewed by their grandchildren. They have shared their hopes and perspectives during this uncertain time. We have compiled these delightful clips into a lockdown special episode of Aji’s Podcast. This was also an opportunity for the elders and the grandchildren to have fun and bond over in this difficult period, and in the process create uplifting content for us to enjoy.Thank you everyone who took the time and effort to record these interviews and send it to us. This episode features the following guests:Shobha Lamichhane interviewed by Sashita GhimireUttama Tiwari interviewed by Parijita BastolaChanchaleswori Shrestha interviewed by Sumegha ShresthaMin Bahadur Adhikari interviewed by Gunjan AdhikariSushila Sthapit interviewed by Lirisha TuladharGanesh Bahadur Thapa interviewed by Yamun Thapa MagarSiddhi Laxmi Bajracharya interviewed by Prasiddha ShakyaYou can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

In our 11th episode we speak with 83 years old Kulendra Devkota. Kulendra fought against all odds including cast discrimination, malnutrition and ill-health to get an education and become a teacher and eventually a headmaster at Luintel High School in Gorkha. Throughout his teaching career, he educated more than 3,000 students including Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Late Dr. Upendra Devkota. Later on in his life, he retired from teaching to dedicate his life to improving agriculture methods in his village. Today he is living a healthy life in Gorkha-- reading books, practicing yoga and observing religious pujas. This episode with 83 years old Kulendra Devkota was recorded on 10 March 2020 at a recording studio in Kamaladi, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. Please become a patron of Aji’s Podcast to help us bring you more episodes.

This episode with 86 years old Dhammawati Guruma was recorded on March 6th & 12, 2020 at the Dharmakriti Vihar in the Sheegha neighborhood of Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.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.Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.

You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.

Aji’s Podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Castbox. Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.

This episode with 84 years old Dil Hera Tuladhar was recorded on 9 January 2020 at a recording studio in Ganabahal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.Watch Dil Hera Tuladhar on BBC. Purchase her Dhaka baby blankets.

This episode with 62 years old Shoba Lamichhane Bhattarai was recorded on 18 December 2019 at a recording studio in Ganabahal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.

This episode with 68 years old Shiro Moktan was recorded on 3 November 2019 at a recording studio in Ganabahal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.You can buy her macrame plant hangers on our products page and read her interesting perspectives on our blog.Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.

This episode with 71 year old Pragya Devi Shakya was recorded on 5 September 2019 at a recording studio in Ganabahal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.

This episode with 82 year old Dil Ratna Shakya was recorded on 10 September 2019 at a recording studio in Ganabahal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.

For our first episode we have 87 year old Jagat Ratna Tuladhar from Maitidevi, Kathmandu. In this podcast, Jagat Ratna speaks about his secrets to good health and his remarkable and enduring journeys to Lhasa as a young trader in early 1950s.Please support us on Patreon to help us bring you more episodes.