ON AIR WITH SANJAY SILWAL GUPTA

Durgesh Thapa is one of Nepal’s biggest music sensations, known for his high-energy performances and catchy songs like "Dushman Hereko Herai" and "Jane Bhaye Jam Maya". With his bold lyrics and unique style, he’s taking the Nepali music scene by storm.

Ashika Tamang is a prominent Nepali social activist known for her bold campaigns against corruption, unfair pricing, and public service failures. She founded the Green and Clean Ashika Foundation, focusing on environmental protection, sanitation, and social justice, while also supporting marginalized communities, Gen-Z protest relief, and consumer rights.

Kanchan Rai is the founder of Ghumante, a leading travel platform in Nepal known for authentic travel storytelling and the promotion of domestic tourism. He is recognized as a talented filmmaker, editor, and director whose work has earned national acclaim, including being named among the 100 People to Watch in 2025 for his impact on rural tourism and cultural narratives across Nepal.

Dr. Ramji Ram is Nepal's first doctor from the marginalized Chamar community. Overcoming extreme poverty and caste-based discrimination, he earned his MBBS degree through sheer determination and a government scholarship. Despite facing institutional barriers and financial hardships, he succeeded in becoming a Medical Officer at Nepal’s Ministry of Education.

Ranjit Acharya is a pioneering Nepalese advertising guru and CEO of Prisma Advertising, Nepal’s leading creative agency since 1991. He is renowned for shaping Nepal’s branding and marketing game, winning top industry awards like the BrandLaureate BestBrands Award 2025. Apart from advertising, Acharya is a social entrepreneur, Toastmasters leader, and film producer who actively promotes Nepali cult...

Anup Kaphle; journalist with two decades of experience and current Editor-in-Chief of Rest of World. He led the publication to a National Magazine Award in 2024. He has held key roles at The Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Roads & Kingdoms, and The Kathmandu Post, working on digital strategies and global reporting. Recognized with awards like the Eugene Meyer Award and Columbia’s Henry N. Tayl...

Umesh Shrestha, known by his pen name ‘Salokya’, is a Nepali digital journalist and blogger with over two decades of experience. He founded MySansar, Nepal’s first Unicode Nepali blog, introducing live blogging and multimedia storytelling. Salokya is known for investigative journalism, fact-checking, and training journalists in digital platforms. His work often challenges established narratives, p...

Basanta Basnet is a veteran Nepali journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Onlinekhabar, renowned for nearly three decades of influential media leadership. He has worked with major outlets, winning top awards like the Badri National Kalashree Journalism Prize. An acclaimed author, Basnet has 3 books under his belt. His vision and sharp political analysis make him a leading voice shaping public discourse...

The Frontline Photojournalists of Nepal Skanda Gautam, Prabin Ranabhat, and Dipen Shrestha, who are recognized for their extensive documentation of Nepal’s political, social, and cultural upheavals. Collectively, they have covered defining national moments such as the 2015 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent wave of youth-led Gen-Z protests, while also contributing to major internati...

Dr. Sagun Ballav Pant and Dr. Rachana Sharma Basnet are two of Nepal’s leading psychiatrists. Dr. Pant is an Assistant Professor at Tribhuvan University and an expert in adolescent substance use and addiction medicine. Dr. Basnet is Associate Professor and Head of Psychiatry at Kathmandu Medical College, specializing in comprehensive mental health care across all ages.

Rastra Bimochan Timalsena aka "Random Nepali" is a lawyer, and popular YouTube creator known for simplifying law and crime topics. Anjalika Sinha, is a rising commercial law associate, specializing in investment and arbitration law. Both are young legal professionals blending modern legal practice and public engagement.

Sabal Shaha is the founder of Garud Securities, Nepal’s largest private security firm. Leaving life in Australia, he returned during the Maoist insurgency to build a company that now protects embassies, banks, hotels, and events nationwide. Shah is recognized for modernizing the industry and aims to take Nepali security services global.

Luna Luitel, a nursing professional and public health advocate, is crowned Miss Nepal World 2025. She is joined by Deepshikha Nepal, the first-ever Miss Nepal Cosmo and an environmental advocate, Urusha Bhandari as Miss Nepal International highlighting leadership and inclusivity, and Sony Ghale as Miss Nepal Earth emphasizing intellect and advocacy. Together, the four winners mark yet another dist...

Khem Lakai is a Nepal-based hospitality educator and entrepreneur, best known as the Founder/CEO of the Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education (GATE College) in Kathmandu. He also serves as Chairman of the PATA Nepal Chapter and has held leadership roles tied to PATA’s foundation and the Nepal-Swiss Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Pack My Lunch (PML) has been providing healthy home-cooked meals since August 2013. Founded by Deepika Shrestha and Samiksha Rai, PML began as a lunch delivery service for office-goers and has since expanded into catering, cafeteria management, frozen foods, and sweets. Operating from a central kitchen with multiple satellites and offsite locations, PML remains committed to delivering fresh and wh...

Guru Prasad Paudel, Executive Director at Nepal Rastra Bank, has played a key role in expanding digital payments in Nepal, leading projects like NepalQR, the payment switch, and cross-border transfers with India. He has worked in many areas of the central bank and is now focused on digital currency testing, stronger banking rules, and reforms to help Nepal meet international standards.

Suraj Kunwar is the Senior Deputy Editor at Kantipur Daily with over two decades of experience. Known for his sharp eye on aviation and tourism, he unpacks everything from airline safety and airport operations to regulatory shifts and transport innovations. His reporting blends technical clarity with human stories, making complex issues in Nepal’s skies and travel sector accessible, accurate, and ...

Sanjaya Shrestha is a Nepali pop singer and songwriter best known for his evergreen hit Maya Meri Maya. He formed the fusion band Crossroads in 1992, blending Western pop with Nepali musical elements. Beyond music, Shrestha briefly entered politics in 2013, contesting elections from Kathmandu under the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. He remains a notable figure in Nepal’s pop music history, remembered...

Horaa Esports is a top Nepalese PUBG Mobile team, founded by Sanjan Gautam, popularly known by his online alias CR7 Horaa. The team ranked 9th in the world at the 2025 PUBG Mobile World Cup. Featuring players NoFear, HaitDami, SleepY, JiGGL3, SkY, and coach MafiaNinja, Horaa Esports is renowned for its skill, teamwork, and strong international presence, inspiring a new generation of gamers in Nepa...

Dipesh Karki, Co-Founder and CPTO of LenDenClub, leads India’s largest P2P lending platform, serving 30M+ customers and processing ₹4.5B monthly. A Biratnagar native and NIT Kurukshetra graduate, he’s built software for power plants and fighter jets, and now pioneers AI-driven lending to boost financial inclusion. Recognized with awards like BW Businessworld’s 40 Under 40.

Cabinet Shrestha is the visionary behind Agni Group, the force that brought Mahindra vehicles and championed EVs in Nepal before it was trendy. Over three decades, he’s built a diverse empire, spanning automobiles, cinema, and digital ventures by patience, reinvestment, and sharp focus. Now, as a Shark Tank Nepal investor, he mentors and backs the next wave of bold, purpose-driven entrepreneurs.

Raveena Desraj Shrestha is a pioneering Nepali banker turned contemporary mystic, renowned for fusing emotional depth with sharp business acumen. She was once the driving force behind Mega Bank and now moves between roles as a life coach, public speaker, and occasional actress. Her journey weaves together international honours, spiritual rituals, and bold advocacy for women.

David Sislen, the World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, currently oversees a $4.8 billion portfolio focused on job creation, climate resilience, and institutional strengthening. With over 20 years of experience at the World Bank, he is recognized for his hands-on leadership and expertise in global development. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife photogra...

Arzoo CVD by Jawahrat Jewellery, Nepal’s first lab-grown diamond house, crafts certified fine jewellery using advanced CVD technology. Co-founded by Bipana Mitruka and Sahil Agarwal, the brand champions ethical luxury through sustainable, affordable, and bespoke designs—reshaping South Asia’s jewellery market with transparency and innovation.

Arjun Bhattarai is the President of the NGO Federation of Nepal, representing over 6,000 civil society organizations nationwide. A seasoned activist and policy advocate, he co-led the landmark Nepal Country Inequality Report 2025 with Oxfam. His work centers on civic freedom, inclusive governance, and social justice. Internationally, he amplifies Nepal’s civil society voice in forums like the UN a...