About us

V.E.N.T! Magazine  (Voices, Expressions, 'n Tales) is an independent web magazine based in Kathmandu, Nepal by and for a new generation of progressive thinkers. We train and mentor citizen reporters, emerging journalists and bloggers, and acts as a platform for youth activists, citizens and artists to voice out and express their craft. We promote alternative, grassroots journalism—reporting things we see in our own backyards, bringing a fresh perspective of various issues often overlooked by the mainstream media and speaking out for those who cannot. We believe in the power of information and expression to bring people together and inspire change.

We are looking for citizen reporters, writers, bloggers, poets, and visual artists who would like to get published. Contact us at editor@ventzine.com. Read here on how to write for us or get involved.

Our Team

Ayushma Regmi is a poems editor for V.E.N.T! Magazine. She is a writer and poet who loves slippers that go flippity flappity, toes, bellies, trees (especially dead ones that look like elephants), lightning and thunder, water, the sound of rain, colors, and sunshine. She received her B.A. in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi and is currently doing an M.A. in Development Studies from Kathmandu University. Contact her at ayushma AT ventzine DOT com.

Bandana Gorkhaly is a reporter for V.E.N.T!  Magazine.  A recent graduate from The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, she is interested in issues that affect teens in Nepal, religion, and introducing Nepali culture to others. In her free time, Bandana spends her time reading, writing, watching movies, and hanging out with family and friends. Contact her at bandana AT ventzine DOT com.

Elipha Pradhananga is a reporter for V.E.N.T! Magazine. She likes reading books but watching TV is her favorite pasttime. She has worked for various newsletters such as Sportsweek 2008 and 2009, South Asian Universities Festival (SAUFEST) 2008, Breaking the Silence and so on. Not so sure about the future, she is trying out all kinds of new things. She is currently studying media studies and finding out that she is interested in public relations. Contact her at elipha AT ventzine DOT com.

Jeena Gurung is the workshop and marketing coordinator for VENT! Magazine. She is studying Sociology and Media Studies at United College in Kathmandu. When she is not working or studying, she is an active member of the student council at her college and has won more than 30 medals in speech competition and taekwondo, in which she holds a black belt. She was voted Ms. Fresher and the most talented student of the year in her +2 year. Her favorite pasttime includes writing poetry, public speaking, and serving the disadvantaged population in Nepal. Contact her at jeena AT ventzine DOT com.

Khushbu Agrawal is a reporter/editor for V.E.N.T!  Magazine. She is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Economics at Tribhuvan University, and is the founder and research officer of Center for Research Excellence at Kathmandu College of Management, where she received her undergraduate degree. She was awarded with Nepal Bidhyabhusan and Nepal Chattra Bidhya Padak by Honorable President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav for her educational excellence. She won VOW Magazine’s Outstanding College Women of the Year award in 2005. Contact her at khushbu AT ventzine DOT com.

Neeraj Gorkhaly is a DC correspondent for V.E.N.T! Magazine. He is a Research Associate for the National Research Council's Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy as well as the Board on Global Science and Technology in Washington, DC.  HIs previous affiliations include the John Glenn School of Public Policy  Washington Program, Ford Foundation Minority Program and World Bank. He is an alumnus of The Ohio State Univerisity and Siddartha Vanasthali Institute. He loves classic rock n’ roll and is always up for a good live show or a nice heated discussion. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia. Contact him at neeraj AT ventzine DOT com.

Pranaya SJB Rana is an editor for V.E.N.T! Magazine. He is currently studying creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Before heading to the states, he was a reporter for the Nepali Times and WAVE Magazine. Contact him at pranaya AT ventzine DOT com.  (Photo is deliberate at request!)                                                                                  

                                                                                                                    
Rishi Amatya is the photo story editor for VENT! Magazine. He got hooked into photography after college and got his creative juices flowing when he opened up for Kishor Kayastha, a renowned Nepali photographer, at a photo.circle event. Recently, he was chosen for a photo.circle travel grant to attend Chobi Mela, an international photo festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is a documentation associate at Room to Read, and loves every moment of it because he gets to do what he loves—write and photograph. Contact him at rishi AT ventzine DOT com.
 
Sanjana Shrestha is a reviews editor for V.E.N.T! Magazine. She is currently working as a communications personnel at an INGO. Sanjana has a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Tribhuvan University. Contact her at sanjana AT ventzine DOT com. 

 

Shreyans Tamang is our film/photo editor who designed the new website for V.E.N.T! Magazine. He is our creative head and core photographer who also oversees the technical aspects of the magazine. His hobbies include photography, filmmaking, and anime. He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Multimedia Studies in Kathmandu, Nepal. Contact him at shreyans AT ventzine DOT com.

Sujana Upadhyay is a UK correspondent for V.E.N.T! Magazine.  She recently received a graduate degree in Peace and Reconciliation at Coventry University in UK. Before going abroad, she was a communications officer at Practical Action-Nepal, a development charity that works closely with some of the world’s poorest people using simple technology to fight poverty. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, photography, yoga, and meditation. Contact her at sujana AT ventzine DOT com.

Yuko Maskay is the founder and managing editor of V.E.N.T!  Magazine. Nepali in origin, Yuko grew up in Tokyo and later continued her studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu where she was the editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper. After receiving her undergraduate degree in English Literature, she moved to San Francisco and worked as a writer/editor for various media. Her belief in the power of information and expression inspired her to create V.E.N.T! Magazine. She currently lives in Kathmandu, Nepal. Contact her at yuko AT ventzine DOT com.

Special Thanks

Anjan Shrestha, senior graphic designer and Bibek Shrestha, senior programmer, along with the rest of the team at Young Innovations for working endless hours to create our new website despite load shedding.

Bikash Agrawal who created the initial website that helped launch our magazine to viewers all over the world.

Jessica Kafle and Prajwal Kafle for their unique ideas and feedback that helped shape the course of the magazine.

NIraj Dawadi for your emotional support and helping us come up with such an innovative name for our magazine. 

Expressez-Vous for their promotional support.
The name says it all: Expressez-Vous (express yourself) is an international blog site where you can talk about anything that provokes your thoughts and write about happenings around the world. With topics as diverse as politics, economics, sports, and entertainment, Expressez-Vous encourages open dialogue as a step towards analyzing various issues that affect the world, especially Asia, and finding solutions for them. Visit the site at expressezvous.wordpress.com.