aalchikta is too confused about things--too much goes in his head--rants,questions,
Aashish Jha is a curious mind that graduated from University of California Berkeley and is currently doing PhD at University of Chicago. Before coming to Chicago, he worked as a researcher at University of California San Francisco where he investigated HIV, HTLV, Malaria, and evolution of human endogenous retroviruses. He is a founder member of Planet Nepal Foundation (www.planetnepal.org) and blogs about peoples of Nepal, biology, and evolution at www.nepaliaashish.wordpress.com.
Aayush Niroula stays on the brink of getting kicked out from V.E.N.T! but always saves himself with a few quirky (and humorous) comments about (un)important things. He writes stories and poems, likes films and the essence of soil. Nobody knows what he does at V.E.N.T! but legend has it that he "edits" stories. P.S. He is boring most of the time. Contact him at aayush AT ventzine DOT com.
"I have not been a flawless human being and I can't say I do not have regrets. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and become a much better soul. I am a huge dreamer and a huger believer. No matter how bad things might get, in the end, everything's going to fall into place. Yes, that is what I believe in.
AbhiManyu Dixit likes to be called Manyu. He feels that he has no talent whatsoever. He writes like an eighth grader and makes short films with an intellect of a fifth grader even though he has a degree in Media Studies from Kathmandu University. He believes that in life, everyone has an addiction, a sort of a fix, and he considers movies to be his. Besides movies, he is into literature, philosophy, media, advertising and cricket. He writes whatever comes to his mind, and makes short films about whatever entices him, especially fiction. Read more of his scribblings at http://manyudixit.blogspot.com and watch his videos at www.youtube.com/manyudixit.
Abhinav Khanal is a currently doing his ‘A’ Levels at Chelsea International Academy, where he is the vice president of the Social Services Club, executive member of the Journalism Club and member of the debate team. He is the producer of an international blog site, Expressez-Vous. He is also the coordinator of 1 Degree Initiative, a youth organization that believes in taking small steps to create a big change. He enjoys traveling, reading, writing, blogging, surfing the net and sports.
Aditi is almost always in a highly confused state of mind and tries to make sense of the world by writing things down. Writing helps her unravel the entanglements made up of sounds, sights, smells, textures and all that. She is always at war with social norms and wishes she could change the world. She likes to talk of big things and spends most of her time inside her own head. She is part of the Richa Foundation, uniting for a movement against cancer, and hopes to do more to help people.
Ajapa Sharma is a liberal feminist, a poet, a sociology student and researcher. She enjoys graphic novels and foreign films.
Aleena Gurung is a simple girl in her early twenties who believes in simple living, high thinking. She likes to party hard but work harder. A graduate nurse by profession, she loves reading novels, listening to live music and anything to do with food.
Alisha Adhikari is currently very far away from home but where she currently lives,she has a big balcony next to an even bigger tree; so she can't complain.She absolutely lives for conversations, the ones that go on for hours, the ones that make sense and the ones that don't.She writes when she wants to clear her head.And she would love it if Ents were real!
Amendra Pokhrel is a freelance writer. He has a Bachelor Degree in Journalism and Mass communication and is currently enrolled in Masters of Arts in English program at IGNOU. His articles have appeared in several magazines, tabloids and newspapers published in India and Nepal. He worked in ECS Nepal Magazine as an assistant editor before deciding to freelance. He is a great admirer of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s magical realism and would someday like to write a novel imitating his lyrical style of prose. He likes traveling, reading and writing.
Anish Raj Vincent Pandey does magic, DJing, writes lyircs, poems for hobbies. He is currently studying finance, though his interest solely lies in the entertainment industry. He has a dream of becoming one of the greatest songwriters of this generation. He is an atheist who believes in "inner-god".
Anjali Thapa is a poet, writer and a English teacher who is passionate about music and literature. She loves animals, rain, the beat generation, rock music, children and starry nights and daughter, Rishika. Her very first publication was on The Sunday Post for her poem, “The Imp” in 2001. Her short stories and have been published on in Wave Magazine and indolink.com. She is inspired by poets, Sylvia Plath and Allen Ginsberg and authors, Toni Morrison, Thomas Hardy, Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala and many more. She received her M.A. and M.Phil. in English and post-graduate diploma in Women’s Studies from Tribhuwan University in Kathmandu, Nepal. She currently resides in Fremont, CA. Her works can be found on dreamersreality.com.
Anjana Luitel is an activist working on different youth issues in Nepal. She is an avid reader of Nepali literature and also loves to write poems in Nepali. She is a part of the Activista's Blogger Swarm Project, blogging about food and climate justice on Action Aid's webpage.
The poet of this poem writes poetry for poetry's sake and wants to be published anonymously.
Anshu Khadka is sometimes kiddish, sometimes happy and sometimes depressed. Blueberry cupcakes cheers her up. She likes to write, go crazy, and talk on the phone for hours. She not active, proactive, or inactive rather she is hyperactive.
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Anshu Khadka is sometimes kiddish, sometimes happy and at times depressed. Blueberry cupcakes cheers her up. She loves to write, go crazy and talk on phone for hours. She is not active, pro-active or inactive; she is hyper active.
Anuj Ghimire is a big Pink Floyd fan and a Manchester United supporter. A student of Zoology in Tri Chandra Campus, he loves traveling, writing and reading. He wants to become a herpatologist, wildlife photographer and a writer. Follow his blog on www.ghimireanuj.com
Anuja loves to find out the art hidden behind every mess-ups; zig-zag lines, circles, triangles, they encourage her to play with different colors and put them on empty spaces. This gradually obliterates the mess-ups to an organized art. Anuja’s life is impossible without art. She loves to write poems in any situation. She never reads back or pauses while writing. Most of her poems are tragic in tone because she mostly writes them when she is in grief! She blogs at http://anujakhadka.wordpress.com/ and http://anooza.tumblr.com/.
Anya Vaverko was born in Ukraine, grew up in New York and has been on the move ever since. She's never really been able to leave Nepal, though, since she got there in 2003 on a whim while traveling in India. In her travels, she developed a growing interest in photography and writing. While in Nepal, she had the chance to get a taste of journalism while writing for ECS Magazine in Kathmandu. From there, she went on to eventually study journalism at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Currently, she is studying photojournalim at the University of Texas in Austin, where she is trying to develop her video story telling skills. Visit her at www.anyavaverko.com.
Arun Budathoki (Daniel Song) has recently published his first poetry collection ‘Edge’. He’s currently writing his dissertation for MA International Relations at the University of Northampton. He also works for The Applicant (www.theapplicant.org) and Vision Nepal (www.visionnepal.net). He thinks he can write but still doesn’t know whether he can write!
Ashma Vaidya is from Kumaripati. She is a graduate in Earth and Environmental Science and currently works for CRT/N. She writes poems for her own gratification. Her poems are based on fictitious situations that I conjure up in her mind (for which sometimes she doubts if she suffers from multiple character disorder) and they hardly relate to her life.
Asmita Manandhar is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in media studies from Kathmandu University. She loves reading, writing and all things literature.
Ayush Joshi is currently doing his Bachelor's in English and Mass Communication. He is working at an NGO in the field of developmental communications.
Ayushma Regmi lives in the outskirts of Kathmandu and likes to think of herself as a villager. She dreams of a world where people don't have careers or passports and where everything is without a name. Always looking for a job but never fully employed, she juggles her time between university lectures, dubious kitchen experiments, Scribble Wibble, and V.E.N.T! Magazine. If things work according to plan, Ayushma would eventually like to open a school in a real village somewhere in Nepal where she can teach, learn, grow her own food and milk cows. Contact her at ayushma AT ventzine DOT com.
Bal Bahadur Thapa is a teacher, poet, writer, translator and a film and theatre enthusiast all rolled into one. Born in Palpa, he went on to do his master's degree in literature and then philosophy from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal. An executive member of NWEN, an association of Nepali Writers in English, his short stories and poems have been published in The Nepalese Clay, a literary magazine. Recently, he translated and produced Henrik Ibsen's play, The Lady from the Sea. His poems appeared on an anthology titled Six Strings recently.
Bandana is a staff writer and nepali calenda editor for V.E.N.T! Magazine. She is a recent graduate from The Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She is currently a junior accountant at a long-term care pharmacy. Bandana 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 spending time with family and friends. Contact Bandana at: bandana AT ventzine DOT com.
A wistful wolf wandering in wilderness.
Bhupendra Khanal is a poet by heart and an analyst by profession. Bhupendra calls himself a data person and enjoys playing with huge volume of data. He enjoys reading and writing poetry but was disheartened that no one else read his poems. So while promoting and building tools to market his poems, he ended up setting up InRev Systems in Bangalore, a social media marketing product company. InRev Systems owns one of the World’s leading brand monitoring product Simplify360, which has clients across US, Europe, Australia, Middle East and India.
Bijay Gajmer is an award winning photojournalist working with Nepal Republic Media. He pursues long-term photo projects; 19 Miles is one of such ongoing projects. Gajmer is extremely passionate about passing his skills and technical expertise to the budding photographers. He holds a teaching position in Photojournalist Club. He is also one of the members of Youth Participation, a group dedicated to bring audio textbooks to the visually impaired students in Far East. Visit his blog here: http://bijay.wordpress.com
Binaya Subedi attended St. Xavier High School and Tri Chandra College and currently teaches at Ohio State University. He is currently writing about how various organizations are advocating social justice in Nepal and how documentaries/films are reshaping how we think about Nepal.
Bishal Thapa works on energy and climate changes issues with ICF International, a global advisory services firm. He is currently based in New Delhi. He would much rather be writing about strange detectives than strange climate policies.
Brabim Kumar K.C is a youth activist, social entrepreneur and General Secretary for Association of Youth Organizations Nepal. He was the founder president of Creative Youth Society, a non-profit, non-political organization empowering youth to act on making positive changes in society. He is involved in various youth- led organizations and is working as a radio program producer. He writes regularly for Nagarik Daily specially on youth issues. He is also a poet whose works have been published in various national and regional magazines. He has published two poetry collection so far.
Byanjana Thapa has been writing poetry since she was ten, and though her themes and styles have changed, her love of words has not. She thinks of her poetry as "angular". They mostly reflect her leftist ideals and her anger towards an apathetic society. She loves the density of Poe, the fluidity of Edna St. Vincent Millay and the subtlety of Katherine Mansfield. Byanjana is obsessed with ketchup and the color orange. She likes to make people laugh and stalk pigeons. She is inspired by Homer Simpson's neanderthal oblivion, J.K. Rowling's heartfelt honesty, and the strength of the human spirit in adversity. To read more of her poems and erratic musings log on to http://www.accidentallyorange.blogspot.com/.
Charlotte Sangita Benham is both a teacher and a student. She has an almost obsessive interest in Kathmandu's public transportation system and the (under)world of busboys. Charlotte spends most of her free time pondering ways to improve the Nepali education system and conjuring up ways to trick her students into thinking critically about politics and gender.
Chirag Bangdel is a writer, artist and poet. He has freelanced for major papers and journals in Nepal and has written columns for magazines. He is the author of But to Dream, After Midnight, Fermenting Flowers and Uphill Darjeeling–four collections of poetry. His collection of short stories and haikus, Mist Around the Stupa is soon to be published by Chautara Publications, Netherlands. His poems make a unique expression through experimentation with spaces and silence. As an artist, Chirag exhibits regularly in the country and abroad. Chirag is also actively involved with “Voices in the Dark”, a radio play he wrote and directed in 2003, which has been much talked about.
Chitij is now studying in the A Level program but keeps an unhealthy interest in the state of affairs of the country and prefers to get a firsthand experience of things as they are. He is a restless idiot, who goes wherever he can. He is hopelessly in love with his camera but maintains a confusing love-hate relationship with the rest of technology. Read more of his blogs on http://krantikarki.wordpress.com/
Darshan Karki's passion for photography grew during the April Revolution in 2006. She started out with a borrowed camera and only last year managed to buy her own camera, a Panasonic DMC-FX-10, which is not a high-end camera, but she is happy with it for now. Darshan believes that photography is all about practice and having an eye for details. She takes all sorts of pictures like birds, aeroplanes, sunsets, lakes, boats, flowers, buildings, but she loves taking pictures of people the most. Darshan graduated with a bachelor's in Development Studies from Kathmandu University last year. She loves the act of walking (by choice, not by force due to bandhs) and writing because both have a therapeutic effect on her. View more of Darshan's pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/zaded.
Deep Sherchan, born in Lalitpur, Nepal, is a passionate entrepreneur. Since 2009, he has been working on his startup venture named InRev Systems, based out of Bangalore, India. He has an engineering degree from Pulchowk Campus in Electronics and Communication. He is passionate about innovation and design and hopes to make a difference through bridging technology and society. He has interest in different facet of art and writing is one of them. He believes that pursuing one's passion and dreams is the only way to move forward in life and the only thing that will bring success in true terms. Read his blog here.
Deepti spent her childhood in Kathmandu and her teenage years in Tokyo. From there, she went to the US to pursue her bachelor's and MBA in Marketing and International Business. She is currently working as an intern analyst in the Private Banking Group for Union Bank of Switzerland. She loves reading, writing, traveling, hiking, swimming and running. She hiked to Everest Base Camp last year and recently accomplished her goal by finishing her first Chicago Marathon. Deepti lives in Chicago with her husband.
Deepti Khakurel is the founder president of Yatra, a youth organization working for youth and environment. With her involvement in youth organizations and networks, she is actively working as a youth activist contributing in the field of youth, environment and gender. Currently, she is working at International IDEA in the Women and Constitution Building Initiative. She received her master's degree in natural resource management from Pokhara University. Read more of her blogs at kdeeptea.blogspot.com and deepti.instablogs.com.
Dibyendra Hyoju Dibyendra loves reading and writing poetry. He has a Master's degree in Information Technology from Kathmandu University.
Dikshya Karki is a writer.
Dilhara Attygale is a Sri Lankan, currently living and studying in London. Once upon a time, she needed a way to say what was on her mind without actually saying it and she found herself thinking in verse. She doesn't claim to be a poet. She blogs at http://mydillydallying.blogspot.com
Dipti Sherchan does illustrations for V.E.N.T.! She actually discovered her love for sketching and rediscovered her creativity through what she does for V.E.N.T.! Although colors are not her forte, she loves playing with crayons. Contact her at dipti AT ventzine DOT com.
Elipha Pradhananga is a reporter for V.E.N.T! She mostly does interviews. Working at V.E.N.T! has allowed her to meet a lot of people and learn from them. The most ordinary people are inspiring her every day. She sees life lessons in the silliest things. She needs someone to constantly push her to write and V.E.N.T! is that push for her. Contact her at elipha AT ventzine DOT com.
Emanuel Shah was born in the Philippines but grew up mostly in Nepal. He passed high school from Kuwait and completed twelfth grade in Nepal. Recently, he completed his Bachelors in electronics engineering from Bangalore. He loves to travel and seeks thrills and might even say that he is an adrenaline junkie. He is a graphic novel enthusiast and loves the works of Will Eisner and Alan Moore among others. He hopes to someday publish his own graphic novel.
Fidel Devkota is an independent filmmaker.
Hyshyama Hamin is Sri Lankan born but has lived in Nepal for over 14 years of her life. She loves both countries more than the other, and more than any other! She has been writing poetry from age 11 and has been blogging since 2005. Hyshyama is passionate about social issues loves photography, reading and anything nature related.
Isha's hobbies include reading children's books and making things from scratch. She also loves bubbles and at the moment and makes her own soap, shampoo and detergent, which she says is really easy to make. Isha is currently pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Studies.
Joacim Jørgensen is a Norwegian photojournalist. Currently a student of photojournalism at Oslo University, he took up photojournalism when he was 18. "This is basically a story about the daily life of the members of Antim Grahan," he says,"And the difference between the music they play and the lives they live." View more of his work at www.joacimjorgensen.no
Kamal Maharjan is a student of architecture at Kathmandu Engineering college (KEC). He likes expressions, any medium that can express one's pure emotions; it can be music, poems, paintings, architecture, photography etc. He didn't choose poetry as a form of expression, but it's just something he has to do to release all the boiled up emotions inside of him.
Khushbu Agrawal is a writer for V.E.N.T.! Additionally, she does everything else that no one else in V.E.N.T.! does; for example, preparing financial reports of the little financial transactions of the magazine. Her motivation to stay in the team is the team itself, which inspires her and brings out her hidden crazy side. Contact her at khushbu AT ventzine DOT com.
Kiran Dhakal has a master's in human and natural resources from Kathmandu University. He is currently pursuing master's in public health from Kansas State University. He is involved in the research of health and environmental consequences of engineered nanoparticles, and has a broad interest in environmental health and development with a specific interest in food safety, environmental and ecosystem health and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases. Read more of his blogs at kirandhakal.blogspot.com.
Kripa Thapa is a student of science but a slave to the world of poetry. She speaks very little but has to say, and it's only possible through poetry.
Kshitiz Lamicchane lives at the entrance of Kathmandu valley (Kalanki) with words always rhyming in his mind. He keeps trying new things whether it is poems or with anything he cant find. He loves playing basketball. He writes poems when he is bored.
Madame Butterfly is a self-help book fanatic who has read close to 100+ books on how to better herself. Her favorite pasttime is hanging out at the book store and browsing through the aisle of self-help books for hours on end. She loves reading the back section of products, especially shampoos and face creams, and attempts to correct them every chance she gets. If she could be an insect, she will be a butterfly because it's so damn fragile, unlike her.
Maichyang prefers to remain anonymous. Read more of her blogs at maichyang.wordpress.com.
Manasi Prasai is currently doing her master's in English from Patan Multiple Campus. Along with studies, she is involved with 1 Degree Initiative, a youth organization that encourages small acts of kindness to make a difference, and is a regular contributor to Expressez-Vous, an international blog site. She has been writing poetry mostly for herself, but now feels that it is time to share it with the wider world. She is interested in reading, music, dancing and traveling (which she hasn't done as much as she would like to.)
Megali Nanayakhara is a student of English Literature. She is a writer who loves animals.
Megan Titley was born in Nepal. Since leaving Nepal to go to the UK as a teenager, it has always been her dream to return to Nepal to work. As it turns out, sometimes dreams come true. She is now living in Kathmandu and working as a teacher. Megan has an undergraduate degree in dance and is still figuring out what she wants to do when she grows up. Until then, writing and dancing do more than just suffice.
Mingma Sherpa is currently working as a Manager in High Country Trekking. His work entails fair amount of traveling around the country. An avid dog lover, he is also involved with Animal Nepal, an NGO that advocates for animal rights. Lately, Sherpa, who holds a Masters in Sociology, is conducting his research on migrant workers. He likes to write poems based on the chronicles of his life and hopes to publish a collection of his poems someday. His other interests include photography and singing.
Neeraj Gorkhaly is a DC correspondent for V.E.N.T! Magazine. He is a research associate at the National Academies in Washington, DC. He is also a mentor for the John Glenn School for Public Policy-Washington Campus, and member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He studied the NAFTA agreement in Mexico and was a John Glenn Fellow at the World Bank. He has a B.A. in Economics and International Studies from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His 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.
Nikita is currently doing her undergraduate studies from Kathmandu College of Management. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the social sector in the future.
Nirab Rimal writes poems, takes pictures, makes doodles, paints, sings and loves to make graphic designs. He is an Osho sannyasin who is inspired by the likes of Swami Anand Arun, Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Shel Silverstien and Osho. He is also inspired by the evening sun, monsoon, meditation, beautiful poetry and good works of art. He is a former TV personality and is currently doing his bachelors in mass communication and multimedia. Nowadays he reports for the publication department of Osho Tapoban where he also translates, publishes the monthly newsletters and helps with the annual magazine. Read more of his blogs at oshoinme.blogspot.com, where he goes by the name of Swami Aatmo Neerav.
Niranjan Swami Subedi (aka Nick) grew up in Baneshor, Kathmandu where he attended Siddartha Vanasthali Institute. He later continued at California State University and is currently attending Maurine Coburn School of Nursing. He lives in Monterey, California with his wife, Kaashimi.
Nirman Shrestha is an avid photographer who managed to buy a nice camera for himself last year. Before that, he used borrowed camera to take pictures. He carries a camera with him everywhere he goes because he read somewhere that to be a true photographer you always have to carry a camera, and that left an impression on him. He reads a lot—news, books, blogs, discussions on the net—you name it. Nirman has a master’s in water resources engineering from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belguin and currently works there as a research associate. Nirman’s dream project is to travel all over Nepal for a year and document his travels in both picture and writing. He is currently looking for a sponsor. Contact him at streetclickr@yahoo.com. You can see more of his photographs at http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Norrbu grew up in Kathmandu, but is really stateless and lives the nomadic way. He is a minimalist and waits for the winter just so he can drink coffee. He enjoys amongst many things, dumplings, films and travelling.
Paavan Mathema is a writer, a dreamer and a traveler, who hasn't traveled much. Give her a good book, good music, and a hammock, and she'll be happy.
Palpasa Bajracharya is 21 years old and a jewellery fanatic. She collects all kinds of jewelleries and sometimes buys them even if she is not going to use them. She also makes jewelleries herself, mostly of beads and loves reading. She loves collecting postage stamps, learning foreign language and baking. She is currently studying Hospitality Management from Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management.
Paribesh Pradhan has a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from Nepal Engineering College. He also holds a certificate on social sciences from Social Science Baha where he researched on “FM radio as a source for news: Is this a constructed imagination or is it really popular?” His interests includes writing, reading, photography and trekking. He is also a regular contributor to The Kathmandu Post and has won many awards for his essays at the national level.
Plain Jane started the blog titled “thoughts unshared” in 2006 as a platform (as the name suggests) to write away thoughts that went unshared, and more. She has in it a potpourri of bits and pieces—ranging from monologues to poems to observations
Prabesh Devkota received his degree from Computer Science at the University of New Hampshire in Massachusetts. Born and raised in Kathmandu, he is a software engineer who enjoys a romantic dinner and long walks on the beach. He lives in Boston and loves walking around Harvard Square imagining he is a student there, and living in the dorms. Read more of his blogs at paakhe.wordpress.com.
Prabhat Lamichhane is an alumni of Kathmandu University and University of Cincinnati. He is an Environmental Engineer for Hamilton County/Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Prabin Shrestha likes writing poems and stories when inspiration hits him. A student of Social Work, he also plays the flute and enjoys basketball and football.
Prajwal Kafle studied in Lincoln School in Kathmandu, Nepal. Having grown up in the midst of different cultures, faiths and perspectives, his life has been pretty colorful. He is the founder of maventime.com and currently lives in Florida.
Prajwol Thapa loves reading books during his free time and they range from the science fiction novels of Issac Assimov to the novels of John Grisham. Lately he has been attempting to read more realistic novels and this has been a completely new experience for him. Prajwol believes that every form of literature gives us an insight into our own lives and the lives of people around us. Literature opens our mind to new horizons and allows us to live thousand different lives through the word of a single author. He is currently doing his bachelor's at United Academy.
Prakash Subedi has been writing poems since his school days. He is is affiliated with the Aarohan Gurukul Theatre and the Society of Nepali Writers in English (NWEN) and currently teaches at the Dillibazaar Kanya Campus. His recent book Stars and Fireflies has received very encouraging responses. To read his interview for V.E.N.T! Magazine, click here.
Pramit started writing poems since he was in grade 7 but is more into prose in recent times. He is 19 years old and finished his A-levels a year ago. He has interned for Republica National Daily and reported as well as written music reviews & feature articles for the WEEK.
Pranaya SJB Rana edits for V.E.N.T.! He shares a fatalistic belief in the power of art and communication, which brought him to V.E.N.T.! in the first place. He likes arguments, discussions and outright disagreements. He is a strong believer in the 'think before you speak' adage. He believes that the last decent human being was Kurt Vonnegut, but he has always been prone to hyperbole. He writes fiction and makes films. Or so it goes. Contact him at pranaya AT ventzine DOT com.
Prarthana Gurung is studying international affairs and political science at the University of Mary Washington. She currently resides in Washington D.C, and is working in the public health NGO sector at Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She enjoys listening to The Tallest Man on Earth, reading puns, and star-gazing.
Prarthana Ranjit is a self-proclaimed artist who appreciates everything about art and music. Travelling, photography, poems, paintings, songs, stories and fashion magazines make her happy. She loves adventure sports and winter and has tried bungee jumping, paragliding and rafting. She is looking forward to skydiving. She is addicted to coffee and shoes. She blogs at http://addictionsandchoices.blogspot.com
I am a 23 year old guy who recently completed his Bachelor in Engineering. Borrowing Chekov's line I would say, "Engineering is my lawful wife, but literature is my mistress." I write fiction mostly stories and poetry.
Prasiit Sthapit is a storyteller and contributes for Visage Media, an Indian stock image site. He appreciates and is inspired by theater, poetry, literature, music and all forms of art, including cartoons.You can see more of his works at: www.jpgmag.com/people/prasiit
Pratik Rimal is an aspiring poet and writer who is currently majoring in English and Journalism at St. Xavier's in Kathmandu, Nepal. His hobbies include reading novels, playing cricket, chess, badminton and other indoor and outdoor sports. Lately, he is absorbed in writing poems and articles. Read more of his poems at and poetpratikrimal.blogspot.com and articles at pratikwrites.blogspot.com.
Pratima Manandhar is a student of Business Administration and also an aspiring photographer. Inspired by her teacher Mr. Dipak Shakya, she started learning photography as a medium of expressing herself. She feels that photography is the best way to portray human expression and conditions. She hopes to weave many stories through photography.
Pratul is a girl with punctuated laughter.
Prisna Dixit is a recent college graduate with a peculiar fondness for animals.
Pukurey, a Journalism undergrad student, feeds on the irregularities the world has to offer and tires to make the most of it. While he is clueless about what he wants from life, he enjoys living and is always high on life, and at the same time complaints about it. Just one of those random faces in the crowd with a nonsensical smile on his face, he dreams of becoming Alexander Supertramp, a nickname given to an American itinerant who hiked into the Alaskan wilderness with little food and equipment, and died four months later (his story was made into a book and movie, Into the Wild).
Rabindra Gurung did his B.A. in Mass Communications and English. He is currently working in the developmental communications sector of an NGO. Read more of his blogs at rabindragurung.com.np.
Rahul Kumar Shakya is a fourth generation photographer who grew up surrounded by cameras and photographers. “Even as a child, I had always thought of being a photographer,” he says. Rahul is currently a second year student pursuing bachelors’ degree in Mass Communication/Journalism and Sociology/Anthropology. Whenever he can, he spends his time helping out in the family operated photo studio, which his grandfather established nearly half a century ago.
Rajan Kathet is a proud Nepali – not a Nepalese. He fought with the stereotype and instead of slinging a stethoscope on his neck, he pursued Media Studies. It helped him to expand his horizon and explore creativity. “Creativity,” he says, “is looking upon on things from the angles where others generally miss."
Rajiv is an engineering sudent in Kathmandu, Nepal. He loves listening to the blues.
Ranjita is currently doing BSc from Kathmandu University and has been writing poetry since she was a child. She is passionate about history and mythology.
Ranju Tamang loves words because they have the ability to inspire you or even discourage you. She feels that poems do not get enough credit in the literary world and if all citizens were a poet, the world would be a better place.
Raunak Agarwal, a 25-ish year old from Kathmandu, Nepal, who returned from the US, leaving behind a somewhat successful career. He is still debating the move, while trying to make the best of it by indulging in some entrepreneurship and social change. Read more of his blog at www.raunakagarwal.com
Ravi Kumar is a founding Development and Public Relations Director for Grassroot Movement in Nepal (GMIN) a non-profit based in NYC. He has a BA, Cum Laude in Media Studies and Political Science from Buena Vista University.
Richa Jha is a homesick bird in a foreign land. She is currently doing her MBA which has made her realize that money is behind all evil in the world. However, she wants to be an entrepreneur with a conscience. She loves kids and hopes to have lots of them some day. For the time being, she takes care of her pet plants and enjoys being a closet chef.
Richa Neupane is a student at National School of Sciences in Kathmandu, Nepal. She loves reading good fictional novels and writing poetry. Her favorite subject is English. She wants to learn to play the guitar at some point in her life.
Richard Bull is a freelance journalist and photographer who enjoys traveling and writing on his blog, thehalfhog.com. He currently resides in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Rishi Amatya is an occasional writer, mostly photographer for V.E.N.T! magazine. He enjoys deleting spam off the comment list and likes to re-read the photo essays which he helps to edit for the magazine. He is a voracious reader and carries something to read everywhere he goes. He especially likes to irritate people by laughing out loud, snorting or tsking while reading something extremely funny in a crowded tempo. View more of his photographs at mt-ris.deviantart.com. Contact him at rishi AT ventzine DOT com.
A student of MBBS currently studying in Rajasthan, Ritesh likes to think of himself as a random, peaceful dreamer. He loves to write, poems mostly and has been doing so for the past decade. Apart from that, he's into films, football, music and beer, and is looking for inspiration in everything at all times.
Rocky Prajapati looked through a viewfinder at the age of 16 and photography has been his passion ever since. His greatest inspiration is people. He says, “Even as they go about their mundane everyday tasks, the eyes tell a different story, a story of the person: the happiness, the sorrow, the hardships and aspirations." Through his work, he aims to capture these moments, these flickers of emotion, that so often go unnoticed as people rush through life.
Ruchika K.C. is an artist who specializes in figurative and abstract painting. She received her Bachelors in Fine Arts from Missouri State University in 2002. Her hobbies include writing short stories, poems and essays. This particular article is the product of her reflections on the relationship between religion and identity. She is currently based in Bangalore, India.
Rushda is a Sri Lankan freelance journalist who takes joy when bitten by the travel bug, yelps at chocolate's blessings and attempts at poetry and art when she is chirred by the agonizing bites of reality. An active social youth worker who hopes to make a mark in journalism and graphic design, she frequently rants at http://purplesocksisallmine.blogspot.com/
Saani Naani is a young Nepali girl who is still struggling to make friends with creativity.
Sagar Onta is the founder of Entrepreneurs for Nepal, a support group for new, upcoming entrepreneurs. He is also the Chair of the Nepali Liaison Committee of American Society of Nepalese Engineers. He is currently looking for people to serve in the committee. Contact Sagar at sagaronta477@gmail.com.
Sahara Shrestha is a photographer and graphic designer currently based in Brooklyn. During free time, she likes to write poetry and short stories among other things. She also curates an art blog on Impose Magazine.
Sam Kang Li spent six fruitful months in Nepal as a photojournalist with Nepali Times. His love for the country was sealed on a long trip out to Bajhang with a United Nations-backed Nepali medical team. He ate curry Danfe and was told he could be executed for it. Even from Singapore where he is based now, he breaks out shouting "Bagmati, Kupundole, Jawalakhel, Lagankhel, Satobato, Satobato!!!!" for no rhyme or reason. His works are found on www.samkangliphotos.com
Sandeep Kumar Shakya is a self-motivated photographer, who has been playing with cameras since his childhood. He grew up learning the tricks of the trade by assisting and working with celebrated and award-winning cultural photographer Pradeep Shakya. A constant learner, he believes in giving himself assignments to improve and hone his skills.
Sangam Silpakar loves to watch TV. She finds winter too cold to wake up. This is her first attempt at writing poetry.
Sanjana Shrestha is the managing editor for V.E.N.T! She thinks that communication makes the world go round or may be in squares. She does a bit of everything at V.E.N.T! and while doing so is learning to be a Mother. Contact her at sanjana AT ventzine DOT com.
Sanjeet Shrestha has a post-graduate degree in internal medicine from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India. He did his bachelors in medicine and surgery from Kathmandu, KMCTH. He is a writer, painter and loves to irritate people around him by singing a lot. He volunteered for Diabetes Awareness Programme 'Astha Nepal' and was a medical officer for drug addiction and HIV associations around Kathmandu before leaving for India.
Satyajit likes to pretend that he is a poet occasionally, regardless of having the limited vocabulary of a third grader. He believes that music is a common language spoken internationally and insists that the simplicity of his poetry is intentional. He believes in peace, love, respect and truth.
Saurab Lama is best known amongst his friends for drawing portraits of Hugh Jackman. He is often heard singing loudly (according to the tenants living in his home), and is also occasionally heard laughing very loudly watching American sitcoms (HIMYM, The Big Bang Theory, etc.). Very unmistakably recognizable by his bushy, curly hair, Saurab can be seen playing football during the weekends with his buddies. He has a knack for killing conversations, but sometimes, miraculously is a good person to have a conversation with. In a couple of words, he can be best described as a "jack of all trades."
When he was 5 years old, Shashank Shrestha first used his grandmother's Yashica film camera which was older than he is. 17 years later, he is still using a camera that is older than he is. He is currently studying Telecommunications at Lee University. Shashank has been working as the Managing photo editor for the Lee University Student Media and Office of Publications - which basically means he takes pictures... a lot. A biased believer of the power of media, Shashank is enamored with visual media - photography and films. When not over-working, Shashank likes to listen to music, read newspapers and discuss the philosophical elements in Batman's character design. Follow his moderately sporadically updated photo-blog at shashankji.tumblr.com
Shekhar KC is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in media studies at Kathmandu University, where he is the chief editor of Sanchar Khabar, a fortnightly newsletter published by the university. In the future, he sees himself working in an animation film industry. He wants to go on a world tour before he turns 30 (he doesn’t want to get married before his world tour!), and likes to be introduced as someone who talks less, thinks more and acts most. He loves blogging, and believes that it is the best medium for sharing his life with the world. Readers can find a lot of interesting things in Shekhar’s blog, including his lecture notes to classical Nepali songs. Read more of his blogs at kcshekhar.com.np.
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For the past year, Shirish Pokharel took time off from his studies with a short stint as a teacher, worked at a paper for several months and travelled to places inside and outside Nepal. Right now he is writing like crazy, but mostly loves to sleep. He enjoys taking pictures with his non-DSLR Canon camera and posting several thousand words at a time in sporadic outbursts on his blog. He says he will do any type of work for free food.
Shirish Singh is always late. He lives by the motto "deadline is inspiration". He is so drawn to this seemingly illogical principle to leave things undone till the eleventh hour and then racing against time to complete the task. He enjoys the natural high from doing things at the last moment. He says,"Just imagine you are a tightly inflated balloon and then suddenly you let go off the pressure and watch the beautiful mess it creates in the air. Is there anything that is as free as that balloon?"
Shreya likes food, rain, and words. Any combination of the three immediately results in bliss that is only optimized with good company and great conversation.
Shreyans Tamang is a tech and gadget enthusiast who is usually hooked up on his laptop or Xbox. He downloads at least three new applications a day and updates his software whenever he can. He loves photography and graphics designing. He is the Creative Director of V.E.N.T! Magazine. Contact him at shreyans at ventzine dot com.
Shristi Singh Shrestha loves to write and scribble and draw and dance and imagine and dream and pray and correspond. Read more of her writing on http://evil-oution.tumblr.
Shuva Laxmi is a freelance journalist who likes to write about things that affect our lives like water, air, earth, economy, politics, policies, etc.
Suv Pradhan has an affinity towards people’s name. She is an avid dreamer and an “accident prone-trouble magnet”. Her life is, she says, defined by complications, confusions which makes her wonder how people around her “tolerate her”. She wants to travel around the world, meet new people and experience new culture. She wants to learn all forms of art to express herself more creatively.
Shwadhin Sharma has a BBA from Little Angel's College of Managment, in Hattiban and an MBA in Finance from Apex College in Kathmandu. He worked in the banking center for awhile before pursuing a Masters of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resources Management from North Carolina A&T State University. Shwadhin is a music fanatic who has written song lyrics for Nepali bands like Asif and the Unity, Sanjana, and The Shadows Band. He enjoys writing poems and articles, which have been published in emajja.com. Read more of his blogs at shwadhin.blogspot.com.
Siddhartha Thapa is a regular columnist for News Front, a weekly English magazine in Nepal. He is master's candidate for Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and has a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Sitaram Khadka recently received a degree in doctor of pharmacy from the University of Punjab and is currently working as a drug consultant in a community pharmacy in Pakistan. He is passionate about making people aware about better health care systems, spreading love and peace, and making the world a better place. Sitaram dreams of a world where people live under one umbrella towards progress and prosperity. He is interested in making movies and has written and directed many stage dramas. He also writes poems and songs in Nepali.
Slok Gyawali does not want to use his name but can't think of a cool enough nom de plume. He likes reading. He has a blog - http://mastervslave.blogspot.com and wants you all to check it out.
Smriti Basnet is known as a person who never stops talking and is always perky. She agrees that seventy percent of it is true. She believes that somewhere behind the jumpy-spunky personality is a person who wants to express herself in words.
Sneha Moktan used to be a teacher by morning, researcher by day, salsa dance student by evening and football hooligan by night. Now Sneha is trading it all for a scholarly life at Yale (except for the football hooligan bit). She loves sunflowers, summer dresses and cloud gazing, does crosswords to the point of near obsession and reads anything and everything - from Dr. Seuss and her sister's medical books to Ayn Rand, Tolstoy and books-that-are-read-wrapped-
Sourav Prasai is a student of literature at National Integrated College. He is excited by literature and literary theories. He enjoys looking at things critically and creatively with wonder and excitement. He also loves composing poems and other artistic adventures.
Stuti Sharma is a wanderer. Wandering through emotions, thoughts and life, she believes that the mind is nothing but a humble product of evolution in the universe. This results in awkward staring sessions directed towards the sky, specifically the night sky. She never forgets to bring her towel with her and is always ready for a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster. Oh, and she loves cheese, especially yak cheese.
Subha Regmi currently resides in South East London.
Sujana Upadhyay is facinated by people and places. She is currently learning to pause and, when possible, capture stories..
Sumana Sherchan is interested in interactions between humans and nature. She has an undergraduate degree on Natural Resources from the University of Vermont and is pursuing a Mater's degree in Forestry from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She likes hiking and talking to people to learn about their lives.
Sunita is a BIM graduate who is absolutely addicted to strong black coffee. She loves rain and is obsessed with the color black. She loves to listen to music ranging from metal to jazz an dhopes to learn at least one musical instrument before she makes her way to heaven. She likes to vent with her words through poetry and more and believes that everything happens for a reason.
Sunita Gurung likes to write poems.
Suraj Adhikari is a graduate student of computer and electrical engineering at the University of Akron, Ohio. Read more of his blogs at biddeshbhavana.blogspot.com.
Suraj Upadhyay is an undergraduate student of Forestry Science at the Institute of Forestry, Kahmandu Forestry College. He has been actively involved in environment conservation through his membership in different forums like Bird Conservation Nepal, Friends of Zoo, Student Forum for Forestry Research and Environment Conservation, Self Help Environment Awareness Camp, etc. He has been a junior ranger of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA since 1997. He is currently working for development and conservation of Olive (Oleo causpidata) in Dolpa with grant from Seed Tree, Nepal. Read more of his blogs at greenearthnepal.blogspot.com.
Suyog Shrestha looks after the graphics and art section for V.E.N.T! He is a champion excuse seeker. He is also very good at extending deadlines. Yet, he always comes up with the necessary artwork in the nick of time, thus saving the day. He always has three things to say about everything, not more not less. He is an accidental poet. He enjoys writing haiku, blank verses and tries to combine them with visual art. In his free time, he enjoys reading management case studies and business journal. Contact him at suyog AT ventzine DOT com.
Tripti Dhungana is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Media Studies at Kathmandu University. She is a passionate about anything that is related to risk and adventure, and is a crazy bike rider. Apart from her studies, she does event management for various shows.
Tsering Dolker Gurung is a student of media studies at Kathmandu University. She loves fashion, and wants to become a fashion writer.
Ujjwala Maharjan is someone who wants to do everything in life but usually doesn't know where to start from. But she's loving the places life's taking her. Currently she's a writer for a daily newspaper and for future she dreams of a simple life as a good teacher. Love for poetry is the only thing she's absolutely certain about. Sometimes she freezes in the middle of the road or in the middle of something and wonders about the world or words, their sounds and the rhythm they can create. One word she absolutely loves is "BLISS".
Umes Shrestha is from the Kathmandu valley, trying to specialize in concert and band photography, but he shoots anything, anytime, anywhere. He mostly loves metal and hardcore music, commercial artists and bands have never really interested him much. He has always been inspired by the music he listens to and it is a big part of his photography.
Uttam Nepal is an artist/cartoonist. He started painting as a child and has been involved with Rajdhani National daily as a cartoonist since 2003. You can view his portfolio at http://uttam-nepal.
He can be reached at uttamnepal.art.toon@gmail.com
Vipul Kabra is a second-year student of Bachelor of Business Administration at Kathmandu College of Management. He started writing articles and getting them published since the beginning of 2005. He has a good number of them published in the English daily, The Himalayan Times, which he believes has invoked a writer in him. In addition to writing and reading, he enjoys playing table-tennis and chess, and loves to watch horror and action-packed movies.
Wabun Nembang is a music enthusiast who also likes writing poems. Wabun is a student at KCM, Lalitpur and loves Jim Morrison, Narayan Gopal and Megadeth.
Yoshina Gautam is a recent graduate from Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an undergraduate degree in Business and Economics. Since her graduation, she has been employed with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) based in Washington DC. She is currently also associated with NGOs that are assisting Nepal and Nepalis. She plans to join graduate school to pursue her passion in international development in the near future.
Yuko Maskay wanted to create a space where people can come together and share their love of everything creative. Her theory is that if you dig deep enough, everybody has an amazing story to tell and everybody has the potential to be who they want to be (with the right catalyst). V.E.N.T! perks: she gets to work with a team of world class talents and crazies who gives it their all while having a blast in the process. She's inspired by inspiration. Read more of her works at reasontopause.blogspot.com. Contact her at yuko AT ventzine DOT com.
Yukta cannot imagine her life without poetry. She likes to think she is mentally thirty though,most of the times, she loves to act like a three-years-old. She is a total foodie and can eat like an elephant (and is thankful she doesn’t look like one). She is obsessed with donuts and cupcakes from Café Hessed and always has the hots for drummers. She hopes to one day live like a gypsy and wants you to know that though most of her poems and Facebook statuses make her seem chronically depressed, she is not, actually. Read more of her poems at yomariandyou.blogspot.com.
Zinta is an avid reader of fiction, theater enthusiast, and a professional blogger who likes to write about womenhood and society. She has numerous unfinished stories to her credit. She likes chopping off her hair to deal with stress. Read more of her blogs at absenceofanswer.blogspot.com.
