Tell us how you kickstarted your career as a media person?

I started out as a freelance reporter for Blast Times at the age of 16, soon after I finished my SLC. It was a daily paper published from Dharan, where I worked from 2003 to 2006, first as a freelance contributor for the children’s section, and then on a regular basis after a year. In 2009, I moved to Kathmandu and joined Ujyaalo 90 network, where I worked till 2011. In 2010, I signed up with TTV as a travel show producer/presenter. I’ve always been fascinated by how a single piece of news has the potential to create a huge impact on a large audience, which is why media turned out to be my first choice for a career.

What got you interested in producing a travel show?

It was my love for travelling that led me to producing a travel show. I’m also fond of meeting new people and learning more about their culture and traditions, ethnic values and norms. Travelling and exploring the distant corners of Nepal does not only make for an enchanting journey through picturesque places but also enables you to experience the rich cultural diversity of our quaint country. I’ve always wanted to tell that to youngsters and inspire them to discover their country’s natural and cultural wealth. A travel show was the best way to do that.

How is travelling like? Would you call yourself a traveller or a media person?

A bit of both actually. I’ll stick to ‘traveller-media person’ because media and travelling are both part of who I am. Media is my profession and travelling happens to be my compulsive hobby. I’ve never been able to remain at a single place for too long; I just have to travel, which is why I’m always on the move.

What is your most exciting travel memory?

It was the time when I started the 28-day trek on the Taplejung-Sankhuwasabha route, which we were going to film. Since it was the first time I had set out on such a long journey, it was enjoyable and I still vividly remember the thrill.

And your worst?

Sadly, my memories come from the same journey. We were en route to Sankhuwasabha from Taplejung and on our way we had to travel through the Luma-Sumba Pass, which is at an altitude of 5,400 metres. Halfway through the Kanchanjunga-Lumbasumba trekking trail, we were stranded at the top of the pass. Everyone was exhausted and some of our team members were injured. The injured were rescued by a chopper while the rest of us pressed on despite the exertion and continued filming throughout the trek.  That is undoubtedly the worst travel memory of mine.

How, in your opinion, can we better promote Nepali trekking routes and destinations?

There’s a lot we can and need to do. We need to find alternative access routes to the trekking destinations. Tarmac roads should be avoided as much as possible to keep those places from getting overcrowded and polluted. We also have to develop new trekking trails and preserve the ones that we already have. Along those trails, we need to develop accommodations and other amenities sustainably and in a way that adds value to the local communities. But to achieve that would need a collective effort from all the agencies and people in the Nepali tourism industry.

Can you tell us a little about Kripa Unplugged? How did the idea occur to you?

Inspired by musical shows like Coke Studio and MTV Unplugged, I wanted to produce an acoustic show for Nepali musicians, in order to provide them a common platform. Luckily, Samir Jha, studio engineer at Kripa Drishya Digital Studio, had a similar vision. We initially planned a low-budget programme that we could broadcast on YouTube. Since I’m also associated with TTV, I shared this idea with Aman Pratap Adhikary, the executive producer of TTV, and I was surprised to learn that he too was planning something similar. After a few meetings, we agreed to pull our resources together to jointly work on this project. Kripa Studio takes cares of all the audio-related tasks, like recording, mixing or mastering, while TTV manages the filming and broadcasting of the show. Our main objective is to create a public space for Nepali musicians of all genres and background through an acoustic show. As far as the quality is concerned, we bring out the best in both audio and video, and try to deliver an entertaining programme. We’re glad that the first season was received very well. The second season has been produced by Kripa Studio and aired on Kantipur TV with the assistance of the original team from season one.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I will most probably be travelling a lot, taking photos and making documentaries about the places I reach and people I meet. I can actually picture myself doing that.

What’s your view on how the Nepali media has evolved?

I think our media has come a long way. We have superior equipment, faster networks, larger audiences and better understanding compared to the past.

If you weren’t a traveller or a media-person…

I would perhaps be in the army, I think.

What keeps you busy these days?

I’ve been busy volunteering at the Mandala Organisation, Disaster Help Foundation Nepal on post-earthquake relief work. It’s an NGO that works with people at the grassroot level. We have been working on reconstruction projects in Sindhupalchok. So far, we’ve constructed homes, schools and hospitals.

Finally, can you share with us a life lesson you have learned as a traveller?

As a traveller, I’ve come to realise that it’s important to finish what one starts, despite the impediments one meets along the way.