#16 - Nil Shova Tuladhar, 76 years old, Woman of strength & courage [Newa]

Nil Shova with her husband Padma Ratna Tuladhar

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. 

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#14 - Nalini Devi Sthapit, 80 years old, Educator and Independent Woman [Newa]

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 and raised three children with 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.

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#13 - Lockdown Special 2nd Edition with various guests [Newa]

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 Tuladhar

• Renuka Bajracharya interviewed by Manju von Rospatt

• Ratna Devi Shakya interviewed by Aayushma Shakya

• Jagat Ratna and Champa Devi Tuladhar interviewed by Srajesh Tuladhar

• Gulab Shova Tamrakar interviewed by Reeya Tamrakar

• Dil Hera Tuladhar interviewed by Samina Tuladhar [BBC Video]

• Ram Kumari Shrestha interviewed by Saina Shrestha [BBC Video]

• Triratna Kansakar, coordinated by Luna Kansakar

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#10 - Dhammawati Guruma, 86 years old - Life Journey & Perspectives [Newa]

In this 10th episode of Aji’s Podcast, we speak with 86 years old Dhammawati Guruma of Dharmakriti Vihar in Kathmandu. Guruma takes us back to her younger days when she ran away to Burma from Kathmandu to pursue her education in Buddhism. She shares her philosophy and perspectives on many things including her friendship with Aung San Suu Kyi. She also answers several questions sent to us from our listeners via our #AskAnAji campaign.

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.

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#8 - Late Shreemati Bajracharya, 77 years old- Life's joys and career as a school principal [Newari]

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Shreemati Bajracharya holding her Senior Citizen award in 2018.

In our 8th episode we are very fortunate to have spoken with 77 years old late Shreemati Bajracharya. This interview was recorded on Jan 30th, 2020 in her home in Balaju less than a month before her passing. Shreemati was a strong and assertive woman who made significant contributions to the education sector. She was homeschooled till SLC along with her siblings and cousins by her father. In this episode, she shares about many mischiefs and shenanigans during this time.

She went on to become a school teacher and later on the principal of Mahankal school for 25 years! In an era when girls were strongly discouraged to pursue education, Shreemati was a pioneering school principal who faced many hurdles during her professional life. She received support and encouragement to pursue her career from her family particularly her husband and mother-in-law, as well as members of her ‘tole’. When we spoke with her she was battling ill-health but showed great affection and satisfaction towards her children and grandchildrens’ achievements.

We publish this podcast on the eve of International Women’s day honoring Shreemati Bajracharya’s life as a strong and accomplished woman.

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#6 - Dil Hera Tuladhar: married at 8, first income at 83 [Newa]

In our 6th episode we speak with 84 years old Dil Hera Tuladhar about her inspiring life experiences. She got married when she was just 8 years old, lost her first child as a young mother, learnt to knit and sew in Kalimpong where she waited for several years for her husband to return from Lhasa, and at age 83 she was featured on BBC for making her first income selling dhaka baby blankets on Aji’s. Today she lives a happy and fulfilling life as a mother to 3 children, grandma to 6 grandchildren and great grandma to 3 great grandchildren!

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.

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.

#3 - Pragya Devi Shakya's childhood joys and struggles [Newari]

In our third episode of Aji's podcast we speak with Pragya Devi about her challenges to attain education, her love for sewing, and her memories of childhood friendships. Despite the social barriers and restrictions to education as a girl child, Pragya Devi went through great lengths to get an education.

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You can also listen to Aji’s podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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