In our 17th episode we speak with 65 year old Dr. Geeta Shrestha Vaidya. A retired Chief Senior Scientific Officer at the reputed Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Geeta Vaidya’s passion has always been in the field of science. Despite the inconvenience of traveling in crowded public transport experiencing perpetual harassments and juggling field research with parenting, she continued her education to get a masters degree in plant pathology and later a PhD in botany. Currently she is teaching in various colleges and has joined Aji’s community as a maker.
This episode with 65 years old Geeta Shrestha Vaidya was recorded on 3rd October 2020 at her home in Jayabageshwori, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance. This episode includes public service messages from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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.
In our 15th episode we speak with 72 years old Padma Mathema. She has dedicated her career in the development sector of Nepal, first as the social sector head in the National Planning Commission and later as the National Rapporteur on Trafficking at the National Human Rights Commission. When she took the Public Service Commission (LokSewa) exam, she was the only woman to get through along with 100 other men. Padma is also a published author of many articles and a book Primary health care in Nepal. Mother of three successful daughters, she is currently waiting to publish her second book.
This episode with 72 years old Padma Mathema was recorded on 30 July 2020 at her home in Tahachal, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.
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.
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
For our 12th episode we have collected audio clips from various guests interviewed by their grandchildren. They have shared their hopes and perspectives during this uncertain time. We have compiled these delightful clips into a lockdown special episode of Aji’s Podcast. This was also an opportunity for the elders and the grandchildren to have fun and bond over in this difficult period, 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:
Photo by Kulendra Devkota’s granddaughter Manita Devkota.
In our 11th episode we speak with 83 years old Kulendra Devkota. Kulendra fought against all odds including caste discrimination, malnutrition and ill-health to get an education and become a teacher and eventually a headmaster at Luintel High School in Gorkha. Throughout his teaching career, he educated more than 3,000 students including Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Late Dr. Upendra Devkota. Later on, he retired from teaching to dedicate his life to improving agriculture methods in his village. Today he is living a healthy life in Gorkha- reading books, practicing yoga and observing religious pujas.
This episode with 83 years old Kulendra Devkota was recorded on 10 March 2020 at a recording studio in Kamaladi, Kathmandu by Aji’s Co-founder Lorina Sthapit.
