Archana Thapa
Author/Publisher/Independent Scholar
Archana Thapa is an independent scholar, author, publisher and civil society activist in Nagarik Andolan. She earned her Ph.D. in Tracing Gender Representation in the Contemporary Nepali Cultural Texts: Post Conflict Period (2006-2013). Thapa is sincerely invested in promoting women's writing. She is one of the founding members of Aahwaan, self-funded informal democratic discussion group based in Kathmandu that organizes informed public debates on literature, gender, media popular culture and contemporary socio-cultural beliefs as well as practices that affect women's lives.
Her areas of interest are literature, gender, culture, activism and Nepali theatre and act.
Prof. Dr. Narendra Bhatta
Professor (Internal Medicine), H.O.D. (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) at BPKIHS
Prof. Dr. Narendra Bhatta is a professor of Internal Medicine and Head of Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, Nepal. He completed his MBBS and Doctor of Medicine (MD) from India and Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Epidemiology from NIHES Erasmus University, Netherlands. The pioneer of academically training the next generation of clinicians in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, he conceptualized an innovative Medical Education Initiative in Nepal, "Expanding the Horizon of Medical Professionalism through fusion of Medicine and Humanities". His teachings in clinical decision making blends a unique combination of medicine, humanities and creative wisdom.
An inspiring teacher, his approach towards the art of medicine, knowledge and skill astounds all those who witness his expertise.
Simran Sherchan
National Program Coordinator (Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities)
Miss Simran Sherchan identifies as a transgender woman and is an advocate for the rights of marginalized sex workers and LGBTQIA+ community in Nepal. Currently working as a National Program Coordinator at Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities, her motto in life is to educate, inspire and empower people who are struggling to find their true gender identity. Alongside her contribution to implement laws for the advancement of the marginalized, she is also a Board Member of Blue Diamond Society, a community that works to uplift sexual minorities. She hopes to enlighten people regarding the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and inculcate in us a sense of acceptance for oneself as well as for others.