Nepal's diaspora represents 15% of the nation's productive population and holds immense potential to propel the nation's development journey. Recognizing this potential, the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) has launched the "Decade of Nepali Diaspora" initiative 2081-2090 BS (2024 - 2034 AD). This ambitious program aims to bridge the gap between Nepal and its diaspora community. A key component of the initiative is the "Magnificent 100+" featuring over 100 outstanding Nepali diaspora members across various fields. Their inspiring stories celebrate their achievements and their valuable contributions to Nepal and beyond. The initiative goes beyond mere celebration. It seeks to transform the narrative surrounding the diaspora's role in empowering Nepali identity.
Stay tuned to the IIDS website and social media as we feature a new diaspora member every week.
Disclaimer: All individuals featured in "The Magnificent 100+" have given their consent for the publication of their photos and information. Also note that this is not a ranking, but a representation of diverse Nepali diaspora members across all fields. We value each person’s unique role equally.
1. Gaurika Singh
Gaurika Singh, a Nepali swimmer, made history as the youngest Olympian at the 2016 Rio Olympics and competed again at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She has achieved remarkable success in swimming, including winning four gold medals at the 2019 South Asian Games, while also pursuing a Bachelor's degree in International Relations at Tufts University. Beyond her athletic and academic accomplishments, Gaurika serves as a goodwill ambassador for various organizations, using her platform to advocate for human rights and education.
2. Santosh Shah
Santosh Shah is a renowned Nepali-born culinary expert who gained international recognition as a finalist on BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals in 2020. He is known for his innovative approach to Nepali cuisine, blending traditional flavors with modern cooking techniques. Throughout his career, Chef Shah has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in London and has been instrumental in introducing Nepali cuisine to a global audience. He continues to promote Nepali culinary heritage through his cookbooks, television appearances, and culinary events. In addition to his culinary pursuits, he is actively involved in charitable work, supporting various causes in Nepal and working to inspire young chefs from his home country to pursue their culinary dreams on an international stage.
3. Kiran Chetry
Kiran Chetry is a Nepali-American television journalist and news anchor, best known for her work with CNN and Fox News Channel. Born in Patan, Nepal, she immigrated to the United States as a young child and later pursued a career in broadcast journalism. Chetry gained prominence as a co-anchor on CNN's American Morning from 2007 to 2011, where she covered major national and international news stories. Before that, she was a regular host of Fox News Channel's flagship morning show Fox & Friends. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her reporting skills and has interviewed numerous high-profile figures, including political leaders and celebrities.
4. Sameer Maskey
Dr. Sameer Maskey, the visionary behind Fusemachines Inc., is a pioneer in the field of Artificial Intelligence and a passionate advocate for democratizing AI across the globe. As the Founder and CEO of Fusemachines, he has led the company from a bold idea in 2013 to a leading provider of AI solutions for enterprise clients worldwide. Under his leadership, Fusemachines has revolutionized the AI landscape by enabling organizations to solve complex challenges with high ROI through proprietary products like AI Studio and AI Engines. Dr. Maskey’s deep commitment to bridging the AI talent gap has shaped the company’s AI Fellowship programs, training and nurturing AI talent in underserved communities. This initiative is part of his broader mission to make high-quality AI education accessible to all, empowering the next generation of innovators.
5. Parijita Bastola
Parijita Bastola is a young Nepali-American singer who gained national recognition as a contestant on the 22nd season of NBC's singing competition "The Voice" in 2022. She made history as the first Nepali-American contestant on the show, impressing judges and audiences with her soulful voice and unique style. Bastola advanced far in the competition, showcasing her talent in performing various genres of music and proudly representing her Nepali heritage on a major American television platform. During her time on "The Voice," Parijita Bastola was mentored by John Legend and received high praise for her emotional performances and vocal range. Beyond her musical achievements, she has used her platform to raise awareness about Nepali culture and has become an inspiration for young South Asian Americans pursuing careers in the arts.
6. Jiba Lamichhane
Jiba Lamichhane is a prominent Nepali entrepreneur, philanthropist, and literary writer. Known for his dedication to promoting Nepali identity and culture on the global stage, he has extensive experience in international business and key leadership roles. As President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), he championed initiatives that connected Nepali diaspora communities worldwide. He is also renowned for his entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting development projects in Nepal. A dedicated writer, Lamichhane shares insights on leadership, culture, and Nepal’s growth potential through his travelogues Sarsarti Sansar and Desh Deshawar. His works reflect on his global experiences, highlighting the need for visionary leadership and accountability. Through his literary and philanthropic efforts, Mr Lamichhane continues to inspire a globally connected Nepali community committed to meaningful progress.
7. Manjushree Thapa
Manjushree Thapa is a celebrated Nepali-Canadian author, translator, and advocate for Nepali literature. Her work spans fiction and nonfiction, delving into themes of identity, migration, and social justice. Her latest novel, All Of Us in Our Own Lives, was lauded as an “evocative tale of loss and identity,” following acclaimed books like Seasons of Flight and The Tutor of History, which explore the lives of Nepalis at home and abroad. In nonfiction, her books The Lives We Have Lost, A Boy from Siklis, and Forget Kathmandu address Nepal’s Maoist conflict, environmentalism, and sociopolitical landscape, with Forget Kathmandu being a finalist for the Lettre Ulysses Award. As a translator, Manjushree has brought iconic Nepali literature to the global stage, including Indra Bahadur Rai’s There’s a Carnival Today, and curated Nepali literature for La. Lit and Words Without Borders. Her own essays have appeared in major publications such as The New York Times and London Review of Books, and her contribution to Girl Rising, a documentary on global girls’ education, was narrated by actor Kerry Washington. Manjushree has lectured widely at institutions including Cornell University and Duke University and has been featured at the Toronto International Book Festival and Jaipur Literature Festival. She is a recipient of the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, a Fulbright fellow, and has held residencies at prestigious institutions worldwide. Formerly involved in conservation and media in Nepal, she draws on these experiences in her writing. Manjushree earned an MFA in Fiction from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a BFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. Raised across Nepal, Canada, and the United States, she currently lives in Toronto.
8. Dr. Praveen Dixit
Dr. Praveen Dixit is a Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He was the Chief of the Party for the USAID-funded Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector (IRIS) project that designed and implemented the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) in Nepal, including the introduction of the value-added tax, privatisation of seven public sector enterprises, preparation of consumer protection legislation, and partial deregulation of Nepal’s airline industry. He has played a significant role in enhancing U.S.-Nepal trade relations, particularly through initiatives aimed at improving the investment climate, facilitating bilateral trade agreements, and creating a conducive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal. Under his leadership, the U.S. and Nepal have strengthened their economic ties. His key contributions to Nepal include the implementation of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, and Nepal Trade Preference Program (NTPP). among others.
Dr. Dixit also has extensive experience working with the US government in China, Mexico, India and Poland, launching their market outlook program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emerging Market Program. His portfolio also includes providing economic analysis and policy guidance on various trade and national security initiatives such as developing tariff lists to combat unfair trading practices of other nations, assessing inbound foreign direct investment in the context of mergers and acquisitions, and building a program of work on outbound investment screening.
He has a Masters in Economics and International Trade from the Delhi School of Economics and a PhD in Public Policy Analysis and Economics of International Trade from Purdue University. He is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Awards, one of the highest awards bestowed upon senior career employees, for his sustained analytical contributions to U.S. trade policy formulation and national security assessments.
9. Dr. Rajiv N. Rimal
Dr. Rajiv N. Rimal, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health, Behaviour, and Society at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University is a global expert in social and behavior change interventions, focusing on the health, nutrition, and well-being of women and children in low- and middle-income countries. He leads the Collaborative for Research on Women and Nutrition (CROWN), working in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and India. Dr. Rimal's innovative approach using social norms has addressed health inequities in areas such as alcohol consumption, violence against women, family planning, AIDS prevention, and adolescent health. His current projects include a randomized trial to reduce anemia among women in India and an intervention to improve infant immunization rates in Nepal.
Dr. Rimal is a prominent figure in public health, currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Health, Behaviour and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He holds a PhD in Health Communication from Stanford University, which he obtained in 1995. With over 25 years of experience in academia, Dr Rimal has a robust publication record, with over 16,000 citations across various scholarly articles focusing on health communication and behavior change. His work not only addresses immediate health concerns but also seeks to understand the underlying social dynamics that affect health behaviors within communities.
