The Great Nepali Diaspora Newsletter

Founder’s Note 🖋️

Hi everyone!

On March 5, elections took place in Nepal with all of us glued to our phone screens for updates. The Gen-Z revolution in September 2025 disrupted the status quo, and this election is historic in many ways. A significant number of folks from the diaspora (who are Nepali citizens) actually traveled to Nepal to participate in this important moment.

First of all, kudos to the Interim Government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki for getting the elections done within a short pre-determined time of 6 months. TGND was pushing for Diaspora Voting along with other partners, but we understand that the higher priority was to execute a democratic election and pass the baton to the next set of political leaders.

With a new government transitioning into power shortly, the importance of the diaspora is unmistakable. TGND is committed to working with the stakeholders in Nepal to build stronger bridges for various initiatives: investment, mentorship, knowledge transfer, and more.

Over the last few years, TGND has collaborated with the Department of State and the Nepalese Embassy & Consulate in the US. We have also been trusted by Nepal based and international entities like Nepal Economic Forum, Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), & many more. This trust in our organizations is our biggest asset, and we will continue to build on the foundation.

I am super excited about these possibilities and hope you will join TGND to uplift our diaspora community and Nepal.

Best regards,
-Preeti

P.S. - Our new platform is coming soon. Stay tuned for details!

Diaspora Happenings 👩🏻‍💻

The global Nepali community continues to make waves across entrepreneurship, policy, technology, and storytelling. This month, we celebrate Shristi Mishra, who has been named one of Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 honorees for her company Yak9 Chews. Her recognition highlights the growing number of Nepali founders building impactful companies internationally and bringing visibility to the strength and creativity of the diaspora.

Strengthening ties between the diaspora and Nepal remains an important priority. In that spirit, Preeti Adhikary, Founder of TGND, has joined the Global Business & Diaspora Committee of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) in Nepal. Through this role, we hope to continue fostering stronger bridges between Nepali professionals around the world and institutions back home, encouraging collaboration in areas such as investment, knowledge exchange, and innovation.

Members of the diaspora are also building tools that improve civic engagement and academic research. Priyanshu Pokhrel, co-founder of Pyari, has created Sansad Tracker, a platform that helps people in Nepal and abroad better understand what is happening inside Nepal’s parliament. By translating and tracking every bill moving through the legislative process, the platform makes parliamentary developments far more accessible to the public. Meanwhile in Finland, Surya Yadav is building Aveksana, an AI-driven research assistance tool designed for PhD students, academics, and R&D teams. The platform aims to streamline research workflows and support deeper academic exploration.

Creative storytelling from the diaspora continues to evolve as well. A new series from Media Hub titled Manakala explores the dating life of a Nepali living abroad, capturing the tender, awkward, and often unspoken moments that come with building relationships far from home. Through a deeply human lens, the series reflects the emotional realities of diaspora life, identity, belonging, and the quiet ways Nepal continues to shape us, no matter where we live. It offers a relatable glimpse into the personal journeys many Nepalis abroad experience.

Chiya Break ☕

Some things don’t need an introduction, like a good cup of chiya.

Nepal Tea Collective’s Himalayan Masala Chiya is made with whole spices and high-altitude black tea, the slow and proper way. Made by our Nepali farmers, it’s inspired by home and tastes like the chiya many of us grew up with, warming, fragrant, and quietly grounding.

Best enjoyed hot, preferably while reading this newsletter.

👉 Try it here

Events 🗓️

Past Events:

Chapter Launch, Columbus, Ohio, March 1

On March 1, TGND launched a Chapter in Columbus, Ohio, with Chapter Leader Saugat Dawadi. Students and professionals from various sectors joined the launch event. 

TGND Meets Nepal Economic Forum (NEF), Paris, France, March 8

On Mar 8, TGND Paris members (with Chapter Leaders Bishal Udash and Jayeshwor Khadka) met with members of Nepal Economic Forum (NEF) Sujeev Shakya and Rojesh Shrestha. NEF is conducting a study on the migration of Nepalis in Europe and TGND is connecting the organization with our chapters to facilitate the research. 

Bato Summit (Finland), March 13

Half-day conference titled “Building the Nepali entrepreneurial mindset!” for Nepali and non-Nepali startup founders and investors from Finland, Nordics and beyond, Bato Summit was held. Bato Summit brought together 150+ Nepali and international founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts based in Finland and across the Nordics.

Upcoming Events

MIT Kuo Sharper Center Annual Conference, Boston, April 22-23

Join the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship Annual Conference, “Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity through Entrepreneurship,” taking place April 22–23, 2026 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Formerly known as the Legatum Center, MIT Kuo Sharper Center has spent nearly two decades backing entrepreneurs whose innovations drive inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the world’s fastest-growing regions. The conference convenes a global community from Africa, Latin America, the Arab region, Central Asia, and South and Southeast Asia: entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, corporate leaders, and academics shaping the future of the global economy. Last year, it welcomed 400+ participants from 35 countries, and this year’s program will be even more ambitious, with conversations on energy, disruptive science, innovation ecosystems, AI, and new models of capital deployment.

New this year: for the first time, the conference will host an invite-only, outcome-focused workshop on unlocking diaspora investment for South Asia-based entrepreneurs. The session will bring together diaspora professionals and investors, founders, and policy/finance operators to move beyond remittances and pressure-test practical investment pathways—syndicates, SME/growth vehicles, and thematic/blended models—with the goal of shaping 1–2 pilot directions to take forward after the conference.

Learn more at www.newcalculus.com. If you’re  interested in being considered for the workshop, please fill out the short interest form: https://forms.gle/F3C8Zs7LWjg8ywua6

The Nepal Discourse conference, Boston, April 25-26

The Nepal Discourse 2026 at Harvard and MIT is an inaugural global platform convening ecosystem leaders from Nepal, the diaspora, and Harvard and MIT to unpack current challenges and map strategic opportunities driven by Nepali stakeholders. Hosted by Nepali students in Harvard University and MIT, the conference explores the nation's future through four strategic pillars: AI & Future of Work, Next Generation Leadership, Institutional Resilience, and Diaspora. This gathering aims to catalyze long-term, evidence-based planning by launching a dedicated task force to produce “Strategic Foresight 2035," Nepal's Human Capital Foresight roadmap developed jointly by ecosystem leaders.

The invitation-only Conference is scheduled for April 25-26, 2026, at Harvard University and MIT. To apply for participation in the conference, please submit your application via www.thenepaldiscourse.com

Call To Action 📣📣

Become a Chapter Leader for TGND.

Join our LinkedIn group! 👩🏻‍🏫🧑🏻‍🏫

We finally have a private group on LinkedIn to connect with students and professionals with roots in Nepal (who are studying/working outside Nepal). If this is you, do join our group and engage with diaspora members from all over the globe.