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Monu Shah is a successful model and event organizer, known for his work in the glamor and pageant industry in Nepal. He hosts events as well and is great at it. He’s also the face behind nearly 50 Nepali music videos, featuring in hit tracks like ‘Chakhewa Jodi’, ‘Fasayo’, ‘Timro Yaad Bhulauna’, ‘Prem Na Hundo Ho’, ‘Saash’, and many more. He’s also the proud owner of  ‘Shah Studio and Company Pvt Ltd’ which not only hosts modeling events but is also involved in music, advertisement, and movie production.

After completing school in his hometown Dhanusha, Shah moved to Kathmandu for further studies. While in Kathmandu, he got interested in acting and decided to pursue it, and he has been doing so for the past seven years. Shah says that the more he explored, the more he got enraptured with acting and modeling. Watching Nepali actor Najir Husen’s performances on theater and screen was a turning point for him. “It ignited something deep within me and I knew there was no going back,” he says. 

Husen’s acting career became Shah’s guiding light. He aspired to follow in his footsteps. Shah enrolled himself in a theater group. Following that, he also participated in the Mr Teen competitions. This, he believes, was what later paved the way for him to become the showstopper at various fashion shows in Nepal. 

As his popularity grew, he landed roles in various music videos and advertisements for brands like Budweiser and some dairy products. He also got the chance to collaborate with different industries. With time and experience, he is now able to organize fashion runways and pageant events with ease. He is happy with the place he has managed to carve for himself in theater and the music industry. Now, his heart is set on doing cinemas where he can showcase his talents as a performer.

As someone in the public eye, he’s no stranger to challenges. He says he approaches them with optimism. For him, authenticity is the key to success. He stays true to himself without getting caught up in comparisons or competition with anyone. “I deal with every challenge with a positive mindset and I use them as valuable lessons to improve myself,” he says.

He works hard to stay updated, comes up with new ideas, and is always open to learning. Shah says, “Each experience teaches me something valuable, making me better at what I do.” Two years ago, he organized an event called ‘Face of Rajdhani’ which became a big success and helped him learn and grow. He considers it to be a turning point that boosted his event management career. 

He comes from the Tarai and feels stories need to emphasize inclusiveness so that our society can embrace uniqueness rather than fear it. He confesses he has struggled with stereotyping and that if he had let it stop him, he would have gotten nowhere. But it can dampen your spirits, he says. 

He says that he wants his achievements to go beyond personal success. He wants to be a role model to those who want to build a career in the entertainment industry. As for his work in the fashion scene, he is intent on supporting local and sustainable brands and showcasing the talents of Nepali artisans. 

“I’m selective about the work I do. I want it to inspire and uplift people and communities, especially the younger generation,” he says. Shah has plans to organize events that match international standards so that new faces and talents get the opportunities they need to grow. 

As of now, he’s working on plans to host an award event called ‘Kollywood Night’ to celebrate the hard work of Nepali artists and producers. He’s also gearing up to step into the global spotlight as an organizer for some big international events.

Everyone who has Instagram on their phone probably spends way too much time on it. The amount of content it has to cater to all tastes and needs is amazing. Whatever you want—fashion tips, book reviews, cleaning hacks, or décor ideas—it’s all there. It’s also a great space to pick up some cooking skills and learn a few gourmet recipes that can help you save a few thousand rupees you would spend ordering a takeaway or eating out. Here are our top five picks. We guarantee these pages, with drool-worthy photos of food and drinks, will get you interested in cooking and make you want to eat at home way more than you do.

Ravneet Gill (@ravneeteats)

A British pastry chef, activist, and television presenter based in London, Ravneet Gill makes food look fun, as it should be. She has over 10 years of experience. She is a food columnist for The Guardian besides contributing to other publications like The Telegraph and Observer Food Monthly etc. Her Instagram page, where she has 179k followers, is filled with recipes that will make you want to bake for pleasure. The Toffee Apple Self-Saucing Pudding is one of our favorites. It’s easy to make and simply delicious.

Liam Baker (@chef.liam)

He is an ex-fine dining chef who, according to his bio on Instagram, quit his job to discover his Caribbean heritage. He cooks with fire and smoke like his natives did and his Instagram page is full of cooking tips and tricks that you can use to create culinary masterpieces. He also dishes out plenty of advice on making the best of seasonal ingredients. Learn to make fermented hot sauce, a smooth hummus, and turn tomatoes into yummy dishes other than chutneys with chef Liam.

Kabita Singh (@kabitaskitchen)

A housewife turned content creator, Kabita Singh was awarded the Best Creator in the Food Category at the National Creators Award in India this year. She has over 1.5 million followers on Instagram where she regularly posts recipes of Indian food. Her recipes are simple and perfect for those who are new to cooking. You can learn to make a variety of lentils and snacks like Egg Cheese Sandwich and Aloo Tikki Chaat. She posts quite regularly and has over 2000 videos already.

Eric Chou (@erictriesit)

You will be scrolling through this page for hours. The photos are just so lovely and will have you drooling for some baked goodies. The last time we checked there were just 275 posts but each of these is a delight. We tried to recreate the Strawberry Sandwich which tasted every bit as delightful as it looked. Eric’s conversational tone as he talks about the food and the places he has visited makes his already good content even better.

Jordon Ezra King (@jordonezraking)

Over the years, Jordon has worked in many restaurants and the seriousness with which he prepares food makes it evident that he considers it sacrosanct. There’s something in his tone that begs us to pay attention to what he’s saying. His page has recipes and informative videos on different food cultures. He also teaches you to make some basic stuff like chicken broth and creamy mashed potatoes that can help you enhance the taste of any dish. There are easy recipes that you can whip up in minutes with ready-to-eat ingredients in your pantry like a can of chickpeas.

J-33

Kumar Nagarkoti

Fantasy Fiction

This graphic novel, set in a parallel universe and woven into the garland of reality, surrealism, and self-realism, is the love story of Jung Bahadur Rana and Royal Ballerina Calista Brown. It’s a story that has never been written in history. That is, until now. Who is J-33, a mysterious character who accidentally got caught in the rare love story of Ballerina and Jung Bahadur? In Jung Bahadur Rana’s tantric city, J-33 is looking for you. Why, and for what purpose? What secret treasures does he have that he is impatient to reveal to you? 

Mahabidhyawaridhidekhi Nobel Shanti Puraskar Manonayansamma

Surya Subedi

Biography 

Surya Subedi, who introduced Nepal to the world as an international face, is a Nepali who has reached the highest expert level of the United Nations. As a member of the delegation of the Government of Nepal, he has participated in the summits of the United Nations and Non-Aligned Nations and has represented Nepal in many international forums as an ‘unpaid international ambassador’. This book is a detailed account of the ups and downs, struggles, and achievements that Subedi has faced in his life. 

Bahadur Shah

Chiranjibi Wagle

Historical Fiction 

Chiranjeevi Wagle, a former minister who was elected as MP from Gorkha for three consecutive times, is dedicated to independent writing after a long political career. ‘Bahadur Shah’ is his third novel after ‘Bandhashala ma Kheer’ and ‘Balidaan le Baneko Desh’. Wagle, who has been engaged in literary creation since his studies in Banaras, has also published the ‘Yatra Kavita Sangraha ra Nepali Sahitya’. He is a prolific writer whose works will inspire you.

Life is a book of lessons, and everyone experiences turning points in their lives. These moments are pivotal, marking significant shifts in our directions, perspectives, or personal growth. Whether it’s a major life event, a decision, or a realization, turning points have the power to change our paths and redefine who we are. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three people to find out about the moments that altered the course of their lives for the better.

Riya Rajkarnikar, 30

A breakup was the turning point of my life. I always wished for a happy love life. The initial days of our six-year relationship were full of love and joy but gradually, he became controlling and possessive. I was blind in love and that made me think everything he made me do was right. But his toxic behavior was depressing. It also isolated me from family and friends. Eventually, I found the courage to confide in my mom and sister, who supported me through the breakup despite his resistance. Free from the toxicity, I embraced opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. I’m much stronger and independent today than I was when I was with him.

Today I’m married and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. My husband has restored my faith in men, showing me what true love and acceptance look like. I’m thankful for his unconditional love and unwavering support. Through him, I’ve learned to embrace myself fully and believe in my worth.

Akriti Thapa, 22

Reflecting on my past, I’d say a pivotal moment was when I grew tired of depending on others for transportation. I also wasn’t comfortable traveling in public vehicles. This prompted me to embark on a journey of self-sufficiency. I decided to learn to ride a scooter. Through sheer determination, I acquired the necessary skills and obtained my license. This newfound independence liberated me, granting me the freedom to travel at will. No longer reliant on friends or family, I navigated the world with confidence. Riding the scooter wasn’t just about transportation. It symbolized empowerment and resilience, preparing me for a long journey ahead. Not being dependent on anyone felt good. It made me able to take charge of my days in the way I liked.

Lumanti Shakya, 24

One moment that truly stands out as a turning point in my life was when someone encouraged me to prioritize my well-being first, assuring me that by doing so, I would be better equipped to help others. I realized that I needed to invest in myself to truly make a positive impact in the lives of those around me. From that moment on, I shifted my focus towards self-improvement, dedicating time and energy to personal growth and development. This decision sparked a transformative journey that has not only enriched my life but has also allowed me to be more effective in supporting and uplifting others. One crucial aspect of this realization was understanding the importance of self-care and recognizing that taking breaks and prioritizing ‘me time’ is not selfish, but essential for overall well-being. By embracing self-care practices and allowing myself moments of rest and rejuvenation, I’ve been able to deal with life’s challenges with resilience and clarity.