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Subhankar Sen is the Executive Director (Lubes) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). Shreya Shrestha from ApEx interviewed him about BPCL performance and the oil market in Nepal.

Can you brief about MAK Lubricants performance worldwide?

MAK Lubricants is from Bharat Petroleum, India’s national oil company, which covers the entire spectrum of automobile and industrial lubricants. Today, we cater to all models of automobiles and every industrial sector. We are really happy to say that we have one of the best research and development teams that work from Mumbai. They are constantly working on new formulations, sustainable lubricant grades because that is the need of the hour. Both across automobiles and industrial sectors. We have a presence across the length and breadth of India, and we are very proud that we are the one of the oldest lubricant brands in Nepal. We have an excellent parther in Sipradi who have been with us since 23 years.

Nepal is a very big market for us and very important as well. Just the way, it is a very important neighbor of India. It’s a very important market because we recognize that the economy of Nepal which is expected to grow with 4-5 percent which is also one of the highest growing economies in this part of the world, and we recognize that the consumer aspirations in Nepal are much as anywhere else in the world. We are looking at various propositions where we offer a complete solution. We are moving from a product centric organization to a solution centric organization. One of the initiatives that we have just started in Nepal is a MAK Serve, which is basically a proposition which takes care of the vehicle and lubricant is just one part of it. We also offer an end to end solution which is just like a car care. 

Across the world, we are present in over nine countries and we have plans to grow about 35 countries across the world and our immediate focus remains our immediate neighbors which is Nepal and Bangladesh where we have a long standing presence.

In this competitive industry, how do you differentiate yourself?

The first point of difference is always quality and I can tell you with a lot of conviction that our lubricant products are made out of the finest base oils in the world. Our base oils which are group 2+ and group 3, manufactured in our Mumbai factory, are acknowledged to be the finest formulations. Whether we are providing the lubricant or not, it's our oil which is going out of the majority of the vehicles. So that’s the foundation of the belief that our products are one of the finest. Ultimately, what does the customer want? They want a) quality b) peace of mind c) better value for money. And when all these three are put together, we can confidently say that MAK Lubricant is providing the best propositions to the customer.

What are your future plans for Nepali market?

For Nepali market, we are now going to focus on the newer grades for the newer vehicles because we have seen a lot of new models on the roads, including two-wheelers with four-stroke engines and passenger vehicles. We are focused on investing a lot both in terms of bringing new products, new value propositions, new service oriented offerings like MAK Serve. We are also looking for an industrial sector and we have a range of industrial products. We are making a beginning in certain areas and we believe that while we go forward working closely with Sipradi, we will be able to add a lot of value to the industries in Nepal from the perspective of total cost of ownership  with the products that we will provide.

What are some of the major trends in the industry and how is BPCL gearing for the same?

Asia and the Indian subcontinent in particular is where a lot of action is happening these days. Asia is at the top of the world and we see trends happening in terms of consumer aspirations to always go for propositions which are better both in terms of value and quality. We see ourselves doing a lot of work in the environmental sustainability area. In fact we are doing  a lot of work for sustainable products. So, back in India we have a large portfolio of sustainable products which are across the sectors and we hope to bring that to Nepal at the earliest. We have seen Nepal is also moving towards BS6 while regulations may come in but there are a lot of BS6 vehicles which are already on the road. So, pollution is one area where we believe we can play a role in bringing down automobile pollution by introducing some of our grades which are absolutely wonderful when it comes to reducing C02 emissions.

With the growth in EVs, how has the lubricant industry been impacted?

Well EV certainly is not the form factor of mobility and we are investing ourselves quite heavily in EV. In India, we can share that we have the largest network of EV fast charging stations which have 1,000 fast charging stations and we have set up across what we called fast charging highway corridors. The entire country is mapped. While we have done that on the charging space. On the Lubricant side, it's just  engine oil that is not required in EVs, everything else is required.we are specializing ourselves in looking at new technology for EV fluids. There are a whole lot of Lubricants which would be required, there are moving parts in Electric Vehicles. So, those will require friction to be taken care of so in that space, we see ourselves playing a big role. We see healthy co-existence in both segments and for times to come, I think that’s the way  it’s gonna be . Both segments will grow and we believe that there is space for growth. So, we are there as a solution provider for personal commercial mobility. Whichever form factor mobility comes in, MAK Lubricants will always be there.

Mumbai: Manisha Koirala’s father Prakash Koirala is a former Cabinet Minister and her grandfather Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala was the Prime Minister of Nepal. Despite being associated with a prominent political family, the actor is not interested in joining politics.

In an exclusive conversation with ANI, the ‘Bombay’ actor shared the reason why she is not keen to get into the political arena.

“I feel for an actor to be a good politician, it’s a struggle. Because as an actor, we get so much attention. So much is like on our call. We are like bosses. A politician is basically though there is a leader and you drive the people but you are also a servant of the people,” said Koirala.

She continued, “You are there to help people so if you have understood this if you have accepted that you are basically a servant of the people and there is a sense of service, then you will succeed. But a lot of actors have not been able to go beyond their own because we are pampered a lot. So many eyes are on us. So much attention we get. If we can leave that pampered-ness, then we can be a very good person in politics.”

Koirala was born into a politically-prominent family and this is the reason she understands politics very well and feels that it is not just a means to gain power.

As she mentioned, “Politics for me is service. Politics for me is not power. Politics for me is not that I want to be a PM or I want to be a minister or ten people are behind me.”

Although Koirala comes from a very illustrious political family from Nepal, she entered the film industry and opted for acting as a profession which was completely new to her and her family.

She said, “I was a black sheep of the family, but it turned out the other way around. I grew up in Banaras and my schooling was in Vasant Kanya Maha Vidyalaya and then from there, of course, Army Public School in Delhi, I studied for two years. Then after that, I got into movies.”

She first did a Nepali ad film which she got because of her mother’s cousin, “He was a batchmate of Jaya ji and everybody in Pune. So he was an ad film-maker in Nepal. So he called me and got my makeup done and took my photo and told me that you are very photogenic. Will you do an ad film? I said yes and from there developed an interest in acting and said that I wanted to go to Bombay. I want to be in the film industry. There was a lot of opposition as nobody knows that industry.”

Talking about the political scenario in Nepal, she said, “I grew up in a political family and I understand politics. My grandmother would say, it’s a sewa, and it’s for the people. I asked my father how do you define politics? And he said it’s a dream that you have for the people. So everything is for the people. And whenever that gets detached from reality, there’s trouble. I feel if the current lot of political people involved in Nepal could understand.”

Koirala continued, “Nepal is a landlocked country. Nepal is also very traditional in mind. Nepalese people are also very forward-thinking and very open to it. It’s a good society. It’s an open society but at the same time very rooted in tradition.”

She further shared her take on democracy and the constitution in Nepal and how it affected people. The constitution in Nepal came into effect in 2015.

The actress said, “I think there is no other solution to democracy. However, it is not a facade of democracy. But in a true sense, there should be a democracy. A stable democracy.”

Giving her insight on the impact of the constitution on people, she said, “They should have given a space to the monarch. 90 percent of the people or 80 percent of the people are Hindu in Nepal. Somehow or the other respects the king. That factor should not have been overlooked. And somehow it was. And somehow it's not going down too well… the sudden changes, sudden this thing.”

The Nepali royal massacre occurred on 1 June 2001 at the Narayanhiti Palace.

Recalling the massacre in the palace, she said, “I was shooting and I was in London at that time. And it was completely devastating. I was like howling. My mother was with me. My dad has cried and howled on the phone.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, she is known for her movies such as ‘1942: A Love Story’, ‘Bombay’, ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’, ‘Gupt’, ‘Dil Se’, and many more.

Koirala is currently being lauded for her role as Mallika Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut web series ‘Heeramandi’.

In the show, Koirala  shared screen space with Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Aditi Rao Hydari among others. Set against the backdrop of India’s struggle for independence in the 1940s, the show explores the lives of courtesans and their patrons, delving into the cultural dynamics of Heeramandi. 

ANI

Jyotsna Yogi is a model and actor who has worked in several  music videos and films. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Yogi about her career, life, challenges and achievements.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I have a diverse family background. My father is a skilled artist and handwriting teacher from Dang while my mother, who is from Sankhu, is also the backbone of our family. She is the sweetest and strongest woman I know. I also have a younger brother who lives in the US with his wife, who is a dedicated and intelligent nurse. My family has always been close-knit and supportive, encouraging me to pursue my dreams. As for myself, I was born and raised in Kathmandu. I finished my MBA in Human Resource Management and completed my undergrad in London. I also took a crash course in the Film and Television Institute of India Acting in FTII, Pune.

How did modeling and acting enter your life?

I had been studying all my life and wanted to do something completely opposite, something colorful and fun. As a child, I always wanted to be on television. That dream never left me, even though I majored in Business Management. It was during this transformative journey that I stumbled upon a modeling competition but never won any titles. In the end, the experience after that, I enjoyed every second of it that I never wanted to let go of this industry. Then I started my modeling career in 2013 with House of Fashion and by 2015, I debuted in the movie “Ma Ta Timrai Hoon,” which showcased my versatility and talent. I am engaged in acting and now I am pursuing Direction as well.

What is a challenging moment in your life and what lessons did you learn from it?

One of my most memorable struggles was when I moved to the UK for studies, because I am an introvert and socially awkward person. I had never left my family. So, when I had to relocate to the UK, my mind went blank. I used to panic a lot. In university, on buses, in front of literally everyone, I was a mother’s child. So that situation taught me a lot about being independent, making decisions, and breaking out of my childhood bubble. 

What is a proud moment in your life?

One of my proudest achievements that I admire is from the work on the music video “Upahaar” by Swoopna Suman, my husband. Even though this would’ve been my second directorial project, entrusting with the project, I took on responsibilities ranging from casting and styling to conceptualizing and directing. When viewers praised my work and Suman told me he made the right choice, it was a defining moment for me. The project not only validated my skills but also earned the respect and admiration of my family.

What inspired you to create the story of Book of Paws, and how did the idea come to life?

Beyond my work in the entertainment industry, I am passionate for animal welfare. I used to get a lot of messages on dogs and cats regarding adoptions, lost and found cases, emergencies and so on. They would request me to post it on my profile to spread the word, which I always did. Later, my page started to look a little less about me. Here, I thought about creating the Instagram page @bookofpaws, where I share posts about animals in need of homes and care. With nearly 2,000 followers, the page has successfully helped countless dogs and cats find their forever homes. It’s my way of trying to help them and it makes me happy more than other things.

Miss Universe Nepal 2024 Sampada Ghimire is set to represent Nepal at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City. Ghimire, who is also a digital marketer, believes that everyone must dream and work for it. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Ghimire about her journey and plans after winning the Miss Universe Nepal title.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I come from a family of five—my mom, dad, brother, sister, and me. My brother just finished his SEE and is now in college, and my sister lives in Australia. My family has always been supportive and never hesitated to meet my needs. Before starting my professional career, I studied management. Later, I shifted my focus to internships and jobs that sparked my interest in practical, hands-on work. Now, I work in digital marketing.

How much did your family encourage you to compete in Miss Universe Nepal 2024?

In my case, I was the one who really wanted to compete. Unlike some parents who push their children into pageants, I was self-motivated. It’s been a dream of mine to compete in Miss Universe, and my family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders. They’ve always supported my choices and encouraged me throughout the process.

Your career in digital marketing is quite different from pageantry. How did you get interested in modeling and pageants?

Interestingly, when I was 15, I had a strong desire to start modeling. I practiced a lot and was really inspired by the idea of walking the runway. But over time, that dream faded, and I shifted my focus to a career in digital marketing. However, I believe fate brought me back to pageantry. The passion I had for modeling reemerged, this time through pageantry, and I feel like there's a bigger purpose for me to fulfill through this platform.

What was your reaction when you were announced as the winner?

I had been preparing for two years, participating in other events but never winning. I didn’t have high expectations for the finale, but a part of me thought there was a chance. When my name was announced, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It felt like I had finally achieved a goal I’d been working so hard for, even though I couldn’t fully express how thankful and happy I felt at that moment.

How is your preparation going for representing Nepal in Mexico?

The preparation has been going smoothly since I was crowned. We’ve been focusing on branding, photo shoots, interviews, and designing outfits. My team has been incredibly supportive, and we’re working hard to represent Nepal in the best possible way. I’m also receiving training for public speaking and runway walking.

What are your future plans? Will you continue modeling, or return to digital marketing?

I'm still figuring that out. I trust the process and the outcome, whether I continue in modeling or go back to digital marketing. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, even before I started modeling, and I hope to be an active, visible representative of Miss Universe Nepal. I’m also passionate about child literacy and plan to work in that area, using my experience to make a positive impact.

What advice would you give to young girls?

I encourage everyone to dare to dream big and keep believing in their dreams. Many people are afraid to dream or doubt themselves, as I once did. But don’t be afraid to dream, and when you do, work tirelessly toward your goals. Even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll learn valuable lessons that will help you succeed in the future.