Sushant Pradhan Podcast

Inside Nepali Journalism: Censorship, Funding & Politics. Jibram Bhandari is one of Nepal’s most respected journalists and news executives, known for his fearless reporting and deep understanding of Nepal’s political and media landscape. In this powerful podcast conversation, Jibram Bhandari shares his journalism journey, starting from the 1990 media environment to reporting during the Nepalese Civil War and navigating censorship, misinformation, and political pressure in modern Nepal. The discussion explores the current media crisis in Nepal, including media funding, the role of NGOs and INGOs, and how journalism can be misused by the government. Jibram Bhandari critically examines secularism in Nepal, the Raja Badi movement, the debate between belief in monarchy versus political parties like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and whether Nepal’s system can truly be reformed. This episode also dives into Gen Z protests, misinformation verification, misuse of police power, and controversial incidents like the Tinkune protest. Jibram shares insights on key political figures, including Kul Man Ghising, Harka Sampang, Rabi Lamichhane, and Durga Parsai, while discussing the possibility of new political parties and the future direction of Nepal. If you’re interested in Nepali journalism, Nepali politics, media ethics, and real conversations about power, truth, and responsibility, this podcast with Jibram Bhandari is a must-watch. GET CONNECTED WITH Jibram Bhandari: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jibram.bhandari.3/ Twitter - https://x.com/jibrambhandari TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jibram.talks?lang=en  

Why Students Are Leaving Nepal for Education. Join us in an insightful conversation with Surendra Subedi, a prominent Nepali educator and academic leader, currently serving as Campus Chief of Kathmandu Model College (KMC) and Chairman of Model Institute of Technology (MIT). In this podcast, Surendra shares his journey from initially pursuing law to becoming one of the leading voices in Nepali education reform. He discusses his early days as a program coordinator, balancing his personal life with his professional life, and his enduring passion for education. Discover his thoughts on going abroad for higher education, the challenges students face in the study/work cycle, and the government's perspective on studying abroad. Surendra also explores the shift from the yearly system to a semester system, why the semester system in Nepal is superior, and how American standard education is applied at MIT. He candidly discusses assignment systems, online learning, and strategies for retaining knowledge while studying. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in higher education in Nepal, student life balance, and education leadership. Gain insights on education reform leaders, practical advice for students, and a closer look at the Nepali university system. Don’t miss Surendra Subedi’s unique perspective on transforming Nepal’s academic landscape. GET CONNECTED WITH Surendra Subedi: LinkedIn - https://np.linkedin.com/in/surendrasubedi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/surendra.subedi.75/  

The Untold History of Doti Explained by Ratan Bhandari. In this insightful podcast episode, renowned Nepalese author and border expert Ratan Bhandari uncovers the untold history of the Doti Kingdom, one of Nepal’s most misunderstood and forgotten ancient kingdoms. Known for his deep research on Nepal’s border issues and historical maps, Ratan Bhandari explains why Doti played a crucial role in shaping Nepal’s political and territorial history. The discussion explores why Doti is important in Nepal’s past, how it differed from what we commonly believe, and whether the multiple regions referred to as Doti were historically connected. The episode also sheds light on who ruled Doti, its governance system, and how power shifted during the era of Baise Rajya and Chaubise Rajya. Listeners gain clarity on the clashes involving Doti and how these events influenced Nepal’s borders. Ratan Bhandari also explains the significance of map correction in Nepal’s currency, offering valuable context on Nepal’s territorial representation. The conversation delves further into Doti's religion, culture, and traditions, revealing how cultural identity shaped the kingdom’s legacy. This episode is essential for anyone interested in Nepal's history, ancient kingdoms, border disputes, and the real stories behind Nepal’s formation. GET CONNECTED WITH Ratan Bhandari: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ratanbhandariji YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnr3vDYv4dHSqq4oXVk54Cw  

Chumbak Band, the rising alternative/indie rock group from Itahari, Nepal, joins us for an in-depth conversation about their creative journey, their unique sound, and the story behind releasing two albums in one year, including their newest project “Josh.” In this episode, the three present members—Anil (Gongba) on vocals, Sahil on guitar, and Suman on bass—break down how Chumbak Band formed from members of Afthyaro, Retro Rocket, and Zero Brains, and how their chemistry shaped the band’s identity. We explore their songwriting process, their approach to building an authentic Nepali alternative rock sound, and how growing up in Itahari influenced their musical direction. The band shares insights into the challenges Nepali bands face, the hunger to create new music, and why they continue to push boundaries in Nepal’s indie rock scene. Whether you're a fan of Chumbak Band, curious about Nepali rock, or interested in the behind-the-scenes process of a band crafting albums back-to-back, this conversation delivers honest stories, new perspectives, and exciting details about the “Josh” album, future plans, lineup shifts, and the evolution of their creative process. GET CONNECTED WITH Chumbak Band: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Chumbak-band-100078656604843/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgv96ABqVOhWcHxggrL9onw Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chum_bak/ Instagram {Bassist Bibek} - https://www.instagram.com/st_goti/ Instagram {Guitarist Sahil} - https://www.instagram.com/riffl0rd/ Instagram {Vocalist Anil aka. GhongBa Spikes} - https://www.instagram.com/_iam_acrow/  

In this Part 2 episode, geopolitical analyst Jason Baidya breaks down the major global events, covert operations, and political shifts of the 1960s that reshaped the world. Jason begins with the critical political atmosphere of the early 60s, exploring Operation Gladio, Operation Gibraltar, the Vietnam War, and the hidden power dynamics that influenced global decision-making. He explains how the decade’s conflicts, social movements, and “social fracture” changed societies across continents. We also dive into the early technology era—from floppy disks to emerging information control—before exploring the shifting relationship between the United States and China. Jason provides insight into the 1966 global political landscape, including the 6 Day War, Yom Kippur War, and the expansion of US bases in the Middle East. The conversation continues with major *map shifts, how borders evolved, and how travel shaped culture and geopolitics. Jason then unpacks the geopolitical environment of South Asia, the first mission of RAW, Arab world influence, democratic changes, and the drastic transformation of global politics after 9/11. If you’re interested in Cold War operations, South Asian geopolitics, or the hidden power plays behind world events, this episode delivers a clear, engaging breakdown of the forces shaping modern history. GET CONNECTED WITH : Jason Baidya Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jason.baidya.5/ Twitter - https://x.com/JasonDBaidya