Nepali Writers and Literature in Australia – My Vision, Plan, and Action: Journal 32

16 December 2025 – 15 March 2026 | Personal Journal 32

I welcome readers to the 32th edition of my journal. Since its inception, this journal used to be published monthly; however, from December 2025, I couldn’t maintain that continuity. That does not mean my engagement has decreased—rather, my involvement and participation have been as strong as ever. The only challenge was finding the time to write and publish the journal due to other life priorities.

Please accept this quarterly edition, which covers activities and reflections from mid-December 2025 to mid-March 2026. I hope you will enjoy, appreciate, and connect with it as much as before.

As you know, this journal is dedicated to showcasing and promoting Australia-based Nepali literature and writers. This initiative aligns with my vision of fostering a vibrant, connected, and collaborative literary community. I warmly invite everyone to join me on this journey and share their invaluable insights to enrich our collective learning and creative endeavours.

Catch-up with Anjana – Monday, 5 January 2026

It was a refreshing moment to catch up with Anjana Karki, an emerging and passionate poet and storyteller. I have always admired her bold writing on women’s empowerment. During her visit to Sydney, we captured some moments in Parramatta and revisited the time we spent in 2024/2025 working on creative initiatives with WestWords, including our dedicated efforts on the story writing workshop.

Our creative women’s group remains hopeful about presenting our collective work in 2026—what an achievement that would be!

Kitab Adda Opening – Sunday, 25 January 2026

Finally, Sydney now has a place where Nepali literature enthusiasts can visit and purchase books. KITAB ADDA officially opened on Sunday, 25 January 2026. Nepali books are also now accessible online

( https://kitabadda.com.au/ ). 

 

Thank you to Shweta Mainali for inviting us to witness something that has come to life through your courage and initiative. This is a significant step that will contribute greatly to Nepali literature and culture.

Wishing you continued success—it was truly a pleasure to be part of this moment.

Book Launch: Company by Kumar Sharma – Saturday, 8 February 2026

The book launch of Company, a novel by Kumar Sharma, was held at Blacktown City Library, drawing more than 30 attendees for a lively two-hour literary event. The novel was jointly unveiled by Gargi Sharma, Gyanuwakar Paudel, Kumar Sharma, Sanu Ghimire, and Shaurav Kiran Shrestha.

The program was moderated by Sanu Ghimire, who guided discussions on the themes, characters, and literary significance of the book. Authors and critics Prakash Panthi and Pragya Paneru shared insightful reflections, while senior poet and ghazalist Gyanuwakar Paudel delivered a blessing and keynote address. The event was energetically hosted by Pratigya Adhikari.

Kumar Sharma, who has lived in Sydney for nearly a decade and currently works with Australia Post, has a strong background in journalism before transitioning to fiction writing.

Set in Seoul, South Korea, Company explores the intertwined lives of a student and a worker. The novel presents a coming-of-age narrative of a young man who chooses to follow his inner calling rather than conform to traditional expectations.
The event concluded with congratulations to the author and appreciation for the support provided by Blacktown City Library.

INLS – Sydney Chapter: Literary Souvenir Update

As a member of the editorial group, I contributed my time and skills to the development of the souvenir/magazine, ensuring the quality of articles, poems, and other creative works. I would like to thank the International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) – Sydney Chapter for this opportunity.

I look forward to the publication of the magazine, hopefully around April/May 2026. It is encouraging to see such a high level of participation from writers and authors in this collection.

International Mother Language Day Celebration – Sunday, 22 February 2026

Representing the Nepali language and literature, Richa Gautam and I recited poems in both Nepali and English at the International Mother Language Day celebration organised by Blacktown City Library at Nurragingy Reserve.

It was a joyful moment to see Nepali books placed in the Blacktown Mobile Library alongside books from over 30 community languages.

Thank you to the library and the council. Whether small or large, such events truly matter—they strengthen identity, preserve cultural memory, promote understanding of diversity, and foster community harmony.

International Women’s Day – Friday, 6 March 2026

It was a proud moment to see Richa Gautam, an emerging poet, recite her poetry dedicated to women around the world on the occasion of International Women’s Day, organised by SydWest Multicultural Services at Glenwood Community Centre, Blacktown, NSW.

Her confidence and dedication are truly inspiring. I wish her all the very best for the debut novel she is working tirelessly on.

Curriculum and Textbook Development – December 2025 to March 2026

During this period, I completed two new lesson books for Shabdamala Nepali Language School: My Nepali Lesson – Level 4 (Term 4) and My Nepali Lesson – Level 1 (Term 4).

To date, I have completed four lesson books for Level 3 and four lesson books for Level 4—a total of eight lesson books. These books have now been implemented in Shabdamala classrooms, supporting continued growth in Nepali language education.

I would like to thank the teachers, committee members, and students of Shabdamala Nepali Language School for their positive feedback and for embracing these lesson books so enthusiastically.

This journal reflects a period of sustained engagement in Nepali literary and community activities, Although time constraints prevented regular writing, my involvement in events, collaborations, and creative initiatives remained strong. From reconnecting with fellow writers to participating in book launches and cultural celebrations, I continued to nurture literary dialogue and strengthen community connections within Australia.

I believe I also made meaningful contributions to language education and literary development through curriculum writing and editorial work for a community publication. Seeing the growing presence of Nepali literature through initiatives like Kitab Adda and public events has been encouraging. Overall, this period represents my continued commitment, community engagement, and a clear vision to help foster a vibrant and inclusive Nepali literary space. 

Thank you all for your support from the heart, mind, and soul.