Our Team

A skilled graphic designer by profession and a dedicated vegan activist at heart, Krishna Gurung serves as the President of the Nepal Vegetarian Association in his second term. With over 20 years of commitment to the vegan lifestyle, Krishna brings deep experience and unwavering passion to his advocacy for animal rights and compassionate living. He has led numerous awareness campaigns and welfare initiatives across Nepal and was honored with the ‘Jana Sewa Shree Padak’ by the Government of Nepal for his social contributions. He is also a creative force, having written one of Nepal’s first animal rights songs and currently working on an upcoming short film dedicated to the cause. Krishna’s vision and leadership make him a vital pillar of the Ahimsa Festival Nepal 2082.

With over 20 years of experience in social development and community leadership, Matrika Pyakurel brings deep commitment to compassionate living and public service. He has worked in Nepal, Japan, and Malaysia across areas like disaster relief, leadership training, animal rights, and community welfare. Currently serving as the National Coordinator of Thopa Aviyan Nepal, he leads emergency relief and advocacy efforts. Matrika has also played a key role in campaigns against animal cruelty, and has been recognized with national honors for his service during crises. As Vice Chair of Ahimsa Mahotsav Nepal 2082, he helps guide the festival with a calm, inclusive, and purpose-driven approach rooted in nonviolence and social harmony.

Rekha holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and is a long-standing advocate for animals and conscious living. She has been dedicated to rescuing abandoned calves since 2009. Witnessing dying calves near rivers of Guhyeshwari and Pashupatinath in 2011 moved her to action feeding them rice porridge and milk, and arranging emergency vet care. A turning point came when she encountered a dying calf and felt a divine message from Nandi, Lord Shiva’s sacred bull: “Don’t seek me inside the temple. I’m here, suffering.” That moment transformed her life’s purpose.

After early setbacks including the theft of 10 rescued calves she rented land in Golfutar in 2015, built a shed, and began rehabilitating calves for months before transferring them to shelters like SPCA. That same year, she adopted a vegan lifestyle. Since 2019, she has continued this mission from Nagarjun, caring for abandoned calves and coordinating their safe relocation to shelters like Gothatar. Her work is a spiritual and compassionate commitment from her home, heart, and hands.

She rescued calves in a near-death condition discarded along the banks of the Bagmati River, in front of the Guhyeshwari Temple within the Pashupatinath area.To draw public attention to the cries of these suffering calves near the road and river, her coordination is being initiated to create an organization that will amplify their voices through social media platforms, particularly via vegetarian and vegan campaign groups on Facebook. Until now, her entire life’s goals, hopes, and hobbies have revolved solely around these suffering and helpless calves. She has been wholeheartedly committed—physically, mentally, and financially—in trying to find happiness through their well-being.

Shova is a passionate animal rights advocate, legal researcher, and community organizer based in Nepal. In 2020, she co-founded the Kathmandu Animal Save chapter of the global Animal Save Movement and has since been actively involved in grassroots activism promoting animal rights, veganism, and compassionate community-building. With a background in law, Shova recently completed her thesis titled “Animal Rights Jurisprudence in Nepal,” a critical analysis of the country’s legal framework for animal protection. She currently volunteers as a researcher with Animal Law Focus, studying and comparing animal welfare legislation in South and Southeast Asia. Shova brings extensive experience in event coordination, having organized both in-person and virtual festivals and advocacy events. She currently serves as Project Manager for the upcoming Ahimsa Festival Nepal, where she oversees logistics, partnerships, and program development to ensure the success of this large-scale vegan advocacy event.

Outside of her advocacy work, she enjoys exploring Nepal’s growing vegan food scene and runs a personal Instagram blog, @life_places_food, where she shares vegan eats and travel moments.

Chhokila Ukyab is a sustainability conscious professional in Nepal’s banking industry. A vegetarian since 2001 and a vegan since 2019, she believes in the power of small, consistent choices to create long term impact: for animals, the planet, and human well being. She also curates content on the Instagram page @yourfavoritebanker1, where she simplifies financial literacy, personal finance, and everyday banking, with an emphasis on mindful spending, ethical choices, and sustainable living. Through her posts, she encourages people to align their financial habits with long term well being for themselves, their communities, and the planet.

In the Ahimsa Festival Nepal 2082 core committee, Chhokila is responsible for finance management, as well as coordinating speakers and delegates ensuring the event is both financially sound and rich in content. With a sharp eye for detail and a calm, thoughtful approach, she helps bring structure to vision. For Chhokila , the festival is more than an event, it’s a space where community, compassion, and conscious living converge. She hopes it will inspire others to explore kinder, more intentional ways of living that align with both tradition and transformation.

Manjushree Sthapit is an architect by profession whose journey into animal advocacy began when she was deeply moved by the suffering of calves she witnessed on the streets. This powerful moment sparked a shift in her life, leading her to embrace veganism and commit herself to animal rights. Previously, she was actively involved in various forms of advocacy participating in rallies, protests, and awareness festivals. Today, she continues her mission as a co-organizer at Kathmandu Animal Save, where she plays a vital role in organizing outreach events and bearing witness actions.She also contributes significantly to the Ahimsa Festival Nepal, where her focus is on coordinating exhibitors and promoting vegan entrepreneurship. Through her work, she aims to inspire compassionate living and support the growth of a sustainable, cruelty-free economy.

Sila is a certified NLP Master Practitioner with a strong background in vegan advocacy and community organizing.Deeply committed to animal rights and veganism, she has actively participated in rallies, organized on-the-ground educational classes, and conducted seminars to raise awareness about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. She also supports and empowers vegan entrepreneurs through initiatives like vegan business cafes and plant-based product promotions, helping to build a thriving local vegan community. Her role at Ahimsa Festival Nepal involves ensuring the smooth operation of the entire event from coordinating logistics to supporting exhibitors and engaging attendees making sure the festival runs seamlessly and delivers a powerful message of compassion and conscious living.

After turning vegan more than 12 years ago, Dipesh felt compelled to take action beyond personal choice. He began giving school presentations on veganism and animal rights, delivering over 35 sessions across Kathmandu. As he connected with fellow vegans, he helped organize public outreach and street actions. For two years, he led local Anonymous for the Voiceless (AV) events, and in 2020, co-founded the Kathmandu Animal Save chapter. Since then, he has focused on grassroots organizing, education, and community-building to expand the animal rights movement in Nepal.

Beyond activism, Dipesh is a graphic designer and the founder of Lathi Strategy & Branding, a creative studio offering design solutions for mission-driven businesses. He has collaborated with local shelters, events, and vegan groups, combining creativity with advocacy.

Dipesh has spoken at regional and international events, including Vegan Festival Indonesia and Animal Alliance Asia Academy, and is proud to contribute as a strategy partner for the upcoming Ahimsa Festival Nepal 2082.

Samu Yonjan Rai is an activist at heart and a pioneering force in Nepal’s vegan movement. Starting out as a passionate vegan home cook, she transformed her commitment into action by founding Nepal’s first vegan restaurant creating not just a business, but a welcoming space for advocacy, education, and community-building.

As a strong supporter of the vegan movement in Nepal, she has consistently opened her space for events, meetups, and outreach initiatives, empowering others to learn, connect, and take action for animals, health, and the planet. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects her dedication to compassionate living and her vision for a kinder, more sustainable future.

Ayush Shrestha is a passionate advocate for ethical living, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism. As a licensed trekking guide, Ayush has successfully led a few group treks, combining his love for nature with his knowledge of Nepal’s trails and culture. His lifestyle is rooted in minimalism, reflecting his commitment to sustainability and intentional living. A dedicated vegan activist, Ayush co-founded We the Free in 2025, a movement focused on promoting compassion, animal rights, and ethical choices through street outreach and public engagement. He has actively participated in numerous vegan activism campaigns, using powerful conversations and data-driven advocacy to inspire change. Whether guiding travelers through majestic landscapes or standing on the streets for justice, Ayush brings purpose and authenticity to everything he does. His vision is to help create a world that respects all beings—human and non-human—and lives in harmony with nature.

Prakash Ajaat, 42, is a journalist and editor by profession, but at heart, he is a passionate advocate of nonviolence. He has previously held key editorial roles, including Opinion Editor at AnnapurnaPost.com, Desk Editor at Lokaantar.com, and Editor at NepalReaders.com. He currently serves as the Opinion Editor at Ukaalo.com.

A committed vegan for the past eight years, Ajaat proudly identifies as a rationalist, nonviolence advocate, and human rights defender. He frequently writes on these themes—and more—for the Nepali media.

Upasana Nembang is a lifelong vegetarian, a dedicated vegetarian activist, and a renowned actress in the Nepali film industry. She is studying master level of sociology and actively uses her voice and talent to promote compassion through art. She has acted in several vegetarian and vegan-themed songs and short films produced by activists. As a proud member of the Nepal Vegetarian Association, she continues to inspire others to embrace non-violence and ethical living.

Garima Gurung is a law graduate currently pursuing her LLM, inspired by a lifelong commitment to compassion for all beings. A vegetarian since birth and a vegan for nearly a decade, she dreams of using her legal knowledge to support animal rights through law and activism. She works as the Social Media Manager for Vegan Travel Asia and the VegVoyages Foundation, roles she initially took on with curiosity but has grown into with passion. As a member of Chitwan Animal Save, she contributes to the Save Movement’s initiatives whenever possible.

Garima’s belief in ethical living and peaceful coexistence with all sentient beings led her to volunteer with Ahimsa Festival Nepal 2082, where she manages the festival’s social media. For Garima, anything that promotes veganism and the message of “ahimsa” is worth being part of, and she’s always ready to help wherever she can.

Bibek Rajbanshi is a vegan advocate from Jhapa, Nepal, who manages social media for Ahimsa Festival Nepal. A college dropout who chose to follow his passion for content creation. Bibek has been vegetarian for five years and fully vegan for the past two. His journey into plant-based living stems from a deep love for animals and a commitment to living a more compassionate, ethical life. He believes that kindness and joy have the power to change hearts.

Through his work with Ahimsa Festival Nepal, Bibek spreads awareness about veganism and nonviolence, using social media as a powerful tool for advocacy and connection. His mission is simple: to inspire others to make kinder choices, bring happiness through creativity, and build a more loving world, one post, one laugh, and one act of compassion at a time.

Samikshya is an IT field student with a deep love for animals and a strong sense of justice when it comes to animal rights. She is inspired by the dedication of vegan individuals and influenced by their compassionate lifestyle. Passionate about promoting kindness, freedom, and ethical treatment for all animals, she envisions a world where technology and empathy go hand in hand. She actively advocates for justice through various programs and presentations, raising awareness about animal protection. Her goal is to blend her technical knowledge with her passion to create a more empathetic and informed world.

Manisha Khakurel is a lawyer and a dedicated volunteer at the Ahimsa Festival Nepal 2082. A long-time vegetarian with a strong sense of justice and fairness, she has always sought ways to advocate for the protection and rights of animals. Through her involvement in the festival, she is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause she deeply believes in. Guided by the principle of non-violence, Manisha uses her legal background to raise awareness about ethical and sustainable living.