14/01/2026
In the historic city of Bhaktapur, where tradition lives in every alleyway, fine arts student Dhiraj Manandhar noticed a quiet shift. Juju Dhau, the city’s iconic King of Yoghurt, was losing its authenticity as modern production replaced traditional ingredients with excessive sugar.
Determined to protect its essence, Dhiraj set out to revive traditional practices while reimagining how Juju Dhau could be presented to today’s consumers. His solution? Eco-friendly, culturally inspired packaging that honours heritage while embracing sustainability.
Through our In Our Hands (IOH) programme, Dhiraj gained global perspectives on branding, sustainability and business strategy, learning how to balance people, planet and profit, his idea has already sparked interest from other businesses.
More than a business, Dhiraj’s journey is a commitment to preserving culture through innovation. As he says, ‘Tradition must evolve to survive.’
Learn more about the In Our Hands programme: www.britishcouncil.org.np/reinventing-tradition-dhiraj-manandhar-and-new-identity-juju-dhau