Dr. Nigam Paudel

01/01/2026

Happy 2026! 🎊

2025 taught me more through places than through plans. Living in a new city has shown me how differently societies move politics, universities, work culture, community life, even silence. One place runs on struggle and emotion, the other on systems and structure. You learn quickly that progress doesn’t look the same everywhere, but learning never stops if you’re paying attention.

Chasing dreams at home or abroad changes you. You gain discipline, perspective, and opportunity, but you also give things up. Distance reshapes priorities. Life becomes less about showing and more about becoming. Moments feel personal. Growth feels quieter.

I miss people. I miss the good that comes with every place I’ve lived. And while every place carries its own challenges and beauty, what matters most is staying rooted in values: service, integrity, and compassion for the communities we come from and the ones that take us in. I’ve learned to carry the positives forward, not hold onto them.

Stepping into 2026, I wish us all clarity over chaos, purpose over noise, and the courage to keep walking wherever life has placed us without forgetting who we are and who we walk for. 🙏

07/12/2025

I couldn’t resist sharing this. 🏆

14/11/2025

Yesterday was my birthday.

I hadn’t planned to celebrate. Initially, I didn’t want a gathering. I didn’t want to think too much about it, didn’t have anything in mind to make it “special,” or to be self-conscious about it, as I sometimes am. And yet, somehow, the day became unexpectedly significant and special. There’s a beauty in that feeling, the kind that comes when you aren’t expecting anything at all. Expectation, I’ve realized, can sometimes be the cruelest thief of joy.

This birthday, I felt seen. I felt blessed. And it wasn’t about the day itself, but about the people around me. My parents, far away, separated for a while now which feels like years (and years) and by miles, still made sure to give me the best blessings in the world (blessings are always the best, but I hope you understand what I mean when I say the best.). Them doing what they do best, ringing me from bed first thing in the morning, offering prayers and bhog. Their presence, even from afar, made the day feel sacred.

Then, there was my manager at work, who made the impossible seem simple. On the eve of my birthday, she surprised me with a big flowering plant, a box of chocolates, and a beautiful card. In a place where life is relentlessly busy, where minutes slip by without even noticing lunch, where demands never pause, someone stopping to think of you… that’s rare. That gesture alone made me feel extraordinary.

The day itself held its own style. There was the mandatory midnight cake which, to be honest, I don't know if I liked it, but can't mention that here. LOL. Then, a birthday morning coffee, unhurried, and peaceful, with my favorite person. No pressure. No expectations. No judgment. Just freedom to be myself. Watching that person go above and beyond, doing everything with a smile, with energy, with love… It was enough, truly.

A few messages trickled in, lighting up my phone just enough. I realized I prefer this now, being quietly celebrated, with genuine wishes rather than an overwhelming flood of social media notifications, which I absolutely used to enjoy once. And this is important, even when my best friend didn’t remember to wish me, it didn’t sting the way it once might have. That’s growth, I think: understanding that someone’s presence through life’s thick and thin matters far more than lil slips of memory. Forgiveness comes easy when it matters, and this birthday reminded me of that.

Evening brought another layer of joy: a small, intimate gathering, thoughtful gifts, who wouldn't like gifts, each one a reflection of some love and care, not in number but in meaning and a few surprises that lit up my heart. But one moment stood above the rest. A gift from my favourite person, any thoughtful gift from a special person is precious, but this one… this was something I know I wouldn’t have afforded for a couple of years at least. And yet, it wasn’t about the price. It was the intention. The thought. The importance and emotion wrapped in it. That kind of love humbles you. That kind of effort makes you pause and feel blessed in the deepest way. Thank you for everything you do, for everything you are.

And thank you to everyone who played a part in making this birthday special.
Thank you to every soul I’ve met in my life so far, you all, in ways big or small, have contributed to the person I am today. I carry a piece of each of you with me.

What I learned yesterday, perhaps what life quietly teaches as we grow, is that joy isn’t in grandeur or expectation. It’s in the little, genuine gestures. In being seen and loved. In freedom to be yourself. In the hearts that hold you even when distance, time, or circumstance keeps you apart.

Yesterday wasn’t just a birthday. It was a gentle reminder: life, and the people who walk it with us, are the real gifts. ❤️✌️

16/09/2025

Reflecting on Nepal’s Historic and Painful Week

I didn’t write or post anything during the recent turmoil in Nepal, not because I didn’t want to, but because there were already countless voices, spreading truth and misinformation at the same time.

Now that things have settled a little, I feel it’s time to reflect, to learn, and to correct.

What my country Nepal, witnessed last week was devastating, something we have never seen before.

Our generation has already lived through too many turning points: the political revolutions including the recent People’s Movement 2006, the massive earthquake 2015, and the global pandemic that shut the world down 2019. We’ve seen a monarchy, we’ve seen Nepal as a Hindu kingdom, we’ve experienced a modern republic, and now, we are witnessing GenZ choosing a non-political person stepping into the role of Prime Minister.

First, the youth of Nepal have once again sacrificed the most. On the very first day, 19 young lives were lost at the hands of the government. How terrible must a system be if it silences its own future with bullets? Within 30 hours of protest, we saw the government and the entire political structure collapse. My heartfelt condolences go to those beautiful souls who gave their lives for the country, and strength to their grieving families.

Generation Z flooded the streets across the country, setting fire to politicians’ houses in outrage. To the Nepal Army, who once again stood staunchly for the people. To the Hon President of Nepal, who navigated this unimaginable time with steady hands, without his guardianship, we could not imagine where the country might have fallen. For both, “thank you” from all of us.

Second, amid this tragedy, Nepal saw its first female Prime Minister, a moment that should have been the greatest celebration. But how could we only celebrate while more than 70 lives were lost, and while the parliament, the historic Singha Durbar, and many other symbols of our national pride were burnt to ashes? Even so, we must acknowledge and celebrate the courage of our First Female Prime Minister who stood at such a difficult time. May you shine through this storm, and lead our nation through to progress.

We are also beginning to see new faces at the ministerial level, candidates chosen for their expertise rather than for loyalty to a corrupt system. For too long, ministers were handpicked under influence and old power games. We were all tired of the politics revolving around those three crooks who are now cowering in hiding. Now it feels different. This is renewal. This is accountability. A reminder to the world that corruption is not acceptable and that the people can and will rise against it.

Third, in the darkness, there were sparks of hope. Generation Z showed us what transparency looks like, openly nominating their candidate for Prime Minister. Putting discord aside, I saw this as a mini version of choosing a directly elected leader, a glimpse of the collective will of the people. On the other side, tourists were respected and protected in the middle of chaos, a reminder of the resilience and humanity that live in the heart of Nepalese people.

The moment also raised questions. Why did so few candidates step forward for the post of Prime Minister? Do we not have capable leaders in Nepal? Living abroad, I see every day how Nepalese excel globally, thriving in academics, technology, health, entrepreneurship, and governance. We are not short of capable minds; what we lack is a system that embraces them. This storm has shown us that the time has come to create space for these capable Nepali leaders to lead at home.

And perhaps most beautifully, we are seeing Nepali youths return to the streets after the protests not with rage, but with brooms and helping hands tidying, repairing, rebuilding alongside the government and police. The world looked on in amazement: How can a nation so wounded still find the strength to heal itself? The answer is simple. That is who we are. That is what it means to be a Nepali.

This movement is painful, but it is also a light of hope, hope for political stability, growth, and opportunity. Hope for safeguarding the future of our youth. Hope for generations yet to come.

Living away from home during such a moment is never easy. Like the many Nepalese scattered across the world, perhaps a quarter of our population, I carry both pride and pain in my heart, wishing I could stand alongside my people in person.

To those who checked in on us during this time, thank you. A simple word of concern means the world.

We are not eternal, and our time has already begun. Wherever we are in the world, may we work together toward peace, harmony, and unity.

Nigam P.

Photo: Abhishek Maharjan

06/08/2025

Helping people and leaders reach their true potential and become the best version of themselves, coaching is one of the most powerful tools.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a coaching workshop, well, I am lucky to have a manager like Caroline, who booked me into this training. Understanding the importance of learning, growth and a healthy workplace environment is one thing and putting this into practice is another. The workshop gave me an opportunity to reflect, unlearn a few, and reset the way I’m leading my team at my workplace.

I have been into leadership positions for a long time, and managing diverse teams but I must admit that i didn't think i would need to relearn and unlearn on this front. It’s true that the world is changing so quickly, and also is the fact that now leading a team in a different country, culture, and sector altogether, I realise even more how important it is to adapt and grow.

Coaching is not just about guiding others, it's about creating a self-regulating, sustainable culture where growth is constant and future leaders are nurtured. As someone who's delivered and attended many training sessions over the years, this one was a special reminder to myself: I grow when I help others grow.

02/08/2025

A Moment of Cultural Connection 🇳🇵🇦🇺

On April 14th, 2025, I walked in with no plan, just a quiet urge to share a piece of my culture. What unfolded that morning turned into one of the most spontaneous and heartwarming cultural experiences I’ve had since moving to Australia.

I wrote this story a while ago, kept it to myself, but today felt like sharing it. Maybe you’ve had similar moments, where a little moment turning out to be meaningful. Maybe this will remind you of your own story of culture, or someone else’s you once embraced. Either way, hope you'll like it.

https://drnigampaudel.com.np/how-i-welcomed-nepali-new-year-to-australia/

On April 14th, 2025, I celebrated my first Nepali New Year in Australia, and I did it entirely on a whim. As I oversee the recreational and wellbeing department at my workplace in a multicultural residential community, I must keep my brain working to come up with exciting, engaging and fun methods a...

20/07/2025

It was a pleasure working with Rob and City of Marion to bring this beautiful story to life, ‘From Garbage to Garden’. 🌱💚

The video highlights simple, powerful ways to reduce food waste at home championed by the vibrant Nepali-Australian community right here in South Australia.

Grateful for the opportunity to contribute through translation work and help make this message accessible to a broader audience. Awareness and inclusion go hand-in-hand and I always find myself happy supporting initiatives that strengthen our communities and promote sustainable living.

Full story: https://youtu.be/aKm7OmNUFlQ?si=EslE01gvUkuVhW4A

06/06/2025

📗Thrilled to Share!

The Handbook of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine (Vol. 6: Education, Practice and Research Around the World) is now available for pre-order through Routledge CRC Press!

I’m incredibly pleased to have contributed to this global volume as a principal author of Chapter 6: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Nepal, alongside team of experts in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, and Homeopathy; Dr. Puneshwor Keshari, Dr. Janak Bahadur Basnet, Dr. Prem Narayan Srivastav, and Dr. Ravi Shankar.

This chapter offers a critical and comprehensive insight into the CAM landscape in Nepal, its roots, practices, educational structures, and evolving role in the healthcare system.

Grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growing global discourse on integrative and alternative health systems.

🔗 https://www.routledge.com/Handbook-of-Complementary-Alternative-and-Integrative-Medicine-Education-Practice-and-Research-Vol6-Education-Practice-and-Research-Around-the-World/Al-Worafi/p/book/9781032358192

Presenting information on more than 30 countries, this book addresses Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine (CAM) education, practice, and research issues, and regulations and laws, prevalence, and workforce issues, among other topics. It is Volume 6 of six that describe the educatio....

07/05/2025

A Decade of Dedication 🎉
My Note as the Founder of Team NEPO

Today marks a milestone I never imagined I’d witness when I got the registration certificate of Team NEPO for the first time. That moment came after nearly six years of grassroots work we did, long before we were ever officially recognized. And now, here we are… celebrating 10 years.

It’s hard to put into words what this moment means to me. Team NEPO has never been just an organization. It is my heart. It is the spirit of a community that believed change was possible and made it happen.

Through these ten years, we’ve faced our share of challenges, but we never stopped. We dreamed, we designed, we delivered for the community and with the community.

Every single person I’ve met on this journey, every member, volunteer, partner, supporter, and beneficiary, you are the reason we made it here. You are the heroes behind every impact story. God bless you all.

Every single team member I closely worked with, starting with my classmates, to those starting district chapters, district team members, provincial coordinators to board members and of course our advisors, you are the living soul of Team NEPO. Your unwavering energy and belief in our mission inspire me daily. To those who walked with us in the past, your footprints are still guiding us forward. The communities we serve, you are the reason we exist.

Today is not just a celebration of the past. It’s a renewal of our responsibility. As we step into the next chapter, we carry with us a deeper commitment to serve, to lead with love, and to create lasting change. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Here’s to dreaming bigger, serving stronger, and making greater change, together.

With immense gratitude,
Nigam
🙏

🌲📚⛑️🙋‍♂️

10/09/2023

Creating hope through action on World Su***de Prevention Day 🌍🎗

Su***de is a global health concern, a pressing issue. Each year, over 700,000 people lose their lives to su***de, and the ripple effect touches countless more. The "Creating Hope Through Action" campaign by the IASP is a powerful reminder that we hold the key to hope and our actions can save lives. Urgent, collective action is necessary to reduce these devastating losses. Su***de is a difficult issue to address, but by reaching out and offering support, we let those in pain know that hope exists. Even a little gesture can be a lifeline to someone battling darkness.

This ***dePreventionDay, let's stand together, spread awareness and take action to prevent su***de.

***dePrevention
***dePreventionDay2023

20/08/2023

And now the Champions of Leagues Cup 2023 🏆🎉 scoring in every game he played for Inter Miami CF, Lionél Messi gets his 44th trophy to become the most decorated player in football history! Wowww 🤩⚽️🏆🇺🇸🇦🇷

05/08/2023

Everybody needs somebody, to say ‘YOU CAN DO IT’ at some point of time in our lives. Yes or no? 🤔