From a singer to a diplomat

Dr. Anjan Shakya, an accomplished woman with diverse talents, shares her remarkable journey as a singer, writer, diplomat, social worker, and television news reader. Known for her soft-spoken nature, intelligence, and unwavering dedication, Dr. Shakya has made significant contributions to various fields throughout her life.

From a young age, Dr. Shakya developed a passion for music and sports while growing up in Kathmandu’s bustling New Road area. Over the years, she has released numerous music albums, including six solo albums, and has recorded over 100 songs, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the Nepalese music industry.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Dr. Shakya has been actively involved with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce for over a decade and a half. During this time, she played a pivotal role in promoting women’s entrepreneurship and empowering women through economic initiatives. Her visionary leadership led to the establishment of the Nepal Women’s Chamber, an organization that has provided a platform for hundreds of female entrepreneurs across the nation and she became the founding President of the organization. Dr. Shakya firmly believes that without proper representation for women in various sectors, including business and industries, a country cannot achieve progress and economic prosperity.

Beyond her involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, she has tirelessly advocated for the recognition and advancement of women entrepreneurs, bringing them to the forefront on the chamber’s platform. Her passion for teaching also led her to dedicate about a decade of her life to instructing at Padmakanya Campus in Baghbazar, Kathmandu. Additionally, she served as a Anchor for Radio Nepal and News Reader for Nepal Television, contributing her skills to the field of broadcasting.

Dr. Shakya’s entrepreneurial spirit further manifested in her role as the managing director of Zeal Media, an organization responsible for producing advertisements for various entities. She has also authored and edited around a dozen books, including works on Vision on Foreign Affairs, Nepal- China relations, Nepal-India relations, Nepal-Israel relations etc. showcasing her expertise in foreign policy and research related to international affairs.

After completing her PhD, she dedicated herself in the field of management, foreign policy and research works related with foreign affairs. She was appointed as the Deputy Executive Director at Institute of Foreign Affairs, where she worked for six years. During her tenure as the Nepalese ambassador to Israel under the CPN-UML-led government, she worked tirelessly to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Notably, she faced a challenging situation during the COVID-19 pandemic while endeavoring to bring relief materials from Israel to Nepal. Despite encountering difficulties in securing an aircraft for the airlift, Dr. Shakya’s perseverance paid off, and she successfully arranged for the transportation of the collected relief goods onboard a Nepal Airlines aircraft. Reflecting on the ordeal, she recalls the emotional toll it took on her, as she even found herself on the verge of tears when her repeated efforts initially failed.

Addressing unfounded rumors, Dr. Shakya firmly refutes claims that her appointment as the ambassador to Israel was due to any personal connections, specifically denying any relation to former Prime Minister and CPN-UML chief K.P. Oli. She emphasizes that such allegations are baseless and without merit.

Dr. Shakya’s inspiring journey, marked by her multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication, serves as a shining example for aspiring individuals across various fields. Her contributions to music, diplomacy, women’s empowerment, and foreign affairs have left an indelible impact, further cementing her position as an exceptional figure in Nepalese society.