Keep patience and give continuity: Suman Kharel

Shushila Dhami

Introduction

Suman Kharel is one of the famous journalist and media person who is better known as the news presenter of BBC. A man of versatile personality he is also the lyricist. Many listeners and viewers love his voice and presentation.

Family and childhood

 He was born on Bhadra 2017B.S.in Trisuli, Nuwakot, Nepal. He is the son of the famous lyricist Kiran Kharel. His mother is Usha Kharel. He is the eldest son of his family. He has two brothers and one sister. They live in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. During pregnancy, his mother Usha Kharel had gone to her parental home in Trishuli, where Suman was born. He spent most of his childhood at Trishuli. When he grew up, his parents brought him to Kathmandu for studies. He was placed in a hostel at a prestigious school in Godavari. During long holidays, he used return to his maternal home in Nuwakot. He loved the village and his friends back there. Mostly he used to play football, swimming, baseball etc. He still remembers those days: “we really enjoyed playing football. At that time, we used to call football ‘vakundo’ . When the vacations came I used to become more excited to go to Mamaghar.”

Education

He received his basic education at one of the famous school of Kathmandu St. Xavier's  School and completed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) from Padmodaya Madhyamik  Vidhyalaya. Later, he joined H.A in Tribhuvan University and got his Certificate from Institute of Medicine. After that, his parents suggested him to go to Russia for further study because they wanted him to be a doctor. But he didn’t go there. Because of his interest in media he started to work in Radio Nepal and also started his study in English literature in Tribhuvan University. He later passed his  Master’s Degree in English Literature from Tribhuvan University.

Married Life and Family

Suman Kharel got married at the age of 24 with Situ Rimal, daughter of singers Kalyan Rimal and Biju Rimal. Situ Rimal is a cvery good singer of Nepal. Suman Kharel has two children. They are Smarika Kharel and Sumiran Kharel. He is living a happy life with his sweet wife and children.

Interest

 He was interested in journalism since childhood. He wanted to join radio so, he didn’t go abroad to study medicine. His parents didn’t want him to join radio. He said that his parents didn’t support his decision to join the radio in the initial phase because it didn’t seem to have a secure future in those days. The passion for presenting the program in radio was much greater in him. He always wanted to earn name. So, he did insist in joining radio.

Opportunity and Career

He joined Radio Nepal in 2041-07-21 B.S. as a Program Presenter. After finishing his Master's Degree, he started teaching in Peoples' College and Patan College. He used to read news in Radio Nepal in the evening shift and present some private sponsored programs.Also he was the editor in a Research Institute called Krisi Aayojana Sewa Kendra. At that time he was extremely busy. He was engaged in four different sectors. He earned so many fans from his voice and program. So the passion towards journalism increased day by day.

In 1992 an opportunity knocked the door of Suman Kharel. BBC approached him to work with them. The dream came true and he went to the London. He started his BBC London journey in 23 January 1992 by reading the news from BBC London studio. The days were very struggling and opportunity to learn as well. He produced so many famous program there. He gave emphasis to social related issues on his program. He remembers that starting days were little more difficult. After his entry, within few months, he had to do simultaneous translation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's live interview. BBC World Service aired the interview in English and they had to do simultaneous translation immediately for the Nepali Service. It was memorable for him. He produced so many programs there. Then in 1998 he returned in Nepal and operated Smarika Media Centre. It was the only radio/ tv training center at that time.

After the Royal massacre, BBC called him back to begin the dawn transmission and thus he re-joined the BBC in 2001. In his time he produced so many programs. One of the historical event is he took the interview of Prachanda for the first time. Some of his famous series are Dwandako Dashak; Aparichit Patra; Anautho Byatha; Euta Katha Zindagiko; and  The most popular song of the world. These series were liked and appreciated by many listeners and media persons. He tried to take new angles in journalism. He also started to give the space for art and literature, sport and environment in news. So, he was one of the versatile journalist of Nepal. In 30 Oct 2015 he took early retirement from BBC and came back to Nepal.

After returning to Nepal he started an interview program ‘Suman Sanga’ in Kantipur Television from May 2016, which has become one of the popular programs of Nepal. He is also working as the News Editor in BFBS Gorkha Radio.

Beside journalism

Suman Kharel is a lyricist as well. He has composed many Nepali songs. The songs composed by him are sung by Taradevi, Ombikram, and Situ Rimal etc. ‘Sabda Bina Rachiyaki’ is the famous song written by him from the album “Smarika”. The song is dedicated to his disabled daughter Smarika and is sung by his wife Situ. He has also composed songs for the album “Batas Sangai” sung by his wife Situ Rimal. In 2041 he had written a full act play “Aaghat”. And recently he had written the book “Radio Yatra” about his experiences.

Achievement

Suman Kharel is a multi-talented personality. He was awarded Bindabasini Kala Patrakarita Samman in 2073 B.S..He is very popular among the listeners and viewers.

“My attraction and interest towards radio is to make some change in the society. During this course, I have been able to gain a lot of appreciation, care and love. Life is all about struggle and patience. Everyone has to struggle and do their work continuously. That one thing which I like about myself is that I enjoy doing my work.” Says Kharel.