Sonam Sherpa, Manushi Bhattarai, Diwesh Bothra Jain, Aayushi KC, and Asish Thakur are the young Nepalese leaders representing Nepal at the “Gen Next Democratic Network” in New Delhi, India from May 20 – to May 29. They are part of the second group of young leaders under the age of 35, being hosted by India. Young leaders from Bangladesh, Brunei, Ghana, Norway, and Peru are also at the event.

The first group that was hosted in November last year was from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Chile, Japan, Indonesia, and Zambia.

Gen Next Democratic Network is a new initiative and the event is planned by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which deals with policies relating to India’s external cultural relations.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of ICCR at a press conference back then said on record, “We will be celebrating Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav by emphasizing India’s rich democratic traditions. We are establishing, Gen Next Democratic Network as a program in which we are inviting young leaders below the age of 35 from 75 different democracies.”