In an era where the digital landscape is continuously expanding and podcasts are becoming one of the popular mediums for engagement, Nepal is leaving no stone unturned to make a mark with one such podcast. "Ink & Insights with Sumit Sharma Sameer" is an incredible Nepal-based podcast in the English language which has filled up the gap between global thought leaders and Nepali audiences.
Catching the global trend, the number of podcast shows in Nepal has been rising, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these podcasts cater to local interests, but the Ink & Insights stands out for having invited a galaxy of well-known global personalities and thinkers, making a strong presence of Nepal-based podcasts on the global podcasting map. Hosted by award-winning author and political analyst Sumit Sharma Sameer, it's a platform from where thought leaders from across the world share their perspectives. From Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners to internationally recognized experts, each episode of this podcast is raising Nepal's profile in the global digital space.
Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences 2024 Professor Simon Johnson, Nobel Laureate Sir Richard J. Roberts, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kai Bird, world-renowned philosopher Dr. Peter Adamson and climate laureate Dr. Katherine Hayhoe are some of the high-profile guests to have appeared on the podcast. Indian economist and Advisor to the Government of India, Dr. Sanjeev Sanyal, Canadian economist Dr. Jack Mintz, former Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Vikash Swarup, celebrated fiction author Amish Tripathi and mythologist Devdutta Pattanaik are also among the influential guests to appear on the podcast. These discussions, airing once a week, range from current economic issues and global challenges to literature, religion and philosophy.
Sumit says the mission of his podcast is two-fold: to take Nepali podcasts onto the global platform by hosting renowned personalities from across the world and to link up Nepal's rising entrepreneurs, artists and leaders with the global audience. With this, Sumit does more than amplify voices in Nepal; he fosters meaningful cross-cultural conversations that will strengthen connections across the globe. One of the featured podcasts of the series was with Sir Richard J. Roberts on his Nobel Prize-winning research, human-bacteria relationships, and the future of molecular biology. It is from these insightful interactions that not only illustrate global topics but also give listeners in Nepal a reason to feel proud that they are hearing such renowned people converse with a Nepali host.
Sumit’s credentials add to the credibility of this podcast. An alumnus of the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, and Queen's University, Canada, he is an internationally and nationally recognized reputed political analyst and commentator. His maiden novel, Wake Up Ali…Wake Up Now, fetched him the KLF Book Award 2022, making him a thought leader himself. The podcast has already received quite some attention in national and international media; its episodes are shared by the likes of the London School of Economics and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With this, "Ink & Insights" presents an exciting opportunity for the landscape of podcasts to continue growing in Nepal. 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences perhaps thus stated during an interview, “I’ll tell the world about you and your program, how well-informed you are.”
Notably, this podcast series not only provides a space for high-caliber conversations but also serves as an avenue to elevate Nepal's image on the global map. For budding Nepali entrepreneurs, artists and thinkers, this podcast is an opening to global recognition, with the country coming full circle as a hub for global dialogue and intellectual exchange. Sumit says he does not see his podcast as an art of content creation but a medium to create a new narrative in which Nepal would no longer remain an outsider in global conversations, but a very vital participant to shape up the future. As digital media continues to dominate, we can only hope that other creators based in Nepal rise to match the global aspirations of "Ink & Insights." Time will tell, but for now, Sameer's podcast stands as a testament to the power of digital media in transcending borders and shaping global conversation.