Q. How did the
Nepal Digest (TND) started and become
what it is today?
Ujjwal:
 Historically,
TND was started as an email magazine
by R.J. Singh from Illinois at the
dawn of democratic movement in Nepal
in 1989. Throughout 90s TND was the
only major source of news and a forum
for discussion for people (Nepali
and people interested in Nepal) abroad,
especially in the USA.
In 2003, TND transformed
to its current web-magazine format
with its own domain name (http://theNepalDigest.org)
and database supported website. This
necessary change was welcomed by thousands
of loyal readers whole-heartedly.
Currently, TND has registered more
than 4,000 subscribers and thousands
others who read it in the web.
Q. Being a not-for-profit
website, what challenges are you facing
to maintain and further develop the
website? How are you dealing with
those challenges?
Ujjwal:
 By
definition, being a not-for-profit
venture TND faces classical challenges
of any non-profits -limited financial
and manpower. Members of the TND team
have extensively volunteered their
time and effort to maintain and update
an extensive site like TND, which
has 15 years of achievements. To overcome
financial constraint [and to relieve
the direct burden on TND team], we
had recently appealed for donations,
which was enthusiastically responded
by its supporters bolstering TND financially
as well.
Q. Are there
any plans for major future changes
to the website?
Ujjwal:
 Yes,
few minor ones. Since 1989, when it
was first started, it has come a long
way to a form of dynamically generated
web-magazine with comments feature.
In future, it will also have components
for advanced search, a separate discussion
forum and possibly a news section
as well.
Q. Any suggestions
or last word, you want to give to
other not-for-profit organizations
or readers about the pros and cons
of maintaining an active website?
Ujjwal:
After the advent of
Internet, it is needless to say that
the entire globe can be reached on
your computer screen. Thus the importance
of maintaining a user-friendly website
for dissemination of information is
beyond expression. Clearly, the major
advantage of an active website is
the ability to reach a global audience
at a minimal cost. This is possible,
however, only with disciplined, dedicated,
and determined team and so its members.
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Ujjwal Bhattarai,
an engineer who is currently living
in New York with his wife and son,
always looks for ways to give back
to Nepal in every way possible. He
rejuvenated the 15-year-old 