This document contains the responses of Barsha Moktan, a Nepalese-American dentist, to various questions about her background, career goals, views on social issues, and advice for others. Some of her key points are: she is pursuing her career as a dentist while representing Nepali culture as a Miss Nepal USA finalist; her long-term goal is to work for underserved communities in Nepal; and she believes that embracing one's identity and following one's dreams are important for success as a Nepalese-American.

1. Questions:
a. Tell us little bit about yourself.
- My name is Barsha Moktan. I just graduated with my
bachelors degree in biology and will be attending Temple
Kornberg School of Dentistry to pursue my career as a
dentist. I believe that life is not about getting what you
want but its about loving what you have!
b. How's life different now from one before hearing about
Miss Nepal USA?
-It hasn't been much different but as a finalist for Miss
Nepal USA, I certainly feel more responsible as I am
representing my country.
3. Are you enjoying the process?
- I am loving every bit of it ! I mean finding sponsors and
things is pretty challenging but it’s a great way to learn
how to reach out in the community and convince them.
Besides, the amount of love and support I have received
from my friends and family is certainly overwhelming.
6. Do you have suggestions for young Nepalese-
Americans growing up here for a great future ahead?
Just embrace who you are and follow your dreams !
Especially as a Nepalese- American you have the benefit
of viewing this world from two different perspectives so
take advantage !Hard work and faith in yourself never

2. fails.
8. You have accomplished so much at such a young age.
What’s your long term plan?
- I still have so much more to do. I am starting dental
school from this Fall 2012. So, for the next four years my
education will be my primary focus. But along with that, I
would like to continue working with the Nepali
community to preserve our very rich and diverse culture.
Becoming a dentist is just one of my career goals, it is just
a step towards what I actually want to do. My long term
plan is to work for the benefit and development of
underserved community members in Nepal.
12. What kind of positive developments would you like to
see in Nepal in next 2-5 years?
- As I have mentioned in my article, Nepal is full of
potential so it would be great to see some of the resources
being utilized within the next 2-5 years. Particularly, with
all the destruction and loss that is going on for the road
construction projects, it would be nice to see these roads
running within the next couple of years.
16. Who inspires you the most?
It is not just one particular person who inspires me. I
usually get inspired by certain things they do. I can get
inspired by legendary personalities like Mahatma Gandhi
and Albert Einstein to some random lady I met at the

3. grocery store. They all inspire me in their own particular
way.
2. What made you interested in the fashion industry?
- I believe that Miss Nepal USA is much more that just a
fashion industry. Fashion, certainly is a significant part of
it and I undoubtedly enjoy all the fashion perks that
comes along with as well.
4. What do you think about the current situation in Nepal?
-In this current situation, Nepal's government is in a
junction where it is almost impossible to predict, analyze
or even comment on what is going on or what will
happen. Although we have a lot of highly capable and
experienced leaders, Everyone is too caught up in their
personal opinion or their partie's principles that they are
unwilling to compromise or collaborate with each other.
So, we are lacking something that is very significant for a
county to run smoothly, Unity !
6.What would you suggest Nepalese Americans do to
contribute for the well being of Nepal?
There are several non-profit organizations out there
involved in helping Nepal. So if all the Nepalese
Americans can associate with these organization and
invest even very little time and money, it can make a
major contribution to Nepal.

4. Your message to Nepalese Americans.
Stay untited ! As a Nepali no matter where we are we
should stick together and support each others regardless
of our caste or belief. We can't expect expect a National
Unity in the country without starting it at a local level.
7. How do you think the world can be made a better place
for future generations?
-I believe that the world can be a better place for the
future generation only if this generation shows them the
right path. We have to plant the seed now in order to
receive the fruit in future.
7. What do you think makes an ideal woman?
- All these years we have believed a woman is someone
who is weak, naïve and dependent but today in this 21st
century, Women are strong, powerful, independent and
yet loving, caring and nurturing at the same time. An ideal
women is someone who is capable of taking care of their
family, the society ,the whole world !
8.Do you think Nepalese government is doing what it
should do for the welfare of the people?
- I am saying this with much sorrow but Nepal doesn’t
have a legitimate government at this time so I don’t see

5. any possibilities of welfare for the people without its
existence. They need to work on forming a stable
government so they can focus on other issues that would
benefit the people.
9.What do you suggest other people who have similar
passion to help people but haven't gotten to doing it?
-I am sure there are many people out there who are
willing to help people.Help doesn’t necessarily have to be
something major, everyone can help in their own way
small or big. If you show your true interest there will be
plenty of opportunities out there where you can get
involved in different ways.
10. What do you think CONSISTS of a successful man?
Like David Brinkly said, a successful man is someone
who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have
thrown at him. If a man is capable of using his obstacles
as a tool to move forward, he sure will be successful in
anything !
15. What are the major responsibilities in your line of
work?
As a future dentist, I have both legal and ethical
obligations in providing the best health care to my
patients. Apart from abiding by their clinical needs, it is
also very significant for me to be capable of
understanding and accommodating those needs with their

6. personal situation as well.
18. How do you want to be remembered (after you are
gone from this world)?
I don't want people to remember me, I want them to
remember my work and contribution I have done for
them. I know it takes a lot of hard work, compassion,
determination and luck to be able to earn that but
hopefully I will be capable of contributing something for
the people that they will remember.
4. What do you find particularly interesting about
American life?
One particular thing that I find interesting about American
life is "The rule of law". It is incredible to see how the
laws are being implemented and followed and how there
are consequenses you have to come across if done
otherwise.
10. What’s the major barrier for you in interacting with
Americans?
In a country where 98% of the population is immigrants
or decendents of immigrants, there shouldn’t be any sort
of barrier in interacting with each other because as a
Nepali,you are just representing another branch of the
tree.

7. 15. What do you do when you are not busy with your
regular work?
- Whenever I am free, I am involved with the Nepalese
community in Philadelphia in organizing various events
or functions in the area. Although, this still takes time and
effort its a great way for me to be connected with my
community members. Other than that, I love watching
movies and going on long drives with my all time favorite
songs playing !
(Barsha Moktan is from Sinduli and a member of Sindhu
society of USA. She is a dentist by profession and lives in
Pennsylvania. )