Pokhara Hosts Half-Marathon, New Health Leadership, and Indian Tourism Delegation in Active September
Pokhara had an active September, with the fifth Right to Protein half-marathon drawing competitive results, Pokhara Health Sciences Institute appointing new academic and hospital leadership, an electric SUV debut, and a tourism familiarisation trip bringing Indian travel professionals to the Lakeside City as part of Nepal's drive to deepen ties with India's travel trade.
🤝 Fifth Edition of Right to Protein Pokhara Run Delivers Competitive Half-Marathon Results
The fifth edition of the Right to Protein Pokhara Run took place on September 20, 2026, with the half-marathon drawing competitive athletes from across the region, according to Tourism Times. In the men's category, Binod Rokaya won the race with a finishing time of one hour, seven minutes, and twenty seconds. Sushil Kumar Shahi finished second in the men's competition with a time of one hour, eight minutes, and five seconds — a close margin that made for a compelling finish between the two leading men's competitors. In the women's category, Nisha Sarki took first place with a time of one hour, twenty-one minutes, and forty-seven seconds. The event, now in its fifth year, has established itself as a fixture of Pokhara's sporting calendar and reflects the growing culture of competitive long-distance running in Nepal. The Right to Protein Pokhara Run, as its name signals, is associated with awareness around nutrition and the importance of adequate protein access — a theme with ongoing public health relevance in Nepal. The half-marathon distance is a widely contested format in road running, and the event draws both elite athletes and recreational participants. Pokhara's setting and logistical infrastructure continue to make it an increasingly popular venue for sporting events. Full results from the fifth edition were listed in the Tourism Times report. [2]
🏢 Changan NEVO Q05 Electric SUV Unveiled in Pokhara by MAW Vriddhi Autocorp
MAW Vriddhi Autocorp unveiled the Changan NEVO Q05 electric SUV in Pokhara, with the Ultra variant of the vehicle on display at the launch event, according to reporting in Ekantipur. The unveiling took place on Ashwin 4, 2083 in the Nepali calendar. The Changan NEVO Q05 is an electric SUV from Changan, and the Pokhara event marked the vehicle's introduction to the Nepali market through MAW Vriddhi Autocorp, the company responsible for bringing it to Nepal. The Ultra variant, presented at the Pokhara launch, represents one of the configurations available in the NEVO Q05 range. The event in Pokhara signals the city's growing role as a venue for automotive launches and product introductions alongside its established reputation as a tourism and commercial centre in western Nepal. The introduction of electric SUVs to the Nepali market reflects the broader regional trend of EV adoption in South Asia and the efforts of automotive distributors to expand the range of electric vehicles accessible to Nepali consumers. MAW Vriddhi Autocorp's decision to hold the NEVO Q05 launch in Pokhara positioned the city as an appropriate site for this addition to Nepal's growing electric vehicle market, complementing similar commercial activity taking place alongside the city's tourism and service economy. [4]
🎓 Pokhara Health Sciences Institute Appoints New Dean and Hospital Director
Pokhara Health Sciences Institute has announced the appointment of two senior academic and administrative leaders. Associate Professor Dr. David Shrestha has been named as Dean of the institute, while Associate Professor Dr. Jhapindra Pokharel has been appointed as Hospital Director, according to Ratopati. Both appointees hold the rank of Associate Professor, and their simultaneous appointment to the Dean and Hospital Director positions signals a coordinated leadership renewal at the institute. The appointment announcement emphasized a focus on increasing educational standards at Pokhara Health Sciences Institute — a stated priority for the incoming leadership team. The institute serves a dual function as both an educational institution training health professionals and a hospital providing clinical services to patients in the Pokhara region and broader Gandaki Province. The roles of Dean and Hospital Director together shape both the academic mission and the clinical operations of the institution. Associate Professor Dr. David Shrestha's appointment as Dean places him in charge of the institute's academic programs and standards, while Associate Professor Dr. Jhapindra Pokharel's role as Hospital Director focuses on healthcare delivery. The appointments were reported by Ratopati as significant developments in the governance of one of Gandaki Province's important medical and educational institutions, with the stated emphasis on improving educational quality pointing to the direction the new leadership intends to take. [5]
🏢 Pokhara Resort Hosts Indian Travel and Media Delegation Under #NepalCalling Initiative
Centara Collection's Himalayan Hideaway Resort in Pokhara hosted a group of Indian travel and media professionals for a three-night, four-day familiarisation trip beginning September 10, as part of the #NepalCalling initiative, according to Nepali Times. The familiarisation trip brought India's travel trade representatives into direct contact with one of Pokhara's prominent hospitality properties, with the aim of strengthening connections between Nepal's tourism industry and the Indian travel and media sector. The #NepalCalling initiative is designed to connect India's travel trade with Nepal as a destination, and the Pokhara visit formed one component of that broader outreach effort. Familiarisation trips are an established tool in destination marketing, giving travel agents, tour operators, and media professionals firsthand experience of a destination they then promote to their clients and audiences. Centara Collection's Himalayan Hideaway Resort served as the host venue for the visiting group, providing an immersive experience of Pokhara's hospitality sector and mountain setting. India is among the most significant sources of international visitors for Nepal, making direct and sustained engagement with India's travel trade a strategic priority for the Nepali tourism industry. The September 10 visit, as reported by Nepali Times, represents one part of the ongoing #NepalCalling campaign to position Nepal — and Pokhara specifically — in the minds of Indian travel professionals as a leading destination for their clients. [7]
Sources: [2] The Tourism Times · [4] Ekantipur · [5] Ratopati · [7] Nepali Times