DASNR
International
Student of the Week

Home Country: Nepal


Nepal , officially known, according to its Interim Constitution, as the State of Nepal (previously known as Kingdom of Nepal) is a landlocked nation in South Asia, bordering the People's Republic of China ( Tibet) to the north and India to the south, east and west. Nepal previously had been the world's only Hindu state, with over eighty percent of the people following this faith. However, since 18 May 2006, Nepal has become a secular state.

 

For a relatively small country, the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in the north. Nepal boasts eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city. The exact origin of the name Nepal is uncertain, but the most popular understanding is that it is derived from Ne (holy) and pal (cave).

 

After a long and rich history, during which the region has splintered and coalesced under a variety of absolute rulers, Nepal became a constitutional monarchy in 1990. This arrangement has been marked by increasing instability, both in the parliament and, since 1996, throughout large swathes of the country that have been fought over by Maoist insurgents. The Maoists have sought to overthrow the monarchy and establish their own form of republic; this has led to a civil war in which more than 12,000 people have died. On the pretext of quashing the insurgents, who now control about seventy percent of the country, the king unilaterally declared a "state of emergency" early in 2005, closing down the parliament and assuming all executive powers.

 

Agriculture sustains 76% of the population and accounts for about 39% of the GDP. Agricultural produce ——mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India—— includes rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Source: Wikepedia


Ajita Atreya

January 7, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Department of Agricultural Economics


This week’s international student of the week is Ajita Atreya from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. She is a first year Master's degree student in Agricultural Economics; she is doing research on pollution abatement. Ajita is involved in many different activities at OSU, she is a member of the Nepalese Student Association and the GPSGA representative of Agricultural Economics Graduate Organization.

In her free time Ajita likes to listen to music and to watch documentaries related to world issues. She also loves playing basketball, volleyball, and badminton.

Before Ajita came to the United States she worked a few months for a National Government Organization in Nepal. Then, she decided to come to the USA because she believes it is one of the best places to earn a higher degree. She knew about OSU programs through her friends who told her that the Ag. Economics Program is the best in the States.


Ajita’s future plans are to complete a Masters degree, enroll for a PhD and go back to Nepal to apply all the knowledge gathered here and find a job in a reputable international organization.

Ajita comes from a family of three children: two girls and one boy. Her father is a judge and her mother is a master trainer for the health sector. Her sister attends law school in Nepal and her brother is in high school.

 

Ajita in her national outfit when performing at cultural night 2007

 

Her advisor is Dr. Jeffrey D. Vitale

Advice for International Students: Ajita’s advice for international students, particularly those from the so called third world, is to: “try to explore every dimension of human success, and try to build up the similar kind of caliber in yourself”  

 

Interview by Sandra Rodriguez

 

Nepalese Temple

 

 

 

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