Nepali Times

Rishi Dhamala: New Year brings new hopes and messages. So I thought it would be the perfect time to start a new life.

How did you two meet?

RD: I saw her at a program organised by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party where she was accompanying her mother Gita Gautam. I liked the way she looked and behaved.

To fall for someone at first sight you must have thought about your ideal girl a lot then?

RD: She is everything I ever dreamt of. Look at her, she is considerate, understanding, perfect - beauty with brains.

How did you approach her?

Aliza Gautam: He talked to my mother.

RD: When it comes to marriage, families should be involved. It should be with the consent of the parents. I don’t have time to fall in love. Rishi Dhamala doesn’t have that much time to take a girl to a restaurant or a park. Let’s just put it like this - I don’t have time to date.

What is the age difference between the two of you?

Rishi Dhamala: 17 years.

Since there is a big age gap, did you ever worry that you might not get along or understand each other?

AG: No. It all happened all of a sudden. But whatever happened was for the good. Not everyone is lucky to have such a well known husband.

RD: She has a positive attitude and doesn’t let it bother her. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to love.

What sort of wife is Aliza?

RD: She is understanding and considerate. For a person like Rishi Dhamala who cannot give a lot of time to his personal life she is unbelievably understanding.

How is Rishi Dhamala as a husband?

AG: He is busy most of the time, but he still calls and texts me. And that is one thing I like about him.

Tell us about his daily routine.

AG: He wakes up in the morning and does yoga, drinks a glass of hot water, and leaves then comes home for dinner at 11 or 12 at night.

Have you made any changes to your schedule after marriage?

RD: No. Friends on facebook and twitter said my routine would definitely change after marriage, but I haven’t let it affect my schedule.

Don’t you think you are depriving your wife of quality time together just to prove others wrong?

RD: No, not really. Even though I am not there I have managed everything for her. If people want, they can make time for everything. She knows that although I cannot be by her side all the time, I belong to her and I am hers alone.

How often do you go shopping?

AG: Very regularly. I shop for him as well.

RD: Her choice is really good. She buys me beautiful clothes just like herself. I feel happy wearing beautiful clothes bought by a beautiful person.

She made a good choice - she chose you.

RD: Yes, she chose me. Otherwise she could’ve turned down the proposal when her mother talked to her. Initially I thought I’d never get married but when I met her, she had a certain effect on me and it was wonderful to have the blessings of her family.

Actually no one thought I would get married. When senior leaders like Prachanda, Jhalanath Khanal, and Sushil Koirala heard I was getting married, they thought it was a rumour. And they joked that even on my wedding day I would be busy reporting. Which actually turned out to be true. On the day of the wedding, I went the radio station at 6.30am to complete my live talk show and then came back to the mandap.

Were there any other girls in your life before Aliza?

RD: There were a lot of girls who liked me and proposed. But I never looked at them or told them I liked them. I had no intention of getting married to them.

Why do you like red so much?

RD: It is part of my identity now. At first I wore a red coat and then a red high neck with a black overcoat. During winter I wore red muffler so often that people started teasing me. And now a red tie. It’s become my style statement.

Is there anything about your husband you would like to change?

AG: I wouldn’t change anything about him. I like him the way he is.

Umita Basnet interviews chairman of Reporters' Club Nepal Rishi Dhamala and wife Aliza Gautam on Himalaya TV