Interview with UK-based Nepali blogger Lex Limbu, Nepal, 10 August

Nepal: What are you doing in Nepal?

Lex Limbu: Before coming I had prepared a programme called ‘Tracing Nepal’, in which I would take Nepali youngsters to rural parts of the country. Currently we have 8 boys and 8 girls in our team, who lived abroad and didn’t know much about their country. I am going around the country for 16 days with them. After this finishes, I will prepare a travelogue. I studied human geography at college, so this is a practical side of my studies.

How does one become a good blogger?

You have to be regular. If you publish things regularly, no one forgets you. Also you can’t just bring out what people like to read or hear, you have to be original. This also helps to brand your blog and develop your own personality as a blogger. You have to be really committed.

How much pressure do you get, as a celebrity blogger, to write about certain things?

Plenty. From corporate houses to social workers, everyone wants me to publicise their cause. When Nepalis abroad have difficulties, when people want to campaign for libraries across Nepal, I have helped with spreading the message. When I had only started my blog, I raised £900 to give out to 2009’s Saptakosi flood victims.

How do you manage to come up with Hollywood and Bollywood stories that have a Nepali connection?

The internet is my biggest source.

What’s the difference between blogging from Nepal and abroad?

It’s more fun outside because the internet is fast and you don’t have load-shedding. But then, you lose the public contact you have in Nepal.

What makes you so special?

I write little and use a lot of pictures and videos. I think that is inevitable because most of my stories are about celebrities, fashion, and entertainment. Main thing is I take no sides.