KATHMANDU, MAY 28

Kalash Rimal, the 16- year-old daughter of actress Jal Shah, has formally announced the establishment of her non-profit organization, Shikshya Foundation, aimed at supporting underprivileged children in remote areas of Nepal by providing them access of education.

At a ceremony held in Kathmandu recently, Kalash, who is currently studying in Grade 11 in the U.S., officially launched her foundation. She revealed that she initiated her social service efforts by collecting money from gifts received on birthdays and offerings given by her parents during religious ceremonies, channeling those funds through Shikshya Foundation.

Speaking at a press conference here, Kalash shared that despite being born and raised in the U.S., she has a deep connection to Nepal, the Nepali language, and the need to provide educational opportunities to children in remote areas. This passion motivated her to formally step into social service.

At the event, Kalash's mother, actress Jal Shah, recalled the literary contributions of her late mother, writer Prema Shah, and expressed her pride in seeing a similar sense of service in her daughter. She stated that both she and her husband fully support Kalash's commitment to social work.

Previously, on Basant Panchami, Kalash and Jal shah had distributed educational materials to 55 students at a school in a village in Kavre. A video documenting this initiative was also presented at the press conference.

Kalash has used her savings from pocket money and part-time jobs in the U.S. to support students from four different schools in Chaurideurali Rural Municipality, Kavrepalanchok. She provided them with warm clothing for the winter, educational materials, sanitary pads, and nutritional items like Horlicks.

During the initiative, Kalash also announced a one-year scholarship for two students, Karishma Magarati and Unique Koirala, providing each with Rs 35,000 (a total of Rs 70,000) to cover their educational expenses. The amount was handed over to journalist Utsav Rasaili's mother, who will transfer the funds to the respective schools in Chaurideurali Rural Municipality. During her short visit here and deeply passionate about social service from a young age, Kalash personally visited in Kavre as part of her plan to contribute directly to Nepal's communities.

At the press conference, she shared her vision of continuing to support underprivileged students in Nepal through her foundation every year. Her mother, Jal Shah, reaffirmed her support for Kalash's dreams and expressed her commitment to expanding the scale of their charitable initiatives in the future.

During the event, journalist Rishi Dhamala announced that starting next year, the Prema Shah Literary Journalism Award, named after Kalash's late grandmother, would be established with a cash prize of Rs 100,000 to be presented at the Reporters' Club's annual celebration. Additionally, Navin Shrestha, the producer of the upcoming Nepali film Laaj Sharanam, announced a donation of Rs 111,000 to Shikshya Foundation.