DIPESH SHRESTHA, KATHMANDU :

Closely associated with Nepal’s democratic movement, inclusive representation, and sustainable development agenda, Dr. Gangalakshmi Awal has emerged as a prominent intellectual and political figure. She has been nominated as a proportional representation (PR) candidate by the Nepali Congress for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for 21 Falgun 2082 (March 5, 2026).

Dr. Awal has been actively engaged in education, social service, women’s leadership development, and sustainable energy management, gradually establishing herself in national politics through academic excellence and grassroots activism.

Born on June 6, 1973 (Asar 6, 2030 BS) in Bekhal, Bhaktapur Municipality, to Bishnu Bhakta Awal and Shobha Laxmi Awal, she grew up in an educated and socially conscious family. The values of discipline, respect for labor, and social responsibility instilled by her family played a crucial role in shaping her leadership character. The rich cultural heritage of Bhaktapur further deepened her connection to community and public service.

She completed her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in 1990 (2046 BS) from Saraswati Secondary School in Bhaktapur. She later earned a Master’s degree in Sociology/Anthropology. Pursuing higher academic goals, she traveled to Thailand, where she obtained a PhD in Sustainable Energy Management.

Her research and professional focus have centered on environmental sustainability, the role of renewable energy in agriculture and rural economies, and the structural dimensions of sustainable development. With over two decades of professional, social, and leadership experience, Dr. Awal has worked extensively in agriculture, tourism entrepreneurship, and women’s skills development.

She has actively advocated for women’s empowerment, capacity building, and leadership development programs, as well as farmers’ rights and the establishment of fertilizer industries. Following the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal, she played a coordinating role in health, sanitation, nutrition, and relief distribution efforts in Bhaktapur district.

Politically, Dr. Awal has long been associated with the Nepali Congress. She was elected as a Central Working Committee Member during the party’s 14th General Convention and currently holds responsibilities within the Central Department of Professional and Skills Development. She has served as a General Convention Representative and has played organizational roles at municipal and district levels.

In the 2017 local elections, she contested for the position of Deputy Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality. She has also served as Vice President of Nepal Women’s Association (Bhaktapur District Committee) and as District Secretary of the Inter-Party Women’s Alliance in Bhaktapur. Her political journey began in student organizations and gradually expanded to district, provincial, and central leadership levels.

Beyond party politics, Dr. Awal has contributed significantly to agriculture, education, health, sanitation, nutrition, and community development. As former President of the National Women Farmers’ Federation, she has consistently advocated for farmers’ rights and rural economic empowerment. She has also served in advisory and policy-making roles within educational and social development institutions, with a leadership style described by colleagues as research-based, practical, and collaborative.

Her public commitments emphasize good governance, transparency, and accountability; ensuring dignity and rights for farmers; empowering women as self-reliant entrepreneurs; promoting social justice and equal opportunity; creating employment-friendly environments for youth; establishing a Health Sciences Academy; and prioritizing infrastructure, tourism, and agricultural development.

Dr. Awal’s political philosophy is grounded in a balanced approach to nationalism, democracy, and socialism — core principles of the Nepali Congress. Her academic credentials, social engagement, and organizational experience position her as a potential strong voice in the Federal Parliament, particularly on issues related to sustainable energy policy, women’s empowerment, agricultural modernization, and social justice.

In essence, Dr. Gangalakshmi Awal’s journey reflects more than political ambition; it represents a sustained commitment to education, research, social responsibility, and democratic values. From Bekhal in Bhaktapur to the national political arena, her path symbolizes the promise of inclusive representation and informed policymaking in Nepal’s evolving democracy.