Rabin Man Shakya: A Nepali Journalist in USA

Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist based in Portland, Oregon, America associated with 'Nepal Oregon News'. The reporting focus of Shakya for 'Nepal Oregon News' is centered on Nepalese community affairs in the Portland areas of USA. His work covers: Nepalese media issues, Newar culture and festivals, Charya dances, Newar Buddhism, activities of Nepalese and Newar organizations and individuals in Oregon and other parts of America. 

Background: Born in 1956 in Kathmandu, Shakya completed his high school education at J P High School in 1973 and earned his undergrad degree on Business Management from Shankardev Campus, Tribhuvan University in 1978.

Education: Shakya holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Belarusian State University, Minsk (1985) and a Ph D in Journalism from Moscow State University in 1989 making him the first Ph D holder in Journalism in the history of Nepalese journalism and Nepalese media education. In 1994, Shakya also attended a 5-month course at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (under Government of India), New Delhi and holds a Diploma in "Non-aligned News Agency Journalism."

He served as an assistant editor for the English Desk at the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal's national news agency in 1991. He later worked as a journalist for 'The Rising Nepal', Nepal's first English language broadsheet daily newspaper from 1992 to 2005.

Dr Shakya has worked as an adjunct professor of journalism at Peoples Campus, Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, Sagarmatha Multiple Campus affiliated to Tribhuvan University and College of Journalism and Mass Communications affiliated to Purvanchal University teaching to Intermediate, Bachelors and Masters level students.

Publications: Dr Shakya was a co-author of a book "Media Issues in Nepal" (along with Prof Parasuram Kharel, Prof Lal Deosa Rai and Prof Chiranjivi Khanal) published in 2001 AD in Kathmandu. Shakya's specific contribution to the book includes a chapter titled "RSS: Challenges Ahead". In this chapter, he analyzed the structural and operational challenges of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal's national news agency. Shakya also authored two monographs: (1) Political Orientation of the Nepalese Press, 1985, Kathmandu and (2) Significance of Learning Russian, 1978, Kathmandu. During his tenure in the newspaper 'The Rising Nepal', Shakya has published more than 100 articles on Nepalese media and journalism issues. Similarly, he also had the privilege to conduct interviews with more than 100 Nepalese luminaries in field of arts, culture and literature, such as, Kedar Man Vyathit, Lain Singh Bangdel, Bijay Bahadur Malla, Govinda Gothale, Parijat, Manuj Babu Mishra, Siddhi Muni Shakya, Shashi Bikram Shah, Uttam Nepali, Kiran Manandhar, Ambar Gurung, Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Gopal Yonjan, Nati Kaji, Tara Devi and so on.

Nritya Mandala Mahavihara: In USA, Shakya is a Sangha Member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, a Buddhist monastery in Portland, USA that focuses on preserving and promoting Newar Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, including Charya Nritya, its music and crafts. The Mahavihara which was launched in Portland in 2009 by Helen Appell and Prajwal Vajracharya is, so far, the only one Newar Buddhist monastery in the USA. Shakya has published  200 articles and news stories related to the activities  of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA, which were published in Mahavihara's official newsletter.

Nepal Bhasa Movement: Shakya has published numerous articles in various magazines and platforms about Nepal Bhasa movement: (1) Role of Journalism in the Struggle for Linguistic Freedom - "Halin Newa" WNC Souvenir Publication,WNO, March 25-27, 2016, Baltimore, USA (2) 'Nepal Bhasa Patrika': The Pioneering Daily Newspaper in Nepal Bhasa - "Chicago Newa" 1137 Nepal Sambat - Newa American Dabu, Chicago, USA (3) Satya Mohan Joshi: Editor of First Inclusive Magazine in Nepal Bhasa and Nepali - "Halin Newa" Global Newah Conference Souvenir Publication, WNO - Central Dept of Nepal Bhasa, TU, March 30-31, 2018 (4) "Buddha Dharma wa Nepal Bhasa" and Dharmaditya Dharmacharya - January 19, 2014, Nepal Oregon News and many more. Moreover, during his tenure in 'The Rising Nepal', he had conducted face-to-face chit chats/interviews with Newar luminaries, such as, Dhushwan Sayami, Durga Lal Shrestha, Ishworananda Shresthacharya, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Madan Krishna Shrestha, Ramesh Tamrakar and so on. The interviews with these Newah legends were published in The Rising Nepal in 1993-1994.

World Newah Organization (WNO): Dr Shakya is a Life Member of the World Newah Organization, advocating for Newah unity and cultural awareness among the diaspora. His writings often reflect the challenges and aspirations of the Newar community, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and unity. He has written and published more than two dozens write-ups relating to the WNO and celebration of World Newah Day at the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA. Some of them are --  (1) World Newah Organization's International Convention Wraps up with Baltimore Declaration - May 30, 2016, Nepal Oregon News (2) First North American 'World Newah Organization' Meet Held in Canada - Sept 10, 2017, Nepal Oregon News (3) Tackling Real Newah Unity Requires Selflessness, Sacrifice and Straightforward Strategy - Dec 25, 2024, Nepal Oregon News (4) World Newah Organization, USA Chapter Organizes Virtual Talk on Nepalese Vamsavali - April 13, 2021, Nepal Oregon News (5) Newar Buddhist Temple in Portland, USA Marks Eighth World Newah Day with Events like Newah Bhoye, among Others - April 7, 2025, Nepal Oregon News -- and many more articles and news stories.

(Journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya)

His Role in Nepa Chhen: Nepa Chhen is a non-profit organization established in 2012 in Portland, USA that seeks to promote and enhance  Nepali culture and traditions. Shakya was its advisor from  its inception and in 2025 he assumed the mantle of vice president of Nepa Chhen.  

His contributions to Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO): Although not a formal office holder, he has extensively covered the activities of the NAO in his writings: (1) Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO): Pioneering Organization of Nepalese Community in Oregon, USA (2) Dashain Celebrated in Portland, America by Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) (3) International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) Organize Literary Program in Portland, USA (4) Ambassador Regmi Stresses Nepal-US Cordial Relations (5) Nepalese Community Organizations in Oregon (USA): A Short Glimpse, and many more.

His involvement with NRNA-USA Oregon Chapter: Since the inception of NRNA-USA Oregon chapter in 2015 in Portland, Dr Shakya was nominated as the education director for four years 2015-2019. He has recently been elected as the media director of NRNA-USA Oregon chapter in 2025. Shakya has covered and published more than two dozen articles about NRNA activities.

Shakya's association with Kathmandu-Eugene Sister City Committee: He assumed the position of general secretary of Kathmandu Eugene Sister City Committee (under Kathmandu Metropolitan City) for 10 years from 1992 to 2002 still when he was in Nepal.

Travel Experience: More than 25 countries in Europe, Asia and America.

Fluency in languages: English, Russian, Nepal Bhasa, Nepali and Hindi

Medals and Honors: (1) Mahendra Vidya Bhusan - First Class: (A gold medal and certificate - Given by King of Nepal to Ph D degree holders, when Nepal was still a kingdom.)

(2) Certificate of Honor: By Rosszarubezhcenter, Moscow, signed by Valentina Tereshkova, first woman cosmonaut (astronaut) in the world.

Social Media Platforms: Shakya's writings can be found on platforms like Bikram Vaidya.com, viewsonnepalmedia.blogspot, Nepal Oregon News and Newsletter of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.