In the narrow, winding alleys of Bhaktapur — where every brick whisper history and every breeze carry the scent of incense and old wood — lives a man whose life story is a tribute to Nepal’s soul.
Ram Narayan Prajapati, a retired political science professor, isn’t the kind of patriot who makes speeches or waves flags. His love for Nepal is quieter — almost meditative. It lives in the details: the fibers of Lokta paper, the grain of hand-carved wood, the painted expressions of deity masks that watch over his humble store.
The most radical form of patriotism
Once a respected academic, Ram Narayan spent decades helping students make sense of governments and ideologies. But somewhere along the way, he began a second journey — one not found in textbooks, but in the textures of Nepal’s fading traditions. While many leaned into modernity and imports, he chose to lean back — into Nepal’s roots.
Today, his days begin not with lectures, but with dusting shelves filled with handcrafted artifacts. His shop isn’t just a place to buy souvenirs — it’s a living museum of Nepali craftsmanship, curated with purpose. Customers may come for the art, but they often stay for his stories — stories laced with wisdom, humor, and a gentle reminder of what it means to value one’s own culture.
When he speaks of Buddhism, it’s not as a scholar, but as a student — ever curious, always learning. In many ways, his small shop mirrors a temple: serene, sacred, and quietly powerful.
In a world of mass production and digital everything, Ram Narayan stands like a watchtower — protecting Nepal’s handmade heritage from being forgotten. He doesn’t fight with banners. He preserves with presence. And in doing so, he reminds us:
Sometimes, the most radical form of patriotism is simply choosing to honor what’s already ours.
