In the historic city of Bhaktapur, where tradition lives in every alleyway, Dhiraj Manandhar saw a quiet transformation taking place. As a fine arts student, he was deeply drawn to Juju Dhau, Bhaktapur’s iconic “King of Yoghurt”. Yet he grew concerned as modern production replaced traditional ingredients such as khuwa and misri with excessive sugar, eroding the essence of this cultural delicacy.
Determined to protect its authenticity, Dhiraj set out not only to revive traditional ingredients but also to reimagine how Juju Dhau was presented to the world. His vision centred on eco-friendly, culturally inspired packaging that respected heritage while appealing to contemporary consumers.
This vision took shape through the In Our Hands (IOH) programme, which Dhiraj discovered during the pandemic. Through online sessions and mentoring from the UK, he gained exposure to global perspectives on branding, sustainability and business strategy. “The ideas were inspiring,” he reflects, “and adapting them to Nepal’s context was both challenging and exciting.”
The programme helped Dhiraj understand the balance between people, planet and profit. With improved financial planning and market research, he recognised the investment required to scale sustainable packaging responsibly. Interest from other businesses soon followed, although large-scale production remains a work in progress.
As a solo entrepreneur, Dhiraj navigated challenges with resilience, valuing the lasting network he built through IOH. Today, his journey represents more than a business venture; it is a commitment to preserving culture through innovation. As he puts it, “Tradition must evolve to survive. With the right support, we can carry it into the future.”
About the programme
The British Council’s In Our Hands (IOH) Programme (2021–2024), delivered with partners including Applied Arts Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University and Kathmandu University, supported sustainable, youth-led enterprises in Nepal. Aligned with the Culture Responds to Global Challenges programme and COP26/27 climate priorities, IOH promoted creative green-economy principles through capacity-building, mentorship, and innovation funding. The programme empowered 88 young entrepreneurs, awarded 10 research and 17 prototype grants, and contributed to cultural preservation and climate action.
Programme Alignment and Relevance
By integrating youth entrepreneurship with cultural preservation, the programme has supported the development of sustainable business models that contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, decent work, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. With targeted investment, the model demonstrates strong potential for scale and replication in other contexts.
Impact on Youth-Led Businesses
The programme enabled youth-led enterprises to prototype and launch market-ready products grounded in creative green economy principles. These initiatives have contributed to Nepal’s sustainable economic development while promoting environmentally friendly and biodegradable products, such as Dhau pots, Amriso paper, bamboo utensils and biodegradable sanitary napkins. In doing so, the programme has strengthened local value chains, elevated community voices and supported traditional skills and craftsmanship within the creative green economy.
Programme details: www.britishcouncil.org.np/programmes/climate-change/in-our-hands
