How Can Sustainability Be Achieved At The Local Level

Suman Thapa is a musician, singer, songwriter, and professor of ophthalmology at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu, Nepal. Suman was also appointed Research Director and Head of the Glaucoma Department.

As an immediate call following the 2015 mega earthquake in Nepal, Suman and a group of like-minded friends started a volunteer organization called "Ek Ek Paila", where he's the president of the organization, that provides comprehensive free health services in remote areas of the country. 'Ek Ek Paila' has already conducted more than 20 missions in remote areas and established two permanent primary health care hospitals in the country. As a musician, singer and songwriter, Suman has released several albums with his band "The Blue Fret."

The band has fused the sound of two ethnic Nepali instruments (flute and sarangi) with the western style of music. Their debut album was "Jiri blues", an English album. The band was selected to perform at 'Jazzmandu', a jazz festival held every year in Kathmandu.

Suman launched 'Music for Medicine', a successful project, where he combines two of his professions to raise money for medical treatment for people who cannot afford it. These benefit concerts are held twice a year in Kathmandu before leaving for the free "Ek Ek Paila" clinics in remote areas.

Currently, the band is working on a Nepali album.