Bishnu Bahadur Karki assumes office as Rotary District Governor for Nepal and Bhutan

KATHMANDU: Rotarian Bishnu Bahadur Karki has officially assumed office as the District Governor of Rotary International District 3292 (Nepal and Bhutan) for the Rotary year 2026–27. The installation ceremony was held at Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu.

The event was attended by more than 460 Rotarians and distinguished guests representing 165 Rotary clubs from Nepal and Bhutan. Rotary International Director (2027–2029) Rotarian Basudev Golyan attended the ceremony as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering after assuming office, Governor Karki said his leadership would be guided by Rotary’s core philosophy of “Service Above Self.” He said the district would prioritize strengthening Rotary clubs, expanding membership, and implementing more impactful and sustainable service projects during the year.

He also emphasized youth empowerment through Rotary’s various programs and reaffirmed his commitment to creating meaningful community impact through The Rotary Foundation.

Highlighting the importance of club leadership, Karki described club presidents as the backbone of Rotary, stating that they play a crucial role in translating the organization’s vision into meaningful action at the community level. Expressing confidence in the newly installed club presidents, he said Rotary would achieve greater milestones in service during the year ahead.

Chief Guest Rotarian Basudev Golyan congratulated the newly installed District Governor and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure. He urged Rotarians across Nepal and Bhutan to move forward with renewed enthusiasm, fresh energy, and a shared commitment to service.

Profile of District Governor Bishnu Bahadur Karki

An engineer by academic background with a postgraduate degree in Marketing, Bishnu Bahadur Karki is proficient in Nepali, English, French, Russian, and Hindi.

He comes from a distinguished family. His grandfather, the late Captain Jhamka Bahadur Karki, served during the Second World War, while his father, the late Shambhu Bahadur Karki, worked in the Panchayat Policy and Investigation Committee under the direct supervision of the late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Karki has built a successful career in business with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He currently serves as Chairman of Beijing Garden Chinese Restaurant and Arko Shop, while also being a promoter of Synergy Power Development Limited. Earlier in his career, he worked as General Manager of one of South Asia’s largest ready-made garment industries, leading a workforce of around 3,000 employees. He also possesses extensive experience in the travel and tourism sector.

His wife, Niru KC Karki, is a businesswoman and fellow Rotarian who operates Arko Shop and serves on the board of Synergy Power Development Limited. Their daughter, Bipasana Karki, is employed at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, while their son, Nirvan Karki, is pursuing an MBA in Project Management and managing the family’s Beijing Garden restaurant. Both children have progressed through Interact and Rotaract before becoming active in Rotary.

Beyond business, Karki has remained actively involved in sports administration and public service. A Black Belt in karate with more than four decades of involvement in the sport, he has served as President of the Nepal Shotokan Karate Association, Advisor to the Nepal Karate Federation, and Founding Treasurer of the Nepal Shito-Ryu Karate Association. He currently serves as President of the Nepal Ice Skating and Ski Association.

He has also contributed to public institutions as Executive Supervisor of the Nepal Tourism Board, Executive Member of the Sports and Tourism Development Committee under the National Sports Council, Member of the Non-Tax Revenue Task Force under the Ministry of Finance, and Advisor to the Ministries of Energy and Industry.

A Rotarian for more than two decades, Karki is also a Rotary Major Donor. He became a founding member of the Rotary Club of Nagarjun in 2003–04 and later served as Charter President of the Rotary Club of Baneshwor in 2008. He has completed two terms each as Chair of the District Rotaract Committee and Assistant Governor and has served in various leadership capacities alongside Rotary International Directors, Trustees, and Rotary International Presidents’ Representatives.

He has also served as New Club Advisor for the Rotary Club of Sankhu and the Rotary Club of Patan Heritage while contributing to several district committees and the District Training Committee. His leadership journey progressed through District Governor Nominee Designate (January 2024), District Governor Nominee (2024–25), District Governor Elect (2025–26), and finally District Governor for 2026–27.

Karki has led several notable humanitarian initiatives throughout his Rotary career. As the Primary Contact for four Global Grant projects, he played a key role in constructing a 12-room community school building in Nunthala, Solukhumbu, following Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he coordinated the establishment of a fully equipped 60-bed isolation centre in Sinamangal, Kathmandu, in collaboration with four Rotary clubs and local youth organizations. The facility provided beds, oxygen concentrators, medicines, and medical support to patients.

Among his notable public initiatives are the “No Horn” campaign aimed at reducing urban noise pollution and the Walkathon, both of which were later adopted by the Government of Nepal.

Karki has represented Rotary at several international conventions, including the Rotary International Assembly in Orlando, United States, and has travelled extensively across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Known for his philosophy that “Life is Beautiful,” Karki is recognized for his approachable personality, passion for photography, and strong networking abilities. His appointment is expected to further strengthen Rotary International District 3292 and advance its service initiatives across Nepal and Bhutan during the 2026–27 Rotary year.