H.E. Mr Arun Prasad Dhital, Ambassador of Nepal to the Republic of South Africa
DS: Last country where you were based before coming to South Africa
HE: I was Joint Secretary responsible for Northeast, Southeast Asia and Pacific Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu before coming to South Africa
DS: Most interesting place in South Africa
HE: Cape Town and the garden route.
DS: Your impression about South Africa in 3 words
HE: Multicultural, Dynamic, Fascinating
DS: One place you would like to be posted to or visit
HE: Brazil. Except South America, I have already been posted to other continents.
DS: Most memorable appointment thus far
HE: Pretoria, South Africa as it was my first Ambassadorial posting.
DS: Most challenging situation that you had to handle thus far
HE: As a Chief of Protocol, I was responsible for managing the ceremonial segments of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka’s State Visit to Nepal in March 2009. Since it was the first incoming State Visit after Nepal became a Republic, significant challenges were faced due to absence of precedent.
DS: My inspiration is/comes from.
HE: I take inspiration from my parents and even now they inspire me.
DS: Place in your country that you love to visit.
HE: Mount Everest base camp.
DS: Most interesting place to visit elsewhere
HE: Thimpu, Bhutan
DS: Favourite dish of your country
HE: Dal, Bhat and Tarkari (Lentil, Rice, Vegetables Curry or Mutton or Chicken Curry).
DS: Tastiest dish of another Country.
HE: Barbecued meats at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya.
DS: Favourite eating place in Pretoria.
HE: Cream Restaurant, Padbok Thai Restaurant.
DS: The best book I have ever read.
HE: The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order [Samuel P. Huntington], [The Divine Comedy [Dante Alighieri]
DS: At the moment I am reading
HE: Thinking, Fast and Slow [Daniel Kahneman]; The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma [Gurcharan Das]
DS: I spend my leisure time
HE: Reading, golf and watching sports channel.
DS: One sentence describing a lesson that you have learnt from being a diplomat
HE: Being a diplomat the greatest lesson I learned is to listen and be patient.