From Lockdown Curiosity to Digital Guardian: How One Man Manages the Online Empires of Celebrities

Syangja. Twenty-year-old Chandra Kafle never thought he would find his future in technology. Many turns in life are sudden, and the same happened in Chandra's life. Turning the leisure time of the lockdown into an opportunity, he is now managing the 'digital empires' of famous personalities both at home and abroad.

The Path Guided by Curiosity

"During my free time in the lockdown, while spending time on the internet, I used to see that the social media accounts of many established personalities were being hacked or that fake accounts were spreading misinformation. The curiosity about how those problems could be technically solved led me in this direction," Chandra recalls the initial days four years ago.

Chandra, who has been curious since childhood, developed an attachment to technology when the first television entered his home. While studying in the sixth grade, the images appearing on the screen used to amaze him. That curiosity pulled him into the world of mobile phones and computers.

International Reach from a Single Room

In a short time, Chandra has significantly broadened his field of work. So far, he has taken charge of the digital profile and security for more than 25 national and international celebrities, famous cricketers, and established journalists.

From getting the profile of Namibian cricketer Ruben Trumpelmann authenticated when he came to play in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Chandra has been managing the digital identity of players like former Nepal captain Gyanendra Malla, Arif Sheikh, Asif Sheikh, Kamal Singh Airee, and Nandan Yadav. He handles many aspects, from 'blue tick' verification to managing official information (Knowledge Panel) on Google and the technical aspects of digital security.

Family Expectations and Personal Choice

Chandra, who grew up in the rural environment of Arjun Chaupari, Syangja, his father Muktinath Kafle wanted his son to join government service. But Chandra's interest was in technology. "My mind and brain were already captured inside the laptop screen," he says. Although his interest initially worried his family, his belief in his path never wavered.

Chandra, who started writing poetry and memoirs at the age of 13, has had his works published in various online media outlets. This passion for writing, combined with his knowledge of technology, helped him succeed in the digital sector.

Professional Success and Future Goals

Chandra began his journey by securing the pages of a few writers and artists. During the time of the (NPL), managing the profiles of foreign players gave him the opportunity to gain international experience. "There is a unique joy in managing the digital identity of international players while sitting in a single room," he said.

Currently, he is providing technical support to journalist Rishi Dhamala, artist Raju Master, and even former minister Surendra Pandey. Working independently, he has become completely self-reliant.

His future goal is to focus on more complex technical aspects of the international market. "My main goal is that when the world searches for Nepali talents on the internet, their information is found officially and securely," he shared his plan. Amidst risks like hacking and phishing, he views every new challenge as an opportunity to learn.