Sudan Gurung, the 36-year-old president of the youth-led NGO Hami Nepal, became the central figure and face of the Gen Z-led protests in Nepal.
Before the social media blackout in the country, Gurung and Hami Nepal had mobilised thousands of youth to protests. The organisation had shared protest routes and safety instructions.
He had reportedly instructed students to show up to the protest in their uniforms to maintain the peaceful and calm tone. He also asked them to carry books as symbols of non-violent resistance.
Most of the organising was done through Instagram and other instant messaging platforms. The organisation continued to give safety instructions to protesters using the servers.
Gurung's path to philanthropy
Gurung's journey to being a protest leader started with a personal loss. In 2015, he lost his child during a devastating earthquake, according to the Annapurna Express. The loss caused him to shift from his commercial career in event management to civic service and disaster relief.
He later founded the Hami Nepal (We Nepal), a youth-focused NGO that focused on disaster relief. The organisation quickly grew into a broader civic movement. Before organising the Gen Z protests, he already had a record for activism.
Early this year, he had appeared in Business 360 Nepal's 100 People to Watch, for providing food, clothing, blankets and medical aid to displaced families in Kavre, Sindhupalchok and Dolakha. He was called a crucial player in Nepal's humanitarian efforts for his ability to quickly mobilise support during a crisis.
Before this protest, Gurung had also led a protest at Dharan's Ghopa Camp demanding transparency BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.
