Nirmala Bhandari

A light blue gradient background with navy blue text has “The D-30 Disability Impact List” at the top centered above “2025 Honoree” which is in between two laurels. Below, text “Nirmala Bhandari (she/her), India” are to the left of a picture of them, which fills the right. At the bottom left corner is text “Diversability, #D30DisList”.

Nirmala Bhandari

She/her/hers

Founder and President, Nirmala Foundation

Nepal

Nirmala Bhandari is a Nepali para-athlete, paramedic, and disability rights advocate challenging stereotypes through sport, beauty, and performance. A national wheelchair basketball player and para powerlifter, she represented Nepal at the 2018 Para Asian Games. In the past year, she organized Nepal’s first amputee runway event, won the Miss Disability Queen title, and embarked on a 35-day solo scooter journey to promote accessibility. Her activism has taken her to the WOW Festival and other platforms where she speaks on empowerment and representation. Honored by UN Women Nepal and the Solo Woman Travel Challenge, Nirmala is shifting perceptions and building inclusive spaces for women and girls with disabilities.