| Nitesh R Pradhan | |
| Birth Place: | Gangtok, Sikkim, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Education: | Tashi Namgyal Academy, Sikkim University |
| Occupation: | Journalist, Columnist, Singer and Lyricist |
| Years Active: | 2013–present |
| Organization: | The Statesman, Assam Tribune, Sikkim Chronicle, The Voice of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayan News Service |
Nitesh R Pradhan (Nepali: नितेश आर प्रधान, born 11 May 1990 as Nitesh Pradhan) is an Indian journalist based in Sikkim, India. He is a correspondent for RT. He is formerly Editor of The Voice of Sikkim online web portal and a correspondent for The Statesman.[1] [2] [3] He is also a singer-lyricist as part of pop duo Anisha & Nitesh.[4] [5]
He was born into a politically prominent Sikkimese Newar family to Pradip Pradhan and Renu Chettri in Gangtok. His paternal grandfather is Nahakul Pradhan, a leading figure of the democratic movement who also held cabinet positions in successive governments of the erstwhile Chogyal regime in Sikkim. He is a great-grandnephew of Kashiraj Pradhan, another prominent leader of the democratic movement, also considered as the Father of Sikkimese Journalism.[6] His uncle, Sukumar Pradhan is a two-time former Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. He is related to the erstwhile aristocratic family of the Newar Taksaris, his paternal great-grandmother, Kanti Pradhan was the granddaughter of Taksari Chandrabir Maskey of Pakyong, a Sikkimese lord of many estates in the former Kingdom of Sikkim.[7]
He completed his schooling from Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok. Later, he acquired a bachelor's degree in arts and completed post graduation in mass communication from Sikkim University.
He started singing in the pop duo Anisha & Nitesh since it was formed in 2013 – it was the first pop duo (mixed) act from Sikkim – and has released many Nepali language songs including the chartbuster Maya.[8] [9] [10] His work in media includes print and digital media houses notably TNT- The Northeast Today, Sikkim Chronicle, Summit Times, Assam Tribune & East Mojo. He reports on a range of such topics as environment, geopolitics, gender, LGBTQ, society and culture of the Eastern Himalayan region. In 2020, he founded independent online news portal Eastern Himalayan News Service.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] He has also organised a series of fund raising events for charitable causes in Sikkim and Darjeeling hills.[16] In 2021, he joined as editor in The Voice of Sikkim web portal - the oldest online media in Sikkim.[17]
In 2022, he joined as Line producer for director Onir’s upcoming Hindi language film ‘’Pine Cone’’.[18]
He has contributed articles, news and columns about Sikkim in many international, national and regional media.[19] [20]