Dilrup’s grandfather was a “Gurkha”, Nepali soldiers serving the British Army in colonial Hong Kong. In his tours he talks about him, who came to Hong Kong with the Army, and since then found here as his second home. 

Dilrup is a walking dictionary of the Nepalese community in Hong Kong, from where the Nepalese community live, to fun facts like when would the “Miss Hong Kong Nepal” beauty contest takes place. He wants to give tourists a taste of cultural diversities in this city.  

I want people to know more about us.

Dilrup moved a lot in his childhood. He was born in Hong Kong, raised in Nepal, then Singapore. It took him some time to adapt to life in Hong Kong when he moved back in 2012. “Singapore is more mixed … but here, local people have a different view towards us”. The prejudice against ethnic minority brought him unpleasant memories. He even once doubted if Hong Kong was a safe place to live in. Dilrup wants to break the stereotypes of ethnic minorities and tell the public their stories. But first he has to overcome his stage fright. 

I want to walk out of my comfort zone and try something new.

Introduced by a friend, Dilrup joined the drama workshop of CLAP Career and Life Planning program for ethnic minority in 2017. He had no desire to be an actor but would love to master the technique to speak to a crowd. After that, he took different cultural tour guide training courses to polish his touring skills, with which he learnt more about Hong Kong history. Dilrup developed a strong attachment to the streets in Hong Kong, especially Duddell Street, where the last four gas lights in Hong Kong stand. 

He enjoys interacting with the tourists. Every tour is unique to him, with new faces and different dynamics. More importantly, he learns something new about himself every time. He is now a couch assistant, teaching new guides-to-be. Dilrup would still get anxious before a tour, but he now knows how to cope with his social anxiety. 

After the struggle, you always achieve something

Walking out of one’s comfort zone might be nerve-wracking and painful, but Dilrup believes there is always something good lies ahead. This is the belief that keeps him moving and pushing his limits.  

Written by: Zoe Leung
Photography by: Cho You Ng