Those who knew her as a student remember her personality as unobtrusive but nonetheless striking.
Dr. Latha Venkatesan, principal of her alma mater, said Mehta is a motivated, well-rounded student who is able to balance academics with extracurricular activities while handling her responsibilities with ease. She is organized, reliable and has strong people skills.
Teachers recall Mehta’s early leadership traits
Nisha Mehta had a natural ability to orchestrate and represent, exemplifying leadership qualities even then. ” said Dr. Latha Venkatesan, principal of her alma mater, although she noted that Mehta was not politically active as a student.Dr Manju Vatsa, former principal of the college, had a different impression of the student – quiet, reserved, but brilliant.“Nisha Mehta is a very serious and very smart student who works and studies efficiently,” she added. “Her discipline and focus are outstanding.”There were no clear signs at the time that Nepal’s health minister had a future in politics. She was not one of those outspoken students.However, educators say her journey reflects something deeper — the power of consistency, discipline and a professional foundation.Her rise from nursing graduate to national policymaker signals a broader shift in the evolution of health care leadership in Nepal.Nurses are often on the front lines of patient care and understand the health system and its potential to shape policy.This is a proud moment for AIIMS. For the nursing community, it was validation. For young students, it’s a reminder that leadership doesn’t always begin loudly—sometimes, it begins quietly in classrooms and hospital wards before the world notices.