The publication of the Gorkhapatra had started on Baisakh 24, 1958 BS at the initiative of the then Rana Prime Minister Dev Shumsher. In the beginning it used to be published weekly. The newspaper turned into daily on Fagun 7, 2017 BS. The Gorkhapatra Corporation was established on Asar 25, 2020 BS.[break]
A special programme was organised here today, marking the 113th anniversary of the Gorkhapatra and 51th anniversary of the Corporation. According to information provided at the programme, the Gorkhapatra is bringing out supplements in 29 mother tongues under the Naya Nepalko Pritstha since the month of Asoj in 2064 BS.
Addressing the programme, Minister for Information and Communications Madhav Prasad Poudel pledged to allow the Gorkhapatra to run independently, instead, the government was ready to extend necessary support to strengthen the economic condition of the Corporation.
The public organizations should improve the quality of their services to make themselves competent with the private sector, Minister Poudel said and added that the Gorkhapatra is living history of changes in the society. "It is the source of inspiration and master of modern journalism", he further said. He urged the Corporation to fully implement the Working Journalists Act since it was not just for display.
On a different note, Minister Poudel said the sole target of the incumbent government was to hold new election to the Constituent Assembly (CA), urging media persons help build a favourable election atmosphere.
Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Dhruba Sharma assured of necessary cooperation from the ministry to strengthen the Corporation.
Kapil Ghimire, Acting General Manager of the Corporation, stressed that revival of the Corporation was a must and the government should render necessary support to that end.
Corporation´s trade union leaders stressed the need of quick and effective management to strengthen the organization.
On the occasion, Gorkhapatra Daily executive director Shiv Prasad Bhattarai was honoured with the Gorkhapatra Journalism Award-2070 BS instituted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Gorkhapatra chapter. The award carries a purse of Rs. 5,555 and a letter of appreciation.
Similarly, Bina Shrestha and Rasil Kumar Sharma were honoured with the Gorkhapatra Corporation Best Employees Award, carrying a purse of Rs. 5,000 and letter of appreciation.
Likewise, the Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh Best Service Award, carrying a purse of Rs. 7,752 was presented to Raju Shrestha and Kashilal Rajbanshi.
Similarly, the Jagaruk Janasewak Samman was presented to Bal Kumari Sharma, Ramchandra Subedi and Badri Prasad Pandey.
Likewise, Bhaskar Khanal was awarded the Best Journalism Prize instituted by the Gorkhapatra Corporation. Khanal was the topper of the Masters´ degree on journalism subject of 2067 BS batch.
On the occasion, Minister Poudel honoured staffs completing 25 and 20 years of service in the Corporation.
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