KATHMANDU, Feb 27: Government has announced 'Rabindra Memorial Tourism Award' in memory of former Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari. 

Addressing a program to mark the first Rabindra Adhikari Memorial Day in the capital, Minister for Tourism Yogesh Bhattarai on Thursday announced to establish the award honoring the erstwhile Minister Adhikari who lost his life in a helicopter crash in Taplejung a year ago on the same day.

"The ministry is working on formulating regulations in such way so that the persons contributing to the tourism sector will be awarded," Minister Bhattarai informed adding the award ceremony would be held on upcoming May 4 (Baishakh 22) which is also the birthday of late Adhikari. "However, the award will be distributed on the memorial day in the following years," he further clarified.

A helicopter crash in Taplejung district last year had claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Adhikari. 

The AS350B helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty was returning after a visit to Pathibhara Temple in Aathrai Rural Municipality of Terhathum district when it crashed in the Sisnekhola area around 1:30 pm. Pathibhara is at an altitude of 3,794 meters.

Adhikari's bodyguard Arjun Ghimire, Air Dynasty Manager Ang Tsering Sherpa, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Deputy Director-General Birendra Kumar Shrestha, CAAN Director Dhurbadas Bhochhibhoya, Under-secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Yubaraj Dahal and Pravakar KC, the pilot were killed in the chopper crash. 

 
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