KATHMANDU, Sept 19: Journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa has rejected an award presented to him by the Nepal government on the occasion of the 7th Constitution Day. Thapa, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Ekagaj.com, has rejected the award through social media today.
“Today, on the occasion of the 7th Constitution Day, my name, too, has appeared in the list of those receiving various awards. I sincerely thank the government for their thoughtfulness. I have been asked to receive awards multiple times in the past as well but I have always rejected such awards. However, this time around my name has been added without my consent,” Thapa said on social media.
Prabal Jana Sewa Shree award to Prachanda’s wife Sita Dahal
He said that he has been raising the issue of the eligibility of those receiving such awards, medals and state honors through news, analysis and books for a long time. According to him, the entire process should be democratic and transparent.
Thapa wrote on social media, “I express my best wishes to everyone. I wish for the progress of the constitution and its transformation towards democracy that was written by the people’s representatives.”
“Today, on the occasion of the 7th Constitution Day, I have been chosen to receive an award from the government. I thank the government for its thoughtfulness. Despite rejecting such awards in the past, my name has been listed without my knowledge. I, Hari Bahadur Thapa, whose name has been mentioned at the 12th spot on the list of those receiving the Suprabal Jana Sewa Shree, hereby reject the award.”
“I have been raising the issue of the eligibility of those who are presented such awards, medals and state honors through news, analysis and books for a long time. I do not disagree with the idea of the state presenting awards but only those who are eligible for them should be presented such awards. There should be an open discussion on why some people receive such awards. The process should be democratic and transparent.”
