Gorkhapatra should be a bridge between government and people: Minister Sharma

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 6: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said that the Gorkhapatra should be a bridge between the government and the people. 

Addressing the special ceremony organised to mark the Gorkhapatra's 124th and the Gorkhapatra Corporation's 62nd anniversary on Monday Minister Sharma made the remarks.

Recalling the days when the Gorkhapatra was synonymous with the daily newspaper, Minister Sharma said, "Everybody knows the legacy of the Gorkhapatra.

With the publication of the Gorkhapatra, Nepal's journalism took its root with a strong foundation. Now, we are in the age of democracy, republic and inclusiveness. the Gorkhapatra should work as a bridge between the government and the people while disseminating authentic information, said the Minister. "

She said that the Gorkhapatra has stayed witness to various social, political as well as economic changes in the country for over a century.

Minister Sharma also mentioned that the role of the Gorkhapatra is significant in the preservation and promotion of the Nepali language and Nepali literature.

Gorkhapatra, a glorious media institution: Executive Chairman Subedi

Speaking on the occasion, the Executive Chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, Bishnu Prasad Subedi, viewed the Corporation as a glorious media institution in the country.

"We all know, the Gorkhapatra has been an eye witness, record keepers of the ups and downs of the country, all forms of changes and transformations. Now, it needs refinement in line with the need of the time," said Subedi.

He said the Gorkhapatra as a media house has three special duties- state duty, citizens duty and market duty. "State duty is the first and we have to disseminate the state's information to the people. Similarly, we have to be responsive to the citizens and cater to their needs for reliable, authentic information. The third duty is the market. We need to be competent and efficient to be sellable and sustainable in the market."

The executive chairman made it a point that the government should allocate a budget for replacing its dilapidated building with a new one. "I urge the government to allocate budget for building a new building of the Gorkhapatra."

On the occasion of the anniversary, Gorkhapatra Corporation's journalists and staff were felicitated with various awards. 

Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Ram Krishna Subedi and others from the journalism sector were present in the programme.

Gorkhapatra connected with people's lives: General Manager Lal Bahadur Airi 

Gorkhapatra Corporation's General Manager Lal Bahadur Airi said that the responsibility of the Corporation is to make general people feel that Gorkhapatra belongs to everyone.

Saying that Gorkhapatra is not only the mirror of the society but also connected with the Nepali people's lives he mentioned that Gorkhapatra is connected with the preparation of the Public Service Commission exam to the SLC results.

He also remembered that the Gorkhapatra started its publication while the people had no idea about how to take information.

In the programme, Board Member of Gorkhapatra Corporation Sachin Pokharel said that Gorkhapatra should continue its proud history. He congratulated the awardees staff and journalists of the corporation.

In the programme, Gorkhapatra Daily's Acting Chief Editor Shiv Kumar Bhattarai, Rising Nepal Daily's Acting Chief Editor Bhimsen Thapaliya and Naya Nepal page coordinator of Gorkhapatra Dr Ajit Man Tamang expressed best wishes on the occasion of the anniversary. 

In the programme, Board member Raju Kumar Mahat, Cham Prasad Dhamala, Vijay Bhurtel, Consulting Editor of Gorkhapatra Upesh Maharjan, Management Advisor Ram Krishna Adhikari, Legal Advisor Sushila Chaudhari and department heads of the corporation were presented.