Tuladhar honoured with Baikuntha Lakaul Award

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Lalitpur, Aug. 31: Prof. Prem Shanti Tuladhar has been honoured with ‘Baikuntha Lakaul Award-2024 for her continuous contribution to the upliftment of Nepal Bhasa, literature and criticism.

During a programme organised at the Central Department of Nepal Bhasa, TU, in Lalitpur on Friday, Hari Prabha Khadgi, the Minister for the Social Development of Bagmati Province, honoured Tuladhar with a letter of appreciation and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.

Tuladhar has been contributing to the Nepal Bhasa field for the past four decades through her literary works and research papers. Tuladhar is the first person to publish a book on the history of Nepal Bhasa literature. She is also a professor of Nepal Bhasa. 

On the occasion, Minister Khadgi pointed out the need to pass down language, literature and culture to new generations. Stating that the Kathmandu Valley was itself a living museum, she said that she had been actively involved in the protection of tangible and intangible heritage and culture here. 

She said, “Nepal Bhasa and Tamang language have already been implemented as working languages in Bagmati Province and efforts are underway to enforce this policy alongside the preservation of scripts. I will continue to work for the communities.” 

Dr. Rajan Lal Joshi, Head and Co-Professor at the Central Department of Nepal Bhasa, said that the department was committed to assisting the government if it required personnel proficient in the language as Nepal Bhasa had already been declared the official working language in Bagmati Province. He informed that research works were ongoing at the department. He also expressed the department’s gratitude for the award established for the upliftment of Nepal Bhasa literature, culture and Newa civilisation. 

At the programme, Chain Lakaul Award was presented to Krishna Pyari Shrestha, Padma Khayargoli and Rajani Shrestha, students scoring the highest marks in the Nepal Bhasa postgraduate programmer among female category over the past three academic sessions. Each awardee received a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.