Mathema, Gautam, Chamling awarded

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 24: The Khemlal-Harikala Lamichhane Samaaj Kalyan Pratisthan, Chitwan, has conferred the Padmashree Gaurav Award on Kedar Bhakta Mathema, the Padmashree Sadhana Samman on Pawan Kumar Chamling and the Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar on Krishna Gautam for his novel Adwait. 

The awards were presented by the Academy’s president, Jiba Lamichhane, during a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Krishna Gautam, who received the Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar, is a renowned critic and writer, recognised for his profound study of Eastern and Western philosophies and literature, as well as his interpretation of postmodern theory. 

Gautam has published over a dozen critical and fictional works. Out of 187 books published last year, Adwait was selected as the best, earning him the award. 

Earlier, Adwait had also been chosen for the Kavidanda Rashtriya Aakhyan Puraskar, 2080, which will be presented by the Kavidanda Sahitya Samaj of Chitwan on November 9, along with a cash prize of Rs. 125,000 and a certificate.

The Padmashree Gaurav Award was presented to Prof. Dr Kedar Bhakta Mathema, former vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University, former ambassador, and civil society activist. 

Meanwhile, the Padmashree Sadhana Honour was awarded to Pawan Kumar Chamling, a literary advocate, thinker, and former chief minister of the Indian State of Sikkim.

Each award recipient received Rs. 300,000 and a certificate of honour. In his address, Lamichhane highlighted the significant contribution of literature to the development of society and the nation.

Dr Rabindra Sameer, the Academy’s vice president, stressed the role of the government, media and writers in raising awareness about Nepal’s untapped potential, particularly to prevent brain drain during times of societal despair. 

Additionally, Prof. Dr Vidyanath Koirala delivered an academic address, underlining the importance of connecting Nepal’s resources with the global market.

The awarded writers and activists emphasised the importance of using literary works to influence the nation’s politics positively.

 Since its establishment in 2006, the Academy has been presenting the Padmashree Literature Award annually, along with the Padmashree Sadhana Honour since 2010, and the Padmashree Gaurav Award since 2011.