Prem-Shanti Fiction Award presented to Sameep

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 3: Author Deepak Sameep was honoured with the Prem-Shanti Fiction Award 2081 BS at an event held in Pokhara, recently.

Veteran writer Sarubhakta handed over the award to Sameep. The award carries a purse of Rs. 10,000, along with a ceremonial shawl and a certificate of honour. The award was conferred by the Lamjung-Pokhara Liaison Committee in recognition of Sameep’s significant contributions to Nepali fiction.

Former Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama Sarubhakta praised the Lamjung-Pokhara Liaison Committee for initiating an award to encourage contributions to fiction, particularly at a time when such recognitions are limited.

Founder of the award Premkumari Gurung said that her interest in literature inspired her to establish the prize as a means of encouraging writers. She also pledged to gradually increase the endowment fund for the award.

Primarily known as a creator of Ghazals and Muktaks, Sameep expressed that the recognition had inspired him to further his efforts in the field of fiction. 

His notable works include Bhugolbhitra Nakorieko Desh (Ghazal collection, 2062 BS), Akshar Aksharma Desh (Muktak collection, 2078 BS), and Nadiko Rajmarg (Laghu Katha collection, 2080 BS).

At the function chaired by President of the Lamjung-Pokhara Liaison Committee Krishna Giri, singer Haridevi Koirala, poet Ramesh Shrestha, former committee president Deepakraj Ghimire, selection committee member Laxman Thapa, Dr. Ishwarmani Adhikari, journalist Dipendra Shrestha, Upendra Paudel, Kalyan Panta and Ishwar Chiluwal also spoke about Sameep's dedication to literature.

The selection committee led by writer Kalyan Pant and comprising Laxman Thapa and Krishna Giri, chose Sameep for this year’s award. Before this, Mandira Madhushree was honoured with the award.

The award is presented biennially.