Prime Minister National Talent Award distributed

Kathmandu, March 21: Individuals from various sectors have been honoured with the Prime Minister National Talent Award on Friday. 

The government on the occasion of National Democracy Day, 2081 had announced to honour individuals for their remarkable contribution to peace, good governance, innovation, scientific research and development.     

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, First Lady Radhika Shakya and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, presented the award.     

Dr Tshering Lama (Sindhupalchowk) was recognized for telemedicine, Dr Biraj Singh Thapa (Morang) for technological innovation, Purnima Shrestha (Gorkha) for mountaineering, Dr Abhas Maskey (Kathmandu) and Hariram Shrestha (Gorkha) for science and technology.     

Similarly, Dr Om Murti Anil (Mahottari) was awarded for his contribution to the medical field, Sabitra Bhandari 'Samba' (Lamjung) in the sports sector, Rabindra Puri (Bhaktapur) for heritages conservation, Dil Shova Shrestha (Kathmandu) and Ramji Adhikari (Gorkha) for social service.     

A cabinet meeting held on December 3, 2018, decided to establish the award. The fund was established with 100,000 US dollars received by PM Oli from the  Korean government and the government added the same amount to the fund for funding the award. A decision was made to present the award to two talents every year from the fund. The award carries a purse of Rs 500,000.     

The award was presented to three talents under two categories for the first time in 2076 BS. The award distribution programme, however, could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic thereafter.     

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli laid emphasis that the state and society should honour those individuals and institutions carrying out positive activities in the society. (RSS)