Lamichhane’s 'Akshat Antarctica' picked for Uttam-Shanti Award

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 5: Uttam-Shanti Award for the year 2025 will be presented to Akshat Antarctica, a travel memoir by Jiba Lamichhane.

The book has been recognised for its innovative perspective, compelling narrative technique, and fresh literary style.

Through an enthralling account of an expedition to the forbidding icy expanse of Antarctica, Lamichhane brings environmental concerns, one of the most pressing global issues into sharp focus and thoughtful public discourse.

The Uttam Kunwar Memorial Award Trust has been honouring one exceptional non-fiction book each year with the prestigious Uttam-Shanti Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 100,000, since 1987.

The award recognises works of literary merit in the non-fiction genre, including essays, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, and other forms of creative nonfiction published over the course of the year.

This award was established in memory of renowned essayist and Ruprekha’s editor Uttam Kunwar, who was awarded the Madan Puraskar in 1966 for his work  Srashta Ra Sahitya.

Following his untimely passing at the age of 43 in 1982, the award was founded by his wife, Shanti Kunwar, to preserve his legacy. 

After her own passing, the award was renamed the Uttam-Shanti Award to commemorate both their contributions.

Over the years, the award has been conferred upon several eminent personalities, including Manjul, Satya Mohan Joshi, Amber Gurung, Devi Chandra Shrestha, Durga Ghimire, Illya Bhattarai, Sarubhakta, Bhupin, Sharda Sharma, Jagadish Ghimire, Karna Shakya, Bhairav Bahadur Thapa, Jhamak Ghimire, Parshu Pradhan, Devendra Bhattarai, Girish Giri, Tukraj Mishra, Krishna Chandra Singh Pradhan, and Nirmohi Vyas, among others.