Standard Bearer

Gorkhapatra, the country's oldest broadsheet daily, marked its 125th anniversary by organising a special function on Wednesday. It was a historic milestone for the Nepali vernacular daily to celebrate its quasquicentennial, uninterruptedly serving the public. It has become a witness to scores of political upheavals that rocked the nations in different phases of history. Launching the first newspaper was a brainchild of reformist Rana prime minister Dev Shumsher, who wanted to make it a channel for the people to air their views openly. But his vision for developing a robust public media hit roadblocks after he was sacked from his post and expelled from the capital. Under the more autocratic rulers, Gorkhapatra could not exercise much autonomy but it continued to keep the spark of journalism, inspiring many to engage in the field.

Addressing the programme, Prime Minister KP Oli praised the role of Gorkhapatra and journalists who enabled the daily to come to the present phase. Shedding light on the difficulties the journalists of Gorkhapatra faced during the despotic rules of Ranas and Shah kings, PM Oli remarked, "Editors had to write news and editorial by walking the razor's edge. Even a slight error could cost them their job. Nonetheless, they refused to sell conscience, they shelved their views for the time being." Stating that Gorkhapatra hugely contributed to preserving and promoting the art, culture, language and literature, PM Oli noted that it has set standards for Nepali journalism and language. "Unlike other newspapers and digital media outlets, Gorkhapatra has refrained from indulging in populism. It does not get involved in disseminating lies and fake news in the name of mission journalism." 

The PM expressed his belief that print media had a future in the age of digital media. Websites of news portals may be subject to disappearance owing to data loss but print copies can be preserved safely, he added. PM's statement testifies to the fact that the daily has relevance and future in publishing balanced and impartial news and views. Surviving a century and 25 years is not a walk in the park, it is filled with formidable challenges and troubles. This demonstrates the paper's resiliency, adaptability and sustainability. On the same occasion, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung called for modernising Gorkapatra to enable to face new challenges. 

As Gorkhapatra has chronicled Nepal’s socio-political and economic transformations spanning more than a century, it has become an authentic source of information and knowledge. It is a living library for researchers to learn the diverse facets of the nations. By publishing special pages in 43 different languages, it has truly embodied the inclusive character, with many ethnic minorities having a sense of belonging. This is indeed an asset of Gorkhaptra poised to carry responsible journalism in the service of the voiceless. At a time when mainstream media is facing a crisis of credibility, Gorkhapatra stands as torch-bearer and standard setter, injecting optimism, vigour and dynamism into the Nepali journalism sphere. It bears a humanitarian motto:  ‘May all be happy, may all be healthy. May all be well, may no one be in sorrow.’ Let's hope the daily will keep alive this spirit in the years to come.