Gorkhapatra is guardian of journalism: Mayor Koirala

BY OUR CORRESPOnDENT,Urlabari, May 8: Biratnagar Metropolitan City Mayor Nagesh Koirala has stated that Gorkhapatra is the guardian of Nepali journalism.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Eastern Regional Publication Office of Gorkhapatra Corporation in Biratnagar on the occasion of the Gorkhapatra Daily’s 125th year and 63rd anniversary of Gorkhapatra Corporation on Wednesday, Mayor Koirala said that unlike other newspapers that often pursue commercial goals, Gorkhapatra Daily focuses on issues concerning citizens and social development.

He pointed out that Gorkhapatra is the only publication that covers the voices, development and activities of all three tiers of government and urged for the effective distribution of the published contents.

He said that Gorkhapatra is the property of the Nepali people and the responsibility for preserving this property also lies with the metropolitan city. He also promised support for upgrading the road connecting the institution's office to the Ghinaghat–Jhorahat road.

Chief District Officer of Morang, Indra Dev Yadav, urged Gorkhapatra to digitise its publication to make it even more effective. He acknowledged that government newspapers may have their own challenges, but readers do not consider those. 

He added that it is the duty of a government newspaper to publish in multiple languages and on a provincial basis, a responsibility not taken up by the private sector since their primary objective is business.

Kumod Adhikari, Vice President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Koshi Province, said that Gorkhapatra Daily is the guardian of print journalism in South Asia.

Rajkumar Gurung, Head of the Eastern Regional Publication Office of Gorkhapatra Corporation in Biratnagar, said the Biratnagar office distributes Gorkhapatra across districts in Madhes and Koshi provinces. He stated that they are working with the aim of making this government-funded newspaper a paper for the people and clarified that Gorkhapatra is not in competition with any other media.

The programme, chaired by Office Head Gurung, honoured Sushil Kumar Shrestha, Head of the Physical Infrastructure Development Office in Biratnagar, and Suresh Prasad Sah, Head of the Urban Development Office in Biratnagar.