Dan Khaling honoured with Purna-Tung Aadarsha Nagarik Samman

By Lila Raj Khadka,Birtamod, Mar. 16: Pro-democracy fighter and litterateur Dan Khaling has been awarded this year’s ‘Purna-Tung Aadarsha Nagarik Samman’ (Ideal Citizen Award).

Renowned litterateur and educationist Dan Khaling, who was born in Darjeeling, India and made Nepal his field of work, has been posthumously honoured with this year’s Purna-Tung Ideal Citizen Award.

The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 111,111, was handed over to Khaling’s family, including his sister Nawami Khaling, at a ceremony held in Birtamod on Saturday by the Jay Nepal Talent Promotion Foundation, Jhapa.

The programme, chaired by the Foundation’s chairman, Gopal Kumar Basnet, saw educationist and chief guest Rajesh Khadka presenting the award.

Born in Darjeeling, Khaling spent most of his life in Nepal and made significant contributions to the development of the Nepali language, literature and education. 

Although primarily known as a litterateur, the late Khaling was also recognised as an active figure in translation, education and social awareness.

In his youth, after meeting Nepali democratic movement leader BP Koirala in Darjeeling, he was influenced by political and social movements and entered Nepal. At that time, Khaling left his studies and joined the democratic movement of 2007 BS.

After the success of the 2007 BS movement, Khaling contributed to the fields of education and literature in Jhapa. His association with linguist Mahananda Sapkota inspired him to remain active in writing and teaching.

Khaling, who also served as a member of the Nepal Academy, was known in Nepali literature as a translator as well. 

By translating various works of Nepali poets into English, he made an important contribution to introducing Nepali literature to international readers. Having remained unmarried throughout his life, Khaling spent the later years of his life living in Darjeeling, where he was cremated in the Singmari area after his death.

According to the Foundation, the award was presented to Khaling this year in recognition of his contributions to social transformation, the preservation of language and literature, and the field of education, said Foundation chairman and National Assembly member Gopal Basnet.

At the ceremony, senior journalist Chandra Bhandari also spoke about Khaling’s personality and contributions.

Meanwhile, the Little Flower English School provided an additional Rs. 100,000 in honour of the late Khaling through the school’s founder and the programme’s chief guest, Rajesh Khadka. 

Similarly, Tower Temple School honoured him with Rs. 25,000, while various other organisations in Jhapa also paid tribute to Khaling by remembering and discussing his contributions.