KATHMANDU: The government honored individuals from diverse fields with the Prime Minister’s National Talent Award, recognizing outstanding contributions in areas such as peace, good governance, innovation, scientific discovery, research, and social development.
The award ceremony, held in Kathmandu, was attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, First Lady Radhika Shakya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, among other dignitaries.
Among the awardees was Dr. Tshiring Lama from Sindhupalchowk, recognized for his work in telemedicine, and Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa from Morang, honored for his contributions to science and technology innovation. Mountaineer Purnima Shrestha from Gorkha was also recognized for her record-breaking achievements. Dr. Abhash Maskey from Kathmandu and Hariram Shrestha from Gorkha were honored for their work in science and technology, while Dr. Om Murti Anil from Mahottari received recognition for his contributions to medicine.
In the field of sports, Sabitra Bhandari from Lamjung was awarded, while Rabindra Puri from Bhaktapur was recognized for heritage conservation. Dilshobha Shrestha from Kathmandu and Ramji Adhikari from Gorkha were honored for their significant contributions to social service.
The Prime Minister’s National Talent Award was established following a Cabinet decision on December 3, 2018, with the aim of encouraging talented citizens to innovate and make positive societal impacts.
The award fund was created by adding USD 100,000 received by Prime Minister Oli from the Korean government to an equal amount from the Nepalese government. Initially, the award aimed to honor two talents annually with Rs 500,000 each.
In 2019, three talents were honored in two categories for the first time, but the distribution was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic. After a five-year hiatus, the awards have been presented at once this year.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Oli stressed the importance of recognizing positive contributions to society, emphasizing that both the state and society should honor individuals who make meaningful impacts.
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