Kathmandu: Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala presented this year’s Prof. Basudev Chandra Malla Memorial Award to Mrs Dwarika Devi Thakurani at a function here today.
The award was given to Mrs Thakurani, the first woman minister of Nepal, in recognition of her arduous struggle for the establishment and restoration of democracy.
At the function organised by Prof. Basudev Malla Memorial Foundation, Prime Minister Koirala felicitated Mrs Thakurani by wrapping a shawl around her and presented her a cash award of Rs. 10,000 along with a citation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister stressed the need to fight the existing aberrations and moral degeneration on a campaign footing, and pledged his full support to such a campaign.
Stressing the need for the workers of all political parties “to know themselves first to know others,” he said in addition to respecting and inspiring personalities we should respect the nation as well.
Stating that the parliamentary system witnessed some aberrations during the past 10 years, Mr Koirala said such aberrations will, however, be overcome with the passage of time.
On the one hand a black shadow of violence and terror is looming large, while on the other unwanted activities emanating as a result of the open border have an effect within and outside parliament also, the Prime Minister said, calling for one and all to help improve this state of affairs.
Minister of State for Local Development Suresh Malla described the late Prof. B.C. Malla as an epitome of simplicity and high thinking and stressed the need for one and all to emulate him.
Award recipient, Mrs Thakurani urged all to help maintain unity and reconciliation within Nepali Congress as wished by the late B.P. Koirala.
Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Navin Prakash Jung Shaha highlighted the life and personality of the late Prof. B.C. Malla.
Foundation member Basanta Kumar Gautam spoke about the foundation’s activities.
Foundation president Narayan Chandra Malla presided.