Kathmandu, June 30: Chancellor of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala gave away prizes to various persons making outstanding contributions in the field of technology amid a function held here today.

High Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Science and Technology Award was given to Dr. Sunil Kumar K.C, Dr. Bijaya Pant and Dr. Gyanendra Nath Dangol, RONAST Science and Technology promotion award to Dr. Madhur Dev Bhattarai and engineer Bhuvaneshwar Lal Shrestha and Third World Science Academic Award to Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala said that no country could prosper without the development of science and technology.

Calling on the scientists make proper use of the available natural resources in a backward country with geographical condition like ours to undertake innovative research works, Mr Koirala said that if every person could work with courage, dedication and enthusiasm from his respective place, the poverty could be removed and economic development achieved in the country.

Referring to the world turning out to be a small community thanks to the development of information technology, Prime Minister Koirala said that science and technology should be moved ahead by utilising the technology available in the country.

RONAST vice-chancellor Prof. (Dr) Dayananda Bajracharya said that RONAST had been honouring the scientists with citation and cash awards since 2055 B.S. with the objective of encouraging the scientists in making distinguished contributions in the filed of science and technology.

RONAST academician Devi Datta Paudel said that given the proper environment, encouragement and opportunity, Nepali scientists could also make contributions to the economic development of the country.

Earlier head of the science promotion division Dr. Trinetra Man Pradhananga introduced the awardees.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Koirala has said that social workers have contributed far more than politicians to the country’s development.

Prime Minister Koirala, who was addressing the installation ceremony of Rotary Club of Patan here this evening, said politicians have their interests to serve, while social workers are usually selfless. Which is why, the Prime Minister added, he wants to engage himself in social service.

Reiterating that he became Prime Minister with a commitment to maintaining law and order, checking corruption and ensuring good governance, Mr Koirala called for the cooperation from all sides in fulfilling these three commitments.

Stating that politics of violence has never seen a success in any part of the world, he said the massacre of the poor, uneducated, children and teachers in the villages by Maoists has had an adverse impact on the country’s development.

Since the Maoist problem is visible the government will be able to combat it but corruption is an invisible enemy, which cannot be done away with by simply implementing a legislation. Corruption control requires greater public awareness and a concerted effort, he observed.

The volume of the budget has been increased to strengthen bureaucracy and make it efficient, he said and urged all to cooperate in attaining this objective.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala presented a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a letter of commendation awarded by the Rotary Club to senior cartoonist of Kantipur Publications Rajababu Shakya (Shakha) and gave away certificates to the club members and others making significant contribution to the club.

Likewise, Shikha Prasai, daughter of the late Prajapati Prasai handed over Rs. 100,000 to the Prime Minister to present it to the club for setting up a scholarship for the students from the remote VDCs of Lalitpur in memory of her late father.

President of inner wheel, a club of the wives of Rotarians, Bijaya Laxmi Shrestha presented Rs. 50,000 to the club.

The Prime Minister also released a Rotary souvenir published by the Rotary Club of Patan. Rotary Club of Patan president Puskar Man Shakya presented the club’s honorary membership to the Prime Minister.