32nd Nepali Language Recognition Day Ceremony Held: Bikash Karki Honoured with the 4th Late R.B. Rai Memorial Award

Souraj Butang Rai, KalimNews, Gorubathan, 20 August 2024: In celebration of the 32nd Nepali Language Recognition Day, the Sajha Sahitya Sanrakshan Sanstha (SSSS) Gorubathan honored renowned Nepali writer Bikash Karki with the Fourth Late R.B. Rai Memorial Award. The award ceremony took place in Gorubathan, recognizing Karki’s outstanding and unparalleled contributions to Nepali language and literature.

Bikash Karki, born in Siyok Tea Estate, Mirik, Darjeeling, to late Gauri Devi Chhetri and late Krishna Bahadur Chhetri, began his literary career in 1984 while serving in the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR). After his elementary education in Siyok Chiyabari's primary school, he pursued higher education in Siliguri, which marked the start of his creative journey.

Karki, with a deep passion for Nepali literature, joined EFR in 1990 and was stationed in Saluwa, where his literary pursuits flourished. Contrary to Rabindranath Tagore's notion of "Walk Alone," Karki advocated for collective effort. 

He began publishing the literary magazine "Paradeshi" in 1997 while living abroad. Under his editorship and leadership, "Paradeshi" has published 20 issues over its 27-year history, including 5 special issues dedicated to prominent figures such as M.M. Gurung, Haimandas Rai Kirat, Mahannand Poudyal, Gupta Pradhan, and Narbahadur Dahal, with another issue dedicated to Dr. Gokul Sinha currently in press.

The "Paradeshi" team, under Karki's leadership at the Agamsingh Giri Sansthan, has honored various literary figures by publishing commemorative books. The institute has also built a memorial in Saluwa to honor the late Nepali poet Agamsingh Giri.

In addition to editing and publishing numerous magazines, Karki has advanced the promotion of Nepali language and literature in Saluwa through his leadership at the Agamsingh Giri Sansthan. His notable publications include:

"Darpan" wall magazine, Panighatta High School, 1982

"Ranko" handwritten magazine, 1985, Siliguri

"Darshan" literary magazine, 1986, Siliguri

Film Digest "Darpan," published from Siliguri

Darjeeling Times, Gorkha Daily, published from Siliguri

Prabhat, literary magazine

"Paradeshi," ongoing since 1997

"Serophero Kolkata," published from Kolkata

"Samjhana," contemporary magazine published from Kolkata

"Prahari Ko Kalam," published by Gorkhali soldiers in Kolkata Police

Karki has also contributed to Nepali literature by translating the biography of martyr Bhagat Singh into Nepali from Bengali in 1989.

His contributions to Nepali literature have been recognized with several honors, including:

Travel Grant, 2002, from the Literary Academy Nepali Department

Rangbhangbeli, 2012

Pakim Sikkim, 2014

Burma/Myanmar, 2015

Dhulabari, Nepal, 2017

Haribhakt Katwal Literary Institute, Siliguri, 2023

During the 32nd Nepali Language Recognition Day celebration, Karki was honored with the Fourth Late R.B. Rai Memorial Award by Sajha Sahitya Sanrakshan Sanstha. The award was presented by Chief Guest Dr. Mohan P. Dahal, Chairperson of the programme Dr. Dil Shrestha, and Shishir Chandra Rai, son of the late R.B. Rai. Karki was presented with a ceremonial scarf, a certificate of appreciation, a commemorative souvenir, and a cash prize.

T.B. Chhetri Awarded Citizen's Honor 2024

During the celebration, former teacher and social worker T.B. Chhetri was awarded the Gorubathan Citizen's Honor 2024 by SSSS. Chhetri, who donated one acre of land for the construction of the Juddhabir Higher Secondary School during 1965, was honored for his generous contribution. The land, donated in memory of his late father Dambersing Chhetri, facilitated the construction of the school building, which is currently valued at around 4 crore rupees.

Awards for Top Students in Nepali Language

The SSSS also honored students who achieved the highest marks in Nepali language in the 2024 Madhyamik, Higher Secondary, and ICSE exams. This year’s top scorers were:

Dev Giri from Juddhabir Higher Secondary School, with 99 marks in the Madhyamik exams

Dipnayan Thakuri, with 87 marks in the Higher Secondary exams

Pratibha Chhetri from St. Francis School, with 95 marks in the ICSE exams

The awards were presented by Executive Member Babita Thapa.

Poetry Recitation Competition

A poetry recitation competition was held during the occasion for students from various local schools. In the higher secondary category, Arvind Subba of Juddhabir Higher Secondary School took first place, with Shreya Tamang of Gorubathan Higher Secondary School earning second place, and Sharan Chhetri of Pokhrebung Higher Secondary School securing third place. In the secondary category, Sneha Chhetri of Ambiok Higher Secondary School claimed first place, followed by Sadiksha Rai of Greenvale Academy in second place, and Aakriti Sharma of St. Francis School in third place.