GTA Chief Appalled by Low Turnout at Bhanubhakta Acharya Birth Anniversary Function

Nanda Hangkhim received Bhanu Bhakta Smriti Puraskar, Pramod Giri was awarded the Padri Gangaprasad Pradhan Smriti Puraskar in the field of journalism, and Tek Bahadur Bareilly received the D.B. Pariyar Smriti Puraskar in theatre and cinema.

Sidrath Rai received  the G. Douglas Smriti Puraskar in the field of art, while late Pancharatna Pradhan was awarded the Dhanbir Mukhia Smriti Puraskar (posthumous) for social work.

DEEP GAZMER, EOI, DARJEELING, JULY 13, 2025: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive, Anit Thapa, on the occasion of the 211th birth anniversary of Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya, allayed fears about the possibility of the issues of Jati (community) and Bhasa (language) becoming redundant.

Thapa was appalled by the low turnout at the main event organized by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of the GTA at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan in Darjeeling on Sunday.

"Had a political party organized the program, the hall would have been filled to capacity. Sadly, the issue of community and language is confined to political space and elections," Thapa remarked in his speech.

Organized by the GTA Information and Cultural Department and the Nepali Akademi, the award ceremony was held at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha, where, apart from the recitation of works by Bhanu Bhakta, awards were also handed over to individuals for their contribution in various fields.

“I feel that before Bhanu Jayanti, to ensure more participation, competitions should be held in different schools, with the finals taking place on the birth anniversary. A program was also organized by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan at Chowrasta, but only about fifteen or so people were present. We should organize one grand program together in Darjeeling, no matter who organizes it,” said Thapa, who added that such programs should be held to attract the younger generation.

Thapa also highlighted the programs being held for Bhasa Diwas, which he said were not being done properly. He expressed his willingness to provide all necessary support for such programs to prevent them from fading away, ensuring that traditions, culture, and language are preserved.

Adding to that, the GTA Information and Culture Department Sabhashad, Anos Thapa said, “The programs for Bhasa Diwas will start from August 20 and will be held up to August 31, during which we will also try to involve students.”

Thapa today announced two more awards in the name of novelist Prakash Kovid, who, he maintained, was the key figure behind fostering the reading habit in Nepali through his novels. Another award announced was in the name of singer Heera Devi Waiba.

Among the five awards given today, the Bhanu Bhakta Smriti Puraskar was awarded to literary figure Nanda Hangkhim, the Padri Gangaprasad Pradhan Smriti Puraskar in the field of journalism went to Pramod Giri, and the D.B. Pariyar Smriti Puraskar in theatre and cinema was awarded to Tek Bahadur Bareilly. Similarly, the G. Douglas Smriti Puraskar in the field of art was given to Sidrath Rai, while the Dhanbir Mukhia Smriti Puraskar (posthumous) for social work was awarded to the late Pancharatna Pradhan of Kalimpong.