President confers awards to four senior figures

Kathmandu / June 27: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has conferred the ‘Nepal Music and Drama National Academy Award-2072’ on various four persons for their outstanding contributions in the society.

At a special programme organized by Nepal Academy of Music and Drama here Monday, the President Bhandari gave the award to senior musician Gopalnath Yogi, senior folk singer Prachand Bahadur Budhathoki, and senior theatre artists Mahendra Malangiya and Sakantula Gurung Sharma. The award carries the purse of Rs 100,000 to each.

On the occasion, President Bhandari said, “Nepal is a country with unique culture celebrating unity in diversity.”

Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anand Prasad Pokhrel stressed the need of protecting and promoting the cultures of various regions in the country. It is the common tasks of all Nepalis, he added.

Chancellor of the Academy Saru Bhakta said Nepal was in need of preserving various culture and ethnic music that are facing the extinct.

Similarly, Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Jeet Baskota urged the government to increase the award money. RSS