Prof Kandel conferred on Rastrakavi Award

Kathmandu, 23 Sept 2025: The Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire Award has been conferred on Prof Ghanashyam Kandel.

The Marsyangdi Literary Foundation handed over the award to litterateur Kandel amidst a function organized on the 107th birth anniversary of Rastrakavi Ghimire. The award carrying a purse of Rs 100 thousand was presented to Kandel by noted critic Prof Dr Basudev Tripathi at the programme organized at Ghimire's residence, Lainchaur on Tuesday. 

On the occasion, Prof Tripathi reminded that nationalistic spirit was reflected in each poem penned by Ghimire. He had the capacity to present free verse into lyrical style, he added. Award recipient Prof Kandel viewed the Rastrakavi was his guru of epic. In his view, natural specificity could be found in Ghimire's poetry. 

Chairwoman of Nepali Education Council, Rama Sharma, also commented that Rastrakavi Ghimire is a towering personality in Nepali literature. 

Award selection committee member Prof Dr Lekh Prasad Niraula said the Rastrakavi had the caliber to change despair to hope. Dozens of literature students have done PhD on life and literary career of Rastrakavi Ghimire.

His son Rajiv Ghimire said the new generation is required to learn from the writing knack of the Rastrakavi.