Tamish Giri

March 1: The USA-based International Network of Nepali Journalists (INNJA) felicitated nine Nepali journalists on the occasion of its third anniversary on March 1, 2021 for their contribution to the field of journalism.
The association awarded outstanding journalists on the basis of their work in three categories-literature, investigative journalism, community journalism. The awards were given for the news reports and literature works published in 2020.
INNJA felicitated Rajendra Prajuli with the Literature Award during a function organised at Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu. Prajuli bagged the award for the best literature writer for 2020 for his book ‘Koteshwor ko Ketole’. He received a cheque of Rs 100,000 and a certificate.
Likewise,  Sushil Panta of Lokaantra.com and Topendra Karki of Kantipur News were awarded the best investigative news reporter awards for 2020. Panta's news report on Members of Parliament and its secretary receiving allowance despite the pandemic and Karki's investigative report on mismanagement in Nepal Police's procurement process received the best investigative journalism report awards for 2020.
Both Panta and Karki were honored with a certificate and cheque of Rs 100,000 each.
Likewise, INNJA felicitated Basanta Pratap Singh, Kantipur’s correspondent for Bajhang district; Nira Gautam, RSS correspondent for Butwal; and Mandira Thapa, Nepal Television’s correspondent for Dolakha, under the Community Journalism Award category.

“This kind of award encourages us to contribute more to the field of journalism,” said Gautam after receiving the award.
Singh's report on cataracts cases in Bajhang, Gautam's news report on abortion, and Thapa's news report on rape cases in Dolakha during the pandemic were declared the best community reporting for 2020. They received a cheque of Rs 100,000 each along with a certificate.
Likewise, INNJA recognized Tribhuvan University’s journalism academician Lal Singh Dhoj Rai for his long-term contribution to Nepali journalism.  Rai received a cheque of Rs 61,111 and a letter of appreciation.
INNJA also felicitated Gopal Budathoki, president of the Press Council of Nepal, and Bala Adhikari.
INNJA, established on March 1, 2018, in Virginia, the USA has been helping Nepali journalists and promoting Nepali journalism. Earlier, the association had provided fellowship to 80 journalists who were affected by Covid-19.