July 27, Virginia. Poet Mr. Basanta Shrestha, resident of USA has been awarded with Aswikrit Bichar Sahitya Puraskar-07 in a formal gathering, organized by Aswikrit Bichar Sahitya Guthi (Trust) Nepal and International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) DC METRO Chapter.
Poet Shrestha, born in Manglung Bazaar, Tehrathum, Nepal in 2012 (BS), has published a book Vasantaka Kavita, a collection of poems, and has edited literary magazines Tinjure and Purbeli Dhun in Nepali and Antardristi, In Touch and Awaj in USA. He was the President of the International Nepalese Literature Society, in between 2002 to 2004, an Executive Member in 1999, and a Member-Editor for Akhil Nepal Amerika Sangh in between 2002 and 2004. The Guthi awarded him for his creative writings as well as for his enormous contribution in the promotion of Nepalese literature outside home country. The cash prize in this award is Rs. 12000. Dr. Kavitaram Shrestha founded this award trust in 054 (1996) with the fund created with the royalties from his books and cash prizes.
The decoration ceremony was presided by Mr. Govinda Giri 'Prerana', conducted by litterateur Basu Shresstha. The Founder and Patron of the trust Dr. Kavitaram Shrestha gave a welcome speech introducing the trust and the contribution of the awarded personality. Mr, Homnath Suvedi, the Founder President of INLS gave a speech about poet Basanta's literary personality. The awarded personality Mr. Basanta Shrestha expressed that the utility of the revolutionary ideal of Aswikritism has now been proven as foresighted realistic ideology after reaching recently to the changed context of New Nepal. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Trust for exploring and highlighting the disadvantaged talents, that are way from their home country. Musician and singer Mr. Khem Sangraula sang a few praragraphs of Munamadan and forksinger Mr. Premraja Mahat congratulated the award winner Mr. Shrestha as well as appritiated the trust for casting a fevorable eye on poets and writers in diaspora. The Special Guest Mr. Kaliprasad Pokhrel, the Charge de Affairs of Nepalise Embassy congratulated both the Founder and the receipants of the award and the Vice President of INLS gave the vote of thanks. The Chief Guest Dr. Taranath Sharma congratulated the awarded personality and appreciated the trust's encouraging attempt to expand the Nepali literary horizon beyond its nation. The Chairperson Mr. Prerana expressed his hearty congratulation to poet Basanta and added that this collaborative action between Aswikrit Bichar Sahitya Guthi and INLS DC Metro chapter has laid the foundation of a bridge between Nepal and out-of-Nepal literary activities.
This whole of the program was broadcasted live by dcnepal.com and can be seen its recorded portons in its website.
The Board of the Directors of the Trust are: Chairman, Mr. Krishnachandra Sing Pradhan, Member Secretary Mr. Nagendraraj Sharma, Treasurer Yuvaraj Shrestha, Members Mr. Govinda Bhatta, Dr. Prof. Abhi Suvedi, Mr. Narayan Dhakal, Mr. Somnath Ghimire and Mr. Amar Kumar Pradhan. Dr. Kavitaram Shrestha is the Founder/Patron of the trust.
