Ten honored with ‘Bikash Nayak Award’ for sectoral contributions

KATHMANDU: Ten individuals from diverse sectors have been honored with the Bikash Nayak Award in recognition of their significant contributions to governance, industry, agriculture, energy, health, education, technology, arts, and entrepreneurship.

The awards were presented at the Bikash Bahas and Bikash Nayak Ceremony, organized by Bikash Media Pvt. Ltd, where Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal conferred trophies and certificates on the recipients.

Those honored include Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan for ‘A Hero who drives Nepal’s Development Through Politics, Culture, Policy-Making, and Good Governance’; Shekhar Golchha, Chairman of Golchha Group, ‘A Visionary Hero Who Drove National Development by Establishing and Operating Industries’; Krishna Prasad Poudel, Chairman of First Choice Foods Limited, for ‘A Hero of Advancing Farmers’ Livelihoods Through Agricultural Modernization, Mechanization, and Commercialization’; Krishna Acharya, Chairman of RM Group, for energy for ‘A Visionary Hero Serving the Public by Promoting Investment in Hydropower and Renewable Energy’ and Nabil Bank for ‘Who Made Outstanding Contributions to Economic Development Through the Financial Sector, Including Banking and Insurance.’

In professional excellence and nation-building contributions at home and abroad, Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital, was recognized. Hemraj Dhakal, founder of IME Group, received the Bikash Nayak 2082 title for his role in advancing the information technology and digital services ecosystem.

Additional honorees included Jiba Lamichhane, Director of Sanima Group past president of NRNA, for ethical and creative entrepreneurship; Prof. Dr. Arjun Karki, Vice-Chancellor of Nepal University, for education and health; and actor Surakshya Panta for her contribution to arts and entertainment.

Addressing the ceremony, Finance Minister Khanal said that such recognition is particularly meaningful at a time when the morale of entrepreneurs and investors has weakened. He emphasized that rebuilding confidence is essential to creating an investment-friendly environment and sustaining economic momentum.

Bikash Media Chairperson Ram Krishna Poudel said the initiative aims to counter widespread pessimism by highlighting positive, impactful work. He noted that the media has a responsibility to promote constructive narratives that motivate individuals and businesses to contribute further to national development.

Selection Committee Coordinator Krishna Hari Baskota said the awardees were chosen through an impartial evaluation of long-term impact across ten sectors, ensuring credibility and transparency in the selection process.

During the Bikash Bahas, National Planning Commission Vice-Chair Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha said Nepal’s development challenges stem not from policy gaps but from weak implementation and unclear accountability. He stressed the need for execution-focused reforms.

Nepal Rastra Bank Deputy Governor Bam Bahadur Mishra expressed concern over subdued credit demand despite ample liquidity in the banking system, attributing the slowdown largely to security concerns and eroding business confidence.

FNCCI Senior Vice-President Anjan Shrestha echoed similar concerns, stating that while investable capital is available, private-sector confidence remains fragile. NIC Asia Bank CEO Sujit Shakya underscored the indispensable role of banks in driving entrepreneurship and industrial growth.

Entrepreneur Bidushi Rana, Executive Director of Goldstar, highlighted the importance of thorough preparation and policy stability for sustaining industries, while ING Group Chair Sulabh Budhathoki warned that outdated education policies risk accelerating student outmigration.

Economist Dr. Bishwas Gauchan and Nepal University Registrar Dr. Surya Raj Acharya presented working papers, noting that infrastructure investment has a strong multiplier effect on GDP, even as overall investment growth remains below expectations despite healthy foreign exchange reserves.

The ceremony concluded with a renewed call from speakers for confidence-building measures, effective governance, and coordinated public–private action to translate potential into measurable economic progress.