Krishna Murari Bhandary

Gorkhapatra is entering its 120th year of publication from today. A hundred and twenty years is, in itself, longer than an era. If we are to consider a century as an era then Gorkhapatra has already completed one era and is on its journey in another. The paper began publication on May 6, 1901 and today, on the auspicious occasion of its anniversary, we express our congratulations and best wishes to the Government of Nepal, journalists and employees working in the Gorkhapatra Corporation, writers, readers, advertisers and well-wishers.
Gorkhapatra is the country’s first newspaper. It is synonymous to newspaper in the hearts of the Nepali people. In order to make it more efficient and effective, we shall continue to improve our management and provide high-level training to our journalists and employees. From last year, we have started publishing from outside the capital as well; from Biratnagar in the east and Kohalpur in the west. This means that our publications reach the hands of our readers right at the first light of the morning sun. Today, we would like to recall the sacred objective with which Gorkhapatra was launched. We are all proud of the role played by founder Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh in establishing the belief that communication and print media must have a strengthened role in transforming our society and developing our civilisation in congruence with the world. Singh’s role in establishing Gorkhapatra in the league of a handful of Asian newspapers is very memorable.
As Gorkhapatra enters its 120th year, it has become a media house with half a dozen publications. Along with the Gorkhapatra daily, our publications include the English-language daily The Rising Nepal, Madhuparka, Yuba Manch and Muna, as well as online portal that is regularly updated. In today’s age of information technology and in view of the rapid development of science and technology, the Gorkhapatra Corporation will not limit itself to only the seven states and the centre and aims to publish from all the 753 local levels of the country.
Gorkhapatra is a national heritage. The local tongue takes Gorkhapatra to mean newspaper. That is why it will continue to survive as an autonomous institution. All Nepali citizens should have ownership to it. Gorkhapatra is heading to become financially self-sufficient.
We strive to make our publications as the best in the competitive market. We vow to be a leader in content, decorations, photography, printing and layout. What we are aware of is, no matter how strong our publication, if we do not have an effective management, accurate, truthful and reliable content and if we are not able to deliver it to our readers at the quickest through an efficient distribution system, then we will lag behind in our role as a national publication. Because of this, we have no choice but to move forward without compromise on solid planning, management, cutting-edge technology, presentation and distribution.
We will not hold back in supporting the bright sides of our society, sending positive messages and promoting the energetic, creative and hard-working culture of our citizens. This is our goal. Gorkhapatra will continue to stand firm in prioritising themes that inspire towards modern and scientific, social, economic and cultural developments. We shall always be the voice of the voiceless, not just that of the state and the government.
Our priority is to present materials promoting the grand campaign of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ and highlighting the nation’s achievements in development and its positive efforts. As the Fourth Estate, we will continue to monitor various plans, projects and construction works being carried out across the country with critical awareness. Gorkhapatra will always remain on alert to prevent the misuse, destruction, encroachment and damaging of scarce state resources.
We appreciate all the journalists, employees, technicians and distributors for their contributions in helping the Gorkhapatra Corporation face the adverse impacts and challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic in our financial sector, markets, daily lives and development and making it possible to continue regular publications even at this time of lockdown. We promise to make Gorkhapatra the first choice of readers in the coming days.

(Bhandary is the Executive Chairman
of Gorkhapatra Sansathan.)