Parsa, Feb 14 : Saptari-based journalist Baijanath Jha has been honoured with the ‘Gopalchandra Gotame Journalism Award’. Birgunj metropolis mayor Vijay Kumar Sarawagi felicitated him with a gold medal weighing one tola (11.66 grams) and a certificate amidst a ceremony organised here today by the Gopalchandra Gautam Trust. The award is considered one of the prestigious journalism prizes in mofussil.    

On the occasion, the mayor said such honour to journalists like Jha who has become voices for people for over three decades would obviously help strengthen democracy. “Journalism is a means of consolidating democracy, making the State accountable to the public,” he said, adding that the Birgunj metropolis has already started distributing public service advertisements and the move aims to promote media in the town and for their sustainability.    

He also announced the monetary assistance of Rs 500 thousands for the Trust to boost up the morale of media persons. Trust Chair Jagadish Sharma presided over the programme where Madhesh Province Media Council’s Chair Shibahari Bhattarai said they were preparing to ensure life insurance for journalists in the Madhesh Province and pension for senior journalists.