KATHMANDU, JULY 30

International Nepalese Journalist Association has presented this year's 'INJA Investigative Journalism Award' to senior Journalist Gajendra Budhathoki.

The award was presented to Budhathoki for his investigative journalism on the issue of tax evasion by an international company.

At a programme organised here today on the fifth anniversary of INJA, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki honoured Budhathoki with Rs 100,000 and a letter of felicitation.

Similarly, journalists Dipa Karna and Saroj Dhungana were honoured with the 'Inja Rural Journalism Award' and scholar Devraj Aryal and senior journalist Kapil Kafle the 'Inja Intellectual Journalism Award'. Each award carries a purse of Rs 50,000.

Similarly, Minister Karki handed over a letter of appreciation to senior journalists Hari Lamsal and Gopal Chandra Sharma and outgoing chairperson of Sancharika Samuha Nitu Pandit.

On the occasion, the minister stressed the need for Nepali journalist to serve as a strong medium to become a voice for voiceless.

INJA is an umbrella organisation of the Nepalis journalists working globally. It has its central office in the USA. INJA-USA President Gunaraj Luintel, in virtual address to the event, expressed his happiness for getting the opportunity to honour the Nepalis journalist discharging their duties despite the odds.

Federation of Nepali Journalists President Bipul Pokharel pledged to coordinate efforts with the INJA to provide support to the journalists in difficulties.

INJA-Asia President Tanka Panta, Nepal Press Union's President Shiva Lamsal, Press Chautari President Ganesh Basnet, Samajwadi Press Organisation President Shambhu Shrestha and Madheshi Journalits Society President Mohan Singh, among others, expressed their views at the event.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 31, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.