Kathmandu, October 14:

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Prithvi Subba Gurung felicitated a number of people behind the creation of the new national anthem. Gurung feted Pradeep Kumar Rai aka Byakul Maila, who penned the anthem, and Amber Gurung, music director, with letters of honour and cash Rs 5 lakh each. He also feted 20 singers of the anthem, a music coordinator, and 15 members of the team formed to select the anthem. Nine lyricists, whose creations were shortlisted, were also awarded. Speaking at the function, Gurung said loktantra has always given opportunities to all Nepalis. “The creation of the new national anthem is a part of privilege offered in loktantra.”