Kathmandu, September 8:

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav today awarded at least 223 top students with Nepal Bidhyabhusan and Nepal Chhatra Bidhyapadak awards at a special programme organised at the Rastrapati Bhawan to mark the International Literacy Day and National Education Day-2008.

This year, Nepal Bidhyabhusan Class A was conferred on 110 students for completing PhD degrees, Class B to 64 students, who scored highest marks in master’s degrees, and Class C to 23 toppers of various bachelor’s degrees. Similarly, Nepal Chhatra Bidhyapadak was conferred on 26 girl students who stood first in bachelor’s degrees.

After awarding the medals and certificates to the winners, Dr Yadav urged everybody to use their knowledge for country’s development, and promote national unity, equality and tolerance.

On the occasion, Minister for Education Renu Yadav awarded thirteen schools.

Yadav also handed over Rs 100,000, shields and certificates of excellence to Mahendra Ratna Jagarnath Laxminiya Higher Secondary School, a community school of Sarlahi, and VS Niketan Higher Secondary School, an institutional school of Kathmandu.

Five community schools — one each from five development regions — were awarded with

Rs 50,000 each for providing quality education.

Likewise, five institutional schools — Sagarmatha Secondary Boarding School, Galaxy Public Higher Secondary School, New Horizon English Boarding School, Tulsi Boarding Secondary School and Aishworya Bidhya Niketan Secondary School — were awarded with Rs 50,000 each for outstanding performance.

Lamatola Secondary School of Bhajang was also awarded Rs 50,000 for disseminating quality education in remote area.

The day was observed across the nation with a slogan ‘Foundation of Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal, Education — fundamental right of all Nepalese.”

On the occasion, Lalitpur-based Ullens School marked the Diversity Day. The school celebrates ‘Diversity Day’ every year on the occasion of Education Day to promote multicultural understanding.