KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that the journalism sector should win hearts of readers disseminating true, factual and balanced news following the media ethics.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the first National Journalism Day and the 116th anniversary of the Gorakhapatra National Daily today, President Bhandari urged the Gorakhapatra Corporation to be competitive and balanced while developing its physical infrastructure.

She urged the government to help the Corporation for the same. Bhandari added that the Gorakhapatra was the living history of the nation.

On the occasion, President Bhandari felicitated senior journalist Dhruba Hari Adhikary with the Gorakhapatra National Journalism Award. The award carries the purse of Rs 55,555. The award was established this year.

President Bhandari also released a commemorative silver coin issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank on the occasion of the first National Journalism Day.

She handed the Gorakhapatra Honour to senior litterateur Kamal Mani Dixit and senior journalist Lal Deusa Rai.

On the occasion, Industry Minister Som Prasad Pandey - who is taking the charge of the Information Ministry as well in absence of Information and Communications Minister Sherdhan Rai – hoped for the positive role of the Gorakhapatra for the prosperity of the nation.

Minister Pandey praised the role of Gorakhapatra for overall development of the nation and raising awareness among people.

Speaking at the function, Information Secretary Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya affixed the first cancellation mark on a commemorative postage stamp cover issued on the occasion. The postage stamp has the picture of the first print copy of the Gorakhapatra vernacular.