KATHMANDU: Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire has turned 101 today.

Ghimire, who has contributed to the Nepali literature through his extraordinary works such as 'Gauri', 'Malati Mangale', 'Aswathama', 'Shakuntala', among others, is celebrated as the National Poet of the country.

Born on September 23, 1919 AD in Pustun village of Lamjung district, Ghimire also contributed to Nepali journalism by working as the co-editor of Gorkhapatra later in his life. He has also served as the chancellor of Nepal Academy.

For his excellent literary works, Ghimire was awarded the Shree Prasiddha Praval Gorkha Dakshinbahu, the Bhanubhakta Prize and Tribhuwan Pragya Puraskar.

On the occasion of the national poet's birthday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended his best wishes through Twitter:

१०१ औं जन्मदिवसका अवसरमा काव्यसाधक तथा राष्ट्रकवि माधवप्रसाद घिमिरेज्यूमा हार्दिक बधाई ज्ञापन गर्दछु । नेपाली वाङ्मयले अझै लामो समय उहाँका साधनामय सिर्जना प्राप्त गर्न सकोस् । सुस्वास्थ्य र दीर्घायुको मङ्गलमय शुभकामना । pic.twitter.com/wYR8PbNq9i

— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) September 24, 2019