KATHMANDU, APRIL 24
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has stressed the need for all Nepalis to focus on building a self-reliant economy.
President Bhandari said this at a programme organised at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas, while honouring former administrator Suryanath Upadhyay with 'Hem Bahadur Malla Honour' today. The honour includes copper plaque and cash prize worth Rs 200,000.
Stating that modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture was inevitable to achieve socio-economic growth, Bhandari reiterated that economic prosperity could be achieved through optimum utilisation of water resources, electricity generation, irrigation system, tourism, promotion of exports and import replacement, among others.
Furthermore, the president reminded that the COVID-19 pandemic and Gorkha earthquakes in 2015 had a colossal impact on various dynamics of the country's economy, which, she argued, would be uplifted through quality and employment-oriented education.
"The process of strengthening the economy requires transparency, good governance and accountability. I call the concerned parties to work on zero-tolerance of corruption," urged the head of the state. She viewed that quality education and healthcare services were vital for building an independent economy and to give impetus to development works that had been marred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The president praised the contributions of Upadhyay for promotion of professional capacity carried out by working in different bodies of the state and urged organisations such as Public Administration Association of Nepal to effectively work for the welfare of society.
On the occasion, Upadhyay was felicitated for his contributions to maintaining the nation's image in the fields of public service delivery and management as well as in the promotion of good-governance.
In the past, Upadhyay served as the Chief Commissioner of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and Water Resource Secretary. He also secured other top posts.
The Salt Trading Corporation had established the honour in tribute to its founding Chief Executive Hem Bahadur Malla.
Prior to this, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Chandani Joshi, Dr Bhagawan Koirala, Bimal Koirala, Mahabir Pun, Bhojraj Pokharel, Damannath Dhungana, Suresh Raj Sharma, Khilraj Regmi, Umesh Mainali, Damodar Gautam, Devendra Raj Panday, Kulman Ghising, Dr Sanduk Ruit and Dr Gaurishankar Lal Das were felicitated with the honour.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 25, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
