Kathmandu, Nov. 12 Former President Ram Baran Yadav conferred the Peoples Movement Gold Medal on senior journalist Bishnu Nisthuri amid a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Monday.
The event was organised by Ganesh Man Singh and Martyrs Memorial Peace Academy to mark the 111th birth anniversary of late NC leader Ganesh Man Singh and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to bring democracy in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Yadav, also the first president, said that the September 8 and 9 movement might not have reached its current stage if the government had addressed the genuine demands of Gen Z.
He said,
“The interim government has already announced the election date. Everyone must focus on ensuring a timely and fair election, as there are no alternatives. All political parties must coordinate to ensure a successful election”
Nisthuri, who led the republic movement of 2006 from the street first, said that late Singh liberated the country from the Rana regime. Expressing gratitude towards the organisation, he recalled his time with Singh, stating that he had learned that democracy comes with education and responsibilities.
“Late Singh was a staunch advocate of press freedom, and we must continue to follow his path,”
Nisthuri said, adding that politics, too, must respect the people to ensure the nations success. NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula also honoured the martyrs and late Sighs pivotal role in establishing democracy.
Emphasising the indispensable role of the media in driving social and political change, he said the press must uphold its ethics and work collectively to strengthen democracy.
He further recalled that Singh had devoted his life to ending autocratic rule and urged everyone to carry forward his democratic ideals.
Born in 1962, Bishnu Nisthuri has been active in journalism for over three decades. He is widely recognised for his leadership in Nepals press freedom movement and for defending democracy and media independence during times of political turmoil, particularly during the 2005-2006 royal crackdown on the press.
