• A key highlight of the program was the release of the book, “Samriddhiko Margama 2082” (On the Path to Prosperity 2082). This publication showcases the inspiring journeys of the best 185 small entrepreneurs from all seven provinces, detailing their progress and success.

  • Mr. Janardan Dev Pant, Chairman of the Harihar Dev Pant Foundation, noted that due to the efforts of organizations like Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd, the poverty rate in Nepal has dropped from 50% in the 2040s to 20% today. He highlighted Dr. Pant’s pioneering role in initiating research-based microfinance in Nepal, which has since grown to serve 2.7 million microfinance members who have mobilized loans of 490 billion and savings of 200 billion.

  • Former Governor Mr. Ganesh Bahadur Thapa lamented that with Dr. Pant’s passing, the microfinance sector lost its guardian. He praised Dr. Pant’s dedication to poverty reduction through financial services

  • Mr. Ramchandra Joshi, former president of the Nepal Microfinance Bankers Association, fondly referred to Dr. Pant as the “father of microfinance in Nepal.”

  • Mr. Harikrishna Pant, Chairman of Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha, called upon everyone to unite and preserve Dr. Pant’s legacy, emphasizing that this is the truest tribute to him.

  • During the same program, other guests including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Mr. Mukesh Dahal, expressed their gratitude for following the path set by the father of microfinance in Nepal.

123456

Dr. Harihar Dev Pant 10th Memorial Day

Book Launch – Samriddhiko Margama 2082 (Collection of Members’ Success Stories)

The 10th Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Memorial Day was organized by Nirdhan and Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation on September 6, 2025. The chief guest was former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Mr. Ganesh Bahadur Thapa. Mr. Rewat Bahadur Karki, the Executive Director of the Microfinance Institution Supervision Department of Nepal Rastra Bank, also attended as a special guest. Other notable attendees included Mr. Devendra Bahadur Raut, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nirdhan; Mr. Harikrishna Pant, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited; Prof. Dr. Fatt Bahadur K.C., Director of Nirdhan ; and Mr. Janardan Dev Pant, Chairman of the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation. During the event, the book “Samriddhiko Margama 2081” was released, which is a collection of success stories from the best small entrepreneurs all over Nepal.
Mr. Bholaram Shrestha, former Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank, recalled Dr. Pant’s unwavering commitment to financial access and his bold, honest, and pro-poor policy decisions.
During the same program, other guests including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Mr. Mukesh Dahal, expressed their gratitude for following the path set by the father of microfinance in Nepal. They also commemorated the 10th memorial day of Dr. Harihar Dev Pant and emphasized the vital role of microfinance in promoting local entrepreneurship, generating employment opportunities, and driving economic progress.

Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award

Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Prize 2082 organized by Nirdhan was presented to the outstanding micro-entrepreneurs from all seven provinces in order to encourage the micro-entrepreneurs engaged in the micro-entrepreneurship enhancing their self-confidence.

Deputy Mayor of Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam Mr. Durga Kumar Baral from Koshi Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award to Mrs. Mira Devi Khawas of Ilam District, Ilam, who has been raising goats and also operating a goat farming farm the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Koshi Province

Mr. Bhikari Prasad Yadav, Mayor of Raj Devi Municipality, Rautahat, from Madesh Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Ramdulari Devi Sah, a resident of Rautahat District, Gaur, who has been operating an ice cream industry the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Madesh Province.

Mr Ganesh Bahadur Thapa, a former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Makhamali Kami from Kavrepalanchok district, Chhatrebajha, has been affiliated since BS 2074 BS and sells copper and brass utensils and also runs a shoe and bag shop., the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Bagmati Province.

Mr. Guru Prasad Bhattarai, Mayor of Galyang Municipality of Gandaki Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Dul Kumari Somai from Syangja district, Galyang, who has been affiliated since BS 2064 BS, has been running a hotel business and vegetable farming. selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Gandaki Province.

Mr. Bishnu Bahadur Yoji,  Mayor of Pyuthan Municipality of  Lumbini Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award  with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Parbati Gharti of Bijuwar, Pyuthan District, who has been involved in the collection and sale of kabad since 2065 BS. selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Lumbini Province.

Mrs. Dhansara Bohora, Deputy-Mayor of Bheri Ganga Municipality of  Karnali Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Gita Gaha of Jahar, Surkhet district who has been involved in goat farming, pig farming and dragon farming since BS 2068. the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Karnali Province .

Mr. Potilal Chaudhary Mayor of Belauri Muncipality from Sudurpaschim Province handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Mrs. Basu Devi Chand of Belauri, Kanchanpur district who has been involved in the Bread making industry since BS 2069, the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Sudurpaschim Province

Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Academic Excellence Award

Nirdhan began distributing the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Academic Excellence Award to the top two students who graduated from Tribhuvan University with a Masters in Monetary Economics and a Masters in Rural Development

As such, Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Academic Excellence Award was presented to Ms. Shrijya Kafle with the cash prize of Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter from our Guest, the Chairman of Nirdhan, Mr. Devendra Bahadur Raut, Ms. Shrijaya Kafle topped his 2020-22 batch in Master’s in Economics from Tribhuvan University with a total mark of 3.67 SGPA.

As such, Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Academic Excellence Award was presented to Ms. Ruksana Achhami. With the cash prize of Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter from our Guest, the Director of Nirdhan NGO, Prof. Dr. Fatta Bahadur K.C., Ms. Ruksana Achhami. Topped his 2020-22 batch in Master’s in Rural Development from Tribhuvan University with a total mark of 3.59 SGPA

Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Economic Journalism Award

The economic journalism award was established in memory of late Dr Harihar Dev Pant, a pioneer and ‘Founding Father’ of microfinance in Nepal. He was the first promoter of microfinance and was dedicated to economic development and poverty alleviation. he foundation has been giving the award to one of the best economic journalists or an association or organization every year. Previously, the economic journalism award was given to the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON), Mr. Gokarna Awasthi of Kantipur Daily and Mr. Bishnu Belbase of Nagarik Daily, Mrs. Eliza Upreti, senior business correspondent of ratopati.com, Mrs Mamta Thapa, correspondent of Annapurna Daily, Mr. Bijay Raj Khanal , Senior Economic Correspondent of Setopati.com, Mr. Yagya Banjade Kantipur Daily journalist and bureau chief of Naya Patrika Daily journalist Mr. Krishna Rijal respectively. The journalists as the fourth estate have contributed significantly in the overall development of the country as well as in the development of the economic sector informing well the general mass through various newspaper, radio, television, online news, and feature articles.

In the above context, Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Economic Journalism Award operated by Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation has been presented to Mr. Yadav Humagain, a correspondent for Aarthik Abhiyan Daily journalist. The award comprised of NPR 1,00,000 and a letter of appreciation was handed over by the Chairperson of Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation, Mr. Janardan Dev Pant.