Nirdhan and Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation Commemorate the 11th Memorial Day of Late Dr. Harihar Dev Pant
Nirdhan NGO and the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation jointly organized a special program at Nirdhan Bhawan, Bhagwatibahal, Naxal, to mark the 11th Memorial Day of the late Dr. Harihar Dev Pant, widely honored as the Father of Microfinance in Nepal.The event was held under the chief guest ship of Mr. Gunakar Bhatta, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, and chaired by Mr. Devendra Bahadur Raut, Chairman of Nirdhan.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, participants, and awardees, Mr. Janardan Dev Pant, Chairman of Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation, highlighted that approximately 20% of Nepal’s population still lives below the poverty line. He emphasized the continued relevance of Dr. Pant’s guiding principles and values in microfinance, stressing that following his vision effectively remains essential for sustainable poverty alleviation in the country.
Book Launch and Tributes
During the program, dignitaries offered floral tributes and lit ceremonial lamps in memory of Dr. Pant. A success story collection titled “Samriddhika Margama 2083”(On the Path to Prosperity 2083), featuring the journey and achievements of micro-entrepreneurs, was jointly released by Chief Guest Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, guests Dr. Rewat Bahadur Karki, Dr. Fatta Bahadur K.C., Board Chairman Mr. Devendra Bahadur Raut, and Mr. Janardan Dev Pant. Nirdhan Microfinance has been publishing these inspirational success stories annually to honor the resilience of rural entrepreneurs.
Keynote and Guest Remarks
Chief Guest Mr. Gunakar Bhatta commended the foundation and Mr. Janardan Dev Pant for their dedicated initiative in organizing this annual event, noting that the program provides meaningful inspiration to society. He highlighted that microfinance institutions must complement financial services with non-financial support to help low-income households successfully navigate current economic challenges. Pointing out that Nepal’s Microfinance Policy of 2007 (B.S. 2064) has become outdated, Mr. Bhatta emphasized the urgent need for a modernized, time-relevant policy. He also called on microfinance and related sectors to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) to address climate change and natural disaster impacts in Nepal.
On behalf of the awardees, gratitude was expressed to the organizers, noting that the recognition increases their responsibility to work harder in their respective fields. Guest speakers Dr. Fatta Bahadur K.C., Dr. Rewat Bahadur Karki, Mr. Bhagawat Bhattarai, and Mr, Narayan Bahadur Karki, the Chief Executive Officer of Nirdhan Utthan also shared their remarks during the ceremony.
Closing the session, Program Chairman Mr. Devendra Bahadur Raut expressed heartfelt thanks to all guests, award recipients, journalists, and staff. He remarked that even 11 years after Dr. Pant’s passing, his vision remains deeply relevant. He concluded that the true tribute to Dr. Pant lies in aligning all microfinance operations and objectives strictly with his founding principles.
Awards
To honor Dr. Pant’s legacy and support key contributors to socio-economic development, Nirdhan and Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Foundation presented its annual national awards across three categories:
Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award
Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Prize 2083 organized by Nirdhan was presented to boost the morale of grassroots entrepreneurs, seven outstanding women micro-entrepreneurs—one from each province—were recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation and a cash prize of NPR 50,000 each in order to encourage the micro-entrepreneurs engaged in the micro-entrepreneurship enhancing their self-confidence.
Koshi Province
Ward Chairman of Bhojpur Municipality Ward No. 7, Mr. Jai Bahadur Tamang, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to Ms. Shanti Maya Tamang of Bhojpur district, selected as the outstanding micro-entrepreneur from Koshi Province.
Madhesh Province–
Deputy Mayor of Garuda Municipality, Rautahat, Ms. Poonam Kumari Chaudhary, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to successful micro-entrepreneur Ms. Raimalwa Devi of Garuda, Rautahat district, selected from Madhesh Province.
Bagmati Province
Chief Guest of Mr. Gunakar Bhatta, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, handing over Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Micro-Entrepreneurship Award with the prize money Rs. 50 thousand along with an appreciation letter to Ms. Rasila Tamang (Ramkot, Kathmandu) with floriculture Business, the successful micro-entrepreneur selected as the best micro-entrepreneurs in Bagmati Province
Gandaki Province
Ward Chairman of Rainas Municipality Ward No. 7, Mr. Mohan Lal Shrestha, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to successful micro-entrepreneur Ms. Dhanmaya Gurung of Garambeshi, Lamjung district, selected from Gandaki Province
Lumbini Province
Ward Chairman of Kohalpur Municipality Ward No. 1, Mr. Badri Prasad Jaisi, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to successful micro-entrepreneur Ms. Sobita Kafle of Kohalpur, Banke district, selected from Lumbini Province
Karnali Province
Ward Chairman of Panchapuri Municipality Ward No. 8, Mr. Deepak Kumar Thapa, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to successful micro-entrepreneur Ms. Padma Deuba Rokaya of Vidyapur, Surkhet district, selected from Karnali Province
Sudurpashchim Province
Mayor / Ward Chairman of Amargadhi Municipality Ward No. 7, Mr. Khadga Bahadur Bohora, presenting the Dr. Harihar Dev Pant Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur Award 2083 to successful micro-entrepreneur Ms. Kabita Sanki of Amargadhi, Dadeldhura district, selected from Sudurpashchim 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. To encourage academic dedication in Micro economics, Mr. Kamal Paudel was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation along with a cash prize of NPR 50,000 for securing first position with a 3.77 GPA in his Master’s degree in Monetary Economics at Tribhuvan University (Academic Session 2021–2023).
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. The 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, Mr. Yadav Humagain, a correspondent for Aarthik Abhiyan Daily 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.
To recognize significant contributions to economic reporting and public understanding, Mr. Ashish Gyawali, Editor of Lagani News (laganinews.com), was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation and a cash prize of NPR 100,000.
