Dr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa honored with ‘Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2079’ (with photos)

KATHMANDU: The ‘Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2079’ has been awarded to diplomat Dr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa in memory of the esteemed administrator and manager, late Hem Bahadur Malla.

The award was presented by President Ramchandra Paudel at a special ceremony organized today by the Nepal Association of Public Administration.

The award, valued at Rs 200,000, was established by the Association and Salt Trading Corporation in memory of late Hem Bahadur Malla, who was a prominent figure in the field of public administration and management.

Dr. Thapa received the award in recognition of his significant contributions over five decades in economic, administrative, academic, and diplomatic spheres. According to the Association’s Chair, Madhuram Acharya, Dr. Thapa has been honored for his leadership and substantial contributions in these areas.

Dr. Thapa’s extensive career includes roles as Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, he has served as Nepal’s Ambassador to the United States and India, Coordinator of the Nepal side of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group, Resident Representative of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, and Vice Chair of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Canada. His diplomatic service has played a significant role in strengthening international relations.

A selection committee led by former Secretary and former Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala was responsible for the award selection. The committee included former Association President Krishna Hari Banskota, Salt Trading Chair Pradeep Lal Shrestha, Secretary Bindhu Bisht, and former Secretary Sishir Kumar Dungana.

Previous recipients of this award include Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Chandani Joshi, Dr. Bhagwan Koirala, Dr. Bimal Koirala, Mahavir Pun, late Ambika Shrestha, Bhojraj Pokhrel, Daman Nath Dungana, Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, Khilraj Regmi, Umesh Mainali, Damodar Gautam, Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey, Kulman Ghising, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Dr. Gaurishankar Lal Das, Surya Nath Upadhyaya, Gorakh Bahadur Nhuchhe Pradhan, and Bhanu Acharya.

Late Hem Bahadur Malla served in various roles including Founder Chairman, Executive Chief, Director In-Charge, and Chief Advisor of Salt Trading Corporation. Established in 2047 BS, the Association aims to foster mutual respect and strengthen public sector policy-making, review, and evaluation in the fields of administration and management.