Gorakhapatra forum speaking people's voice

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has expressed her pleasure, saying the Gorakhapatra which was a mass media singing praises of kings and rulers has now evolved into a place speaking people's voice.

Addressing a programme marking the 123rd anniversary of the publication of Gorakhapatra and the 61st anniversary of Gorakhapatra Corporation here today, she stressed on the need of disseminating the positive works being carried out by the government to the people in a systematic way.

The Minister stated that institutions like the Gorakhapatra Corporation have an important role to turn the negative tendency that is establishing in recent days into positivity.

Noting that the government is in the process of formulating new laws and Acts related to the communication sector, she shared that the Mass Communication Institute Act and other Acts are in the final stages of completion.

The Communication and Information Technology Minister urged the media to pay special attention to creating a sense of hope among the general public and stressed on giving special space to the positive trends.

She said the Gorakhapatra Corporation has a bright future if it is able to strengthen internal management both in terms of economic and human resources. Noting that the restructuring of the Corporation has become urgent, Minister Sharma said the time has come for conducting an audit of the physical infrastructure, human resources management, market situation and output by carrying out a deep study on the Corporation's structural condition and the managerial aspects.

"Generally, the Gorakhapatra is a State newspaper. It should function as a bridge linking the people and the government through journalism. It is necessary for it to focus its content towards taking the State policies and regulations among the people and making the State aware of their needs, internalizing the basic values and principles of journalism," she said.

Describing the Gorakhapatra and the Corporation's other publications as the intellectual property of the future generation, Communications and Information Technology Minister expressed happiness at the Corporation starting to electronically archive its old publications for their preservation.

She also took the opportunity to call on the Corporation to give attention to increase its economic resources. "This institution should present itself in a more responsible, professional and credible manner to prove its mettle in the present competitive market," Minister Sharma reminded.

She said the Ministry is making initiatives for reconstructing the Corporation's old main building which was damaged by the earthquake and for ensuring the career development of the employees by finalizing the Statute of the Corporation which has been lingering for long.

It is a matter of pride for us that the Gorakhapatra comes in the rank of some of the oldest newspapers in South Asia region itself, Minister Sharma said and urged the Corporation to keep intact this legacy by giving rich content and keeping in pace with the new technologies.

Corporation Executive Chairman Bishnu Subedi said the Gorakhapatra has been connected to every political and social transformation in the nation. He said the recent changes they have made in terms of technology and news content have had a positive impact.

The Executive Chairman also shared that there has been a 20 percent increase in the Corporation's income until so far in the current fiscal year compared to the same period last fiscal year.

Stating the electronic archiving of the old publications would be completed within the current fiscal year itself, he spoke highly of the role the 'Naya Nepal', special publication in mother language of various ethnic groups, in promoting the national unity.

General Manager Lal Bahadur Airi said it is imperative to move ahead in tune with the changed situation for keeping alive the dignified history of the Gorakhapatra. He said the Gorakhapatra is the voice of the citizen.

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) president Bipul Pokharel expressed delight over the Gorakhapatra establishing itself as a means of mass communication which also gives space to news related to various anomalies and aberrations as well as corruption scandals. He wished that Gorakhapatra worked more on becoming the 'model institution' using technology.

Officiating Chief Editor of Gorakhapatra Shiva Prasad Bhattarai underscored the 'effective role' played by the Gorakhapatra in the enrichment of the Nepali language and culture. Stating that the general public still looked for Gorakhapatra for authenticity and credibility of news, Chief Editor Bhattarai said they have been pursuing journalism by embracing the added challenges posed by growing use of technology.

Chairperson of the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee, Sangita Khadka praised the Gorakhapatra Corporation's place in the history of Nepali journalism. She called attention of the Corporation's management, saying that complaints have been received that it has not fulfilled its commitment in resolving the problems of the working journalists.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Minister Sharma launched the 'Gorakhapatra Style Book' on the occasion. Corporation's employees were also honoured and awarded.