Kathmandu: The historic ‘Gidde Press’, known as Nepal’s first printing press, has finally been returned to the Gorkhapatra Corporation. Today marked the official handover of the press from the National Museum at Chhauni to the Gorkhapatra Corporation.
According to National News Agency RSS, Arun Nakarmi, the head of the museum, presented the press to Ram Prasad Humagain, the deputy executive editor of Gorkhapatra. The press, which was instrumental in printing the Gorkhapatra approximately 125 years ago, is now set to be displayed in a designated room within the corporation.
Reports indicate that the press was transferred to the museum on 1 Ashoj 2036 BS for preservation purposes. Prior to this transfer, a team led by museum official Subash Dangol visited the institution and provided a report with key recommendations for its upkeep.
Previously, parts of the press sent to the museum for safekeeping were either left exposed or stored in various locations due to limited space and a lack of skilled personnel for proper installation. There are concerns regarding some components possibly being buried within the Gorkhapatra grounds.
Students from the Engineering Campus in Thapathali, specializing in mechanical engineering, have volunteered to help with the maintenance of the press. Additionally, discussions are ongoing for support from the National Innovation Centre, as stated by Gorkhapatra’s Deputy Executive Editor Humagain.
The press was originally brought to Nepal in 1908 B.S. by then Prime Minister Janga Bahadur Rana after his visit to Britain. Initially housed in Prime Minister Rana’s Thapathali Palace, it was later relocated to Gorkhapatra.