Kathmandu: The ‘Hem Bahadur Malla Award 2080’ has been conferred on former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha. The award was established in honor of the founder of Salt Trading Corporation, the late Hem Bahadur Malla. Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut handed over the award to Shrestha at an event organized jointly by the Nepal Public Administration Association and the Corporation in Kathmandu.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the award was conferred on former Chief Justice Shrestha in recognition of his contributions to judicial leadership and institutional development. The prize includes a purse of Rs 200,000 along with a certificate of honor. Shrestha served as the 25th Chief Justice and played roles in transitional justice, inclusive democracy, and environmental justice. He was recommended by a selection committee chaired by former Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Umesh Mainali.
On the occasion, Chief Justice Raut mentioned that Shrestha had remained a significant figure in the judicial history of Nepal. The feted personality, Shrestha, expressed concern over the growing difficulty in establishing good governance in the country due to the underperformance of State agencies, urging stakeholders to pay attention to this issue.
Prior to this, the award was handed over to other notable figures including Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Chandani Joshi, Dr. Bhagwan Koirala, Mahavir Pun, Ambika Shrestha, Bhojraj Pokhrel, Kulman Ghising, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Dr. Gaurishankar Lal Das, and Dr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa.