Pokhara, 7 December| The National Folk and Duet Song Academy Nepal, Gandaki Province Chapter, concluded its seventh annual general meeting and third convention by electing a new working committee under the leadership of Maya Gurung as Chairperson. Election Officer Narayan Sharma announced that Ramji Paudel was elected Senior Vice-Chairperson, RC Paudel as First Vice-Chairperson, Hom Gurung as Second Vice-Chairperson, Manju BK as Women Vice-Chairperson, Krishna Subedi as Secretary, Sabina Gurung as Treasurer, Tek Chhetri as Joint Secretary, and Sapana Pariyar as Joint Treasurer. In her address, newly elected Chairperson Gurung expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her, noting that she is the first woman to lead the Academy in Gandaki. She pledged to complete the unfinished tasks initiated by the founding and previous chairpersons, focusing on improving and adorning the Academy rather than harming it.
During the inauguration ceremony, veteran artist Shibu Giri was honored with the Nar Bahadur Pariyar Memorial Art Award, and journalist Rajaram Paudel received the Tirtha Sagar Subedi Memorial Journalism Award. Among the Academy’s district chapters in Gandaki, Parbat was recognized as the ‘Best District.’ Additionally, the Higher Education Award was presented to Karan Kandel, Secretary of the Myagdi chapter. Prajapati Parajuli, the former Central President, inaugurated the convention and reminisced about judging competitions where every past president of the Academy had participated. Purushottam Neupane, another former Central President, highlighted the Academy’s growth as a major national organization, attracting more artists. Various speakers emphasized the importance of preserving folk culture during the event.
