The Annapurna Express honored 100 distinguished individuals for their contributions to Nepali society at a special function titled ‘Saluté’ in Kathmandu on May 23.
The event also marked the conclusion of ‘My Vision for Nepal’, an ApEx special series that brought together 50 eminent personalities from various fields to share their visions for the country. It was also the start of ‘ApEx Pioneers’, a new series that tells the stories of 50 Nepalis who have done pioneering works in their respective fields.
The individuals featured in ‘My Vision for Nepal’ were honored with medals while those in the ‘ApEx Pioneers’ were honored with tokens of love.
A coffee-table book ‘My Vision for Nepal’ was also unveiled on the occasion.
Addressing the function, Kalyan Shrestha, chief guest and former chief justice, congratulated and thanked all the visionaries and pioneers. He emphasized the need of driven individuals who dare question things and are determined to change what is not working.
”We need to build a society that is ready to question [the authority], only then can we develop as a country,” he said.
Representing the visionaries, Anuradha Koirala, prominent anti-women trafficking campaigner and social worker, expressed her commitment to continuously work to materialize her vision—’zero trafficking of women and children’.
On behalf of the ‘ApEx Pioneers’, Madan Rai, Nepal’s first seed and agricultural equipment expert, said “we have to live up to the faith that has been bestowed upon us–no matter how big the challenges.”
Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, chairman of Annapurna Media Network, said that since its establishment, AMN has always tried to find solutions to the problems plaguing the country.
“There is a need for a network of eminent persons, like the ones we have in our midst today, who can contribute to nation building,” he said.
Sachan Thapa, AMN director, said ApEx had become a “reliable source of news and views and reflected the diversity of the Nepali society.”
Sanat Neupane, AMN Group CEO, saluted the visionaries and pioneers. “Today, we present to you our undying respect disguised as medals and tokens of love,” he said.
On the occasion, Biswas Baral, editor-in-chief of The Annapurna Express, said ApEx would continue to push for social transformation through responsible journalism.
My Vision for Nepal
Aayushi KC, Abhaya Subba, Ambica Shrestha, Ani Choying Drolma, Anuradha Koirala, Bimala BK, Bonita Sharma, Dr Lhamo Y Sherpa, Greta Rana, Hima Bista
Mira Rai, Mohna Ansari, Nikita Acharya, Nilam Poudel, Onsari Gharti Magar, Roja Kiran Basukala, Rubina Chhetri, Sabitra Bhandari, Sama Thapa, Sampada Malla,
Shanta Nepali, Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Sushma Rajbhandari, Tista Prasai Joshi, Amar Neupane, Anil Shah, Bipin Adhikari, Birendra Basnet, Biswo Poudel,
Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, CK Lal, Dr Anup Bastola, Dr Bagawan Koirala, Dr Sanduk Ruit, Hari Sharma, Jagannath Lamichhane, Juju Kaji Maharjan, Khagendra Lamichhane, Min Bahadur Bham, Nikhil Uprety, Nischal Basnet, Nischal Nath Pandey, Pradip Pariyar, Pramod Dhakal, Ram Sharan Mahat, Sixit Bhatta, Sujeev Shakya, Swami Anand Arun, Vijay Lama,
ApEx Pioneers
Ashesh Malla, Baburam Bhattarai, Baikuntha Manandhar, Bal Krishna Joshi, Basant Raj Mishra, Bhairab Risal, Bharat Pokharel, Binod Chaudhary, Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, Capt. Siddhartha Gurung, Devendra Raj Pandey, Dr Bhagawan Koirala, Dr Kumud Dhital, Dr Ram Kantha Makaju, Dr Sanduk Ruit, Durga Baral, Gagan Pradhan, Ghanashyam Gurung, Harry Bhandari, Himalaya Shumsher JBR, Kanchha Sherpa, Kiran Manandhar, Kulman Ghising, Madan Rai, Mahabir Pun, Mahesh Acharya, Min Bahadur Gurung, Mukesh Chalise, Neer Shah, Pawan Golyan, Rabindra Puri, Ram Dayal Rakesh, Ram Kumar Panday, Ramesh Sherpa
RP Pradhan, Shyam Goenka, Suresh Raj Sharma, Tulsi Ghimire, Uday Raj Khanal,
Upendra Mahato, Uttam Sanjel, Anupama Khunjeli, Anuradha Koirala,
Bhinda Swari Shah, Bhuwan Chand, Bishnu Maya Pariyar, Jhamak Ghimire,
Mallika Shakya, Manjushree Thapa, and Usha Nepal
