Rudragauri Shri Ambika Oli Foundation Announces National Awards for 2025

Kathmandu. Rudragauri Shri Ambika Oli Foundation, Bhadrapur-7, Jhapa has announced the prestigious national awards to be presented for the year 2082 (2025 AD). Issuing a press release, the foundation has publicized the names of the recipients of this year's 'Shriprasad Oli Smriti Rashtriya/Antarrashtriya Pragyan Puraskar' and 'Rudraprasad Oli Smriti Rashtriya Krishi Puraskar'.

According to the foundation, it has decided to jointly present the 'Shriprasad Oli Smriti Rashtriya/Antarrashtriya Pragyan Puraskar' (cash prize Rs. 5,00,000) to educationist Professor Dr. Sureshraj Sharma and the National Innovation Center at a special ceremony to be held on Jestha 30, 2083 at the Nepal Tourism Board in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.

The awardee Prof. Dr. Sharma has contributed for more than five decades to the development of higher education, technical and vocational education in Nepal. He is the founding Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University.

Similarly, the National Innovation Center, established under the leadership of Dr. Mahabir Pun, is to be honored with the same award jointly for playing a significant role in the country's economic development and employment generation through technology, research, and innovation.

Likewise, the 'Rudraprasad Oli Smriti Rashtriya Krishi Puraskar' with a cash prize of Rs. 1,01,111 (One Lakh, One Thousand, One Hundred Eleven Rupees) has been decided to be jointly presented to Agro Manang Pvt. Ltd. and senior horticulture expert Chutraj Gurung. Agro Manang is being honored for starting high-density apple cultivation using modern technology in a large area for the first time in the remote region of Manang, thereby contributing to increased production, employment generation, and import substitution.

Similarly, horticulture expert Chutraj Gurung is being presented with this award for his contributions to the country's agricultural sector, both while in the service of the Government of Nepal and after retirement, through research in horticulture, expansion of apple cultivation in the Himalayan region, and providing practical training to more than 2,000 farmers and technicians.

This foundation, operated from a one-crore rupee endowment fund established by the late Shriprasad Oli in 2067 BS, has been carrying out social, educational, and service-oriented activities since its establishment.

The foundation has been presenting various category awards every year to encourage individuals who have made significant contributions in different fields. So far, 44 individuals and organizations have been honored with various awards from the foundation.