Nishant Bik and Sangina Thapa Magar Win 9th National Running Shield Dohori Geet Competition

Kathmandu. Nishant Bik and Sangina Thapa Magar have been declared first in the '9th National Running Shield Dohori Geet Competition-2083'.

They, who entered the field on behalf of the Pratishthan Valley Coordination Committee (B), succeeded in becoming the top winner by leaving behind 17 other teams in the final competition held late Sunday night. Bik and Thapa Magar, who secured the first position, received a cash prize of three lakh rupees along with the running shield.

Saroj Sinkhada and Jamuna Bishwakarma became second in this competition, which lasted for three days at the Ilam Training Center in Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot, organized by the National Folk and Dohori Geet Pratishthan Nepal. Representing the Pratishthan Bagmati Province (A), they received a cash prize of two lakh rupees. Similarly, Manav Rawat Chhetri and Bhavana Aryal of Pratishthan Madhesh Province (A) were declared third and managed to get one lakh rupees, while Rajman Khatri and Shanta Wali of Pratishthan Lumbini Province (B) received a consolation prize with 50 thousand rupees.

Various category awards were also distributed in the competition, which started with a grand inauguration on Jestha 29 and concluded on 31. Accordingly, Raju Lamichhane was declared the best singer, Jamuna Sunar the best female singer, Bikram Gahatraj the best new male singer, and Shital Kalpana Bik the best new female singer. Similarly, Bel Bahadur Pariyar was the disciplined singer, Shanti Karki the disciplined female singer, Pritam Pokharel the best male costume, and Sita Majhi the best female costume.

The competition, organized with the main objective of preserving Nepali folk culture, honoring creators, and promoting new talents, was grander than expected, said Rita Thapa Magar, president of the National Folk and Dohori Geet Pratishthan. Before the competition, the Pratishthan's internal selection committee selected 18 teams for the finals to make the participating teams inclusive and competitive.

The central president of the Pratishthan, Rita Thapa Magar, herself was the coordinator of the main ceremony of this competition, which was attended by many famous folk singers, politicians, and distinguished personalities from various fields. Similarly, Deepak Khadka, administrative vice-president, was the co-coordinator, Usha Subedi, central member, was the deputy coordinator, and Ujjwal Jung Thakuri was the program director. Senior Vice President Pashupati Sharma managed the cultural program management, while artists like Ramji Khana for stage management and Radhika Hamal for guest hospitality were active in various sub-committees.

The main patron of this program, which was directly observed by about 20,000 spectators, was the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Bagmati Province. Similarly, Bidur Municipality and Tokha Municipality were the patrons, while Nuwakot Chamber of Commerce and Industry was its promoter. Nuwakot Construction Entrepreneurs Association provided support as the main supporting organization of the competition.