Kathmandu. Kavre: Sanskriti Farm and Research Center of Kavre has received the Gopal-Kamala Rajbhandari Rotary Award-2026 BS. The award was presented with a purse of Rs 2 million on the occasion of the 18th District Conference that kicked off in Pokhara on Friday.

District Governor Binod Koirala, Chairman of Vocational Award Committee and Past District Governor Rajendra Man Sherchan and Past District Governor Deepak Raj Bhandari handed over the award to the promoters of the center Shree Krishna Dhital and Rupa Pyakurel along with Rs 20 lakhs.

The farm located at Phulbari of Namobuddha Municipality-1 in Kavre has been in operation since 2074 BS. The farm run by Shree Krishna Dhital, 37, and his wife Rupa Pyakurel has been working in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and food security.

Expressing happiness after receiving such a huge amount of award, Dhital said that the award money will also be used for the operation of the center. He said that the latest technology will be piled up and gradually promoted in the villages.

According to him, the centre has been working in food security as well as running nursery and providing training. It has been active in the field of food security and environmental activities, environment-friendly and innovative technology, innovative technology, renewable energy, drinking water and sanitation. Currently, there are about 10 employees working here.

With a background in mechanical engineering, Shree Krishna is currently teaching agriculture at Kathmandu University. He returned to the village and started his own business in his own house, and now he has become a source of inspiration for everyone.

The award is given by Rotary to individuals, organizations or groups who have made significant contributions in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene. Earlier, the award was Rs 1 million which was increased to Rs 2 million from 2024.

The main purpose of the award, presented annually, is to honour an individual, group of individuals or organizations who have made significant achievements in their professional field with selfless and dedicated spirit in accordance with the true spirit of the Rotary Code of Ethics.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dr. Suniti Gopal Acharya of Rotary Club of Durbar Square was honored with the Rotary Award. Dr. Pragya Karmacharya Rajbhandari and Dr. Pragya Karmacharya Milan Maharjan was honored. District Governor Binod Koirala and former Governor Jaya Rajya Laxmi Shah felicitated them with a cash prize of Rs 100,000 each. Similarly, Dr. Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Midtown has received the Yogendra Tulachan Rotaract Award. Club President Swastika Parajuli received the award.

Rotary International, the world’s oldest charitable organization, was founded in 1905 in Chicago. Its chief founder is Paul Harris. Rotary has more than 1.2 million members with a network in more than 200 countries around the world.

Pokhara—The 18th District Conference of Rotary District 3292 kicked off in Pokhara on Friday. A total of 1500 Rotarians from Nepal and Bhutan are taking part in the three-day conference.

District Governor Binod Koirala said that it was a matter of happiness that he got the opportunity to organize the historic conference in his hometown as he is the governor representing Pokhara. The chief guest of the conference was Rotary International President Representative Raja Govindasamy.

On the second day, separate groups will discuss the programs run by various committees of Rotary, while on the last day, Rota quiz and district governor election for 2028/29 will be held. There will also be a three-day panel discussion.