The 20th Bantawa Poetry Competition successfully concluded in Ghodeetar, Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality, Bhojpur.
In the competition, Balman Rai from Saksanrang from Hatuwagadhi-2, secured the first position. Poet Bhim Birahi Rai from Dharan-15, Sunsari, won the second position, while poet Arjun Rai from Gangtok, Sikkim, came third.
The first, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of NPR 20,000, NPR 15,000, and NPR 10,000, respectively, from the ‘Bungwakha Shyamraj Dubdenghang Memorial Endowment Fund.’ The prizes, certificates, and gifts were presented by Chief Guest Academician Hansawati Kurmi, Special Guest Academician Rajan Mukarung, and Endowment Fund representatives Harkaraj Hang Rai and Samriddhi Rai.
The endowment fund, named ‘Bungwakha,’ was established by the daughters of the late Shyamraj Dubdenghang—Meena Rai and Sapana Rai—and his niece, Anjana Rai. The late Shyamraj Dubdenghang was a Bantawa newsreader and language advocate at Radio Nepal.
Earlier, Bantawa poems were invited for the competition through ‘Bungwakha,’ and 26 poems were submitted within the deadline. From these, the top 10 poems were selected, and the poets recited their works during the event. Among the other participants were Dikpal Rai, Manfula Rai, Ramesh Rai, and Shukra Walahang from Bhojpur; Dirgaman Rai from Khotang; C.M. Khamluwa Rai from Jhapa; and Nilu Rai from Dharan. Certificates and gifts were awarded to all top 10 poets.
The poems were evaluated by a panel of judges comprising Shreeshisha Rai, Prabhat Shivahang, and Kripalsingh Rai.
The competition was held as part of a two-day ‘Bantawa Literary Festival’ organized to mark the 20th anniversary of ‘Bungwakha.’ The event was conducted with the support of Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality, Bhojpur, in collaboration with Nepal Academy, Kathmandu, and co-organized by Kirat Rai Yayokha, Hatuwagadhi.
