Nepalese Journalist Deepak Sapkota to Be Honoured With Amar Nembang Memorial Award

Veteran Kantipur Daily journalist Deepak Sapkota is set to receive the Amar Nembang Memorial Award in recognition of his contributions to literature and journalism, alongside two other Nepali cultural figures. The announcement was made by the Amar Nembang Memorial Foundation, which selected Sapkota, poet Devendra Sakten Rai, and writer Malisha Yakthungba as this year’s awardees for the seventh edition of the annual honour.

The award, given in memory of Amar Nembang—a respected writer and former chairperson of Falgunanda Rural Municipality—recognises individuals who have made notable contributions to Nepali arts, literature, and public discourse. Each recipient will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and an official citation during a ceremony scheduled for 9 February 2026, the memorial date observed in Nembang’s honour.

Sapkota is widely known for his work as a journalist with Kantipur Daily and for his role as coordinator of the weekly ‘Koseli’ supplement. Beyond newsroom work, he has edited essay collections such as Nirbandh Montage and Lokeshan and previously served as editor of the literary monthly Pandulipi, showcasing his engagement with both journalism and literary culture.

Fellow awardees Rai and Yakthungba come from distinct creative spheres. Rai is recognised for his contributions to Nepali poetry, while Yakthungba has authored numerous works in the Yakthung (Limbu) language, underscoring the award’s celebration of diverse voices.

Since its inception, the Amar Nembang Memorial Award has highlighted figures who have left meaningful marks on Nepal’s intellectual and cultural landscape. Past winners include influential writers and poets such as Krishna Dharabasi, Bina Thing, Govindraj Bhattarai, Bir Nembang, Munaraj Sherma, and Bimala Tumkhewa, representing a broad spectrum of literary achievement over the years.

The annual honour reflects Nepal’s rich tradition of celebrating literary and journalistic excellence, and Sapkota’s inclusion this year underscores his longstanding contributions to both media and literature in the country.