The Madan Bhandari Foundation, which annually presents the Madan Bhandari National Award with the objective of promoting the study, research, publication, and intellectual discourse on the personality, political thought, contributions, and legacy of the late People's Leader Madan Kumar Bhandari, has decided to confer the Madan Bhandari National Award–2082 upon author and researcher Mr. Ramesh Ruchen Rai for his research-based book Shwetashardul (The Life of Madan Bhandari).
On the occasion of the 75th Birth Anniversary of People's Leader Madan Bhandari, and in accordance with the Foundation's policy of recognizing individuals or institutions that have made outstanding contributions to documenting, researching, publishing, and promoting the life, political career, ideas, and legacy of Madan Bhandari through scholarly studies, memoir writing, and publications, the Foundation has selected Shwetashardul (The Life of Madan Bhandari) by Mr. Ramesh Ruchen Rai for this year's award. The selection was made based on the recommendation of an independent three-member Selection Committee comprising experts from the relevant fields.
Born in Kerabari, Ward No. 11 of Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam District, Mr. Ramesh Ruchen Rai has long been active as an independent researcher and scholar specializing in Nepali politics, development, and contemporary issues. The Selection Committee has assessed his book Shwetashardul (The Life of Madan Bhandari) as an important scholarly work that presents the life, personality, political journey, and ideological contributions of People's Leader Madan Bhandari in a factual, research-based, and credible manner.
The award carries a cash prize of NPR 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Rupees) along with a certificate of honor.
The award will be presented at a special ceremony to be held on Sunday, 28 June 2026 (14 Ashadh 2083 B.S.) at 2:00 p.m. at the National Assembly Hall, Kathmandu, on the occasion of the 75th Birth Anniversary of People's Leader Madan Bhandari. The ceremony, to be held under the chief guestship of Rt. Hon. Former President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, will also feature a national symposium on the theme "The Communist Movement of Nepal and People's Leader Madan Bhandari."
The symposium will be addressed by distinguished guest speakers Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Mr. Jhala Nath Khanal, and Mr. Upendra Yadav.
On this occasion, the Madan Bhandari Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to the award recipient, Mr. Ramesh Ruchen Rai, and wishes him continued success in his creative and scholarly endeavors. The Foundation also cordially invites representatives of the media and all concerned stakeholders to grace the event with their esteemed presence.
Dr. Bhesh Raj Adhikari
Acting Secretary
Madan Bhandari Foundation
