The Khemlal-Harikala Lamichhane Samaaj Kalyan Pratisthan announced this year’s Padmashree Sahitya Puraskaar and Padmashree Sadhana Samman is to be conferred to Professor Krishna Gautam’s ‘Adwait’ and Sikkim’s former Chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling respectively on Monday.

The Academy’s President Jiba Lamichhane said that Gautam’s ‘Adwait’ states that the essence of humanity is one despite the belief in singularity, duality and pluralism. “Adwait is written in highly refined and understandable language and style highlighting the issue of establishing equality, empathy and solidarity in human society,” he said in a statement released on Monday.

According to Lamichhane, out of 187 books submitted to the Academy, 15 were included in the extended list and five were shortlisted.

Similarly, Chamling has been honoured with Padma Shree Sadhana Samman for his devotion to the Nepali language, culture and literature for a long time. Chamling had also been the chief minister of Sikkim from December 1994 to May 2019.

Professor Dr Kedar Bhakta Mathema, former ambassador to Japan and vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University has been chosen for the Padma Shree Gaurav Award for his continuous contribution to an equitable society. He has been a civil society activist for a long, Lamichhane said.

He shared that each award comprises a cash prize of Rs 300,000 and a letter of appreciation.