Journalist and documentary maker Mohan Mainali received this year’s Forum of Development Journalists (FDJ) Award in the Capital on Thursday. Senior journalist and 2002 winner of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award Bharat Datta Koirala handed the Award to Mainali, at an event that was organised to mark the second anniversary of the FDJ.

“I was working to realise my passion. Later it became a contribution to the nation,” Mainali remarked after receiving the award.  Koirala stressed the importance of development journalism for country’s development and prosperity.

“I started the practice of development journalism 45 years ago in a difficult time. Now the country has already adopted the federal structure.  “It is high time that journalists brought out development agenda in a critical framework. Without strong surveillance from journalists, it is hard to imagine development,” said Koirala.