Photojournalist Narendra Shrestha has been awarded with the World Press Photo-026. Shrestha received the recognition in the single-image category for the West, Central, and South Asia region, marking a rare feat for a Nepali photographer in the prestigious visual storytelling competition.

His winning entry captures a haunting moment from the Gen Z movement last September, depicting the Singha Durbar—Nepal’s administrative headquarters—engulfed in flames. The image was selected from 57,376 entries submitted by 3,747 photographers across 141 countries.

For Shrestha, whose career began at Kantipur Publications, the award reflects years of work in the field. "Back in 2000, a dozen of us would mail our entries via post," Shrestha recalled. "Winning wasn't the goal then; we just wanted the annual World Press Photo book that participants received."

While Nepal’s political upheavals and natural disasters have previously featured in the awards—notably during the 2006 People’s Movement and the 2015 earthquake—those winning shots were typically captured by foreign correspondents.

"We are always the first responders on the ground after any incidents," Shrestha remarked. "Seeing foreigners win for photos of our soil used to sting. This victory belongs to the entire Nepali photojournalism community."

The formal ceremony is scheduled for May 28 in the Netherlands. Shrestha will receive a cash prize of 1,000 euros and international exhibition honours.

The World Press Photo award is widely regarded among photojournalists as a major professional recognition and solidifies Shrestha’s place as a leading figure in Nepali photography.