Dhruba Hari Adhikary-

Gorakhapatra maintains its enviable position as the country’s newspaper of record despite a series of political changes in the country in the preceding century. Neither has marked developments in printing as well as communication technologies, witnessed particularly since the 1970s, challenged its distinctive identity. Its publication, as a weekly on 6th May 1901 (24th Baishakh 1958 BS), serves as a constant public reminder that it was Gorakhapatra that marked the beginning of journalism in Nepal. Dev Shamasher, considered liberal among Rana rulers, continues to be remembered for this noble initiative.

Gorakhapatra remained the sole publication for almost half a century, until the dawn of democracy in early 1951, carrying public announcements and official decrees. In fact, its responsibilities almost amounted to it being a gazette that prints public notices and authoritative accounts of the government’s plans and policies. “Gorakhapatra ceded its gazette-related role only after the publication of Nepal Gazette began, in 1951,” says Madan Kumar Bhattrai, author of two research-based books on Nepal’s foreign affairs. Bhattarai, a former foreign secretary, has spent several hours poring over files of Gorakhapatra for authoritative accounts of records relating to the conduct of the country’s external relations.

Added Responsibilities

However, Nepal Gazette, which was entrusted to print straight notices and notifications, could not be a substitute for the newspaper that gave detailed and extensive coverage of events and policies with background information. Gorkhapatra, which became a daily only in early 1961 (previously its periodicity had changed from a weekly to a twice-a-week and then three times a week), continued to be a newspaper under the government control. In 1962, a separate legislative act, transformed it into an autonomous entity, allowing it to add more publications to cater to the changing requirements of the Nepali society. Accordingly, Gorakhapatra Corporation launched an English daily, The Rising Nepal, in 1965. This was followed by Madhuparka, a Nepali literary monthly. Some other additions were made later. Read Dhruba Hari Adhikary's article on The Rising Nepal