Thursday, Jul 13, 2023 08:45 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Jul 13, 2023 03:14 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Smita Sotang Rai from Jaldakha won the Nepali Sahitya Parishad (NSP) Sikkim-organised national open poetry competition during the final round held at Manan Kendra, Gangtok here on Wednesday.
The top 10 poets, selected from the over 400 entries, had been invited for the final round to present their poems before a three-member panel of judges.
Suraj Sharma from Bijanbari and Suchan Pradhan from Rhenock were adjudged in the second and third positions.
Dr. Remika Thapa from Mungpoo, Sudhir Chettri from Kalimpong and Prabin Rai ‘Jumeli’ from Gangtok were the judges for the national open poetry competition.
Similarly, the top 10 poets from the State-level inter-school poetry competition presented their poems during the final round. They were judged by Sudha M Rai, Dr. Tek Bahadur Chettri and Pravin Khaling.
Sabina Rai from Biraspati Parsai senior secondary school, Basanti Rai from Bojoghari senior secondary school and Anjali Chettri from Mangsari secondary school came first, second and third respectively.
Both the competitions, carrying cash prizes, were organised by the NSP Sikkim as part of the Bhanu Jayanti 2023 celebrations.
Padmashree Sanu Lama was the chief guest for the final round, also attended by NSP Sikkim president Hari Dhungel.
Dhungel informed that the best poems selected from the two contests would be published in a book form by the Parishad.
Consolation cash prizes and certificates were presented to the seven poets of each category at the event. The top three winners of both national and inter-school contests will be receiving their cash prizes during the main Bhanu Jayanti celebrations taking place at Manan Kendra on Thursday.