A trust fund for the Far-western region’s first literary award—Maniraj Wagmaya Akshyakos—was initated amid a function held in Kailali on Monday. The trust fund worth Rs 1,000,000 was established jointly by the family of the veteran literary figure Maniraj Joshi at Nepali Literature and Culture Academy Kailali.

Speaking at the event, chairperson of the Academy, Padamraj Joshi, said, “This trust fund will be used to honour one literary figure every year for their contribution to the Nepali literature.” He added, “The recipient of this award will also receive a cash purse worth Rs 100,000 from the fund.” The award will be the highest sum of money for a literary honour in Far-western and Mid-western region. Veteran poet Maniraj Joshi, author of half a dozen epic poems and 24 books, has also penned an epic poem about four national heroes hailing from the Far Western region—Pahalman Singh Swar, Dasarath Chand, Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh and ND Prakash Chathuth.

Along with the Maniraj Wangmaya Literary Award, the Academy also established five other awards in various categories—Khaptad Swami Sachinanda Award, Far-Western Pahila Aakhyankar Kadak Bahadur Singh Pratibha Puraskar, Nripa Bahadur Swar Shaitya Puraskar, Nepali Lok Shaitya Puraskar and Godhabari Yuva Barsa Puraskar.

The Academy, which organised a Mahakumbha last year at Godhavari, Kailali, has been holding various religious, literary and touristic activities in the region.