Kathmandu— The 150th birth anniversary of Jay Prithvi Bahadur Singh, the founder of Nepal’s oldest newspaper, Gorkhapatra, was observed today with a ceremony honoring his legacy in journalism and societal development. The event, held at the Gorkhapatra Corporation's central office in Kathmandu, saw officials and employees commemorate Singh’s role in establishing the national daily and promoting social progress. Born August 22, 1877, in Chainpur, Bajhang, Singh also briefly reigned as king before dedicating himself to public service and authorship. The commemoration aimed to recognize his multifaceted contributions to Nepal.

Early Life And Reign

Jay Prithvi Bahadur Singh was born on August 22, 1877, in Chainpur, Bajhang, the eldest son of King Bikram Bahadur Singh. He ascended to the throne in 1889 following his father’s abdication, earning him the title “Bajhangi King.” Singh was also connected to Nepal's ruling elite through marriage, being the son-in-law of Prime Minister Chandra Shamasher Rana.

Founding Of Gorkhapatra

The commemoration centered on Singh’s pivotal role in establishing Gorkhapatra, a newspaper that remains a cornerstone of Nepali journalism. Hikmat Bahadur Rawal, General Manager of the Gorkhapatra Corporation (GC), and other journalists and employees garlanded Singh's bust at the GC's office, acknowledging his remarkable contribution to publishing the daily.

Legacy Of Reform And Literature

Beyond founding a major newspaper, Jay Prithvi Bahadur Singh was recognized for his commitment to social reform and development. Rawal described Singh’s contributions as “remarkable” and expressed pride in leading the GC, which carries on his legacy. Singh was also an accomplished author, penning several books including *Nepali Language Grammar*, *Prakrit Vyakarana*, *Tatto Prashansha*—a work focused on humanity—and *Nagarik Shiksha*. Rawal pledged to continue pursuing the path of reform initiated by Singh and encouraged others to do the same.

Attendees At The Commemoration

The event was attended by a number of prominent figures from within the Gorkhapatra Corporation, including board member Lucky Chaudhary, editor-in-chief of the Gorkhapatra daily Junar Basnet, acting editor-in-chief of *The Rising Nepal* Ramesh Kumar Lamsal and acting Editor of *The Rising Nepal Online*, Nanda Lal Tiwari.

The commemoration served as a reminder of Jay Prithvi Bahadur Singh’s lasting impact on Nepali media, literature, and social progress.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.