Author Indra Chaudhary has been honored with the ‘Nebashasa Children’s Book Writing Award.’ The award was presented on Sunday during the Second Children’s Book Exhibition and Valley-wide Children’s Story Writing Competition held at the Nepal Academy in Kamaladi. The award was jointly conferred by Chancellor Bhupal Rai, Member Secretary Dhan Prasad Subedi, and Nepal Children's Literature Society President Pramod Pradhan.

Chaudhary received the award for his illustrated children’s book ‘Naya Banpale’, which was published by Room to Read in 2022 and was recognized as the best book for children under eight years of age.

With a background of five years in children’s literature translation and writing, Chaudhary has published four illustrated children’s storybooks and translated dozens of children’s stories from English to Nepali, as well as into Tharu and Rana Tharu languages. Expressing his joy at receiving the award in such a short span, Chaudhary said, “I had not expected this achievement so soon. This recognition has inspired me to contribute even more to children’s literature.”

A former journalist who later ventured into theater, Chaudhary is now a teacher. He credited senior children’s writer and editor Ananta Wagle and illustrator Anushree Lama for their significant contributions to making his book exceptional. “Editor Ananta Wagle and illustrator Anushree Lama played a crucial role in refining my book. I sincerely thank them,” he said, also extending gratitude to the award selection committee for recognizing his work.

Alongside Chaudhary, Srijana Rai won the award in the 8+ age category for 2022, while poet Mitralal Pangeni and Hari Khanal received awards for 2021 in the under-8 and 8+ categories, respectively. In the illustration category, Kalagraj B (2021) and Krisha Tamrakar (2022) were honored. Additionally, publishing houses were also recognized during the event.