Dipesh Shrestha, Kathmandu: July 4 holds special significance in the history of the Nepali language, journalism, and the Christian community. It marks the birth anniversary of Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan, who was born on 4 July 1851. On the occasion of his 175th birth anniversary, his remarkable contributions to Nepali journalism, literature, education, and publishing are being remembered and honoured by various individuals and organisations.

According to historians, Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan founded Gorkhe Khabar Kagat in Darjeeling, India, widely regarded as the first regular newspaper published in the Nepali language. The publication served as a medium for disseminating news, opinions, educational content, social awareness, and Christian teachings among Nepali-speaking communities. Historical accounts also suggest that Pradhan chose the name Gorkhe to reflect his identity and heritage as a son of the Gorkhali people.

During the Rana regime, when Christian missionary activities were heavily restricted within Nepal, independent publishing inside the country was virtually impossible. Under those circumstances, Gorkhe Khabar Kagat, published from Darjeeling, reached readers in Nepal, carrying news, educational materials, and the Christian Gospel. Historians acknowledge that the newspaper played a significant role in promoting the Nepali language while laying the foundations of modern Nepali journalism.

With the establishment of Gorkhapatra in Nepal in 1901 (B.S. 1958), journalism within the country entered an institutional phase. In this context, some Christian scholars and veteran journalists have argued that Gorkhe Khabar Kagat provided the intellectual and linguistic foundation for what later became Gorkhapatra, and that its historical contribution has not received adequate recognition. However, mainstream historiography generally distinguishes between the two, recognising Gorkhe Khabar Kagat as the first Nepali-language newspaper and Gorkhapatra as the first newspaper published within Nepal.

Beyond journalism, Rev. Pradhan made extraordinary contributions to the development of the Nepali language through his translation of the Bible into Nepali, as well as through his work in education, printing, and publishing. His literary and linguistic efforts are widely regarded as having played a vital role in the evolution of modern Nepali prose and literature.

In recognition of his historic legacy, the National Christian Federation Nepal, the umbrella organisation representing Nepal’s Christian community, formally appealed to the Government of Nepal several years ago to issue a commemorative postage stamp featuring Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan. According to sources close to the Federation, the initiative was ultimately unsuccessful, with internal disagreements and a lack of support from certain members of the Christian community cited as contributing factors.

As Nepal commemorates the 175th birth anniversary of Rev. Ganga Prasad Pradhan, growing voices from different sectors continue to call for greater national recognition of his enduring contributions to journalism, language, education, and social transformation. Many believe that his legacy deserves to be preserved and honoured as an integral part of Nepal’s journalistic and cultural history.