Kathmandu, Sep 11: The Rotary Club of Patan (RCP) recognizes 10 outstanding public-school students at a ceremony on 10 September 2018 at Summit Hotel. The annual Kamalmani Educational Excellence Award (KEEA), named after principal donor Rotarian Kamalmani Dixit, recognized the achievements of 9th grade students from economically deprived families with certificates and cash prizes totalling 100,000 rupees. The winners were selected among close to 100 students supported by RCP’s flagship education scholarship programme, the Prajapati Education Endowment Fund (PEEF).

The first-place prize of 25,000 rupees went to Bir Dhoj Tamang, an A+ student from Shree Mahendra Adarsha Higher Secondary School in Imadol. The selection panel of five Rotarians said Tamang came across as self-aware and confident during the interview process. He said that he was proud to be a public-school student. “I want to be an engineer and get involved in social activities after completing my studies,” Tamang told the panel.

The three second-place prizes of 15,000 rupees went to Kriti Pahari from Shree Path Pradarsak Secondary School in Badikhel, who aspires to become a laboratory technician; Mahesh Shah of Pragati Shikshya Higher Secondary School in Kopundole, who aspires to be a computer engineer; and Sangita Tamang Lama from Bal Binod Secondary School in Na Tole, who aspires to be a doctor.

The six third-place prizes of 5,000 rupees went to Niruta Gairapiple, Shree Chandi Adarsha Saral Secondary School in Chakupat; Dilu Kumari Kunwar, Shree Mahendragram Secondary School in Tikathali; Preeti Pandey, Shree Balkumari Higher Secondary School in Sunakothi; Ritika Rai, Shree Mahendra Brikuti Secondary School in Ekantakuna; Sapana Sapkota, Kitini Higher Secondary School in Godavari; and Alisha Timilsina, Tri Padma Vidyashram Higher Secondary School in Pulchowk.

The RCP has supported the secondary school education of thousands of students through the PEEF over the past 27 years. The fund has demonstrated how a small monetary contribution to a child’s education can have exponentially larger benefits to their overall well-being and community development. In 2018 alone, the RCP distributed 15 lakhs rupees, supporting more than 400 students from grades 7 to 11 in 27 public schools.

The RCP established the KEEA in 2012 to give meritorious students extra recognition. The award fund has since been expanded with donations from other RCP members, and in November 2017, journalists Kunda Dixit and Kanak Dixit contributed more than 10 lakhs rupees in the name of their late father.

Last year’s first prize recipient, Samdoma Sherpa, who studies at Tri Padma Vidyashram Higher Secondary Public School in Pulchowk said at last year’s ceremony that her parents were illiterate and economically poor but determined to facilitate the education of all five of their daughters. “The annual scholarship support from the Rotary Club of Patan that I have received since grade 6 and this additional KEEA award has changed my life,” she said.

“Kamalmani ji has inspired us to reward not only students that excel academically but also stand out as individuals that will contribute to society,” said the President, Rotarian Gabriele Mallapaty, who is the second woman to hold the position since the club’s establishment in 1985. The 2018/19 theme of the Rotary International President is ‘Be the Inspiration’.

The RCP is a social service club of professionals and community leaders, who are part of the more than 1.2 million Rotarians globally, of which more than 4,000 are in 119 clubs in Nepal. The club is engaged in service projects in the areas of education, community development, water supply, and health, including mental health.