This article was written and originally published by Glocal Khabar.

Dor Bikram Shrees, a school teacher from Gulmi, has been declared the Integrity Idol of the year 2016. Shrees was felicitated with the award amidst a special award gala organized in the capital on Thursday. Integrity Idol is a national honor to recognize the most sincere and responsible government officer.

The Principal of Siddhababa Higher Secondary School in Gulmi, Shrees is a favorite among teachers, students, and guardians alike, and a trusted member of the community. To implement practical and timely learning in the school, he initiated compulsory computer classes, equipped each classroom with multimedia equipment, and requires each student to read at least one book outside of school curriculum every month. He also involves guardians of the students in all decision-making through regular meetings and provides financial updates through regular bulletins. He has made Siddhababa an exemplary school, making people feel that government schools too can provide quality education.

Shrees, along with Tara Subedi, a Health Assistant in Dhankuta, Bindu Kunwar, a Women Development Inspector in Jumla, Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, an Under-Secretary at National Reconstruction Authority, and Krishna Prasad Dhanchha, Principal of Bageshwari Higher Secondary School in Bhaktapur were shortlisted for the award. A total of around 850 civil servants were nominated for the award this year.

A panel of jury team comprising of Suryanath Upadhyay, former Secretary and Commissioner of CIAA, Ganesh Shah, former minister for Science, Technology and Environment, Bharat Bahadur Thapa, President, Transparency International Nepal and Jeevan Prabha Lama, former Director General, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control had judged the participants.

“I feel very proud to receive this award and even more inspired to continue working hard in my post,” said Shrees at the ceremony, noting that the award also belongs to his team of teachers and the community at large.

Handing over the award, Tarak Bahadur KC, Deputy Executive Director at Nepal Administrative Staff College, said that at a time when the feeling of scarcity of integrity is developing, the award has given a message that such honest government officials also exist in Nepal, and are working to change the face of the nation.

Dr. Somlal Subedi, Chief Secretary of the government of Nepal, who graced the ceremony as the chief guest thanked the organizer for coming up with such an idea to recognize and honor the sincere and responsible government workers. “Awards like these would further encourage the honest civil servants to continue with their work at such a time when transparency and accountability in government and civil service sector is growing more than ever,” he said. “Accountability Lab has done a commendable job highlighting the positive aspects of civil service that are usually drowned out by negative attitudes about government. And, It’s self-motivating to see such an award having been organized in Nepal,” he added.

Sharing his inspiration behind initiating the award, Narayan Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of Accountability Lab Nepal said, “It’s all about motivation, and celebrating people with integrity. The journey that began from Nepal in the year 2013, has now been spread to 4 different countries. And, it’s happening in 8 more countries this year.” Adding that Integrity Idol has now become a global movement to inspire a younger generation to be efficient civil servant, he encouraged all young people in Nepal to join in the effort to ‘name and fame’ the leaders who uphold the Nepali values of honesty, integrity, and accountability.

The award ceremony was observed by a crowd of more than 600 national officials and dignitaries from various government and non-government organizations, foreign ambassadors, public servants, and engaged citizens.

This is the third iteration of the award. Gyan Mani Nepal and Pradip Raj Kanel were honored with the award in the years 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The nomination process for Nepal’s 2017 Integrity Idol will open next week.

eedev