time). In 1997, he was nominated as member of Raj Parishad (upper house during kingship). He was also decorated with Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (II and IV class) and Subikhayat Trishakti Patta II medal, the highest honors presented and honoured by the King for the distinguished contribution to the country in the field of arts, literature, sports, science, and Social service. In 1999, the Press Council of Nepal created a journalism award in honor of Shrestha, the "Gopal Das Journalism Award" for his contribution to the development of journalism in Nepal since 1951. This award is presented annually to an exceptional journalist who have contributed and practiced good ethics of journalism in the country. It carries a purse of Rs. 100000 and a letter of appreciation. On 23 September 2003, Nepal's Postal Services Department issued a commemorative postage stamp bearing a picture of Shrestha. The then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa affixed the first day cancellation mark on his stamp. This was for the first time in Nepal that a postage stamp has been issued to commemorate a journalist honoring the fourth estate of the country. Shrestha died 4 November 1998 at the age of 68 while still serving as the president of Press Council of Nepal. References External links The Commoner Nepalese journalists 1930 births 1998 deaths Nepalese male writers Nepali-language writers Tribhuvan University 20th-century journalists Tri-Chandra College alumni