Nepal and Asia’s Professionals Come Together for Asian Achievement Awards 2026
The 7th Asian Professional Achievement Awards 2026 brought together leading figures from business, industry, media, hospitality, education, healthcare, aviation, technology and the creative sector at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, Lalitpur, on September 13, 2026.
Presented by Season Media, the ceremony recognised professionals from Nepal and several Asian countries for their leadership, career achievements, entrepreneurship, creativity and contribution to society.
The awards covered a wide range of sectors, including industry, commerce, banking, insurance, energy, hospitality, education, journalism, broadcasting, fashion, aviation, healthcare, photography, beauty, technology and social responsibility.
Leading Professionals Honoured Across Diverse Sectors
Among the prominent recipients, Prem Bahadur Shrestha, Chairman of Panchakanya Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Industrial Leadership, recognising his longstanding contribution to Nepal’s industrial sector.
Renowned music director, singer and lyricist Shambhujeet Baskota was honoured with the Legendary Music Maestro Award for his contribution to Nepali music.
Dhana Raj Acharya, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, received the Visionary Leadership in Urban Development and Public Service Award, while Binayak Shah, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), was presented with the Hospitality Industry Leadership Excellence Award.
Urmila Shrestha, CEO of Salt Trading Corporation, received the Excellence in Corporate Leadership Award.
Veteran journalist and writer Dharmendra Jha was presented with the Veteran Nepali Journalism Award, while Ambika Prasad Poudel, Chairman of Hilife Agro Food Industries Limited, received the Outstanding Business Leadership Award.
Ganesh Karki, Managing Director of BG Group, was honoured with the Energy Leadership Excellence Award.
Recognition Across Media, Insurance, Healthcare and Aviation
The ceremony also recognised professionals making their mark in media entrepreneurship, insurance, healthcare and aviation.
Shirisa Poudel, Managing Director of Original Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., received the Outstanding Leadership in Media Entrepreneurship Award.
Nirmal Kajee Shrestha, Vice President and General Manager of MetLife, was honoured with the Visionary Leadership in Life Insurance and Financial Services Award, while Bhim Prasad Ghimire, Vice President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), received the Industrial and Business Leadership Excellence Award.
In healthcare, Dr. Bishow Pokhrel, cardiac surgeon at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, received the Distinguished Cardiac Surgeon Award.
Senior Captain Bhawana Pant of Nepal Airlines was presented with the Exemplary Woman Aviation Leadership Award, recognising her professional contribution to the aviation sector.
Banking, Education, Beauty and Fashion Honoured
Madhav Prasad Upadhaya, CEO of Garima Bikas Bank, received the Banking CEO of the Year 2026 Award.
Uddhav Bartaula, Founder and CEO of Ina Center, was honoured with the Pioneering Fragrance Industry Excellence Award.
In education, Mahesh Babu Timalsina, Founder and CEO of Kangaroo Education Foundation, received the International Education Leadership Award 2026.
Sushma Mahara, Chairman of Facial House, was presented with the Iconic Leadership in Beauty Industry Award, recognising her contribution to the beauty and wellness sector.
The media and fashion education fields were represented by Sama Thapa, Senior Television News Presenter, who received the Broadcast Journalism Excellence Award, and Fupu Tenjing Sherpa, Managing Director of IIFT School of Fashion and Interior, who was honoured with the Excellence in Fashion Education Award.
Entrepreneurs and Social Leaders Recognised
The awards also highlighted entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Dil Sagar Katwal, Socio-Spiritual Activist and Business Leader, received the Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship Excellence Award.
Pradip Koirala, Managing Director of Pokhara Baharai Jewelry, was honoured with the Jewelry Entrepreneurship Excellence Award, while Sovan Bir Malakar, Managing Director of Trisara – Garden of Heaven, received the Young Hospitality Entrepreneur Excellence Award.
International Professionals Join the 2026 Awards
A key feature of the seventh edition was the participation of professionals from Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Japan and China, adding an international dimension to the ceremony.
Cheong Kwee Seng, President of the International Drone Aviation Federation (IDAF), Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia, received the International Drone Aviation Leadership Award.
From Bangladesh, Dhaka-based underwater photographer Sharif Sarwar received the Ocean and Underwater Photography Excellence Award.
Representing India, Purushottam Diwakar, Senior Photojournalist with India Today Daily, Jodhpur, was honoured with the Outstanding International Photojournalism Award.
Japanese photojournalist Noboru Takaoka, a senior freelance photojournalist from Tokyo, received the Legendary Excellence in Photojournalism Award.
China was represented by Joeson Chen, CEO of Guangzhou Whitehead Education Technology Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, who received the Asian Education Technology Excellence Award.
Wennie Cai, Media and Social Advisor to the International Drone Aviation Federation (IDAF), Guangzhou, was presented with the Excellence in Global Media Leadership Award.
The international participation brought together professionals from business, technology, education, aviation, media and visual arts, creating opportunities for professional exchange, networking and cross-border collaboration.
Ceremony Held Under Patronage of Dr. Ram Baran Yadav
The ceremony was held under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Nepal’s first President.
Other prominent guests included Kamlesh Agrawal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and H.E. Md. Shafique Rahman, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, alongside personalities from various professional sectors.
The event was hosted by international fashion choreographer and media personality Rojin Shakya.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pradip Raj Onta, Chairman of Season Media, said the significance of an award extends beyond receiving a trophy or certificate. He highlighted the dedication, perseverance, challenges, achievements and social contributions behind the professional journeys of the recipients.
Onta also underlined Season Media’s objective of creating a common platform where accomplished Nepali personalities and professionals from across Asia can connect through international cooperation, professional interaction, business networking and the exchange of ideas.
Chief guest Dr. Ram Baran Yadav highlighted the importance of recognising people who have contributed to their respective fields. He said such recognition could create positive energy in society and encourage the younger generation, while urging the recipients to continue contributing professionally and socially.
The Asian Professional Achievement Awards 2026 formed part of Season Media’s 18th year of institutional journey, with the seventh edition further expanding its national and international participation.
The recipients were presented with trophies and certificates of recognition by the chief guest and other distinguished guests, concluding an evening dedicated to professional achievement, leadership and contribution across diverse fields.
