Maithil singer Munchun Deb 'Priya' awarded

Kathmandu, July 25: Maithil singer Munchun Deb 'Priya' has been awarded in a Maithili song competition organised on the occasion of Madhushrawani festival.

Munchun Deb Priya of Tirhut Rural Municipality-1 has been awarded with the Urmila Jha Memorial Award, which is given every year on the occasion of Madhushrawani festival. The award was established by press freedom fighter Baidyanath Jha.

Priya was presented with a certificate and a cash prize Rs. 2,500.

Priya, who was awarded at the felicitation programme organised by Maithil Mahila Parishad at Maithili Bhawan Rajbiraj, also sang a Madhushrawani song, thanking the selection committee.

Singer Urmila Jha, a lifetime member of the Maithili Sahitya Parishad, died in an accident in Biratnagar during the Madhushrawani festival four years ago. In Jha's memory, his brother-in-law and press freedom Baidyanath Jha has been distributing awards for three years.

 Speaking at the programme, Chief District Officer of Saptari, Janardan Gautam said that women play an important role in preserving religion, tradition, culture and language. 

He said that women should move forward to uproot the bad practices and corruption existing in the society while keeping alive the rituals that are useful for life.

Shivhari Bhattarai, chairman of Madhes Province Media Council, said that like every festival, language and culture connect the society. He said that festivals play an important role in bringing love in family, making married life happy and connecting the diverse society.