2nd international literary and cultural festival begins in Dharan

By Our Correspondent,Dharan, July 1: The second International Literary and Cultural Tourism Festival began in Dharan on Friday.

The festival, organised by Dharan -13 Ward Office in collaboration with Dharan Sub-Metropolis aims at promoting and enhancing Dharan’s literature, art, and culture on the global stage.

  Minister for Education, Science, and Technology of the Federal Government Ashok Kumar Rai inaugurated the festival today.

Addressing the event, Netra Prasad Kafle, the ward president of Dharan-13, emphasised the importance of intellectual development alongside physical infrastructure. He expressed his delight at the increased participation in literary activities in recent years.

During the festival, Minister Rai, along with notable personalities such as Rajkumar Karki (editor-in-chief of Blast Times and poet/journalist), Durga Khatiwada (chairman of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha), Bhawani Khatiwada and Dr. Shukraraj Diyali (writers), Rambhadevi Karmacharya (social worker), and Purna Bahadur Gurung (President of Poet Bimal Gurung Memorial Library), were honoured with certificates of appreciation.

The Assam Literary Society of India presented traditional Assamese attire, ‘Japi and Seleng, to Minister Rai, Harkaraj Rai, Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, Prof. Dr. Tankprasad Neupane, and poet Bam Dewan. Minister Rai also released works of two authors, ‘Antim Cello’ by poet Indu Yonjan and ‘Anawaran’ by poet Rajendra Kumar Pradhan Pasa from Darjeeling.

Earlier,  a procession led by poets and writers started from Dharan -12 Chhatachok and concluded at Dharan- 13. 

Various cultural groups including Newar Ekta Samaj, Kirat Rai Yayokkha Dharan-13, and Chainpur Cultural Women's Group presented cultural programmes.

 Bishnu Chaulagain, secretary of the Foundation, said that poets, writers, and artists from all seven provinces of Nepal, as well as Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, and other regions, participated in the event.