‘Janakpurdham should be developed by promoting Maithili language, culture’

By Our Correspondent,Janakpur, Feb. 2: Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the government must invest in the development of the Maithili language and culture.

Speaking at the inaugural session of ‘Literature-Art and International Drama Festival'  in Janakpurdham on Thursday, leader Nepal said that the Maithili language, literature and culture are in crisis and every one should strive to protect them.

He said that there are 136 distinct castes in Nepal and everyone should maintain their unique identity.

Stating that Janakpurdham is a historical and religious place, he said that Janakpurdham should be developed as a tourist area and made a centre of attraction for Hindus.

Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and former Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav said that the government should take responsibility for the development of all languages.

 He said that Maithili is the second most spoken language in Nepal and emphasised that the government at all levels should be serious about the development of the Maithili language. 

Yadav also suggested that constitutional amendments might be necessary to address existing discrimination in language development.

Lalbabu Raut, former Chief Minister of Madhes Province, said that the government under his leadership had operated the Madhes Pragya Pratishthan for the development of various languages and had provided financial support for the development of the Maithili language.

He stressed the need for the current government to continue efforts to make Maithili the official language, mentioning the preparation of a bill for this purpose during his leadership.

The five-day festival aims to facilitate in-depth discussions on politics, language, literature, art, and culture. As part of the festival, a tableau covering various aspects of Mithila was exhibited in Janakpurdham.