‘It is not good to control writers in democracy’

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 30: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, has stated that democracy and writers are synonymous with each other.

Speaking at a special ceremony held on Tuesday to mark the 3rd National Writers’ Day, Minister Pandey said that it would be inappropriate to control writers in a democracy. He said, “Writing is a practice that aligns with democracy. If writing is restrained, democracy cannot survive. Writers and democracy are synonymous.”

Minister Pandey also emphasised that scholars committed to democratic values can remain united even in the most challenging circumstances. Expressing concern over the growing culture of pessimism in recent times, he pointed out the important role of writers in instilling hope and spreading positive messages.

He said that in recent years, writers have been producing quality books, songs and music. He also said that there is an emerging atmosphere in politics where transparency and integrity are increasingly valued.

Fiction writer Dhruva Chandra Gautam was honoured with the Fiction Writer Award, while 32 individuals, including Bairagi Kailash, received honourary memberships.