Ganesh Ram brings out four books

By A Staff Reporter,Bhaktapur, Dec. 29: Culture expert and writer Ganesh Ram Lachhi has brought out four books simultaneously.

Mayor of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Surendra Shrestha, Chancellor of Nepalbhasa Academy Mall K Sundar, and Member of Language Commission Suresh Kiran Manandhar jointly launched the books at an event organised by Dabuli Nepal in Madhyapur Thimi on Saturday.

Published by Dabuli Nepal, the books were namely Sikkim Yatrako Serofero (A Travel to Sikkim), Amurta Sampadabhitra (Into the Intangible Heritage), Hegwa Jumha Manu and Kayta Tamha Newa. The former two are non-fiction in Nepali, while the latter two are a novel and a collection of farces in Nepalbhasa.

Lachhi is not only a culture expert and writer, but also an actor, dance teacher, theatre director, Newar culture and Nepal Bhasa activist. He has been running campaigns to promote the teaching and speaking in Nepalbhasa and introduce typical Newar culture to the Newars across the country and abroad who have long been unfamiliar with it. 

To recognise his contributions, Biratnagar-based Nepalbhasa and Cultural Association Jhi Pucha has recently announced that it would honour him with the Sudarshan-Kapila Sirapa (Award), carrying a purse of Rs. 200000.

Four authors honoured

Meanwhile, the four authors from the Newar community, who write in Nepali, were conferred the Tejkrishna-Nanimaya Lumana Hana (memorial honour) at the programme. 

Tirtha Shrestha from Kaski, Avaya Shrestha and Ratna Prajapati from Bhaktapur, and Surya Prasad Lakoju from Kavrepalanchok were honoured for their significant contribution to enriching Nepali literature.

Mayor Shrestha, Chancellor Sundar and Language Commission Member Manandhar jointly awarded them with an honour plaque and a shawl.

A booklet comprising the introduction and selected creations of the honourees was also released at the event. The four honourees, along with others, launched the booklet.

Chief Patron of the Dabuli Nepal, Ganesh Ram Lachhi, stated that the honour was also intended to inspire them to write in Nepalbhasa.

"We love their writing," Lachhi said. "We will be more proud of them if they write in Nepalbhasa also."

Chancellor Sundar asked the authors to continue speaking and writing in Nepalbhasa. "Your writing will inspire the people," he said. "You can contribute to revitalising an entire Newar civilisation."

Poet and activist Suresh Kiran stressed the need to invigorate the mother tongue in order to enhance indigenous knowledge.

Mayor Shrestha, Chairman of Dabuli Nepal Santosh Prajapati, Secretary Surendra Bikram Prajapati, activists Nabina Shrestha, Sabina Prajapati, and others also spoke on the importance of the mother tongue.