Sahitya Kala Sangam at Guwahati to promote Nepali language and culture

Guwahati, : “Sikkim has played a major role in preserving and promoting Indo Nepali literature, language and culture. The initiative to install the full sized statue of first Nepali poet Bhanubhata Acharya was contemplated by Sikkim, whereas the major step in order to include Nepali language in 8th scheduled of Indian constitution was successfully taken by Sikkim. Not only that, Sikkim hosted a mega event of honouring great talents from Nepali community of national and international repute for the first time”, said Mr. Lil Bahadur Chhetri, an octogenarian literary personality and popular novelist of famous Nepali novel  Basai. He was speaking as the chief Guest at Sikkim house, Panjabari in a literary meet called, Sahitya kala Sangam organized by Himgiri Prasashan, Gangtok. Mr. Chhetri further said that in the promotion of Nepali language and literature, the community always look forward to Sikkim. Current CM of Sikkim, Mr. Pawan Chamling, himself is a poet and a literary person who have taken incomparable initiative in the promotion of different literature. He recalled the mega event of Sikkim Samman Sammellan where he was also honoured. He further said that while organizing such functions in future, the talents of Assam also have to be genuinely taken into account. He hoped that by organizing such literary functions by Himgiri Prakashan, literary persons of the region will come in frequent contact and could exchange their works and unite in the promotion of literature at national level too. While addressing the meet, Dr. Khagendra Chamlagai appreciated the function and stressed the need of publication of bibliography of Indian Nepali litterateurs. He hoped that Sikkim can take such a genuine work. While chairing the function, journalist Bijay Bantawa, in his speech stated that literature has no boundary and limitation and it works immensely to link people. The main objective behind organizing such a literary meet is to provide a forum to writers and literary persons of NE from Nepali or Gorkha community and exchange their creative works as well as views on literary pursuits. He also stressed the need of translation of Nepali books in different language including Assamese and English.
The meet was also addressed by Dr. Kamal Chhetri, poetess Laxmi Subedi, Secretary of Panjabari branch of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Deven Sapkota, Social worker and advocate Kishor Upadhyaya, Mr. Nanda Kirati Dewan and Mr. Kamal Pradhan. In the self composed poetry recital session, poet Shri Rohit Gautam, Dr. Kamal Chhetri, Poetess Laxmi Subedi, Poetess Dr. Induprava Devi, Poetess Niru Parajuli recited their poems. During the musical presentation session, Mr. Kamal Pradhan, Rabi Thapa and Uttam Chhetri presented Nepali songs, while Ms. Suman Rai presented a dance. In the meet, General Secretary of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Mr. Chintamani Sharma, the Gorkha youths of Manipur Ramesh Baskota, Deepak Chhetri and a large number of Gorkha youths of Assam were also present. Students of medical, science and various other disciplines from the state were also present who interacted and shared their experiences in the meet.
Earlier, Ms. Ruth Rai on behalf of the organizers welcomed the guest. Organizers offered Sikkimese khada to the guest as a welcome gesture. Function was conducted by Guwahati based correspondent of Himgiri and Snowline along with promising Gorkha youth leader of Assam Nanda Kirati Dewan.

News by Sikkim Mail