JANAKPURDHAM: First President Dr. Rambaran Yadav stressed the need for strengthening national unity by preserving social, cultural and bio diversities as well as various cultural awareness.

Inaugurating the fifth international literature festival in Janakpurdham on Friday, First President Yadav said protection of language, literature and art could only make the country prosperous.

Noting that Hindi language and literature has widened mutual understanding of different civilizations, history, cultural awareness and diversities of Nepal and India, Dr. Yadav expressed his confidence that the literature festival would widely discuss its various dimensions and frame strategies for further development.

Also on the occasion, senior literary writer Dr. Rajendra Bimal said though the political border has divided Nepal and India the Hindi language, literature and culture have connected the feelings of both the countries. He empathized on playing constructive role in keeping up such a special relationship.

Indian literary writers, Prof. Pranav Chattopadhya and Dr. Ramchandra Roy said Nepal-India have the relationships of ‘daughter and bread (roti-beti)’ owing to Hindi language and common cultural beliefs.

Lawmaker Rekha Yadav said Hindi should be recognized as a contact language in Nepal pledging she would raise this issue in the parliament.

Consul-General of Consulate Office of India in Birgunj, Shree Devi Sahaya Meena said it was the shared responsibilities of the governments of both the countries to consolidate the special relations in terms of language and literature.

Also speaking on the occasion were deputy mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-metropolis, Kishori Saha and chairperson of Nepal-Hindi Academy Janakpurdham Radhwendra Saha, among others.

The literature festival, jointly organized by the Nepal Hindi Academy, Janakpurdham and Shanti Niketan Hindi Prachar Sabha West Bengal India, is scheduled to have poetry recitation and discussion on various cultural and literary aspects.

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