LALITPUR: Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has stressed the need for Nepali society to embrace modernity while preserving its originality, traditions and cultural heritage.
Addressing a program in Lalitpur on Saturday to mark Nepal Sambat 1147, Thapa said development should move forward by striking a balance between preserving traditional cultural and social heritage and embracing new ideas and innovations.
Expressing happiness over the efforts being made in various parts of Lalitpur to promote both cultural originality and modernity, he said intangible social values such as love, harmony, trust and brotherhood were more important than material possessions.
He highlighted the role of community-based organisations, including Tole Improvement Committees, in strengthening social relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting unity among residents.
Referring to the challenges of balancing heritage conservation and development, Thapa observed that some places were witnessing the demolition of old structures in the name of modernisation, while others were reluctant to accommodate new developments in the interest of preserving traditional heritage. He stressed that neither approach was desirable in isolation and called for a balanced way forward.
He also cautioned that Nepali society could no longer afford to be burdened by hatred and negativity, urging people to promote positive thinking, optimism and constructive engagement to move society forward.
Thapa further emphasised the importance of reconnecting people with their cultural roots, neighbourhoods, communities, festivals and social relationships. He said greater priority should be given to face-to-face interactions, mutual understanding and direct communication rather than allowing social relationships to become confined to technology and the digital world.
He noted that although locally organised greeting exchange programmes might appear modest, they play a significant role in bringing people together, strengthening community bonds and fostering social harmony.
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