KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has underlined the need of collective efforts to conclude the ongoing peace process.

Speaking at a program organized by the Padmaratna Lumanti Guthi at Shakhandhar Park Centre on the occasion of national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa today, the Minister claimed that the peace process would have already concluded until now if Tuladhar was alive.

According to the Minister, she realized that Shankhadhar Sakhwa was always for change in the society.

She took time to say that the Council of Ministers decided to endorse the Nepal Sambat initiated in recognition of philanthropist Sakhwa as the official calendar.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu metropolis Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol said the local government is committed to protecting and promoting Nepal Bhasha, the language of indigenous Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley, and has introduced it in the primary school curriculum.

It is believed that philanthropist and Kathmandu-based trader Shankhadhar Sakhwa liberated the people of the then Kantipur region from debts and provided them freedom.

The Nepal Sambat was initiated in 936 BS in commemoration of the same philanthropic action of Sakhwa, it is said.