South Asian News Network

Kathmandu, June 5: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that our language, literature and culture are our original identity and pride. Addressing the programme held here today on the occasion of the 115th birth anniversary of Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha, he mentioned that literary creation is not only an expression of emotion but also an important medium to make society conscious, aware, and sensitive. “This contributes significantly to our society, public life, democratic values, transformation, change, patriotism, and social justice, inspiring a civilised and cultured society. Moreover, I believe literature has the capacity to connect society, raise awareness, and advance towards a brighter future,” the President said. He recalled the contribution of Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha in the development of the Nepali language, literature, public awareness and national sentiment, saying, “Today’s new generation needs to understand Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha not only as a poet of history but also as a source of inspiration for consciousness, courage, creativity, patriotism and human values. His contribution to the enrichment of Nepali literature is significant.” According to the President, the Yugkavi has a unique literary personality who expresses the consciousness of his time, the sensibility of society, and the aspiration for change through words. Even in the then difficult social and political circumstances, poet Shrestha conveyed messages of freedom, justice, humanity, national pride, and public awareness through literature, he added. President Paudel mentioned that among the poems of the era- poet Siddhicharan Shrestha’s poems are rich with messages of deep love for the homeland, faith in the nation, and sensitivity towards the life of the Nepali people, and his work ‘Mero Pyaro Okhaldhunga’ has established profound love for the homeland in Nepali literature in an unforgettable way. Dr. Dubasoo Kshetri and Dr. Gargi Sharma were awarded the Yugkavi Siddhicharan Award at the programme. —