46th Nepal Bhasa literature conference ends, Shakuntala and Kamalkeshari win top prizes

The two-day 46th Nepal Bhasa Literature Tahmunjya, or grand literature conference, concluded in Bhaktapur on Saturday night.

In the conference's competition, Shakuntala Maharjan was declared first in poetry and Kamalkeshari Thuyaju first in fiction.

In poetry, Harisundar Potamaha placed second, Silvia Prajapati third, and Omkrishna Shrestha fourth. In fiction, Suryanarayan Phanju placed second, Shreya Pahiju third, and L.K. Sundar fourth, organizers said.

The conference, which began on Friday morning, is held every year under the slogan 'Janata Mwasa Bhasa Mwai,' meaning 'if the people survive, the language survives.' A cultural procession was also organized alongside the conference.

At the closing event, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe said that those involved in politics must study and research on their own to understand society's problems. He stressed that the evaluation of cadres should be based not only on membership but also on study, experience, and competence.

He honored farmer leader Mohan Bahadur Kusma, Lalakhin guru Motibahadur Khayamali, social worker Krishnadevi Wangayo, and social leader Tekbahadur Palikhel with cash and ceremonial shawls.