KATHMANDU, MARCH 25

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to establish a research academy for the development and promotion of Newar community's civilisation, culture and history.

At a programme organised here today by World Newa: Organisation Nepal Chapter on the occasion of 6th World Newa Day, the prime minister said that such an academy would be for all Nepalis, not only for the Newar community.

The PM stated that he had a deep respect for the relentless struggles carried out by the Newar community for the development of their language, literature and arts.

During his speech, the PM recalled his efforts to ensure the recognition of National Sambat to Nepal Sambat during his first prime ministerial stint.

Saying that the Newar community had played key and historical roles in the nation building, the PM added that the Newar community had played a crucial role in protecting Nepal's sovereignty.

PM Dahal also stated that the Newar ancestors had vital contributions to the development of heritages like temples, inns, Dabali (squares), Pauwas and Devalayas.

On a different note, Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Dahal said that the Maoist Centre and its leadership was the true representative of the poor, marginalised and oppressed classes.

The PM also asked that the poor and oppressed classes to know their true representative stating that his party and he himself fought decisive struggles to establish identity and rights in the new constitution.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha urged all to further enrich Nepal's language, culture for the overall transformation of Nepali society. Also speaking at the event, Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh said that the promotion of Newari culture has helped in Nepal's tourism development.

On the occasion, Chairman of Newa De Dabu Pabitra Bajracharya, Chairman of World Newa Organisation Nepal Chapter Surendra Bhakta Shrestha and others expressed their views on the cultural richness of this community as well as the community's contributions to art, culture and literature.

During the event, Prime Minister Dahal honoured poet Durgalal Shrestha, historian Triratna Manandhar, former ambassador Kedar Bhakta Mathema, tourism entrepreneur Karna Shakya, industrialist Rup Jyoti and senior journalist Natikaji Maharjan.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.