KATHMANDU: The 32nd Academic Assembly of Nepal Academy kicked off in the Capital today with an aim to formulate annual policies, programmes and budget for the organisation. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Academy patron Jitendra Narayan Dev inaugurated the event where a congratulatory message send by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was read out. 'Institutionalising political and democratic transformations in the country is now of the responsibility of academic circle,' the Prime Minister stated in the message. “The role of academicians is highly significant in infusing knowledge, wisdom and moral sense on human beings and leading the society towards a right direction,” stated the message. On the occasion, Minister Dev viewed that identification and promotion of diversified language, art, culture and philosophy in the country would help keep the national integrity intact. Academy Chancellor Ganga Prasad Upreti said the Assembly would take decisions regarding awards of significant values including the Prithvi Pragya Puraskar to be given away by the Academy. Similarly, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, Sarubhakta, stressed the need of cordial relations between the two academies, underlining the need of thinking about the promotion of culture at the provincial-level when the country had already entered the federalism. Academy former Chancellor Bairagi Kainla suggested the Academy that it should take a lead to establish provincial academy to promote linguistic and cultural diversities in the country. Academy Vice Chancellor Dr Bishnu Bibhu Ghimire said the Assembly closed session will discuss the proposed annual polices, plans and budget for the organisation.