Kathmandu, January 31

Minister for Information and Communication Technology Sherdhan Rai today urged all concerned to move ahead with new ideas, energy and willpower for the development and progress of the country.

He stated that the new acts drafted in line with the new constitution were progressive and would help empower women.

Launching a poetry collection named ‘Ashwikar’ written by poet cum journalist Yashoda Adhikari today, Minister Rai said women were earlier deprived of justice and leadership due to discriminatory laws of the country.

“Unlike in the past, the new constitution ensures gender equality in every sector. We are hopeful that the new generation shall never face any kind of gender discrimination,” he added.

He said though women were earlier treated as second class citizens in social, economic and cultural spheres of life, the people’s movement in 2006 took women’s role to a new height.

The appointment of country’s first woman president and speaker is also an indication of gender equality.

Talking about the poetry collection, he said the book was based on the sufferings of a woman.“The book reflects on the difficulties and challenges facing women in Nepali society,” he said adding, “It also delivers a message to take initiative to live a respectful life.”

Speaking at the programme, Dolindra Sharma, chairperson of Sajha Prakashan and Oxford International Publication Pvt Ltd, said they were promoting Nepali literature.

Sharma, who has been driving the Save Sajha Campaign since a year said, “Since my appointment in Sajha Prakashan, I have been working to promote Nepali litterateurs as well as save the publishing house that has a century-old history.”