Kathmandu, August 25:

Participants at an annual general meeting of the Kendriya Manandhar Sangh (KMS) today expressed concern about the declining use of the Newari language and urged the Sangh to come up with special programmes for conserving the Newari language and culture.

“It is the duty of the KMS to conserve and promote our culture and language,” said Dev Kumar Manandhar, who came all the way from Kyakmi of Syangja to participate in the meeting.

Member of the KMS’s executive committee Dr Tri-Ratna Manandhar said: “The new generation has almost ceased to speak Newari due to the government’s one-language policy.”