Literary News

INLS Forms Maryland Chapter And Celebrates NRN Day In Baltimore, MD (10/14/07)

A Grand Literary Program on Nepali Literature in BaltimoreInternational Nepali Literary Society (INLS) organized a literary program at Enoch Pratt Central library, Baltimore, Maryland, on 14th Oct, 2007 to form its Maryland, USA chapter and to inform local Nepalese with the updates of different organizations serving Nepali community locally and nationally. The program was inaugurated by 86 years old chief guest-Harilal Subedi. The new national anthem composed by Baykul Maila was played in the beginning. The program was held under the chairmanship of critic HB Bhandari Prabhat. Puja Chanda, a Nepali actress, delivered welcomed speech. Dr Bhim Kattel Professor at Morgan State University, Pashupati Bandjade, a social worker, greeted the gathering with their best wishes. Dr Kattel thanked INLS for organizing the program and wished all the best for the newly formed INLS MD chapter. Chandra Bishwokarma, hosted the program. Various community leaders shared vision, and mission of their organizations. They updated their most recent activities during their speech. Furthermore, Mr Biswokarma highlighted the need of Nepali school of languages in Baltimore. Prem Raja Mahat, Nepali acclaimed folk singer, spoke on “Nepali Community in Baltimore: Now and Then.” During his speech, he highly appreciated generosity of Nepali heart living in Baltimore for their best hospitality shown to new Nepalese guests in Baltimore. Bijaya Shrestha, ANA executive member, requested every Nepalese to help accomplish upcoming 26th General Convention- Baltimore. In the same vein, Mr Krish Ghimire, BANA President and Rabina KC, BANA Vice President highlighted BANA’s mission, vision and stressed the need of Nepali school of Languages and Literature. BANA and INLS should work together to concretize the school vision,’ he added. Similarly, Tarun Poudel, a Nepali journalist delivered speech on “Nepali Journalism in America: Problems and Possibilities “. According to Poudel, the lack of competence of English language has become the major problems for Nepali Journalist to start their career in the same field in USA. He was very hopeful on second generation. He cited name of some famous Nepali American Journalist like Kiran Chettri from the second generation. Miss Chettri works for CNN.Moreover, Mr Dharam Biswokarma, President of Nepal America Society for oppressed community (NASO) urged writers to write for equality to make the dream of new Nepal come true. Gautam Dahal, founder secretary of HURAN USA worried about the human right situation in Nepal and highly condemned the abduction of journalists and common people on “The Situation of Human right in Nepal and role of HURAN USA” Arjun Hamal, who works for Baltimore city office government, highlighted some smart ways to enter in American job market. “Lack of proper guidance and little knowledge about job market are two main reasons of our inability to enter in decent job in America”, he insisted. He requested president of all Nepali organizations to launch program focusing on their people carrier.Harilal Subedi, the father of Homnath Subedi, released book “The Critical Discourses on Gopal Parajuli”. Mr HB Bhandari prabhat shared out his experience of publishing book and its content” It is all about making Nepal known outside and exploration of our identity culture”, he said commenting on released book. The book was published from Robertson Publishing, California and can be purchased online through official website of Barnes and noble (www.barnes and noble .com) and Amazon.com. During the book release session, Puja chanda, Pashupati Banjade, Rabina Thapa and many other poet and poetess recited their poetry.The literary program formed an INLS MD chapter under the presidency of HB Bhandari Prabhat. Mr Bhandari is ANA executive member, critic, and faculty in English Department at Baltimore Community college and Homeland security Academy, Baltimore USA. Puja Chanda, Gautam Dahal, Chandra Bishwokarma, Sanjaya Ghimire and Tirtha Poudel are Chapter’s Vice president, General Secretary, Treasure, Secretary and Joint Secretary respectively . Arjun Hamal and Rajendra Senchuri are Executive Committee members. Homnath Subedi, founder president of INLS presented his Diaspora Nirpadhwaj Karki award acceptance speech. Mr Subedi was awarded with this prize during NRNA pre conference literary session in Katmandu. He, moreover, explained INLS’s mission and history. INLS was founded in 2048 BS in Washington DC and has opened up its branches in more than 40 countries around the world for the preservation and promotion of Nepalese language, literature, and culture. INLS organized this program in Baltimore to celebrate NRN day as well. On the same day, NRNA and INLS jointly organized NRN-INLS Literary Festival and Award Ceremony in Kathmandu.

HB Bhandari "Prabhat"PresidentINLS Maryland ChapterBaltimore, MarylandUSA

Literature/Poetry-INLS -->

INLS ANA POETERY FESTIVAL BALTIMORE- 2008
ANA INLS poetry festival will again alive the ANA convention in July 3, 2008 from 6 pm to 10 pm. Arranged into one intense day, the festival welcomes well known and budding poets. As usual the poetry festival is divided into two sessions. The first one is competitive and the other one is the non competitive where all the renowned poets will read their recent verse.
The First Session: Poetry for CompetitionTheme of festival: The Contemporary Nepal and Globalization of Nepali Literature
Procedures for this session (both Adults & children poets take part respectively)Moderator: Two Time Distribution: 90 minutesNumber of poems accepted: 40 for adults and 20 for childrenPanel of judges: Three (will be only disclosed during session)Submission Date: June 28th 2008
Criteria (submission guide lines)
Entrants must submit only one poem and can not take part in both Sessions.
Entrants may submit only one poem on Contemporary Nepali Literature theme for competition and must be originally written in Nepali Language.
All poems must be unpublished, original work of a living author. Poems must not have been previously published, self-published or published on a website or broadcast.
The poem must be typed or very clearly written on one side of the paper only.
No alterations can be made to the poem once it has been submitted. The judges' decisions are final and no correspondence can be entered into regarding those decisions.
The judges are instructed to give 70% in theme of the poem and 30% for presentation.
The judges' shortlists will be announced on May 15,2008 and the prizes will be announced and awarded during the ANA International Poetry Festival, Each winner will be invited to read a selection of his/her work at the festival. Prize winner must attend the convention to be eligible to be winner. A list of the prize-winners will be posted up on ANA poetry festival website as soon as they are announced during the festival weekend.
Copyright will remain with the competitor, but ANA along with INLS will reserve the right to arrange first publication or broadcast of selected poems.
Submission of a poem implies the competitor's acceptance of the conditions set out above.
Along with the completed entry form given below, interested poets will submit their poetry by postal service or via email not later than June 28, 2008 to the following address.

HB Bhandari Prabhat
Chair INLS- ANA Poetry Festival Committee-2008
4411 Laplata Ave Apt F, Baltimore MD, 21211, USA.Email:bhandaryhb@gmail.com

The Second Session: Open to All & Distinguished Guests
This session is not competitive and designed for all the interested people and all renowned poets and literary figures like Dr. Taranath Sharma, Rt. Hon'bl Dr. Pawan Kumar Chamling and so on will attend the festival. It is expected to last for 45 minutes.
The festival will conclude with the announcement of Prizes and Awards: The famous ANA-INLS annual Awards are:
I. SHARMA MUDVARI ADULT POETRY AWARD First $150 and CertificateSecond $ 100 and CertificateThird $50 and Certificate
II. AMAR MINA CHILDREN AWARDFirst $100 and certificateSecond$75 and certificateThird $25 and certificate Note: Only children below 18 years old are eligible in this categoryIII. NARAYAN - JAYANTA PRASAI WEB JOURNALISM AWARD

A. The purpose of this award:This is to encourage and promote Nepali Literary Web Journalism by honoring the online publication of literary journals .B. Amount of the award: Cash $200.00 and a Certificate.C. Award entry qualification criteria:
There is no application fee.
The publication must have been published online consistently for minimum of one calendar year. It must have valid Web address at the time of evaluation. The web publication must be publicly accessible and may have been utilized by any Web publishing technology.
The publication must have been published and managed from outside Nepal in the Diaspora.
Nepali Literary Web Journalism publication is defined as a web publication that includes any of the following forms of creative and non-fiction writings: poems, short stories, literary translation, essays, diaries, autobiography, biographies, creative letters, magazine writing, travel writing, book reviews, nature writing, science fiction writing, literary, cultural, art histories, journalism, literary news and views and the memoirs. The publication must cover most of these writings.
A nomination for award could be submitted by the editor or publisher or anyone authorized on behalf of the publication.
The publication could be in Nepali and English language or both but the content should include much more of the Nepali context.
A publication that is directly edited by a member of this award’s Judges can not participate in the award.D. Award Evaluation Criteria: The publication will be evaluated using five generic online publication evaluation criteria - Accuracy, Reliability, Authority, Objectivity, Currency and Coverage.(Please visit http://www.inls.org/ and look 12/14/07 Award Notice for other details on this prize) The judges’ decision is full and final. The ANA-INLS poetry festival committee reserves the copy right and administrative changes if needed.




Second Winter Literary Festival in Honor of theNepali Litterateurs and the Winter Poetry Festival WDC- Feb 19, 2006.

INLS- DC Metro Chapter organized the second winter literary Program which was given a literary Nomemclature as Second Sheetkalin Sahityakar Samman and Sheeshir Shuseli Kavita Gosthee( Lit . Winter Literary program in Honor of the late Nepali poets born in the winter Season and Winter Poetry Recitation Festival).In the program the litterateur Mr. Murari Raj Sharma, the ex-permanent representative and ambassador to the UN and Mr. Bhanubhakta Pokhrel , the Madan Puraskar winner poet of Nepal were present as chief guest and special guest respectively.The fairly big gathering of about 80 people as chaired by Mr. Homraj Acharya was conducted as an MC by Basu Shrestha, the VP of the Chapter and the welcome speech was delivered by Narayan Adhikari, the treasurer of the same.The program was started by garlanding on the photos of the honored late litterateurs to name: the poet laureate Lekhnath Poudyal, the great playwright and poet Balkrishna Sama, all round litterateur, educationist, and publisher Parashmani Pradhan , pioneer critic , novelist and poet Hridayachadra Singh Pradhan , novelist and famous humorist Keshabraj Pindali and the very great and popular modern poet Bhupee Sherchan.Speaking highly of the honored late poets the chief guest said that the ancestral poets had paved a literary way for our creative culture in the developed highway of which we are marching forward. While giving the Letter of Honor to the distinguished poet Mr. Bhanubhakta Pokhrel , on behalf of the DC Metro Chapter, he also remarked that the culture of honoring the living poets – who are the social forerunners - is actually an excellent job in itself which is very much encouraging and meaningful to do some more while s/he has any physical time and power . The invited and honored poet Mr. Bhanubhakta Pokhrel while expressing his warm words of gratefulness laid stress on the importance of arts , literature and culture as being the flowery symbol and substantial realities of the meaningful identity as well as prosperity of the community and nation in point . He also extended his sincere thanks to all concerned.In the program Mr . Homnath Subedi, the founder president of INLS and the present Chair of the Trustee gave an introductory speech about Mr. Bhanubhakta Pokhrel as the latter being a great poet with his many epics , longer poems and anthologies, a distinguished critic of wider importance and an activist in the literary organizations including a few ones he chaired. He has infused modern sensibilities in his perfect classical metrical verses all through, he concluded. In the program the best wishes sent by Mr. Mohan Sitoula, the President of INLS- HQ , was read out by Basu Shrestha.Mr. Dinesh Tripathi, the distinguished legal advocate and a poet, the famous writer Govinda Giri Prerana shed light on the honored late great poets mentioned above. Critic and INLS Pennsylvania York president HB Bhandari Prabhat presented paper on ‘Non-Western Studies and Translation’ and asserted “Nepali literature starts its international voyage and act as cultural ambassador in this era of globalization if Nepali texts are translated and prescribed them in different academy of cultural studies just like Chinese, Japanese and Indian studies in western schools.” Another aspect of the program was its creative flashes - the poetry recitals. In this side of the theater the poets Basanta Shrestha , Govindagiri Prerana, Basu Shrestha , Mrs. Ganga Ligal, Hasta Goutam’Mridul’, Homnath Subedi, Kapil Sitoula, Manju Niroula, Narayan Adhikari, Prem Sangroula, Ram Basyal, Rajendra Oli, Sudeepbhadra Khanal recited their poems. The poems sent by Mohan Sitoula, Hari Ghimire and Dhrub Pangeni were recited by Homnath Subedi, Kapil Sitoula Basu Shrestha and respectively.Basu Shrestha, the VP of the Chapter announced the names of the new Election Commission for the new Executive Committee of the INLS- DC Metro Chapter. The names are: Mr. Basanta Shrestha, the ex- president of the INLS- HQ , as Chair , Khem Bhattachan, the ex-VP of the INLS as a member and the technician and a social activist also as a member. It was also duly requested that the Commission will announce the names of the officers and the members of the new E- committee of the DC Metro Chapter on or before the 15th of March, 2006 as a result of the election or all-consensus done before the date. INLS-HQ announced that "INLS Best Book Award" has increased 100%. It was 50000.00NC now on it is going to be 100000.00NC. In addition, Mechi, Koshi, Janakpur, Narayani, Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zonal book awards also are established , the announcement added .The program came to a close for tea and snacks following a summing up and vote of thanks by the Chairperson of the Chapter to all participates, volunteers, medias and Ms. Ann Ollsten of Arlington Central Library for the physical and other logistic facilities she provided.Thank you.See you next!Presented byBasu ShresthaVice President INLS- DC Metro Chapter

दशैं सम्झना ~६५औ श्रृंखला सुन्नुहोस
September 30, 2008 by admin Filed under हिमाली स्वरहरु
Welcome and Happy Dashain to all our Listener and well wisher!In This week episode You are listening~
World News/Info segment SeRo FeRo
PM Puspa Kamal Dahal’s Special Speech
Vox Pop of NY Nepali Regarding the PM’s UN visit
Community News/info Ratna Park and Community Talk with Munendra Nemwang
SrijanaKa Swarharu~2 Poems By Bidhya Bimal Baral & HB Bhandari
Jeeban Yatra Anubhab Of Actor RajaRam Poudel~Part 5
Special Dashain Songs,Article and Mus


Bhanu jayanti in the US (Press Release) [ 2006-07-22 ]
Press release
Bhanu Jayantee- July 16, 2006
As announced earlier and as usual, the fifteenth General Body ( GB) of INLS and the 193rd Bhanu Jayantee Function was organized by INLS- HQ and DC Metro Chapter at Lyseelvania State Park, Woodbridge, VA, on the bank of the massive river Potomac that , while it flows, becomes like a garland on the shoulder of DC. Started after the picnic-style lunch in the open air, contributed by some of the residents of Woodbridge , Manassas, Arlington it was attended by Mr. Rudra Nepal , the Charge d' Affairs of Nepalese Embassy to USA, Dr Balaram Aryal, President Nepalese Human rights organization , USA , Mr. Prem Sangroula, the president of ANS, Mr.Homnath Subedi , the Founding president of the INLS, Mr. Bhim Regmi ,the Co-chair of INLS- BOT and the Ex- president of INLS- HQ , Mr. HB Bhandari , the President of the INLS-PAChapter . The program was Chaired by Mohan Sitoula, the president of INLS- HQ . Welcoming all by Mr. Bhim Regmi conducted the program where the Chief Guest and all other in the Dais , including Kamala Prasai , the vice president of INLS- NJChapter and a poetess , garlanded the poet with a sense of high honor of Shradhhanjali on behalf of all the large audience assembled there from far and wide . In the program the two anthologies of Nepali Poems "Ma Binako Mero Jeevan" by Kamala Prasai and "Naya Mulukako Nad" by Mohan Sitoula and published by INLS in June , 2006 , were released by the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest expressed his Shradhanjalee to the great pioneer poet of Nepal and also extended his best wishes to the INLS which , he said, has a pretty good history of one and half decade of excellent community services and which has the beauty and power of global Nepalese creative and cultural coverage. He also appreciated the poets and the publisher - INLS. Dr Aryal, the life member of INLS, while highlighting the Aadikavi and the importance as well as the activities of INLS, donated INLS by registering himself as the Board of Trustee as per its by-laws. He also appealed to all to join in the INLS by offering themselves as life members, trustees and in very many other capacities in a meaningful way. Mr. Prem Sangoula , honoring the great poet, spoke encouragingly of INLS when he suggested that the recently fire-burnt house of the Aadikavi Bhanubhata is being completely rebuilt in which INLS along with its Chapters help the reconstruction project. He also appreciated the Nepali writers’ and publishers’ dedication to the literary and cultural cause in the American Diaspora. Mr. Homnath Subedi , the chair of the INLS- Board of Trustee, paying his tribute to the poet, and appreciating the proposal about Bhanubhakta’s burnt house , made by Mr. Sangroula, presented a report of the publication committee of INLS . Giving information about the various awards and prizes in the INLS he called all to contribute to the rest of the western Nepal Zonal book prizes .He made an announcement that the books for the INLS best book awards will have to come within December every year. He also made a literary critique of the anthology of poems "Ma Binako Mero Jeevan" (My Life Without Me) and said that the poems are highly creative with a bearing of social optimism even in the feelings of personal note of awe. Dinesh Tripathi , a poet and an advocate, also appreciated the creatively struggling power of the poems of Kamala Prasai.
Govinda Giri "Prerana", paid his tribute to the Pioneer poet and reminded that he had participated this function in 2006 when his book " Good By America" was released here . Appreciating the previous speakers he drove the attention of all that the Nepalese are making creatively challenging progress all over the world and this widening and rising sentiment and creative force must be chanalized through the organizations . He also appreciated the Books just released along with the writers and the publisher.

H. B. Bhandari, while expressing his sense of respects to the great poet Bhanu , he presented an elaborate critique of the book of poems "Naya Mulukako Nad” by Mohan Sitoula. Drawing the historical perspectives of the creative and critical tastes, tunes and turnings as well as literary principles and experimental developments of the east and the west, and mentioning the great poets like TS Eliot and Robert Frost, he made an analytical and comparative study of the book along with the imagist and symbolical bearings in the various types of poems including the de-constructional ones in the collection "Naya Mulukako Nad” just released in the program.
Kamala Prasai also spoke about the great pioneer poet and expressed her gratitude to the publisher - INLS. She informed that the personal feelings of sorrow and happiness and her struggling life in the USA are the background of her poems in "Ma Binako Mero Jeevan" ( My Life Without Me). She also gave stress that creative writing is the source of human civilization, peace and prosperity. As a lyricist and a singer she also sang a beautiful song from her own CD released some weeks ago in NY. The next attraction of the program was the separate open poetry competition of the children and the adults. In the former Aashis Sitoula in his poem Nepali language was developed became first, Prasanga sitoula in his poem I Like ( Malai Man Parchha) came out second and Amit Shrestha in his poem Sipahi ( Soldier) became third . Among the other children re-citers were Priya Subedi, Pukar Subedi, Raj Adhikari, Kavita Subedi, Anamol Sitoula and Sagar Subedi.
In the adult poetry competition Tunga Nath Upadhyaya in his poem Shraddha Suman ( A Flowery Honor) came out first, Hasta Goutam in his poem Aamako Vyatha ( the Mother's Sorrow), second and Dinesh Tripathi in his poem Sabdahin Desh ( A Country Without Word ) became third .Among the other re-citers of competitive and non- competitive poems there was Kapil Sitoula, Narayan Adhikari, Dr. Hari Bhattarai, Nitesh Adhikari, Kamala Pun, Prem Sangroula, Teeka Pun, Kamala Prasai, Govinda Giri ‘Prerana’, Kalpana Satyal, Mohan Sitoula, Komal Parajulee and Kabindra Sitoula. The poem “Aadi Haina Ananta” by Bharati Gautam , the president of INLS- MA-Chapter , was recited by Bhim Regmi . Prem Sangroula, Kamala prasai, and HB Bhandari were the judges of all the competitive poems.
Another popular and usual feature of the program there was / is the INLS Bhanubhakta Memorial Gorakh Bahadur Thapa Runner Cup Volleyball Competition sponsored by Mr Mohan Thapa from Baltimore. In the tournament Kaligandaki “A” and Kaligandaki “B” came out first and second respectively. Mr. Khem Bhattachan , the INLS Ex- Vice President , was the umpire all through the games. The names of the players go like this:
The 1st Winner Team (Kaligandaki "A");1. Mohan Thapa (Takam-Dharapani,Myagdi)-Team Captain2. Mohan Baniya (Beni-Myagdi)3. Dambar Karki (Rakhu-Myagdi)4. Nilam Thapa (Chimkhola-Myagdi)5. Layan Budha (Rukum)6. Shakti Regmi
2nd Winner Team (Kaligandaki "B");1. Ram Tilija (Chimkhola-Myagdi)-Team Captain2. Tika Pun (Chimkhola-Myagdi)3. Lokman Pun (Chimkhola-Myagdi)4. Ganga Pun (Doba-Myagdi)5. Prem Limbu (Terhthum)6. Lama
It was also announced that the prizes to all the winners would be distributed at the INLS- Devkota Jayantee in November , as usual .
As the result of the election of the new INLS- Executive Committee was already made public through the press release by the Election Commission, Mr Bhim Regmi, at the request of the Commission , announced the names of the elected candidates in the General Body of the INLS as the following:
1. Mohan Sitoula - TX, USA- President.2. Dr. Madhukrishna Shrestha “Madhurya” – Moscow, Vice –President.3. Suren Uprety – Canada - General Secretary.4. Bashu Satyal – Virginia, USA- Treasurer.5. Kejin Rai - Portugal – Secretary.
Kalpana Satyal, the treasurer of INLS -HQ presented the annual financial reports including the election deliveries. The new Executive Committee and the financial report was approved and welcome by the General Body. Mohan Sitoula, from the chair expressed his sense of high Honor to the great poet Bhanubhakta and appreciated all the previous speakers and various role- players in the function. He went on to extend the words of thanks on behalf of all the INLS family and the outgoing Executive Committee to the Chief guest, the audience from far and wide, the speakers, poets, judges, players and the umpire, the media people including Nepal Horizons, Biswa Sandesh, Nepalipost, Sagarmatha TV, Radio Dovaan, the announcer, along with the co-ordination committee and food and drink organizers for the function. Congratulating the winners in the poetry competition and the volleyball match he thanked all other participants for their continued enthusiastic spirit in the related fields they are in.
He also extended his sincere thanks to the INLS-Election Commission for holding the election with so much dedication and hard work. Congratulating also the new elected officers of INLS- Executive Committee he gave his heart felt thanks to all the EC members, the chapters, the BOT, the ex-presidents and members and all the members of the Nepalese communities at large for their hand in hand support to him and his team all through the previous years throughout the globe in every activity as well as in the recent new election and also wished his best to do the same for the new team. He further added that the election itself, as a new content in the history of INLS, is a new elevated victory of the organization which has a wider global coverage and representation. As all the contesting candidates made the election happen, they also increased the credibility and enhanced the fame of their beloved literary- cultural Nepalese Global parliament – the common Choutari. A new experience has entered into the INSL which will be a back force for further improvement. Thus, nobody is the loser in here. All are the winners and made a history of their own. He also extended his thanks to all the volunteers for managing everything including the stage for the day.
He then informed that the other invited chief guests - Murari Raj Sharma, Dr.Taranath Sharma- and some other important local participants like Basanta Shrestha , Bashu Shrestha, the president of INLS- DC Metro Chapter and Sudeep Bhadra Khanal , GS of the same and other members had informed their regrets for not being able to be present due to their some other pressing preferences. They had also expressed their best wishes for the success of the program.
As a writer, a poet, he further expressed his sense of gratefulness to the INLS as publisher, the bhoomikakars and the commentators of his book "Naya Mulukako Nad” when he made an special lovely stress on his wife and his wider family household and friends, for the source of inspiration and support for writing and publishing this and other previous books. He also expressed his gratefulness to the Nepali and American academic as well as library and natural scenarios for his inspiration. He said that in the poems he has made efforts to express his various experiences in the USA, and about the changing rhythm of the human universal sensibility. But, at the same time, he confessed that he could never be away from the enchantment of Nepal and the national contexts.
Addressing the 15th General Body of the INLS as a new president Mohan Sitoula announced that the new plans and programs would come through the new executive committee very soon. Appreciating the proposal made by Prem Sangroula and supported by Homnath Subedi he told that the proposal would be put forward to the Executive meeting and be consulted with the Chapters for further action. He also proposed that the fees from the life membership and the fund raising schemes of all the chapters will be shared in some percentage between the INLS-chapters and the HQ as will be decided later on. The Nepali school, publication and cultural projects of all the chapters will be specially taken care of in terms of local financial support through the consultation with the chapters and the decision from the Executive Committee.
In the end the chair invited all to join in the songs, cold drinks and informal dance and closed the program. It was a great success. Thank you.
Mohan SitoulaPresidentINLS- HQ
Devkota Jayanti And INLS Best Book Award 2005 Ceremony In Washington DC (11/08/05)
INLS HQ Press Release

Devkota Jayanti and INLS Best Book Award 2005 Ceremony in Washington DCInternational Nepali Literary Society (INLS)-Headquarter and INLS DC Metro Chapter jointly observed 97th Devkota Jayanti and INLS Best Book Award Ceremony 2005 at Johnson Center of George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA on November 6, 2005. It was chaired by Prof. Mohan Sitoula, the president of INLS-HQ. Treasurer of INLS HQ and Trustee, Mrs. Kalpana Satyal welcomed the participants. Among the highlights of the programs were a literary symposium, Nepali poetry competition, cultural program by INLS School of Languages and Cultures of Nepal, Washington DC and International Nepali Literary Best Book Awards. Royal Nepalese Embassy, Washington DC HE Mr. Kedarbhakta Shrestha, Ex-Permanent Representative to Nepal Mission at the UN Mr. Murari Raj Sharma and other distinguished Nepalis from many parts of the USA were present during the program.The activity moved on to the literary appreciation and critical interaction event which was moderated by Mr. Suman Timsina and Mr. Gopal Regmi. In the first session, the paper of the critic Mr. Shiva Prasad Satyal on Naya Iswore ko Ghoshna ( Lit. Declaration of a New God) of Gopal Parajuli was presented by Homnath Subedi . Sita Pandey , the renowned woman creative writer and critic, presented her paper on Samjhanaka Anubhutiharu ( Feelings of Memoirs) by Kamala Sarup. Mr. Govinda Giri "Prerana" spoke on 'Premko Khojima' ( In Search of Love) by Pramila Sharma. Dr. Hari Raj Bhattarai spoke on ' Malai Chhune Man' (Touching Soul) by Gyanendra Gadal. Dr. Hari Har Bhattarai spoke on "Prashna ko Caravan" by Ms. Banya Jha. Other awardees Mr. Gyanendra Gadal and Mrs. Pramila Sharma also spoke on this occasion. Critic HB Bhandari Prabhat spoke on the contribution of Nepali Diaspora in general and the literary as well as the sentimental scenarios of the same. The poet Gopal Parajuli elaborately spoke about his feelings and philosophy of writing as a human mission on earth (see later) . Mr. Suman Timsina concluded the session stressing on the continuation of freedom for creativity of expression by the writers.The second session was inaugurated by the HE ambassador Kedarbhakta Shrestha. Chief guests and special guests and many other present there paid a tribute to the late great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota. Chairman of INLS Board of Trustees and Award Committee, Mr. Homnath Subedi presented the letter and spirit and its tradition as well as future targets of INLS awards. President of the organization Prof. Sitoula spoke on the accomplishments of INLS. He added that INLS has around 45 chapters all over the world and they comprise a world Literary and Cultural parliament. It is also making a campaign to raise fund to establish Bhanubhakta Memorial Building – a place where all the Nepalese programs of this part of the USA could be performed. INLS has multifaceted activities. Some of them are : education of languages and cultures of Nepal; activities of creative culture; games and sports; jayantees ( birth anniversaries) and honors , publication of books; awards and prizes; publishing of the magazine INSIGHTS, translation of the creative writings, inter-institutional collaborative efforts with the Nepalese and non-Nepalese ones. Now has the time come when we have to think of an INLS Global Convention in near future. Since 'poets are the unrecognized legislators of the world' they should unite to create a new world order of free and equal society of creativity, respect and prosperity, he concluded. Following it, the individual winner- writers were presented with various awards during the welcome ceremony in greater Washington D.C as the following:1. Mr. Gopal Parajuli (Nepal) received International Nepali Literary INLS Best Book award for outstanding contribution to Nepali literature for his epic Nayan Ishwor ko Ghoshana. He received Rs 50000 cash and a plaque.2. Ms. Kamala Sarup(NJ) and Mrs. Pramila Sharma(CO) of the USA jointly received the Late Dr. Dilliram Timsina Memorial INLS Best Book Award for their story collections Samjhanaka Anubhutiharu and Premko Khojima for the outstanding contribution to Nepali literature by female authors; They shared NC 20000 and received a plaque each.3. Mr. Bharat Bharadwaj (Nepal) and Ms. Banya Jha (Sikkim, India) jointly shared the Late Dr. Dilliram Timsina Memorial INLS Best Book Award for the first published outstanding contribution to Nepali Literature by a new author for his work, Prashnako Kyaravan and Sampanna Muluka ra Anya Kathaharu. The Timsina awards are sponsored by Mr. Suman Timsina from PA. They shared NC 15000 and received a plaque each.4. Mr. Gyanendra Gadal (CO) received the Late Haribhakta Katwal Memorial Geeti Kavita INLS Best Book Award for his collection Malai Chune Mana which is sponsored by Mr Amod Katwal, from VA. He received NC 15000 and a plaque.5. Sara Children INLS Best Book Award for Child Classic is awarded to Saswot Parajuli for Andho Deshko Rajkumar (Children’s Novel) . The award is sponsored by Mr. Achyut Shrestha, MD. He received NC 15000 and plaque.6. Rohini Sharma Dhaulagiri Zone INLS Best Book Award for the author from Dhaulagiri Zone ( Nepal) is awarded to Laxman Gautam for Samakaleen Nepali Kavitako Bimba Parak Bishleshan ( An Analysis of the Contemporary Nepali Poetry in the light of Imagery) which is sponsored By Mr. Rohini Sharma from Arizona USA. He received NC 10000 and plaque.7. Bibhor Baral received the Budhathoki INLS Best On-line Writer Award for his online contribution to www.paradesh.com. He received $100 and certificate.The writers of the books as well as the award winners shared their feelings, literary beliefs and experiences with the audience in those auspicious moments. The session featured a scholarly presentation by the editor of Garima ( Sajha Prakashan) Mr. Gopal Parajuli on his epical poem and literary writings. Mr. Gopal Parajuli , the chief of the awarded ones , in his fairly elaborate speech of gratefulness ,said that the poets and the writers are as creators and the seers of truth and welfare as they are the conveyers of human ideals through the corridors of time .They are the ones to listen to the calls from beyond the horizons. At this, he was representing all at large. Mr. Murarairaj Sharma appealed Nepalis in the US to continue to contribute for the betterment of Nepal and Nepalis. He also recited a poem about the present state of dismal affairs in the country of Buddha's Birth. Mrs. Vijaya Shah sang a beautiful classical song for the 3rd session on Ganesh Ji as the Mangala Charan and Mr. Khem Sangraula, Ms. Manju Sangraula sang the Muna Madan while Jayantimala Khanal sang a modern song . Coordinator of INLS Global Network and Chairman of INLS Worldwide Nepali Education Program, Mr. Puru Subedi reported the progress of network in poetic form. Chairperson of INLS School of Languages and Cultures of Nepal, Washington DC, Mrs Neeva Pradhan reported progress of DC School and moderated the cultural program with Nepali songs, dances and music presented by the students of the School and local artists. Mr. Puru Subedi and Mrs. Neeva Pradhan distributed certificate of appreciation to all cultural program participants.Following it, Moti Samasyapurti poetry competition for Sitoula Kavita Puraskar (Prize) was held. Rajaram Poudel, Hari Bhattarai, Niranja man Regmi, Kamala Prasai, Prakash Subedi, Gynendra Gadal, Murari Raj Sharma, Puru Subedi and many other poets participated in a competitive and non-competitive category on this occasion. Ms. Radha Poudyal, Tika Puna and Gopal Regmi and D.B. Tamang bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd and 4th prizes. The old Sitoula Mother, Mrs. Mana Maya distributed the prizes and she also sang a Sangini song as a way of rejoicing and thanking all for the participation in the competition. Mr. Shiva Prasad Satyal and Prof. Mohan Sitoula were recognized for their special contribution to the community in the field of literature and culture with plaques by the Chairperson INLS Board of Trustees, Mr. Hom Nath Subedi, chief guest H.E. Ambassador Mr. Kedar Bhakta Shrestha and special guest Ex-permanent representative of Nepal to UNO, Mr. Murari Raj Sharma. They further recognized fourteen other enthusiastic as well as distinguished social activists with high respect for their various significant contributions specially literary and cultural to the Nepalese community personally and through the various organizations like the INLS and others. They are as the following: Dr. Anup Pahari, DB Tamang, Gopal Regmi, Nora Thapa, Saroj Prajapati , Tika Pun , Mohan Thapa, Basu Shrestha, Saranga Shrestha, Amod Katwal, Bidur Gurung, Hans Sawyer, Puru Subedi and Kiran Sitoula. The award ceremony also included the prizes for the winners of INLS Gorkhabahadur Thapa Adult Poetry Competition, INLS Bhanubhkata Memorial Running Cup Volleyball Tournament and Children Poetry Competition held in July, 2005 during annual INLS Bhanu Jayanti program. The winners for adult poetry competition were Mallika Shakya, Narayan Adhikari, Tika Pun who hold first, second and third place respectively. The winners of volleyball competition were first place Baltimore A and second place Kaligandaki. The winners of Children poetry competition in first, second and third place were Shruti Moktan, Dakshin Tamang and Pukar Subedi repectively.The program came to the end with a vote of thanks to all guests, participants, contributors, media people, participating INLS chapters and other sister organizations including GMU Nepalese Student Association by the program Chair and INLS HQ President, Prof. Mohan Sitoula. The program was moderated by INLS Trustee Co-chair and past president, Mr. Bhim Regmi all through.At the end, the President, along with Kabindra and Ranjeeta Sitoula organized a dinner party to honor all the prize winners and guests in their residence.

For more information about INLS, please visit www.inls.org or contact info@inls.org.Sincerely,Mohan SitoulaPresident,INLS HeadquarterWashington DChttp://www.inls.org