TGT Correspondent
Kathmandu, Oct 5
Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) are jointly organizing a poetry competition among youths under nineteen with lucrative cash prizes. A joint meeting of the Language, Literature, Culture and Heritage Sub-Committee of the NRNA, and he central executive of the INLS, organized virtually, decided to hold the event on Shri Panchami Day. The competition shall be limited to non-resident Nepalese poets.
According to a press release issued after the meeting on Sunday, the first prize shall comprise of 100,000 rupees with a citation, while the second and third prizes will carry a sum of 50,000 and 25,000 thousand rupees respectively. One competition, who top the list among English poem contributor will be awarded 25,000 rupees.
In order to oversee the event, a joint programmatic committee has been formed with Sarbagya Wagle (USA) as the coordinator. Maheshwar Pant (USA), Tirtha Sangam Rai (Qatar), Dr. Keshav Sharma (Australia), Bimala Niraula (USA), Ganesh Khadka (Africa), Girija Gairhe (Japan), Bishnu Maya Bibhu (Norway) and Mahata Ghimire (Australia) have been nominated members. Nepal Academy Council Member Prof. Hemnath Poudel, NRNA Language, Literature, Culture and Heritage Sub-Committee Chairman Hikmat Thapa, and INLS Chair Prakash Poudel have been elected Advisor to the committee.
It may be noted that the next Shri Panchami Festival occurs in mid-February 2021. The day is observed by worshipping Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, according to Hindu belief. It is understandable that the day has been carefully chosen to make the event coincide with the festival of learning.
A good job indeed. Rs one lakh for one poem is a big amount though let’s hope the youth under 19 will work hard to present their best creation deserving the price.
Somewhere I also advised to select top ten and award at least a gentle encouraging amount of Rs five thousand to the seven remaining after first, second and third.