TGT Correspondent
Kathmandu, March 7
Writers and artists engaged in creation and production of children’s literature, educational material and entertaining stuff has urged the president Ms Bidya Devi Bhandari to take initiatives to institute Nepal Children’s Academy. A delegation led by senior writer Ram Babu Subedi called on President Bhandari at Shitawal Niwas on Sunday and submitted a memorandum, demanding the institution of such an academy. The memorandum foregrounds the need for such an academy that shall address the creative and intellectual needs of our children, who constitute about 40% of our total population.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Subedi briefed the president with the need for a dedicated academy for children. Reminding the president about the existence of various academies for adults, he expressed his dismay at the absence of such an academy in Nepal. KK Karmacharya, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts stressed on the need for such an academy to ensure a holistic development of our children. Senior writer and editor Shashwat Parajuli presented the entire conceptual framework of the academy under discussion.
Addressing the delegation, President Bhandari lauded the idea and said, her office shall do everything it can to recommend the government to go for a cabinet decision to constitute such an academy. She said, she regretted for having left this work undone while she was in active politics, and would love to redeem the same by doing her best to ensure the constitution of Children’s Academy in Nepal in the nearest future. She suggested the delegation to put the demand before the government as soon as possible, and follow it up rigorously and voluntarily.
Other members in the delegation, besides Ram Babu Subedi, KK Karmacharya and Shashwat Parajuli were writers Victor Pradhan, Sushma Acharya, Shailendu Prakash Nepal, Dhruva Ghimire, Manju Gyawali, Shanti Sapkota, Mahesh Paudyal, Kartikeya Ghimire, Ananta Prasad Wagle, IP Adhikari, Gopi Krishna Dhungana, Surya BC, Kedar Shrestha and Netra Tamang, artist Krishna Gopal Shrestha and music composer Dilli Prasad Chapagain.