Teej is festival of women liberation and change: Chancellor Rai

Kathmandu, Aug 25: Chancellor of the Nepal Academy (NA), Bhupal Rai, has said teej should be celebrated as a festival of women liberation and change. At a teej special programme organized jointly by the Social Science Department and trade unions at NA on Sunday, Chancellor Rai urged the Nepali sisters to observe teej festival in a way to discourage discriminations against them. "Teej has been a medium to share women's struggles, plights, and upwelling of emotion," he said, urging the women to create public awareness against corruption through their performance. Vice Chancellor at NA, Bimal Niva, also suggested teej celebration against inequality and malaises in addition to friendly get-together and family reunion. According to Dr Madhusudan Giri, teej celebration had begun after the agreement between Kirat and Shaiva communities. Baba Basnet viewed teej can be celebrated by linking it to a discourse. Similarly, Dr Kaushila Risal stressed the need of wiping out superstition while celebrating the festival. Sita Sharma argued the Rishipanchami is besmirching women's dignity. Also speaking on the occasion were Dr Pratibha Pun and Dr Chuda Prasad Dhakal, who said festivals were losing originality in the wake of digital disruption. So, they need to be associated with nature, they underscored.