Ninth International Nepali Literary Conference Concludes in Colorado with 9-Point Declaration

Denver. The three-day Ninth International Nepali Literary Conference held in Colorado, USA, concluded grandly with the issuance of a 9-point declaration. The grand three-day International Nepali Literary Conference, which began on Saturday at Hotel Drury in Westminster, Colorado, organized mainly by the central committee of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) and coordinated by the INLS Colorado Chapter, concluded on Monday with the issuance of the 'Colorado Declaration'.

The declaration includes points such as publishing an annual journal by including activities for the promotion of Nepali literature in world literature, providing INLS writing scholarships to encourage young writers, providing expert writers for editing manuscripts nearing publication, announcing and awarding the Child Talent Award to encourage children in writing, and conducting writing training to encourage Nepalis worldwide in literature.

During the conference, the 'INLS Navaratna Literary Honor and Award' was also distributed to 9 talented women writers, authors, and literary activists. The recipients of the Navaratna honor are Renuka Sol (Nepal), Rija Pradhan (Australia), Sitadevi Bastola (Denmark), Sabbi Shrestha (Portugal), Sita Aryal (USA), Kamala Neupane (USA), Laxmi Shrestha (USA), Ana Steer (USA), and Binu Ghale (USA). This honor and award, given every two years for special contributions to the international promotion, study, writing, and advocacy of Nepali literature, carries a prize of two hundred US dollars.

The grand conference, organized with the support of organizations including NRNA NCC America and in collaboration with the Nepali Journalists Association (NEJA) America, was jointly inaugurated by chief guest and senior litterateur and Madan Puraskar winner Dr. Navraj Lamsal, INLS founding president Homnath Subedi, INLS Board of Trustees chairman Padam Bishwakarma, and INLS current president Sarvagya Wagle.

Special guests included Madan Puraskar winner litterateur Nilam Karki Niharika, renowned English litterateur Dr. Jacqueline Kerbek, Red O Laughlin, Mayor of Boulder, Colorado, Aaron Bracket, Mayor of Westminster City, Claire Caramella, and NRNA NCC America president Satendra Saha.

Immediately after the inauguration, Dr. Jacqueline, as the keynote speaker, discussed the current challenges in world literature, the potential of Nepali literature, and its contributions. The conference, moderated by INLS General Secretary Raju Sitoula and Treasurer Tara Adhikari, saw the release of over a hundred books and the recitation of original works by approximately 140 litterateurs.

Interesting discussions, debates, and interactions took place in more than a dozen sessions attended by senior litterateurs, journalists, and prominent writers. Among these, the session on 'Fiction in History and History in Fiction' featuring litterateur Nilam Karki Niharika, former editor-in-chief of Kantipur and author Sudhir Sharma, and editor-in-chief of OnlineKhabar and author Basanta Basnet was particularly engaging. Facilitated by former presenter of BBC Sajha Sawal, Narayan Shrestha, this session particularly highlighted the contributions and roles of writers in bringing historical events to the general readership through fiction.

Similarly, the Leadership and Literature session presented the experiences of former presidents of INLS, while the Nepali Women Literature session focused on discussions about the struggles and empowerment of women writers. Discussions were also held on poetic traditions and contemporary expressions, and the role of journalists and media active in the diaspora in promoting Nepali literature.

Speakers and facilitators from Nepal participating in the conference included senior litterateur Dr. Lamsal, Sudhir Sharma, Basanta Basnet, Babita Basnet, Tikaram Yatri, Vipul Pokharel, and other journalists. Deuda singer and creator Nandakrishna Joshi also participated from Nepal. From America, journalist Narayan Shrestha, Prem Baniya, Rajan Kunikel, and NEJA president Suraj Bhandari participated.

Among the litterateurs present were INLS president Sarvagya Wagle, Bhutanese Literary Council president Khem Rijjal, Radheshyam Lekali, and Govardhan Puja. Media Coordinator Dirgharaj Upadhyay informed that Kiran Adhikari, president of INLS Colorado Chapter and program coordinator, INLS Board of Trustees chairman Padam Bishwakarma, General Secretary Raju Sitoula, and Treasurer Tara Adhikari played special roles in successfully organizing the literary conference in Colorado.

INLS General Secretary Raju Sitoula stated that while past literary conferences primarily focused on gatherings, meetings, and discussions among litterateurs, this year's event gave special importance to the roles of prominent writers, journalists, and youth alongside litterateurs.