Coming together on Bhanu Jayanti
When I was preparing my flight to Australia last year, I was compelled to write two news about Bhanu Jayanti observation. In fact, three such events were organised – two by Bhutanese community and one by Nepalese. I was committed, there shouldn’t be any division when it comes to preservation of language and literature.
And it worked at least for this year. I bring in International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Australia – which was established few years back with my initiative, to join hands with Bhutanese community for Bhanu Jayanti celebration.
This was my first experience to learn love for language and literature when people live in an alien land. The event was memorable. Not everyone loves literatures but to find so many, even in small community, genius of literature is awesome.
Life here is mechanical. Unless people work under tight schedule for earning, livelihood is hardly possible. Not bothering such circumstances, Over five dozen people from both the communities congregated in Adelaide to remember Bhanu Bhakta Acharya and his contribution to Nepali literature.
The celebration was jointly organised by Bhutanese Association in South Australia (BASA) and International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Australia chapter. This was the first time two community joined hands to remember the first poet of Nepali literature – the string to bind them together.
16 participants recited their creations. Raju Upadhyaya’s poem was judged the top among them. Upadhyaya now will be participating in the international Nepali online poem recitation competition later this month hosted by the INLS Headquarter coinciding with the second international literary festival in London.
Narayan Bhattarai was judged second and Indukesh Pandey as third. Sagarmatha restaurant, run by a Nepalese entrepreneur Deepak Bista, sponsored prizes for the winners. All participating members were awarded with certificates.
Young and old all participated the celebration. Additionally, two awards announced on the occasion. Mahabir INLS Award carrying NRs 10,000 and Adhikari Sahitya Puraskar carrying cash prize of NRs 7,500 will be awarded on Laxmi Janati to books and articles published by Nepalis living outside of Nepal.
My heart is very sad because of the parting of Mon Maya RAI, a friend, a Sister. I have known her since she came to Tasmania on the 10/2/2011. Her bright and rich spirit, her humaness, warmth were like a bright star warming all the people who met her. Jit her loving husband reconciled me with believing in Love when observing him day in, night out in the respect and Love emanating from him when caring for his wife.
Mon Maya RAI our Beautiful Bhutanese Princess, you shone like a bright star, I love you and know that your spirit is free and safe for Eternity. May your family retrieve some Peace in the knowledge that your are now free.
Fanou