Show of Cultural Unity
Nepali language is another area, which binds Nepal and India closer
By KESHAB POUDEL
No two countries in the world have so many similarities as Nepal and India . From language to culture, literature to religion and ethnicity to geography, both the countries have many points of unity. In terms of political relations, Nepal is trying to copy the democratic system like in India .
Being the only Hindu monarch, Nepalese King is given special privileges in many Hindu temples in India . Similarly, high-level religious persons like Sankaracharya are given direct access to Nepal 's monarch.
At democratic level, most of the liberal democrats of Nepal share same democratic ideals and values as Indian democrats. The relations between Nepalese and Indian liberal democrats remain close.
Whatever the nature of relations both the countries have in state-to-state level, both the countries have time-tested cordial and friendly relationship existing at people-to-people level.
In recent years, Nepal and India have tried to explore traditional relationship existing between the two countries. In a similar initiative at a program organized by B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and Embassy of India , the two-day fourth conference of Nepalese authors of Nepal and India was held this week where writers discussed their issues of common interest, challenges and opportunities.
"Since we share so many things, our relations have also evolved on this basis. Nepali language binds the people living in the two countries," Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Mukherjee.
Lil Bahadur Chettri, Indra Bahadur Rai, Lakkhi Sundas and other prominent Indian figures of Nepali language have been living from east to western parts of India . Nepali language is recognized in the eighth schedule of Indian constitution as one of the sixteen languages recognized as national language.
The contributions of Nepali-speaking Indian citizens have been immense in the development of Nepali language. "Our history of Nepali language is incomplete without counting the contribution of Nepalese speakers of Indian origin," said nationalist poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire.
Despite commonalities in so many areas, both the countries are yet to exploit these factors in maintaining the relationship at various levels. The areas of differences are very few compared to the areas of commonalities but the points of unity and commonalities seem to have been ignored while the areas of differences remain highlighted.
In recent years, however, Nepal and India 's traditionally strong binding factors are gradually weakening. Monarchy is under constant attack and liberal democratic forces have been reduced as a part of seven parties alliance.
Like all other languages spoken by small number of people, Nepali language is also struggling for its survival. This kind of interactions between the people of Nepal and India will have many positive impacts.
