Jyapu Mahaguthi meet opened
Cultures constitute identity of Nepal: PM

Kathmandu, Dec. 25 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that all the cultures, languages, costumes and communities constitutes the identity of Nepal.

Inaugurating the first central general meeting of the Jyapu Mahaguthi here today, Prime Minister Koirala gave assurances that the government would introduce a special programme for the overall development of the Jyapu community.

A person becomes well known because of his character, knowledge and skill, Mr Koirala said, adding that the Jyapu community does not lack these qualities.

Prime Minister Koirala said that the land occupied by the Balaju Industrial Estate would be provided to the Jyapu Samaj on the condition that the Jyapu community will extend cooperation in removing the polluting carpet and cement industries outside Kathmandu Valley.

Minister of State for Health Tirtharam Dangol stressed the need for allocating a fixed budget for the protection and preservation of the culture of every community.

Mr Dangol said that the national census should be taken on the basis of the religion followed by the various communities.

CPN-ML General Secretary Bamdev Gautam said that the culture of the Jyapu community should be recognized as a national culture. The Jyapus should be proud of their community, he added.

President of the Samyukta Janamorcha Nepal Amik Sherchan said that every community should be involved in running the state.

General secretary of the Jyapu Mahaguthi central ad hoc committee Rajbhai Jaka:Mi Maharjan demanded that the "Dhimaya Baja" of the Jyapu community should be declared a national instrument, a budget of atleast Rs 10 million be allocated for the protection of the traditional instrument every year, cultural allowance be provided to the chiefs of the Jyapu cultural instruments, grant assistance be provided for setting up of the Jyapu cultural archive, a long term programme be formulated for the promotion of the traditional Jyapu agricultural system, steps be taken to conduct a research on Jyapu community, and the representative of the Jyapu Mahaguthi be involved in formulation of any policy, regulation and programmes that affect the Jyapu community.

MPs P. L. Singh and Krishna Lal Maharjan, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapit, president of the Nepal Bhasha Manka Khala Padma Ratna Tuladhar, president of the Jyapu Mahaguthi Mohan Krishna Dangol, vice president of the Jyapu Mahaguthi Central Adhoc Committee Rajbhai Jyapu, Thakali Nati Maharjan, Urmila Dangol, Anupa Singh and others threw light on the contributions made by the Jyapu community.

The function was chaired by president of the Jyapu Mahaguthi Central Adhoc Committee Bipendra Maharjan.

Altogether 105 council members representing all the localities of Kathmandu Valley had taken part in the general meeting.

Earlier a procession of Jyapus playing the traditional "Dhime, Khin and Basuri" instruments had gone a round the city.

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