National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

A Renowned Scholar

Yadunath Khanal, a renowned scholar and diplomat, passes away at the age of ninety-two leaving behind an illustrious legacy

By A CORRESPONDENT

Born in Tanahu district nearly a century ago, Yadunath Khanal had witnessed all kinds of ups and downs in Nepalese politics as well as diplomacy. Former foreign secretary Khanal served as Nepal's envoy to India, China as well as the United States during different times in the history of Nepal.

Even during his last days, Khanal, who had equally good command over three languages - English, Nepali and Sanskrit, worried about the country's on-going difficult political situation. "He was worried about the country's situation," said senior journalist Dhrubahari Adhikari, who had met professor Khanal just a few days before his death.

He quoted Khanal as saying, "It is not only the King, leaders and political parties who had failed. Civil society has also failed of which you and I are members. There is stiff competition to pocket perks and privileges. No one is making any sacrifice. That shows the moral dimension of civil society getting weaker day by day."

Busy in his academic life, Khanal spent his retired life in writing and studying books. Khanal started his carrier as a professor to Tri Chandra College. He has contributed a lot to literature and diplomacy.

Following the dismissal of elected government and political change of 1960, Khanal moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He spent almost two decades in diplomacy and met almost all worlds' renowned diplomats of cold war era. He met Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru as well as Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

According to his biographer Jayaraj Acharya, professor Khanal was sent to India and China as an ambassador when the country was in serious turmoil and difficulty. Thanks to his diplomatic skill, Khanal helped to normalize the relations.

Following the restoration of democracy in 1990, professor Khanal served as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the time of the interim prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Professor Khanal also held the post of foreign ministry advisor under the government of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Known as a diplomat who was knowledgeable about Nepal's foreign relations like a back of his hands, Khanal wrote a number of articles in the periodicals and presented his papers. Khanal attended the first Asian African Conference in Bangdung as a member secretary of Nepalese delegation. During that time Khanal was professor at Trichandra College.

During his last days, Tribhuwan University conferred doctorate on him when he delivered statement stressing what Nepal's education sector required to meet the global challenge in the 21st century. Till a few days before his death, he remained active studying books. "He was a great scholar and diplomat of Nepal who has made enormous contribution," said his biographer Jayaraj Acharya.

TIBETAN DANCE
Culture of Similarities

Although Nepal and People's Republic China is divided by the fascinating Himalayas, people of both the country share many similar culture and traditions. Thanks to more than thousand year long frequent contacts between the people of two countries, Nepalese seem to have inherited many cultural traits from Nepal's northern border.

In celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, a group of artistes from the Tibetan Autonomous Region performed traditional Tibetan Dance at Birendra International Convention Center.

From music to dance and physical appearance, there are many commonalities among the Nepalese people living in northern parts of the country and the people of Tibetan Autonomous region.

A large number of Nepalese people shares the culture and religion with the people of Tibetan Autonomous Region. When the dancers' performance begun, the audiences gathered at the convention center realized the striking similarities existing between the people of two countries.

The dance performance reminded how much Nepalese and people of Tibetan Autonomous region have similarities in culture and many other areas. Organized by the Chinese Embassy, the performance attracted a large number of people. Crown Prince Paras graced the performance program.