Press Release: Jointly issued by Youth Philosopher's Society and Tamil Nadu Hindi Academy

Press Release: Jointly issued by Youth Philosopher's Society and Tamil Nadu Hindi Academy

Santosh Shah Foundation launches Nepal-India Future Venture Dialogue Series

Friday, April 17, 2015

Santosh Shah Foundation, on Friday 17April, launched Nepal-India Future Venture Dialogue Series in a programme jointly organized by Youth Philosopher's Society and Tamil Nadu Hindi Academy in Kathmandu. The event had speakers from Nepal and India who discussed on the theme "Missing links between Nepal and India's historical tradition and heritage".

At the event, Prof. Dr.  Ram Mohan Pathak, member of Rajsabha Hindi Samitee, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Dr. Y. Balasowri Reddy, the President of Tamil Nadu Hindi Academy , Prof. Dr Lok Raj Baral,Former Nepalese Ambassador to India and Rajiv Kunwar, Former Research andPublication Officer, Institute of Foreign Affairs Nepal, expressed their views on different facets of Nepal-India relationships.

Speaking at the programme, Prof. Dr. Ram Mohan Pathak said that he has been contributing to fostering Nepal-India relations for the past 45 years. Recalling his acquaintance with B.P. Koirala during the latter's self-exile in India, he said the two countries have long-standing ties due to cultural affinity. He opined that people in India have great reverence for Lord Pashupatinath and every Indian wishes to visitNepal at least once in their lifetime. He added that Lord Buddha was born inNepal and got enlightenment in India and his teachings are global. Referring to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern on augmenting cultural development of Nepal, he termed Nepal as "India's heartbeat”. "Nepal's prosperity and plight is directly linked with that of India's," he opined.

Dr. Reddy termed Nepal and India asHindu nations and their relationship as crucial. However, Dr. Lok Raj Baral dissented saying both nations are secular and their relationship a complicated one.

Rajiv Kunwar, former lecturer ofPolitical Science at the Kathmandu School of Law began his remarks withSanskrit chant. He expressed fret over rampant illegal trade and terrorism prevailing in the two countries and pointed out culture as a bridge to improve ties between them. He credited Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to Nepal as a promotion of the country's spiritual tourism.

Santosh Shah, the founder president of the Foundation, said that Nepal-India relationship is yet to see a strong tie and exchange of opinions between their intellectuals, scholars and common people, despite having eon-old relationship at governmental, diplomatic and political levels. The Nepal-India Future Venture Dialogue Series will be held in Nepal and in India throughout the year jointly and independently as well as speakers, thinkers and leaders from both nations will be brought on the same platform to discuss future ventures and collaborations on various subjects of common interests, such as politics, diplomacy, security, education, culture,religion, economy, agriculture, youths, women and literature.