Nepali and Indian scholars emphasize on bilateral cultural connectivity

Dhangadhi (Kailali), 16 April (2023) - The second day of the three days international conference titled – "Manaskhand :  Inevitability of Integrity for Internalizing Civilsational and Cultutal Connectivity between Nepal and Bharat" was jointly organised in  Dhangarhi (Nepal) by Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad (ARSP) Bharat and Nepal Bharat Sahyog Manch (Nepal) comprised rigorous academic sessions around the central theme of the conference. This conference was inaugurated yesterday on the premises of Far Western University Nepal by Hon. Chief Minister of the state Shri Kamal B. Shah, under the Chairmanship of VC Prof. A. R. Joshi.

Various scholars from Far Western Province (Sudur Paschim region) of Nepal and different parts of Bharat, including Kumaon (Uttarakhand) in particular, presented papers on different perspectives of religious tourism, Devatas of the Manaskhand, geographical aspects of the region-more specifically river systems, further folk arts and folklore performances that would help in bringing people of both countries together. This exercise will bring and  economic prosperity as well as tie-ups for revival of the region of Manaskhand. The transcendence of experiences ranging from Kali Aar to Kali Paar between the two nations was iterated to be explored. 

Importance of archival studies and Universities working in the domain of shared history and culture as well as need to focus on the historical continuity of Manaskhand region was emphasized. Renowned scholars from both nations shared thoughts on pauranic and archeological corroborations highlighting shared cultural traditions across the region of Manaskhand, possibilities of cooperation through creation of pilgrimage circuits as well exploring the potential of tradition in building cross-border cultural connectivity, evidences from temple ecosystem from Nepal, significance of Jyuti in Manas Sanskriti and celebration of Indo-Nepal ties through Hiljatra festival were some of the key papers presented during the proceedings of the conference. Renowned scholars presented during the conference include Prof Vasudha Pande, Prof Hema Uniyal, Dr Nihar Nayak, Praagya Basudev Pande, Dr Narayani Bhatt, Dr Divyeshwari Joshi, Acharya Ghanshyam Lekhak, Dr. Deepa Duaiswamy etc. presented their work in Nepali, Hindi and English languages. 

Exploring of possibilities and alleviation of physical infrastructural and connectivity issues, envisioning of building border towns on twin cities concept were some of key immediate interventions that would enable in laying down initial pathway towards building of Manaskhand Corridor project.

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Shri Shyam Parande, Secretary General, Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad Bharat mentioned that this international conference would be an onsetting event that would enable in building better understanding of cultural and historical ties with a modern academic and pauranic perspective. This will help in taking Indo-Nepal relations to newer heights, in the days to come.

The concluding day of the 3 days international conference would entail thorough brainstorming discussions amongst the academic , bureaucratic , diplomatic as well as political communities of both nations on building as making this mega cultural and spiritual Manaskhand region a reality along with a photo-exhibit display of key places covered under the region. 

There was a pressing need to generate a Manaskhand pilgrimage route map jointly by the scholars based on traditional and scriptural knowledge as well as introduction of curriculum based on the subject at school and college/University level.