Minisiter Yami inaugurates Mithila Sanskritik Utsav Press Release

Minisiter Yami inaugurates Mithila Sanskritik Utsav Press Release
December 1, 2008

A two-day Mithila Cultural Festival( Mithila Sanskritik Utsav) began in Janakpur on December 1, 2008 with fanfare coinciding with the Bhivah Panchami- a festival of marriage of Ram with Sita. Inaugurating the festival, Chief Guest of the festival, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami outlined the historical relation of Mithila with Malla kingdom of Newar in Kathmandu saying that bhajans are still being sung in Maithali in Ason as a person from Mithila was an advisor of Malla King.

Minister Yami further said that Government has already announced Nepal Visit Year 2011 which will incorporate development of Terai region including Janakpur in this campaign. " Our Ministry is working with Indian counterpart to extend the regional air service from Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Nepaljung and Janakpur to different parts of India like Patna, Gaya, Vanarasi, Lucknow, Kolkatta. We believe that it would promote tourism in these areas," she added. She also informed the government has already allocated the budget for extension of Janakpur -Jainagar railway to Bardibas and feasible study of East West Railways road is being carried out. Investment in tourism development of Tarai has just started with the development of Gadhimai in Bara district and it will extend further to other parts of Tarai, she said.

The inaugural function attended by large number of people from Janakpur and bordering town of India like Madhubani, Sitamari was chaired Mr. Ram Chandra Mandal, Chairperson, Greater Janakpur Area Development Project. Mr. Shital Jha from UML, Mr. Dev Sagar Das from CPN( Maoist), Mr. Ram Gobinda Yadav from Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Mr. Parmeswore Shah from Terai Madhes Democratic Party also addressed the function. Folk dance and music, drama will be staged during the festival as a part of reviving Mithila culture.

Earlier, Minister Yami also attened the Matkor ceremony which takes place a day before the Bhivah Panchami at Janaki Mandir. The festival of Bhiwa Panchami will take place tomorrow at Janaki mandir.