Kathmandu, Jan 21: At a time when many people have been expressing their anxieties over the increasing influence of western culture on the Nepalese society, Nepal Cultural Council (NCC), an organisation that aims at preserving and promoting the national culture, has come up with  programmes to create awareness among the people regarding Nepalese arts, music and culture.

“Nepal Cultural Council has come up to expedite an international campaign to promote Nepalese folk music, dances and create awareness among the people against the western suggestive  culture and other  social ills ranging from corruption to girl trafficking,” Arjun Paudyal, the President of NCC said while greeting the guests and audience gathered at the Cultural Night 2056 programme and the Ceremony to honour senior Artiste Bhuwan K. C on Thursday evening at the Russian Culture Centre.

President of Rajshabha Standing Committee, Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, inaugurated the programme amid a traditional musical programme. Addressing the programme, he said that  Nepalese people are committed to preserving Nepali culture and pointed a need of cultural movement in the country.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Sharat Singh Bhandari   appealed  NCC to develop the culture to respect  the seniors and wished NCC would be able to promote culture and  maintain national identity.

At the programme, Dr. Rayamajhi honoured artist Bhuwan K. C.  by wrapping a shawl around him, and handed over a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a letter of felicitation. Similarly, Minister Bhandari honoured Lal Bahadur Gurung of Mustang Service Society with a letter of felicitation for his contribution in promoting Nepalese culture.

At the  function,  various cultural programmes were presented.

It may be recalled that the NCC established in 1998 had in the past honoured popular singer Dharmaraj Thapa and famous mountaineer Kaji Sherpa. It has been  organising different cultural programmes on the special occasions in its endeavour in promoting arts and culture of the country, the NCC official said at the programme.