KATHMANDU, Jan. 14: On the occasion of the 281st Prithivi Jayanti and National Unification Day, the Nepal Sanskritik Kalakarmi Sangh organised a variety of cultural programme here today.

Inaugurating the programme, Minister for Labour and Transport and Population and Environment Kamal Prasad Chaulagain lauded the work carried out by the association in the protection and promotion of Nepali culture at a time when it was suffering from foreign intrusion.

Stating that the divine precepts of King Prithivi Narayan Shah the Great are still relevant in terms of the country’s art and Culture, Minister Chaulagain said efforts being made to disturb the country’s racial, lingual, cultural and religious unity in the name of revolution and liberation would hurt the unity and sovereignty of the nation.

Minister Chaulagain on the occasion also felicitated various personalities making a notable contribution to different sectors of society.

Those felicitated were Dr. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, industrialist Mohan Gopal Khetan, journalist Pawan Thapa, social workers Kishore Gurung, Ram Kumar Lingdel, Chhimi Dorje Gurung and Gurudev Thebe, and artists Loknath Dhakal and Laxmi Dhungana.

Various folk songs and dances from the Mechi to the Mahakali were presented on the occasion.