LONDON – The Kitab Yatra Foundation held its second annual Kitab Yatra Festival in the UK on Tuesday, in collaboration with the Nepali Embassy in London. The event took place at the embassy building and featured an awards ceremony, poetry recitations, panel discussions, and a book exhibition.
This year’s festival marks the second time the event has been held in the UK since it first began in 2075 BS (2018 CE). The festival has been organized four times in India and six times in Nepal.
Nepali Ambassador to the UK, Chandra Kumar Ghimire, served as the chief guest. He praised the foundation’s role in promoting Nepali art, culture, and literature within the diaspora community.
In the first session, moderated by senior journalist Tikaram Yatri, Ambassador Ghimire shared his experiences transitioning from a civil servant to an ambassador. He described the new role as one of “unrestricted freedom” but also “full of challenges,” noting that “as the sole representative of the Government of Nepal in a completely different community, you have to take on all the responsibilities yourself.” He emphasized that his primary focus, beyond consular services, is on economic diplomacy, and he is working to facilitate a visit by the UK Prime Minister to Nepal and to advance a double taxation agreement. Ghimire also advised the Nepali community in the UK to focus on strengthening existing organizations rather than creating new ones.
Special guest Lord Rami Ranger encouraged everyone to not lose the habit of reading and embracing their culture in this digital age. He said that such festivals energize the younger generation and expressed his deep respect for the Gurkha soldiers, calling them a “role model community.”
Awards Presented to Deserving Individuals
During the festival, the Kitab Yatra Foundation honored individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields within the Nepali diaspora in the UK. The awards were presented by Ambassador Ghimire and Tikaram Yatri.
- Khagendra Nepali, former head of BBC Nepali Service, received the Kitab Yatra Diaspora Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Krishna Bajgain, a writer, was honored with the Kitab Yatra Diaspora Literature Award.
- Navin Pokharel, UK correspondent for Online Khabar and editor-in-chief of Nepali Link, received the Kitab Yatra Diaspora Journalism Award.
- Kushal Shrestha, a media professional and videographer, was given the Kitab Yatra Diaspora Media Award.
- Dr. Rakshya Thapa was awarded the Kitab Yatra Diaspora Entrepreneurship Award (Female).
- Chong Sherpa, owner of Ero Sushi, received the Kitab Yatra Entrepreneurship Award (Male).
- Bikas Nepal, a businessman and owner of Nepal Foods, was named the Youth Icon.
A second panel discussion, also moderated by Tikaram Yatri, focused on the “globalization of Nepali art, culture, and literature.” The discussion featured prominent speakers including Michael Hutt, Sangeeta Swechchha, Gopi Sapkota, and Krishna Bajgain. The panelists shared their perspectives on the state of Nepali literature internationally, the quality of diaspora literature, and its challenges.
Rishiram Adhikari, director of the Kitab Yatra Foundation, expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support. He highlighted the foundation’s mission to make reading an integral part of life, promote entrepreneurship, and honor creators. He also mentioned the foundation’s work beyond the festival, which includes building libraries in 20 locations across Nepal and providing scholarships to deserving students.
The event, hosted by Sivira Lama Ruit, also included a poetry session where writers Jagat Nabodit, Nirbhikjang Rayamajhi, ghazal poet Nripesh Upreti, and Indian poet Shahaj Khan recited their works.