By Laxmi Chaudhary
Janakpurdhaam, Mar. 5: Chief Minister of Madhes Province Lal Babu Raut has lauded the efforts made to introduce the historical and religious city of Janakpurdham to the world through Janakpur Literature Festival.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the third edition of the Janakpur Literature Festival organised by New Mithila Foundation on the premises of Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham on Thursday, Chief Minister Raut pointed out the lack of publicity of Janakpurdham for various reasons.

He said that the work of the Foundation was laudable as the literary festival would make a great contribution to introducing language, culture, customs, traditions, food and literature of Mithila not only in Nepal but also in the world.
Chief Minister Raut said that it was important for the province to hold a debate through a festival here as Janakpur is a storehouse of knowledge.

Referring to Dr. Ramji Ram’s remarks, who came to the festival representing the Dalit community, Chief Minister Raut said that development and prosperity would be impossible unless Dalits get social justice.
He further said that development and prosperity would not be possible in the province unless the 18 per cent Dalit community in the province made progress.

He also informed that the province government has formed a committee for the development of Dalit community.
On the first day, after the inaugural session, a speech contest was held among the best five students on the theme ‘My Janakpurdham’.

Likewise, ‘Jhari-Nritya’ ( a form of dance) , which reflects the culture of Madhes, was presented, while the family group presented a musical performance after a solo recitation on Madhes Sayitya Ra Ma (Mades literature and Me) by writer Khagendra Sangraula.