Nawalpur, Sept. 24: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel, has said that role of art and culture would be significant for economic prosperity.

Inaugurating the collective exhibition of paintings 'Atmadipan' at Art Gallery of Gaindakot in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta east) today, shared that Gandaki province government would provide the necessary support for the promotion of art and culture.

He mentioned that he was ready to encourage artists, saying the provincial government has been making plans for the preservation of art and culture.

The Chief Minister asked the artists to bring the plan, adding there would be full support of the provincial government on it.

Saying Nawalpur is a fertile land for painting, he opined, "Painting has its own importance. There is no doubt."

Hami Kalakar, Tribeni Sahitya Pratisthan, and Kalawati Art Council have jointly organised the expo from today till October 8.

Chairperson of Hami Kalakar, Bhim Sharma, shared that 52 paintings of 17 artists have been kept in the expo.

Similarly, Litterateur Govinda Raj Binodi, mayor of Gaindakot municipality Chhatra Raj Poudel, deputy-mayor Bishnu Kumari Kandel, among others wished for the success of the expo.