हालसालैका लेखहरु : उड्ने रहर छ,(उमा शर्मा ) तब पो दशैं आउँथ्यो,(गोतामे साँहिलो) नाप्नै सकिएन ,(रजनी श्रेष्ठ) धेरै सिकायो यो कोरोनाले,(उमा शर्मा) गिद्धहरु रमाउँदैछन्,(बासु श्रेष्ठ) आव्हान,(रजनी श्रेष्ठ) ग्रीन कार्ड,(सुदीपभद्र खनाल) लश्कर,(गोविन्द गिरी प्रेरणा) अभिनन्दन !!!!,(ऋषिराम अर्याल) गड्यौला उर्फ सत्यराज ,(कृष्ण बजगाईं )

World Book Day

Kumari Lama, (Kathmandu)

The idea of celebrating World Book Day entered in the mind of Catalonian (Spanish) booksellers on 23 April 1923 to honour the author Miguel de Crevantes who died on the same day. This became the part of celebration of the Saint George's Day (23 April) in Catalonian region Spain where it has been tradition since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange. It was really a marvelous beginning of presenting books instead of other matters to their beloved one which later spread all over the world.

After long time in 1995, UNESCO noticed and decided to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day on the same day 23 April. This date is the most suitable date to celebrate World Book Day as it is not only Crevantes's but also the world renowned playwright William Shakespeare's death anniversary day as well. The most controversial and popular Russian writer, Vladimir Nobokov's birth date is also the same 23 April. There is very important but co-incidental connection of the world famous literary figures with 23 April.

Catalonian booksellers were just the spark to bring the novel trend of honoring authors. It, very quickly took the shape of dazzling and bright flame and spread all over the world. Prime Minster Tony Blair launched World Book Day in UK in 1998 at the Globe Theater. On this auspicious occasion several million schoolchildren in Great Britain were given one sterling pound as special World Book Day Book Token.

Our country Nepal and the intellectuals over here also have the equal concern towards the international trend. So, though little late but in 2004, Bhawak Aviyan Nepal by the co-ordination of Film Maker, Poet Prakash Sayami started celebrating World Book Day in Nepal as well.

As UNESCO had decided that the World Book Day and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April in 1955, copyright has become one of the great emerging issues in the world. To secure the rights of artists, writers, musicians and all other creative people copyright is playing great role. There is an international organization like World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) who is playing tremendous role for the copyright issue. Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works 1997 is already there which talks for the rights of Artistic works. Nepal Government also has made Copyright Act, 2061 which stand for the rights of artists.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with Nepal Copyright Registar's Office, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Government of Nepal and with the assistance of the Japan Copyright Office (JCO) has organized WIPO Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium on Emerging Issues of Copyright and related rights in the Audiovisual Industry in January 29 to 31, 2008. Speakers from Geneva, Hong Kong, Japan and Nepal had presented their papers on the emerging issues of copyright. Film maker and Poet Prakash Sayami had presented his paper on the topic; Copyright- Related challenges in making and distribution of Audiovisual works. Definitely such programs are helpful for the artists to realize their actual importance and also to become aware about their rights.

The trend of celebrating World Book Day and Copyright Day in Nepal gives positive sign which indicates the spreading consciousness and eagerness for knowledge even in our society. We know, "Book" is an ocean of knowledge and obviously there will be no harm to remember Book Day and gift our friends some books on this occasion. Like every special day, this Book day also carries its own worth. This day reminds us of our literary giants like Crevantes, Shakespeare, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla whose anniversary of birth and death was on the same day 23 April. This day also makes us think of the birth of the writers Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nobokov, Manuel Mejia and Halldor Laxness. They are the immortal figures who through their books have gifted the world with abundance of knowledge. So, how can we forget 23 April?

This is the date to be remembered ever, forever.

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सम्पर्क माध्यम

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