Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has urged the government to create strong and clear policies to protect and promote Nepal’s mother languages. He shared this message during the second International Mother Language Conference held in Lalitpur on Friday. The event was organized by the National Forum of Newar Journalists.
Ghimire said journalism in mother languages is facing many challenges and must be protected to keep cultural identity alive. He noted that a document produced from the conference would help guide the country in language preservation and national unity.
He praised efforts by institutions like Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Gorkhapatra, and Public Service Broadcasting, which are working to preserve 62 native languages in Nepal. According to him, these efforts should be supported by proper state policy.
The Speaker explained that the conference helps people understand the current situation of journalism in native languages and lets them learn from international experiences. He said this event will support the development of journalism that is professional, inclusive, and accessible across Nepal.
He also remembered Dharmaditya Dharmacharya, also known as Jagatman Baidya, who began mother language journalism in Nepal 101 years ago. Ghimire said Dharmacharya laid the foundation for this type of journalism and continues to inspire the field.
Dr Mahendra Bista, Chairperson of Public Service Broadcasting, said that journalism in native languages has helped bring important information to different communities for many years. He believes it will continue to play an important role in national development.
Sunil Maharjan, Conference Coordinator and Vice-Chair of the National Forum of Newar Journalists, said that journalism in local languages has played a role in every major political change in Nepal. It has also raised awareness about social and cultural topics that affect daily life.
The National Forum of Newar Journalists was formed 13 years ago to support journalism in the Newar language and other local tongues. The first International Mother Language Conference was held in 2081 BS.
In other countries like India, Bangladesh, and Canada, journalism in native languages is also growing. In Bangladesh, International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21 to honor the language movement. In Canada, Indigenous radio and media programs are helping to preserve languages like Cree and Inuktitut.
Languages carry more than just words. They hold culture, history, and identity. When a language disappears, an entire world of knowledge disappears with it. This is why protecting mother languages through journalism is so important.
Nepal’s future depends on unity in diversity. Through policies, education, and media, the country can protect its languages and the people who speak them.
