Noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya statue unveiled in California
SAN FRANSISCO:- On the auspicious occasion of the 213th birth anniversary of *Adikavi* Bhanubhakta Acharya—a luminary of Nepali language and literature—a half-life-sized statue of him has been installed at the Nepali Community Center in Richmond City, California.
This historic undertaking was accomplished through the special planning and active initiative of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Northern California Chapter. The statue was jointly unveiled by senior radio presenter and poet Dr. Navaraj Lamsal and Richmond City Mayor Eduardo Martinez during a grand ceremony held on Sunday, July 12.
The statue unveiling ceremony was attended by a large gathering, including Achyut Ghimire (host of the renowned radio program ‘Bulbul’), Hercules City Council member Dilli Bhattarai, and NYANS President Pritesh Karki, alongside representatives from various Bay Area organizations and literature enthusiasts.
Following the installation of the statue, a special literary festival was organized under the chairmanship of Babu Acharya, President of the ANASAS Northern California Chapter; poet Dr. Navaraj Lamsal attended as the chief guest, while General Secretary Narayan Bhattarai and Vice President Deepak Pathak jointly conducted the proceedings.
Amidst the grand literary ceremony, the chapter’s special Bhanu-themed publication, *Samudraparika Srijana* (Creations from Across the Seas), was launched, and Everest summiters as well as various literary figures were honored.
In the competitive poetry recitation event held on the same occasion, Jamuna Bhattarai secured first place, Gita Bajgai second, and Raj Dhungana third, while Himesh Bhattarai and Maya Acharya Shrestha received consolation prizes.
Poet Dr. Navaraj Lamsal praised the INLS Northern California Chapter for accomplishing a major historic feat on foreign soil by installing a statue of *Adikavi* Bhanubhakta in the United States—the first of its kind outside the Asian continent.
Achyut Ghimire, expressed the view that this statue would serve as a strong and dynamic bridge, keeping the Nepali diaspora perpetually connected to their native language and culture. Other speakers also warmly commended this initiative to promote Nepali identity, language, and literature on foreign soil.
Rita Devi Pradhan, Senior Vice President of the INLS Northern California Chapter, extended her gratitude to all those who contributed to the initiative: Professor Dharma Raj Koirala, who played a pivotal role in the installation of the statue; newly appointed ANASAS Central Secretary Rishav Dev Ghimire, who facilitated the safe transport of the statue and the organization’s publication from Nepal to the US; Trailokeshwar Malla, who created the excellent design for the statue’s installation within the community building complex; and chapter members Mira Ujeli and Arun Nyaupane, who managed the event logistics and refreshments.
Guests attending the ceremony included Chapter President Mohan Niure, Don Karki, and Keshi Shrestha from Los Angeles, as well as Bishnu Maya Kattel from the Sikkim Chapter.
