KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communications Bikram Timilsina has said that literature remains a vital medium for understanding human civilization and human life, even in an era dominated by technology, artificial intelligence, and algorithms.

Speaking at the “Himalayan Literature Festival and Writers’ Workshop” held today, he said literature plays a crucial role in connecting individuals and society with self-reflection and emotional depth. “In a world shaped by algorithms, data, and speed, why do people still write poetry and tell stories? Because literature is the most powerful medium for the self-realization of human civilization,” he said.

He noted that despite rapid global changes in politics, economics, and technology, people continue to search for meaning, dignity, identity, and hope. “We are more connected than ever before, yet we understand each other less. That is why literature is indispensable—it forces a fast-moving world to pause,” he added.

Highlighting the role of poetry, fiction, and translation, Timilsina said writers are not only producing texts but also preserving humanity. Recalling his own experience of hosting a Nepali literature and music radio program for nearly a decade, he said literature and music can bridge distances that politics and geography cannot.

He also emphasized Nepal’s cultural and linguistic diversity, noting that more than 120 languages are spoken in the country. “Every language carries a worldview. Stories, folklore, myths, and memories strengthen our shared identity,” he said, adding that oral traditions and storytelling have long united communities even before modern communication systems.

Reflecting on Nepal’s literary tradition, he mentioned his own publication of a Nepali ghazal collection in 2006 and praised writers from Bhanubhakta Acharya to Laxmi Prasad Devkota for linking local realities with universal human themes.

He further said that today’s writers, journalists, and translators are continuing this legacy while adapting to new global challenges. Stressing the importance of literary festivals, he said such platforms allow ideas to cross borders and help showcase Nepal’s culture, heritage, and stories to the world.