Media has bigger role in Indo-Nepal relation

Patna, Apr 29 (UNI) Delegates from India and Nepal have advocated cross-border linkages through media for maintaining cordial relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a seminar on ''Emerging trends in Indo-Nepal relation through media and culture'' here on Sunday, the panelists suggested that the scribes of both the countries should work in tandem with optimum utility of information technology to improve the bilateral relation.

The panelists also urged the fourth estate to cover concerns of the masses and not of classes as they focussed mainly on the developments in Delhi and Kathmandu.

Speaking on the occasion, Editor of a Nepali daily Shree Commander Yugnath Poudyal said some people with vested interests in that country had portrayed a wrong picture of India.

''The common man in Nepal is not anti-Indian. The coordination with Indian press would resolve the issue of setting aside the frivolous coverage,'' he added.

''I had no idea of the devastation caused by annual floods in North Bihar till I read a newspaper this morning referring to the concerns of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the seminar. The media in Nepal has no idea of the perennial floods caused by Kosi river'', he lamented, adding the scribes should cover the real side of the story.

The seminar also discussed the demands of Madhesis as many of them requested the media--both in India and Nepal-- not to be ''biased'' in redressing their grievances.

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