Kathmandu literary festival to bring together cultural & literary voices from Nepal, India
KATHMANDU, June 4: The fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), bringing together leading voices from literature, culture, cinema, music, diplomacy and academia among others, will be held in Nepal’s Lalitpur district on June 6 and 7.
Former prime minister Sushila Karki, who was also the first woman chief justice of Nepal, will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.
The central theme of the festival will be “Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a changing world”, according to the organisers.
“The festival will explore how literature, culture, art, spirituality and creative imagination can help build a more connected and compassionate South Asia,” said Rashmi Ranjan Parida, founder and director of the KLF.
“Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival is a celebration of literature, culture, music, poetry and civilisational friendship,” Parida said.
“Through this platform we hope to further strengthen the long-standing literary and cultural ties between Nepal, India and South Asia while also opening new avenues for dialogue with the world,” she added.
Various eminent personalities, including singer and actress Ila Arun, author Pratibha Ray, spiritual thinker Acharya Prashant, acclaimed actor, lyricist, and writer Piyush Mishra, and noted writer and filmmaker Raj Shekhar, are scheduled to take part.
The two-day event will feature conversations, panel discussions, poetry recitation, musical performances, cultural sessions and dialogue on civilisational relations.
The KLF, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of India’s leading literary and cultural festivals. (PTI)
‘Bondi hero’ Ahmed Al Ahmed charged with domestic violence against father
CANBERRA, June 4: Ahmed Al Ahmed, hailed as the “Bondi hero” for disarming a gunman during a terror attack in Sydney last year, has been charged with domestic violence-related offences involving his father.
New South Wales Police allege that the 44-year-old assaulted his father during an incident at a home in Bankstown, southwest Sydney, on March 9. The charges include common assault and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical harm. The assault charge specifically relates to allegations that Ahmed placed his father in a headlock.
Police have also secured an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) on behalf of the father, which prohibits Ahmed from contacting, approaching, or harassing him. The order further requires Ahmed to stay away from his father’s residence and workplace.
Ahmed has denied the allegations, labelling them “fake information” and indicating his intent to contest the charges when he appears before Bankstown Local Court on July 29.
It is pertinent to note that the legal proceedings come months after Ahmed received international acclaim for his bravery during the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack.
Despite being shot multiple times, he managed to disarm one of the attackers, earning praise from the Australian public and political leadership. (Agencies)
