A critical work prepared by Kolkata-based author Atanukumar Basu and a children's story collection 'Mitha Mitha Tarkariharu' written by children's literature creator Urmila Dhungana, based on the children's stories of Nepal Children's Literature Society President and children's literature creator Vijayraj Acharya, were made public at a function held in Kathmandu on Friday.

The program concluded with a review of both the works and their creators.

'Vijayraj Acharya's Stories for Children: A Critical Estimation', Acharya's 40 children's stories translated into English, the characters of three, the message and essence of the stories, have been reviewed by Atanukmar Basu in an understandable style, while Dhungan's 'Mitha Mitha Tarkariharu' is a collection of children's stories prepared with the aim of familiarizing young children with various types of vegetables. The book includes 33 poems about 33 types of vegetables.

Vice President of Nepal Children's Literature Society Bijayraj Neupane gave a congratulatory speech introducing the authors of both works, while another creator Madhav Ghimire 'Atal' highlighted the work and personality of Bijayraj Acharya, mentioning that Bijayraj Acharya has been training children as an author, translator, editor and trainer of more than 100 children's books, visiting various places across the country and providing training to children.

Commenting critically on 'Mitha Mitha Tarkari', General Secretary of Nepal Children's Literature Society Dr. Bishnu KC said that the book will introduce children to the vegetables they always eat. He said that children can also learn about the medicinal properties, colors and shapes of vegetables from the book. He said that author Dhungana has brought information about vegetables that are starting to be forgotten in the society. He said that the book not only highlights vegetables but also the nature and labor aspect of vegetable production. He said that the book is suitable for children from grades two to four-five in terms of language.

Similarly, in the program, Dr. Bunu Daha expressed her best wishes to the author Dhungana for her new work and said that the book will be very important for young children and parents.

Atanukumar Basu presented a working paper on 'Impact of War on Children' in the program. He mentioned that in all the wars that have taken place, children have been the main victims. He said that children and educational institutions are targeted during wars. He said that 70 to 80 percent of the general public becomes victims in wars around the world, and children and women are more affected by them. Referring to the context of innocent children being punished for the mistakes of the elders, he said that the childhood and life of innocent children have been taken away.

Commenting on Basu's paper, creator Mahesh Paudyal said that if Basu's paper is put in a little more effort, it will get a place in a journal from anywhere in the world, and mentioned that 40 percent of children worldwide are children and since they are non-voters, they are always in the hands of politicians and war. He also thanked author Basu for highlighting the fact that it is disappearing from our thinking. He also highlighted the relationship between Nepal and Bengali literature.

Similarly, former president of Nepal Children's Literature Society Pramod Pradhan, who was the chief guest of the program, said that the review book on Vijayraj Acharya's works has opened international doors for the first time in the 130-year history of Nepali children's literature. He said that this is the first time that Basu, a Nepali children's writer and an international writer, has written a book on children's literature.

Similarly, the president of the program, Sarjak Sirjana Sharma, said that Dhungana's important work on vegetables has come and the discussion on war and children, which came as a working paper, has called for discouraging war.

Writer Atanu Kumar Basu's wife Pampa Busu and daughter Anusmita Basu were also honored with garlands at the program.

Acharya's book has been edited by Mahesh Paudyal, while Bivek Sirjanshil Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. has published the book. Mitha Mitha Tarkari includes illustrations by Prajjwal Thapa Magar, while Anushka Subedi is the publisher of the book. The market price of both works is Rs. 350.