The Major Programmes in Kathmandu:

1. SAARC Writers Interaction with the Study Group of the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu. This Interaction of the Study Group of SAARC Secretariat with important guests and writers, including all the Ambassadors of the SAARC countries in Nepal, was chaired by H.E. Dr. Nihal Rodrigo, Secretary General SAARC Secretariat, on 21st November, 2000, with Ms. Ajeet Cour, Co- chairing the Literary Interaction.

The interaction with the Study Group witnessed the generation of new ideas for intertwining the concerns of writers with the socio-cultural processes in their respective countries and the SAARC Region as a whole.

There were poetry readings by the poets of the SAARC Region who participated in this Literary Programme: Indian Poets, Nepali Poets, Poets from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Pakistan was represented by the Ambassador of Pakistan in Nepal, Madam Fauzia Nasrin, who read a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz in English translation. Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Director, SAARC Secretariat and poet from Maldives, wrote a very special, exclusive poem to honour the spirit of this Literary Interaction. Mr. Kamleshwar, Senior Hindi writer and member of the Indian Delegation, also addressed the audience.