Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami says politicians need to help reduce public uncertainty and fear over the coronavirus and gain people’s support by speaking sincerely about the pandemic.

KATHMANDU, August 15: Veteran litterateur and winner of Madan Puraskar Madan Mani Dixit passed away today morning. Dixit was an eminent novelist. He was born on February 17, 1923, in Kathmandu.

A poet, novelist and teacher, Rajan Mukarung is an eloquent intellectual. Originally from the hilly district of Bhojpur, his early success in writing won him numerous accolades. Awarded with Kirat Puraskar Samman for novel ‘Hechhakupa’, Pahichan Puraskar for ‘Ferido Saundarya’ and Madan Puraskar for ‘Damini Bhir’ in 2012, he is currently dedicated to the publishing his next volume, ‘Ayogya’  soon this year.

Philip Roth, influential giant of 20th-century literature, who explored Jewish-American heritage, politics and male sexuality in over 30 novels, has died aged 85.