Press Release: November 20, 2011

On Saturday, November 19^th, the Newah Organization of America (NOA) celebrated Nepal Sambat 1132, commemorating national hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa. Special Guest Mr. Indra Bahadur Mali placed flowers and the khata on the picture of Shankhadhar Sakhwa. NOA appreciated the opportunity to have such a renowned Newah scholar join us on this auspicious day.

More than 250 NOA family and friends gathered at Kemp Mill Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland to enjoy this special New Year celebration. The celebration started in a very festive way. The beautiful Pancha Kanyas (Miss Aryanka Shrestha, Miss Mala Pradhan, Miss Pareenika Shrestha, Miss Sarozina Shrestha, and Miss Shrutina Shrestha) welcomed guests at the door, and Mrs. Haribaba Kayestha gave the blessing tika and Mrs. Meena Pradhan gave the red kokha to all guests as they arrived. Guests then received sagan so that all could begin the evening with Newah symbols of good luck. An exciting part of the program was bestowing NOA honors upon our special guest and the Newah priest. NOA presented Mr. Indra Bahadur Mali with a certificate acknowledging his contribution to the preservation and promotion of Newah culture, heritage, and language. NOA gave a letter of appreciation with certificate to Newah priest Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay for his contribution to the Newah community in the United States by performing religious and ritual ceremonies.

To get the program started, NOA President Mr. Season Shrestha welcomed Chief Guest, the Ambassador of Nepal His Excellency Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma; Special Guest from Nepal, Secretary of the Nepal Bhasa Academy Mr. Indra Bahadur Mali; organization representatives; media representatives; and all attendees. He extended warm greetings to all on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1132. Mr. Shrestha reminded the crowd that Nepal Sambat is Nepal’s own calendar and that all festival and religious ceremonies are based on this calendar. Nepal Sambat was once used in India, Tibet, and China. Mr. Shrestha requested that the Nepalese Embassy in Washington, DC officially celebrate this New Year every year.

Past President, Founding Member, and Advisor to NOA Mr. Tribhuvan Tuladhar greeted guests on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1132. He urged all Newah people to speak Nepal Bhasa with their family members at home. He also shared that according to the UN Nepal Bhasa may soon disappear from the face of the earth.

Master Joyal Ranjit and Miss Jasmine Shrestha did a splendid job sharing the importance of Nepal Sambat and the use of calendar in Nepal Bhasa and the cultural values in English respectedly.

NOALC Chairman Mr. Ishwor Rajbhandari told the audience about NOALC’s successful annual Mha Puja celebration and about the NOALC classes that meet regularly to teach children Nepal Bhasa. He announced the very exciting news that NOALC students won 2^nd place at ANA’s talent contest in July 2011. Mr. Rajbhandari requested that parents help their children learn their mother language and invited all to participate in language classes.

Dr. Roshan Shrestha shared a PowerPoint presentation of very interesting facts about Nepal Sambat, highlighting the contributions of founder Shankadhar Sakhwa. Guests had a great chance to learn more about the historical significance of Newah culture.

Ambassador Dr. Sharma thanked NOA for the invitation and for partnering with the Nepalese Embassy in Washington, DC over the last 2 years to promote the cultural heritage of Nepal. Dr. Sharma agreed to celebrate Nepal Sambat every year with the support of NOA and others in the Newah community.

Keynote Speaker Mr. Indra Bahadur Mali told the crowd how few people use Nepal Bhasa even in Kathmandu Valley, where many Newars reside. He said that there is an urgent need for Newahs in charge in Kathmandu Valley to preserve and protect the Newah language, culture, and heritage.

NOA 2^nd Vice President Mr. Ravi Pradhan gave a note of thanks to all attendees, including the chief guest, special guest, volunteers, organizations representatives, the media, food contributors, sponsors, and performers.

Emcees Mrs. Babita Shrestha and Mr. Pushkar Prajapati hosted the opening session of the progam. Ms. Kerisha Singh, Ms. Shristina Dahal, and Ms. Shreyaska Dahal hosted the lively cultural program featuring songs and dances by local artists, including a Newah dance and concert by the students from the Newah Organization of America Language Center (NOALC). Miss Ruby Shrestha, Miss Rosy Shrestha, Miss Monique Rajbhandari, Miss Sami Tamrakar, Master Joyal Ranjit, and Master Bardan Tuladhar. The crowd enjoyed the traditional Dhimay dance by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya as well as many more dances by other young and talented artists: Miss. Neeva, Miss. Lasata, and Miss. Sackchhi Tuladhar, Miss. Lochani Tara Shakya, Miss. Shreyaska and Miss. Shritina Dahal, and Miss. Nilima Manandhar, Mr. Sanjeep Pradhan, Mrs. Sarishma Amatya, Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha, Mr. Sunil Chaudhary, Mr. Rajesh Shrestha, Mr. Rabin Manandhar, Mr. Sashi Dahal, and Mr. Bishomver Pradhan entertained the crowd with their lively songs.

As the celebration came to an end, everyone enjoyed a delicious, home-cooked traditional Newah feast (Bhoy) prepared by many volunteers and by Clay Oven restaurant. The evening gave us time to learn, to appreciate our language, traditions, values, and foods, and to mingle with many friends.