November 27, 2016

On Saturday, November 26, 2016, Newa American Dabu (NAD) in Chicago, Illinois celebrated New Year Nepal Sambat 1137 at American Legion Memorial Civic Center in Morton Grove, Illinois.

The event commenced with Ganesh puja and Sankhadhar puja performed by Mrs. Sarita Shrestha and Mrs. Shradha Tamrakar. Then, the Master of the Ceremony, Mrs. Junoo Tuladhar and Mr. Simrik Tuladhar welcomed all the guests and participants and invited everybody to receive Tika and Sagoon, headed by Mrs. Ganga Maya Pradhan and Mrs. Gyaneswori Shrestha.

Subsequently after the Tika and Sagoon, the national anthems of the United States of American, Nepal, and Newa were played in succession. Then, Mrs. Saraswoti Maharjan, a respected elder from the Newa community, inaugurated the event by lighting the Twadewa (oil lamp). The inauguration of the event was followed by the Laskus song (Welcome Song) sang by a group of female Newa community members.

Mr. Shrawan Shrestha, president of Newa American Dabu, then welcomed all the guests and presented the welcome speech highlighting all the activities of Newa American Dabu during the past year, and the important role that NAD plays in preservation of the Newa culture in the Chicagoland area.

After the welcome speech, Mr. Shrawan Shrestha invited the chief guest, Sanjita Pradhan (Commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) to launch the Newa American Dabu’s annual magazine “Chicago Newa VI” and presented her with an “Appreciation Certificate” and “Token of Love”. After the appreciation, Sanjita Pradhan gave a heartfelt speech about her commitment to public service, her role in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), and the importance of community organizing in the immigrant communities so that immigrants become aware of theirs rights provided by the US constitution and the federal law.

Next, Mr. Shrawan Shrestha invited the Chicago Newa magazine editor and immediate past president Mr. Keshar Man Tamrakar to the stage and presented Mr. Tamrakar with an “Appreciation Certificate” and “Token of Love” while NAD Treasurer, Mr. Uday Maharjan felicitated Mr. Tamrakar with a Doshala (Newa shawl) for his contribution to the Newa community in the Chicagoland area as well as his contribution to publishing the Chicago Newa magazine.

The event was graced by the presence of invited heads of Nepalese organizations in the Chicagoland area including President of Chicagoland Nepali Friendship Society (CNFS), Mr. Tek Raj Paudel, President of Non-Resident Nepali Association, Illinois Chapter (NRN-IL), Mr. Suman Wosti, President of Nepalese American Society (NAS), Mr. Shyam K Shrestha, President of Chicago Tharu Society, Surendra Chaudhary, and Vice President of Chicago Nepalese Lions Club, Mr. Anil Rimal.

At the end of the official ceremony, Newa American Dabu’s secretary, Mr. Bibek Shrestha presented the “Vote of Thanks”, expressing gratitude to president of the chief guest, organization presidents and representatives, guests, volunteers, Curry Hut Restaurant, American Legion Memorial Civic Center for their support in making the celebration of Nepal Sambat 1137 a success.

Following the Vote of Thanks, the guests were entertained by lively cultural music and dances performed by our locals artists. The highlight of the cultural program included the Newa Fashion show where kids dressed in traditional Newa attire warmed the stage holding traditional Newa decoration ornaments.

The program concluded with floor dances with special song requests from the guests.

Newa American Dabu (NAD) established in 2009, is a Newa organization based in Chicago, IL. NAD is a non-profit, educational, social, and cultural organization of Newa people in Chicago and its supporters and well-wishers in the United States and abroad. The mission of NAD is to conserve and preserve the Newa cultural heritage tradition, language, literature, and customs.