The Nepalese community in Edmonton observed International Mother Language Day amidst a poetic and cultural event at Lansdowne Community Hall on Saturday February 24, 2018. The event was organized by Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a local organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa language, culture and traditions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The cultural event was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA; Dr. Narayan Pokharel, President of Nepali Literary Club of Alberta (NLCA); and Mr. Ram Krishna Sharma, President of Nepalese Canadian Society of Edmonton (NECASE); by lighting up the Panas, a mini traditional artistic oil lamp of Nepal. Meanwhile, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day to celebrate and promote cultural diversity, multiculturalism and multilingualism.

Welcoming the guests in the poetic and cultural event, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, spoke about the importance of observing International Mother Language Day to celebrate, promote and preserve languages and culture of the world. According to Dr Joshi, UNESCO emphasises learning in at least three languages (mother tongue or ancestral language, regional or national language, and international language) to achieve sustainable development goals.

Mr. Ram Krishna Sharma, President of NECASE, spoke about importance of preserving language, culture and heritage organizing cultural and literary activities in the community regularly. Dr. Narayan Pokharel, President of NLCA, briefly spoke about the history behind celebrating February 21 as International Mother Language Day. Mr. Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel, Executive Member of NCSA, spoke about the importance of practicing and preserving mother tongue.

In the poetic and cultural event, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, Dr. Narayan Pokharel, Mr. Birendra Kayastha, Mr. Rishi Dahal, Mr. Amit Paudyal, and Mrs. Jyoti Pradhan recited poems in their mother languages. Dr. Ai Gurung and Dr. Deepesh Shrestha entertained the participants with Gurung and Nepal Bhasha melodies. The event was facilitated by Dr. Kishor Shrestha, Executive Secretary of NCSA.