The Newah Organization of America celebrated Nepal Sambat 1140 “National New Year”, commemorating Founder and National Hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa on Saturday, November 23, 2019 in Washington DC area. More than two hundred community members came together to enjoy this National New Year Celebration uniquely named after the Country. Program began with the traditional SUKUNDA Rally, along with Dhime & Bhusya procession followed with live Dhime Dance this year. NOA founding member’s spouses Mrs. Haribaba Kayastha and Mrs. Saloni Joshi offered the blessing tika and red kokha along with Samay Bajee offering and welcoming all guests on their arrival.
NOA Secretary Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel and Mrs. Mila Shrestha served as Emcees, called the event to order, invited NOA Acting President Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, Chief Guest Economic Counselor of Nepal Embassy Mr. Homkant Bhandari, Guest Speaker NOA Advisor Dr. Roshan Shrestha on the dais and conveyed sincere gratitude to all attendees for their valued participation.
The Nepal Sambat 1140 celebration program officially began by lighting the Twadewa by Chief Guest Mr. Bhandari facilitated by Mrs. Hari Baba Kayastha, followed by Badge distribution assisted by spouses of Executive Committee Mrs. Chhaya Pradhan & Mrs. Sunita Shrestha, and on Khada offering by spouses of Executive Committee Mrs. Meeli Dhaubhadel and Mrs. Romee Shrestha, to all distinguished guests at the dais. Likewise Flower and Khada distributed to official guests to tribute honor on the portrait of Shankhadhar Sakhwa assisted by Mrs. Chhaya Pradhan & Mrs. Sunita Shrestha. Chief Guest Economic Counselor of Nepal Embassy Mr. Bhandari and NOA Acting President Mr. Shakya and offered khada and flower bouquets on the picture of Shankhadhar Sakhwa the Founder of Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era). Nepal Sambat began with the United State National Anthem followed by Nepali National Anthem. NOA General Secretary Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan has hearty welcomed all the distinguished guests, community members, media representatives, friends and family.
On the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1140 celebration, leaders & representatives of various local organizations, Mr. Raju Joshee of Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), Mr. Season Shrestha of World Newah Organization (WNO), Mr. Dibya Hada of American Nepal Senior Community (ANSC), Mr. Ram Malakar, Founding Members of NPPA, Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay of World Newah Organization (WNO) USA Chapter, cordially exchanged their greetings and expressed gratitude.
Chief Guest Economic Counselor of Nepal Embassy Mr. Bhandari has stated the recognition of Nepal Sambat as the Rastriya Sambat (National New Year) and congratulated NOA for working diligently to promote Nepal through Newah Culture & tradition around Washington DC area. Guest Speaker, Dr. Shrestha had highlighted historic facts about of Sankhadhar Sakhwa and importance of Nepal Sambat hailed from indigenous Newah community, importance and implementation of Nepal Sambat uniquely named after the Country towards preservation & promotion of Newah culture, heritage and language.
Acting President Mr. Yagya Man Shakya extended warm greetings on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1140 and emphasized that NOA is working together with all other organizations to achieve goals to preserve & promote Newah culture, tradition and heritage in the USA. He also cited that NOA has established tradition to continue commemorating founder of Nepal Sambat and national hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa since 2001 and also thanked all attendees, including the Chief Guest, Special Guests, Representatives from various Organizations, Volunteers, All Media Representatives, Food Contributors, Cultural Program Performers as well as tireless effort of NOA Executive Committee members & their families. He also expressed gratitude and recognized all Sponsors Air Zone Travel, Aero Nepal Travel, Classic Diamond Inc., Fenwick Beer & Wine, Photo Bank, Himalayan Elderly Care Inc., Cultural Program coordinator. Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan, Food Coordinator Executive Member Mr. Udaya Shrestha, Registration Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha, Fundraising and contribution Executive Member Mrs. Meena Joshi Pradhan, Formal session Emcee Secretary Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel & Mrs. Mila Shrestha, Culture Program Emcee Ms. Lochani Shakya, Sound system DJ “K&K” Mr. Kohil Man Shakya, Mr. John Thies, Mr. Sugandha Shrestha and Mr. Markendya Man Singh Pradhan, Senior Fashion Photographer Mr. Rajiv Shrestha, Biswa Parikrama Magazine Chief Editor Mr. Govinda Giri Prerana, DCNepal media representatives Mr. Umesh Sharma and Mr. Sunil Humagai, eNepalese media representative Mr. Bishwa Raj Thapa, Maryland Ka Hami Nepali representative Mr. Shrijan Tamrakar for their continued and valued support.
Cultural Program Emcee Ms. Lochani Shakya hosted the lively cultural program featuring songs and dances by popular local artists. Program began with welcome song with “Swan ya Mekha ye Swan ya Sansar” arranged by Mr. Prabin Tamrakar with By Ms. Hridayesha Tamrakar, Ms. Suave Suwal, Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel, Ms. Samridhi Shrestha, Mr. Aditya Shakya, Ms. Sujata Tamrakar, Ms. Sagun Shrestha, Ms. Shrasta Maharjan, Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Ms. Bibhusha Shrestha. Participants truly enjoyed the semi classical dance “Krishna Mohan” by Ms. Sunita Amatya, followed by a dashing presentation from USA born Nepalese children, a unique Nepali Fusion Dance performed by Ms. Ashna Pradhan, Ms. Roseeta Shrestha, Ms. Jasmine Kayastha, Ms. Vedah Shrestha, Ms. Vani Aryal and Ms. Shreya Hamal.
Local Artists Mr. Sugandha Shrestha and Mrs. Rani Shakya entertained with melodious songs. Similarly, beautiful Newah Fusion Dance performed by Ms. Pratisha Pradhan followed by popular Newah song “Chakuncha Chir Chir” by Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Ms. Bibhusha Shrestha, Ms. Yashila Shrestha, Ms. Shreya Hamal, Ms. Roseeta Shrestha, and Ms. Prisha Shrestha entertained the audience.
Continuing NOA debut in 3rd year presentation of Dabu Pyakha (Newah Drama) “Hwantan Pyantan wo American Visa” in Nepal Bhasa, Written, Direction and Performed by Dr. Roshan Lal Shrestha, and by Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mrs. Mila Shrestha, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Mr. Jim Shrestha, Mr. Rabi Shakya, Mr. Manoz Singh, Mr. Adity Shakya, Ms. Roseeta Shrestha and Play Presented & Narrated by Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan. To continue, upcoming local talent Mr. Bikash Joshi entertained with Nepali modern songs. Another outstanding performance mix classical fusion dance by Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya & Ms. Shriya Menon Shrestha thrilled the stage. And a remarkable Maruni group dance from NPPA entertained by Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mrs. Magan Shrestha, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Sita Shrestha, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, Mrs. Madhuri Shrestha, Mrs. Leena Shrestha Menon, and Mrs. Mahima Shakya, Chorography by Yagya Man Shakya. Renowned Pop Singers Ms. Sarishma Amatya, Mr. Shrijan Tamrakar (Okely Band) entertained with their melodious songs and thrilled the audience. Entertaining and exciting fundraising door prize raffle was also organized on this occasion.
NOA extends warm greetings to all Nepalese around the world and shares best wishes for Nepal Sambat 1140, Nepal Era!! With lively entertainment stretched well into the evening with serving delicious Traditional Newah Bhoye (Dinner) followed by distribution of appreciation certificates to all cultural & musical participants and the New Year Program ended with a lot of wonderful new memories.
4901 Lee Farm Ct, Ellicott City, MD 21043 Phone: (347) 276-4846 Email: [email protected] Website: www.newah.org
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