NOA 15th Annual Convention and General Meeting

Dear NOA Life Members, friends and community members,

Newah Organization of America (NOA) held its 15th Annual Convention and General Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland on Saturday, May 28, 2016. The convention theme was “The Challenges on Reconstruction Heritage Sites”. With more than 200 attendees, the program was enjoyed by a cross-section of the Newah and Nepalese community from the Washington DC metropolitan area as well as guests from several different States and from Nepal.

The Dhimay & Bhusya Baja procession warm welcomed invited dignitaries and guest. Pancha Kanyas Miss Bhibusha Shrestha, Miss Lizala Manandhar, Miss Lujala Ranjit, Miss Megha Joshi, and Miss Prisha Shrestha.Vice President Mrs. Babita Shrestha and Secretary Mr. Pushkar Prajapati served as Emcees and called the meeting to order. Chief Guests Mr. Kailash Raj Pokharel, Economic Counselor Embassy of Nepal, Key Note Speaker Prof. Gautama V. Vajracharya, World Newah Organization President Mr. Season Shrestha and Newah Organization of America President Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha. Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker enlighten (Twadewa) traditional oil lamp to inaugurate the 15th NOA Convention & General Meeting 2016, assisted by Mrs. Hari Baba Kayastha and Mrs. Chitra Shrestha. All Dignitaries guests welcomed with Khada assisted by Mrs. Vijaya Shrestha, and Badges assisted by Mrs. Chhaya Pradhan and Mrs. Mahima Shakya.

NOA Vice President Mrs. Babita Shrestha has Welcomed all guests and organization representatives, thanking attendees for their continued support, and expressing gratitude to the Chief Guests and Special Guests for travelling to join the 15th Annual Convention & General Meeting. NOA General Secretary Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan has highlighted the annual activities, NOA chapters and briefed the activities of the NOA Language Center and urged parents to teach Nepal Bhasa at home. He also announced to honor community leaders who has set great example to our community in academic excellence. NOA Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha has presented the NOA annual financial report. NOA Past President and Scholarship Program Chairman Mr. Rajesh Shrestha provided updates on the scholarship program at Jagat Sunder Bwonekuthi of Nepal, thanked all sponsors, and encouraged others to sponsor. NOA Secretary and Nepal Earth Quake Coordinator Mr. Pushkar Prajapati presented Nepal Earth Quake fund raising report, completed and future activities. NOALC Student Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya delivered greetings in Newah language.

Honorable Key Note Speaker Prof. Gautama V. Vajracharya delivered an amazing speech on antiquity of Newah arts. He shared in depth study on visual sources to understand the pre-vedic concept of atmospheric gestation and cloud forms in art and sculpture, He also talked the story of torana, the Sanskrit word for a type of entrance, find in the chariot and main entrance of old building. WNO President Mr. Season Shrestha expressed appreciation for the role of NOA towards preserving and promoting Newah Culture in the USA and urged everyone to support. Chief Guest Mr. Kailash Raj Pokharel has congratulate NOA for 15^th Annual Convention & General Meeting and expressed appreciation for the role that NOA plays in preserving and promoting Newah culture, heritage, and language.

Newah Organization of America magazine “LASKUS” officially launched jointly by all dignitaries and guests assisted by Mrs. Bimala Prajapati. Mr. Shrestha honored Prof. Gautama V. Vajracharya with special plaque and NOA Honorary Life Membership for his lifetime contribution to Newah culture and heritage and also honored Mr. Yagya Man Shakya with special plaque for his dedication to preserve Newah Culture and outstanding contribution to community service, assisted by Mrs. Sunita Shrestha and Mrs. Meeli Dhaubhadel. A Certificate of Recognition is presented to honored 1st President of NOA Mr. Beda Pradhan and Mr. Ganesh Lal Kayastha for their long time dedication and community services. NOA also felicitate and presented letter of appreciation to Poet Mrs. Chandra Kala Newah for her contribution to Nepalese Literature and legendary singer Mr. Ramesh Tamrakar for his contribution to Newah language and culture. NOA acknowledge the attendance of special guest from Nepal Senior Surgeon Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha, Mr. Bansi Dhar and Mrs. Bimal Prabha Bajracharya. NOA added eight family and three individuals as new Life Members this year.

NOA President Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha delivered his presidential address expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and Guests for coming together to celebrate NOA ‘s 15^th Annual Convention & General Meeting 2016. NOA Second Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha thanked the volunteers for their tireless efforts, the participants, speakers, performers, organization representatives, and the media for their overwhelming support, Clay Oven Restaurant for catering, DJ K&K for the sound system, Sligo Middle School for the venue, Precision Solutions, Inc. for printingLaskus, Eknotech for cover and layout design, Air Zone Travel for event sponsor and Aero Nepal Travel for name tags, Senior Photographer Mr. Rajiv Shrestha for capturing the moment and all the other contributors.

Panel Discussion were held followed by special presentation and with talk program Moderator by Dr. Sugandha Tuladhar.

On the occasion of NOA 15^th Anniversary released of Newah Song Music Video “Luika Puika Thuika Swaya ” of Singer and Producer Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha, Lyric & Directed by Ms. Sunita Junu Rajbhandari, Music composed by Mr. Pushkar Prajapati, Music Arranged by Mr. Sujay Shrestha and that was produced with young rising stars in Nepal.

Emcees Mrs. Nabita Manandhar and Ms. Sabrina Shrestha hosted the culture program, which kicked off after Newah feast dinner began with new Newah Laskus Song “ Newah Chha, Newahey Jui” Lyric by prominent Jana Kabi Mr. Durga Lal Shrestha, sung by Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha and Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan, music composed by Mr. Pushkar Prajapati and music arranged by Mr. Sujay Shrestha and instrument played by Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mr. Kiran Ranjit for the very first time in convention.

NOALC Students presented “Fulko Akh Ma” group song by Ms. Yashila Shrestha, Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Ms. Lizala Manandhar, Mr. Manindra Pradhan, Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel, Mr. Aryan Shrestha, and Mr. Nikhil Manandhar along with Mr. Joyal Ranjit. Also another Musical Instrumental Newah Song by Ms. Lasata Tuladhar and Ms. Niva Tuladhar. Longtime Famous Newah Singer Mr. Ramesh Tamrakar, Renowned pop singer Mr. Sanjeep Pradhan, Lead Guitarist of Trikal Band Mr. Sujay Shrestha, Classical Dance Choreographer and Performer Mr. Yagya Man Shakya along with Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya has presented remarkable performances.

Choreographer Ms. Mila Shrestha along with Ms. Mala Pradhan has performed a famous fusion Newah song dance. Local talents Mr. Shiva Raj Joshi and Mr. Sughandha Shrestha had sang various songs. Upcoming Group of Musical Friends lead by Mr. Bibhas Amatya, along with Mr. Marc Nassar, Mr. Tuna Turk, Mr. Daniel Tran presented Instrumental Performance of international songs along with Newah. The convention stretched well into the evening lively dancing by many attendees and ended with a lot of wonderful new memories.

For more pictures , Click here