The Newah Organization of America (NOA) celebrated Nepal Sambat 1141 “National New Year”, commemorating Founder and National Hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa on Saturday, November 28, 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the event was celebrated virtually in zoom. More than 100 participants around the world joined in zoom to felicitate and enjoy National New Year celebration uniquely named after the country Nepal. Impressive large audiences have shared and viewed the program in Facebook.
NOA Treasurer Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel served as an excellent Emcee, recognized and honored the presence of distinguished guests and cordially requested to be seated. Lists of outstanding guests present in the program includes chief guest H.E. Nepalese Ambassador to the United State Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki, guest of honor and keynote speaker legendary Dr. Satya Mohan Joshi, a renowned nepali newah bhasa scholar, writer, historian, researcher of cultural of Nepal and the man of the century, Mr. Malla K. Sundar- an indigenous rights activist, writer, journalist and linguistic, Dr. David HargreavesProfessor of linguistics, english, writing at Western Oregon University, USA, Mr. Season Shrestha, president-World Newah Organization (WNO), Mr. Raju Joshee, President Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), Mr. Sanyukta Shrestha-past president Pasa Puchah Guthi-UK, Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay-renown newah priest and Mr. Yaddhab Lal Kayastha, a renown heritage activist of Nepal. Mr. Dhaubbhadel heartedly welcomed and conveyed gratitude to various organizations leaders and representatives, media representatives, volunteers, technical support partners-The Himalayan Vibes (THV), community members and friends & families.
The Nepal Sambat 1141 celebration program officially began with NOA president Mr.Yagya Man Shakya by offering khada and flowers on the portrait of Sankhadhar Sakhwa the founder of Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era). Newah Organization of America language center (NOALC) boys and girls then graciously sang American national anthem followed by Nepalese national anthem.
NOA’s 1st Vice President- Mr. Mahindra Pradhan cordially welcomed and thanked chief guest, guest of honor, all distinguished guests, NOA founding members, all participants, media partners and reminded the importance of Nepal Sambat 1141 celebration and extended warm greetings. Guest of honor and keynote speaker living legend Dr. Satya Mohan Joshi highlighted historic facts about of Sankhadhar Sakhwa a founder 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. Dr. Joshi also emphasized the significance of Nepal Sambat based on lunar calendar and continued to be the basis on which all Nepalese festivals, rituals and religious celebrations are precisely followed. Honorary member Dr. Joshi also recognized and thanked NOA in preserving and promoting Newah culture, traditions and heritage in US and organizing Nepal Sambat celebration and greetings exchange despite of the COVID-19 pandemic hardship.
Continuing Nepal Sambat 1141 celebration, distinguished guest renown scholar, poet and writer Janakavi Mr. Durga Lal Shrestha was unable to participate due to his health condition and had gracefully shared his audio message via his son Mr. Suman Shrestha accompanied with New year’s greetings and beautiful & contemporary poem recital in Nepal Bhasa Digu ya Sarthakta (insinuation of pause) which was well received by the audience. Mr. Malla K. Sundar, indigenous right activist, writer and journalist expressed New year’s greetings and the historic significant of cultural, heritage and identity instincts of the indigenous Newah people and shared the interesting information regarding Nepal’s plight to the UN membership. Dr David Hargreaves- linguistic professor and translator, fluent Nepal bhasa speaker, admirer of newah culture, food and language offered New year’s greetings and recited the classic poem Khusi (River) translated in English by him and written by great poet Kavi Keshari Mr. Chittadhar Hridaya. NOA founding member Mr. Daya Ratna Shakya recited the above poem in Nepal Bhasa. Similarly, Mr. Season Shrestha, president-WNO, Mr. Hari Man Shrestha- NOA founding member & past general secretary, Dr. Ramu Bishwakarma, Principal of Nepali Pathshala of Maryland, Mr. Kiran K. Ranjit, NOA Nepal country coordinator, cordially exchanged greetings for Nepal Sambat 1141, recognized the important role of NOA and expressed sincere gratitude.
Chief Guest Nepalese Ambassador to the United States H. E. Dr. Arjun K. Karki conveyed warm greetings on Nepal Sambat 1141 to all distinguished guests & participants and affirmed that the Sankhadhar Sakhwa is a national hero who has formed National Era. Dr. Karki has stated the recognition of Nepal Sambat as the Rastriya Sambat (National New Year) and congratulated and praised NOA for working diligently to promote Nepal through Newah culture, tradition and heritage around the Washington DC area.
NOA President Mr. Yagya Man Shakya welcomed all guests and extended warm greetings on Nepal Sambat 1141 and mentioned that NOA is working together with other organizations to achieve the goals to preserve & promote Newah culture, tradition and heritage in USA. He also cited that NOA has established tradition to continue commemorating founder of Nepal Sambat and national hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa since 2001. Mr. Shakya shared the various activities conducted by NOA and to promote culture, language and tradition.
On this felicitation event, NOA announced a special award to the heritage activist Mr. Yaddhab Lal Kayastha, a leader of Sampada Bachau Mahaabhiyan in recognition and appreciation for his tireless works in restoring, cleaning and saving ancient archeological monuments, temples, ponds, hitis (stone spouts), and falchas (paati) of Kathmandu valley, Nepal.
NOA 2nd Vice President Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha thanked all attendees, including the chief guest, special guests, representatives from various organizations, volunteers, all media partners, cultural program performers, volunteers and tireless efforts of NOA Executive committee members & their families. Mr. Shrestha conveyed special gratitude to Mr. Rabi Shakya,The Himalayan Vibes (THV) team for outstanding production design and broadcasting NS 1141 celebration online and to Mr. Khil Raj Pandit NECC for dance venues.
The program was broadcasted live in NOA Facebook page in collaboration with principal broadcast and production partner, The Himalayan Vibes (THV) and popular Media partners- Enepalese.com and Naulo Digital.com aired the event live in their platforms as well.
Second half of the program was entertained by wonderful cultural programs. Incredible Emcee Ms. Mila Shrestha hosted lively cultural program featuring dances, songs and short Nepal Bhasa movie “Dhikkar Corona”. NOA expresses deep gratitude to all outstanding, renown and popular singers and talented local artists from Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region.
Program began with welcome song “Nhu Daya Bhintuna” music composed and performed by NOA EC member Mr. Sugandha Shrestha followed by a beautiful song from Shiva Raj Joshi- Swonti Nakha. Newah Organization of America, Language Center (NOALC) boys and girls performed a dance on a lovely musical instrumental note from Kutumba, choreographed by Lochani Tara Shakya & Mala Laxmi Pradhan and performed by Abhi Dhaubhadel, Aditya Shakya, Mala Laxmi Pradhan, Lochani Tara Shakya, Lujala Ranjit, Manindra Pradhan, Megha Joshi, Roseeta Shrestha, Pranav Shrestha and Prisha Shrestha.
From popular KC dance center of VA, beautiful and talented student young girls Aishwarya Niroula, Arju Karki, Monica Dhungana, Ozaswi KC, Rheahana Nepal and Sadikshy Mudbhary showcased their dance on the song “mero baduli kammar” and well received by the audience.
Amazing little girls from Nepali Pathshala of Maryland danced on the song “Saya Thari Baja Yeutai Taal” and was performed by beautiful and talented Vedha Shrestha, Vani Aryal, Preya Khanal, Serene Pandey and Yahvi Ghimire. Song was choreographed by Ms. Deepa Pudasaini, dress designed by NOA secretary Mrs. Babita Shrestha and brilliantly captured & edited by Mr. Medhavi Ranjit.
Entertainment program continued with renowned pop singers Ms. Rani Shakya, Mr. Sanjeep Pradhan and Nalina Chitrakar, exchanged New year NS 1141 greetings and thrilled the audiences with their fascinating songs & beautiful dance moves.
Continuing NOA debut in 4th year presentation of Nepal bhasa cheeha sankipa, The Himalayan Vibes (THV) production in collaboration with NOA presented “Dhikkar Corona” a short Nepal bhasa movie with Nepali sub-title, written and directed by Dr. Roshan Lal Shrestha, videography & edited by rising talent Mr. Medhavi Ranjit and performed by Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mrs. Mila Shrestha, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Mrs. Shreejana Pradhan, Mr. Aditya Shakya and Ms. Roseeta Shrestha. The short movie primarily focused on to enhance public awareness and consequences of COVID-19 pandemic. It was well received by the audience.
NOA General Secretary Mr. Udaya Shrestha concluded felicitation event by extending New Year’s greeting to all participants and Nepalese around the world and shared best wishes for Nepal Sambat 1141, National Era of Nepal. He recognized contributions from the participants for the successful event and announced an Appreciation Certificates to the outstanding cultural & musical participants, volunteers and media partners as a token of honor. The program ended with a lot of wonderful fond memories and unique experience. Please visit www.newah.org and NOA Facebook page for more information
Newah Organization of America November 28th, 2020
Posted In: News
