Press Release: New Nepal Sambat 1142 and NPPA’s 30th Anniversary Celebration

प्रेस बिज्ञप्ती: नेपाल सम्वत् ११४२ एन.पि.पि..को ३०सौं बार्षिकोत्सव समारोह

Press Release: New Nepal Sambat 1142 and NPPA’s 30th Anniversary Celebration

October 17, 2021

On Saturday, November 13, 2021, Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) celebrated Nepal Sambat 1142 and NPPA’s 30th Anniversary at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The celebration commenced with Ganesh Pooja and was followed by an authentic Newah Samay Bajee. Over 130 Patrons and Life Members participated in a traditional Newah procession and it concluded at the auditorium’s stage area. The highlights of the procession was the Lakhay dance (performed by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya) and the accompanying Dhime music (played by Mr. Bikrant Shrestha and Mr. Salyan Shrestha).

Upon the conclusion of the procession, Masters of Ceremony Mr. Suman Tuladhar and Ms. Kerisha Singh, welcomed the guests and participants. They requested the chief guest Mr. Kumar Raj Kharel, Chargè d’affaires of the Nepalese Embassy, keynote speaker Mr. Madan Krishna Shrestha, and guest speaker Mr. Rajbhai Jakami, along with President Raju Joshee and former Presidents Mr. Ram Malakar, Mr. Bhagat Lal Shrestha, Mr. Laxman Pradhan, and Mrs. Saroj Prajapati to inaugurate the event by lighting 30 traditional Twadewa (oil lamp stands).

Miss Sahara Joshee performed the U.S. National anthem and Mr. Prabin Tamrakar performed the Nepalese National anthem.

President of NPPA Mr. Raju Joshee presided over the opening ceremony. He welcomed the guests and the participants and highlighted the significance of Nepal Sambat. He summarized the important activities/initiatives that  NPPA undertook between 2017 and 2021. Since its inception, NPPA has undertaken many projects to promote and preserve Newah culture and values both in the United States and in Nepal. 

The chief guest Mr. Kumar Raj Kharel, Chargè d’affaires of Nepalese Embassy praised NPPA for its continued efforts to promote and preserve Nepali and Newah culture and values in the United States. The guest speaker and People’s Poet Mr. Rajbhai Jakami appreciated NPPA’s efforts and emphasized that Newah unity within and beyond Nepal plays a vital role in the preservation of our tradition and culture. Mr. Madan Krishna Shrestha, a keynote speaker for the event emphasized the importance of preserving our unique tradition and culture. He also stressed the necessity to embrace and respect the culture and traditions of other ethnicities.

A commemorative silver coin was issued to mark NPPA’s 30th anniversary and the annual souvenir magazine DABOO was also released. 

The invited heads of Organizations included President of Newah Organization of America (NOA) Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, President of Nepal Education & Cultural Center (NECC) Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, CEO of Sagarmatha Television Mr. Ram C. Kharel, representative of eNepalese.com Mr. Bijaya Thapa, and representative of DC Nepal were also present during the opening ceremony.

Vice President of NPPA Mr. Manohar Shrestha concluded the inauguration ceremony by thanking the chief guest, keynote speaker, guest speaker and the NPPA Presidents. He also thanked the NPPA Patrons, Life Members, sponsors, and donors for their continued support and dedication to make this event successful.

After the completion of the inauguration ceremony, the participants were entertained by a lively cultural program. It started with a Buddha bhajan by Nepal Paramparagat Buddha Dharma Sangha and was followed by Newah and Nepali dances and songs as well as a classical Sapta Lochani Tara dance that was performed by Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya.

A new duet song by Mr. Madan Krishna Shrestha and Ms. Indira Joshi’s “Happy Heart” was also released at this event. The song was written by Mrs. Sarana Shrestha and the music was composed by Mr. Yaman Shrestha. Later, Mr. Madan Krishna Shrestha entertained everyone by singing several Newah and Nepali songs.

A traditional folk dance was performed by Ms. Shilu Maharjan and Ms. Shreya Hamal. It was followed by a Nepali song by Mr. Prashanta Singh. Another dance on a Nepali song was performed by Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya and Ms. Shreya Menon. Mr. Sagun Tamrakar also sang a popular Newah song, originally sung by his late father Mr. Ramesh Tamrakar. Ms. Anjana Tamrakar recited her poem that was dedicated to NPPA.

A group dance by ten NPPA member moms (Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mrs. Magan Shrestha, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Deepa Rajkarnikar, Mrs. Madhuri Shrestha, Mrs. Leena Shrestha-Menon, Mrs. Mahima Shakya, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, Mrs. Sita Shrestha, and Mrs. Anita Khatiwara) was also performed. This dance on Sunko Kachauri was choreographed by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya. The singer of the song Mr. Madan Krishna Shrestha also joined the dance to add flavor on the stage. Later, Mrs. Sarana Shrestha sang two beautiful songs.

A contemporary and beautiful Newah dance was presented by Ms. Adita Shrestha. After that, a local musical group, Pasa Band (Mr. Ashish Bhadel on Vocal and Rhythm Guitar, and Mr. Anugh Shrestha on Lead Guitar) performed and entertained the crowd.

Mr. Suman Tuladhar skillfully and successfully moderated the lively cultural program.

During the event, NPPA announced the addition of new Patrons and Life Members (listed below):

 

Patrons:

» Mr. Krishna Lal Maharjan & Mrs. Nani Chhori Maharjan

» Mr. Sharad Shrestha & Dr. Inisha Shrestha

» Mr. Nabin Shakya & Mrs. Pranita Shrestha Pradhan

» Ms. Laxmi Yadav

» Mr. Manoj Shrestha & Mrs. Punam Shrestha

 

Life Members: 

» Mr. Bam Dev Aryal & Mrs. Sumitra Aryal

» Mr. Upendra Baidya & Mrs. Sumira Baidya

» Mr. Divakar Dhaubadel & Mrs. Meeli Amatya

» Mrs. Aneeta Khatiwara

» Mr. Brajesh Maharajan & Mrs. Rojina Prajapati Maharjan

» Mr. Mangal Maharjan & Mrs. Chunu Maharjan

» Mr. Ramesh Shrestha & Mrs. Sharmila Shrestha

» Mr. Roshan Lal Shrestha & Mrs. Sita Shrestha

» Mr. Samip Man Shrestha & Mrs. Richal Shrestha

» Mr. Bir Sunuwar & Mrs. Kitty Sunuwar

» Mr. Khagendra Adhikari & Mrs. Maya Adhikari

» Mr. Suman Maharjan & Mrs. Radhika Duwal

» Mr. Prashanta Singh & Mrs. Amrita Maharjan Singh

 

This year’s NPPA Outstanding Award Certificate was presented to Mrs. Reshmi Tamrakar for her continued dedication, commitment, and services to NPPA and Nepali community for several years.

NPPA also awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the following individuals for their continued and outstanding support to NPPA:

» Mr. Ganesh Ghimire & Mrs. Kamana Ghimire

» Mr. Sushan Manandhar

» Mr. Bijay Thapa (eNepalese)

» Ms. Adita Shrestha

 

The following business organizations who have been continuously sponsoring NPPA events were also honored for their support:

» Classic Diamonds and Jewelry

» Air Zone Travels

» Chutney Restaurant

» Foto Pasal

» Maya Cuisine

» Red Chillies Restaurant

» Namlo Events

» Galaxy Events

 

This year’s Late Indra Lal Shrestha Memorial award was awarded to Mr. Prabin Tamrakar by the founder of this award, Mrs. Magan Shrestha.

The NPPA Election Committee 2021-2023, consisting of former President Mr. Laxman Pradhan (Chair), former Vice-President Mr. Bijaya Shrestha (Member), and former Vice-President Mr. Sundar Rajbhandari (Member) announced the following uncontested results of the election for 2021-2023 NPPA Executive Committee: 

President: Mr. Manohar Shrestha

Vice Presidents: Mrs. Shanti Shrestha

Mr. Allan Maharjan

General Secretary: Mr. Suman Tuladhar

Treasurer: Mr. Sharad Shrestha

Secretary: Mr. Samip Man Shrestha

 

After the NPPA Executive Committee 2021-2023 result announcement, the outgoing NPPA President Mr. Raju Joshee congratulated the new President and conveyed his best wishes to the entire NPPA Team. Incoming NPPA President Mr. Manohar Shrestha expressed his gratitude to the former Presidents for sharing their knowledge and experience. He nominated additional members to form the new Executive Committee.

Executive Members: Dr. Raju Tamot

Mr. Prashanta Singh

Mrs. Niti Mathema

Mrs. Ramita Maharjan

Mr. Jayaswor Shrestha

Daboo Coordinator: Mr. Prabin Tamrakar

IT Manager: Mr. Anugh Shrestha

 

Due to the pandemic, the celebration of Nepal Sambat 1142 and NPPA’s 30th anniversary was downsized. Participation was by invitation and over 130 Patrons and Life Members participated in the event.

Mr. Baikuntha Shrestha and Mr. Bikrant Shrestha of Namlo Events decorated the stage beautifully and provided the sound system. Foto Pasal provided photography services and eNepalese digitally captured the entire program. NPPA also thanks the administration of Shady Grove Middle School, Gaithersburg for providing the wonderful venue.

While the participants were enjoying the traditional Newah Bhwaye, Nepalese Education and Culture Center (NECC) members performed Deushi. Several Patrons and Life Members contributed funds to support the construction of a Nepali temple in Germantown.

NPPA thanks the Bhwaye coordinator Mr. Buddha Maharjan and volunteers Mrs. Ganga Maharjan, Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Banita Tamot, Mrs. Amita Shrestha, and Mrs. Leena Shrestha-Menon.

This event marked the 30th year of NPPA’s successful celebration of Bhintuna (Nepal Sambat 1142) program and coincided with NPPA’s bi-annual election. It was made possible by the selfless dedication and exemplary work of all the volunteers in all fronts. Volunteers are the life-line of all the NPPA activities. NPPA sincerely thanks all of its volunteers for their unconditional support and hard work.