Promotion of Newah Cultural Heritage

Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA)
Established in 1991
November 13, 2011

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the NPPA’s 20th Annual meeting coinciding with the celebration of New Year Nepal Sambat 1132 was held at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This year’s theme was "Promotion of Newah Cultural Heritage” with an object to promote and preserve Newah language, culture and tradition in the US and Nepal.

The event began with “GANESH POOJA” followed by a traditional Newah SAMAY BAJI. In an effort to celebrate the 20th Anniversary in a special way, a procession parade depicting a variety of Newah costumes, dance, music, and culture was started from out side of the school building and preceded to the inauguration stage. The Master of the Ceremonies, Ms. Manjima Maharjan and Karisha Singh, welcomed guests and participants to the celebration and requested them to take seats. Ms. Sahara Joshee sang the National Anthem of America before the crowd. Subsequently, Ms. Kriti Shrestha and Ms. Sahara Shrestha sang the National Anthem of Nepal. Ms. Manjima requested the chief guest His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma of Embassy of Nepal inaugurate the event by lighting the traditional TWAREWA (oil lamp stand). His Excellency the Ambassador, in his speech, praised NPPA for its continued efforts in promoting and preserving Newah culture, tradition, and values. Honorary Consulate Mr. Prem Raja also acclaimed the role of NPPA in preserving unique Newari culture. Keynote Speaker Professor Indra Mali highlighted the significance of Newah language, culture and heritage.

Mr. Laxman Pradhan, President of NPPA, presided the opening session. He gave a warm welcome speech and highlighted the Nepal Sambat 1132. He summarized the important activities and participations of NPPA in community development programs during the year 2010/2011. He also welcomed and thanked to Honorable Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and his Government’s decision on implementing Nepal Sambat as a national calendar. More importantly, he said that the year 2011 is the historical victory for all Newars living all over the world. Since its inception, NPPA has undertaken many programs in promoting and preserving the Newah language, culture and values in the US and Nepal.

Ms. Manjima Maharjan and Ms. Karisha Singh jointly recognized Miss USA 2011, Ms. Sujata Basnet. They also recognized the Presidents and Representatives of various DC organizations. The invited head of organization Mr. Bijaya Shrestha, President of Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America, shared his experience and view point pertaining to the NPPA and its roles in preserving unique Newah culture and language. NOA Vice President Ravi Pradhan, ANS President, Mr. Nagendra Poudel, and Nepal Human Rights Committee Chairman, Dr. Balram Aryal, also attended this Bhintuna celebration. The former Presidents of NPPA Mr. Ram Malakar, Mr. Bhagat Lal Shrestha, Dr. Devendra Amatya and Mrs. Meera Shrestha were present.

Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, Vice President of NPPA, gave concluding remarks and expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the participants, volunteers, business sponsors, media, artists, contributors, and dedicated members who made the celebration a great success.

To mark the celebration of the 20th anniversary, its popular annual magazine “DABU” was published and distributed to participants and advertisers with the help of Editor Mrs. Shanti Shrestha and Editor-in-Chief Dr. Narayan Rajbhandari.

A unique NPPA DVD featuring its historical highlights since its inception in 1991 was shown to mark the twentieth years-a milestone. At the end of the show, the current executive committee members presented the “Certification of Appreciation” plaque to all former NPPA Presidents - Mr. Ram Malakar (1991-1993), Mr. Tribhuvan Tuladhar (1993-1995), Dr. Tulsi Maharjan (1995-1997), Mr. Bhagat Lal Shrestha (1997-1999), Mr. Didya Hada (1999-2001), Dr. Devendra Amatya (2001-2005) and Mrs. Meera Shrestha (2005-2009), in the honor, respect, and recognition of their strong commitment and outstanding contribution to NPPA and its community members. NPPA Founder and Former President Mr. Ram Malakar also bestowed respect to all current Executive Committee members with phool mala. All former presidents expressed their experiences and viewpoints on the NPPA’s achievements, activities and strategic goals in better serving Newah community in the US and Nepal.

Dr. Narayan Rajbhandari coordinated and moderated a forum on “Promotion of Newah Cultural Heritage” in which the panelists Mr. Ram Malakar, Dr. Devendra Amatya, Dr. Dipesh
Amatya and Mr. Indra Mali delivered their experiences, thoughts and views on unique Newah language, culture, DABU magazine and community development activities Dr. Rajbhandari concluded the forum expressing his sincere thanks and gratitude to all panelists and participants.

With the supervision of Mrs. Shiela Shrestha, Ms. Sahara Joshee, Ms. Sarahana Joshee, Ms. Kriti Shrestha and Ms. Sahara Shrestha coordinated and organized kid’s program to facilitate kids’ interest and talents. Many kids have shown their interest and actively engaged in the program.

Over 300 members participated in this Nepal Sambat (year) 1132 and Bhintuna celebration. Special feature of the day was a traditional Newah “BHOYE’ (feast) NPPA volunteers served the sitting guests with a variety of typical Newah dishes traditionally used in BHOYE. The Newah “Samay Baji” and the “BHOYE” was catered by Kathmandu Kitchen from Baltimore, Maryland.

Following the sitting Bhoye, the participants were then entertained by a lively and thrilling cultural program with Newah and Nepali music, songs, and dances including the vibrant and entertaining music by popular Nepalese artists, Mr Sanjeep Pradhan, Mrs. Sarishma Amatya Mr. Ratan Subedi, and Mr. Yaman Shrestha and other local artists. Mr. Ravi Lamichhane successfully moderated the cultural program.

Since this is the election year for the NPPA Executive Committee for 2011 - 2013, the Election Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Meera Shrestha announced the result of the election. Accordingly, Mr. Laxman Pradhan for President of NPPA, Mrs. Saroj Prajapati for First Vice President, Mr. Sundar Rajbhandari for Second Vice President, Mr. Raju Joshee for General Secretary and Mrs. Beena Baidya for Treasurer were re-elected along with four active executive members Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mrs. Anu Onta, Mr. Manohar Shrestha and Mr. Buddha Maharjan without an opposition. Mrs. Shrestha expressed her congratulations and best wishes to all re-elected EC members. As part of acceptance speech, the re-elected NPPA President Laxman Pradhan expressed his sincere thank and appreciation to all NPPA members for their continued support and thrust in him and his re-elected executive committee members. On behalf of the reelected NPPA executive committee, Mr. Pradhan expressed his special thanks to Election Committee Chairperson Mrs. Meera Shrestha and her team Mr. Surendra Pradhan and Mrs. Magan Shrestha for taking a vital responsibility and executing a free and fair election. He also said that his reelected executive committee members are committed to working with all NPPA members and community leaders for the next two years to achieve the common goals and objectives of NPPA.

As part of celebration, President Mr. Laxman Pradhan presented Certificates to new NPPA patrons and life members and Outstanding Award to Mr. Bhagat Lal Shrestha for his long-term dedication and outstanding contribution to NPPA in achieving its strategic goals and mission. Mr. Shrestha also thanked to all the Executive Committee members..

On the occasion of the NPPA’s 20th anniversary, President Mr. Pradhan presented the NPPA’s first “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Founder and Formal President of NPPA Mr. Ram Malakar for his long-time outstanding contribution to NPPA and its Nepalese community as a whole. Mr. Malakar thanked to the current Executive Committee members for this honor and respect. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to all members of NPPA family for the lifetime achievement recognition.

Sound system was equipped by Mr. Dinesh Gurung. Mr. Krishna Prajapati named and thanked to all generous contributors to this Bhintuna program. Also bringing the event to a close, were some raffles and door prizes coordinated by him.

Mrs. Neelu Kharel and Mr. Bipin Upreti of Sagarmatha TV and Mr. Ramhari Subedi of DCNepal.com., and Mr. Govindra Giri Prerana of Vishwaparikarma were present in this celebration. This marked the twentieth-year that the NPPA has successfully and magnificently held a Nepal Sambat 1132 (Mha Puja Bhintuna) celebration coinciding with its annual meeting. It was truly an amazing and wonderful event in NPPA’s history.

The NPPA, established in 1991, is a Newah organization based in the metropolitan Washington, DC. The Nepa Pasa Pucha Corporation is a registered legal name of NPPA which is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under the IRC Section 501(c)(3). Its primary mission is the preservation and promotion of Newah cultural heritage, traditions, and customs in the USA.

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