Washington DC, Dec 9: The Newah Organization of America (NOA) celebrated Nepal Sambat 1145, the “National New Year,” on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Eastern Middle School, Silver Spring, Maryland. This event commemorated Shankhadhar Sakhwa, a National Hero of Nepal. Over 200 participants from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) areas gathered to honor this significant occasion and celebrate the uniquely named national New Year of Nepal.

Ms. Haribaba Kayastha, the spouse of senior NOA founding member Mr. Ganesh Lal Kayastha, warmly welcomed attendees by offering auspicious tika and red kokha upon their arrival. Participants were also served a delicious traditional snack- Samay Baji.

A captivating Sukunda rally was performed by men and women adorned in traditional Newah attire and ornaments. Accompanied by live dhimay instrumentals, the rally featured enthusiastic participation from Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Mr. Aditya Shakya, and Mr. Sugandha Shrestha. Following the rally, an idol of the esteemed Shankhadhar Sakhwa was carried in a traditional kha (shoulder chariot). This symbolic procession was led by Newah Organization of America Learning Center (NOALC) members, including Mr. Pranav Shrestha, Mr. Bidwottam Ranjit, Mr. Manindra Pradhan, and Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel. The procession, which began on the premises of Eastern Middle School, concluded inside the event hall.

Following the rally, the formal program commenced with 2nd Vice President Mr. Dhaubhadel and NOA Member-at-Large Ms. Mila Shrestha serving as the emcees. They warmly welcomed all participants and expressed heartfelt gratitude to organizational leaders and representatives, media personnel, volunteers, the technical support team, community members, friends, and families. The emcees extended congratulations to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Nepal Sambat 1145 and formally acknowledged the presence of distinguished guests. They then cordially invited NOA President Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan, Guest Speaker Mr. Rishi Prasad Shrestha, and the Chief Guest, Economic Counselor of the Embassy of Nepal, Mr. Yug Raj Pandey, to take their seats on the dais.

The spouses of NOA’s Executive Committee (EC), Ms. Kalpana Shrestha and Ms. Sita Shrestha, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests on the dais by presenting them with badges and khadas. The Nepal Sambat 1145 celebration was officially inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the twariwa by the Chief Guest, Guest Speaker, and NOA President. They were gracefully assisted by Ms. Haribaba Kayastha and Ms. Chhaya Malla Pradhan, who presented an auspicious sukunda to mark the occasion.

The U.S. National Anthem was beautifully performed by Ms. Neva Shrestha Assing, followed by the Nepali National Anthem, sung by talented students from the Newah Organization of America Language Center (NOALC). and Nepali Pathshala of Maryland. The students—Mr. Aditya Shakya, Ms. Neva Shrestha Assing, Mr. Noah Shrestha Assing, Mr. Aaryan Khadgi, Ms. Ariana Khadgi, Mr. Biral Maharjan, Ms. Navya Shakya, Ms. Vedah Karma Shrestha, and Ms. Jazmine Kayastha—delivered a stirring rendition that captivated the audience.

Ms. Meeli Amatya and Ms. Sumeetra Ranjit, also spouses of EC members, presented khadas and flower garlands to the distinguished guests on the dais. In a tribute to the legendary Shankhadhar Sakhwa, all the honored guests adorned his statue with flower garlands and khadas. Shankhadhar Sakhwa is respected for his pivotal role in the establishment of Nepal Sambat, the official lunar calendar of the Newah community.

The statue of Shankhadhar Sakhwa, a gift from the Rashtriya Bhibuti Shankhadhar Sakhwa Academy to all Newah organizations in the U.S., stood as a symbol of unity and pride throughout the event.

An inspiring and motivating Newah National (Jagaran) song was performed by NOA Executive Member Mr. Sugandha Shrestha, adding a cultural highlight to the celebration. Following this, the current executive members of the NOA were introduced on the dais and exchanged heartfelt greetings with the audience.

NOA’s 1st Vice President, Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha, extended a warm and cordial welcome to the distinguished guests, guest speakers, NOA founding members, representatives of various organizations, media partners, and all participants. He expressed sincere gratitude for their presence and unwavering support in celebrating Nepal Sambat 1145.

Mrs. Rajshree Shrestha, Mrs. Tourism USA Universe 2024 Brand Ambassador, also joined the greetings exchange, sharing her experiences as a proud member of the Newah Nepalese community and emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting Newah heritage on a global stage.

Representatives of various organizations took the opportunity to exchange Bhintuna greetings, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride among all attendees.

During the celebration, warm Bhintuna Hasana greetings and heartfelt goodwill messages were shared from several distinguished leaders and representatives. Messages were received from Mr. Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, President of the Nepal Sambat 1145 Nhu Da Rastriya Celebration Committee in Nepal, Mr. Sanyukta Shrestha, President of the World Newah Organization, and Mr. Pramesh Shrestha, President of the World Newah Organization USA Chapter. These greetings were conveyed to the audience, reflecting their collective support and goodwill for the occasion.

Mr. Manohar Shrestha, President of Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), conveyed warm New Year 1145 greetings, while Mr. Laxman Pradhan, Vice President of the Nepal Educational and Cultural Center (NECC), sincerely wished all participants a Happy New Year—Nhu Daya Bhintuna 1145. Similarly, Mr. Roshan Lal Shrestha, Vice President of Nepali Pathshala Maryland, shared his warm wishes for the New year 1145.

Mr. Season Shrestha, Past President of the World Newah Organization and the Newah Organization of America, emphasized the cultural and historical significance of Nepal Sambat in preserving the Newah community’s heritage and national identity. He further showed the importance of collective efforts in presenting and promoting shared cultural traditions within the community.

Guest speaker Mr. Rishi Prasad Shrestha also extended warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of New Year 1145. He highlighted the importance of celebrating Nepal Sambat as a national New Year and shared insights into the pivotal role of the Newah movement in preserving language and culture. He noted that celebrating Nepal Sambat fosters a deep connection to the roots of Newah identity and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard and promote the community’s cultural heritage and traditions.

NOA’s President, Mr. Mahindra Man Singh Pradhan, delivered a brief but heartfelt remarks, extending deep gratitude to the distinguished guests and participants. He wished everyone a Happy New Year—Nepal Sambat 1145—and paid tribute to its founder and national hero, Shankhadhar Sakhwa. Mr. Pradhan expressed his wishes for good health, peace, and prosperity in the days ahead. He emphasized NOA’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with other organizations to preserve and promote Newah culture, traditions, heritage, and the Newah mother language in the United States. He also acknowledged NOA’s founding members for their vision in establishing this significant organization in 2001.

NOA’s 2nd Vice President, Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, delivered a comprehensive vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of all attendees, including the guest speaker, founding members, and representatives from various organizations. Special gratitude was extended to Nepa Community USA, Namlo Events, volunteers, and media partners for their support and live coverage, including eNepalese (Mr. Bijay Thapa), DC Nepal (Mr. Umesh Sharma), and Nepa News (Mr. Jayambu Ranjit). He also recognized cultural program performers, photographers (Mr. Manish Maharjan, Sumay Photo Pasa, Mr. Robin Malakar, Mr. Rajiv Shrestha, and Mr. Samridha Shrestha of Photo Bank Studio), and sponsors for their invaluable support.

A special acknowledgment was made for Classic Diamonds and Jewelry, Air Zone Travel, founding member Mr. Ganesh Lal Kayastha for his financial contribution, and Taj Mahal Restaurant for providing the delicious Samay Baji and dinner. Gratitude was also extended to Nepal Education & Culture Center and Mom’s Achar for their continued support, as well as Eastern Middle School for hosting the event. Lastly, he commended NOA’s executive committee members, their families, and volunteers for their tireless dedication, which made the event a success.

The second half of the program showcased an array of cultural performances, skillfully hosted by the dynamic duo, Mr. Anish Khasha and NOA Executive member Ms. Ramita Shrestha. The cultural performance was coordinated by NOA EC-Ms. Rama Maharjan Shakya. This segment featured captivating dances, melodious songs, instrumental performances, and a powerful theatrical drama, highlighting the rich Newah cultural heritage. NOA expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the renowned and local talents, as well as popular artists from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, for their unwavering support and love for the organization.

The evening began with a heartfelt rendition of the song ‘Newah Jhi, Newah He Juya’ by NOA Executive Member Mr. Sugandha Shrestha, which set a warm and welcoming tone for the festivities. The cultural performances commenced with a delightful dance to the classic “Rajamati Cha”, performed by Ayana Rajbhandary, Ashree Rajbhandary, Mivaan Ghimire, and Aayan Ghimire. This was followed by a graceful Newah Fusion dance by Ms. Aarju Shakya and Ms. Purba Shakya, which captivated the audience.

Vocalists Mr. Moti Kaji Shakya and Mr. Kapil Thanju enchanted the audience with their mesmerizing songs, leaving a lasting impression. A fusion dance to Bala Ma Maiju and Makha Tolya Gwa was performed with elegance by Ms. Rama Maharjan Shakya, Ms. Bina Maharjan, Ms. Rachana Shahi, Ms. Karishna Shrestha, Mr. Amit Khadgi, Mr. Raaz Maharjan, Mr. Pratik Shrestha, Mr. Rabi Shakya, and Ms. Karishna Shrestha.

An instrumental ensemble added a unique musical dimension to the program. A stunning duet by Ms. Roseeta Shrestha on the violin and Ms. Yeju Shrestha on the sarangi captivated the audience, accompanied by Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel on the Khin, Dr. Roshan Lal Shrestha on the Tichu, and Mr. Binesh Maharjan and Mr. Janak Shrestha on the guitar. Their melodious performance enthralled the audience.

A highlight of the cultural program was the live theatrical performance of Shankhadhar Sakhwa Bakha, a story depicting the extraordinary life and contributions of Shankhadhar Sakhwa, who selflessly cleared the debts of an entire nation and established a legacy of equality, prosperity, and community. Through vivid narration and compelling acting, the drama brought his story to life, capturing the audience’s emotions and imaginations.

This 25-minute drama, believed to be the first of its kind performed in the United States, skillfully balanced emotion and humor, narrating the origin of Nhu Da. The play concluded with a vibrant dance to the song Sakhadhar Sakhwa, performed by Vedah Karma Shrestha and Jazmine Kayastha. The dance was choreographed by Mila Shrestha- NOA Member at large. The talented cast included Mr. Raaz Maharjan, Mr. Rabi Shakya, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Mr. Jim Shrestha, Mr. Sachin Baidya, Ms. Bina Maharjan, Mr. Amit Khadgi, Ms. Vedah Karma Shrestha, Ms. Jazmine Kayastha, Mr. Aditya Shakya, Mr. Abiral Maharjan, Mr. Biral Maharjan, Mr. Aaryan Khadgi, Ms. Ariana Khadgi, and Ms. Kiyara Shrestha. The script was skillfully written, edited, and directed by Dr. Roshan Lal Shrestha.

The cultural program concluded with stellar performances by Mr. Roshan Rajak and Mr. Sugandha Shrestha, who sang a selection of Newah and Nepali songs, entertaining the audience with their soulful voices. The evening’s performances—vibrant dances, melodious songs, and the moving drama—left the audience mesmerized, garnering widespread acclaim and heartfelt appreciation.

The event wrapped up with a delicious dinner served by the dedicated NOA volunteers, coordinated by Secretary, Mr. Navin Mohan Ranjit, and Advisor, Mr. Udaya Shrestha. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, paired with traditional Nepalese dishes and enjoying the company of friends and family left attendees with wonderful memories and pleasant experiences. Many expressed their joy at witnessing such a diverse and outstanding cultural program.

The program concluded with a live stream on NOA’s Facebook page, in collaboration with media partners eNepalese, DC Nepal, and Nepa News, allowing a broader audience to participate virtually. The livestream garnered significant engagement and viewership on social media, underscoring the celebration’s wide-reaching impact.