Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, USA.
First of all, on behalf of Nepal Oregon News and Newah American Buddhist Association, I would like to extend "Happy World Newah Day" to all my friends in Nepal, the US and all over the world.
At a time when Newah culture, Nepal Bhasa and Newah people are being constantly undermined and encroached by the state, the bold decision of the World Newah Organization in July 2017 to observe the last Saturday of the month of March as the World Newah Day is very commendable and praiseworthy.
It is very sad that World Newah Day is not being celebrated this year on March 28 as scheduled because of curfew and stay home orders owing to the ongoing coronavirus crisis all over the world. World Newah Day still can be observed by organizing live Facebook conference and tele conferences. To protect yourself from coronavirus, stay home and stay healthy are the best things to do. That is just the world we live in today.
Last year, just like in other major cities of the US, the Newah Portlanders also marked the World Newah Day by organizing a program and a pot luck dinner at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Meanwhile, observers of the indigenous communities and Newah movement and critics of the Nepal government's biased federal policy express the confidence that the day of reckoning can not be very far away. What is the reason for dilly-dallying to give the name Nepal Mandala pradesh?
Nevertheless, World Newah Day (WND) is an opportunity for the Newah people across the world to renew our commitment for the Newah cause in changing times. Celebration of World Newah Day is a solemn occasion for the Newahs to raise the value of Newah identity.
WND should be celebrated to remind our government to respect the Newah value and culture and declare Nepal Sambat the national and official calendar of Nepal. A Newah may be a Buddhist or a Hindu, a Newah may be an Aryan or of a Mongoloid origin but a Newah ultimately is a Newah with Newah values and traditions.
Newah culture and Newah traditions are major sources of cultural identity of Nepal. Culture, rituals and religions are the integral part of our national life. Culture and traditions are like the mirrors which catch the glimpses of the whole nation.
Newah civilization is very ancient. In economic terms, Nepal may be a poverty-stricken country, but in the front of arts, culture, rituals and traditions, there are reasons for Nepal to be proud of her cultural heritage, ancient arts and architecture.
Despite facing threats and encroachment fro various state and non-state sources, the Newah people should continue to raise the voice against injustice meted out on them and also work unitedly to preserve and protect the Newah identity.
When I was in Nepal in 2017, I happened to meet legendary Newah singer Bhrigu Ram Shrestha who on a question about unity among Newahs said:" Newah Newah Dhayan Chhuyaye, Newah Ta Tha Tha He Milay Maju." (Newahs are not friendly to each other no matter what you say about Newah unity.)
Division on the basis of caste system is one of the biggest obstacles in the Newah unity. Celebrating Jyapu Day, Nay Day and so on is fine, but it must not sow the seeds of division on the Newah unity.
By the way, it was in 1994 and I was still with The Rising Nepal. It was at that time that I had the honor of interviewing late Dr Padma Ratna Tuladhar on behalf of The Rising Nepal. My interview or encounter with Dr Tuladhar was focused on Nepal Bhasa literature and journalism, not on politics and human rights. In other words, I interviewed late Dr Tuladhar as a member of the luminary club of Nepal. For taking the interview, I still remember I went to late Dr Tuladhar's residence which was located at Lazimpat in Kathmandu. Late Dr Tuladhar, in that interview, had emphasized the need for unity among the Newah people.
According to Nepal's population census of 2068 BS, demographic representation of the Newah people is only five per cent. The same census says that only 3.2 percent of the population speak in Nepal Bhasa as the mother tongue.
If these numbers are true, which I think they are not, it is a wake-up call for the Newahs in Nepal and across the world. Equally alarming is the percentage of Buddhists at nine percent in the national census in a country where Lord Buddha, an apostle of world peace, was born.
First of all, on behalf of Nepal Oregon News and Newah American Buddhist Association, I would like to extend "Happy World Newah Day" to all my friends in Nepal, the US and all over the world.
At a time when Newah culture, Nepal Bhasa and Newah people are being constantly undermined and encroached by the state, the bold decision of the World Newah Organization in July 2017 to observe the last Saturday of the month of March as the World Newah Day is very commendable and praiseworthy.
It is very sad that World Newah Day is not being celebrated this year on March 28 as scheduled because of curfew and stay home orders owing to the ongoing coronavirus crisis all over the world. World Newah Day still can be observed by organizing live Facebook conference and tele conferences. To protect yourself from coronavirus, stay home and stay healthy are the best things to do. That is just the world we live in today.
Last year, just like in other major cities of the US, the Newah Portlanders also marked the World Newah Day by organizing a program and a pot luck dinner at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.
Meanwhile, observers of the indigenous communities and Newah movement and critics of the Nepal government's biased federal policy express the confidence that the day of reckoning can not be very far away. What is the reason for dilly-dallying to give the name Nepal Mandala pradesh?
Nevertheless, World Newah Day (WND) is an opportunity for the Newah people across the world to renew our commitment for the Newah cause in changing times. Celebration of World Newah Day is a solemn occasion for the Newahs to raise the value of Newah identity.
WND should be celebrated to remind our government to respect the Newah value and culture and declare Nepal Sambat the national and official calendar of Nepal. A Newah may be a Buddhist or a Hindu, a Newah may be an Aryan or of a Mongoloid origin but a Newah ultimately is a Newah with Newah values and traditions.
Newah culture and Newah traditions are major sources of cultural identity of Nepal. Culture, rituals and religions are the integral part of our national life. Culture and traditions are like the mirrors which catch the glimpses of the whole nation.
Newah civilization is very ancient. In economic terms, Nepal may be a poverty-stricken country, but in the front of arts, culture, rituals and traditions, there are reasons for Nepal to be proud of her cultural heritage, ancient arts and architecture.
Despite facing threats and encroachment fro various state and non-state sources, the Newah people should continue to raise the voice against injustice meted out on them and also work unitedly to preserve and protect the Newah identity.
When I was in Nepal in 2017, I happened to meet legendary Newah singer Bhrigu Ram Shrestha who on a question about unity among Newahs said:" Newah Newah Dhayan Chhuyaye, Newah Ta Tha Tha He Milay Maju." (Newahs are not friendly to each other no matter what you say about Newah unity.)
Division on the basis of caste system is one of the biggest obstacles in the Newah unity. Celebrating Jyapu Day, Nay Day and so on is fine, but it must not sow the seeds of division on the Newah unity.
By the way, it was in 1994 and I was still with The Rising Nepal. It was at that time that I had the honor of interviewing late Dr Padma Ratna Tuladhar on behalf of The Rising Nepal. My interview or encounter with Dr Tuladhar was focused on Nepal Bhasa literature and journalism, not on politics and human rights. In other words, I interviewed late Dr Tuladhar as a member of the luminary club of Nepal. For taking the interview, I still remember I went to late Dr Tuladhar's residence which was located at Lazimpat in Kathmandu. Late Dr Tuladhar, in that interview, had emphasized the need for unity among the Newah people.
According to Nepal's population census of 2068 BS, demographic representation of the Newah people is only five per cent. The same census says that only 3.2 percent of the population speak in Nepal Bhasa as the mother tongue.
If these numbers are true, which I think they are not, it is a wake-up call for the Newahs in Nepal and across the world. Equally alarming is the percentage of Buddhists at nine percent in the national census in a country where Lord Buddha, an apostle of world peace, was born.
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