World Newah Organization (WNO) and the Issue of Newah Unity

 

Tackling Real Newah Unity Requires Selflessness, Sacrifice and Straightforward Strategy

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

The World Newah Organization (WNO)  by its name itself should be the most representative and the most dignified organization of the Newah people across the world. But it has to go a long way to achieve it.

The establishment of World Newah Organization in 2011, with the objective of creating global unity, cultural preservation, socio-economic development and advocacy against discrimination based on language and ethnicity and advocating for the rights and welfare of Newah people, was a landmark event in the history of Newah movement.

The WNO was created by some visionary, dedicated and enthusiastic Newah stakeholders, most of whom, have unfortunately and sadly, distanced themselves from this world body owing to differences of opinion. Despite its stated objectives and mission, WNO has faced internal conflicts that have hindered true unity among Newah stakeholders. While the organization speaks out loudly "global unity" as number one objective of the international forum, it has not been able to unify its own stakeholders even from within. Point to be noted. Some observers blame the WNO for being influenced by behind-the scene-actors. Therefore, the organization must be able to liberate itself from 'eminence grise'

 Despite the fact that the  NEWAH UNITY DAYS are celebrated with much fanfare by various Newah organizations in Nepal and in the countries across the world, the real Newah unity is still a far-fetched dream.

The news stories and posts published in the media and social media platforms  have raised serious questions  about the real unity in the broader Nepal Bhasa movement and Newah unity. 

 Going by the comments in the social media platforms, the Newah people are saying that they are sick and tired with the way things are going. The modus operandi of some Newah organizations in Nepal and abroad has disenchanted  the conscious and aware  Newahs through their lackluster performance in addressing the core problems of the Newah people, Newah unity and identity.

Today, we have been celebrating  many Newah Days, different Newah Luminaries Days and Nepal Sambat New Year Day. Nevertheless, celebration of these important Days should be used as an opportunity  for the Newah people across the world  to renew our commitment for the Newah cause in changing times. Observing these sacred Days must be a solemn occasion for the Newahs to raise the value of Newah identity, Newah unity and to promote the cause of Nepal Bhasa.

After  political changes in 1990 and 2006, tremendous strides have been made towards democracy and human rights. Today, Nepal is a democratic nation, no doubt about that. But have the Newahs been able to taste the fruits of democracy? Hell, no. Judging by the materials published and broadcast in the mass media and going by the posts in the social media platforms we can say that Newah people have changed and have made it known that status quo is no longer acceptable.

Therefore, even though it has helped galvanize into a powerful movement, the problem facing the Newahs today is that they are still politically, socio-ethnically divided and polarized.

Of course, the Newah people of the Nepal Mandala do not want any special status or privilege. Well. the Newahs were oppressed and suppressed during the period of Rana oligarchy and the Panchayat system in many ways. But even today, the Newahs are being meted out with injustice and unequal treatment.

Despite facing threats and encroachment (for example: encroachment of their land) from various state and semi-state sources, the Newah people should continue to raise the voice against injustice and discrimination meted out on them and also work unitedly to preserve and protect Newah identity and Newah rights.

Even after Nepal has been transformed into a Republic having the federal structure, the basic demand of the Newah people for the 'Nepal Mandala Pradesh' instead of Bagmati Pradesh has been flatly denied by the government led by Khas-Bahun stalwarts.

What is the reason for rejecting the demand for Nepal Mandala Pradesh? It is obvious: To shrug off and dishonor the history of Nepal Mandala and to denigrate the Newah people. Observers of the indigenous communities and Newah movement and critics of Nepal government's biased federal policy have been expressing the confidence in the mass media and social media platforms that the day of reckoning can not be very far away.

Historically, Newars have been divided into castes (upper and lower) and religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) and this rift cannot be buried overnight. Newah civilization is not just medieval, it is very ancient and pre-historic. And it is interrelated with the history of settlement of the Kathmandu valley (Nepal Mandala).

According to Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu valley was a huge lake. A Buddha called Vipaswi came there and sowed the seed of Lotus. When the Lotus blossomed, a ray emerged as the Dharma Dhatu Jyoti on the top of the Lotus.

According to Newar Vajrayana Buddhist beliefs, Lord Manjushree together with his two spouses Varada and Mokshada went to Chovar hills. With the divine power, Maha Manjushree possessed, the Lord struck the hill with his sword and released all the waters from the lake.

Later, Swayambhu Maha Chaitya was founded by Buddhist Dharma Guru Shantikaracharya by covering the first Dharma Dhatu inside the stupa. Shantikaracharya was the first Vajracharya Guruju in the history of Newar Buddhism. By the way,  Shantikaracharya Guruju could be one of the first settlers of the Nepal Mandala.

In the good old days, Nepal Mandala (Kathmandu valley) used to be a melting pot or kaleidoscope in which people from different directions with different  cultures came to live and got assimilated into broader Newar culture. It was only after King Jayasthiti Malla - the eleventh Malla King - who unfortunately divided the system into castes and ethnicities.

 However, at present, Newars are not only divided in terms of religions and castes, but they  are even divided politically, geo-politically and economically. Newah unity is also hampered by activities like separately celebrating Jyapu Diwas and Nay Diwas etc.

World Newah Organization (WNO) was established as an umbrella organization of the Newah people and aimed at unifying the Newah people across the world. In word, the WNO is an umbrella organization, but in practice, it has not been able to embrace and accept the qualified Newah personalities from Nepal and from across the world in cultural, artistic, literary and journalistic spectrum.

Of course, the WNO which is made up of diverse group of Newah personalities nominated from different countries, and which is a world-wide non-profit operation, aims to help with providing a unified  Newah voice to many burning issues. But the WNO should be able to prove that it is the most credible and capable world organization. Therefore, the WNO leaders especially in the USA and the UK are advised to remain cognizant of the fact that there is not a single leader among the existing stock who can command the broader, wider and popular Newah movement and has the stature equalling that of late Padma Ratna Tuladhar.

But, the simmering rift within the World Newah Organization itself is, however, nothing new. The Google Translate -- Nepal Bhasa (Newari) -- incident has further exposed  the deepening chasm between factions in the World Newah Organization. 

Furthermore, WNO's most fundamental failing is the Achille's heel of all the international non-profit organizations: It has been unable to produce a charismatic, selfless,  dynamic, non-partisan, and popular leadership. (Look at the global NRNA movement which has been deeply and badly plagued by over politicization and factionalism.) Lack of visionary, selfless,  honest and broad-minded leaders has always become a challenge for the WNO. The power and privilege that come with being the top office-bearers of WNO have led some guys to think that they are the ones who can manipulate and maneuver  things in the way they think is right.

There is no doubt that the WNO must work as an international Newah platform in real sense that takes care of all the Newah people regardless of political inclination. The WNO should not be used as a tool for 'grand design' by opportunistic grand old political parties of Nepal and should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering.  What it means is: the office-bearers of the WNO should not hold even the general membership of the political parties in Nepal. The WNO should leave no stone unturned to prove these things to the entire Newah people across the world.

Merely holding its once-every two years conventions, carrying on with daily YouTube interviews and Nepal Bhasa Lipi classes do not and should not complete its global responsibilities. What Nritya Mandala Mahavihara is doing in Portland, USA for promotion and preservation of Newar Buddhism and Newar culture globally is more than what the WNO is doing.

'Newah Jhi Newah He Jui' is a very good idea, but sadly enough this is confined to utopia because even today if a Shakya boy marries a Shrestha girl, she will not be accepted by the Shakya Sangha community and their sons are not allowed to perform 'Chudakarma' at the Mahavihara of the Shakya communities. This is just the tip of the iceberg, there are many more contradictions on the way of Newah unity.

Hence, the popular saying 'Newah Jhi Newah He Jui' is just becoming an attractive component of the broader movement to merely capture the sentiments of Newah nationalism.

Achieving Newah unity is possible, but it is a long way to go, and there is no doubt that tackling real Newah unity requires selflessness, sacrifice and straightforward strategy of the Newah organizations and Newah leaders.

Actually, some tremendous strides have recently been made towards the Nepal Bhasa movement after the restoration of democracy in 1990 and after the abolition of the monarchy: Official government declaration that our language is Nepal Bhasa. Nepal Sambat is recognized as the national sambat. Sankhadhar Sakhwa is declared the national Bibhuti. Nepal Bhasa's impact in print and electronic media is growing etc.

Overall, there is a sense that despite all these gains, Newah unity's practical trajectory is still far from satisfactory. There are lots of Newah dreams that have not been fulfilled. 

At a time, when even the then His Majesty's Government of Nepal had recognized our language as Nepal Bhasa, in day to day life, many Newars as well as non-Newars still knowingly or unknowingly call it Newari instead of Nepal Bhasa. 

Again, it looks like there is a glaring lack of awareness and consciousness even among the Newah people. Some Newah people call it 'Newari' because of ignorance and lack of awareness while detractors of Nepal Bhasa call it 'Newari' on purpose and intentionally to denigrate it. Most recently, the discordant views were expressed openly when even WNO leadership agreed to - Nepal Bhasa (Newari) - in the Google Translate.

Lately, so many Newah organizations have been mushrooming not only in Nepal but in many other countries too. Even in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia other European countries, the process of increase in the number of Newah organizations is gaining momentum. It is not that various Newah organizations have different agendas, plans and objectives, but they need to be united on a common point when it comes to issues that are related to the existential threat to the Nepal Bhasa, Newah culture and the Newah movement. In fact, some US-based Newah organizations are working hard to showcase and promote Newah culture and heritage. A local observer was quoted as saying that Newah forums like Newah Organization of America (NOA) are doing better job in preserving Newah culture, customs and traditions than the WNO.

This is a testimony that not only the  Newahs in Nepal but Newahs living across the world have keen interest and are committed to enhance and promote Newah culture, traditions and heritage. Numerous Newah organizations in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe have been celebrating Newah festivals like Nepal Sambat New Year, Mha Puja, Yenya Punhi, Yomari Punhi, Gun Punhi etc with much fanfare. Even Living Goddess Kumari Ratha Jatra, Dhime Bajan, Pulpul Kisi, Lakhe Pyakhan are demonstrated in the US cities.There is no doubt that showcasing our culture and traditions in other countries is amazing and incredible. 

Nepal Sambat New Year is one of the most important celebrations for the Newahs in Nepal and abroad. It is to be noted that Nepal Sambat - a national lunar calendar of Nepal kicked off in 879 AD during the rule of King Raghav Dev to commemorate the reimbursement of all the debts of the people by a Newar trader Shankhadhar Sakhwa who was declared a National Bibhuti of Nepal on Nov 18, 1999 AD by the then His Majesty's Government of Nepal.

Though Nepal Sambat was declared a national era of Nepal in 2008 AD by the government of Nepal, this Sambat has still not been given full and well-deserved recognition and not been used for all practical use and official purposes in Nepal, which is why, the Days like Newah Unity Day, World Newah Day and Nepal Sambat New Year Day should be celebrated to remind the government of Nepal to respect and give due and deserved recognition to the Nepal Sambat.

The shrewd Nepalese political stalwarts coming from the left and right spectrums have, at least, during their populist Bhasans rallied behind the Nepal Sambat and Newah cause. But the Newahs are sick and tired of those politicians. Enough is enough. Enough paying lip service and enough shedding crocodile tears. 

The number of Newah community organizations are on the rise in Nepal and abroad. But, if the prominent Newah organizations in Nepal and in other countries chart out their strategies as per their petty interest, they are sure to undermine the genuine values of the broader Nepal Bhasa movement and Newah unity.

In fact, the discrepancy between the rhetoric and action is the main problem with our Newah leaders and also with the mainstream politicians. The precondition for real Newah unity is the creation of Newah awareness, the pride and feeling of being a Newah. No doubt, Newah awareness cannot be achieved overnight too.

But the Newah frontline leaders who had committed to work together for the cause of Newah unity have not been able to carry out any substantial moves to bring about broader Newah awareness, to bring about timely changes in the caste behavior of different religious groups within the Newah ethnicity.

Problems of Newah unity are not entirely caused by castes and religious divisions alone. The rift and chasm are obvious in many Newah organizations themselves, and it may be because of personal and political differences, hunger for power and positions, highhandedness, over ambitiousness etc. 

The prominent Newah organizations like the World Newah Organization, Newah Dey Daboo and so on should shed their rigidity and should come together to address the real issues of Newah unity.

Some of the so-called Newah frontrunners and trailblazers themselves should come forward and should rise above the petty politics, castes and religious differences to blaze  the trail for the ordinary Newah people, should work for the genuine cause of the Newah movement and do away with idiosyncratic and eccentric thinking.

The WNO faces critical challenges in really and practically uniting the global Newah diaspora, to preserve the Nepal Bhasa, to promote Newah literature, Newah identity and Newah cultural heritage. 

(Dr Rabin Man Shakya, a Newar journalist based in Portland, USA, is a Sangha Member of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA and is also a Life Member of World Newah Organization. Shakya is vice president of Nepa Chhen, a Portland based non-profit and media director of NRNA - USA - Oregon State chapter.)