Canadian Newa Guhti Conference Proceeding Report First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization (September 01 to 03, 2017)

Mississauga, ON Canada 2017 Table of Contents

Page 3 - The Editorial

Page 4 - Foreword of Mr. Season Shrestha, WNO President

Page 5 - Foreword of Mr. Prakash Lal Pradhan, CNG President

Page 6 - Foreword of Dr. Hemanta Joshi, NCSA President

Page 7 - Introduction of the conference

 Day 1: September 1, 2018  Day 2: September 2, 2018  Day 3: September 3, 2018

Page 12 - Conference Paper Synopsis

Page 12 - Why Study, Learn, and Teach Newar Language and Culture?

Page 16 - WNO Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Page 21 - Belonging in Canada: Nepali Immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area

Page 22 - Preservation of Newah Heritage using Computer Animation

Page 26 - eDaboo: Connecting the Dots of Newah Civilization

Page 27 - Why Newah people not prominent in Nepal Politics and Administration?

Page 28 - Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA)

Page 34 - Canadian Newa Guthi: A Brief Introduction

Page 38 - Declaration of the Conference

Page 40 - Vote of Thanks

Page 42 - The Conference’s Program Itinerary

Page 45 - Name list of organizing committee, other committees and volunteers

Page 47 - Evaluation form of the conference

Page 49 - List of Sponsors

Page 50 - List of Participants

Page 53 - List of Executive member of Canadian Newa Guthi

Page 54 - Pictures of the conference

Page 56 - Welcome song of CNG in Newah Language performed in the conference

Page 57 - News covered by various media

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The Editorial Conference Proceeding: First North American Regional Conference of WNO Canadian Newa Guthi (CNG) along with Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) and World Newah Organization (WNO) feel pride to bring this conference proceeding report of First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Oraganization to the general public. Conference proceeding, literally, is a collection of academic/working papers presented in the conference, workshop, and symposium seminar and so on. Conference Proceeding reports, as it is documented in black and white, will be very helpful and guideline to the general public and researcher to carry their research further. Newah heritage, being unique, should be preserved, promoted and practiced around the world. We believe that it is possible if we, the Newah people residing outside Nepal, became dedicated and united. Realizing this very fact, Canadian Newa Guthi played a pivotal role in organizing this very First North American Regional Conference of WNO. The idea of organizing the conference was germinated in the 2nd WNO conference in Baltimore in 2016, USA. Soon after the official appraisal of WNO to conduct the conference, CNG took the leading role to make the conference happen. The objective we put forward for the conference was “To unite Newah people living in North America and around to promote and preserve Newah heritage”, which seems we achieved with the support from all the side. And we anticipate that the tradition of organizing regional level conference be continued not only in North America but also in other regions of the world. Regarding this conference proceeding, we hope that it would play the role like a trailblazer. Finally, we would like to express our hearty gratitude to all who helped directly or indirectly to bring the proceeding into this shape.

Proceeding Compilation Committee Team Members: 1. Uttam Kumar Makaju 2. Bimal Man Shrestha 3. Naresh Tamrakar

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Introduction of the Conference

Canadian Newa Guthi (CNG), leading the key role along with Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) and in collaboration with World Newah Organization (WNO), organized First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organisation in Mississauga, Canada. Over the past few years, the World Newah Organization has brought Newahs from all over the world to preserve and promote Newah culture and heritage. The conference was organized as a new initiative in regional level especially for gathering North American Newahs following the foot step of 2nd World Newah Organization (WNO) Convention held in the State of Maryland, USA in March 2016. The three days First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organisation was organized from September 1-3, 2017 in Mississauga, Canada. The main objectives of this conference are: 1) to unite Newah people living within North American continent and abroad in order to promote and preserve Newah cultural heritage (culture, traditions, language, arts, cuisine, attire, etc.) for the current and future Newah generations; 2) to strengthen the unity of North American Newah by providing a platform to build network among Newah people living in North America; and 3) to create numerous opportunity to promote Newah Culture including language, arts, cuisine and attire in all generations living in North America. Thus, the theme of this conference was “Uniting North American Newah to promote and preserve Newah cultural heritage”. In addition, this conference had anticipated to create numerous opportunity to promote our Newah Culture including language, arts, cuisine and attire in all generations living in North America. In organising this conference the organizing committee has adopted different approaches specially focusing on publicizing rich Newah heritage through involving local political leaders, diplomats, academicians, disseminating information on Newah culture and heritage through paper presentation, developing networks among the Newahs of North America through introduction and socialization sessions and taking concrete step for further planning through Conference declaration. To make the conference a grand success, the organizing committee had given high priority for the bigger, wider and active participation from among Newah individuals and organizations of North America.

The Conference Guide The conference guide was set with the in-depth discussion among the organizing committee members along with organizing institutions. For the publicity purpose, the organizing

7 committee had relied on website, electronic communications, telephonic conversation and customized conversation.

Day 1 (September 01, 2017) The first day event was planned for evening session focussing on welcoming the participants by organizing committee, introducing themselves, mingling and creating platform for mutual networking. The registration desk set up for the Regional conference, led by the Registration Committee Co- ordinator CNG Executive Committee member Mr. Suman Rajbanshi, was opened at 5:00 PM for the all participants who had registered on-line and also other participants who came to register at the door of the conference venue were registered accordingly. Ladies Guthiyarju (Women Committee members) of CNG welcomed the participants and greeted them by offering SAGAN with Ayela (wine) as per Newah tradition for the peace, harmony, good health and happiness to all participants upon arrival at the main door entrance of the conference hall. The registration process was continued until 8:00 PM to welcome all the participants, guest and guthiyars (member) of CNG. At 8:00PM, Mr. Bimal Shrestha, General-Secretary of the CNG initiated three days regional conference by delivering warm welcome to all delegates, participants from the different Newah organization of USA, UK, Nepal and also from the local Canadian organizations and CNG guthiyars. Later on, Mr. Shrestha gave brief introduction about the Canadian Newa Guthi, an NGO established in 18th September 2005 with the concept of Guthi fundamentals, aiming to preserve and sustain Newah tradition and culture along with creating a platform to develop socio-economic and professional capabilities of Nepalese community living in Canada. Mr. Shrestha, furthermore, mentioned in his welcome address that the hosting of First North American Regional Conference of the World Newah Organization was to continue the WNO activities after its second WNO convention held in Baltimore, MD, USA in March 2016. After the brief introduction about the regional conference, Mr. Shrestha requested all the executive members of the CNG, NCSA, WNO and other respective guests from different organizations along with their spouse to introduce themselves at the gathering. At the end, CNG served Newah Bhoya (feast) to all the participants and guests followed by sing and song program. The first day was concluded at 11:00 PM.

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Day 2 (September 02, 2017) The second day of the First North American Regional Conference of the World Newah Organization, the main event day of the Conference, started with the Newah traditional procession comprising of Kumari (the Living Goddess), Dhime Baja with Lakhe dance. The procession comprised of women in Haku Patasi ( Newah Traditional Black Saree) carrying the Kalas (sacred water jug), Kota Puja (set of worshipping items in a plate), Kalaha, plates of fruits and Lakhamahri (typical Newah confectionary bread) by the ladies guthiayrju reflected the Newah culture and giving a sense that it is happening in Kathmandu valley. The procession rallied around 15 minutes and entered into the main program venue where all the distinguished guests were welcomed by offering flowers and Tika with Kokha (Red thread) at the main gates by ladies guthiayrju and “Pancha Kanya” (five virgin girls). The program venue was decorated with Newah cultural arts and artifacts by artist Mr. Baikuntha Man Shrestha of Baltimore, MD, USA. As all the guests and participants were on their seats, Master of Ceremony Mr. Uttam Makaju (in Newah Language) and Ms. Elvisha Shrestha (in English language) let the delegates know the starting of First North American Regional Conference of WNO. At beginning, master of ceremony called Mr. Prakash Lal Pradhan to chair the regional conference along with all distinguished guests including His Excellency Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Nepalese Ambassador to Canada, Hon’ble Sonia Sidhu, MP Brampton South, Mr. Season Shrestha, President WNO, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President NCSA, Prof. Dr. Tom O’Neil, Brock University.

The conference was jointly inaugurated on September 02 by Ambassador of Nepal to Canada His Excellency Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Member of parliament Hon. Ms. Sonia Sidhu, President of the World Newah Organization Mr. Season Shrestha and Prof. Dr. Tom O’Neil by lighting the traditional “Twadewa” (Brass Oil Lamp). CNG President Mr. Prakash Lal Pradhan welcomed all conference delegates and special guests in the formal inaugural session.

Delivering a key note address, Ambassador of Nepal to Canada His Excellency Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel highlighted the importance of Newah culture and heritage in shaping Nepalese identity and the contribution of Nepalese Canadian to preserve and promote Newah culture in multicultural country Canada. Similarly, Hon. Ms. Sonia Sidhu expressed that the North American Newah conference will definitely help unite Newah people living in North America to preserve, promote and practice Newah cultural heritage. NRN Canada President Mr. Gopikrishna Kafle lauded contribution of Newah culture where as World Newah Organization President Mr. Season Shrestha reiterated the need of promoting and preserving Newah culture around the world.

A special conference souvenir paper “North American Newah” published on this occasion was released jointly by distinguished guests.

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Newah scholars, academicians and delegates from US, UK and Canada Dr. Maheswar Baidya, Prof. Dr. Tom O’Neil, Prof. Dr. Christoph Emmerich (presented by Mr. Alexander O’Neil in his absence), Mr. Pramesh Shrestha, Mr. Sanyukta Shrestha, Senior Vice president of WNO Mr. Daya Ratna Shakya presented their papers on promotion of Newah culture and heritage, multimedia, Nepalese immigrants scenario and so on. Whereas host organizations representatives. Mr. Bimal Shrestha and Dr. Hemanta Joshi delivered their activities to promote Newah culture in Canada. The three days long conference was focused on promotion and preservation of Newah culture and heritage. Delegates had the opportunity to interact with paper presenters. The paper presentation session was moderated by Mr. Uttam Makaju, Vice President of CNG; and Mr. Daya Ratna Shakya, Senior Vice President, WNO.

After presentation of the papers, host of speakers Ms. Saroj Prajapati, President, Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaya; Ms. Babita Pradhan, President of Newah Organization of America (NOA); Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha, past President of NOA; Mr. Narayan Somname, past President of NOA North Carolina Chapter; Mr. Bijaya Bajracharya, Secretary of United Newah, USA shed light on the importance of the conference. On the same occasion WNO President Mr. Season Shrestha; President of WNO honored all the members of CNG and NCSA with cap and Khada (traditional Nepalese scarf).

Cultural Program

After the formal session of the conference cultural program was organized in the evening. The cultural program showcased vivid culture of Nepal with special focus on Newah culture. The cultural program was initiated with Lakhe dance by Mr. Rajendra Maharjan and Mr. Rajesh Maharjan and Karate demonstration by Everest Shiterio-Karate School followed by a group welcome song. A soothing Mangal Dhoon was performed by Sitar player Ms. Ranjana Sainju with support of Himalayan Vibes band. Famous Nepali folk singer and musician Mr. Purna Nepali, Mr. Ram Shrestha from USA, Ms. Geeta Panta, Mr. Mingmar Sherpa, and Mr. Surendra Lal Shrestha performed their songs. Whereas Ms. Biju Singh, (choreographer), Ayushna Shrestha, Rodesha Shakya, Rayana Shrestha, Sarbagya Shrestha, Avis Shrestha, Sabatina Shrestha, Ayusha Pradhan and Elvisha Shrestha performed various dances including Newah and Nepali folk dances. United Newah Band of Texas, (Yusuf Shrestha, Prazol Maharjan, Bijaya Bajracharya, Pramesh Shrestha) a band promoting Newah music in America, performed typical Newah instrumental music. Eventually, “Himalayan Vibes” (Sanuraja Maharjan, Hari Lamsal, Pradeep Banskota, Suraj Sharma, Sambida Khanal, Rikesh Shrestha, Uttam Makaju) a band dedicated to promote and preserve Nepalese ethnic and folk music in Canada rocked the participants of the program through Newah and Nepalese folk instrumental numbers. After the cultural program dinner was served and famous singer Ram Shrestha from USA entertained with his melodious songs.

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Day 3

(September 03, 2017)

Day 3 was the last day of the conference. This last day session was scheduled only for morning period till noon time. In this session Mr. Anil Ranjit delivered a speech on “Newah Culture and Yoga” along with some yoga demonstration. The session was interesting and meaningful in terms of connecting Newah culture with Yoga. This session was due session from Day 2.

After this session the participants discussed on the achievements of the conference. Host of speakers spoke about the topicality of the conference. After the discussion, participants finalized the four pointed Mississauga Declaration. Following were the declaration points: 1. Addressing promotion/preservation of Newah culture and heritage, 2. Strengthening partnership among North American Newah organisations, 3. Stand in solidarity with “Save the Newah Valley Campaign and 4. To hand over the conference lamp “Twadewa” (symbolic to host next conference) to USA for organizing the 2nd North American Regional Newah Conference. The Conference also decided to conduct another regional conference in USA after two years.

At the end of the session, Mr. Season Shrestha; President of WNO copined the session stating that the conference became successful to unite and develop networking among Newah people living in North America and abroad. Mr. Shrestha also thanked all for their hard work to make the conference a historical. The declaration of the three day’s conference was read out by Mr. Bimal Shrestha, general secretary of CNG and was unanimously endorsed by all attendees of conference. At the end, all the participants were bid farewell.

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Conference Paper Synopsis

Nevāḥ bhāy va nevāḥ saṃskriti bonegu, senegu, sikegu, - chāy? Why Study, Learn, and Teach Newar Language and Culture?

Paper by Prof. Dr. Christoph Emmrich, University of Toronto, to be read out by Alexander O’Neill at the First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization (WNO),1-3 September 2017,Mississauga,ON,Canada Bhājupiṃ, mhāyjupiṃ, jvajalapa, namaskār! Nevāḥ bhāy va nevāḥ saṃskriti bonegu, senegu, sikegu, - chāy? Why study, teach, and learn Newar language and culture? To ask this question at the First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization does not seem to make much sense. If there is any time and place where people know why, it is here and it is today. And if there is anybody who knows the answer to that question, it is you, the Newar community in North America and the communities friends and partners. So why should I try to answer this question here, now, and to you, who already have the answer? It may also sound like an unnecessary question. In my ten years at the University of Toronto that I have been teaching Newar language and culture I haven’t been asked that question even once. When I first proposed and taught a course called “Newar Religion” it was put on the University of Toronto curriculum without a single question or comment. When I introduced an undergraduate course called “Newar Buddhist Literature” the course silently filled up to include about 45 students, who all read Newar Buddhist texts in English translation with me for several months. And every time I offer courses teaching the Newar language it its spoken or literary form, students join me, sometimes up to 10 students, and work hard on learning Nepāl Bhāṣā without asking why. I must say I am very lucky. The University of Toronto allows me to teach Newar language and culture without asking why we should be teaching this. They do not say “Oh, this is not important”. They do not ask “Why do you teach a language that so few people speak, read, or write?” or “Why teach the culture of a people we did not even know they existed?” That way my students and I are very lucky to be at the University of Toronto and to have the freedom to learn and teach what we think is important. People at the University of Toronto are happy as long as there are enough students interested in what we teach. And numbers show us that Newar language and culture is interesting for young Canadians, most of whom are not Newars and do not come from Nepal.

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I did not expect that students would be interested in learning about the Newars. And I could not expect that only because I am interested others should be too. But they happened to be. So one answer to why one should study, teach, and learn Newar language and Newar culture is because there are people here in Canada who want to know and who, once they know a bit, want to know more. And that is something that I would like to tell you, delegates of the First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization: young people in Canada are interested in Newar language and culture and they are bound to be more interested the more we tell them about it. Students of mine are usually not Newars, but sometimes I also happen to have a Newar student in my group. Both groups of students, non-Newars and Newars feel they know actually very little about the Newars, so discovering them, learning about them is like you are entering an unknown world and that is always exciting, because you feel you are acquiring some very rare and special knowledge. But non-Newars discovering an unknown world and Newars discovering what they have not known about themselves is something very different. Non-Newar students discover a world that is similar-yet-different from India, from China, from Tibet. They discover a world that can be encountered mostly in the small space of the Kathmandu Valley, they enter a space that they can visualize well and that is beautiful to imagine, that is manageable when they visit, that is hospitable, and they can enter a world in which many people still know each other personally. They also enter a world that brings together the big worlds of India and China, of Buddhism and Hinduism, of the past and the present. And they realize that like themselves, Newars are travelers between these worlds, moving and mediating, translating and speaking their own tongue, inviting home and being at home in foreign places at the same time. The Newars are students of the world. That is why students and researchers love to study and should study the Newars, their language and their culture. Through the study of the Newars we understand how to travel, how to connect, how to adapt, how to make new homes and how to always return home. The Newars have preserved more of the ancient Indian past than anybody else in Asia. They have managed to preserve their language and their culture despite great challenges and they have managed to transform it to include new influences and to make it stronger and livelier than ever. This is why studying Newar language and culture is also so important to Newar students in my classes. Just as the young Newars I encounter in Nepal, young Newars I encounter here in Canada are eager to learn more about what their fathers and mothers and their ancestors before them built and which, very often, they know little about. They feel they do not speak, read, or write Nepāl Bhāṣā well enough. They feel they do not know their history well enough. They feel they do not practice or understand their rituals well enough. Yes, they understand that it is important for them to be a Newar. But very often they do not know what that means. And some of them have told me that sometimes they feel being a Newar means not to know very much about what it means to be a Newar. And sometimes they have doubts and think: If I know so little, is it at all worth learning more? Does anybody care about the Newars? Should I

13 not be interested in other things? Is not all this Newar language and tradition something only my pāju and my aji care about and which I take interest in just to please them? Why should I be studying Newar language and literature and why should professors at all be teaching about it? If I ask that question to myself, I find a very simple answer: if I do not teach Newar language and literature, there will not be enough people to transmit this knowledge to the next generation. I know there are many out there in the Kathmandu Valley and beyond who are making the same and I should say an even greater effort than me. And I also know that the situation to transmit the Newar tradition today is much better than it was twenty, thirty years ago. And that we are having the First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization is a sign how alive Newar society is even far away from Nepal. And knowing that there are many others who are joining us at this point in time is a great opportunity, - a great opportunity to take on this great responsibility. That brings me to the other reason I would give when I am asked why we should study, teach, and learn Newar language and culture: it is about not being alone. It is about joining and creating a community that is small, yet strong, that is dispersed, yet intimate, that is old, yet young. Non-Newar students and researchers of the Newars feel they are in a very special club, a closely-knit family, a community of investigators who can combine the very small with the very big, the ancient and the modern. Newar students and researchers of Newar language and culture feel they reach out to the many Newars scattered throughout the world, feel they reconnect with their ancestors, bridge divides between Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims, between families from Yala, Yeṁ, Khvapa, and Darjeeling, between the rich and the poor, between those Newars who know a lot about themselves and their traditions and those who do not. And it is not only about using tradition to pull the community together and to keep it from dissolving. Much more importantly it is about creating new, fresh, young, inspired communities, Newar and non-Newar who do not think they know everything about their own tradition, but who know that we know much too little and that there is so much to explore and in that exploration to make new friends, discover things together and find people who know more than we ourselves do and from whom we can learn, and learn in order to share with and pass on to others and enjoy doing this. And that brings me to the last reason why we should study, teach, and learn Newar language and culture: because exploration, discovery, keeping things alive, giving new life to our knowledge, and doing all this together brings joy to our hearts. Earlier this week in the main auditorium of the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto, gubhāju Naresh Man Bajracharya read out to a large number of Newars and non-Newars the beginning of the Siṃhasārthabāhu-avadāna in Nepāl Bhāṣā, which went something like this:

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svāmī, gathe dhāḥsā parāpurba kālay chaḥpiṃ siṃhakalpa nagaray siṃha sārtha bāhu dhaḥmha juyā janma kayābijyāḥbalay thạhgu kulayā dharma ratnākar banejyā vane dhakāḥ thaḥ māṃ va bāyāke binti yāta, “yaḥ māṃ-abu, jhī sakaleṃyā dharma ratnākar dhāḥgu samudra pāra yānāḥ byāpāra yāḥvane”.

The beautiful words of the Newar language filled the room and I turned around to Bhaju Uttam, who was sitting behind me, and I know from his smile that we both felt the same happiness on hearing these words in this unusual setten. Many of us who are here today are, in one way or the other, Siṃhasārthabāhus, who have travelled from far away, across the samudra called Ratnākar and who have Newar language and literature in your hearts which will take us back home in moments of doubt and fear or which will give us strength and help us be successful in our business ventures, help us make new discoveries and find new homes and make new friends. Studying, teaching, and learning Newar literature and culture can help us remember that blessing given to us by our mother and that we took with us across the ocean. But it can also be that happiness that we experience when all of a sudden we are one with a place and people, like our elders or our ancestors and far away times and places, whom we always thought were far away, but whom we suddenly discover to be within us. Subhāy.

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WNO Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Daya Shakya WNO Senior Vice President Portland, OR USA No matter where we were born or where we come from, our identity stays the same. The "Newah," the original inhabitants of Kathmandu, used to be known as the Nepal Mandala, consisting of twelve adjacent districts of the current Kathmandu Valley, stretching north, south, east, and west of Ancient Nepal. After several political turning points in the country, the Newah people started to move out from the ancient Nepal Mandala to several other districts. In the 21st century, the Newah people now have started to settle abroad for various reasons, including a better life. The purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss WNO, with a focus on how the World Newah Organization (WNO) came into existence, how WNO is moving along in the current context of Newah society, and what future plans WNO is making to achieve our goals of better understanding and preservation of Newah identity for future generations.

Inauguration of WNO Having said that, I am delighted to draw your attention first to put forth a picture of how WNO began. In 2010, a group of like-minded people were involved in a Skype discussion about current topics and issues related to Nepal, particularly how to protect Newah civilization for future generations. Out of that discussion, a core group of six people sent out a message to bring together a larger group, extending an invitation to twenty-six people from various countries. (NV7, 2011). WNO was formed from an ad hoc committee of six people, under the chairmanship of this writer, to carry out the work of uniting Newah people around the world and defending against the deterioration and disappearance of Newah culture, with a sense of understanding of the Newah civilization of Nepal representing the south Asian continent and world heritage. Newah civilization is under attack in part due to the lack of proper education about the history of the Newah people and in part due to the absence of governmental support, the influence of Westernized whims, and unwanted suppression by elites with a slow smearing of unclear awareness activities. With the highest goals and aims, the first convention of Newah people aroud the world was held ar SOAS, university of London ( School of Oriental and African Studies) in London, England on the occcasio of Nepal Sambat new Year 1133. Participants hailed from Belgium, Germany, Nepal, The Netherlands, the USA and from various regions of UK, from October 30 to November 1, 2011. The meeting was attended by eminent Newah people, such as the centennial figure Dr. Satya Mohan Joshi, Dr. Bijaya Prakash Sainju, Dr. Mahesh Man Shrestha, Professor Manik Lal Shrestha, Dr. Padma Ratna Tuladhar, and Professor Prem Shanti

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Tuladhar. The convention ended with a celebration of Mha Puja, a city tour, and the release of the London Declaration of solidarity. On the last day of the convention, Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha was unanimously elected the first president of the World Newah Organization. A great achievement under his leadership was the formation of the Executive Board team and dissolution of the ad hoc committee (Tadartha Samiti) under this writer’s Chairmanship. From this time until the second convention, many tasks were completed and brought WNO into the hearts and souls of Newah people not only in Nepal but also in many parts of the world where Newah people reside. Some key early activities of WNO are listed below:

 Launched the first World Newah Convention in London in October 2011, in collaboration with Pasa Puchah Guthi UK.  Registered WNO headquarters in the State of Maryland, USA, in January 2014.  Supported development of “Learn Yourself Nepal Bhasa” book and Nepal Bhasa documentary movie “Mudda” in Nepal.  Organized workshops on "Unity within Diversity” to address the issue of ethnic polarization among Newah people in Nepal on November 2, 2013.  Established "Halimey Jhii" TV program in collaboration with Nepal Mandala TV in Nepal to spread the word of Newah solidarity around the world.  Published "Halin Newah" newsletter to share updates about WNO activities.  Supported Dil Shobha Shrestha in defense against wrong allegations against her organization, Amako Ghar; WNO observed that signficant error and bias in the allegations of "abusive sexual behavior" as published by "Nagarik Dainik."  Raised the issue of suppression of Janajati people, focusing on the structure and geographical features of Nepal and the governmental agenda that did not abide by the goals of the UNO’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Worked with Newa Bidyarthi Daboo to develop leadership among Newah students and youth.  Assisted Nepalbhasa Saphu Sahakari to drive membership in Kathmandu, Nepal.  Provided funds and basic essential relief materials to assist earthquake victims whose homes were demolished or damaged in the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Nepal on April 25, 2015. o Provided temporary shelters for people injured in the earthquake. o Provided funds to reconstruct the water supply at the Bhagyodaya Higher Secondary School and to restore the Imla Ganesh temple in Sankhu. o Consulted with legal and engineering teams to evaluate earthquake damaged buildings.

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 Provided monetary assistance to academicians, writers, and journalists who have contributed to promoting and preserving of Newah culture and heritage.  Finalized the WNO by laws to run the organization smoothly.  Formed chapters Sikkim, India; Nepal; The Netherlands, Japan, Portugal.

Current Situation The current scope of WNO is much wider than it was a few years after its birth. WNO has been able to reach out to many countries and expand its reach around the world. At this point, WNO has contacts in twenty-seven countries. In some cases, groups have already moved forward with the formation of country WNO Chapters, while in others WNO has formed an affiliation with local Newah organizations. The initial goal of WNO was to alternate conventions between Nepal and another country and to form a new executive committee every three years. Due to political instability and the 2015 earthquake, it became impossible to proceed, even after changing the convention date three times. Enthusiastic people in the USA came forward to organize a second WNO convention in Baltimore, MD with more than 500 participants from March 25 to March 27, 2015, in collaboration with local Newah organizations Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikae (NPPA) and the Newah Organization of America (NOA). The success of this second gathering was due to incredible support received from the dedicated Newah people in the USA and abroad. With participants from 11 countries as well as 20+ US states, the three-day convention included a rally, inauguration, paper presentations on various Newah topics, a rich cultural program, a fashion show, a city tour for guest participants, debut of “Halin Newah” souvenir magazine, issuance of WNO's "Baltimore Declaration," and formation of the new executive committee under the leadership of former NOA president Mr. Season Shrestha, unanimously elected the second president of the World Newah Organization (WNO) for 2016- 2019. Under his guidance, WNO has been gaining credibility and building awareness by reaching out to many organization and Newah personalities around the world. People have started to know WNO in Nepal as well as abroad. After the formation of the new executive committee, the following agendas were accomplished:

 Formed WNO US Chapter under the leadership of Mr. Pramesh Shrestha in Texas.  Formed WNO Japan Chapter under the leadership of Mr. Sunil Kumar Shakya in Tokyo.  Collaborated with Newah communities in Kuwait, Norway, South Korea, and Thailand on potential country chapters.  In collaboration with strong local Canadian Newah organizations, Canadian Newah Guthi (CNG) and the Newah Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), organized the First WNO North American Regional Conference in Mississauga City, Ontario, Canada, from September 1 to September 3, 2017.

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 Declared WORLD NEWAH DAY to bring people together globally and build awareness of Newah causes.  Petitioned to gain non-profit status (501 C3) from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to enhance the financial situation with acceptable transparency and avoid misuse of funds.  Raised funds for earthquake survivors in Nepal, with distribution through the WNO Nepal Chapter in Kathmandu.  WNO Japan Chapter organized and participated in a Nepal Festival  WNO UK Chapter launched the Majipaa Lakhe animation after the successful presentation of the animated movie "Shankhadhar Bakhan by Sanyukta Shrestha.  WNO Nepal Chapter presented a seminar on current activities and futures plans in Kathmandu Nepal.  Participated as WNO leaders in public functions as well as in social media to pass on words of awareness about Newah identity and in defense of Newah civilization.  Launched Macha Sirpaa under the WNO Japan Chapter in order to encourage Newah parents to support their children in learning Nepal Bhasa.

Future Plans The future plans of WNO are even broader than what has been accomplished over last few years. One of the main goals mentioned in WNO's mission statement is to support effort to remove all sorts of political injustice from the world and to promote full and unhindered basic human freedom, socio-economic prosperity, and cultural and intellectual development in arts and science for Newah people and the people of Nepal. By keeping this goal in mind, Newah people living abroad have determined to protect their identity in the world. As we have seen many civilizations disappear from human society, WNO believes that the trend of language loss influence of dominant groups, lack of interest among youth in protecting cultural identity, new education approaches, and fast-growing world technology have placed the Newah people’s future in the road to extinction. The Newah awareness program is a must to protect Newah civilization for the next generations and keep it healthy and alive. The progress we have seen now is the result of dedicated people’s contributions. We must continue for generations to come. From this perspective, WNO is dedicated to implementing the following programs and projects to keep Newah identity alive. WNO asks for mutual cooperation from all Newah people as well as friends of Nepal

Here are future WNO projects under discussion:

 Organize a Global Newah Conference to mark World Newah Day (the last Saturday of March every year).

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 Conduct WNO Regional Conferences in Europe, Pacific countries, Australia, and South Asia for immediate outreach.  Establish a Newah museum in the USA to preserve and promote Newah heritage and identity.  Establish a Newah Language Medium University in Nepal.  Prepare financial regulations and manage a WNO WORLD NEWAH FUND (WNF) to implement large-scale plans and projects.

Conclusion As discussed above I believe WNO will play a pivotal role in protection of Newah heritage and identity in and outside of Nepal for the respect to Newah people’s tireless dedication to save from possible extinction. There may be lots of barriers it may have to face but one has to come forward to direct the new generation and speak for future. The current team is very much dedicated to protect from any further deterioration. I hope all the Newah Bhaju/ Mayeju would come forward to take responsibility of his or her capacity to save the identity for future generation to come and keep Nepal alive for ever. Subhaaye !!

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Belonging in Canada: Nepali Immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area

Prof. Dr. Tom O’Neill, Brock University

This presentation outlined the results from the 2015 Nepali Living Standards Survey, which collected data from 62 Nepali households in the Greater Toronto Area. Significant differences between early and recent immigrants were found in social cohesion – in belonging, with later immigrants (those arrived after 2012) still struggling with lower incomes and social isolation. Early immigrants were more firmly economically established and were more likely to participate in Nepali organization activities (CNG, NRN etc.). The results highlight the importance of Nepali cultural organizations in the immigration process. Overall, the status of Nepali – Canadian immigrants was mixed, though hopeful. A next step will extend research to second generation and beyond.

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Preservation of Newah Heritage using Computer Animation

By Sanyukta Shrestha, yantrakala studios, UK.

Email: [email protected] This paper was presented in the 1st North-American Regional Conference of the World Newah Organization jointly organized by Canadian Newah Guthi and Newah Cultural Society of Alberta in Toronto, Canada on 2nd September 2017. Background World’s first animated feature film was ‘The Apostle’ released in Argentina in 1917. The difference between a full length feature film and short films is in their running length. As per international standards, a film can be considered a feature film if it plays for at least 40 minutes including credits. ‘The Apostle’ was 70 minutes in duration but is now lost. In the context of Nepal, animated short films made its way to national television in the early 90’s, with a bunch of Nepali artists mentored by foreign animators. Unfortunately, it was not continued in a direction to produce full length feature film projects. With the advent of YouTube’s online streaming and user-generated content in the turn of the millennium, several short films were uploaded by various enthusiastic users. Their running length was generally around 5 minutes. In 2007, yantrakala released its first animated short film titled ‘Leaving The Village’ in YouTube. Screened in various film festivals, it had a typical rural Nepali village as its context and was narrated with musical score rather than dialogues delivered by the characters of the film. After several other incomplete attempts of making an animated movie for the next ten years, Nepal’s first full length animated feature film was released on 17th December 2016 and screened in London, Cambridge, Washington DC, Sydney and various cities of Nepal. Titled ‘The Legend of Shankhadhar’, it was made as a bilingual in both Nepalbhasha, the language of the Newars, and Khas Nepali, with English subtitles. ‘The Legend of Shankhadhar’ in the context of Newah films In the international arena, the authentic art culture of Nepal is predominantly represented by that of the Newars. Traditional Newah heritage is considered one of the best in the world in terms of various forms of art including painting, sculpture, metal works and wood carving, as well as music and dances of folk and classical nature. The language spoken by the Newars is Nepalbhasha, is also rich in literature and scripts. However, this ancient civilization is in decline due to various reasons like the growing foreign influences, minority representation in national population, and unequal treatment by the state government. Till date, the Newars have been fighting for their basic indigenous rights.

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In terms of film making, Nepalbhasha films do not get a proper audience in mainstream cinema halls of its country of origin, Nepal, and the film makers rely heavily on local patronage and charity shows. The market is miniscule compared to that of the dominating Khas language, and an academic debate on this field is comparable to none. Rather niche publicity platforms and media debates based on Nepalbhasha films is another huge factor contributing to its dissatisfactory growth. However, ‘The Legend of Shankhadhar’ (TLS) was a noble attempt to offer something new to Nepali audience in terms of the technique and style, without any commercial motif. The main objective of TLS project was to help preserve the Newah heritage of Nepal Samvat, the original era of Nepal which was started by Shankhadhar Sakhwa, an ordinary merchant of Maru Tole in Kathmandu, on 20th October 879 AD. The movie was crowdfunded by Newars living in the UK, where it was made, and also from as far as USA and Nepal. Except the musicians, singers and voiceover artists, everyone in the production team worked voluntarily to make the first animated feature film of Nepal. Compared to big budget animated movies which employ hundreds of animators for many years of production; TLS was created by a small team of five animators working for one year only. Challenges in recreating history While animation itself is a challenging task to accomplish, and more so for a much smaller team like that of TLS, an equally challenging aspect in the making was its research. While the plot of the movie is mainly the folklore related to Shankhadhar’s finding gold from river banks, the challenge was in telling the story with a believable backdrop of historical landscape, costumes, language, music and other cultural aspects that have been undergone gradual decline in the past many decades. While Dr Bal Gopal Shrestha and Subhash Prajapati provided a great deal of reference material and guidance throughout the research process, various digital archives from around the world were utilised to find answers to questions related to the recreating of a history from more than a thousand years ago. These digital archives ranged from libraries and museums of ancient artefacts from Nepal, to photographic collections with old photos of the Kathmandu valley. A few such examples are listed in the following segment of this paper.

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More about ‘The Legend of Shankhadhar’ can be found out from the official webpage www.yantrakala.com/animation/tls

Acnowledgements: Pasa Puchah Guthi UK, Newah Organization of America, Guthi Australia, Gwahali, Microsoft Innovation Centre Nepal, Newah Organization of America – Seattle Chapter, World Newah Organization, SOAS University of London.

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eDaboo: Connecting the Dots of Newah Civilization

Presented by Pramesh Shrestha, Founder - eDaboo 1st North American Regional Conference – WNO Mississauga, ON, CANADA on SEP 02, 2017

Common definitions of Newah (or Newa) found in internet:

 Newah or Newa is the native population, from the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal.  The Newah is a linguistic community with Tibetan-Burmese ethnicity, race and faith, linked by a common language.  The term Newah applies as a nomination for the descendants of the citizens of medieval Nepal.

How old is Newah Civilization?

What made our Civilization so Unique?

Pride of our Civilization

1760s Battle with Gorkha & its consequences

After 250 + Years  Changed World  USA is superpower  e-LIFE  Social Media  2015 Earthquake in Kathmandu - impact on monuments that represents Newah Civilization eDaboo: The platform for Newah and non-Newah people in social media; people who speak Nepal Bhasa and who doesn’t; to reach out the World who love Newah Civilization

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Why Newah people not prominent in Nepal Politics and Administration? - Maheswar Baidya, USA

The contributing factors seem to be a combination of Internal and external Factors in the same proportion. External Factors:

Nepali culture and Nepal Bhasa language developed to its peak primarily during the Newah Kingdom in Katmandu for almost 600 years. Then came the defeat of Newah Kingdom by force in 1768 started by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Shah Regime continued from 1768 to 1846 followed by Rana Regime until 1951. This period was associated with severe suppression of Newah People and Nepal Bhasa that occurred for almost 183 years. Suppression of Newah and Nepal Bhasa could not be improved during the unstable period from 1951 to2007 and lead to an Andolan in 1969 with no positive effect. Historical study of the Government and Administration during that 250 years in Nepal, no Newah people can be seen as Prime Minister or in prominent ministerial position except handpicked one or two. They were also excluded from other major positions in Universities, Foreign services, financial services etc. Various ways to exclude them include Suppression, Exclusion, Rejection, Avoidance, Jailing etc. Internal factors also played a significant part in Newah people not being able to be active in the main stream. Relevant factors include lack of courage from long duration of suppression and exclusion from prominent Government positions. That probably also led to becoming less enthusiastic, less vigilant and mentally and physically sluggish. Poor ability to verbal communication in Nepali language because of replacement of Nepal Bhasa language by Khas (Nepali) language after the defeat of Newah Kingdom in Katmandu also played a significant role. Other factors include divisive caste system, inability to claim for their legitimate rights and progressive decrease in Nepal Bhasa speaking people in Nepal. What action to take? While enough is being done to promote Nepal Bhasa language and Newah culture, that alone is not enough if you want to be engaged in politics and administration. It will be just impossible to be prominent in politics without good command in Nepali language and dedicated interest in politics, laws, communication and journalism. WNO and other Newah organizations should make plans to encourage Newah people to be more vigilant, demand for their rights and be more informative on various opportunities in Govt and non Govt appointments. WNO should discuss above matters in every WNO conferences and regional conferences.

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Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA)

- Dr. Hemanta Joshi

Background Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) is a non-profit organization established in Edmonton on April 22nd, 2013 under the Societies Act of Government of Alberta, Canada.

Objectives The two main objectives of the NCSA are:  to practice, promote and preserve Newa cultural heritage: language, literature, arts, culture and traditions for the current and future generations  to build a Newa Cultural Centre as a symbol of Newa unity in Edmonton. NCSA is managed by the Executive Committee of nine members.

Programs and Activities of NCSA Since its inception, NCSA has been organizing various important cultural events and activities annually in the community in order to practice, promote and preserve Newa cultural heritage in Edmonton for the current and future generations. These programs and activities are briefly described below chronically starting from the Annual General Meeting. 1. Annual General Meeting (AGM) Each year in June, NCSA conducts AGM and presents annual reports (including income and expenditure) to the community members for approval. NCSA also conducts an election of its nine Executive Committee members and two auditors every two years.

2. Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra Celebration Each year in June, NCSA organizes Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra cultural event with great importance. In that cultural event, community members worship Sithidyah (also known as Kumar, the protector and the commander in-chief of god and goddesses) by offering freshly cooked Wo (ethnic pancake made from black lentil) to commemorate Sithi Nakha. They also worship Bungdyah [also known as Rato (red) Machindranath or Abhalokeshar] by carrying the deity on the palanquin with live music of Dhimay (ethnic drum) and Bhushya (ethnic cymbals) inside the hall and distributing Chakusalas (special ethnic candy made from sesame seeds and molasses) to the participants as Prasad (divine blessings). Participants are also entertained with cultural performances and quizzes related to the festivals.

3. Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi Celebration

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Each year in September, NCSA organizes Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi cultural event. In the cultural event, Ganesh (the god of beginnings and wisdom), Indra (the god of rain and the king of heaven) and Bhairab (the god of strength) are worshipped by offering Samay Bajee (a special ethnic food comprised of varieties of food items), sweets, and fruits. After the Puja (worship), Kwati (a special ethnic soup prepared from nine varieties of soaked beans) and Samay Bajee are served to the participants. Participants are also entertained with Lakhey (a demon) mask dance performance and cultural quizzes related to the festivals.

Ganesh, Bhairab and Indra were worshipped to mark the Yenya Punhi Festival: September 17, 2016

4. Mha Puja (The Worship of Body Persona) and New Year (Nepal Era) Celebration

Each year in October, NCSA organizes community Mha Puja (the worship of Body Persona) and New Year (Nepal Era) celebration biggest cultural event with great importance, enthusiasm and pride in the community. In the Mha Puja ceremony, all the community members and guests sit cross-legged in front of their sacred colorful Mandala (a sacred circular diagram that represent the body or soul) according to seniority and receive a dab of Dhau Sinha (a special paste made from yogurt, whole grain rice, and vermillion powder) on their forehead from the Thankalinakin, a senior lady. They also receive burning Khelu Ita (a set of six long oil soaked cotton wicks) as a symbol of inner self, and a tray containing auspicious items such as Kwokha (sacred thread that protect the body from evil spirits), garlands, variety of seasonal fruits (such as honey pomelo), and ethnic sweets (such as Sel Mari, a round doughnut made from rice flour) as Bhintuna Dechha (best-wishes gift) from the Thakalinakin. As part of the ritual, they also receive auspicious Khen Sagan [a ritual food comprised of five significant items: Puka Khen (fried and boiled egg), Wo, Nya (small fried whole fish), Puka La (steamed and fried meat), and Ayela (Newa whisky)] from the Thakalinakin as a blessing for good luck, bright future, prosperity, and longevity. In the cultural event, community members also celebrate the

29 beginning of the New Year of Nepal Era calendar by exchanging Nhu Dan Ya Bhintuna (Happy New Year) greetings and participating in the cultural program and Bhoye (ethnic dinner). Since 2013, the City of Edmonton has been supporting NCSA in organizing this cultural event. In the past, some government ministers, MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly), and university professors had participated in the community Mha Puja ceremony and witnessed unique Newa culture and traditions.

Govt. Minister of Indigenous Relations receiving Tika at the Mha Puja ceremony: Nov. 5, 2016

5. Yomari Punhi Celebration Each year, NCSA organizes Yomari Punhi cultural event in the community with great enthusiasm and pride. This is NCSA’s second biggest cultural event in the community. Some of the features of Yomari Punhi cultural event are live demonstration of Yomari [a unique Newa delicacy made from rice flour with inner feeling of Chaku (brown cane sugar) mixed with fried sesame seed powder] preparation; brief Puja of Annapurna (the goddess of grains) offering freshly cooked Yomaries; ethnic dance performances including Lakhey mask dance; cultural quizzes related to Yomari Punhi; tasting of Yomaries and Chatamaries (ethnic pancake made from sweet rice flour) with Achar (ethnic appetizer); and Bhoye. Since 2014, the City of Edmonton has been supporting NCSA in organizing this cultural event. In the past, some government ministers, MLAs, and university professors had participated in the Yomari Punhi cultural event and witnessed unique Newa culture and traditions.

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Govt. Minister of Indigenous Relations inaugurating the Govt. Minister of Indigenous Relations observing the Yomari Punhi cultural event: Feb. 6, 2016 demonstration of Yomari preparation: Feb. 6, 2016

6. Pahachare, Janbahadyah and Biskha Jatra Celebration Each year during March/April, NCSA organizes a cultural event in the community to commemorate Pahachare, Janbahadyah and Biskha Jatra festivals in Edmonton. In the cultural event, deities such as Lukumahadyah (hidden Mahadev, the god of destroyer of evil), Janbhadyah [Seto (white) Machindranath or Abhalokeshar], Bhairab and Bhadrakali (one of the powerful form of goddess Devi) are worshipped and Samay Bajee is served to the participants as Prasad. Speeches and quizzes related to the festivals are also organized to entertain the participants in the cultural event.

7. Buddha Jayanti Celebration Each year in May, NCSA organizes Buddha Jayanti cultural event in the community to observe the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha, commemorate his enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana (death). Some of the attractions of the cultural event are: offering of prayers to Buddha, Bhojan Dan (a ritual of offering food to the monks and nuns) to monks and nuns, speeches, and quizzes related to the Buddha’s life and teachings.

8. International Mother Language Day Celebration Each year in February, NCSA organizes a cultural event in the community to observe International Mother Language Day in Edmonton. In the cultural event, poems from different languages are recited to promote and preserve languages of the world including Nepal Bhasha (Newa language).

9. Participation in the Edmonton Heritage Festival Each year during July/August, NCSA participates in the Edmonton Heritage Festival (Servus Heritage Festival) to showcase Newa culture to the people of the world. Edmonton Heritage Festival honors Alberta’s vibrant cultural heritage and diversity. It is one of the largest multicultural festivals in the world. In the three day long heritage festival, NCSA performs

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Newa ethnic dances including Bhairab mask dance, Lakhey mask dance and Dhimay dance to the public free of cost.

Bhairab mask dance performance at 42nd Edmonton Heritage Dhimay dance performance at 42nd Edmonton Heritage Festival: August 7, 201 Festival: August 5, 2017

10. Newa Language, Music, and Dance Heritage Project With the support from the City of Edmonton, NCSA has been conducting Newa Language, Music and Dance Heritage Project in the community since 2014. Each year in the summer, the project runs Newa language classes to the children; and music, dance, and drama classes to the youths and adults.

Conclusion NCSA is a new and small organization with limited manpower and financial resources. However, it has accomplished a lot in promoting and preserving Newa cultural heritage in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada within a short period of time. The secret to these successes are due to a strong leadership team, dedicated community members, encouragement from the Government of Alberta, and financial support from the City of Edmonton. In this context, the contribution made by the spouses of the leadership team is also very appreciable and commendable. Without their strong commitment and valuable help, NCSA would not function actively in the community to achieve its desired goals.

NCSA President addressing in the WNO conference 2017 NCSA participating in the WNO conference 2017

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Below are some links of you tube regarding the WNO conference 2017 in Mississauga, Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6SmiKK2JNk&t=8s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpSGYHPa-2M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdH0ixkCD0Y&t=762s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofW1XQZZUtc&t=383s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFcawrOizWY&t=816s

Executive Committee Members (2017/18 to 2018/19) 1. Dr. Hemanta Joshi - President 2. Dr. Pawan Nyachhyon – Vice President 3. Dr. Kishore Shrestha – General Secretary 4. Mr. Birendra Piya – Treasurer 5. Mr. Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel – Member in Charge: Language, Literature & Arts 6. Dr. Deepesh Shrestha – Member in Charge: Culture, Tradition & Rituals 7. Mr. Prabin Shrestha – Member in Charge: Events & Fund Raising 8. Mr. Naveen Ranjitkar – Member in Charge: Information & Technology 9. Mrs. Kamal Laxmi Ranjit – Members in Charge: Communications & Membership

Associate Executive Committee Members 1. Mr. Ojaswi Dhoubhadel 2. Mr. Sujen Bajracharya

Auditors 1. Mr. Sangyan Joshi, CPA, CMA 2. Mr. Swapnil Kayastha

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Canadian Newa Guthi: A Brief Introduction

Bimal Man Shrestha, General Secretary, CNG

Canadian Newa Guthi (www.canadiannewaguthi.org) is a registered not for profit organization dedicated to preserve, promote and showcase Newah culture and tradition, to create awareness on health issues through conducting workshops and trainings, to conduct/sponsor youth oriented activities like Karate, youth forum and youth leadership program, career counseling session, public speaking training, to serve newcomers on their settlement issues and free tax file clinic to new comers and low income families. At the same time, CNG also envisages to make Canadian people experience Newah culture and grow friendship with Canadian individuals and organizations through different activities.

In order to preserve, promote and showcase Newah culture and tradition, CNG has been organizing “Mha Puja” every year since its inception. Canadian individuals also take part in this very cultural event. Prof. Christoph Emmrich of University of Toronto, who can speak Newah language fluently as he was in Kathmandu for his research, helped lot by bringing university students to make them experience Newah culture. Prof. Tom O’Neill of Brock University, who had also his research study in Nepal, has also been participating in CNG events regularly.

“Samya Baji” picnic, a Newa cuisine special has also been organizing by CNG publicly every year since its inception in 2005. The major focus of the event is to make people experience Newah cuisine and create awareness about the nutrition values and scientific facts of Newah cuisine. Lots of non-Newah people also throng to this event.

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Since last four years, CNG has been celebrating “Yomarhi Punhi” publicly. The major objective of the event is to preserve the culture by teaching young generation to make “Yomarhi”. At the same time, CNG gives opportunity to young generation to do presentation on the importance of “Yomarhi” to the guests, in terms of nutrition, climate and culture.

CNG is very cautious about the health of community members. Because health plays instrumental role for the holistic development of a person. In order to address the health issues, CNG has been conducting workshops on various diseases like osteoporosis, diabetes, heart and stroke and meditation. CNG is the first Nepalese community based organization to initiate health related programs for Nepalese and Bhutanese communities in Greater Toronto Area. The major focus of CNG about health issues is to create awareness so that the disease can be prevented in timely manner. The other focus of the program is to develop organizational relationship with Canadian organizations. CNG has set up a good relationship with organizations like Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canada, Osteoporosis Canada and so on.

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There is no doubt that youths are future harbingers of the community. More you equip the youths with academic, practical and social skills, better and safer the community in the future. They are the future preserver and promoter of our culture. To make youths physically and socially fit, CNG had sponsored a karate school organized by a globally recognized trainer Mr. Surendra Lal Shrestha, the second runner up of World Karate Championship, 2000. The result was that the trainees of the school have won many medals in different tournaments.

Career counseling session, parents-offspring interaction and public speaking courses have been conducted to empower youth members of Guthi providing volunteering opportunities to excel their level of confidence and experience in organizing community events. Moreover, Guthi has conducted “Youth Forum” in February, 2017. Participants in the forum voiced about the need of youth committee, opportunities and their confidence to preserve and promote Newah culture and tradition.

It is common that when you immigrate to any new country, you will encounter with different issues. To ease this situation, CNG has been conducting welcome and interaction programs to the newcomers so that they will not feel lonely in their new country. Along with, CNG helps new comers by creating networking circle, delivering counseling services in regards to their settlement issues and help in tax filing free of cost in different locations. It is noteworthy that Free Tax Filing Camp has been conducting to the Bhutanese community too since last couple of years becoming first Nepalese community organization to extend help to Bhutanese community.

CNG has policy to promote female members of the family. Newah culture also pay due respect to women in each event like “Mha puja” and other cultural events. Educating and empowering women means benefit to the whole family. So CNG offers the opportunities and platform to women to hone their confidence and skills.

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CNG also has been receiving hearty support from local academicians like Dr. Tom O’Neill, Brock University and Dr. Christoph Emmrich, Toronto University to make the organization familiar among Canadian community and Canadian students. Both of them have been in Nepal several times for their research work.

Last year, Canadian Newa Guthi, in collaboration with Brock University, had conducted a “Research Study on Social, Cultural and Health Status of Nepalese Living in GTA”. The report of the study has been finalized and will present in the First North American Regional Conference of WNO. Dr. Tom O’Neill was the lead investigator of the research study.

Similarly, Canadian Newa Guthi has been helping to promote Newah language by Guthi Members. CNG had helped Dr. Christoph Emmerich of Toronto University, who requested Guthi in practicing Newah language with him.

Canadian Newa Guthi not only deliver services to community but also help strengthen the organization’s legal and financial system of Nepalese community organizations. Guthi, in collaboration with NRN Canada, had conducted day long workshop on “Legal and Financial Issues of Not for Profit Organizations” in which Guthi’s resource persons highlighted on nitty- gritty of legal and financial issues.

In order to promote Nepal and its different culture, Canadian Newa Guthi has been participating in international festivals like North York Festival, Global Village Festival with Nepal Promotion Booth distributing flyers provided by Nepalese Embassy. Guthi has also exhibited the cultural artifacts and performing Nepalese folk dance and Newah instrumental songs like ‘Rajamati’ and other songs by Nepalese folk musical group “Himalayan Vibes”. The booth was visited by dignitaries like MPs and lot of other visitors seeking information about Nepal.

During the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, Canadian Newa Guthi helped mobilize to collect funds and materials to distribute to the earthquake victims families. CNG handed over the fund to Canadian Red Cross, conducted a fundraiser concert in collaboration with Sareeka Foundation and Indian artists to help rebuild high school in Nepal. A candle light vigil was also organized in Brampton in the presence of Mayor of Brampton Ms. Linda Jeffry.

As Canadian Newa Guthi has been building broad arrays of profile on services to community, country and organizations, a group of Ryerson University students approached the Guthi and made Guthi as their case study of the group. The group finely crafted sustainable marketing strategies for Guthi and submitted a report to promote the organization in systematic manner.

The frequent interactions with local MPs and community leaders also reflects the attempts CNG made to publicize and promote Newah culture among Canadians and build friendship individually and institutionally. And CNG is thankful to the government of Canada for providing us all the cooperation and opportunity.

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Declaration of the Conference

Declaration of the First North-American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization

September 03, 2017 Mississauga Ontario, Canada.

The North-American Newah organizations namely Canadian Newa Guthi(CNG), Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), the World Newah Organization (WNO) and various delegates from Newah Organizations met in Mississauga, Canada on 1-3 September 2017 for the First North American Regional Newah Conference. The main theme of the conference is “To unite Newah people living within the North American Continent and abroad for promoting and preserving Newah Culture and Heritage”. With the global mobility of Newah people in the present context, the discussions focused on strengthening the collaboration and partnership of Newah, as well examining the possible role of the North American Newah people in building partnership among Newah organizations and to establish a North America Newah Organization Network for the North American Region. Recalling the declaration of the previous convention of the World Newah Organization, especially London declaration of the First World Newah Organization (29-31 October 2011), London, UK and Baltimore Declaration the second World Newah Organization (25-27 March, 2016) Baltimore, MD, USA and noting international convention, mainly ILO convention 169 Indigenous and Tribunal People Convention, 1989 and UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions (2005), delegates in line with the presentation and discussion decided following points of declaration: 1. To focus collaboration of Newah organization for enhancing our partnership in North America, where structured co-operation and networking can be an added value to the World Newah Organization (WNO) and to our efforts for achieving our common vision, establishing a regional Networks of Newah Organizations working in North America under the WNO mandate and initiative. 2. To give continuity to organize North American Newah Conference biennially in order to promote the meaningful dialogue/discourse on Newa Conference and Heritage within North America and beyond: a. Bring all Newah people and Newah Organizations of North America in a common platform and upholding the North American Newah Conference goals and legacy

38 b. Safeguarding Newah cultural heritage, paying attention to the enhancement of accessibility to Newah cultural heritage, especially for children and young people c. Promoting Newah culture in culturally diverse context, and initiating intercultural dialogue and exchange 3. To stand in solidarity with “Save the Nepa valley campaign” which is to raise awareness and fight against the ongoing destruction of Newah heritage and old Newah settlement in Kathmandu valley. Finally, the organizers; Canadian Newa Guthi (CNG), Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) and the World Newah Organization (WNO) also decided 4. To hand over the conference lamp “Twadewa” (symbolic to host next conference) to USA for organizing the 2nd North American Regional Newah Conference.

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VOTE OF THANKS

First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization; 02 Sept 2017, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Jojalappa, Namaskar, Good Morning Respected Session Chairman, His Excellency Kali P. Pokhrel, Nepalese Ambassador to Canada Hon’ble Sonia Sidhu, MP, Brampton South Distinguished Participants, community friends and Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my honor to thank you all for kind your attendance this morning opening ceremony of First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization.

A dream that we never thought when we the 14 families of Newah of Nepalese ethnic community take steps to form a Canadian Newah Guthi to preserve and promote Newah culture and heritage including language, arts, and attire in all generation living within Canada and abroad.

In view of above objective, we finally came to conclude to make an attempt to unite Nepalese of Newah people living within North America, focusing in promoting and preserving Newah cultural heritage as well as exchange of ideas and studies within this North American continent.

It is my immense pleasure to appreciate once again to you all distinguished guest who attended this opening ceremony despite their own busy schedules and long weekend holiday time mainly HE Nepalese Ambassador to Canada Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Hon’ble Sonia Sidhu MP. We would also like to thank Mr. Gopi Kafle, President NRNA Canada for his kind attendance and also Mr. Season Shrestha, President of WNO and the executive committee for giving this wonderful opportunity to host first North American Regional conference of the WNO in Canada. Besides, we would also like to express our sincere thanks to all the attendees who have come from USA, UK and also all domestic participants, guthiyars and their families and community friends and families to make success of this historical event. In addition, we hope we will get definite support from you all to full fill our objective of this regional conference. Thanks to all the sponsors who made the success of the first publication of “North American Newah”, a souvenir paper by providing the advertisement. Last but not least, I would also like to thank to all individuals, guthiyarju and their families who have involved form the beginning of the event and also special thanks to Bhaju Baikunth Man Shrestha, Mr.Vishal Burathoki for their outstanding work in designing the dais and souvenir respectively.

Subhaya

Reflection

Conference can be a good way to encourage participants to think about the more creative, innovative and analytical steps. Conference allows people learn from each other to pay attention on what is important. It also creates opportunity to collaborate in shaping new solutions.

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This conference was about strengthening unity among Newah people living in North America and abroad through developing networking among them. One of the main ways the conference addressed the theme was providing a platform to mingle with each other for the strong networking. However, the way of paper presentation has revealed the facts about Newah heritage along with needs of new programs to sustain the legacy of Newah heritage abroad. The conference, after its completion, provided the road map on how to achieve a better picture for moving forward.

When looking at the themes of the conference, we can categorises three key actions to move forward:

 Greater networking  Strong unity  Meaningful and planned programs

The thoughts and ideas progressed at the conference have great potential in achieving future goals of the Newah community living abroad. In this juncture, this conference could be seen as a valuable milestone to achieve the common goal of Newah community on promoting, practicing and preserving Newah heritage.

Challenges and Conclusion

Organizing international level conference is not a plain work, especially when resources like man power, finance, organizational experience and time are short. The ever changing scenario, lack of proper coordination among stakeholders, timely communication and management knowledge has given the event organizers bit hard time. But the organizing committee became successful in accomplishing the conference in satisfied state. The evaluation forms received also reflects the success rate more than satisfaction.

But the organizers learned a lot from the conference which made the organizing committee members confident if need to organize another event of this level next time. This experience is only possible gain when you are in the field. If you are not organizing the program, you will never be able to gain the experience.

Ultimately, we are thankful to WNO for entrusting and giving us opportunity to conduct this conference. We believe that this conference has become successful to unite Newah people living in North America and around and creating network among them. The feedback from analysis also depicts the same. It is always our responsibility to promote and preserve Newah heritage around the world. The action we take to day take the shape of the future. So the action should be result oriented and satisfaction will be at your heart when you see the second generation is trying to transfer the heritage to their immediate generation. Let’s work together to see it happen.

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First North American Regional Conference of World Newah Organization Program Itinerary

PROGRAM OF THE DAY 1 September 01, 2017 FRIDAY, (5:00 PM – 10.00 PM) 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM Arrival/Registration: 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM Meet & Greet and Socialization 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM Updates from International and Local Delegates 08:300 PM – 10:00 PM Welcome Dinner (Newah Bhoye) ======PROGRAM OF THE DAY 2 September 02, 2017 SATURDAY, (9:00AM – 10.30 PM) Moderators: Ms. Elvisha Shrestha (English) & Mr. Uttam Makaju (Nepal Bhasa) 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM Breakfast: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Laskus Procession:

 10:45AM Arrival of VIP guests  11:00 AM Procession to program hall-All VIP and participants  11:05 AM Offering of hyaun sinha (tika) and hyaun kokha (red cloth), flowers to all VIP guests and participants  11:15 AM Conference information, Mr. Uttam Makaju, Vice President-CNG  11:20 AM Welcome speech: Mr. Prakash Lal Pradhan, President CNG  11:25 AM National Anthems: Canadian and Nepali by CNG youth members.

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 11:35 AM Call Chief and Special Guests to the stage. His Excellency Nepalese Ambassador to Canada Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Honorable MP Ms. Sonia Sidhu-Brampton South, WNO President, Mr. Season Shrestha, Prof. Tom O’Neil  11:45 AM Official opening of the conference by Joint Lightening of Traditional Twadewaas by Honorable Nepalese Ambassador Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, and VIP guests. (Music Mangala Dhun).  11:50 AM Inaugural speech : His Excellency Nepalese Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel  11:58 AM A few words: Honorable MP Sonia Sidhu, Brampton South  12:22 PM Speech: WNO President, Mr. Season Shrestha  12:30 PM Speech: NRNA Canada President, Mr. Gopi Krishna Kaphle  12:36 PM Speech: NCSA President, Dr. Hemanta Joshi  12:46 PM Release of conference souvenir "North American Newah" His Excellency Ambassador of Nepal Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, WNO President, Mr. Season Shrestha, Prof. Tom O’Neil, Dr. Hementa Joshi and Mr. Prakash Lal Pradhan.  12:55 PM Vote of thanks: Mr. Bimal Shrestha, General Secretary CNG  1:00 PM Closing of the opening ceremony: Mr. Season Shrestha, President WNO

01:00 PM - 2:00 PM Buffet Lunch: 02:00 PM – 4:30 PM Paper Presentation: Moderators: Mr. Daya Shakya, Mr. Uttam Makaju

 2:00-2:30 PM Joint paper presentation of Canadian Newa Guthi and Newa Cultural Society of Alberta: Mr. Bimal Man Shrestha and Dr. Hemanta Joshi  2:30-2:45 PM Why Newars are not active in politics and administrations in Nepal: Dr. Maheswor Baidya  2:45-3:00 PM Belonging in Canada:Nepalese Immigration in Greater Toronto Area: Dr. Tom O'Neill, Brock University, St. Catherine, ON  3:00-3:15 PM Why Study, Learn, and Teach Newar Language and Culture? Dr. Christoph Emmirich, University of Toronto, ON (paper presented by Mr. Alexander O’Neill, Ph.D. student)  3:15-3:30 PM Connecting dots of Newah Civilization, Mr. Pramesh Shrestha, eDaboo  3:30-3:45 PM WNO Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Mr. Daya Shakya , Senior Vice President WNO  3:45-4:00 Preservation of Newah Heritage Using Computer Animation: Mr.

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Sanyukta Shrestha, President, WNO UK Chapter  4:00-4:30 PM Few words from a representatives of various Newah Organizations in the US.  Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, President, Nepa Pasa Pucha Americaye  Mrs. Babita Shrestha, President Newah Organization of America.  Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha, Past president, Newah Organization of America  Mr. Bijaya Bajracharya, Secretary, United Newah USA  Mr. Narayan Somname, Past President, NOA Northern California Chapter

04:30 PM - 5:00 PM Networking / Socialization: 05:00 PM - 6:00 PM Recognition and Distributions of WNO life member certificates 06:00 PM - 7:00 PM Snacks break/Socialization 07:00 PM - 9:30 PM Cultural Program 09:30 PM - 10:00 PM Nepalese Buffet Dinner 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM Cultural program continue and DJ

======PROGRAM OF THE DAY 3 September 03, 2017 Sunday (9:00AM – 01:05 PM) 09:25 AM - 9:30 AM Gyanmala Bhajan: United Newah Band 09:30AM - 10:00 AM Newah Culture and Yoga: Mr. Anil Ranjit, A certified Yoga instructor at YMCA 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM “Thanan Gana?”: Brain Storming Session, Mr. Daya Shakya and all the participants 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Brunch 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Open session and Conference Declaration 1:05 Group Pictures and Bid Adieu

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Main Organizing Committee:

1. Prakash Lal Pradhan- Chairman Riddhi Pradhan 10. Suman Rajbanshi – Member 2. Uttam Makaju – Vice Chairman Yasoda Shrestha Shanti Makaju Karmacharya 11. Binod Shrestha- Member 3. Rabin Pradhan – Member Anu shrestha Aruna Pradhan 12. Nabin Shrestha -Member 4. Naresh Tamrakar – Member Indira Khadka Shrestha Mousami Tamrakar 13. Rodesh Shakya – Member 5. Rajendra Shrestha – Member HeraLaxhmi Shakya Neelam Shrestha 14. Rikesh Shrestha – Member 6. Subir Shrestha – Member Sumitra Shresha Anita Shrestha 15. Kiran Awal- Member 7. Rajen Shrestha – Member Asmita Shrestha Mery shrestha 16. Sobha Stapitha -Member 8. Sumesh Rajkarnikar- Member Birendra Stapitha Suman Rajkarnikar 17. Bimal Shrestha – Member-secretary 9. Surendra Lal Shrestha – Member Sabina shrestha Geeta Panta Shrestha

Registration Committee:

1. Suman Rajbanshi- Coordinator 4. Subir Shrestha 2. Binod Shrestha 5. Sumesh Rajkarnikar 3. Rodesh Shakya Publication and Advertisement Committee

1. Naresh Tamrakar – Coordinator 4. Kiran Awal 2. Uttam Makaju 5. Vishal Burathoki 3. Bimal Shrestha

Culture and Dance Committee

1. Uttam Makaju- Coordinator 3. Rikesh Shrestha 2. Surendra Lal Shrestha 4. Sanu Raja Maharjan

Food and Refreshment Committee:

1. Prakash Lal Pradhan – Coordinator 2. Rabin Pradhan 3. Rodesh Shakya 4. Binod Shrestha

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5. Rajen Shrestha

Master of Ceremony

1. Uttam Makaju – Newah Langugae 2. Elvisha Shrestha – English Language

Photo and Computer Editorial Assistant:

1. Nabin Maharjan 2. Suraj Byanjankar for Newah Language (Nepal) 3. Vishal Burathoki

Advisor

1. Mr. Season Shrestha- President WNO 2. Dr. Hemanta Joshi- President NCSA

Volunteers Artist

1. Silvia Shrestha - Kumari 2. Rajenedra Maharjan - Lakhe dance 3. Rajesh Maharjan - Lakhe dance 4. Biju Maharjan 5. Sabatina Shrestha 6. Elvisha Shrestha 7. Ayusha Pradhan 8. Rodesha Shakya 9. Ayushna Shrestha 10. Avis Shrestha 11. Sarbagya Shrestha 12. Rayan Shrestha 13. Surendra Lal Shrestha 14. Ram Shrestha 15. United Newah Band, Texas  Yusuf Shrestha  Prazol Maharjan  Bijaya Bajracharya  Pramesh Shrestha 16. Welcome song by CNG Executive members with spouse 17. Himalayan Vibes 18. Ms. Hema Chakhu

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Evaluation form First North American Regional conference of World Newah Organization Mississauga, Canada, Sept. 1-3, 2017

Organized by : World Newah Organization, Canadian Newa Guthi and Newa Culture Society of Alberta

Please circle in the right box.

1. Demographic info

A. Are you male or female? Male Female

B. Did you attend the conference with family (couple or with children)? Yes No

C. Are you from USA or Canada? USA Canada

D. Please circle your age group. 18-30 31-45 46-60 60+

E. Are you affiliated with Newah organization? If so please specify the name of the organization: …...... ……………………………………………………………………………

F. Is it your first participation of WNO Conference? Yes No

2. How did you register for the conference?

A. CNG website B. WNO website C. NCSA website D. other

3. Are you satisfied with the online registration system? Yes No If not, please specify your difficulty. ……………………………………….

4. Did you do hotel reservation? Yes or No

5. Are you satisfied with registration fee which covers all the meals of 3day conference?

Yes No. If not, please specify your concern………………………….

6. Did you attend all 3day program? Yes No

7. How do you rate the inaugural session along with the time length? Excellent, Good, Moderate, Worst

8. How do you rate the technical session and contents? Excellent, Good, Moderate, Irrelevant

9. Please check the box on time allocation for paper presentation. Enough, Moderate, Not enough

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10. How do you rate the cultural program? Excellent, Good, Moderate, Need to improve

11. What is your opinion about the food served during the conference period? Excellent Good Moderate, Need to improve

12. Out of all the sessions conducted during the conference, which session do you feel more meaningful and informative? Please specify………………………………………………..

13. To what extent has your participation at this conference increased your knowledge on Newah heritage? Please circle the number.

1 ( greatly increased) 2 3 4 5 ( No increase at all)

14. How do you rate the conference being successful in developing networking and uniting Newah people living in North America for further strengthening Newah heritage in North America?

1 (Greatly) 2 3 4 5 ( Not at all)

15. Are you attending upcoming WNO conference in near future? Yes No

16. How do you feel overall about the conference? Please comment on any session, event, items, management so that next conference would be more effective, result oriented and meaningful towards promoting, preserving and practicing Newah heritage in the world……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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List of Sponsors:

1 PASA TOUR 2 Chawla's since 1960 3 Everest Air Utilizer 4 Aero Nepal 5 Spectra Optical 6 Attrell Toyota 7 Air Zone Travel – USD 8 Physiotherapy First 9 Sandalwood Medical Pharmacy 10 Speedy Auto Body 11 The UPS Store 12 Rajan Shrestha 13 Himalayan Travel and Tours 14 JC LAW Professional Corporation 15 Season Enterpriess 16 Jimmy and Purna Shristy Ghimire 17 MDSVISA Immigration Services 18 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 19 Atul Subedi 20 Newa Cultural Society of Alberta 21 Geeta Pant 22 Hem Raj Pandey 23 Sagoon 24 Travel solution 25 Hakka Wow

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List of Participants:

1 Sharad Karmacharya 38 Anju Bista 2 Keepa Karmacharya 39 Rabin Pradhan 3 Daya Karmacharya 40 Aruna Pradha 4 Nabin Maharjan 41 Ayusha Pradhan 5 Bimal Shrestha 42 Krishna Dhoju 6 Prakash Pradhan 43 Maheswori Rajbhandari 7 Ridhi Pradhan 44 Birendra Sthapit 8 Shiva Gopal Shrestha 45 Shobha Sthapit 9 Situ Shrestha 46 Dinesh Singh 10 Shusen Shrestha 47 Pradeep Lal Shrestha 11 Suman Rajbanshi 48 Raj Kumar Mahat 12 Yasoda Shrestha 49 Rodesh Shakya 13 Keshab Shrestha 50 Sunil Manandhar 14 Kalpana Shrestha 51 Sarila Manandhar 15 Uttam Makaju 52 Sanil Manandhar 16 Krishna Malla 53 Anil Shrestha 17 Jyoti Vaidya 54 Shashi L. Shrestha 18 Sangeeta Dhaubhadel 55 Anshish B. Shrestha 19 Bidya Pandey 56 Heera Laxmi Sakya 20 Balram Pandey 57 Bipin Suwal 21 Nishan Pradhan 58 Rojina Suwal 22 Prajwal Lal Pradhan 59 Sagar Sinkhada 23 Sharmila Pradhan 60 Durga Satyal 24 Pratik Pradhan 61 Samina Sinkhada 25 Hemanta Joshi 62 Santa Rajbhandari 26 Lalita Joshi 63 Shanti Karmacharya Makaju 27 Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel 64 Asta Kuamri Tamrakar 28 Bejuna Joshi 65 Naresh Tamrakar 29 Anjala Shresth 66 Mousami Tamrakar 30 Pratima ( Anjala Shrestha) 67 Monsoon Tamrakar 31 Govind Rawat 68 Binod Shrestha 32 Sujan Shrestha 69 Anu Shrestha 33 Indira Shrestha 70 Avis Shrestha 34 Salata Pradhan 71 Ayushna Shrestha 35 Arun Kumar Pradhan 72 Deepak Shrestha 36 Kedar Shrestha 73 Krishna Bhandari 37 Noor Shrestha 74 Shauhard Bhandari

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75 Madhuri Newa 113 Krishna Kayastha 76 Muga Rajbhandari 114 Bina Pradhananga 77 Suprabha Shrestha 115 Hem Raj Pandey 78 Narandevi Shrestha 116 Suresh Rajaure 79 Bageswori Shrestha 117 Krishna Shrestha 80 Shiva Karanjit 118 Kalpana Shrestha 81 Sarita Shrestha 119 Ashish Shrestha 82 Sumesh Rajkarnikar 120 Amrit Shrestha 83 Suman Shree Rajkarnikar 121 Anuj Shrestha 84 Smriti Rajkarnikar 122 Giri Budhathoki 85 Tarak Nand Joshi 123 Khil Narayan Shrestha 86 Keshab Nand Joshi 124 Baba Shakya 87 Kiran Awal 125 Sangita Acharya 88 Asmita Shrestha 126 Elvisha Shrestha 89 Surendra Shrestha 127 Pranaya shakya 90 Geeta Pant 128 Rodesha Shakya 91 Laxmi Pant 129 Jasmine Rajbhandari 92 Nimesh Tamrakar 130 Tom O'Neil 93 Srijana Shrestha 131 Sabitri Bajracharya 94 Jayenti Devi Shrestha 132 Anil Singh Prajapati 95 Raju Shrestha 133 Buddha Prajapati 96 Luna Shrestha 134 Laxman Mandal Amatya 97 Rikesh Shrestha 135 Rajen Shrestha 98 Sumitra Shrestha 136 Rusmita Prajapati 99 Sarbagya Shrestha 137 Tulasingh Bhattachan 100 Subir Shrestha 138 Asha Rajak 101 Anita Shrestha 139 Anil Thapa 102 Sabatina Shrestha 140 Chinta Uprety 103 Sujeet Pradhanang 141 Durga Subedi 104 Govinda Ghimery 142 Hema Chakhun Shrestha 105 Jimmy Ghimery 143 Narayan Devi Shrestha 106 Purna Shristi Ghimery 144 Mina Kumari Shrestha 107 Yamuna Ghimery 145 Kristina Rajthala 108 Sharan Shrestha 146 Kristina Rajthala 109 Laxman K Shrestha 146 Baikuntha Man Shrestha 110 Renuka Sakha 147 Archana Rajbhandari Batajoo 111 Neelu Shrestha 148 Buddhi Prakash Oli 112 Sujan Shrestha. 149 Alexander O'Neill

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150 Hemanta Joshi 161 Yussouf Shrestha 151 Him Ranjit 162 Pramesh Shrestha 152 Rajesh Maharjan 163 Prazol Dangol ( Maharjan ) 153 Rajendra Maharjan 164 Saroj Prajapati 154 Sanyukta Shrestha 165 Krishna Prajapati 155 Anjana Shrestha 166 Jayambu Ranjit 156 Season Shrestha 167 Yogendra Jonchhe 157 Bhuban Krishna Shrestha 168 Anil Ranjit 158 Ram Gopal Shrestha 169 Mohani Kapali 159 Bhusan Lal Shrestha 170 Chitra Shrestha 160 Bijaya Bajracharya 171 Ram Lal Shtestha

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List of Executive member of Canadian Newa Guthi

1. Prakash Lal Pradhan - President

2. Uttam Makaju - Vice President

3. Bimal Mam Shrestha - General Secretary

4. Rabin Pradhan - Joint Secretary

5. Rajendra Shrestha - Treasurer

6. Shova Sthapit - Assistant Treasurer

7. Naresh Tamrakar - Public Relation Officer

8. Suman Rajbanshi - Executive Member

9. Surendra Lal Shrestha - Executive Member

10. Rajan Shretha - Executive Member

11. Sumesh Rajkarniakar - Executive Member

12. Subir Shrestha - Executive Member

13. Rodesh Shakya - Executive Member

14. Binod Shrestha - Executive Member

15. Rikesh Shrestha - Executive Member

16. Nabin Shreatha - Executive Member

17. Kiran Awal - Executive Member

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Pictures of the conference

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News covered by various media:

Nepal media views on "First North American Regional Conference of World Newah organization

Views on Nepal Media

Sunday, September 10, 2017 First North American Regional WNO Meet Held in Canada

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal

One and half year after Second World Newah Convention was organized in Baltimore, USA in March, 2016 by the World Newah Organization (WNO), the First North American Regional Conference of the WNO jointly hosted by Canadian Newah Guthi (CNG) and Newah Cultural Society Alberta (NCSA) was successfully held in Mississauga, Canada.

The fact that more than 200 distinguished Newah guests from different parts of North America and Europe took part in the regional WNO meet in Mississauga was a testimony that WNO is keeping the ball rolling for championing the cause of strengthening and uniting the Newahs across the world.

The First North American Regional Conference of the WNO was jointly inaugurated on September 2, 2017 at the Preet Palace Banquet Hall, Mississauga by Ambassador of Nepal to Canada, His Excellency Kali Prasad Pokhrel, and Member of Canadian Parliament Hon Ms. Sonia Sidhu, president of WNO Season Shrestha and Prof. Dr. Tom O'Neil by illuminating the traditional "Twadewa" (brass oil lamp). At the beginning of the program, the VIP guests were welcomed by Pancha Kanya with Dhimaya Baja music.

Delivering a keynote address, Ambassador of Nepal to Canada His Excellency Mr. Pokhrel highlighted the importance of Newah culture and heritage in shaping Nepalese identity and the contribution of Nepalese Canadians to preserve and promote Newah culture in Canada.

Likewise, Hon Ms. Sonia Sidhu expressed the view that the North American Newah conference would definitely help unite Newah people living in North America to preserve, promote and practice Newah cultural heritage.

Newah scholars, academicians and delegates from US, UK and Canada like: Dr. Maheswar Baidya, Prof. Dr. Tom O'Neil, Prof. Dr. Christof Emmrich, Pramesh Shrestha, Samyukta Shrestha presented their papers on promotion of Newah culture and heritage, multimedia, Nepalese immigrants scenario and so on, whereas host organizations representatives Bimal Shrestha and Dr. Hemanta Joshi threw light on the activities of their organizations to promote Newah culture in Canada.

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The three days long conference was focused on promotion and preservation of Newah culture and heritage.

Delegates had the opportunity to interact with the paper presenters.

Earlier, CNG president Prakash Lal Pradhan welcomed all conference delegates and special guests in the formal inaugural session.

The conference, with the theme of "Uniting Newah people and practicing, preserving and promoting Newah cultural heritage" concluded with four points "Mississauga (Toronto) Declaration 2017" addressing promotion and preservation of Newah culture and heritage, strengthening partnership among North American Newah organizations and stand in solidarity with "Save the Newah Valley Campaign."

The regional meeting was attended by WNO senior vice-president Daya Shakya, Newah Organization of America president Mrs. Babita Shrestha, Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye president Mrs. Saroj Prajapati and many more from US and Canada.

A special conference souvenir publication "North American Newah" was also brought out and released on the occasion. It was also decided to organize the Second North American WNO Regional Conference in the US.

According to the organizers of the conference, the main objective of the regional World Newah Organization meet is to unite Newah people living within the North American continent and abroad in order to promote and preserve Newah cultural heritage (culture, traditions, language, arts, cuisine, attire etc) for current and future Newah generations.

Newah people's demographic presence is already strong and effective in North America. The top priority of the WNO and other regional organizations like Newah American Dabu, Newah Organization of America, Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye, Canadian Newah Guthi and Newah Cultural Society Alberta should be to focus on uniting Newahs across the globe by preserving and promoting Newah culture, heritage and Nepal Bhasa.

nepalese.com/2017/09/145145.html http://www.imagekhabar.com/news/latest/society/27375

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