WNO Proceeding Report Final Last
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
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 2 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 3 4 5 6 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. 8 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)