Nepalese living in various parts of the United Kingdom have welcomed the New Year 2066 organising various cultural and social programmes wishing for peace, progress and prosperity in Nepal.
Greater Reading Nepalese Community Association (GRNCA) organised a get together at Community Hall in London Road to mark the occasion just two days before the New Year 2066.
A large number of Nepalese living in Reading, London and surrounding areas attended the programme which continued for more than 6 hours.
Nepalese traditional dance representing various ethnic communities of Nepal, Nepali folk, modern and pop songs were sung by Nepalese artiste on the occasion.
Small children, students, youths and elderly people all joined hand together to celebrate the New Year. Bhajan was recited by Dipak Chalise and Krishna Neupane read out poem wishing the environment of peace, consolidation of democracy and economic prosperity of Nepal at the programme.
Traditional Nepali foods were served and dance continued until midnight. The attraction of the programme was that some UK nationals were present in Daura Suruwal and cap, Nepali national dress.
GRNCA also felicitated Dr Sitaram Basnet, who has completed PhD on gender issue of Nepal, from the University of Reading this year.
Speaking on the occasion, president of the GRNCA Mahesh Gurung wished that the New Year will be a year of peace and democracy in Nepal. He stressed the need of unity among the Nepalese living in the United Kingdom.
General Secretary of the GRNCA Kirti Pant and artistes Bhimsen Khadka, Pushpa Dahal, Rubin Shrestha among others presented their views and songs on the occasion. It is estimated that about 5,000 Nepalese mostly ex Gurkhas, highly skilled migrants and students live in Greater Reading area.
Similarly, a programme was organised by Yeti Association in Alperton, London. A large number of Nepalese living in various parts of the UK including officiating ambassador Jhabindra Aryal, president of the NRN UK Dambar Ghale and representatives of various political, cultural and ethnic organisations attended the programme.
A disgruntled group led by Umesh Moktan, who was defeated in the election of Yeti Association last year, staged a peaceful demonstration with placards outside the venue demanding the fair review of the election.
Likewise, Nepalese Nursing Association, UK organised a cultural programme on the eve of the New Year at Copland School, Wembley, and London. Nearly 500 people attended the attractive cultural programme. There are a large number of Nurses working in the United Kingdom.
Singers Om Pradhan, Sarmila Bardewa and a host of others presented the songs amidst the dancing of youths on the occasion. There are reports of celebration of the New Year in Farnborough, Folkestone, Plumstead, London, Richmond, North Yorkshire, Manchester, Peterborough, Aldershot, Swindon, Maidstone, Scotland and other parts.
The exact figures of the Nepalese is not available, it is estimated that around 100,000 Nepalese live in various parts of the United Kingdom and most of them are ex Gurkhas, students, highly skilled migrants, doctors and nurses.
News by Chiranjibi Paudyal
Photos by Ashish Rijal
No comments:
Post a Comment