TORONTO: Canadian Newa Guthi’s executives, who travelled to Nepal recently, visited “ Jyapu Samaj Yala”, a community organization dedicated to preserve and promote unique art, culture, traditional way of life and heritage of Newars of Lalitpur and later talked about bilateral cooperation between the two organizations.
Speaking at the reception program organized by Jyapu Samaj Yala (JSY), chief guest Member of Parliament Prem Maharjan thanked all the Newah communities residing abroad for their incessant act to preserve Newah culture and language. MP Maharjan also praised Jyapu Samaj Yala for their outstanding works to preserve unique Newah culture in blend with the community.
Speaking at the program Jyapu Samaj Yala’s senior Vice President Santa Man Maharjan threw light on the various activities including language preservation, festival management, revival of extinct local festivals, opening of Jyapu museum and so on.
Presenting a brief introduction about Jyapu Samaj Yala, Secretary Ms. Sarita Maharjan illustrated various programs conducted by JSY including seniors home, youth empowerment training, traditional music & dance training, scholarship program and so on. Ms. Maharjan also expressed her worry about the sinking presence of Newah people in the core area of the city as a threat to Newah culture.
At the program World Newah Organization’s Vice President Ms. Rajani Pradhan, who resides in Belgium, said that the Newah culture related activities along with women empowerment program were being carried out in Belgium where as Ms. Shreeya Maharjan of Denmark and Ms. Asmita Tamrakar of Germany stated that programs are conducted in their respective countries.
Canadian Newa Guthi’s Vice President Uttam Makaju reiterated the need of transforming the Newah culture and traditional skills among young generation. VP Makaju also emphasized on the need of involving in main stream of the residing countries to help publicize unique Newah culture. Guthis’ General Secretary Bimal Shrestha presented a brief account of activities by Canadian Newa Guthi and opined to conduct programs jointly.
At the beginning of the program guests were welcomed by offering traditional Khada where as at the end of the program guests were served with “Samyabaji”, popular Newah set of balanced food. Mr. Ian Turner who is doing his Ph.D. in Newah Buddhism from Toronto University was also present in the event. Later the team visited the Jyapoo museum managed by JSY.
