Mississauga: Newah people residing around Greater Toronto Area marked “6th World Newah Day” with a grand program recently.
Canadian Newa Guthi organized a community event in Mississauga. The program was inaugurated jointly by lighting the ceremonial Newah lamp “Twadewa” by Ms. Ranjana Sainju, Dr. Riddi Pradhan along with other members of Guthi’s Women’s group. Welcoming the guests, Guthi’s Treasurer Rajendra Maharjan illustrated the importance of preserving Newah culture and its legacy in diaspora too.
Guthi’s board director Dr. Krishna Kayastha cited a poem reflecting preservation of Newah culture, importance and responsibilities of community members. Nepalese Canadian Cricket Club President Er. Kiroj Shrestha expressed his happiness to be a part of 6th World Newah Day celebration and greeted all on the eve of this day. Guthi’s life and octogenarian member Laxman Muni Shrestha urged on preservation of language by practicing among young generation to keep the culture alive.
Presenting special talks about Newah house building technology, Guthi’s board director Dr. Prajwal Pradhan apprised that the technologies used by Newah community in building houses and heritages had been complied with science, structure and sustainability since very long time. Speaking specifically about the “Tunasi” a wooden rafter or tympanon, used in Newah house and temples, Dr. Pradhan said that it bears not only load but also help resist earthquake and it carries more spiritual, tantric and aesthetic values too.
Delivering keynote speech, Guthi’s Vice President Uttam Makaju explained that food, festivals, tradition and technologies of Newah people are always closely associated with science and environment. Besides these facts, the leaf plates and bowls, Newah people has been using in the big feasts since time immemorial, are totally eco friendly stuff. The plates and bowls used by Newah people, botanically belonging to Shorea Robusta Gaertn, has medicinal, social, economic values and does not deteriorate the ecology after its use. Mr. Makaju further added that using these plates and bowls help keep the original tastes of food intact whether sour, hot, spicy or salty, avoiding chemical reaction like in metal utensils.
Guthi’s Secretary Suman Rajbanshi expressed thanks to all participants and volunteers for making the event a grand success. At the program, an open quiz was conducted on Newah heritage, culture, festivals, language and songs with prizes to winning individuals. Concluding, guests were entertained with songs and dances by Guthi’s artists.