bishnu@blog

BN° 009

Happy New Year: Nepal Sambat, Rastria Sambat !

Today, basically people in Kathmandu Valley marked new Nepali Era Nepal Sambat 1129.  This Era is based on lunar calender and started 1129 years befor when a person known as Shankhadhar Saakhwa paid back loan of Kathmandu’s poor.

This day was celebrated different ways since 4 decades. I myself has been participating since 25 years. At those days, we were maximising the celebration as a Day for Protest against the then autocratic rulars. And demand was Nepal Era should be recognised as National Era instead of Bikram Era.

This year new government fullfill this long due demand equating Nepal Sambat with Bikram Sambat. Bikram Era is 57 years ahead than AD and Nepal is using this caleneder  to run the adminstration unlike other countries of the world. There should some how victorious celebration as I was expecting. However, it was poor how, too formal… I felt No life in morning’s procession. I surely surprising thing for me.

Celebrating Nepal Sambat has different meaning for me and my team. Every year we few people from GEFONT were marking this morning with a typical event. While celebration cmpletes, GEFONT present day principal secretary Kabindra used to offer us traditional bread.. the Malpuwa, Sel and Haluwa.  He had had very unique style; buying things some where but offering us those in some ones house. We used to suddenly visiting (as unwanted guest) to the local collegues house and explained why we were there! At that time I guessed.. the host was surely feling embarrasment! However, we notorious guys were continuing it till last year! Our circle was regularly expanding, even some senior leaders of UML had joined in!

It is pity, this year Kabindra Dai failed join us due to his family commitment. Our group even reduced to a slim size!Binda was in Europe, some other were lost somewhere….

However, we didn’t gave up the tradition. Perhaps it is the culture!! We select Binod- GEFONT Secretary General in Kabindras’ role and again enjoyed malpuwa, Sel and ... that is Tea!!

Thank you Binod!