The Nepalese community living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada observed International Mother Language Day 2017 amidst a cultural event at Lansdowne Community Hall on Saturday February 25, 2017. The cultural event was organized by Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a local organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa language, culture and traditions.
The cultural event was inaugurated by Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, lighting up the Panas, a mini traditional artistic oil lamp of Nepal. Meanwhile, February 21 is marked as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO and international communities to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This year’s International Mother Language Day theme is ‘Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education’.
Welcoming the guests in the cultural event, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, spoke about the importance of celebrating International Mother Language Day to acknowledge languages of the world including Nepal Bhasha spoken by Newa ethnic group of Nepal. According to him, UNESCO emphasises on learning in minimum three languages (mother tongue or ancestral language, regional or national language, and international language) to achieve the sustainable development goals. He also stressed the need for protecting and preserving all the endangered languages of the world, including Nepal Bhasha, from possibility of extinction.
Mr. Naba Raj Adhikari, President of Nepalese Canadian Society of Edmonton (NECASE), spoke about importance of language and said that parents themselves should take responsibility in educating their children in mother tongue at home in order to preserve their language, culture and heritage. Dr. Ai Gurung, past president of NECASE, also spoke about the need for educating children in their mother tongue besides national and international languages to preserve unique culture and traditions.
On the cultural event, Mr. Birendra Kayastha, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, Dr. Ai Gurung, Ms. Subhadra Adhikari, Ms. Mamta Mandal, Ms. Sanuki Rai, and Ms. Bigul Pokharel recited poems in their mother languages. Dr. Ai Gurung entertained the participants presenting beautiful melodies in the flute. A quiz was also conducted to promote awareness of International Mother Language Day among audiences. Dr. Kishor Shrestha, Secretary of the NCSA, thanked all for their active participation in the cultural event. The cultural event was facilitated by Mr. Birendra Piya, Executive Member of NCSA. Light refreshment was served at the end of the cultural event.
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