Toronto: World Newah Organization President Season Shrestha has said that Nepal Bhasa – also known as Newari – one of the popular and rich ethnic languages of Nepal, will soon come into the ambit of alpha langauges of Google Translate.
He said the language will be in endangered list if action is not taken action in time.
President Shrestha was speaking at the virtual Nepalese New Year Bikram Sambat 2078 celebration program organized by Canadian Newa Guthi. Shrestha further added that with the help of community members more than 75 perc ent of the work has been accomplished as required by Google and appealed to all community members to continue to help preserve the language.
Speaking at the program as a guest, Regional Councillor of Brampton city. Martin Medeiros, lauded Canadian Newa Guthi for carrying out activities to preserve Newah culture in Canada.
Councilor Medeiros thanked Guthi and Nepalese community for enriching the multicultural mosaic of Brampton and wished peace and prosperity for all on the eve of Nepalese new year.
Nepalese Canadian Heritage Center President Dr. Hari Gurung extended greetings to all and applauded Canadian Newa Guthi for reaching out to the Nepalese community and meeting their needs. Before the start of the program, Guthi’s General Secretary Bimal Shrestha delivered a welcome speech while Guthi’s President Prakash Pradhan highlighted Guthi’s community-oriented and inclusive programs.
Pradhan said he wished the next New Year event would be held in larger group in outdoor venue. Guthi’s Secretary Dr. Prajwal Pradhan throwing light on the history of Bikram Sambat said that some of the Indian states also celebrate New Year on the same day.
Secretary Pradhan mentioned that Bikram Sambat was started by king Bikramaditya of Ujjain, India. Guthi’s Vice President Uttam Makaju said that Newah festivals and foods are closely connected with the environment, climate and health.
“During this New Year day, Newah community observes “Khai Salhu” in which people drink a special kind of bitter soup, believing it will avert diseases caused by the hot season,” Makaju said.
Ranjana and Amar Sainju rendered an auspicious tune on the Sitar and Murchunga. At the end of the program local artists entertained guests with songs and instrumental music..