Namaste 2009 Contents

Namaste – NNZFS Annual Newsletter 1

Nepal New ZealandFriendship Society

Introduction

NNZFS

was established in 1998 AD withactive support from the New Zealanders.Since then, it has been running byNepalese and New Zealanders living inCanterbury. The society aims to introduceand promote Nepalese cultures andtraditions in New Zealand. The societykeeps in contact with local government andmembers of different ethnic communitiesof Canterbury.NNZFS was formally registered under theIncorporated Societies Act 1908 on the19

th

of December 2002.Currently, it has about 150 registeredmembers. The society always welcomesnew people, who want to be a part of it.

Objectives

•

To promote mutual support andcooperation between individuals of Nepalese descendant on matters of common concerns.

•

To promote social harmony andunderstanding among all members.

•

To promote educational, sporting,arts and business activities.

•

To provide community services toall society members and liaise withgovernmental and non-governmental organisations.

•

To introduce and promote Nepalesesocial and cultural heritages.

•

To promote friendship and contactswith other Nepalese societies withinNew Zealand.

•

To interact with other ethnic bodies.

•

To carry out other social activities.

•

To keep alive Nepalese cultures byorganising various programs.

•

To support Nepalese people facingproblems from natural calamities.

Regular Activities

•

Take part in variouscultural programs organised bylocal city councils and ethniccommunities.

•

Hold Nepalese languageteaching classes for children.

•

Organise Nepalese New yearprogram.

•

Organise programs to celebrateNepalese festivals includingTeej, Dashain and Tihar.

•

Organise family get-togethers,welcome and farewell programsfor new coming and out-goingmembers.

•

Take part in Global FootballFestival.

•

Run “Namaste Nepal” - a Nepaligenre musical FM program - atChristchurch based communityradio Plains FM 96.9 MHz,weekly 8:00pm on Monday.

•

Publish an annual newsletter –NAMASTE on the occasion of theNepalese New Year.

Membership

Any person of Nepalese descendanthaving resided in New Zealand for morethan 3 months and over the age of 15years is eligible for membership.Any other New Zealander not of Nepalesedescendant, who accepts the objectives of the society, may become a member. Theapplication would be accepted in written.This needs to be proposed andrecommended by at least two members of the society.

NNZFS Diary 2008/ 2009

The Society has taken part in differentsocial and cultural activities organised byCity Council and successfully organisedvarious functions and get-togethers itself.The major events organized by theSociety in the last year (2008/2009) can

Namaste – NNZFS Annual Newsletter 2

be recalled as following.

1.

The society organised a welcomeprogram

“Bhetghat Karyakram”

to theNepali-descendant Bhutanese migrantsand its members on 23rd of August 2008at the Hei-Hei community hall.

2.

Mr. Kamal Nepali, a little boy fromNepal, who rescued a two and half yearsold girl from a deep gorge of Seti River,Pokhara on June 25, 2008, was awardedby the society’s certificate of bravery. Mr.Sudan Panthi, on behalf of the society,awarded the certificate during his visit toNepal.

Kamal Nepali receiving his bravery certificate.

3.

His Excellency Ambassador Mr.Yogendra Dhakal has visited Christchurchon 1 October 2008. The society organiseda welcome program, presented the issuespresently faced by Nepali immigrants andalso made recommendations for futureimprovements.

HE Mr. Yogendra Dhakal addressing a get-together program at Maori Hall, Lincoln Univ.

4.

The society organized on the 1

st

of January 2009 English New Year at MaoriHall, Lincoln University.

5.

The society effectively participated inthe program “Taste of Everest” organisedby the society’s Patron Mark Inglis on the6th of March 2009.

A Short Story

…………………………

Hope

I met him during one of my regular tripsto “Devghat”. He looked surprisingly fit forhis age. In his late seventies he waswalking faster than me, “almost running”. ‘I used to have “ek mana ghee” every daywhen I was adult’, he said with a visiblepride. Daily walk across the hangingbridge of Devghat and back was his wayof getting fit and releasing the hassles of life. “I have always been mesmerized by theserene beauty of Devghat”, he said. “Youknow, this roaring Kali-Gandaki and thatquiet Trishuli always remind me of passion and realities of life. That is why Icome here every morning to contemplatelife with every drop of water that flows inthis river”, he suddenly became poetic. “I have always been very passionateabout life”, he said. Born in a farmingfamily somewhere in the hills of westernNepal, he didn’t go to school. He wasbusy helping his father manage theeveryday needs of their joint family. It

Namaste – NNZFS Annual Newsletter 3

was only after he got married (“arrangedmarriage”, of course) to a daughter of anearby “Pundit” clan, he realized that heneeded to get some education. Being aBrahmin, he could always be a “Pundit” if he could get some basic Sanskriteducation. And he left home.Devotees were bathing passionately in thespot where Kali-Gandaki and Trishuli rivermerged. “You know, these people reallybelieve that they can wash-away their sinsby merely bathing in this junction”, hesaid with a painful smile. He had beenliving in a riverside hut of Devghat sincefive years. His two sons were in “Amrika” (America) and were “too educated to lookafter him”. “You know, I did come homeafter getting education in Banaras”, hesaid. After all, I had to look after my agedfather and mother. If I wanted, I couldhave stayed in Banaras and become apolitician, and who knows I could haveeven become a “Mantri” (Minister). Andthere was always “the big Ganga” to washaway my sins, he smiled. “But, I knewwhat my priorities were”, he said. Beingthe only Sanskrit educated in his villagehe became a famous “Pundit” veryquickly. At last, he could go to hissasurali (“in laws house”) with pride.The plight of not being able to live with hischildren and grandchildren had saddenedhim deeply. “It hunts me every night, youknow”, he said. “I don’t know what makesthem forget everything”, he murmured. “Is it that ‘languti laauney aaimai’ (thatbikini clad girl)?” I saw anger in his eyes.One of his sons was living with an “Amrican” girl; he had seen them inphotos. His other son was too busy ekinglivelihood for his family in Amrika. “Youknow, I miss my “nata-nati” (grandchildren)”, his eyes moistened. “Itoo worked hard to raise my family. “Evenafter the death of Radhika (my wife), Inever let them feel that they didn’t have amother”. “I gave them the education theyneeded”. “I never forgot my roots”.Despite the state of affairs he expressedhopes. The bigger hope of humanity,tranquility and peace. The small hopethat one day he would be able to hug hisgrandchildren, play with them, and takethem to nearby “Mandir” (Temple). Thehope that one day he does not have touse his ailing hands to prepare a meal forhimself. The small hope that after his “Nitya Karma” (Brush and Toilet) everymorning, there is always a hot “Chiya” (acup of tea) ready for him. It is this hopethat keeps him alive. Waiting for theday….- Govinda Poudel

Nepali Gorkhali Football Team

This year’s Global Football Festival (GFF)2009 went pretty well. We didn’t win anygames but we all the players and thesupporters had a great time again. It waswet start with some drizzles. But thanksto Murray – for bringing a giant gazebothat roofed us and helped to dry footballgears. We are pleased to have a lot of extra players. We played 3 games onSaturday. The first one was against theAfghans it was a close game lost by 3-2.Second was with Japan we lost badly 5-0.We had beaten them 4-2 in a friendlygame though. Third one was with FijiIndian which we lost by 5-1. That was avery interesting game. We attempted alot of shots on the goal post but missed byfew inches every time. It was one of thebest games of the whole festival. It wasfun on Saturday games. The weather wasnice & warm. We had BBQ with some nice

Aachar

and

Chiura

. Thanks to all the