PM Deuba sees need of highlighting essence of Nepal Sambat

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has insisted that we all should work together to explore and promote the essence of Nepal Sambat, terming it as the original calendar of Nepal.

In his address to a ceremony organized by the Nepal Sambat Nhuda National Celebration Committee on the occasion of the Nepal Sambat 1143 at local Basantapur today, the Prime Minister said the Nepal Sambat is an indispensable part of Nepal's culture, history, and tradition and it deserves to be protected and promoted.  

"The use of Nepal Sambat should be promoted and made wider in the days ahead," he said.

It may be noted that the Nepal Sambat is a lunar used by the Newari people in Nepal and it was in official use mainly during the Malla regime.  Sakhwa is credited with initiating the Nepal Sambat and today marks the commencement of Nepal Sambat 1143.

Shankhadhar Sakhwa is honored for his contribution to making the people economically independent thus making them happier and free by liberating them from poverty and ending inequalities in society. He inspires us to give time to philanthropic works, according to the Prime Minister.   

As he said, we will be able to fight poverty, economic inequality, and destitution if we can take inspiration from Shankhadhar Sakhwa and there are combined efforts for the same.

He insisted on the need of rising above personal and partisan interests and to serving for the interests of the nation and people.

Prime Minister Deuba viewed that the annual grand cultural rally in Basantapur, Kathmandu organized on the occasion of Nhuda Day had propagated the contributions made by national luminary Sankhadhar Sakhwa.

The Prime Minister commended the efforts to sensitize the public about various aspects of the historical, practical, and cultural importance of Nepal Sambat.

Furthermore, he emphasized more creative works to be undertaken in the coming days regarding the national luminary Sakhwa and Nepal Sambat.

He opined that the use of Nepal Sambat became more widespread after it got national recognition following the success of the people's movement in 1990 and 2006.

The Head of the Government extended his gratitude to all those who promoted Nepal Sambat, honoring Sakhwa's contribution to fostering national unity, patriotism and contribution to the Nepali Society.

Shakhwa had initiated Nepal Sambat or calendar year in 937 BS (880 AD) by absolving the people of their debt during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghav Dev. The erstwhile government in 2056 BS (1999) announced Sakhwa as a national luminary in recognition of his contribution.

On the occasion of 1143rd Nepal Sambat, Prime Deuba wished health, peace, prosperity, and progress to all the Nepalis at home and abroad and energetic representatives of social organizations activities spreading positive messages about Sakhwa's contributions.

Similarly, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Balendra Shah assert underscored preservation of birthplace of national luminary Sakhwa and spoke of the need to establish his identity and glory.

Organizing Committee Chairperson Prof Dr Nareshman Bajracharya called for bringing Nepal Sambat into practical use in the wake of Nepal Sambat getting national recognition.

He demanded that Nepal Sambat be mentioned in Nepali currency and coins and Nepal Sambat Academy be established.
Present at the event were Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nepali Congress's leader Prakash Man Singh, former minister Rajendra Shrestha, deputy mayor of KMC Sunita Dangol among other distinguished guests.

A cultural rally organized on the occasion of Nepal Sambat in various places in Kathmandu Valley reached Basantapur and ended up with another grand cultural event.