NORTH CAROLINA:- Nepal Day was celebrated with grandeur in Morrisville, North Carolina on Saturday. This is the 10th edition of Nepal Day organized by the Nepal Center for North Carolina (NCNC), a joint organization of Nepalis in North Carolina. The organizing organization has stated that about 3,000 people attended the Nepal Day.
The event has been held every year since the Town of Morrisville, Apex, Cary, Hollisping and Wake County declared the third Saturday in April as Nepal Day. “For those of us who come from Nepal, it’s an opportunity to see Nepal outside of Nepal, and I’m very happy to see this event,” said Kishor Poudel, who recently returned from Nepal.
Former NCNC President RP Poudel and senior litterateur Dr. Rishi Bastakoti also expressed happiness over the grand event. Due to migration, North Carolina has now become a preferred destination for Nepalis.
At the event, representatives from the cities of Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Hollyspring openly praised Nepal and the unique culture of Nepalis. Speeches were delivered by North Carolina Representative Eleni Marshall, Town of Carey Representative Sarika Banshal, Morrisville Town’s TJ Cowley and Satish Garimela, Apex Town’s Jack Gilbert, and Hollyspring’s Mike Kondraticleides. Earlier, a congratulatory speech was read by U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross.
Counselor of the Nepali Embassy, Aruna Ghising, said that such programs are important as they help connect the art, language, culture, traditions and costumes of our country. Dr. Bikash Shakya, Chairman of the 10th Nepal Day Celebration Committee and former Chairman of NCNC, said that such programs will play an important role in preserving the original Nepali culture among children, and informed that currently about 10,000 Nepalis are living in this area.
At the event, eight deserving students who are about to enter college were awarded scholarships worth $3,100 each, awarded annually by the Susan and Parita Education Foundation. On the same occasion, the novel Rajmata, recently released in Nepal by renowned writer Neelam Karki Niharika, was also launched. On the occasion, along with a musical program, stalls showcasing Nepali food and Nepali attire, art and culture were also set up.
