Nepali New Year
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 15 2013:
With a view to preserve Nepali culture, Nepali community of the State celebrated Nepali New Year Day at Upper Kalapahar yesterday under the joint aegis of the Nepali Sanskrit Suraksha Parishad, Manipur Branch and Andadeshwar Mahadev Dhang.
Speaking by the sidelines of the New Year Day celebration, Nepali Sanskrit Suraksha Parishad, Manipur Branch general secretary Mukti Gautam appealed to the State Government to extend benefits of Government programmes/policies to Nepali community too.
Tracing the genesis of Nepali settlement in Manipur, Mukti Gautam said that it was retired soldiers of Gurkha Regiment who first made their settlement at the foot of Koubru hill range at around 1900 with due permission of the then Manipuri king.
He said that Nepali community of the State deserves benefits of Government programmes and policies entitled to other minority communities.
Although Panchayati Raj system was established among Nepali community in the past 11 years, the system has been abolished last year .
In the meantime, the State Government has issued a gazette notification to club Nepali villagers under Autonomous District Councils.
Appealing to re-establish Panchayati Raj institutions in Nepali areas as they belong to the general tribe category, Mukti Gautam said that Nepalis would never be able to enjoy benefits any Government scheme under ADCs for they are not tribes.
Presentation of cultural dance and music was the main feature of the New Year Day celebration.