Annual Banbhoj-Picnic 2009

NSN organized its annual Banbhoj-Picnic at Het Buitencentrum located in an isolated forest at Overrassalt close to Nijmegen in the eastern part of the Netherlands on 15 and 16 August 2009. Banbhoj-Picnic has remained one of the most attractive events for Nepali-Dutch society in the Netherlands since past several years. As it was in the past, the picnic was a great opportunity for NSN members, friends and well-wishers to come together and relax with fun, music, games and Nepali delicacies and exchange their views. On the first day, besides other activities, an exceptional discussion program on the topic "Nepalese Migrants, the Government of the Netherlands and Development of Nepal" was held.

Discussion

Soon after the lunch there was a discussion on the topics ‘Nepalese Migrants, the Government of the Netherlands and Development of Nepal'. The discussion programme during the picnic was a new set in the picnic. The discussion was centered on the role of Nepali migrants and role of Dutch Government on Nepal's development. In addition, the discussion also focused on problems of Nepali migrants residing in the Netherlands. The NSN president Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha opened the discussion with welcome words and introduction to the topics. He expressed concern over the Dutch Government's policy towards Nepal as the Dutch Government did pay no attention to NSN's earlier appeal to reintroduce Nepal on the list of its development cooperation.In his written message, His Excellency Mr. Pramesh Kumar Hamal, the Ambassador of Nepal to EC appreciated the efforts of the Nepalese diaspora in the development of Nepal and promotion of Nepal in the country of their residence. Reminding the year 2010 as the 50th year of diplomatic relation between Nepal and The Netherlands, he expressed his optimism in persuading the Dutch Government to include Nepal on the list of countries, which receive direct bilateral aid from them.

Special guest at the event, Drs. Cas de Stoppelaar, Honorary Consul General of Nepal depicted a bleak picture regarding Dutch Government's assistance to Nepal as the Dutch Government is focusing its development assistance only in African countries. He, however, was positive about the efforts of the Dutch NGOs working on Nepal as they are engaged in many sectors in Nepal. He also highlighted the role played by individuals in Nepal's development and expressed necessity of enlarging trade relations between Dutch and Nepal's business houses.

Speaking on ‘Role of Nepali Migrants in Nepal's Development' Dr. Krishna Chandra Prasad, a senior lecturer at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education and Vice president of the NRN-NL said Nepali migrants residing in developed countries are in best position to help Nepal in its efforts of change and development. Although brain drain is a major challenge faced by underdeveloped countries like Nepal, he believes it a short-term phenomenon. He said, Nepal, though in transitional period, is showing many positive signs, which eventually attract non-residential Nepalis to return to their motherland. He emphasized the need of Nepal introducing double citizenship to attract investments from the non-residential Nepalis.

In his presentation, Dutch legal expert Ram Budhathoki highlighted about the new regulations related to immigrants in the Netherlands. He stressed the need of learning Dutch language by migrants for their smooth reintegration into Dutch society. Former secretary of the NSN, Kalsang Norbu Gurung said this kind of discussion program would help Nepali migrants in the Netherlands to understand their position in the country they reside and the role they need to play for their homeland. NSN Vice-President Mrs. Santi Tuinstra ended one and half hours long discussion with vote of thanks.

Food, sport and games

This year, people enjoyed a difference in taste with eating Nepali chyura (beaten rice) with choyala and alu achar as lunch in the picnic. Thanks to Tulasi who was able to pick up chyura from his brother who arrived to Hamburg, Germany from Nepal. This was the first occasion that we had chura during the picnic. Of course, everyone enjoyed eating Momo and barbeque later. The Momo workshop proved a memorable event for many as they learned making Momo with fun while having occasion of eating them at the same time.

Thanks to Bikram for the delicious Nepali food he carefully cooked. He was there as the chief cook, but many participants helped him preparing necessary ingredients to cook varieties of Nepali delicacies. Purna, as an experienced picnic organizer could not resist himself offering his helping hands for preparing things for cooking. Anu, Rita, Krishnahari, Bimala and her Nepali guests as well as Bikash and his Canadian girl friend and many others were there preparing ingredients for cooking.

Uttam and his team surprised people with a fun game when barbeque was about to ready. Hanging a bucket above a man's height with a rope between two trees, they let each participant walk turn-by-turn blindfolded towards the bucket to let them hit the bucket by a wooden stick. Interesting was to see the walking of the blindfolded persons with a stick in his or her hands targeting the bucket. Most of them failed to hit the target but two were successful to whom the NSN president gave away bronze made souvenirs from Nepal as prize. At the same time, a group of people was busy playing volleyball. Children were enjoying with other games they preferred. As the sportive activities were making progress people started enjoying barbeque. For vegetarians separate items were arranged. Dinner was ready around eight o'clock in the evening. Delicacies, such as bhedao masu (boiled lamb), musuri dal (lentil soup), alu kauli tarkari (mixed potato and caulis curry), golbhedako achar (tomato pickle), alu achar, basmati rice, vegetable salad, and choyala were displayed in a row on a long table. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks were served. Although there was some time gap between the dinner and the barbeque people were slowly moving toward the dinner table. Eating continued for hours as everyone chose his or her particular time. Every one was appreciating food varieties and taste.

Music and dances

Himchuli Cultural Group led by its coordinator Ram Budhathoki and its other members such as Binod and Bimala Shrestha started performing live Nepali music and dances soon after the barbeque. After the dinner, the environment turned more relaxed as many began participating in dancing and singing. Sitting around the campfire, series of songs and dances continued till late in the night. Nepali folk, pop, rock, remix, gajal and numerous Hindi songs were sung. With live songs, instruments such as guitars, madals and flute were played. As the night progressed music momentum picked high up. Many of them went to sleep only toward five in the morning.

The final day

Unwillingly people began waking up in the morning because most of them did not have enough sleep. Early in the morning, Ranju started washing up dishes that left behind unclean from yesterday and gradually others joined her. Not to let people miss the scheduled programs, Santi was keen to wake them up ringing a bell. She was seen walking in front of each sleeping hut and tents with "good morning" bell. Towards nine in the morning almost all people appeared ready for the breakfast. It was a perfect Dutch breakfast with Nepali styled tea, coffee, boiled eggs, cheese, selection of breads, fruits and juice. Soon after the breakfast each participants took part in cleaning the picnic spot, sleeping huts and bathrooms. Everyone was ready to carry out part of the duty they were assigned to. It was a marvelous example of collective work indeed.

It was a quiet morning on Sunday 16th August, but Himchuli artists started playing guitars, madals and singing melodious Nepali songs. They sang pop and rock but also remix, modern and folk songs. Falco prepared himself for taking some group photos of the picnic participants. Then, the President of NSN took the opportunity to thank all participants and laid some closing words before people would start dispersing. It was also kind of evaluation time of the picnic. All participants expressed their happiness about the successful picnic and promised to meet next year again with a fresh and different mood. Some still went for a jungle walk while other began to leave the picnic spot. When everybody left the  spot it was about one in the afternoon.

Sukarma Mesmerized the Audience in Amsterdam
Sukarma, a renowned folk-classical Nepalese musical outfit from Nepal presented a melodious musical event in Amsterdam on Saturday 27 June 2009.
During a two and half hour long program, Sitar player Dr. Dhurbesh Chandra Regmi, Sarangi player Shyam Nepali and tabala player Pramod Uapdhyay entertained the Dutch and Nepalese audience with a series of classical, semi-classical, folk and classical-mixed as well as some modern melodies. Sukarma the "good deeds" mesmerized the audience with many typically mixed classical and folk melodies. Intermittently Santosh Gurung joined them with a guitar. They also played some classical tunes such as "rajamati" upon the request of the audience.
Before the team started playing their instruments, Dr. Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi, the team leader explained meaning, mission and vision of the Sukarma. He elucidated how Sukarma is committed to ‘redefining classical-folk Nepalese music' by improvising music with the fusion of classical and folk tradition of Nepal. Dr. Regmi also provided a brief explanation of each piece of the music they presented there.
Welcoming guests in the program, Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha, the president of the Nepal Samaj Nederland (NSN) presented a brief introduction of the Sukarma and its team members. He also highlighted achievements of the Sukarma and importance of Sukarma's contributions in Nepalese musical tradition.
The event was concluded with words of vote of thanks from Ram Budhathoki, the Coordinator of the Himchuli Cultural Group. At the end of the program, the NSN president presented Sukarma members with Dutch souvenirs and T-Shirts with NSN logo. Audience was also seen making photos with the Sukarma team.
The Sukarma event Amsterdam was organized by Nepalese-Dutch organization the Nepal Samaj Nederland and the Himchuli Cultural Group (www.nepalsamaj.nl <http://www.nepalsamaj.nl> ). It is notable that the NSN has regularly been hosting Nepalese musical performances in the Netherlands since past several years.
The Sukarma is in musical journey through several European countries during this summer till early August. They already performed at several places in Germany before they arrived in the Netherlands. Sukarma would be performing at many places Belguim, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland in the coming days and weeks. According to Dr. Dhrubesh Regmi their tour in Europe is partially sponsored by Nepal Tourism Board and The Explore Nepal.

Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Samaj Nederland

The tenth annual general meeting of the NSN was held at the meeting hall of the Seva Network Foundation in The Hague on 4 April 2009. Dr Bal Gopal Shrestha, the President of the NSN, welcomed everyone in the meeting. Highlighting past and present activities of the NSN, he informed about the future course of the NSN. On behalf of the NSN, he also expressed gratitude to the INGOs and NGOs, which helped to realize several projects in Nepal, including the support to the flood victims of Sapta Koshi in 2008.

The out going General Secretary, Kalsang Norbu Gurung shared his experience and presented annual report of the NSN. NSN Treasurer, Nitu Shrestha presented the financial report of the year 2008 while Ganesh Simkhada presented audit report. Presenting brief a note on past activities of the Himchuli Culture Group, its coordinator Ram Budhathoki presented financial overview of the Group.

As the Vice-President Henk Hooghuis resigned from his post, a former NSN Vice-President Mr. Hari Poudel sought his nomination for the post. While the debate about the candidacy was going on Ms. Santi Tuinstra also proposed herself as a candidate for the same post. Finally, Mr. Poudyal withdrew his candidacy and Ms. Tuinstra elected as the Vice-President.

Mr. Rana Lama and Mr. Ganesh Simkhada elected unanimously as the General Secretary and the Activity Coordinator respectively. Similarly, Ms Renu Thapa and Ms Randy Dommerhalt elected as the editors of the Chautari, while Tulashi Amagain as the Public Relation Coordinator. The meeting also welcomed Mr. Krishna Hari Maharjan as a new executive member of the NSN.

The NSN President bade farewell to outgoing going General Secretary, Kalsang Norbu Gurung, Vice-President Henk Hooghuis and Chautari Editor Maarleen Vernhout. He also praised their outstanding contributions to the NSN during their tenure.

Many members presented at the general meeting also expressed their views. A reception was held at the end of the general meeting.

Following are the present board members of the NSN:

Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha, President,

Ms Shanti Tuinstra, Vice-President

Mr. Rana Lama, General Secretary

Ms. Nitu Shrestha, Treasurer

Mr. Ganesh Simkhada, Activity Coordinator

Mr. Tulashi Amagain, Public Relation Coordinator

Mr. Rameshwor Budhathoki, Himchuli Cultural Group Coordinator

Chautari Editors

Ms Renu Thapa and

Ms Ranju Dommerhalt,

Executive members:

Mr. Birkha Subba

Mr. Jum Gurung

Mr. Krishna Hari Maharjan

1 March 2009, 15.30 - 16.00hr and 7 March 2009, 11.25 - 11.55hr in Nederland 2

In deze uitzending o.a. aandacht voor het scheppingsverhaal vanuit het Hindoeïsme, de foto expositie India van Annlies Rigter, Nepali Samaj Nederland, we praten met schrijfster Lolita Soedamah, en we blikken nogmaals terug op Pravasi Bharatiya Divas dat onlangs in India plaatsvond.

http://www.ohmnet.nl/program.aspx?lIntEntityId=1225&lIntType=1

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Himals in Holland

by Mark Turin in Amsterdam

The Sixth Himalayan Film Festival at the Free University (VU) of Amsterdam on 14-15 February screened 50 films about the Himalaya to 2,200 visitors. The films went on non-stop from 9.30 AM to nearly midnight through the weekend with discussions and even a Himalayan arts and crafts fair.

The appetite for Nepal-related events seems to be insatiable in the Netherlands: Nepal Samaj Nederland (NSN), an association established by Nepalis in Holland, organised a one day Nepali film show and public discussion about immigration in Amsterdam a few days after the festival on 21 February.

Full news in http://www.nepalitimes.com.np/issue/2009/02/28/Review/15718

PM Dahal and NSN president

Donations for Koshi flood victims handed over to PM:

Tuesday, 28 October 2008, on behalf of Nepalese people residing in the Nethelrlands and friends of Nepal in the Netherlands the President of Nepal Samaj Nederland, Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha has handed over the sum of Nepali Rs. 300,300 (three hundred thousands and three hundreds Nepali rupees) that is equivalent to Eur 3,000 (three thousands euros) to the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachand" in written. As agreed in the letter, this donation will be transferred to the Prime Minister's relief fund to help the Koshi flood victims in Nepal. The donations have been collected from the individual donors and associations based in the Netherlands that include Nepal Samaj Nederland, Nepali Loktantrik Ganatantrik Morcha and Nepali Janajatiya Sarokar Manch in the Netherlands. The Seva Network Foundation, the Netherlands donated the larger amount to meet the above sum of the total amount. This meeting of the PM and Nepal Samaj Nederland president was also accompanied by Mr. Tulashi P. Amgain the chairman of Nepali Loktantrik Ganatantrik Morcha in the Netherlands and was taken place in the Prime Minister's office residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu.

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Friends of Sankhu informed the NSN president that the €3000 sent for the flood victims has been deposited in the PM relief fund last Monday, on 26 January 2009 as the office of PM instructed. The conversion of the Euros in Nepali rupees is 318,630 (three-hundred-eighteen thousands and six-hundred-thirty only) in total, that is more than that written in letter handed over to PM in October last year (i.e. Nepali rupees 300,300).