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An exhibition of Buddhist teaching and culture
An exhibition of Buddhist teaching and culture was organised by Ealing Education Department as a part of education programme to school children of the borough. It took place from 22nd June 1998 for a fortnight at Acton College, Ealing, London. Thirteen countries and Buddhist organisations in the UK took part in the exhibition, including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Myanmar, Friends of Western Buddhist Order, Buddhist Society (UK), etc.
The opening ceremony was attended by about 200 foreign and local dignitaries, and guests from different countries and organisations. Nepal was represented by Royal Nepalese Ambassador His Excellency, Dr. S.B. Basnyat, Yeti, Nepal Kingdom Foundation (UK), Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK), Sagarmatha Times, etc..
The ceremony started with lightning of traditional lamps, followed by welcome speeches. Afterwards the guests were taken around the exhibition and served with refreshment kindly provided by different communities participating in the exhibition.
Nepal had displayed certain aspects of Buddha’s teaching and Nepalese culture in a room shared with India due to lack of space. Above all it was successful in emphasising that Buddha was born at Lumbini, in the present day Nepal.
The Chairman of the organising committee, Dr Vajiragnana, corrected his earlier mistake in his speech when he said Buddha was Indian, by repeating to the audience before the end of the ceremony that ‘Nepalese, Buddhist as well as non Buddhist are proud of the fact that Buddha was born at Lumbini in Nepal. It is only right that they should feel proud of this fact.’
Talk on Hindu Vidyapith
Yeti, the Nepalese Association in UK, organised a talk of Hindu Vidyapith, Kathmandu at Trade Union Hall, Acton on 28th June in honour of the Principal of the Hindu Vidyapith, Kathmandu Shree C.M Yogi.
Dr. Bihari Lal Shrestha, the founder President of the Hindu Vidyapith, Kathmandu highlighted on the Vidyapith and Shree C.M Yogi. Shree C.M Yogi in his talk said that the students in the Vidyapith are educated on ancient way of life with stress on religious and cultural importance of Hinduism which helps to make a good citizen in the society. Shree Yogi also said that the Vidyapith has opened a branch in UK. He requested the Nepalese in UK for open support with financial help for construction of school and hostel of the Vidyapith in Nepal.
Royal Nepalese Ambassador, Dr. S.B. Basnyat, Counsular Mr P.K. Prasai, Yeti President Dr. R.P. Dhital, Nepalese Literature Development Council President Mr. I. Manandhar were also present in the program.
Activities of NKF
- Chairman Mr Padma Shrestha and Joint- Secretary Mr Mahanta Shrestha of Nepal Kingdom Foundation attended a lunch meeting organised by Ealing Chamber of Commerce to honour the newly elected Mayor of Ealing.
- The Nepal Kingdom Foundation have received two separate appreciation letters from Royal Nepalese Embassy and Mayor of Reading for the initiation and organisation of the historical International Friendship Day.
- The NKF attended a conference on multi-cultural Europe at Royal Commonwealth Society representing Nepal. It was attended by 250 delegates representing various organisations from various countries.
- His Holiness T Shakya will deliver sermon on Buddhism and daily life at Reading Town Hall on 20th August. The tickets are available from NKF office, Tel: 01189-500-255.
- In collaboration with other organisations of Reading, the NKF presents live entertainment and buffet dinner on 30th August in aid of 'The Oxford Road Community Centre'
- The video film on International Friendship Day is now available at £10 from NKF office.
Activity of NLDC
Nepal Literature Development Council, UK is to celebrate Bhanu Jayanti on 23rd July at Trade Union Hall, Acton. The NLDC has requested all literature loving people to participate in Bhanu Jayanti with their literature to make Jayanti a great success.
Activities of NAA
- The Nepalese Artist's Association is to organise a cultural show during Nepal Doctor's Association's AGM on 25th July.
- NAA has organised a summer outing to Bournemouth on 9th August at the cost of £15. The coach is to leave at 8AM from Ealing Broadway station.
Activities of Himalayan Yeti
- The Manchester City Council has informed Himalayan Yeti (HY) about the inclusion of Nepalese Himalayan Festival in their annual celebrations as the appreciation of Nepalese Art and Culture.
- The communications medias of UK and Nepal made extensive coverage of The Nepalese Himalayan Festival.
- HY has extended its gratitude to all concerned for their unqualified support to make the festival a great success.
- HY is still struggling to overcome the expenses made during the festival in-spite of financial supports from different sources.
- The summer outing was organised at Heaton Park on 21st June in coordination of Mr Rajendra Basnet. The outing was participated by huge numbers of Nepalese families.
- The Dashain and Tihar festivals are to be celebrated on 18th October 1998 at Chesterfield. All Nepalese are invited to participate free of charge. Mrs Nirmala Shrestha is the coordinator of the festival celebration committee.
- The second Euro-Tour 1998 to Rhinelang, Prague and Vienna is to be organised from 22nd-30th August. The interested are requested to contact the Cultural Secretary Mr Shobhan Amatya, Tel : 0161 442 9012.
- Former President, Dr Prem Hamal (Tel 01924 258 347) or General Secretary, Mrs Shaila Joshi (Tel 0161 749 9573) may be contacted until August 1998 for the Institutional matters.
Activities of NDA
The Nepalese Doctor's Association (NDA) is celebrating their 13th Annual Convention from 24th-26th July with various important programmes at Avery Hill Campus, The University of Greenwich.
24th July :
- Program starts 3pm onwards.
- Family forum : Talk by Dr. Kamal Raunier on Origin of Nepalese culture.
- Cultural Programme by Nepalese Artists organised by Dr. G.M. Sherchan
25th July :
- Program starts 9am onwards.
- Medical Exhibition
- Scientific Session
- AGM
- Ladies Programme - Teej Dance
- Childrens Programme - Various competitions.
- Demonstration by Khagendra Nepali on BBC Nepali programme to be tuned in UK.
- Annual Dinner : Royal Nepalese Ambassador, Dr. S.B. Basnyat and HRH Jotshana Basnyat
will be the chief guests.
- Chief Speaker, Dr. Neil Weir ENT Specialist and Surgeon will deliver a speech.
- Cultural Programme by Nepalese Artist's organised by Dr. G.M. Sherchan with courtesy of
Nepalese Artists Association.
26th July :
- Financial Programme by Allied Dunbar.
- Sight-Seeing including Millenium Dome.
- Conclusion
