Kathmandu, Nov 14: President Ram Chandra Paudel has extended his best wishes to the people from Newar community on the auspicious occasion of the ‘Nepal Sambat 1144’. On the occasion, he paid tribute to philanthropist Sankhadhar Sakhawa, who liberated the Kathmandu Valley residents from debt, initiating the Nepal Sambat calendar.
The President stated that Sankhadhar Sakhwa’s action is exemplary in each society. Stating the festivals that are celebrated in Nepal have contributed to building a civilized society and promoting social tolerance, the President described the Nepal Sambat as the ‘original calendar’ of Nepal.
The Nepal Sambat commences on the first day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik. The celebrations are especially observed in Kathmadu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Dolakha. Expressing his hope that the Nepal Sambat would help promote mutual goodwill, tolerance and national unity, the Head-of-the-State extended his wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to among Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad, on this special occasion.
Nepal Sambat to contribute in mutual goodwill: VP Yadav
Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav expressed his confidence that Nepal Sambat would contribute in fostering tolerance, fraternity, friendship, sense of belongingness and mutual goodwill.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1144 today, VP Yadav wished for peace, prosperity, good health and progress to all Nepalis sisters and brothers at home and abroad.
The VP in his message said, “I would like to highly regard and recall Shankhadhar Sakhwa from the bottom of my heart for relieving the farmers and impoverished people of the Kathmandu Valley off debt and freeing them of slavery there creating a favorable environment for them to live a dignified life with freedom.”
He commended the incomparable contributions of Shankhadhar Sakhwa for peace-building in the country and increasing freedom and dignity of the Nepalis.
Stating that ‘Unity in diversity’ was our unique culture and identity, he argued that the festival would inspire us to further unite and work dedicatedly in the development of the country. He also wished that this festival would aid in further strengthening national unity, geographical integrity and sovereignty. “We should highly honour the contributions of national luminary Shankhadhar for the welfare of the society as well as for the progress of the country with selflessness and philanthropic sentiments.”
“I would like to wish you all on the occasion expressing my confidence that the Nepal Sambat 1144 would motivate all of us to imbibe the values carried by him such as good conduct, good path and integrity,” reads the message.
Sakhwa’s role in social justice history memorable: PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the role played by Shankhadhar Sakhwa, the legendary Nepali philanthropist and founder of Nepal Sambat, in Nepal’s history of social justice was memorable.
In a message today on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1144, PM Dahal mentioned that Sakhwa was progressive social campaigner and promoter of Nepal Sambat. Born in Newar community, Sakhwa’s contribution for entire nation and uniqueness was inspiration for all, he said, adding the campaigner of the campaign of absolving the people of their debt had laid a notable foundation of social change in contemporary society.
Recalling that the first democratic government under his premiership had made historic decision to give recognition to Nepal Sambat as National Sambat, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that Nepal Sambat would inspire all Nepalis for cooperation and unity as well as move ahead in the journey of prosperity, good governance and development.
The Prime Minister wished for happiness, peace, prosperity and unity to all Nepalis on the occasion of Nepal Sambat.
