Kathmandu, October 20:

Over 50 programmes will be organised, mainly in the Kathmandu Valley, to mark the Nepal Era 1127, which falls on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, chairperson of the New Year Celebration Committee, Prof Prem Shanti Tuladhar, said that the calendar of Nepal Era, though initiated by a Nepali citizen in the name of his country, is still a matter of study for the scholars, though the government is reluctant to accept it as a national heritage.

“The awareness about the importance of Nepal Era is rising and it is getting popular in urban areas,” she said.

She said that the main programme on Monday morning will be participated in by around 50,000 people with traditional drums, costumes and slogans. The participants will wish for a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will address the event to be organised after the rally.

“We are continuously trying to make peole understand that the era belongs not only to the Newars but to the whole country and asking their participation in celebrations,” Prof Prem Shanti Tuladhar said.

Naresh Bir Shakya, general-secretary of the Nepalbhasha Manka Khala, said that the events remind us of Sankhadhar Sakhwaa, the originator of the Nepal Era, who paid of debt of the whole citizens of Nepal Mandal 1126 years ago.

A list of events to be observed in a week to come, compiled by Newa Sanchar Sanjal, was also distributed to media persons on the occasion.

“The movement launched 26 years ago by the Khala is an example of putting pressure on the government to gradually expand its role in celebration and accept the calendar in the policy-making level,” he said.

Among the major programmes to be held are separate cultural rallies in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Thimi, Bungamati. The rallies will present a panoramic view of Newar cultural milieu.

Four clubs have decided to take out motorcycle rallies. While two will organise a round trip of the valley, two others will go to Dolkha and Gorkha some weeks later.

Sankhadhar Sirpa Award was today given to Laykoo fortnightly for its role in promoting Nepal Era and disseminating information about Sankhadhar Sakhwaa, its initiator. Naghal Yuba Club organised a tea party to celebrate the New Year in the afternoon.

In Lalitpur, Saugal Tole Sudhar Samiti today organised a competition of drawing Mandal, the artful circular image, which symbolically represents the universe.

The Mandal is worshiped during Tihar. Kamdhenu Association, a women’s organisation, organised a Newar feast at the Patan Durbar Square today.