NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25

United Sherpa Association marked Losar with much fanfare in New York where high-level dignitaries were present.

"Losar, the Buddhist New Year, has been celebrated in the presence of New York City Mayor Eric Adam and other officials," a statement issued by the association read.

Losar, one of the major festivals of Himalayan communities, is a symbol of peace and prosperity, the statement said, adding that Congress Member Grace Meng, Deputy Commissioner of Mayor Office of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan and New York Assembly Member Steven Raga among others exchanged greetings and wishes with the Sherpa and Himalayan community at the premises of Mayor Office while marking the annual festival.

"We started with our ritual prayer in the morning, followed by butter lamps lit by the Mayor, congress member, deputy commissioner and assembly member," the statement added, " Different Sherpa cultural acts were also performed."

Since its inception in 1996, United Sherpa Association has been organizing different events here, the statement read. Tshering Sherpa, who is the first female president of the association, vowed to make the association more active and vibrant in the coming days.

"As our association is marking its silver jubilee, Losar celebration on the first day of New Year is just a start of a new series of programmes," president Sherpa said. The association has also received the first citation from the NYC mayor, it said.