Historic first Youth Convention of Sikkim Newa held

SINGTAM, FEBRUARY 24: More than 250 Newars from different parts of Sikkim attended the 1st Sikkim Newar Youth Convention 2019 hosted at Nepali Dharamsala, Singtam on February 24, 2019. The theme of the Convention was “An Insight: Past, Present and Future of Newars of Sikkim. Ten Youth Icons from Sikkim Newar community was felicitated on the occasion. Dentam Sakha and Bowneykutti, Singtam Sakha was declared Best Sakha and Best Upcoming Sakha of Sikkim for the year 2018-2019. 

The meet draw attention to sensitize youths towards Newa’s rich culture and tradition. Unity of Sikkim Newars for its further development was the focus of the day. The lecturers presented on the day highlighted to look upon the solution of the problems faced by the Newars of Sikkim.

The second issue of PAU, magazine based on Newa culture and tradition was released by the Chief Guest and other guests. 

DK Pradhan, President, Sikkim Newar Guthi was the Chief Guest of the day long program. Other distinguished guests included Mahendra Pradhan (Treasurer, SNG), Udai Pradhan, (Assistant General Secretary), Ganesh Pradhan, Retired Director Accounts and Administrative Training Centre, Dr. Sushen Pradhan, (Secretary, Sikkim Newar Youth Affair), Jas Lal Pradhan, boxing legend and President, Gangtok Zone, HN Pradhan, Vice President, BBCTV, Dilip Kr. Pradhan, Vice President, BBCTV and others. Also present at the event was Newa teachers serving at different Government School.

Important talks on different subject matter of Newars were discussed. Bikash Pradhan, Coordinator Newa Language, HRDD, Government of Sikkim spoked about the significance of Newar Language and Culture. He talked about different work done at language and culture in Sikkim. Ganesh Pradhan, Retired Director Accounts and Administrative Training Centre in his address emphasized on the contribution of Newar in the Development of Sikkim. His talk was a historic-review that included the origin of Newars of Sikkim to its present position.

The eleven felicitated Newa Youths represented different fields of press media, modelling, film making, fashion, sports and others. Those winners included; Nitesh Pradhan, Saloni Pradhan, Saphal Pradhan, Akhilesh Pradhan, Bhawika Pradhan, Aadarsh Pradhan, Rabina Pradhan, Prerna Pradhan, Rabina Pradhan, Jharna Pradhan and Niha Pradhan. 

D.K. Pradhan, President, Sikkim Newar Guthi spoked about the Position of Newar in Sikkim. His speech was reflected with relative statistics shown on screen through power-point presentation. Mahindra Pradhan, Treasurer, Sikkim Newar Guthi in his speech spoked on Role of Youth in the Community and Community Association where he emphasized on community participation for united Newars of Sikkim.

Dr. Sushen Pradhan, Secretary, Sikkim Newar Youth Affair, the last speaker of the day spoked about the activities of the Sikkim Newar Youth Affairs after its establishment in 2017. He unfolded different plans to improve the sustainability of different Newar populations through commercialization of Newa items. Shital Pradhan and Binod Pradhan from Bowneykutti, Singtam Sakha gave the welcome speech and the vote of thanks.