November 14, 2004 — Bhutanese celebrate the 49th
birthday of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk
The 49th birthday of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck was
celebrated at the Dhaka Club on Sunday, November 14th 2004.
The celebration lasted from 6pm to 2am. It was a small gathering
attended by the Bhutanese community and a few of their friends.
The cultural itinerary for the night included Dzongkha, Hindi
and Nepali songs and dances. A few party games were also on
the agenda for the younger guests of the evening. The Ambassador
of Bhutan to the United Nations was the Chief Guest for the
evening. The cultural items ended at 11:30 pm after which the
after party began and continued 'til 2am.
November 12, 2004 — Nepalese Political Leaders
meet with N.Y. Nepalese
On November 12, 2004, Luxmi Pooja, a holy day for the Hindus
of Nepal, the Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in the U.S.
hosted a get together of three prominent political leaders from
Nepal with the local Nepalese people. At a restaurant in Jackson
Heights, Nepalese people were very happy to meet with Madhav
Nepal, General Secretary of CPN (UML), Dr. Narayan Khadka, Former
Vice Chairman National Planning Commision (Nepali Congress Democrat)
and Mohan Bahadur Basnet, Former State Minister, Health (Nepali
Congress Democrat). They were also joined by Hon. Sharada Prasad
Pandit, Nepalese Supreme Court Justice and His Excellency Murari
Raj Sharma. Ananda Bista, Nepalese Democratic Youth Council
in the U.S., moderated the meeting where many questions were
raised by the attendees.
November 7, 2004— Prayers for Long Life
On November 7, 2004, His Holiness Jadrul Sangay Rimpoche performed
an “empowerment of Long Life” to some 500 attendees
at Kasturi Country Club in Astoria, Queens. Prayers for the
long life began at 10:00 in the morning. This event, organized
by some Sherpas with others, as Jinkdaks or benefactors, was
a whole day event with lunch and drinks served to all. At the
end of the program, everyone received blessings from the Rimpoche
and walked home with ‘Chok’ or offerings.
November 7, 2004 — New York Annual Marathon
The New York marathon was held on November 7th. More than 35,000
people participated this event. People were running for different
goals. Some were there to win, some to complete, some for fun,
some to attain their personal best, and some to raise awareness.
Among them was Kelsang Dolma Dodin who was running for the awareness
of Tibet and to raise funds for the Tibetan Foundation projects.
October 18-24, 2004 — Tibetan Festival at Flushing
The festival of Tibetan Culture was held at the Flushing Library
in Main Street between October 18-24, 2004. This was presented
by the International Resource Center of the Queens Borough Public
Library and the Office of Tibet. The highlight of the event
was the sand mandala construction by the monks of the Namgyal
monastery in Ithaca. Other events were hosted which included
Tibetan music and song demonstrations, viewing of films and
a panel discussion.
October 9, 2004 — Tibetan Youth Day
The regional Tibetan youth congress of NY and NJ organized
a function to mark the 35th founding year of the Tibetan Youth
Congress. It took place at the Armenian Church on the 9th of
October 1004. The function started at around 12 noon and was
followed by a dance party in the evening. Mr. Jigme Norbu, son
of Taktser Rinpoche received the Rangzen award on his father’s
behalf and Mr. Han Shan of Students for a free Tibet was presented
a scarf as a token of appreciation. This was followed by the
cultural performances, a short drama and the Tibetan idol’2004
song competition. A dance party followed the evening show. All
in all a very well organized event. For more information check
out: Tibetan
Youth Congress of NY/NJ.
October 2004 — Byllakuppe Fund Raising Party
People from Byllakuppe organized a fund raising party at Kasturi
Club. The ticket price was $20 and more than 300 people showed
up at the event. It was a well-organized party, which went on
till 2 am in the morning.
September 26, 2004 — Nepalese Political Leaders
meet with N.Y. Nepalese
On their visit to the United Nations for various meetings,
on September 26, 2004, Mr. Sunil Kumar Bhandari, Central Working
Commitee member of the Nepali Congress party, Mr. Pradeep Nepal,
Central Working Committee member and party spokesman of the
CPN (UML) and Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, State Minister for Foreign
Affairs, took some time out to meet with the local Nepalese
in a restaurant in Manhattan. This meeting, organized by the
Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in the U.S., was attended
by some 70 New Yorker Nepalese. The leaders updated the participants
with the grave situations in Nepal. In a question and answer
series, many participants complained the Nepalese government’s
handling of 12 Nepalese hostages slain in Iraq. Dr. Mahat assured
the crowd that His Majesty’s government did everything
they could to get the hostages released.
September 19, 2004 — Volleyball Tournament
Sherpa Kyidug; United Sherpa Association held their annual
volleyball tournament on September 19, 2004. This event was
held at the Vernon Boulevard Park at Long Island City. Numerous
teams participated for this tournament, and the Astoria Team
was crowned the champion this year, returning the favor this
time to last year’s winner of team from Baltimore, Maryland.
As the tournament continued at a grass court, Sherpas laid
out delicious food brought from home nearby for all to savor.
This was also a day of potluck picnic that was enjoyed by all.
And what’s a picnic without some card playing, and smashing
noise of Para Sho. Fun was had by all.
September 12, 2004 — 19th Annual International
Cultures Parade
The Annual International Parade was held at Madison Avenue
between 42nd and 26th Street on September 12 at 2:00 pm. New
York is famous for its parades but this one is by far the most
colorful and multi cultural parade that I have ever seen. More
than 100 communities perform in this parade showcasing their
heritage, costumes, and dances. The Tibetan women’s Association
represented the Tibetan community of NY and NJ and a 100 and
more Tibetans were present with their traditional dress. I urge
the other communities to also attend this parade and showcase
to the world what the Himalayan community is all about. For
more information check out: International
Immigrants Fund.
September 12, 2004 — Candlelight Vigil in
Memory of 12 Nepalese Slain in Iraq
On September 12, 2004 on a calm Sunday evening, Sherpa Kyidug;
United Sherpa association held a candle light vigil at Union
Square in New York City. This event was held for the 12 Nepalese
who were brutally slain in Iraq by an Islamist fundamentalist
group Jaish Ansar Al-Sunna on September 1, 2004. Among some
100 Nepalese people and friends that attended the vigil, were
also many Nepalese leaders from various organizations. His Excellency,
Mr. Murari Raj Sharma, Ambassador from Nepal to the United Nations,
thanked the Sherpa Kyidug for organizing this event and pleaded
to the world community to prevent such slayings from being repeated.
He also asked us not to look negatively at the Islam in general,
as this was a crime committed by a certain terrorist group and
not by Moslems. Mr. L.G. Khambache thanked all who participated
and asked all to come together in events such as this when we
see injustice being committed to our people.
A group of Sherpa lamas offered prayers for the departed souls
with candles blazing on the sidewalk at the Union Square. Sherpas
joined in chanting prayers taking the lead from the lamas. This
vigil was followed up by a demonstration held by a group of
Nepalese in front of the United Nations on a rainy Wednesday
afternoon of September 8, 2004. Some fifty Nepalese were present
to bring attention of the UN to these very inhuman and brutal
killings of their fellow Nepalese.
September 4, 2004 — Tibetan Democracy Day
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of NY and NJ observed the
44th anniversary on September 4, 2004 at Kasturi Country Club
in Queens, NY. The chief guest was Mr. Tsewang Phuntshok, liaison
officer for Latin America and Ven. Keutsang Jamphel Yeshi, a
former political prisoner in Tibet was invited as the special
guest. The Cholsum dance group and the Tibetan Sunday school
of NY and NJ performed cultural programs. The trophies of the
6th Pawo Thupten Ngodup Memorial basketball tournament 2004
were presented to the winner and the runner up team. Medals
for the runner up (New York Soccer team) in the west coast picnic
were also presented. For more information check out: Tibetan
Youth Congress of NY/NJ.
