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 Newari communities across the country have been celebrating the Nepal Sambat as the New Year’s Day since it was recognized as the Newar calendar. It is believed national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa initiated the Nepal Sambat by relieving the people of Nepal (referred to the then Kathmandu Valley) off debt and abolishing slavery during the reign of Lichchhavi Kings. The festival falls on Kartik Shukla Pakshya Pratipada (first day of the waxing phase of moon in Nepali month of Kartik) according to the lunar calendar. 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.
Source: National News Agency RSS