Campaign launched to preserve Nepal Bhasa and Dhime Baja

By Our Correspondent,Butwal, May 26: A campaign to preserve the Nepal Bhasa and Dhime Baja has been launched in Butwal.

To protect the endangered Dhime Baja and the Nepal Bhasa language, training sessions were conducted in Butwal.

 The 15-day Nepal Bhasa and 5-day Dhime Baja training programmes were organised with the support of the Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, in collaboration with the Newa Dey Daboo Butwal City Committee and the Newa Misa Daboo Butwal City Committee.

Mayor of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Khil Raj Pandey, and Deputy Mayor Sabitri Devi Aryal distributed certificates to the participants of the training programme. 

Speaking at the event, Mayor Khilraj Pandey said that the campaign to preserve the endangered Nepal Bhasa and Dhime Baja has now begun in Butwal. 

He emphasised that observing traditions such as Biska: Jatra, Bhote Jatra, and Indra Jatra celebrated by the Newar community across the country can help trace historical roots, and he acknowledged the significant role of the Newar community in the development of Butwal. 

He also added that the constitution has ensured rights related to local languages and cultures, and that local governments have the responsibility to uphold them.

Deputy Mayor Sabitri Devi Aryal said that the municipality is known as a garden of diverse ethnicities and cultures and said that efforts are being made to preserve the languages and cultures of various groups, including Magar, Newar, and Tharu communities. 

She said that the training was conducted to protect the nearly lost Dhime Baja.

She said that Newars are known as a culturally rich ethnic group and that their contributions have helped promote Nepal’s identity on the global stage.

At the programme, Sundar Shrestha, Chairperson of Newa Dey Daboo Butwal City Committee, highlighted past activities and upcoming plans of the organisation for language and cultural preservation, and said that with the support of the local government, they have been able to carry out various creative initiatives.

Other speakers included Baburam Shrestha, President of Newa Dey Daboo Lumbini Province, Aruna Shrestha, Vice President of the district committee, Sahadev Shrestha, an advisor to the organisation and Chairperson of Bhimsen Guthi and Committee Secretary Raju Bhari. 

They all emphasised the need for preserving the languages of all ethnic communities, and the importance of unity and addressing societal needs.

According to coordinator Babita Shrestha, the training was facilitated by Dhime Baja instructors Nirmala Shrestha and Laxmi Shrestha, and language instructor Niranjan Kakshapati.

A total of 70 participants took part in the training programmes, with 35 people each enrolled in the 15-day Nepal Bhasa and 5-day Dhime Baja sessions.