ottawa chautari - volume 2 (october 2002)

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In this Issue • Significance of Dashain and Tihar (Deepawali) in Nepal • Past activities of NCAO • Forthcoming events and activities of NCAO • Contributions from Children and Youth • Yatra Anubhav (Tour experience) • Saughat (Gift) • Welcome Kit for Newcomers • Feedback • Correspondences and • Announcements

Ottawa Chautari Year 1 No. 2 October, 2002

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Significance of Dashain and Tihar The months of October and November are the main festive season in Nepal. Two most important festivals, Bijaya Dashami and Deepawali are celebrated during this period. The purpose of this note is to provide a short introduction and social and cultural aspects of these festivals. Since there might be some differences in the way these festivals are celebrated in different parts of Nepal, we may not be able to capture all modes of celebration, the rituals and legends associated with these festivals in this note. We sincerely apologize for any such possible omissions. Dashain Bijaya Dashami, popularly known as Dashain or Durga Pooja, is the greatest festival in Nepal. It is the longest festival, which lasts for a full fortnight. Educational institutions close for 15 days and other offices close from 7 to 10 days during this festival. It falls in the pleasant autumn season, the main harvesting time in Nepal. This festival has cultural, religious and social importance in Nepal. It is celebrated with strong enthusiasm and jubilation. The celebration of this festival commemorates a triumph of good over evil. It glorifies the victory of god over wicked demons, symbolized by goddess Durga defeating the terrible demon Mahisasur, who terrorized the earth. The first nine days signify the ferrous battle between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day is the day Mahisasur was defeated. Throughout the fifteen days, Goddess Durga in her several manifestations is worshipped with great pooja (religious ritual) and abundant of offerings. The first nine days is called “Nabaratra” and the first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana (Ghata mean holy water vessel or jar and sthapana means to establish). On this day, a holy water vessel is placed in a room often close to the image of goddess Durga. Barley or corn seeds are planted in sand or virgin soil, and the sprouts (small shoots), which are called Jamara, grown until

10th days. Everyday a ritual of goddess Durga is performed, and the vessel of water and seedlings are sprinkled with holy water. On the seventh day called Phulpati, the vessel of holy water, banana stalks, Jamara and sugarcane tied with red cloth is carried and flown to the river. The eight day is called the Maha Asthami. On this day, goats, sheep, buffaloes, cocks and ducks are sacrificed to goddess temples in order to highlight appease Durga, the Goddess of victory and might. The tenth day of Dashain called Bijaya Dashami (as a victory day) is considered the main day of the festival. On this day, as a symbol of victory, people receive Tika (a dab of red vermilion powder mixed with curd and rice) on their forehead and Jamara on their head from their elders and seniors and receive their blessings. Getting Tika from continues until the full moon day or the 15th day, in some ethnic communities in Nepal. On this last day of Dashain the goddess Laxmi is given an invitation to visit each and everyone, which happens on the third day of Deepawali (look at Deepawali) about 20 days after. Besides its cultural and religious significance, Dashain has a great social importance in Nepalese communities. It is more like a cultural festival of blessing, enjoying, eating and meeting. All family members who are abroad or away from home rejoin their families. People clean and repair their houses, paths and surroundings, buy new clothes for family members and eat plentiful and varieties of meals. In this auspicious occasion, families and friends are united, feasts are consumed, blessings are imparted and gifts are exchanged. People celebrate the festival with joy and peaceful mind, forgetting all hardships and pains. Deepawali Tihar or Deepawali, which is known as “the festival of light” is the second most important festival after Dashain in Nepal. This is celebrated for five-days. Deepawali, a Saskrit word, which literally means “an array of lamps”. In this festival, people worship


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Goddess Laxmi; the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The Laxmi is the consort of lord Vishnu. During the festival, every home is lit up with the orange glow of twinkling diyas (small earthern lamps) to welcome Goddess Laxmi. The celebrations include the lighting of lamps and candles, and the bursting of crackers (fireworks). The illuminations also symbolize the removal of spiritual darkness and the onset of happiness and prosperity. This festival is celebrated in five days starting from the thirteenth day of the waning moon depending on the lunar calendar. The first day of the Deepawali is known as Kag Tihar, crows’ day. Crow is considered an underworld henchman. On this day, crows are offered food in the morning before anyone in the house takes food. This is done in order to ward off any misfortune. The second day is called Kukur Tihar, dogs’ day. Dogs are considered as the guardian of the house. The third day is the most important day of the festival. It is called Laxmi Pooja (a day to worship goddess Laxmi). The fourth day or the Laxmipuja is more important, in which cows are worshipped as the symbol of Laxmi (the goddess of wealth and prosperity) and rows of lamps are placed on doors, windows and balconies to welcome. In the evening, people visit their neighbourhood singing song followed by a word Bhailore to praise of the goddess. They are considered as guests and given gifts. The fourth day of Tihar is called Gobhardhan Puja and oxen are worshipped. People perform different activities enjoying food and meeting relatives. At night, the people roam in different groups singing and dancing with popular word Deushire means give us blessing. The fifth or last day of Tihar is Bhai Tihar or Bhaitika. Sisters put seven-coloured tika on their brothers’ forehead and colourful garlands praying for their long life prosperity. In return, brothers give a token of appreciation usually in the form of money or clothes or gifts to their sisters.

PPAASSTT AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS The summer has been wonderful in terms of mild weather and various joyful events of the NCAO. There remained overwhelming enthusiasm, participation and contribution from all members of the community.

Members of NCAO in a discussion programme

The key events that were successfully accomplished during the past few months are as follows:

Registration of the NCAO We are pleased to inform to all of our members and well wishers that the NCAO has been officially registered with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations of Ontario as non-profit corporation.

Logo of the NCAO: Members were requested to design an appropriate logo for NCAO. Altogether eight designs were submitted, of which this design submitted by Sweta Agrawal and Prashanta

Dhakal has been selected. NCAO had already announced to award $50.00 to the winner(s).

Congratulations to the winners!

Design of Website The leadership of Promod Dhakal combined with the hidden talent of several youths Nepalese in Ottawa has designed a new website (http://www.nepalese.ca) for NCAO. This has been a praiseworthy example of how volunteerism resulted into a creative work.


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Please visit this site and learn more about and its activities. The volunteers who provided support for this work are (1) Aditya Bhandari (2) Arun Nepali (3) Balmakunda Paneru (4) Benjamin Wood (5) Milan Nepali (6) Prashanta Dhakal (7) Shailesh Agrawal (8) Shital Gautam (9) Subha Hari Gautam (10) Sulav Rai (11) Sunil Acharya (12) Surya Rai and (13) Sweeta Agrawal. Names of the contributors to the web page are placed in the web-site (http://www.nepalese.ca/contributors.html). A letters of appreciation will also been provided by the NCAO to those.

The Outdoor Picnic It was a wonderful summer day of 22nd June 2002. Despite the forecast of chances of shower in the afternoon, the day remained a wonderful one. Over 120 people including about a dozen guests participated and enjoyed the picnic. All enjoyed a delicious food prepared by different families. Children played different games while adults enjoyed Antaksheri and different other songs. It had been a memorable day in Ottawa.

Yummy BBQ at the picnic!

Enjoying a bright summer day in the park!

Tour of Omega Park A total of 55 members from 17 different families visited the Park Omega on 17th August 2002. It was again a wonderful summer day. After sharing delicious food for lunch, the fun part of the program started. Quiz Contest of children (age 6-20), rope skipping and musical chair of different age groups were the key events in addition to the overview of the Park Omega and different kinds of animals around. It was an extraordinary exposure tour. The whole day was full of activities and all activities were so interesting that several spectators were watching our program with lot of curiosity.

A moment of Quiz Contest in the Park Omega The prizes for different activities were distributed with the financial support ($100) of Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO). Ottawa Chautari would like to thank OCISO for this contribution.

Start of Nepali Language School in Ottawa The expectation of many Nepalese families in Ottawa has been fulfilled. Under International Languages, Education and Projects & General Interest Programs of Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), an elementary level Nepali Language school has been started from 14th September 2002. The class runs from 9.30 am to 12 noon every Saturday in Room Number 414 Hopewell Public School at 17 Hopewell Avenue, Ottawa. Children from Ottawa region attending Kindergarten to Grade 8 Could join the course. Nepalese Canadian Association of Ottawa would like to thank OCDSB, Constantine Ioannou, manager of


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the program and Anne Bedard, Program Administrator, for their continuous help. Asha Bhandari Bohara has accepted to teach the class. The NCAO would like to thank her for accepting this challenging job. We would also like to thank parents who have shown unwavering enthusiasm and commitment to carry out this project. We also highly appreciate the volunteer contributions from Prashanta Dhakal and Aditya Bhandari for the school. There is no need to emphasize that if we could meet the criteria of OCDSB and keep the school running this year that will certainly provide an impetus to the community in coming years. The registration in the school is on-going; students could register any time of the year and start learning Nepali Language. If you would like to admit your children to the program, please contact either Ram Acharya (954-6090) or Tara Upreti (730-5783).

Potluck Picnic On 7th September, after the registration of the children in the Nepali language class, all parents and children met in Vincent Massy Park. Varieties of foods and deserts were shared among members. Besides the relaxation of outing, this also provided an opportunity to introduce and interact with new friends who had arrived in Ottawa recently.

Welcome Recently, the following new families and individuals members have arrived in Ottawa. Basudeb Rajbhandari and Sameer Rajbhandary: originally from Kathmandu valley, Rajbhndari couple came to Canada after living in the US for few years. Sameer Rajbhandary did her graduate work in economics with specialization in demography from Colorado University. Sevak Ram Bhandary, Asha Bohara Bhandari, Aditya Bhandari and Stuti Bhandari: Mr Bhandary has graduated from

the U.K. had worked for several years in Nepal as a Forensic Scientist with the Government of Nepal. Similarly, Mrs Bhandari had been working with the Ministry of Transport in Nepal. Aditya and Stuti have joined grade 12 and 11, respectively, this year. Purna Raj Joshi comes from Kathmandu, has worked over 15 years in various capacities in UN, Embassy of USA and other different non-governmental organizations in Nepal. Before coming to Ottawa, Mr. Joshi was a manager of Standard & Chartered Bank in Kathmandu. Bhuwani Prasad Paudel comes from Parbat; Nepal is a Civil Engineer who has been associated with the District Irrigation Programme in Nepal. Mr. Paudel is pursuing his graduate work in Geotechnical Engineering in the Carlton University. Ghanashyam Ranjitkar originally comes from Pokhara has moved to Ottawa from Toronto. He has been associated with development of micro-hydropower projects in Nepal for last 10 years. Gautam Narayan Singh comes from Kathmandu. He has acquired his graduate degree from the Netherlands and has over 12 years of experience in water resource engineering. Ottawa Chautari extends its warm and heartily welcome to the new comers and wishes for the happy, prosperous and enjoyable living in Ottawa.

New Members We are pleased to announce that the following families and individuals have been the new members of the NCAO.

• Basudeb and Sameer Rajbhandari • Benjamin wood • Bhuwani Prasad Paudel • Bishnu Karki, Josee, Samuel, Nodma

and new baby • Gautam Narayan Singh


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• Ghanashyam Ranjitkar • Purna Joshi, Minu Joshi, Prabesh

Joshi and Prashant Joshi • Sevak Ram Bhandary, Asha Bohara

Bhandari, Aditya Bhandari and Stuti Bhandari

• Shandhya Rai, Bina Rai and Aaraksha Shivakoti

• Verona Dixit, Yuri Svachko and Eveeta Svachko

We welcome to all the new members in the NECO. We would also like to request all eligible individuals and families to be part of NCAO and contribute to this infant organization. It is ours and solely for all of us! For new membership, please contact to one of the members of the Executive Board as listed in the bottom page of this Newsletter.

Newcomers’ Guide Pawan Agrawal and his family on behalf of NCAO have put enormous efforts to compile and prepare a comprehensive “Newcomers’ Guide”. This is a package of several relevant information, references, brochures and guidelines which are essential for the newcomers to settle and work in Ottawa. Every newcomer in Ottawa is welcomed with this kit. Members are requested to inform the arrival of any new members in Ottawa to Pawan Agrawal ([email protected]; Phone: 613 823-0488) or Pramod Dhakal ([email protected]; Phone: 613 596-6692). Also, please see details about the “Newcomers Guide” at the bottom of this newsletter.

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FFOORRTTHHCCOOMMIINNGG EEVVEENNTTSS

Dashain Party The greatest festival (Dashain) of Nepalese is going to be celebrated in Ottawa with the organization of s Dashain-Party on the day of Phulpati (12 October, 2002). The celebration will be held in Centrepointe Theatre at 101 Centrepointe Drive. The hall has been booked from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. All members and their guests are cordially invited in the party. A traditional Nepalese dinner will follow a variety of cultural programmes.

Counseling/mentoring One of the biggest challenges for new immigrants in Canada is finding suitable employment in their areas of expertise and interest. Therefore, with an objective to assist newcomers with the necessary information and tools that will be helpful in finding their job search, the NCAO, has planned to offer a mentoring service in Ottawa. Newcomers who are interested in receiving this service will be matched with volunteer mentors. A guideline will be prepared to establish the roles and responsibilities of both the newcomers and the volunteers, as well as to clarify the goals and expectations of the program. This service is not meant to replace the counseling services offered by employment professionals, but to supplement them by providing basic information, advice, and referrals to appropriate individuals or organizations. Most importantly, it will provide moral support and encouragement to new immigrants. All the members of the Executive Board of NCAO have agreed to serve voluntarily as member of the mentoring service. In addition, NCAO is seeking other volunteer members who are interested in participating in this program. Please contact Pawan Agrawal (Phone:613823-0488, e-mail: [email protected]) or Ram Acharya (Phone:613 823-8468,


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e-mail [email protected]) for further information.

Balsansar (Children’s World) In this section, we are presenting the contributions from our children and youths. Computers Today Computers in the world, Are bought and sold Computers in the world,

Are popular like gold. Computers are sensitive Some are cheaper, others are expensive Computers have lots of stuff Games and Internet are enough. Some computers are bigger And some are smaller Older were black & white The new ones are colour. Computer is the way of daily life It brings the world in our sight It guides us to do right It helps us to make our future bright. Office, library, university or college Computers are the source of knowledge without it; we wouldn’t have been better We must thank to the inventor!!!

MMuusskkaann ((ssmmiillee))!! Ice cream or dad!

On a rainy day, Gopal and his parents went for shopping. It was getting hotter so his mother bought an ice cream for him. Accidentally, Gopal dropped his ice cream in a puddle. Then he tried to pick it up but his mum stopped him and said, don’t eat that ice cream Gopal, that’s dirty! I will buy you another one. After a while, his father slipped down on the mud. When his mother tried to pick his father up, Gopal said in a loud voice, “mum don’t pick him! He is dirty, I will find another one for you”. ☺☺☺ Sony Subedi

Grade 3

Beginning to End Prashanta Dhakal

Grade 13

Universe, universe, way up high Encompasses the earth, the stars and the sky. It includes black holes, quasars and dust Meteors collide daily with each planet's crust Vast galaxies like Andromeda and the Milky Way Have existed in the universe for unnumbered days. Little by little some mysteries unfold While other secrets emerge to be told. Today's steps will one day reveal What generations of man could never unseal. The picture is getting bigger and sharper As scientists plunge thorough mysteries once darker. It all began with a bang far, far away And created the heavens that surrounds us today. Life came into the complicated picture Spanning the globe with a mysterious mixture. The strongest of all dominated and grew The weakest soon vanished from earthly view! In time, celestial bodies will fade away Colourful nebula will dull and grey Living forms will be frozen in time Pondering the epassage of earns behind. Universe itself will end in a thundering call... All that happened before will have no meaning at all.

Who are peacekeepers? Raunak Nepal

Grade 7 Who are peacekeepers? Peacekeepers are those who trust on friendship They are the ones who promote relationship. Peacekeepers are the ones who know humanity Are those who fight against hunger and poverty, And are those who promote solidarity. Peacekeepers are those who are against racism. Are those who fight against terrorism, And are those who are against colonism. Peacekeepers are those who eliminate wars, Who stop everyone’s tears,

Kailash SubediGrade 6


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And bring “real! peace” on the earth.

What hurts you most? Reecha Nepal

Grade 10 You have many friends, all are close to you But there are few who are more closer to you, You can laugh with them, You can cry with them, They can adore you. Then comes a day When you have to apart from them, You move away, time goes by You realize everything won't be the same again, it hurts you! Yes it does very much when you have to move away from them When you try your best, Try really hard But still won't get what you expect, It hurts you, yes it does. People yell at you for no reason, They blame you for being angry at something, Which is even worst, It hurts you very much When people blame you for nothing else. It hurts when you love someone. He or she takes it as a game, Thinks that she/he can accomplish anything, Breaking someone's heart does not mean anything, If someone's tears mean nothing! Yes it hurts very much!

A step to Canada Stuti Bhandari Grade 11 “Am I really going to CANADA???” This question frequently came to my mind until the last moment I spent in Nepal. I was excited to move on a new land, much developed than my own, yet scared of possible new challenges there. I was curious to reach the new country but at the same time fearful of going to an unfamiliar place. I was eager to experience and know about the land, which

was completely strange to me, yet a teeny-weeny part of my heart was not ready to experience that too. Err!!! A stronger, but hidden, part of my sense was telling that things will be all right and that I would enjoy my life in a new place. However, the ‘weaker me’ was saying that things aren’t going to be so easy. I was confused with these two contrast feelings. It’s true that changes make life interesting. However, my relationship with my country had defied this rule of life and proved that the older the relationship the newer and more interesting one feels. Therefore, one part of me wanted to stop and be in my own country for some more span of time. On the other hand, however, I had always welcomed the changes that came in my life. I was sort of tired of the monotonous life I had in Nepal; I wanted to do many new things. That is why somewhere inside my heart I was impatient to come to Canada. As the saying, “Life is a journey, not a home A road, not a place or habitation”, my mind wanted to make a journey to Canada hoping for a brighter future. But as the departure knock got louder, I started to become a victim of nostalgia. I realised how difficult it was to go to a faraway land, leaving birthplace, all belongings, friends and relatives. Finally the day came when I had to leave from Nepal. The last few moments were heart pounding. Everything around me looked gloomy, and I felt shattered. The faces of my dear ones, who came to see us off at the airport, made me feel worse. I felt bad, but I was trying hard to hide my feelings. However, when my best friends Priyanka and Upasana said “what if we don’t see this face again”, I could not hide my tears anymore. I also wondered whether I would see these faces again. And when my aunts said, “do not forget that you had aunts who used to scold you”, I began to cry louder. I realised that the scolding was filled with love and affection, and my aunts’ motive was to make me a better person.


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Canada, seen for the first time, after circling a half of the earth, appeared to be a wonderful place. I consider myself lucky to be a part of this country. I was in an awe to see the development that this country has achieved. Breathing fresh air free of pollutants, seeing greenery everywhere, walking down the street without protecting the nose with a handkerchief, travelling in the road with a very little hindrance, eating mouth watery pizzas and burgers and seeing systematically organized things all around... it seemed like a dream come true. On the other hand, missing friends and relatives terribly and being on the land where everything is strange was somehow new that I had to cope with. Except my family almost everything else (people, languages, cultures, foods, environment, systems and rules) were new to me. The things that I never bothered to care when I was in Nepal seemed to have utmost importance here. I could see a crowd of Nepalese all around in Kathmandu, but I never bothered to talk to them. But here in Canada, whenever I see someone in Canada with a Nepali-look or wearing a sari, I want to confirm if she’s a Nepali. I lived with my family in Nepal and I do the same here. Even then, I feel that I am detached from my home. Now, I need to gather a lot of courage and make myself stronger. It is true that I’m filled with challenges that I need to cope patiently, skilfully and adroitly. I must work hard so that I can bring my dream into a reality. I have realised that this is the only way that I could succeed in the future.

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Yatra Anubhav (Tour experiences)

WWaayy ttoo KKaatthhmmaanndduu Robin Subba

As we boarded the Gulf Air flight 18 at Abu Dhabi International Airport enroute to Kathmandu, there was a sense of excitement and thrill. The aircraft was half-filled with passengers comprising mostly of Nepalese,

working in the Gulf countries. Only some were returning or visiting Nepal from Europe and North America. Soon after the plane took off and was in the cruising speed at 35,000 ft above sea level, people started mingling around: some going to the washroom, some repositioning themselves on their seats to be more comfortable while some had their headphones very loud and could not hear each others’ speak. I overheard two passengers behind me talking to each other with their headphones loud: “Aye dai tapai chai kahaan bata aunu bhayko? “huh!!! Ke bhannu bhaako? Kehi sundaina.. kaan ke bhayo? du bai kaan sundaina….” “Yeh!!! Tapai Dubai bat? Ma chahi Saudi bat. “Yeh! tapai Sauji? ke ko byapaar garnu huncha? The other one did not reply; he may not have heard his friend. I looked over my shoulder and saw their faces. One looks oriental and has Mongoloid profile, his friend on the other side, looked Aryan with sharp features. Both of them were going back home. The Mongol smiled at me, and seeing my similar features he looked excited. I sat back and tried to sleep. This time their headphones were off their heads. Again I heard their conversation: “Tyo agaadi ko maanchi Gurung hola hagi? Lahure hola” (I knew he was referring to me.) “Khoi, pariwaar pani cha….UK bat chhutti gayeko hola ni” “ganthi chahi chha hola yaskoma” lahure ta thahariyo” “Ani tapai kati din ko bidama ni? “cha mahina ko bhaneko, herau ke hunchha.. aath barsha pachi jadai chhu ghar. “ma pani tyahi ho.. yaso ghar sar kinnu paryo aba Nepalma” After sometime, airhostesses came with the food trolley. We all pulled our seats up getting ready for the meal. Then I turned around again and looked at them. We


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exchanged smiles. The Mongol looked physically strong, but had a receding hairline and was wrinkled all over. His friend looked younger and had a gaunt face. It looked like they had taken a lot of sand and sun in them while in the Gulf. They have their own dreams of a house and a plot of land back in Nepal. The meal was delicious; chicken steak with rice, a cup of yogurt, one roll and a fruit salad. While the flight attendant was serving drinks, the two people behind me asked for whisky. I had read somewhere that alcohol won’t help you much while flying; then why were they serving it? She poured half a peg each in a plastic cup accompanied by lot of water and two chunks of ice and served to them. Both of them took a sip immediately and said: “Rakshi ta pani jasto chhani; naam ko laagi matrai hoki kyaho?” (ha ha ha)! The crew was careful not to overdose the passengers, or else they will start misbehaving. I have heard that there had been reports in the past by other airlines about passengers abusing the flight attendants after a couple of drinks. Drinking coke, I put on my headphone while eating. I listened to a Blues by B.B. King, whereas my wife listened to a Hindi number from “Lagaan” the A.R. Rahman’s hit. Out of the window, now I could see the Himalayas, far in the horizon. Are we approaching Nepali air space? A man on my left got excited to see the mountains. He pointed it to his friends and they all sat up to see it. “That should be Mt. Everest,” said one. Hearing the word “Mt. Everest” one of the airhostesses also bent over to see it from her window. Suddenly her other friends joined her. They were asking lots of questions to that man. Pointing to the mountains, he was telling the names of the peaks. Good! He had not forgotten his geography. “That? Oh.. ummm that is Dhaulagiri”. “Dhha-uuu-la-girir?” a female attendant born in Western countries asked. “Yes” said the man, and continued “you see there….Uu para…that looks like Sagarmatha (Mt Everest)” “Where? Where”

goes the attendant… “There there” said the man. “How do you know that’s the Everest?” asked the airhostess. “It’s a bit higher than the other peaks” says the man. The mountains looked beautiful and majestic. They looked like they are touching the sky. We missed these mountains! Then there was turbulence and the “fasten seat belt” sign glowed. All the passengers who were walking down the aisle and talking with their friends went back to their seats hurriedly. One of the attendants smelled smoke and shouted aloud “who is smoking?” Thanks to her strong sense of smell. She caught the man. Of course who else but our own Nepali brother. “Aapko maalum nahin hai, yaahaan cigarette pina not allowed hain?” she asked him. Thanks her again, she can speak our neighboring language too! He extinguished his choorot slyly. By this time, we were almost 10 nautical miles away from Kathmandu. The disembarkation cards were distributed and we all started filling it. My friend from behind requested me to fill his card for him and handed me his passport also. I asked him if he could sign, the answer was “No”. On the card, the last question to reply was the duration of time spent outside Nepal. So I asked him “tapai bideshma basnu bhayeko kati bhayo? Yesma lekhnu parch”. Ma? Dai…ma…umm…jamma bideshma baseko Chha barsha, teen mahina ani bais din bhayo”. Poor guy, he was counting the days to go back home since he landed in the Gulf six years ago. The captain made his announcement for landing. The temperature was 29° Celsius in Kathmandu, and it was raining. I tried to go back to sleep and wait for the descent. My eardrums were aching because of the air pressure. Right now the aircraft was above Bhatte Danda, in Lalitpur, just a few hundreds feet above the PIA crash site. I remembered that crash very well. Back in 1993, 168 people had perished in that crash. A Canadian couple from Montreal was one of the unfortunate ones. Two months after the crash, I had to accompany their daughter to


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the crash site, who came to Nepal from Canada to pay tribute to her parents. Somewhere in the aircraft, I heard somebody saying “ upatyaka bhitra jahaj pasyo.” I had a sigh of relief and opened my eyes and Lo! Behold! I saw Phulchowki on my right, thick jungle of green, with bits of thin clouds covering the top. It was raining when we entered the valley. “Oh, papa that’s Godavari down there” my son exclaimed. My daughter was still in her deep sleep. So I asked him to wake her up. “Utyo Chapagaon haina?” my friend from behind was asking me. “Ho”. Now, we were approaching Koteshwor. Oh God! It looked like a small town in the Terai. Finally, the plane landed safely at the Tribhuwan International Airport at dusk. As soon as the wheels touched the runway, there was a round of applause from the passengers. Some of them got up in a hurry “Sit down, please sit down the plane has not yet stopped !!!” yells one of the airhostesses from the back. As we disembarked the aircraft, some friendly faces greeted us with a “Namaste”. To our surprise, we could see soldiers in fatigues at far distance manning the airport perched in sentries with sandbags. Were there any soldiers in the airport two years back when we left Nepal? So this is “Emergency” imposed by the government! Aahh! Never mind, the air was fresh, though hot. The rain had stopped a while ago. We all boarded the blue Sajha bus from the tarmac to the airport building. Phew!!! What a trip from Abu Dhabi! But thank you God! We made it safely to Kathmandu.

Welcome Kit for Newcomers Pawan Agrawal

The NCAO recently prepared a Welcome Kit for distribution to Nepalese newcomers in the Ottawa area. Although the kit has been prepared with the new immigrants in mind, some of the information contained in the kit may also be helpful to those individuals and

families who are moving to Ottawa from other cities or provinces. The contents of the kit have been divided into 21 separate sections and assembled in two three-ring binders. A Table of Contents at the beginning of each binder guides the user to the pertinent section of the kit. While some of the information and official documents have been included to help the newcomers in completing their post arrival formalities with the federal (SIN Card) and provincial (OHIP Card) government departments, other practical information and tips have been included to help the newcomers in making informed decisions on important affairs, such as short and long term accommodation, shopping for essential household goods, opening a bank account, exchanging foreign currencies, admitting children into schools, acquiring private health insurance, basic and long distance telephone services, internet connections, applying for driving licence, applying for benefits (child tax benefit, GST credit, and other Canada benefits), and filing an income tax return. The section on employment provides information on foreign education credential assessment procedure and lists the relevant resources for a successful job search. The kit also contains additional reference materials on specific services such as settlement counselling, language training, and employment workshop offered by local immigrant settlement organisations. Other relevant publications included in the kit are: Ottawa maps and guides, OC Transport maps, rider guide and fare information, Newcomers Guide to Canadian Housing, Newcomers Introduction to Canada and Welcome to Canada - What You Should Know, a current issue of The Ottawa Citizen, Employment News, Employment Journal, Penny Saver, Computer Papers, Monitor and so on. If you are a new Nepalese immigrant recently moved to Ottawa or you are planning to move to Ottawa in the near future, please contact


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Pawan Agrawal (Phone: 613 823-0488, e-mail: [email protected]) or Pramod Dhakal (Phone:613596-6692, e-mail: [email protected]) or NCAO volunteers listed in the in Welcome Kit itself and also please visit our site www.nepalese.ca.

Saughat We are pleased to present this interesting gift from our guest poet from Toronto. Cigarette pieces and the Toronto city

Man Kajee Shrestha 107-251 Sackville st. Toronto

Oh, filthy cigarette pieces! Scattered everywhere; Making me dirty and pushing to nowhere. No matter dust bins all around; On every walkway they are found. It looks odd and smells very bad; Mostly it is the teenagers and some of their dads; Making my impression unfortunately sad. Smoke, please! For your own health? At the cost of your valuable wealth; But have civic sense at least and be disciplined; Just by throwing them into the dustbins. Mind it! It is your town city; Keeping it up is also your own duty. This city of Toronto is very beautiful; Let us maintain it by being just dutiful; Let it be an example in neatness and cleanliness; Rendering it next to the holy godliness. Smoking is injurious to all smokers; Not less dangerous to every non smokers; Hug not a smoker for he is a cigarette box; Kiss him not for he is an ashtray box. Let smoking be prohibited more and more; The city will be healthier it is for sure. A suggestion to the Canadian government; That throwing them to be a crime and an offence; Without any chance of self-defence!

Feedback For the continuity and quality of this Newsletter, we request to all of our readers to send us constructive comments,

suggestions and relevant materials for further issues

Correspondence For any correspondence regarding this Newsletter, please contact at the following address: Kalidas Subedi Unit-4, 364 Tillbury Avenue Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 0Y2 Phone: (613) 792 4052 [email protected]

For any correspondence to NCAO Please use this address: 36 Rodeo Drive, Nepean, Ontario K2J 4Z5

For any other aspects and membership of the NCAO, Please contact respective members of the Board of Directors as follow: General administration

Ram Acharya Treasurer-registrar

Indra Chhetri Youth and children

Mary Wiles Events and sports

Chandra Rai Sudeep Bhattarai

Mani Chhetri Culture

Robin Subba Communication

Pramod Dhakal Language and education

Tara Upreti Publication and documentation

Kalidas Subedi Public relations

Pawan Agrawal Krishnahari Gautam

Co-ordination and edition Kalidas Subedi and Ram Acharya


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ottawa chautari - volume 2 (october 2002)

Documents