By: Priya Shahi
A bright distinctive double triangle Nepalese flag fluttered simultaneously with the United States’ flag on a stage where the first performer in a traditionally patterned Gunyo-cholo prepared to entertain Nepalese guests at their New Year event.
The New Year cultural program is held on April 14th in Hicksville by the Long Island Nepalese Society, a non-profit organization formed in 2000 to promote understanding and appreciation of cultural practices within the Nepalese community on Long Island.
“The situation for a majority of the Nepalese people here is to work long hours everyday, come home tired, and sleep,” Ranjit Gauli, treasurer of the Long Island Nepalese Society, said. “That’s why we host celebrations for our cultural events. It’s nice to have at least one day where we can get together, share our love for our culture, and be surrounded by our Nepalese neighbors.”
With around 1000 to 1200 Nepalese immigrants residing across Long Island, according to Gauli, the organization was created to make it easier for a small population to celebrate their culture and gain visibility.
“When our people first immigrated to the United States, they were classified as ‘other Asian,’” Reyanka Koirala, a Nepalese immigrant residing in New York City, said. “So there aren’t any immigration records available about us Nepalese immigrants until 1975.”
In 1975, it is recorded that 56 Nepalese people immigrated to the United States. Today, there are more than 300,000 Nepalese immigrants living in various states across the nation, among which more than 60,000 live in the New York Tri-State zone.
The first and historical Nepal Day Parade took place on May of 2016 in New York City. It was hosted and organized by many Nepalese American organizations, including Long Island Nepalese Society. The event has become recognized as an annual parade with attendees including New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm, Congressman, Senator, and other representatives.
“We are also Americans, and it’s important to recognize our place here,” Kalpana Thapa, Vice President of the Long Island Nepalese Society, said. “For coming generations that will grow up here and not it Nepal, we want to make space for them to be proud of where they come from, so they don’t lose touch with their roots.”
To be a member of the Long Island Nepalese Society, you have to be a resident in Nassau County and pay a 5 dollar fee every two years. People who are not members are also allowed to attend events hosted by the organization.
“We also give back to the community,” co-Vice President, Basanta Chapagain, said. “We hold blood drives and have huge turnouts, our latest one had nearly 200 Nepalese people give blood. It was amazing.”
Nine out of ten members of the Long Island Nepalese Society are immigrants. President of the Organization Tika Raj Dhakal has been meeting with Congressman Peter King, Representative of New York’s 2nd district. The latest meeting took place on April 16th to discuss methods on how to renew process for permanent stay for those who are under temporary protected status.
“Some of us have an American citizenship and some of us do not,” Tika Raj Dhakal said.
“We support one another and that is what this organization is about,”
A Nepalese non-profit organization with similar principles of preserving and celebrating their culture also exists in New York City. Ridgewood Nepalese Society was founded in 2003 in Ridgewood, Queens and now consists of roughly 3000 people. They also have annual blood drives, cultural events, and a support system.
Nepalese people in Ridgewood commute a long way to the Satya Narayan Mandir, a temple that combines both Sikh and Hindu worship in Jackson Heights, Queens. Now, the organization is in the works of building their very own Temple.
“We have made donations as a community to build a temple,” Rabi Kiran Koirala, president of the Ridgewood Nepalese Society, said. “We are currently busy working on the design of the temple and community center.”
320.video.blog 