Nepal Sambat at the UN Headquarters

Nepal Sambat at the United Nations Headquarters ? Yes, Nepal Sambat ! The formal New Year celebration according to Nepal Sambat was known as ‘Nepal Day’. For some, this might sound fictional or even unimaginable. Nepal has its own calendar system, a distinctive era named after the country itself. That Nepal Sambat once found a place at the headquarters of the United Nations, a prestigious international organization located thousands of miles away from Nepal in the United States, is certainly a matter of pride for all Nepalis. However, this belongs to history. What has passed is called history, and history does not repeat itself automatically. Yet, the story of Nepal Sambat at the United Nations need not remain merely a historical episode. With appropriate initiatives, it can be revived. It is possible for this historical tradition to continue once again and become part of the present.

The United Nations was established in 1945 against the backdrop of the Second World War. Nepal became a member of the United Nations in 1955, thereby gaining a place on the international stage. This provided Nepal with an opportunity to present its distinct historical and cultural identity to the international community. Geographically sandwiched between two vast countries, India and China, Nepal had a relatively limited international presence. Under these circumstances, establishing its own identity before the world was particularly important. Nepal sought to attract international attention by presenting its unique cultural and historical heritage. Nepal Sambat, indigenous Nepali culture and traditional scripts were also highlighted as important markers of national identity.

Following the first general election held in 1959 (B.S. 2015), B. P. Koirala became Prime Minister in 1960 (B.S. 2016), ushering in a democratic political environment. During this period, through the initiative of Nepali representatives at the United Nations, the first day of Nepal Sambat began to be celebrated as ‘Nepal Day’. In accordance with the government's decision to observe Nepal Day at the United Nations on the New Year's Day of Nepal Sambat, Nepal's culture, art, heritage, traditions and national identity were showcased every year. The principal objective was to introduce Nepal to the international community and present its distinctive cultural identity.

The fundamental purpose of ‘Nepal Day’ was to showcase Nepal's national identity and cultural uniqueness. The programme included organizing special events to mark the New Year of Nepal Sambat, introducing Nepal's indigenous culture and traditions, displaying Nepali art, scripts and cultural heritage, and familiarizing representatives of different countries at the United Nations with Nepal.

The history of the Newar community, which has maintained close connections with Nepal since its prehistory and carried forward an important legacy of the country's past, is itself an integral part of Nepal's history. The name Nepal is believed to have evolved from the name Newar. Over time, the geographical and cultural identity of the country expanded, and Nepal emerged as a common garden of diverse ethnic groups, languages, civilizations and cultures. In this context, all identities existing within Nepal should be understood as integral components of Nepal and Nepali identity. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to regard Nepal Sambat or ‘Nepal Day’ merely as a cultural celebration of the Newar community.

However, ‘Nepal Day’ eventually came to an end.

Unfortunately, as history took a different turn, Nepal fell under a narrow-minded and conservative political system. In 1960 (B.S. 2017), King Mahendra dismissed the democratically elected government and introduced his own system of governance, known as the Panchayat system.

The partyless Panchayat system was not only undemocratic but, despite appearing nationalistic at first glance, was essentially detrimental to the nation. Nepal was a country rich in diversity and a shared garden of numerous civilizations. However, the Panchayat regime sought to narrow this diversity through a state policy based on the principle of ‘one language, one dress’, reflecting the cultural character of the ruling establishment. The language of the ruling class was imposed upon the entire population. Hinduism was also promoted, but primarily through the lens of the hill Hindu culture, which did not encompass the diversity of Hindu traditions across the country. Gradually, the state pursued a policy of assimilating everyone into its preferred customs and cultural practices. The political system was highly authoritarian and dictatorial.

Despite these circumstances, the Newar community continued its activities by making use of whatever limited freedom remained available. In the course of bringing various organizations together, an organization named ‘Nepal Bhasa Manka Khala’ was established in 1979 (B.S. 2036). It began organizing New Year greetings and Bhintuna processions to mark the arrival of the New Year according to Nepal Sambat.

It was natural for the Panchayat regime to take notice of the activities of the Newar community. The government began to view activities conducted in the name of Nepal Sambat with suspicion and prejudice, attempting to restrict them under various pretexts.

Despite such restrictions within Nepal, the tradition of celebrating ‘Nepal Day’ at the United Nations continued for some time. Although the state's broader objective was to undermine Nepal's indigenous cultural elements, the continuation of Nepal Day may be understood as an international diplomatic obligation. However, by 1981 (Nepal Sambat 1102), the Panchayat government of the time had officially discontinued the tradition of celebrating ‘Nepal Day’ at the United Nations and various diplomatic missions.

During the Panchayat era, Nepal Sambat was not viewed merely as a calendar system or a cultural tradition of the Newar community. It had already become associated with national identity, linguistic rights, cultural autonomy and political consciousness. Therefore, the discontinuation of ‘Nepal Day’ should not be interpreted simply as the cancellation of a cultural programme. It can also be analysed as an example of the state policy of the time aimed at controlling the Nepal Sambat movement.

The extent to which the Panchayat regime had narrowed and restricted Nepali society was evident in the fact that even exchanging New Year greetings according to Nepal Sambat was viewed with disdain by some Nepalis themselves, who accused such activities of promoting communal sentiments. Participants in greeting programmes were sometimes abruptly arrested by the police and administrative authorities. The state viewed with suspicion anyone involved in promoting their ethnic identity, language, literature, culture and heritage.

If the Newar community, which had a long historical presence in the capital, faced such difficulties, other ethnic communities were naturally compelled to remain even more subdued. The state might formally acknowledge the existence of different ethnic communities and identities, but only within its own narrow ideological framework. Such a framework was dangerous because it denied communities the freedom to assert their independent identities.

The suppressed frustration against cultural oppression also contributed to the political movement against the Panchayat system. Ultimately, the Panchayat regime collapsed following the political movement of 1990 (B.S. 2046).

Political change also brought significant transformations in the social and cultural spheres. As the state gradually began to recognize and adopt Nepal Sambat, it was eventually declared a national era and started appearing in official government documents and correspondence.

Nepal Sambat, which had previously been largely confined to the Newar community, gradually transcended those boundaries. After many years, the calendar system that had once appeared on Nepal's coins was once again going to be represented on currency.

Just as the name Nepal no longer belongs exclusively to the Newar community, Nepal Sambat, too, is no longer merely the calendar of the Newars.

The celebration of ‘Nepal Day’ at the United Nations on the first day of the New Year according to Nepal Sambat should be revived and continued. Furthermore, the programme should be expanded and made more inclusive. It could be developed into an important occasion that brings together all Nepalis and provides an opportunity to showcase the country's diverse historical, cultural and civilizational heritage to the international community.