Naya Barshako Suba-Kamana: Clinton's message on Nepali New Year

KATHMANDU, April 14: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a surprise message to the Nepalis on the occasion of the Nepali New Year 2066. In the “Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat) Message” released by the US Department of State on Monday, Secretary Clinton sprinkled in some Nepali words to convey her greetings. [break]

In the message, Clinton said she hoped that “Nepal will continue on the path to peace and prosperity” in the New Year. “To all those around the world who share common Nepali cultural and linguistic traditions, I send best wishes for a happy 2066,” said Clinton. “All New Year celebrations reflect the hope of new beginnings.”

This is probably the first time that any US Secretary of State has conveyed greetings on the Nepali new year. At the end of the message, the former US first lady, who visited Nepal in the late 1990s, has used the Nepali term “Naya Barshako Suba-Kamana!” (New Year’s Greetings!).

“As you welcome the New Year, I salute the spirit of tolerance and shared heritage that brings Nepalis together regardless of their differences on this day to celebrate and exchange good wishes,” said Clinton, in her message. “As the world faces the greatest economic challenges in generations, we all must stand together to embrace the New Year’s promise of rebirth and renewal.”

Meanwhile, in his New Year message, former King Gyanendra wished that the new year would be able to give all the people an opportunity to enjoy humanitarian rights and freedoms like right to life, food and shelter.

Likewise, Nepali Congress president and former prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, said the new year should be able to guarantee safety of life, protection of human rights, and an end to the state of impunity in the country. In his message, Koirala said he wished that the Nepali people would be able to realize the independence of the judiciary and press freedoms.

“May the New Year succeed in the mission of building a peaceful and prosperous Nepal,” Koirala said. Koirala said that the historic responsibility that the people of Nepal had in writing their constitution by themselves would be possible only through a collective effort, unity, consensus and tolerance.

Chairman of the CPN-UML Jhala Nath Khanal in his message wished that the parties would be able to formulate a democratic and progressive constitution and bring the ongoing peace process to its denouement.