Newa Pucha (NP) organised a picnic recently to mark the Hindu festival of Holi at Al Dosari Park. NP is the umbrella organisation of non-resident Nepalis who come from the ethnic Newar community. 
NP chairman Upendra Ratna Shakya and advisers Rajiv Dangol, Kishor Maharjan, Pramod Shrestha, Som Prasad Shrestha, Ishwor Maharjan and Radhe Shyam Maharjan attended the programme. Holi, or the festival of colours, is the spring festival celebrated in Nepal and India. 
The participants celebrated the festival by smearing Abeer (red vermilion powder) and throwing colour- and water-filled plastic pouches at each other. 
Besides music and dances, the participants also got to compete in tug-of-war and various other competitions. 
Shakya, the chairman, said, “Nepal is a country of multiple languages, multiple cultures and multiple religions and it is the responsibility of all to preserve such cultural festivities.” 
Newa Pucha was established in 2011 to promote Newari art, culture and identity in Qatar. Dr Mohammad al-Kyarin, co-ordinator of Al Dosari Park Committee, praised Newa Pucha for their successful Holi programme in a letter. 
One participant, Amar Shrestha said, “It is the first time I experienced Holi in Qatar and I think it’s a really nice occasion to meet other people from Nepal. We celebrate Holi for recreation and it also helps in preserving and continuing our culture.” 
The organisers also served Nepali dishes, especially Newari food to all the participants. 

Text and photos by Usha Wagle Gautam
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