TAAN celebrates Lhosar with great fanfare and rejoicing

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized TAAN Lhosar Culture Program 2016 in Kathmandu on Friday to celebrate Lhosar – the New Year festival of different ethnic groups living across the country.Vice President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal His Excellency Nanda Bahadur Pun graced the event as Chief Guest. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel and Chief of Army Staff General Rajendra Chhetri were also present in the program.Similarly, Ambassador of France in Nepal His Excellency Yves Carmona, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Nepal His Excellency Abdulnaser Abdulnaser bin Husien Al-Harthi, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Nepal His Excellency W M Senevirathne, Acting Ambassador of Australia in Nepal His Excellency Stephen Rowe, Chief of Public Affairs Office at the Embassy of United States in Nepal Mr Tristram Perry and First Secretary of Embassy of Malaysia in Nepal Ahmed Al Phadi also participated in the program.

Likewise, high-ranking government officials, representatives of different travel trade associations, former office-bearers and executive members of TAAN and TAAN member agencies, among others were also present in the program.All the participants were accorded warm welcome by Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung community. They were welcomed with khadas and offered sweets, traditional Khapse and local liquor.Welcoming the participants, TAAN Executive Committee Member Sarita Lama said 'TAAN Lhosar Cultural Program' is TAAN's attempts to preserve Nepal's timeless culture and tradition. "Along with preserving our timeless and tradition, we are hopeful that this event will foster friendless and brotherhood among tourism entrepreneurs," she added.Similarly, TAAN First Vice President and coordinator of TAAN Lhosar Cultural Program Organizing Committee, Tej Bahadur Gurung, wished all a Happy Lhosar and said TAAN tried to celebrate Lhosar differently this year to make it more managed. "Last year, TAAN had organized Lhosar in the streets of Thamel. Events like these will preserve our culture and tradition and also foster brotherhood among tourism entrepreneurs," he added.

Likewise, Ambassador of France in Nepal lauded the role of TAAN in promotion of adventure tourism as well as Nepal's culture and tradition. Similarly, Ambassador of Sri Lanka said he was pleased to be a part of the program. He also wished all a Happy Lhosar.  Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel said Nepal's timeless culture and tradition should be promoted effectively in the international market to bring more tourists.Addressing the program, Vice President His Excellency Nanda Bahadur Pun wished all a Happy Lhosar. "Our culture and tradition needs to be preserved for future generation," he added.Concluding the program, TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal thanked His Excellency Nanda Bahadur Pun for accepting TAAN's invitation to grace the event as Chief Guest. "TAAN has been celebrating Lhosar for the past two decades to preserve our culture and tradition. We will give continuity to the event in future as well," he added.After the inaugural session, artists performed traditional songs and dance as well as entertaining programs. Traditional dance of Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung were performed on the occasion. The crowd went berserk when celebrated artist Ram Krishna Dhakal took to the stage. Other artists like Mingma Sherpa, Mausam Gurung, AD Sherpa, Himal Ghale, Suresh Ghising, Ranjita Gurung, Shankar BC, Rashmi Tamang and comedian Balchhu Dhurbe also performed at the program.  The program concluded with a DJ session by DJ BJ.

TAAN has been celebrating Lhosar on a regular basis for more than two decade 

                 TAAN