Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has inaugurated the 2152nd Gyalpo Lhosar festival celebrations. The Gyalpo Lhosar is the New Year of the Himalayan Indigenous Sherpa Community. President Paudel marked the commencement of the festival by cutting Phemar, a traditional dish of the Sherpa community, at a program held at Sheetal Niwas.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during the event, President Paudel expressed his belief that festivals like Gyalpo Lhosar play a crucial role in strengthening national unity. He emphasized that such celebrations foster mutual harmony and tolerance among Nepalis of various ethnicities, languages, cultures, and rituals.
The Head of State highlighted Nepal’s rich diversity, with its myriad of castes, languages, cultures, and religions. He noted that each ethnic group in the country celebrates distinct festivals with unique characteristics. President Paudel acknowledged the Sherpa community’s uniqueness and praised the Sherpa and Himalayan Indigenous communities for their significant contributions to the national economy through tourism and business. He commended their efforts in preserving and promoting the language, religion, art, culture, and traditions of the Himalayan region.