Nepal UK
A campaign to establish a Nepali cultural centre in west London has raised £122,572 so far, its organisers have said. The total, which organisers estimated at approximately Rs 25 million, was announced at an event marking Ghatasthapana at the Nepali Embassy in London on Sunday 11 October.
Chiran Sharma, convener of Nepali Culture Centre UK, announced the figure. He said the campaign aims to protect and promote the Nepali language, culture, traditions and identity, while creating a shared cultural space for Nepali communities across Britain. He described the community’s support as encouraging.
The chief guest, Bipin Duwadi, Nepal’s acting ambassador to the UK, said Nepali communities in Britain need a common meeting place. He praised the project as a highly commendable initiative and said he would make a personal financial contribution.
Mr Duwadi also referred to recent natural disasters in Nepal, which he said had left the country in difficult circumstances. He said Nepali communities abroad have consistently come together to support their homeland in times of crisis, remaining connected through their love for Nepal, social responsibility and unity. He expressed confidence that the community’s cooperation would help the project succeed.
Tia Acharya, a youth councillor with Hounslow Council, told the gathering that a cultural centre is essential to preserving the Nepali language, culture, traditions and national identity in Britain. She urged the whole community to unite behind the project.
Ms Acharya noted that people from many districts, regions and backgrounds across Nepal live in Britain. Despite differences in language, dialect, traditions and customs, she said, a shared identity and cultural heritage unite them. The centre could help younger generations maintain those connections and pass on their heritage, she added.
The event also marked the first anniversary of Nepali Culture Centre UK. Before the main programme, Pandit Nilhari Ghimire performed the Ghatasthapana puja at the Hindu temple in the embassy compound. Pandits Nilhari Ghimire, Chiranjivi Dhakal, Govinda Nepal and Homnath Paudel recited the swastivachan blessing. Med Buck, a former mayor of Spelthorne Council, was also present.
The programme included religious and cultural performances. Mr Ghimire, convener of the satsang programme, sang a special bhajan. Artist Nirusha Bhattarai Pandey and her team presented satsang and bhajan performances, accompanied by Shree Baleshwari Devi, Homnath Paudel, Shankar Kharel, Ganga Khanal, Prakriti Khanal and Nidhi Pandey.
Organisers envisage a shared space for community gatherings, cultural activities, religious observances and the promotion of Nepali arts and traditions. They hope it will serve Britain’s growing Nepali community and strengthen younger generations’ connections with their language and heritage.
