“The Dashain Celebration 2082 - Saturday, September 27 2025

This year, due to work and various other commitments, the Colchester Nepalese Society (CNS) held its annual Dashain celebration slightly earlier than usual. Instead of the traditional Kalaratri date of October 1, the celebration took place on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Preparation and Setup - The preparations began at 1:00 pm. A dedicated group of committee members and volunteers worked tirelessly to set up the venue. Among them were the Chair, Vice Chair, Ladies Coordinator, Cultural Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary, Area Reps from NewTown and Highwoods, Advisor Umesh Kumar Pun MVO, Santosh Rana, Om B Gurung, Nar B Gurung, Dhan Bhujuwar, Rajendra Sherchan MBE, Kushma Ghale, Singh B Limbu, Chandra B Gurung MVO, and Pravin Rai, whose contribution to the decorations made the process smooth and efficient. By 2:15 pm, the venue was ready to welcome members and guests.

The Celebration Begins - The Dashain celebration formally commenced at 5:00 pm, with food providers from the Royal Gurkha Lounge setting up their serving area outside Studio 1 under a canopy. Starters were served at 5:30 pm, accompanied by background music, as members began to arrive and settle in.

The Cultural Coordinator officially opened the program, inviting the Secretary to deliver a short briefing on health and safety for all attendees, particularly children. This was followed by the symbolic lighting of candles by the Chair and the most senior member present, Mr Thaman Bahadur Pun, to mark the beginning of the celebration.

The atmosphere turned solemn as everyone stood for the national anthems of Nepal and Great Britain, followed by a one-minute silence in remembrance of members who had passed away, as well as those who lost their lives during the recent Gen G movement in Nepal.

Cultural Performances - The Vice Chair then extended a warm welcome to all present, after which the cultural program took centre stage. The evening began with an enchanting children’s performance, choreographed and directed by Mr Khagendra Jung Hamal. The children, dressed in beautiful costumes generously funded by their parents or guardians (over £120 in total), danced brilliantly, drawing admiration and applause from all. “We also celebrated the 13th birthday of Sharon Pun, daughter of Prem and Devi Pun, by sharing a beautiful birthday cake with everyone.”

The Cultural Coordinator had arranged a diverse lineup of performances by local talents, including traditional dances, folk songs, and contemporary numbers, which lit up the stage and kept the audience entertained throughout the evening.

A Meal to Remember -

Following the cultural showcase, members enjoyed a sumptuous main meal prepared by the Royal Gurkha Lounge. The delicious variety of dishes was warmly received and became a highlight of the evening.

Amidst the meal, two special family celebrations were shared: Mr and Mrs Khagendra Hamal marked the arrival of their baby son, and Mrs Tulsi Pun, along with her daughter-in-law (wife of Saugat Pun), celebrated the arrival of their first son. The Chair and Vice Chair congratulated both families on stage, adding a personal touch of joy to the event.

Community Spirit - The evening also provided a platform for Mr Pravin Rai (Kiranti), who spoke about his sister and brother-in-law’s initiative to establish an Old People’s Home in Okhaldhunga, Nepal, in memory of their late son, who tragically passed away at the age of 21. A collection during the celebration raised an impressive £289.10 to support this noble cause. The generosity of CNS members was gratefully acknowledged.

Appreciation and Festivities - As the evening drew to a close, certificates and small envelopes of cash were presented to all the performers in recognition of their outstanding efforts. With the children’s program concluded by 10:15 pm, the mood shifted to lively dancing. The cocktail dance session filled the hall with energy, as members danced enthusiastically to modern Nepali hits and traditional folk tunes.

By 11:35 pm, the raffle draw began, with members helping dismantle the decorations as the winners were announced. The draw wrapped up at 11:50 pm.

Closing Remarks - To conclude the evening, the Chair delivered heartfelt thanks to the Vice Chair, Cultural Coordinator, Ladies Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Area Representatives, Food Coordinator, and to Santosh Rana for providing drinks. Most importantly, he extended his gratitude to all members and guests whose presence made the celebration such a resounding success.

The event concluded on a high note, with the Chair inviting everyone to the upcoming Remembrance Sunday Lunch at Studios 1 and 2 on Sunday, November 9.

The 2082 Dashain Celebration was an unforgettable success- beyond our wildest imagination.

Udaibahadur Gurung MBE

Chair/Trustee

CNS