Gyalpo Lhosar 2023: Welcome to the year of the water hare.
A very happy Gyalpo Lhosar to all of us, Tashi Delek. Nepal is a unification of several diversities, these diversities are not adversities but an identity of a common platform of nationality, Nepali. Losar exhibits the rare culture of Tibetan and the values of Buddhism to the world, among three Lhosars celebrated in Nepal, Gyalpo Lhosar is the auspicious celebration of Tibetan New Year. Tibet and other neighboring nations prepare for this day in their own way, Lo means year and Shar means new so jointly it forms a New Year.
Food and beverages in Gyalpo lhosar
Gyalmo Lhosar celebration lasts for almost a couple of weeks: however, the first three days are very important. "Chang" a homemade beverage, also known as Tibetan version of the beer is served on the first day. The second day is the main day and the third day is the day for the feast. "Khapse" fried twists are very popular in this Lhosar, Khapse gives a taste of Gyalpo Lhosar which is wrapped in love, nostalgia and compassion.
Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Tudikhel and various monasteries are filled with people in their traditional dress and several communal activities can be seen. Lhosar is not just for Tibetan people or concerned community, Lhosar is an identification of civilization, Lhosar is an expression of love and compassion. I would prescribe everyone to once visit monasteries or celebration spots and observe the culture of local native people, the culture of Himalayas and the civilization from altitudes.
Buddhist Monasteries across the globe organize sacred praying events in this day, these prayers translate the love and compassion of Buddha into this globe. This day, Monks also pray for the universal brotherhood and equality adjoining to world peace. Buddhist people visit monasteries and receive blessings from "Rinpoche" and also from elder members of their family. There are also traditional dance ceremonies in the community, these dances and songs narrates the story, myths and legends. Among these dances, a traditional dance narrating a survival story of a deer from a king is very famous.
Tibetan Calendar and the years of twelve animals
The Tibetan year calendar counting is made on the base of 12 different animals, starting from rat and concluding with Boar. This year 2023 is the year of water hare and is considered very special and auspicious. May all your desires and destinations are accomplished, May world be decorated with peace within and out, may all be healthy and may all smiles sustain.
International Mother Language day 
21st of February is an international mother tongue day, this day is an initiative of Bangladesh. Since 2000, this day is being organized and observed across the globe. A sustainable society can only be created when the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity is acknowledged, this is the day of celebrating linguistic diversity.
The world is making significant progress in mother tongue-based multilingual education with a growing understanding of its importance, mainly in early schooling, higher curriculum and media contents. Traditional practices and cultures are only preserved and transmitted through the mother tongue and also can promote peaceful dialogues. Languages depict identification, communication, social integrity, education, development and other several aspects of people and planet. Due to the globalization process, several mother languages are on the verge of being extinct, they are increasingly under threat and disappearing altogether. Let's join our hands to promote and preserve cultural and linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
Global language statistics
This globe is expressed in 6000 different ways through 6000 different languages but almost 43% of these languages are on the verge of extinction. Only a few hundred languages are integrated into educational curriculums and the public domains, less than a hundred languages are only placed in digital platforms. Language plays a vital role in preserving and promoting our tangible and intangible heritages, social peace and harmony are based on expression and language. Nepal is a country of diversity with over 123 languages spoken in Nepal. These languages are originated mainly from Indo-Aryan and Sino Tibetan sources, Nepali languages have recently been featured in Google translator and the Unicode form of Nepali scripts are widely accepted in digital platforms. Today we can post our status and write news in our own mother tongue (Nepali) however, there are several other languages in Nepal which must be preserved and promoted.
Languages in Nepal
The number of languages spoken in Nepal has reached 131. According to the report of the Language Commission, the number of languages spoken in Nepal has reached 131 with the addition of two more languages in 2076 and 77. Currently, the newly added languages are Marek Yakkha and Nava Sherpa.
Earlier, according to the study report of Language Commission 2075-76, 6 languages were added. Rana Tharu (Kanchanpur), Nar Phu (Manang), Chum Syar ( Gorkha), Pyke (Dolpa), Serake Sek (Mustang), Nubri, Larke and 6 languages were added.
Theme 2023
The slogan of Mother Language Day 2023 is 'multilingual education - a necessity to transform education'. Highlighting the importance of multilingual education, the role of language in the transformation of education has been given special attention in the year 2023.
Suyog Dhakal
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