Nepalis and Friends Cultural Association (NAFCA) celebrated Dashain on October 28, 2007 at the Davis Veterans Center. This was the most highly attended celebration in NAFCA’s history with over 300 attendees. Everyone enjoyed a large and diverse cultural program, with many dances representing the diverse culture of Nepal, songs, musicians, and poems by our local talented artists; the traditional Nepali dinner was catered by Kathmandu Kitchen; raffle prizes and awards were given for activities; as well as special recognition certificates.
This year NAFCA Secretary, Ajay Dev, gave a presentation to the audience about the nine year history of NAFCA, paying special tribute to NAFCA’s honorable members, Mr. Janaki Pradhan and Mrs. Bidya Pradhan, as well as NAFCA’s patron member, the late Dr. Pran Vohra. Mr. Dev also read from a letter written by the Honorable Janaki Pradhan on August 26, 1998, in which Mr. Pradhan congratulates the hardwork of all those who worked on the preparation of the constitution of the Association.
Dashain is one of the most important festival in Nepal (which lasts for 15 days). Here we gather for one afternoon and evening to celebrate Dashain. Families and friends gather to share in the celebration of the holiday and participate in traditional games, dance, music, and eat traditional food. The purpose of this celebration is to renew relations amongst the community as well as between the community and other friends of Nepal, and maintain cultural heritage.
See below for the Best Traditional Costume winners; a list of the local talented Artists who participated in the Dashain Cultural Program; winners of the indoor Activity games, and a list of people who Volunteered their valuable time to make this event successful.
Best Traditional Costume :
Male (left to right):
Mr. Sushil Khadka
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Mr. Surendra Adhikari
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Mr. Anup Srivastav
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Female (left to right):
Mrs. Nita Thoreson
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Mrs. Sushmita Chapagain
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Mrs. Pratima Dahal
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In promoting Nepal’s diverse culture and encouraging people to dress in the traditional dresses of Nepal, NAFCA awards Best Traditional Costumes/Dress at its events. While all the people who attended the 2007 Dashain Event looked gorgeous, we are unfortunately not able to given an award to every male and female.
Certificate of Appreciation for Event Participation:
40 Talented Local Artists

The following local talented artists were presented with a Gold Trophy and Certificate of Appreciation for Participating in Dashain 2007 Celebration:
Aaditya Subedi | Lila Mani Dahal | Renuka Timsina |
Akriti Maharjan | Mili Adhikari | Sabina Dhakal |
Amul Gurung | Mishan Bhandari | Sandeep Baniya |
Apar Karki | Naresh Shrestha | Sanghamitra Bajracharya |
Ashish Shrestha | Nehaa Khadka | Shanti Tamang |
Ashu Shrestha | Niharika Niraula | Shilpa Poudyal |
Basu Dhakal | Nita Thoreson | Shraddha Thapa |
Beverly Taylor | Ojesh Tuladhar | Subash Sharma |
Dinesh Deo | Prajwal Bajracharya | Sudeep Baniya |
Dhruba Thapa | Prashanta Poudyal | Suman Dahal |
Gaurab Thapa | Pratik Adhikari | Suraj K.C. |
Gunjan Thapa | Prinam Adhikari | Sushmita Chapagain |
Juli Adhikari | Purna Baniya | Swoven Pokhrel |
Khusbu Adhikari |
Activities:

The following are the winners of the 2007 Dashain Activities:
Game | Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Musical Chairs | |||
Boys Age 5-10 | Aaditya Tuladhar | Shikkar Pandey | Gunjan Thapa |
Boys Age 11-19 | Prashanta Poudyal |
Pratik Adhikari |
Anup Dahal |
Men Age 20+ | Surendra Adhikari |
Chris Brady |
Kumar Sah |
Girls Age 5-10 | Shreeya Joshee |
Samisksha Pokhrel |
Shrabya Joshee |
Girls Age 11-19 | Neeha Khadka |
Prinam Adhikari |
Neha Shah |
Womens 20+ | Yamuna Dangol |
Muna Adhikari |
Rekha Tamang |
NAFCA Committee thanks all the Donors and Volunteers who made the Dashain 2007 Event a success.
Volunteers:
Cultural Program Coordinators: Shanti Tamang, Prajwal Bajracharya
DJ Music: Sanjay Dev, Rose Shrestha
Stage MC: Basu Dhakal, Peggy Dev
Raffle Tickets: Guru Shrestha, Sanghamitra Bajracharya
Photography: Deependra Dhakal, Rose Shrestha
Volunteers: Bimal Chettri, Binayak Sharma, Damodar Gyanwali, Durga Dahal, George Busch, Ishwori Adhikari, Khagendra Dhungana, Pramod Pandit, Shyam Maharjan, Tanka Bhattarai, Tasha Dev, Uddhav Giri