Milestone Achieved: 25th Anniversary of ANQ/ New Year 2083 Celebration

The Association of Nepalese in Quebec (ANQ) celebrated its Silver Jubilee /25 years of establishment alongside the New Year 2083 festivities on 18 April 2026 in Montreal.

The anniversary commenced with the lighting of the candles, symbolizing the organization’s milestone. Laddu was distributed to all ANQ family members and invited guests as a token of celebration. Children enjoyed coloring various sketch images, enthusiastically competing to showcase their creativity and skills.

Formal Program

The formal program, conducted by General Secretary Siddhartha Sharma, lasted for an hour and a half. The event began at 6:15 PM with the national anthems of Nepal and Canada, followed by the lighting of the panas by the chief guest.

Due to last‑minute health issues, the Ambassador of Nepal in Ottawa could not attend and was represented by: Mr. Nitesh Sapkota, Deputy Chief of Mission, Spokesperson & Counsellor, Mr. Prem Prasad Baral, Second Secretary / Information Officer and Mr. Sarad Dhungana, Third Secretary

Vice President Mrs. Samir Khatiwada delivered the welcome speech, officially opening the event.

Former ANQ President Mr. Prakash Mugranti (2007–2009, 2009–2011), who has been involved since the association’s formation in 2001, shared his experiences and the challenges faced during the early years.

Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Nitesh Sapkota presented appreciation certificates to all founder members and former presidents, recognizing their leadership, dedication, and guidance that made the Silver Jubilee possible.

Mr. Sapkota also addressed the audience, highlighting the political shifts in Nepal and expressing hope for positive outcomes in the coming years. He reiterated that the Nepalese Embassy in Ottawa is always open to community feedback, with full contact details available on the embassy website. He encouraged investment in Nepal, noting that the current anti‑corruption government is committed to supporting such initiatives.

ANQ President Mr. Mahendra Raj Karki expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community and supporters for making the event a success. He emphasized the importance of the association as a platform to unite the community, preserve culture, and support one another.The formal program concluded at 7:25 PM with a group photo featuring all founding members and former presidents.

Cultural Program

After delicious snacks, the cultural segment began at 7:45 PM, hosted by Aashis Sharma. The hall was filled with music, dance, and festive energy. ANQ members and their children delivered outstanding performances, and the audience enjoyed dancing throughout the evening.

Performers included:

Singing: Asim, Bashpi, Dipen, Rutvi, Saurav, Salyan, Sanvi

Dancing: Muskarin, Diana, Rutvi, Aradhya, Aaron, Swastika

The event received sponsorship from Hari Gopal Shrestha (Everest Momo) and Suresh Tamang. Newcomers attending the event were welcomed and invited on stage for introductions. A photobooth was available for families, capturing memories that will last for years.

The event also welcomed international guests, including Chiara Leticia, a professor from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), who presented her research project on domestic rituals of Nepalis and invited to participate on research.A lively lucky draw added excitement to the evening. Congratulations to Man Bahadur Limbu and Yogi for winning the prizes.The celebration concluded with a warm dinner, joy, and endless laughter. The event was a resounding success, creating cherished memories for families and the community.

Wishing everyone a prosperous, healthy, and joyful New Year 2083!

Photo Gallary: https://anqc.org/gallery/25th-anniversary-new-year-2083