Butwal, April 29: Newars who have been living in Butwal town for centuries have constituted a Newar Society Development Council (Shree Newa Pucha) for the preservation and promotion of their vanishing language, culture and social traditions.

The society has undertaken a mission to protect children, women and elderly persons of any community as well as the Newars’ native language and culture.

The society also aims at not discriminating against anyone on the ground of caste and community while providing scholarships and awards or accommodation in homes meant for elderly persons.

Chairman of the society Chandra Man Shrestha announced at a press conference that he has created a revolving fund of Rs. 100,000 for distributing scholarships to two children belonging to the Newar community and two others of any other community studying at high schools in Butwal town area.

The secretary of the society said there was a target to raise the amount of the fund to Rs. 2.5 million for the education of the children of the town.

It was also stated at the press conference that the society would launch an awareness programme to revive traditions such as Bel Bibah.

Ira Thaiba and Rabindra Gopal Lakaul are vice chairmen of the society while Mahalaxmi Joshi and Mahendra Prasad Shrestha are treasurer and joint secretary respectively.

Chandra Laxmi Shrestha, Gyanu Ligal, Rameswar Shrestha, Kamala Thaiba, Kalyani Lakaul, Dwarika Man Saiju, Muktinath Shrestha, Lavakush Kumar Shrestha, Arunlal Shrestha and Rupkeshari Shrestha are among members of the society.