Province Chief of Bagmati Province, Yadav Chandra Sharma, has extended good wishes to Chepang brothers, sisters residing in Bagmati Province and other districts of the country as well as all the Nepalis on the occasion of Chhonam festival of Chepang community. In a message today, Province Chief Sharma mentioned that the festival celebrated as the day of eating new- harvest food grain is connected with lifestyle and culture of Chepang people. “The Chepang people celebrate the Chhonam (Nwagi) festival in the month of Bhadau after maize, paddy and fruits planted by them become ready in the month “, reads the message. They celebrate the festival by inviting neighbours and relatives and organising a feast collectively where they performs dance and musical programme as well as share their joy and pain. Such festivals would help promote religious harmony and fraternity, mentioned Province Chief Sharma. “Festivals like Nwagi in multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country, Nepal, will provide significant support to maintain unity, religious tolerance and fraternity within diversity”, reads the message. Chepang community lives in Chitwan, Makawanpur and Dhading districts of Bagmati Province as well as other 31 different districts of the country. —