DBSV Teej Celebration 2023 ‘Preserving Culture- Raising Hope’

DBSV Celebrated Teej with Great Enthusiasm

Since 2014 every year DBSV has been celebrating Teej as a part of the DBSV’s vision to promote Nepalese culture and tradition here in Australia. We strive to celebrate Teej to provide an opportunity for all women to enjoy their womanhood, the richness of cultural essence and diversity through dancing and singing. Moreover, we endeavour to support women to boost their confidence and well-being with a dance performance and to enhance the spirit of unity among women. Through the Teej event, we also aim to raise hope and endowment to assist women in Nepal who are victims/survivors of sexual assault and rape. We intend to reintegrate those women and girls into society to prevent further exploitation and to curtail the risks of assaults, emotional abuse, neglect, and violence from society. DBSV is so proud that we were able to support and restore the lives of more than 125 women and girls in the Mid-western region of Nepal through our last 8 Teej events. For these, we are closely working in partnership with AAWAJ (a profound local NGO working on family violence in the Mid-Western Region of Nepal.

Event details: Teej is one of DBSV’s major cultural celebrations with the theme of ‘Preserving Culture- Raising Hope’. Celebration of Teej has been creating a win-win situation. On one hand, we are celebrating our culture here in Australia and on the other hand, we are making efforts to support women in Nepal who have been the survivor of sexual assault (rape). Like every year, this year the festival of Teej was celebrated with great enthusiasm by DBSV on 26th August 2023 at Coburg Townhall with the presence of more than 600 Nepalese women and distinguished guests from different local bodies and organisations. It was a gala time for all the Nepalese community members as they performed with the true essence of the traditional clothes, values, folk dances, and songs to mark the occasion.

Event Highlights: The event started with informal program and cultural activities including cultural dance performances by various unit groups and group floor dance, music, free Photo booth, free instant photo printing service, free face painting and kids’ engagement. The formal program of the event started at 6pm with country acknowledgement, inaugural speech by program host Jyoti Khatiwada followed by welcome dance performance on the stage by honourable chief guest, valuable guest attendees, Nepalese community leaders, event partner, event sponsors and DBSV Advisor s (present). After the welcome dance, formal program host Anita Bhandari and Jyoti Khatiwada welcomed and greeted the honourable chief guest, other special guests including Nepalese Community leaders from various community organisation and event sponsors:
• Kathleen Mathew Ward State Labor Candidate for Broadmeadows (Chief Guest)
• Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Sue Bolton- Socialist Alliance candidate for the Labor-held seat of Wills.
• Mr Essan Dileri – Team Leader Diversity and Intercultural Development, Melton City Council
• Monica Harte – Councellor Merri Bek Council
• Gandhi Bhattarai, President, Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre
• Mrs Laxmi Yonzon , Representative – Nepal General Consulate Office
• Catherine Schmidt, Uniting Church Glenroy
• Sadia, Voice of Australia
• Parsuram Sharma Luital, Multicultural Liaison Officer at Victoria Police, Community Advocate

DBSV Teej Sponsor and Supporter
1.Title sponsor /Event Partner Expert Education and Visa Services Melbourne, Australia “Rely on Expert”
2.Gold Sponsor: Ratna Jewellers: Nepali Jewelry Store, Melbourne Australia and GuideStar Training and Professional Services Pty Ltd
3. Sponsor/Catering Partner:Lumanti Melbourne ‘The Taste of Remembrance’
4. Other Sponsors:Buddha Travel & Tours Pty. Ltd, Magic Momo Kafe, Green Leaf Landscaping & Gardening
Pravin Patel, Indreni – Grocery.Meat.Veggie Shop Melbourne, Victoria, Your Dream Home ‘Conveyancing’ PTY LTD (Pravat Paudel – Licensed Conveyancer
5. Photography and Videography Partner Captured Moment- The Photo Factory – Photography
Subind Creation- Videographer Mr Subash Bastakoti
6. Decoration Partner Kathmandu Décor- Krishna Pyakurel, Women Entrepreneur
7. Dj Partner Dj Neil -Sunil Parajuli

After the acknowledgement of event guests and sponsor, the program continued by the welcome speech conveyed by organisation President Roshani Shrestha which was followed by speech from event Chief Guest Ms Kathleen Mathews. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Kathleen highlighted the DBSV purpose for Teej celebration and threw light on the significance of fund raised through event to support victim survivors in Nepal. The formal event ended with a vote of thanks by organisation Vice-president Nirmal Nyaupane. After formal event, the Teej celebration continued with floor dance and music, and musical performances by Nepalese renowned Guest artists Ravi Oad (Nepali Idol, Singer and musician) and Anita Chalaune (Singer). The guest artist performed various songs which every event attendee thoroughly enjoyed. The performances included folk and classical music which were treat for the eyes and ears for the audience.
Another important aspect of the Teej event was the showcase of Nepalese women entrepreneurs. Through the event, DBSV aimed to acknowledge and highlight the Nepalese women entrepreneurs (who were introduced during our 2022 International Women’s Day). This event aimed to provide them with an opportunity to share their expertise and to encourage female entrepreneurs by showcasing and promoting their entrepreneurship among community members. Women entrepreneurs present at the event exhibited their products.
Authentic Nepalese food from Lumanti Melbourne, a showcase of cultural clothes, ornaments and jewellery, raffle ticket were some of the other highlights of this year Teej event. At the very end of the event, the raffle winner announcement session was organised where representative from our title sponsor/event partner Surya Pokhrel from Expert Education and Visa Services Melbourne and our Gold sponsor, Ratna Jewellers were duly invited to facilitated the selection and announcement of winner’s name. As a raffle gift this year we had Gold tilari ‘Necklace’ from Ratna Jewellers and 3 gift hampers from our title sponsor. After the announcement of name of the respective winners, the programme officially concluded at 10pm with the joyful song and folk dances by attendees.
The feedback from event participants and their engagements, joy specifies a high level of happiness and gratitude. There were many positive remarks about the DBSV Teej celebration, the objectives behind the celebration, and the organization, structure and process of the program.