Maj Udai Gurung MBE – Colchester UK
This year, the main days of Dashain fell on weekdays, when most members are at work. To ensure everyone could celebrate together, the Colchester Nepalese Society (CNS) held its annual festivities on the weekend prior, Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Marks Tey Parish Hall.
Planning and Preparation
Preparations officially kicked off with a committee meeting on Sunday, 13 September 2026, to finalize the celebration details. Despite work commitments and busy schedules, over 250 members and their families registered for the event.
On the day of the event, the committee—assisted by Bhel—decorated the hall, while Naina set up the PA system, having everything fully operational by 2:00 pm. Members then returned home briefly to prepare before welcoming guests for the evening.
Opening Ceremony
The celebrations began at 4:30 pm as the Cultural Coordinator set the festive mood with music, followed by starters served at 5:30 pm. In the Secretary’s absence, Advisor Kiran Gurung delivered the health and safety briefing.
To officially open the event, the Chair and Vice Chair lit two ceremonial candles. The Chair then delivered a welcoming address introducing the significance of Dashain and wishing everyone a joyous festival. This was followed by the national anthems of the United Kingdom and Nepal, and a poignant two minutes of silence dedicated to the victims of the devastating flash floods in Nepal on 26 August 2026.
Highlighting community solidarity, the Chair shared that just two days after the disaster, he launched a GoFundMe appeal. Combined with direct donations to the Colchester Nepalese Society’s account, the community raised over £21,000. He expressed deep gratitude to the people of Colchester, Gurkha veterans, the broader Nepali diaspora, and local friends for their overwhelming generosity.
Entertainment and Festivities
The cultural program kicked off with energetic performances by the community’s children, followed by musical numbers from Sharon, Sarita, Khagendra, and Shova Hamal.
A major highlight of the evening was the introduction of special guest singer Rejina Pariyar, who was welcomed with a traditional khada. Sponsored to visit the UK, Rejina arrived in mid-July, and her captivating performance quickly filled the dance floor until the 9:00 pm dinner break.
A delicious main meal was catered by the Feltham Gurkha Durbar restaurant. Afterward, Rejina returned for a second set that kept guests dancing well into the evening.
Prizes, Thanks, and Farewell
At around 11:00 pm, participating performers were recognized and presented with gifts of appreciation. The evening concluded with an exciting raffle draw, where Priti Thapa Gurung won first prize, Mandy Gurung took second prize, and several other members received consolation prizes.
As packing up began, the Chair took the podium at 11:30 pm to thank everyone for their dedication. Special praise was given to committee members and external volunteers who helped with decorating, serving drinks, and clearing down. The Chair concluded that everyone involved played a vital role in making Dashain 2026 one of the most memorable community events of the year.
At the end, Udaibahadur Gurung MBE, Chairman and Trustee of the Colchester Nepalese Society (CNS), thanked the guests and commended everyone who participated in the entertainment program.
