Deusi-Bhailo programs Nepali American Center (NAC) organizes traditional Deusi-Bhailo programs at or around the festival of Tihar (Deepawali). Accompanied by their parents, young children in traditional Nepali attires participate in this event visiting different community members’ homes door to door. They sing and dance in the deusi-bhailo songs, which are typically initiated by a leader in the group and followed by the rest. Musical instruments such as Madal (Nepali drum) and flute are also played. Traditional cell-roti (sweet) cooked with condiments, fruits and cash are offered to the Deusi-Bhailo players in a decorative form in a nanglo (hand woven tray made from canes). The participating children enjoy the event and the family offering them with presents feel happy to see the children  learning how to play Deusi-Bhailo. Thanks to the volunteers for helping to keep this tradition alive.  In some years,  Deusi-Bhailo event is merged with the our regular Tihar celebration held at a large venue  ध्यौसुरे गीत  आहै ! भन मेरा भाइ हो – ध्यौसुरे   आहै ! राम्ररी भन – ध्यौसुरे श्वोर मिलाईकन – ध्यौसुरे भन न भन – ध्यौसुरे हे ! राम्ररी भन – ध्यौसुरे हे !मेरा भाइ हो – ध्यौसुरे औसीको रातमा – ध्यौसुरे ४ भाइ साथमा – ध्यौसुरे आकाशका तारा – ध्यौसुरे झिलिमिली सारा – ध्यौसुरे हे !रातो माटो – ध्यौसुरे  चिप्लो बाटो – ध्यौसुरे  लड्दै पड्दै – ध्यौसुरे हे !आएका हामि – ध्यौसुरे ए ! ध्यौसी खेल्न – ध्यौसुरे ए !भन न भन – ध्यौसुरे मेरा भाइ हो – ध्यौसुरे      राम्ररी भन – ध्यौसुरे श्वोर मिलाईकन – ध्यौसुरे यो  घर कत्रो – ध्यौसुरे सिंह दरबार जत्रो – ध्यौसुरे दिन्छन दिन्छन – ध्यौसुरे दिनै आँटे – ध्यौसुरे    गाऊ भाइ हो – ध्यौसुरे मै मागी दिउला – ध्यौसुरे आकाशका तारा – ध्यौसुरे  सेल खाने दारा – ध्यौसुरे  हे !आखाम बाखम – ध्यौसुरे  सेलापुरी चाखम – ध्यौसुरे  ए !भन न भन – ध्यौसुरे  ध्युसेरे भन  – ध्यौसुरे      भैली गीत भैलिनी आईन आगन गुनिया चोलो मागन   हे ! औसी को बारो गाई तिहारो भैलो   हरियो  गोबर  ले  लिपेको  लक्ष्मी  पूजा  गरेको  हे !औंसी  को  बारो  गाई  तिहारो  भैलो  हामी  तेसै  आएनौँ    बलि  राजा  ले  पठाको    हे !औंसी को बारो  गाई  तिहारो  भैलो   

Even before calling it Nepali American Center by name, the activities of Nepali American Center started around May 2006. Its formal program started with puja on the first Saturday of June 2006 at Radhey Shyam temple Bloomingdale. NAC members  have been organizing this monthly puja, pravachan, devotional songs (bhajan/kirtan) service regularly on the first Saturday of every month since then. This unique program is attended by 100s of devotees regularly and is widely known  through various means such as publications, presentations at various events, word of mouth from attendees including visiting family members. This event consists of traditional worship as performed in Nepal, spiritual discourses, chanting, devotional songs, and speeches. A Nepali school for the children is also being conducted  in parallel at the temple basement during the event. At the end of the devotional program, a vegetarian Prasad (lunch) is offered to all the attendees. Group of families every month sponsor the Prasad. Donations by devotees are used to defray costs of the services and other programs, including children’s school programs. Distinguished spiritual and social leaders have taken part in the program from time to time. An annual ceremony is held every year in June where children selected for high performance at school, extracurricular activities and writings in NAC’s mouthpiece newsletter Chicago Chautari Times are awarded certificates and gifts. This event has been the core of social interactions among its members. It is one of the core elements for establishing cordial relations among the devotees. This event also offers a platform for meetings with its members to initiate and conduct different social and personal family events. Building a Nepali owned physical facility has been one of the principal voices of NAC volunteers and their supporters. Due to its long service, NAC volunteers have earned credibility and trust from the community to support  the establishment of its own physical facility in Chicago. Various events for collecting funds have already been started. Many community members and other Nepali social organizations in Chicago share and fully support this venture. Building the physical facility will move forward  under the long time NAC’s leadership selfless service and their advocacy for it.

Many of our fellow Nepalese perished from the devastating Earthquake of April 2015, many were injured and dead, and there was also huge damage and loss of properties. Nepali American Center reached out to fellow Nepalese and friends of Nepal asking for donations to help the victims for immediate relief and reconstruction. Many individuals and organizations from the Chicagoland area and also from across the USA and some even from European countries trusted NAC and donated for this cause. US senator from Illinois Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky also attended and helped to raise the funds. With an overwhelming outpouring of support, NAC was able to raise over $55,000 in contributions. Our donors wanted to use the fund for Earthquake victims through NRNA ICC. NAC used about $3000 for immediate relief purposes through NRN ground volunteers in Nepal. It transferred $15,000 for intermediate relief plan work to NRNA NCC USA. NAC vice president Mr. Ramakant Kharel handovered remaining fund of $36,000 by presenting a check to NRNA ICC president Mr. Shesh Ghale during the 9th NRNA Regional Conference in New Jersey USA on Saturday August 27, 2016. NRNA ICC had assured NAC to  use this fund and all other funds it collected in a transparent manner and with minimal  administrative costs. NAC likes to thank all the donors for their trusts and assures them that the fund is in the hands of our own philanthropic president Mr. Shesh Ghale.

During Nepali American Center (NAC) year end annual meeting held on November 25, 2018, the executive committee discussed how to enable communication between community members to fulfil their needs directly without going through NAC email and telephone calls. Given the capability of internet services and the availability of IT talent in the community, NAC started offering a public portal “NAC Classified” through its website nepaliamericancenter.org (see picture). Currently, this service covers: Need for Nanny or offer to help nanny service Finding a place to live or roommate or paying guest Nepali language translation service Volunteers need or interest to volunteer Address or relation verification for visiting parents and relatives Suggestions, comments, and feedback to NAC, etc. NAC has enhanced this service more effectively since the launch of the newly designed website.

Logo and newsletter title appearing in the first issue of the newsletter Logo used in the later issues of the newsletter The first issue of this newsletter was published in April 2009 and it has been published monthly since then. Initially it was called Temple Times and later renamed as ‘Chicago Chautari Times’. ‘Chautari’ is a common resting place for foot travelers and also a gathering place for various events in Nepal. In most Chautaris there are a few planted trees and a stone platform for people to rest on. Farmers spend their time at the Chautaris when they tend their cattles, resting place after a long journey and a gathering place for small chit chats. Initiated by some socially active members of the Nepali American Center, the goals of the newsletter are to bring regular community updates and useful information to the Nepali-American community, establish a platform to attract and encourage younger generations to build their skills in writing and communicate personal information to the masses. NAC believes that this activity is a valuable feature for our community in many ways. For example, it is helping us to be informed and united, an essential element for community growth culturally. This newsletter is currently published both in prints and on-line. Children who publish their writing are awarded gifts and certificates in appreciation of their contributions and to encourage others to participate. First issue of Newsletter – Front page First issue of Newsletter – last page Current issue of Newsletter – Front page Current issue of Newsletter – last page