12^th Annual ANMA/NASeA Joint Convention, 2016 Concludes Successfully

The twelfth Annual Joint Convention of the Association of Nepalese in Midwest America (ANMA) and the Nepalese Association of Southeast America (NASeA) was held in St. Louis, MO at the Union Station – a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel from September 2-4, 2016. The Greater St. Louis Nepali Chautari (GSTLNC), was the gracious host of the Joint Convention. This convention also marked the 35^th Convention for ANMA and 25th Anniversary of NASeA.

The conference welcomed over 600 attendees from across America, St. Louis Bhutanese Nepali community members as well as visitors from Nepal and various parts of the world. The theme of the convention was “Nepali American Community, Preserve Our Culture and Identity” and its conclusion marked yet another validation of the concept of ANMA and NASeA, regional organizations, collaborating with local Nepali organizations in these undertakings and rendering Conventions into sought-after events by host cities in the presence of Nepali-Americans.

The formal opening Ceremony was on September 4^th and featured Convention Chair, GSTLNC President Mr. Balram Panthi, NASeA President Mr. Bimal Nepal, ANMA President Mr. Sushil Raj Sharma, Chief Guest H.E. Ambassador Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki, Embassy of Nepal, and Member of Parliament of Nepal Mr. Ambar Bahadur Thapa as well as leaders and representatives of various Nepali and American organizations.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Karki officially inaugurated the convention following the traditional lightening of the deep in Panash.

H.E. extending his remarks during the convention, highlighted various task the Nepal Embassy has performed in the past and extended special thanks to all Nepali organizations, individuals and US nationals for providing financial support to collect fund for the catastrophic earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. He informed that the Nepal Embassy to US has posted all the details of the pledged donation in the website.  Furthermore, he added the US Embassy Task team during the convention is a perfect example for our extended services to outreach the non-resident Nepalis in US along with new mobile technology for MRP. He thanked ANMA, NASeA and GSTLNC leadership for requesting to bring Embassy services at your doorsteps and expressed that our Nepali community will benefit from this facility.

Convention Chair Mr. Panthi on behalf of the joint convention, welcomed the chief guest and all distinguished participants and expressed that this convention will keep the spirit of ANMA-NASeA joint convention to a different height.

ANMA President, Sharma highlighted some of the activities that ANMA was engaged during his tenure such as “Ek EkPaila”. Ek Ek Paila is an initiative by Dr. Suman Thapa, professor at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, and an acclaimed singer and songwriter from Nepal, for treating patients of remote areas of Nepal. He also thanked the core committee members, the coordinators and the residents of Greater St. Louis for their dedication, perseverance and hard work in making the convention a grand success.

NASeA President Mr. Nepal while welcoming the participants, highlighted the 12 years of togetherness in organizing the joint convention which has reinforced NASeA/ANMA joint commitment in best serving Nepali American community in this region and beyond. Furthermore, he invited everyone to be the part of NASeA Silver Jubilee 2016 special event organized during Dashain festival in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, October 8, 2016.

Various other dignitaries and representatives wished success to the Annual Joint Convention and praised for continued partnership of two organizations. Some of the representatives include Mr. Padam Biswokarma – President of ILNS, Mr. Nima Sherpa – Vice-President of BDA, Ms. Natasha Wozniak – Director of Funds for Lumjung, Mr. T. B. Karki – advisor of NRNA and Mr. Ron Sitoula – Vice Mayor of Town of Indian Head.

During the ceremony, ANMA and NASeA jointly awarded the token of appreciation to American citizen, Natasha Wozniak, who had a big heart to Nepal and Nepali people. Natasha is the Director of Funds for Lamjung and is leading the effort to rebuild Gurug village in Rainaskot, Lamjung.

A token of appreciation was awarded to Mr. Surya Thapa – Managing Director of White Himal for his continued support to ANMA and NASeA joint convention as a media partner.

ANMA General Secretary Mr. Bharat Kandel along with NASeA General Secretary Shiva Bista and GSTLNC General Secretary Dilip Yogi conducted the Opening Ceremony. The culture program was conducted by MC Surya Thapa from White Himal TV and  Sunita Gurung, a beauty pagent  from Bhutanese Nepalese community in St. Louis.

Plenary and concurrent sessions commenced Saturday morning, and continued on into Sunday evening. Some were focused on Nepali heritage and language, like literary and poetry workshops and the cultural programs. Others dealt with the socio-economic transformation of Nepal such as the presentation on “Empowering Children in Nepal to Reach Their Potentials”, “Rebuilding Rainaskot” and “Changing Banking Industry and its importance in daily life”. Community needs and interests were addressed in sessions like “Health and Wellness, Youth Feud, Information Technology, Mobile Development, and Mobile Games, How to Raise Happy Children & Cultural Differences in Parenting and Women’s Empowerment and Domestic Violence. Most of the panels and forums were well attended.

“NASeA Services towards community 25 Years and beyond,” a special Forum was organized, in order to mark NASeA’s Silver Jubilee.  Health Camp, Blood Donations, Talent show, Dharma session and children activities along with Volleyball and football were the main attractions of the Joint Convention.

The Tour Office setup by the Embassy of Nepal to help expedite visa and MRP along with other legal services was the first in the history of Joint Convention as well as the first in the history of Embassy.

The annual general meetings of ANMA and NASeA were also held along with reunion of various alumni organization such as Budhanilkantha School (SEBS). Biannual election of the ANMA executive was conducted with Mr. Bala Ghimire being announced as the new incoming President. Five members of ANMA board of trustees was also announced at the event.

Concert by renowned band of Nepal 1974AD on Saturday and cultural program on Sunday was open to unregistered participants and they swelled attendance considerably. The programs were replete with professional-quality performances from local amateurs.

Keeping the tradition alive, NASeA/ANMA joint convention 2017 host organization city was officially announced by NASeA during culture program on Sunday. The host organization for the 13^th Annual Joint Convention 2017 will be Greater Charlotte Nepalese Association (GCNA) of Charlotte, NC. The local representative of the host organization together with NASeA members invited all to participate to the 2017 convention in Charlotte, NC.

A big thank you goes to the Convention Chair and the President of the host organization Greater St. Louis Nepali Chautari (GSTLNC) Mr. Balram Panthi together with joint convention Co-Chairs and all the Coordinators along with members of GSTLNC and Nepali and Bhutanese communities of Greater city of St. Louis.

Last but not the least our special thank you goes to all media online or paper based, and TV journalists for their wide coverage of the joint convention news in US and around the world.

Sincerely,

ANMA-NASeA-GSTLNC Joint Convention Secretariat

Bharat Kandel, General Secretary -ANMA

Shiva Bista, General Secretary- NASeA

Dilip Yogi, General Secretary/ GSTLNC

Joint Press Release:

Nepali associations in the United States of America on promulgation of Nepal’s new constitution and India’s undeclared embargo

Nepal has entered a new era with the promulgation of a new constitution on September 20, 2015. The constitution was overwhelmingly passed by the members of the Constituent Assembly (CA), a body directly elected by the people as well as by proportional representations from all ethnic and political groups.

The Indian government and their media allies have distorted the truth by telling the world that only fifty percent of Nepalis have supported the constitution despite the fact that the constitution was promulgated with an overwhelming majority of ninety percent of the CA members.

The new constitution may not have satisfied every group at every level in Nepal; the constitution is a dynamic living document and it can be amended peacefully by a democratic process as needed. The US constitution was amended 27 times and the Indian constitutions 94 times, both constitutions were promulgated by the majority of two-third of their CA members. The constitution adopted by Nepal’s Assembly is a sacred document for all the sovereign citizens of Nepal. It should be honored without any reservations by all democratic and sovereign nations. 

Passing of a new Constitution should have been a historical moment for Nepal, yet it was shadowed by the last minute attempt by India to stop the constitution process, which was further dampened by the 7-point demand to amend newly passed constitution and by a trade embargo imposed by India. This action is against the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the rights of a Land Locked Country (LLC).

While, the Indian Government has denied making any demand to amend the constitution and has categorically disowned the trade embargo, its actions at the border suggest otherwise. 

India’s attempt to impose its will to delay the promulgation of the Nepali Constitution, as well as, trying to punish Nepal with the trade embargo for not following its orders has not only crossed all lines of decency and norms between two nations, it has also violated the UN charter on trade.

Therefore, on behalf of all Nepalis and friends of Nepal, we, the representatives of the following Nepali Organizations in the United States would like to appeal to the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to recognize and honor the constitution of Nepal, a Sovereign Nation, by not interfering in its internal matters, and by allowing free flow of goods from India and other trading partners to Nepal.  

We would also like to appeal to the Government of Nepal, as well as, to agitating political parties to resolve all disputes and disagreements quickly and peacefully.

Respectfully,
Bimal Nepal           President, Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NASeA), GA
Roger Adhikari       President, Association of Nepalis in the Americas (ANA), Washington DC
Tej Rai                  President, Nepal Association of Northern California (NANC), Northern CA
Sushil Sharma       President, Association of Nepalese in Midwest America (ANMA), IL
Sharad Acharya     President, Rocky Mountain Friends of Nepal (RMFN), Colorado
Keshab Poudel       President, Non-Residential Nepali USA, (NRNUSA) Tennessee
Padam Bishwokarma    President, International Nepali literary Society (INLS), VA
Kul M. Acharya           President, Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA), Maryland
Bikash Devkota           President, United FNA-FANS, Florida
Thakur Karki              President, Nepal Center of North Carolina (NCNC), North California
Bhuvan Acharya         President, Nepali Association of Texas (NST), Texas
Meena Shakya            President, INLS, Florida chapter, Florida
Damu Dongol             President, Nepalese Association of Georgia (NAG)

PRESS RELEASE

INLS-GA Chapter: please find the Press Release in English below and the Nepali version is attached with this email prepared by INLS-GA Chapter General Secretary Kiran Dhakal. 

  अनेसास जर्जिया च्याप्टरको एतिहासिक पुनर्गठन

International Nepali Literary Society; Georgia Chapter (INLS-Georgia Chapter) re-establishment

Respected Nepalese Community members of Georgia/NASeA region and around the world,

Respected Editor in Chief Press/Online Media around the globe,

Greetings from NASeA Region!

On behalf of the External Relations Committee of Nepalese Association in Southeast America (NASeA) and INLS International, please join me in extending our congratulations to International Nepali Literary Society; Georgia Chapter (INLS-Georgia Chapter) for the historic re-establishment under the leadership of INLS-GA Chapter Founding President Chet Nath Ghimire at his residence in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, February 15, 2015. The meeting was moderated by the former president of NASeA Dr. Sanjeeb Sapkota.

With the recommendations from the INLS international officials and other attendants, INLS-GA Founder President Chet Nath Ghimire accepted to serve as the President of the INLS-GA for the term of 2015-2017. Mr. Ghimire then requested following individuals to serve on the executive Committee: Ambika Lohani as the Vice President, Kiran Dhakal as the Secretary General and Gobinda Shrestha and Geeta Devi Sapkota as the members. President Ghimire also nominated Sanjeeb Sapkota to serve as an advisor to the committee.

Speaking at the meeting INLS Chapters/Life member Expansion committee, Chair Bimal Nepal said that the reestablishment of INLS-GA will encourage and inspire other Nepali community in different states to come together to establish their chapter and keep the INLS mission alive. He further requested everyone to be INLS Life members. During this moment GA Social leader and INLS-GA member Gobinda Shrestha proudly announced his INLS Life Membership.

The president of INLS-international, Padam Biswokarma, assured the newly formed committee led by Chet Nath Ghimire all the support and help to grow and flourish the INLS-GA Chapter. Mrs. Namita Ghimire said that a history has repeated because INLS-GA was established ten years back in 2005 under the leadership of Chet Nath Ghimire but due to some challenges it remained inactive. Accepting the Presidency, President Ghimire shared that, “Now, with everyone’s help we need to promote Nepali literature in Georgia through INLS-GA” He further said that the committee will be further expanded and will prepare the yearly calendar to best address the goals of INLS.

As you all are aware NASeA takes pride in communicating the activities and news of her partner organization, State/Student and Community organizations of our region. NASeA/INLS-GA partnership will flourish in the days ahead and this is a perfect example of different organizations moving together in best serving our community as guided by our By-Laws.

Please join NASeA and INLS-GA newly elected Officers/well wishers and be the part of INLS various activities and together with the cooperation of NASeA and NAG let us reinforce our commitment towards  promoting our Nepalese language, culture and tradition here in NASeA region and beyond as Nepalese American.

Always for the community,

Respectfully,

Bimal Nepal

Executive Vice President/Chair, External Relations Committee, NASeA

Adviser/Chair, “INLS Chapters/Life members Expansion Committee”, INLS

https://naseaonline.org/

Nepal’s Pride: Lord Buddha and Mt. Everest

P.S. INLS-GA Chapter: please find the Press Release in the  Nepali version is attached with this email prepared by INLS-GA Chapter General Secretary Kiran Dhakal.

अनेसास जर्जिया च्याप्टरको एतिहासिक पुनर्गठन

अमेरिकाको जर्जिया राज्यमा, सन् २००५ मा स्थापित अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय नेपाली साहित्य समाज (अनेसास) जर्जिया च्याप्टर एक ऐतिहासिक बैठक संगै पुनर्गठित भएको छ । अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय नेपाली साहित्य समाजका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष पदम विश्वकर्मा र अनेसासका सल्लाहाकार एवं च्याप्टर/आजीवन सदस्य विस्तार समीतिका संयोजक तथा नासाका उपाध्यक्ष बिमल नेपालको बिशेष उपस्थितिमा फेब्रुअरी १५, २०१५ गतेका दिन सम्पन्न उक्त बैठक जर्जिया च्याप्टरका तत्कालिन अध्यक्ष चेतनाथ घिमिरेको निवासमा सम्पन्न भएको थियो । बैठकको संयोजन नेपालीज एसोसिएसन इन साउथ इस्ट अमेरिका (नासा) का पूर्व अध्यक्ष संजीव सापकोटाले गर्नुभएको थियो । बैठकमा कन्फेरेन्स कल मार्फत विभिन्न ठाउँबाट धेरै जनाको उल्लेखनिय सहभागिता रहेको थियो भने जर्जियाबाट अम्बिका लोहिनी, गोबिन्द श्रेष्ठ, गीता देवी सापकोटा र नमिता घिमिरे प्रतक्ष्य सहभागी हुनुहुन्थ्यो । सोही बैठकले अनेसासका पधाधिकारीहरुको सल्लाह र सुझाब अनुरुप सर्बसम्बत पुन: चेतनाथ घिमिरेकै अध्यक्षतामा एक कार्यसमिति गठन गरेको छ । कार्यसमितिको उपाध्यक्षमा अम्बिका लोहनी, महासचिबमा किरण ढकाल, सदस्यहरुमा गोबिन्द श्रेष्ठ र गीता देवी सापकोटा सर्बसम्बत चयन हुनुभएको छ । यसै गरी पुनर्गठित अनेसास जर्जिया च्याप्टरको सल्लाहाकारमा संजीव सापकोटा रहनु भएको छ ।

बैठकमा, अनेसासका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष पदम विश्वकर्माले नब गठित कार्यसमितिलाई शुभकामना दिदै च्याप्टरको सक्रियता र बिकासको निम्ति आफ्नो निरन्तर सहयोग र समर्थन रहने दृढता ब्यक्त गर्नु भएको थियो । यसै गरी अनेसासका सल्लाहाकार एवं च्याप्टर/आजीवन सदस्य विस्तार समीतिका संयोजक तथा नासाका उपाध्यक्ष बिमल नेपालले च्याप्टरको पुनर्स्थापनाले पुन एकपटक सबैलाई आफ्नो-आफ्नो ठाउँमा एकजुट भएर च्याप्टरको विकासको लागि प्रेरणा र हौसला बढाउने प्रसंसा गर्नुभएको थियो । बैठकमा सहभागी नमिता घिमिरेले सन् २००५ मा स्थापित अनेसास जर्जिया च्याप्टर विभिन्न कारण र कठिनाइहरुले गर्दा निस्क्रिय रहेर पनि आज ठीक दश बर्ष पछि पुन: घिमिरेकै अध्यक्षतामा पुनर्गठित हुनुलाई ऐतिहासिक भएको दाबी गर्नुभएको थियो

। कार्यक्रमको अबसरमा स्थानीय समाजसेबी एबं नेपाली साहित्यलाई मायाँ गर्नुहुने गोबिन्द श्रेष्ठले संस्थाको आजीवन सदस्यता ग्रहण गर्नु भएको थियो ।

यसै गरी नव-गठित कार्यसमितिका अध्यक्ष चेतनाथ घिमिरेले अनेसास जर्जिया च्याप्टर मार्फत सम्पूर्ण नेपाली मनहरुलाई समेटी नेपाली साहित्यको जगेर्ना गर्दै सबै माझ लोकप्रिय र ब्यापक बनाउन आफ्नो निरन्तर कोसिस जारी रहने बताउंदै यथासक्य छिटो नवगठित कार्यसमितिलाई पूर्णता दिदै, भाबी योजना र कार्यक्रमहरु सार्बजानिक गरिने पनि बताउनु भएको थियो । जर्जियामा अनेसासको च्याप्टर पुनर्गठनले यस क्षेत्रमा नेपाली भाषा र साहित्यमा थप योगदान पुग्ने बिश्वास लिईएको छ ।

(अनेसास जर्जिया को लागि किरण ढकाल को रिपोर्ट)