NASeA Outstanding Social Leaders of 2012

Amid a ceremony at the ANMA-NASeA Convention, the Community Services Committee of NASeA recognized the following eight individuals as Emerging Social Leaders and one Outstanding Social Leader of 2012 for their outstanding contributions to the Nepali Communities/Diaspora in the USA and back home in Nepal.

Dr. Lila Bahadur Karki, the Chairperson of the Community Services Committee and the Executive Member of NASeA, briefly highlighted their commendable accomplishments and Sanjeeb Sapkota, President of NASeA, handed out plaques to the recognized social leaders. On behalf of NASeA, we congratulate our outstanding social leaders and expect even more services to the community in the following years as well.

NASeA Emerging Social Leaders of 2012:
1. Shailendra Devkota, President, NCNC

In a short involvement with NCNC, he has demonstrated his dynamic leadership to heighten Nepali identity in the NASeA region and beyond. He has provided Nepali communities, specifically NCNC members, with a feeling of being at home in Nepal by implementing so many wonderful activities:NCNC Members’ Contact Office, Nepali School, Radio Mirmire, Sangalo Newsletter, Monthly Movie Show, Blood Donation Drive (the highest number of donors in NASeA region so far), Satsang, and many other commendable activities that have truly adhered the majority of the Nepali under the single umbrella of NCNC.

2. Sangita Dongol, Chair, Children and Youth Committee/Coordinator, Atlanta Nepali School, Georgia

She is a champion blood donor and a regular volunteer and has been working hard to promote and teach Nepali language, culture, and moral education through the Atlanta Nepali School, leading NASeA’s very first children and youth committee to reach out to so many young talents to prosper through children to children webinars, and is also a Satsang organizer who focuses on women’s groups, and also a proven fund raising activist for NASeA.

3. Choonamani Khanal, General Secretary, FANS, INLS, Editor in chief of Voice and Sagar Newsletters, Former Information Secretary of FNA, Chairperson, NASeA Publication Committee, Founding Coordinator of Miami Pathsala, Florida

First of all, we wish him a quick and healthy recovery. He is a person with multiple talents, a true social HERO, and a highly dedicated individual who extends generous hands, and a big heart and mind to the needy people in the Nepali community and beyond. He always regards social service a top priority despite his serious health issue of having to carry a big cylinder of oxygen 24/7. No matter which Nepali organization (FANS, INLS, NASeA, FNA, …), his presence is always there. He is also the founder of Kritagya Trust that serves and empowers rural communities in Nepal.

4. Dr. Divya Pradhan, President of NANA, Alabama

She has shown exemplary leadership as the President of the North Alabama Nepali Association (NANA) for the past several years. She has been actively involved in organizing activities of Nepali origin, maintaining a true cohesiveness amongst Nepali people, preserving and promoting Nepali culture and values and passing them to the children and the community, representing Nepal in the local community and international institutions and also organizing social programs like blood donation drives.

5. Krishna Shrestha, President of INLS Florida Chapter

As the President of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), Florida Chapter, he had provided the targeted group with remarkable contributions and a patriotic dedication by promoting Nepali culture, literature, and language in Florida and beyond. INLS has established five Nepali Schools (Pathsala) respectively in West Palm Beach, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jackson until today. They have been role models in heightening the Nepali identity through Pathsala, not only in the NASeA region but also in the USA.

6. Dr. Hem Raj Joshi, Ohio

His constant support and commitment to empower especially rural girls of Far West Nepal through education has highly been commended in the Nepali Diaspora. He has been providing many scholarships focused on minorities and underprivileged girls and monetary support to establish and promote schools facilities (text books, furniture, and libraries). Simultaneously, he has been leading annual fund raising campaigns to provide patients in need of cataract surgery and free eye camp services in the Far West; these are truly commendable accomplishments.

7. Dr. Binay Shah, Washington

Since an early age, he has been providing many young Nepali medical doctors and students with training opportunities through telemedicine, and has also been providing grants to conduct research on emerging issues in the health sector, has collaborated with B. P. Koirala Memorial Hospital to establish the first bone marrow transplant center in Bharatpur, has invited Nepali health professionals to the USA for training, and has organized conferences to update knowledge and skills of the young doctors regarding cancer treatments.

8. Ramakant Kharel, Illinois

He is a social HERO who follows simple living and high thinking thoughts. He is a man with a gigantic heart, truly generous hands, and mind to serve the Nepal community regardless of where, what, or when. His readiness to support the Nepali community with his optimum capacity is praiseworthy. He has always been there to extend generous hands to promote social services and physical, moral, and financial support. His contributions to Nepal Wireless Project, Empower Nepal Foundation, victimized individuals, people in need, and many other organizations has encouraged others to participate in such noble causes.

NASeA Outstanding Social Leader of 2012

9. Dr. Prahlad D. Pant, President of Prahlad & Bindu Pant Orphans Foundation

He is one of the few Nepali people in the USA who barley needs an introduction; the first Nepali to receive Ph.D. in engineering, a past president of ANMA, Lead Founder of the Nepalese American Council (NAC), Founder and CEO of Prahlad & Bindu Pant Orphans Foundation, Chairperson of Nepali Community Center in Atlanta (working committee), and advisor of NASeA. His years of experience, service, and dedication to the Nepali community through multiple projects are highly appreciated in Nepali Diaspora.

10. Bruce Keenan and Susan Keenan, Founder and CEO of Himalayan Children’s Charities, Georgia

They established Himalayan Children’s Charities in 2000 to extend their charitable minds, hearts, and services. They have been fully supporting 51 children in Kathmandu and 20 children in rural areas by providing food, housing, education, health care, and all other needs. They are shaping the future of 71 poorest of the poor orphaned and abandoned little Nepali brothers and sisters and are working relentlessly to serve more children.

Finally, we would like to thank the following generous sponsors of the 2012 NASeA Outstanding Social Leaders Recognition Program:
1.Madhav Dhakal, Highpoint, NC
2.Blood Donors of America
3.Radha and Krishna (Radha-Krishna) Poulel, Indianpolis
4.PadmaDal Memorial Foundation

Thank you, our community service committee members and contact personnel for your wonderful cooperation and hard work throughout the entire year.

Respectfully,
Community Services Committee of NASeA
Lila B. Karki, Ph.D., Chair (AL),
Ghan Shyam Bhatt, Ph.D. Co-chair (TN),

Members:
Khusi Ram Tiwari, Ph.D. (MS), Madav Dhakal, (NC), Ajaya Satyal, (FL), Dipak Regmi, (GA),
Ramesh Chandra Khanal, Ph.D. (AR), Satish Chandra Gupta, (SC), Sakina Shrestha, (GA),
Bijaya Kattel, Ph.D., (FL), Tilak B Shrestha, Ph.D., (AL), Hari Sharan Karki, (LA), Bishal Gurung, (GA),
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