This is the first time in the decade-long history of NRNA that the president of the association has been elected through election. All the past presidents of the association were elected unopposed.[break]
This time also efforts were made till late Sunday evening to elect the president on consensus basis. But the efforts went in vain. Along with Ghale and Sherpa, Ram Pratap Thapa, Hitman Gurung and Rameshwar Shah had also filed candidacy for the post of president. However, they had withdrawn at the last hour and supported Ghale.
The sixth general convention of NRNA also elected T B Karki and Bhawan Bhatta as the vice-presidents, Kumar Panta as the general secretary, Ranju Thapa as the secretary and Badri KC as the treasurer.
The new executive committee will serve for two years. Talking to media after his election to the post, Ghale said he was elected because he had visited over two dozen countries to know about concerns and issues of Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) at the grassroots level.
He also denied allegations that support of a political party was behind his victory.
Ghale said he would set short-term, mid-term and long-term plans to drive the organization forward. “Besides, I also have plans to open a separate office for NRNA and focus to resolve problems that Nepalis are facing in Middle East and other labor receiving countries,” he added.
Prez hails role of NRNs
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Monday hailed the role played by Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) for the betterment of their homeland.
Inaugurating the sixth Global Conference of NRNs, President Yadav said NRNs can be messengers of Nepal wherever they are.
“They have made huge contribution to the country by sending in huge amount of money as remittance,” added Yadav. “NRNs feel Nepalis can be rich only if their country is prosperous. We should respect their sentiment.”
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs Madhav Prasad Ghimire said that the government has recognized the NRNA by including its representatives in different decision-making and policy-making levels of the government. He also said the MoFA has also opened a separate division to look after the NRN issues. Ghimire also said the government will initiate to establish bilateral relations in countries where significant number of NRNs are living.
The existing Foreign Employment Act envisages opening Nepali missions in country where significant number of Nepalis are residing.
Minister Ghimire expressed commitment to open consulates in countries where it is not possible to open embassies. He also said preparations are underway to arrange online application for the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and distribute e-passport by 2015.
Founder President Upendra Mahato and Chief Patron Dev Man Hirachan also spoke on the occasion.
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