NRNA’s 12th convention begins, former presidents happy with unification of NRNA
लगानी न्यूज
. The 12th Global Conference and International Conference of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has kicked off in Kathmandu on Friday. Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal jointly inaugurated the convention by lighting a traditional lamp at Soaltee Hotel in Kathmandu.
Inaugurating the convention, Foreign Minister Sharma said the experience, skills and international contact of the Non-Resident Nepalis are important for Nepal’s development and transformation.TAG_OPEN_div_75 He said that it would contribute to industrial development and employment generation.
Stating that the constitution and laws of Nepal have accepted NRNs as the partner of the nation, he stressed the need for increasing investment and cultural responsibility.TAG_OPEN_div_73 He said that it was the responsibility of the NRNA to increase the influence of investment and technology as well as expand the scope of knowledge and capital at a time when new challenges have emerged in the dimension of international relations. On the occasion, Minister Sharma lauded the Nepali migrant worker for his contribution to the Nepali soil as a cultural ambassador. He expressed the belief that the NRNs would play a significant role in bringing economic development and prosperity in Nepal.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma said the government was alert to the security of Nepalis facing crisis in the Middle East.TAG_OPEN_div_71 “The Government of Nepal is aware of the concern over the security of Nepalis in recent incidents.
There has been a growing concern about the safety of Nepalis working in the Middle East.TAG_OPEN_div_69 The Ministry has been carrying out necessary works keeping the safety, welfare and assistance of Nepali citizens abroad in high priority. An emergency control room has been set up to address the problems seen in the Gulf. The ministry will act as a bridge between the workers and their families. Arrangements have been made to contact the Nepali missions and Nepalis in case any incident occurs,” he said.
Stating that collaboration between the government, private sector and non-residential was necessary for long-term investment, encouraging industries, innovation and knowledge-based economy, he said policy reforms and mutual trust were necessary for this.TAG_OPEN_div_67 For this, policy-level working reforms have been forwarded by establishing a coordination division in the ministry, he said. Under this, inter-agency coordination is underway to amend the Non-Resident Nepali Act 064 and other necessary laws, he said. He pledged to advance the integrated data system living abroad in a more effective way in the coming days.
Delivering the welcome speech at the inauguration ceremony, Executive Chairman Mahesh Kumar Shrestha said that Nepalis living abroad have a desire to do something for the motherland.TAG_OPEN_div_65 He further said that the unity was established by ending intra-party dispute and the contribution of Non-Resident Nepalis to the campaign of ‘Prosperous Nepal’. Stating that the issues of citizenship, labour and voting have been in jeopardy due to mutual disputes, he said that the global conference and international convention of NRNA would determine the future direction of the NRNA and review the past.
Stating that the upcoming working committee would play a role in giving the message that Nepalis all around the world are united, Shrestha said that the voting rights would be ensured to all by making extensive revisions in the electoral system and delegates system which has been a bone of contention in the NRNA.TAG_OPEN_span_38 He stressed on the need of taking the non-resident investment different from the foreign investment and utilizing the capital, skills and knowledge of the Nepalis living abroad.
Founding President Upendra Mahato expressed happiness over the unification of the association.TAG_OPEN_div_61 Stating that no matter what height of personal success one achieves, the campaign has no meaning if the country is not built, he said the campaign has been launched with the slogan ‘Nepali for Nepal’. He said that Nepalis are capable in all respects and there is a lack of determination. He was of the view that we could achieve a lot of prosperity if we were determined. He stressed on the need to take a pledge to build Nepal by fighting when the country is in trouble and rules and laws are in difficulty. He said that there is a problem of visa and work visa, so the country should be built first. “As long as we don’t build our own country, we will be a foreigner in whichever country we live in, so let us start building our own country,” he said.
Non-Resident Nepalese (NRN) 80 lakh Nepalese campaign appealed not to hurt other Nepalis just because of the rift between the two hundred people. He appealed to the association to encourage the contribution of 80 lakh Nepalis to the extent of their capacity. He said that as long as the investment of Non-Resident Nepalis does not come, the investment of other foreign countries will not come. He said that the industrialists and associations in the country have stopped coordinating with the NRNA and the dispute has not benefited anyone. He urged the association to work to represent 80 lakh migrants. “Let’s all move forward together. Make the country prosperous,” he said.
Executive President Dr. On the occasion, Dr Badri KC said that he was in the leadership in the journey from split to unity, adding that the unity would be further strengthened. He said that due to the working arrangements, the former presidents could not participate but they have their support. He pledged to work in such a way that not a single Non-Resident Nepali would be deprived of his or her voting rights and would send those willing to work with responsibility.
He said that the Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship (NRN) has been taken from the hands of the Prime Minister but it is not being implemented today, adding that the Non-Resident Act and other acts should be amended.TAG_OPEN_div_55 Stating that the old citizenship has also become inactive and the new non-resident citizenship has not worked, he urged the government to remove the legal complexities as soon as possible. He demanded that the next government bring the Non-Resident Act to the parliament within a hundred days and bring it into implementation. Stating that the PNOs have preserved their language and culture, he demanded that the government provide them with Nepali identity and non-resident certificates.
He also demanded the government to amend the investment laws and facilitate them and create an environment conducive for the easy flow of investment of Non-Resident Nepalis.TAG_OPEN_div_53
He said that the government could not start due to the lack of support after the NRN Development Fund was funded.TAG_OPEN_div_52 He requested the government to create an environment for the inauguration of the upcoming conference. The Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have been expanding Nepal’s tourism and culture abroad at their own expense, he complained that the government has not provided support. He demanded to increase the number of employees saying that it was difficult to get passports on time due to lack of staff in Nepali embassies abroad. Recalling that the Non-Resident Nepalis had mobilized volunteers risking their lives even during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the NRNA was ready to collaborate with the government for the safety of Nepalis in the deepening crisis in the Middle East.
Former President Binod Kunwar said that the unity general convention has given full shape and the upcoming working committee will give full shape to the unity.TAG_OPEN_div_50 He said that 80 lakh NRNs living outside are worried about Nepal’s development.
Rabina Thapa, the first woman president of the organization, said that the purpose of the organization is to reach consensus even if there is a disagreement.TAG_OPEN_div_48 He said that the knowledge, skills, capital and expertise of non-resident Nepalis should be brought to Nepal to make the country prosperous.
She further said that NRNA should coordinate with the new government to utilize the expertise of Non-Resident Nepalis.TAG_OPEN_div_46 She demanded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should now have a Ministry of NRNA as every Nepali is going abroad.
Former TAG_OPEN_div_44 President RK Sharma stressed the need to advance the campaign of prosperity through the collective investment of the workers along with the Non-Resident Nepali citizenship. He said that some people were left out during the convention and a new working committee should be included. He said that the crisis in the Middle East is escalating and the government should pay attention to this.
Former President Jiba Lamichhane said that the NRNA campaign has lagged behind due to the split when many issues including citizenship and investment have reached the decisive level.TAG_OPEN_div_42 “I’m happy that all my friends have realised today. You have reached the point where no one benefits from the split. We can only contribute if we unite. We can set an agenda,” he said.
Former president Bhawan Bhatta said that the unity convention was a matter of happiness.TAG_OPEN_div_40 Stating that investment from 90 countries would be easy if a mechanism was put in place to bring investment from overseas Nepalis, he said that investment should be focused on hydro, agriculture, tourism and IT. He hoped that the new government would pay attention to this.
Bhim Udas said that Nepal’s prosperity should be linked with the unity of the NRNA and NRNA should play a role in it.TAG_OPEN_div_39 Stating that India and China have been uplifted with the help of Diaspora, he said that the incoming Nepal government should call for an environment and make it a partner in development.
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